| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08348592B2 |
Instability mitigation system using rotor plasma actuators
An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a rotor having a row of blades arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on a blade that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed. |
| US08348589B2 |
Universal folding boom trailer
A Universal Folding Boom Trailer for transporting multiple vehicles provides a safe and legal manner for towing. The trailer includes a winch for loading and unloading the towed vehicles and can act alone as a crane if desired. Further, this trailer arrangement backs up like a conventional trailer. The Universal Folding Boom Trailer provides a means for a driver to haul multiple vehicles in both directions. The driver is able to attach the trailer to a personal fifth wheel and tow any type of unit: a fifth wheel trailer, a ball hitch trailer, or a gooseneck, among others—instead of dead-heading. |
| US08348588B2 |
Article transport facility
An article transport facility includes an article transporting mobile body configured to move along a path and having an article holder; an article support for storing an article, the article support is configured to be moved between an article transfer position and an article storage position; a lock device provided on the article support to be switchable between a locking state for locking the article support in the article storage position, and an unlocking position for releasing the locking state; and an operating device provided on the mobile body for moving the article support and switching the lock device. |
| US08348587B2 |
Vehicle storage/loading system for sheets
A motor vehicle having an assembly for loading sheet material includes a cargo area having a loading opening and a bulkhead located at an opposite end of the cargo area from the loading opening. Also included is a passenger compartment located at a forward region of the vehicle. Further included is at least one fixed end stop located proximate a rear area of the cargo area. Yet further included is at least one load assist strip, where a first end of the strip is mounted to the bulkhead, wherein the strip extends rearward to a second end of the strip that is mounted to the end stop. |
| US08348581B2 |
Integral tensioning member for variable sheetmetal thickness carrier attachment
A carrier for engaging a panel and a method of making a carrier for engaging a panel are disclosed. The carrier generally includes a base portion, an attachment member disposed on the base portion which is operable to engage a panel, and a springbar disposed on the base portion. The method generally includes forming a base portion, forming an attachment member, and forming a springbar on the base portion. The attachment member cooperates with the base portion to define a maximum panel thickness, and the springbar engages panels having a thickness less than or equal to the maximum panel thickness to provide tension between the base portion and a panel. |
| US08348579B2 |
Pushpin retaining device and method of retaining without object puncture
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a pushpin retaining device is disclosed. An exemplary pushpin retaining device can include a resilient, elongated pin that can have a first end portion for puncturing and a second end portion. A grip foot can be operatively associated with the second end portion of the pin. Alternatively, a cut edge can be on the second end portion of the pin. A method of retaining objects without object puncture can include providing a pushpin retaining device. The method can also include puncturing a support surface with an end of the pin of the pushpin device and pressing a portion of an object against the support surface with the grip foot or cut edge, respectively. |
| US08348576B1 |
Fastener and fastener assembly with discontinuous threadform
The disclosure provides in one embodiment for a fastener comprising a cylindrical shaft, a head attached to the shaft, and two or more external longitudinal threadforms, where each threadform comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions forming a separate helical path around the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into a corresponding mating receptacle, a combination of the shaft and the mating receptacle provides two or more pitches. The disclosure further provides for a fastener assembly. |
| US08348571B2 |
Screw
A screw has a screw head and a shank. The screw head has a square cavity, a hexagonal cavity or a hexagonal boss to be wedged by a screw driver for wrenching. The shank has a first asymmetrical thread at the taper to facilitate drilling holes, asymmetrical saw-type threads behind the first asymmetrical thread, and a second asymmetrical thread behind the asymmetrical saw-type threads. The shank further has a carved V-shaped tail between the first asymmetrical thread and the asymmetrical saw-type threads to facilitate cutting and debris dispelling. The screw thus formed can rapidly perform thread tapping and debris dispelling, and reduce friction and expand drilling holes and achieve fast fastening. |
| US08348565B2 |
Rivet
The invention relates to a rivet (2) for connecting workpieces (11, 12), in particular a blind rivet, having a sleeve (1) with a shank (5) and a widened preformed head (13) adjoining thereto, and optionally a rivet mandrel (8) with a head (9), wherein an end of the shank (5) lying opposite the preformed head (13) if necessary can be deformed to form a driven head by drawing the rivet mandrel (8) into the sleeve (1). In order that during the placement of a rivet (2) a gap (10) between the rivet (2) and workpieces (11, 12) to be connected can be closed and a highly loadable connection can be achieved, at least one indentation (3) running axially and/or at least one slot running axially are provided in the shank (5), which indentation (3) or which slot (4) during the placement of the rivet (2) causes a radial expansion of the shank (5) of the sleeve (1) towards the workpieces (11, 12). |
| US08348564B2 |
Container coupling device
According to a container coupling device 1 of an embodiment, when a container has been lifted with an upper fitting (4) and a lower fitting (5) being engaged with corner fittings (F) of an upper container and a lower container, respectively, via a spring mechanism, a container weight acts on a lower half portion (42) of the upper fitting (4) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the upper container and on an upper half portion (51) of the lower fitting (5) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the lower container. The upper fitting (4) and the lower fitting (5) are forcibly rotated against a biasing force of the spring mechanism in a direction in which the upper fitting and the lower fitting overlap an upper fitted portion (22) and a lower fitted portion (23), respectively. As a result, the lower fitting (5) rotates to a position at which the lower fitting overlaps the lower fitted portion (23) while the upper fitting (4) is engaged with the bottom corner fitting (F) of the upper container, and is thus released from the corner fitting (F). |
| US08348560B1 |
Tool head for a machine tool
A tool head suitable for use in a machine tool for shaping the edge of a plastic sheet, which holds and shapes the edge of plastic sheet while a vacuum on the machine tool holds the center of the plastic sheet. Having such a desired edge renders the plastic sheet suitable for further manufacturing treatment. |
| US08348558B2 |
Cutting insert and milling cutter
The invention relates to a cutting insert having an essentially parallelepiped-shaped basic body with two larger spaced-apart longitudinal surfaces (10,11) which are connected to one another by two smaller transverse surfaces (12, 13) and two smaller longitudinal surfaces (14) designed as rake faces, wherein the smaller longitudinal surfaces (14) form with the adjacent surfaces a respective, encircling, closed cutting line which forms the cutting edges and rounded-off cutting corners, and the larger longitudinal surface (10, 11) merges on both sides via respective rounded-off edges into the smaller transverse surface (12, 13), and one of the rounded-off cutting corners is designed so as to project relative to a basic shape which is determined by the cutting lines, on both sides, of the larger longitudinal surfaces (10, 11) with the smaller longitudinal surfaces (14). |
| US08348556B2 |
Solids distributor for injection plants, blast furnaces and the like
A solids distributor for injection plants includes a collecting chamber having a plurality of lance lines leading away from the chamber. The chamber has a supply connection for a solid to be distributed and is surrounded by a common wall in which a plurality of ports is formed. The lance lines are connected to the ports, and an annular gap is formed in front of the ports and along the common wall. A pressure vessel is arranged geodetically above the collecting chamber, the lower part of the pressure vessel being designed as a bunker, having an outlet providing a direct and continuous junction to the supply connection and an upper part designed as a gas space. The collecting chamber may include a central displacement body which forms the annular gap with the common wall and which may be an upwardly tapering cone which projects out of the collecting chamber. |
| US08348555B2 |
Formwork element for bounding a trench wall section, formwork part and method for producing a trench wall in the ground
The present invention relates to a shuttering element for limiting a section of a trench wall. The shuttering element is characterized by a plurality of shuttering parts which have a plate-shaped base body, consisting of concrete in particular, and are connected to one another at their adjoining horizontal front faces. Furthermore, the invention relates to a shuttering part as well as a method for producing a trench wall in the ground. |
| US08348549B2 |
Method and apparatus for absorptive boom
Method and apparatus for a low floating boom curtain constructed of absorptive material made for use in waters polluted by oil, fuel, diesel fuel, chemicals such as dispersants or other petroleum based contaminants or the like wherein the boom curtain is comprised of an upper and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is the buoyant portion and the lower portion is a skirt portion, wherein the skirt portion has a weighted portion on the bottom of the skirt portion so that together they form an absorptive boom curtain for removing oil from oil containing waters. The upper portion, which provides the main flotation for the device, has an internal float/foam member which provides sufficient flotation and which foam member is wrapped in a single or double layer of absorptive material and wherein the entire device is made of and or covered by absorptive material. The boom curtain has a strap running longitudinally along it for interconnecting the individual curtain units wherein the strap may also have attachment rings and interconnecting rings for connecting individual units of the device so as to form a longer string of boom. The weighted portion may be weighted by any suitable material, however, it is believed that sand will be the weight of choice since it is also readily available. |
| US08348547B2 |
Waterproof roadbed construction
A process for hardening and rendering a roadbed water resistant by measuring and ensuring the clay content of the roadbed soil is a minimum of 12%, amending the soil to bring the clay content within this range. Treating the top six inches of the roadbed soil with an enzyme formulation and removing and setting aside the treated roadbed soil. Applying two mixtures of organo-silane solution to soil remaining in the roadbed in two separate steps, allowing the treated soil to cure between applications. Adding the enzyme treated soil back onto the roadbed, compacting and crowning the soil, then spraying the surface of the treated roadbed and its associated shoulders with the organo-silane mixture. Once again, the organo-silane mixture is applied in a two step process with two different dilutions of the organo-silane formulation to form a hardened and water resistant envelope of soil within the roadbed. |
| US08348545B1 |
Traffic control marker with protective cover and stiffening elements
A clear protective cover on a roadway marker for protecting reflective sheeting located on the marker. The protective cover prevents the reflective sheeting from being displaced from the marker when impacted, for example, by vehicle. The protective cover can be formed from a clear, high-impact strength, polycarbonate material. A stiffening element located within the roadway marker increases the stiffness and resiliency of the roadway marker. The stiffening element provides more spring to return the roadway marker back to a substantially erect position after being deflected, for example, by a vehicle. The stiffening element can be a formed from a hard material such as PVC and can have the shape of a ball, cylinder, puck, oblong, or other suitable shape. |
| US08348541B2 |
Joint arrangement for a vehicle
Joint arrangement for a vehicle, with a joint (7), which has a joint housing (8) and a pivot pin (9) mounted movably in relation thereto; a rod (4), which has a cavity (6) and which is connected to the joint (7); a ring element arranged between the joint and the rod; a sealing bellows (10), which defines the interior space (11) and in which the joint (7) is arranged at least partially; and a gas-permeable connection (13), which connects the cavity (6) of the rod (4) to the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10), wherein at least part of the gas-permeable connection (13) is formed by at least one groove, which is formed on the ring element and opens into the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10). |
| US08348536B2 |
Rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device
A rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device is provided. An upper shaft and a lower shaft are coupled together such that the two shafts are rotatable in opposite directions, and a cartridge accommodated in an intermediate connection member is movable, and an open/shut module for covering a nib opens/shuts by the movement of the cartridge so as to provide a nib-advancing path. |
| US08348535B2 |
Stick-shaped material propelling container
In a stick-shaped material propelling container capable of propelling and retracting a stick-shaped material, the influence of variation of the dimension of the stick-shaped material can be made small. An inner barrel is slidably inserted in an outer barrel, an elastic body which urges the inner barrel rearward is provided between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, a chuck piece which holds a stick-shaped material is provided at a tip end portion of the inner barrel, and a chuck ring is inserted between the chuck piece and the outer barrel. A cross section of the stick-shaped material forms a triangular shape, the frictional force applying part which is in contact with the stick-shaped material to apply a frictional force is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer barrel, and the frictional force applying part abuts on a side in the vicinity of a vertex of the stick-shaped material in a cross section of the stick-shaped material. |
| US08348531B2 |
Media treatment web flow path
Various embodiments and methods relating to moving a printed upon web along bowed segments of a web path through at least three consecutive turns in a same direction are disclosed. |
| US08348525B2 |
Modular connector system having electrical and optical links
An opto-electronic module connector system is mountable on a system substrate, such as a printed circuit board, in a variety of configurations or orientations and includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI)-shielding enclosure, a connector assembly, and a socket. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a connector printed circuit board, a substantially planar contact holder, electrical contact fingers mounted on the contact holder, and an opto-electronic module. When the EMI-shielding enclosure and socket are mounted on the system substrate, a user can readily insert the connector assembly into the EMI-shielding enclosure and plug it into the socket. A user can likewise readily remove the connector assembly from the EMI-shielding enclosure and socket for maintenance, cleaning, repair or other purposes. |
| US08348524B2 |
Plug and connecting structure for endoscope
A plug in which the base end portions of an image guide comprise an image guide fiber and an image guide rod. A light guide comprising a light guide fiber and a light guide rod are fixed to a plug main body in a parallel state. The plug and a socket can be connected. The diameter of a position-aligning hole portion into which the base end of the image guide rod is inserted is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the image guide rod, while the diameter of a position-aligning hole portion into which the base end of the light guide rod is inserted is set to be greater than the outer diameter of the light guide rod. |
| US08348518B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector in which a seal member is difficult to be damaged during assembly. A seal member-accommodating portion that accommodates the seal member in a compressed state is formed as an intermediate portion of a through hole of a housing. When an insertion member is inserted into the through hole, an insertion portion of the insertion member presses the seal member into the seal member-accommodating portion. |
| US08348509B2 |
Flexible container with fitment and handle
A flexible container includes a panel structure of flexible web material. The panel structure defines a pouch that has a top opening. A rigid fitment, in the top opening, has a surface section adjoining the pouch. The panel structure defines a handle. The pouch is configured to be carried by the handle in an upright orientation in which the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture that is not above the bottom of the pouch-adjoining surface section of the fitment. |
| US08348508B2 |
Wave ramp test method and apparatus
Method and apparatus are provided for use with a tomographic imaging device. A test object comprising a plurality of angled ramps may be provided to facilitate evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device. A method for evaluating performance of a tomographic imaging device includes scanning the test object to produce a tomographic slice image and performing analysis on a waveform profile extracted from the image, to determine spatial performance of the tomographic imaging device. A tomographic imaging device may be provided comprising a scanning device and a data processing unit for performing a method of evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device. |
| US08348506B2 |
Extremity imaging apparatus for cone beam computed tomography
An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture. |
| US08348504B2 |
Wireless temperature measurement system and methods of making and using same
A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from a transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided. |
| US08348496B2 |
Mainspring
Mainspring for a mechanism driven by a motor spring, especially for a timepiece, formed from a ribbon of metallic glass material. This ribbon is monolithic and has a thickness of greater than 50 μm. |
| US08348495B2 |
Timepiece
A timepiece includes a striking member and a struck member that is driven when struck by the striking member, at least one of the striking member and the struck member being made from a metallic glass alloy. |
| US08348493B2 |
Electronic manager for bread dough mixers and operating method
The invention relates to an electronic manager for bread dough mixers and to an operating method. The invention consists of an integral module (15) comprising a PLC (2) which, by means of relays (3, 4 and 5), controls a low-speed contact (8), a high-speed contact (9) and an electrovalve (10, 10′) in order to operate a mixer (14). In addition, the PLC (2) controls a temperature sensor (6), a flowmeter (7, 7′) and a visual and audible indicator (13). The corresponding method comprises a parameter definition step, a start confirmation step, an oxygenation step, a liquid metering step, a mixing step and a return-to-rest step. |
| US08348492B2 |
Movable LED track luminaire
A magnetic track and lighting system is described. The present magnetic luminaire attaches to a track through magnetic connectors and provides easy mobility of the luminaires on the track without necessary mechanical attachment mechanisms. The magnetic luminaire incorporates the utilization of LED sources and provides in its design cooling and heat dissipation by the interface between the magnetic luminaire and the track. |
| US08348491B2 |
Light guide plates and backlight module
A light guide plate includes a body having a bottom surface and a light output surface opposite to the bottom surface. A scattering structure is formed on the bottom surface. The scattering structure includes a number of scattering dots located in the form of a number of concentric shapes around the center. The scattering dots adjacent to the center are arranged in a plurality of concentric circles. The scattering dots adjacent to the edge are arranged in a number of concentric quadrilaterals having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the light guide plate. A backlight module using the light guide plate is also provided. |
| US08348490B2 |
Planar light source device and method of manufacturing divided prism mold
A planar light source device capable of increasing light use efficiency and preventing color breakup without using any reflection polarizing plate nor performing multiple reflection. The planar light source device includes a planar light guide plate, light sources arranged as to be opposed to end surfaces of the light guide plate on its both sides, and a divided prism formed in a back surface inside the light guide plate and that reflects light incident upon the light guide plate from the light sources toward a front surface side of the light guide plate. The divided prism includes a prism portion and a dividing portion both of which have a width equal to or less than the wavelength of light from the light sources and is formed with the prism portion and the dividing portion alternately repeated along a direction parallel to the end surfaces of the light guide plate which are opposed to the light sources. |
| US08348488B2 |
Elongated solid luminaire with light-emitting portion with first and second extraction regions spatially divided along the longitudinal axis thereof
Lighted refrigerated display case with remote light source comprises a closed container with an interior of the container refrigerated to a temperature below 7 C. The container is thermally insulated from ambient, having internal and external walls. A solid fiber optic luminaire is at least partially mounted within the container, having an elongated side-light emitting portion for emitting light from the side of the luminaire onto contents in an interior of the display case. The side-light emitting portion comprises an extractor of light arranged to preferentially extract light from the luminaire and direct the light in at least one radial direction along the length of the side-light emitting portion to at least one target area of said contents along a longitudinal axis of the side-light emitting portion. A light-delivery system provides light to the fiber optic luminaire, having a light source mounted remotely from the interior of the container. |
| US08348486B2 |
Vehicular lamp unit and vehicular lamp
A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source such that the shade blocks a part of reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern; a first reflective surface formed on a tip portion of the reflector such that the first reflective surface reflects a part of the direct light from the light source downward to the front of the shade; and a second reflective surface formed on the front of the shade and below the rear side focal point of the projection lens such that the second reflective surface reflects reflected light from the first reflective surface towards the projection lens. The first reflective surface is formed in a shape of an ellipsoidal reflective surface having a vertical cross-section that is generally ellipsoidal in shape, and the second reflective surface is formed in a generally flat shape having a linear vertical cross-section. |
| US08348480B2 |
Adjustable structure for lamp stand
An adjustable structure for lamp stand, in which a swivel mount is fitted to the upper portion of a base, thereby enabling ends of a first bar support and a telescopic link to be pin connected to the swivel mount, while the other ends are pin connected to a second bar support. A lamp swivel component is disposed on the end of the second bar support. Accordingly, relative positions between the first bar support, the second bar support and the telescopic link can be freely adjusted, while still providing stable support to the structure. |
| US08348478B2 |
Light module
A light module includes a light engine that has an LED package having power terminals. A base ring assembly holds the light engine. The base ring assembly has a base ring configured to be mounted to a supporting structure. The base ring has a securing feature. The base ring assembly has a contact holder that holds power contacts. The power contacts are spring biased against the power terminals to create a separable power connection with the power terminals. A top cover assembly is coupled to the base ring. The top cover assembly has a collar surrounding the base ring. The top cover assembly has a securing feature that engages the securing feature of the base ring to couple the collar to the base ring. The collar has a cavity and the optical component is received in the cavity. The optical component is positioned to receive light from the LED package and the optical component is configured to emit the light generated by the LED package. |
| US08348477B2 |
Light emitting diode recessed light fixture
A recessed light fixture includes an LED module, which includes a single LED package that is configured to generate all light emitted by the recessed light fixture. For example, the LED package can include multiple LEDs mounted to a common substrate. The LED package can be coupled to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LEDs. The heat sink can include a core member from which fins extend. Each fin can include one or more straight and/or curved portions. A reflector housing may be coupled to the heat sink and configured to receive a reflector. The reflector can have any geometry, such as a bell-shaped geometry including two radii of curvature that join together at an inflection point. An optic coupler can be coupled to the reflector housing and configured to cover electrical connections at the substrate and to guide light emitted by the LED package. |
| US08348476B2 |
Method and apparatus for a lighting module
A light source module that includes a light source and a housing, the housing having a top portion for receiving the light source and an upper portion extending from the top portion to form a recess. A first sealing material provided inside the recess to form a seal that at least partially encapsulates the light source. |
| US08348473B2 |
Illumination optical system
An illumination optical system includes a prism disposed on an incident optical axis and a lens that is disposed between the light source and an incident surface of the prism or between an emitting surface of the prism and an illuminated object, at least one of the reflection surfaces being a transmission/reflection surface. Additionally, an illumination optical system includes a prism having a surface that is disposed so as to obliquely intersect with an incident optical system, that transmits a part of the entering light to be emitted therefrom, and that deflects at least part of the rest of the light in a direction that intersects with the incident optical axis to be emitted therefrom. Furthermore, an illumination optical system has a rod lens that is disposed so that a longitudinal direction thereof is inclined with respect to an incident optical axis is provided. |
| US08348471B2 |
LED lamp assembly
A LED lamp assembly is disclosed. The LED lamp assembly includes a heat radiator, a base body and a cover body. The base body is located on one end of the heat radiator and the cover body is located on the other end of the heat radiator. The base body has a plurality of first engaging parts, each of which is associated with a first engaging portion. The cover body has a plurality of second engaging parts, each of which is associated with a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is configured to correspond to and engage with the second engaging portion so as to sandwich the heat radiator between the base body and the cover body. |
| US08348470B2 |
LED illuminating device
An LED illuminating device includes a boiling room, an optical module, a heat insulating member and a heat exchanging member communicating with the boiling room. The boiling room defines a horizontal room and an annular, vertical room having a bottom end surrounding the horizontal room. A wick structure is received in the boiling room. Working fluid is received in the boiling room and saturated in a bottom portion of the wick structure. The optical module includes a plurality of LEDs attached to a heat absorbing member connecting with the bottom portion of the wick structure. The heat insulating member is received in the boiling room and attached to a middle portion of the wick structure for thermally insulating the middle portion of the wick structure from vaporized working fluid in the horizontal room of the boiling room. |
| US08348469B2 |
Flexible high-power LED lighting system
A string light engine includes a flexible power cord, a heat sink, an IDC terminal, a PCB, and an LED. The flexible power cord includes an electrical wire and an insulating material for the wire. The heat sink attaches to the power cord. The IDC terminal is inserted through the insulating material and electrically communicates with the wire. The PCB is at least partially received in the heat sink. The PCB includes a first surface having circuitry and a second surface opposite the first surface. The circuitry is in electrical communication with the IDC terminal. The second surface is abutted against a surface of the heat sink so that heat is transferred from the LED into the heat sink. The LED mounts to the first surface of the PCB and is in electrical communication with the circuitry. |
| US08348468B2 |
Light emitting device
An embodiment of the invention provides a light emitting device in which a semiconductor laser diode is used as a light source to emit visible light in a wide range. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor laser diode that emits a laser beam; and a luminescent component that is provided while separated from the semiconductor laser diode and absorbs the laser beam to emit the visible light. In the light emitting device, the luminescent component includes an optical path through which the laser beam is incident to a center portion of the luminescent component. |
| US08348466B2 |
Lighted moving ball display system
A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, including a plurality of lighted balls; wherein the lighted balls include a light emitting device; a ball power module and a housing. The system includes a medium having a plurality of clear plastic tubes, spirals, tracks, or spouts; wherein the lighted balls moves therethrough. The system also includes a lifting mechanism configured to lift the lighted balls to a top portion of the medium; and a loading mechanism in communication with the collection chamber and configured to load the lighted balls into the lifting mechanism. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system further includes a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the lighted balls through the medium; wherein the circulation mechanism includes a pressurized air system configured to project air through the medium during operation. |
| US08348462B2 |
Lighting system and assembling method of the same
Optic group for a lighting system including a plurality of solid state light sources, includes a plurality of optics each positionable in proximity of at least a correspondent solid state light source, a planar housing matrix of the plurality of optics for facilitating assembly of the lighting system. The assembling method includes sequentially: a) rotating at least a first asymmetric optic with respect to a third axis, parallel to a longitudinal axis of at least a correspondent solid state light source, at a first predetermined angle measured with respect to an axis orthogonal to the third axis, so as to lead the first asymmetric optic in a first configuration which is rotated with respect to the third axis and centered over the correspondent housing; b) coupling the first asymmetric optic to a correspondent housing of the planar housing matrix, and maintaining the same in the first rotated configuration. |
| US08348458B2 |
White light-emitting device
A light-emitting device comprises a light source adapted to emit light of a first wavelength range; a reflective body comprising a reflective layer; a wavelength converting layer comprising a wavelength converting material adapted to absorb light of said first wavelength range and to emit light of a second wavelength range, said wavelength converting layer and said light source being arranged mutually spaced apart; and light-scattering elements adapted to scatter light of at least said first wavelength range; wherein at least part of said light-scattering elements are arranged in the path of light from said light source to said wavelength converting layer. The light-emitting device according to the invention provides improved uniformity in color and also improved brightness uniformity. |
| US08348456B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device has a solid light-emitting element module and a phosphor module joined to the solid light-emitting element module. The solid light-emitting element module has a plurality of the solid light-emitting elements. The phosphor module has a plurality of phosphor-containing parts corresponding to the individual solid light-emitting elements. Thus, a light-emitting part is provided, which has more than one kind of luminescence sources having the solid light-emitting element and the phosphor-containing part. An illumination intensity of a composite light is 150 lux or more at a distance of 30 cm perpendicularly from the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting part. |
| US08348455B2 |
Overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat
An overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat, in particular in an aircraft cabin, includes a first plurality of light sources, each of which emits light along a center line. The lamp also includes, a holding device which immovably secures the first plurality of light sources so as to be disposed in a first row in such a way that the center lines of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources lie in one plane and are inclined relative to one another. The lamp further includes an, and an activation device, which is connected to the first plurality of light sources and devised to selectively activate in each case one of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources. |
| US08348452B2 |
Solar LED lamp
A solar LED lamp includes a housing, a light emitting module, a solar panel, and a light collective member. A circumference of the housing defines a plurality of windows. A light emitting module is received in the housing. Light rays emitted by the emitting module travel out of the housing via the plurality of windows. The solar panel absorbs solar energy and transfers the solar energy into electrical energy for the light emitting module. The light collective member is located over the solar panel and directs sunlight toward the solar panel. |
| US08348447B2 |
Plastic canopy lock
A sign-type lighting fixture assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes an illuminating lighting fixture, a canopy, and a canopy lock. The lighting fixture has a housing with a perimetrical wall. The perimetrical wall includes a fixture opening therein. The canopy secures the lighting fixture to the canopy. The canopy has a canopy opening for passage of electrical wires. The canopy further includes a pair of inwardly deflectable fingers for insertion into the fixture opening for resilient securement to the perimetrical wall of the lighting fixture. The canopy lock is configured to be inserted into the canopy opening. The canopy lock is disposed between the pair of deflectable fingers of the canopy to prevent inward deflection of the fingers of the canopy to prevent removal from the lighting fixture. |
| US08348446B2 |
Area light source device and display device
An area light source device according to the present invention includes a plate-shaped light guide plate that has one surface that serves as a transmissive surface and another surface that is on the opposite side from the transmissive surface and in which a plurality of recessed portions are provided. The area light source device also includes at least two light-emitting diodes that are accommodated in each of the recessed portions, that emit light in a direction in which the light guide plate extends, and that are disposed such that they emit light in different directions. In this configuration, directing a light-emitting face of any one of the light-emitting diodes such that it faces a given light-emitting area makes it possible to cause light to be emitted uniformly within the light-emitting area and also makes it possible to cause light to be emitted only within the specific light-emitting area. |
| US08348443B2 |
Document camera and its light box
A document camera and its light box are provided in the disclosure. The light box includes a base, a light guiding plate embedded in the base, and a light source device movably disposed on the base. The light guiding plate has a light input face and a light output face which are both light transmissive from the base. When the light source device is moved to face the light input face, the light source device provides lights outwards the light guiding plate via the light input face, otherwise, when the light source device is moved away from the light input face, the light source device provides light to the light output face down wards. |
| US08348442B2 |
Lighting apparatus and system
A flash apparatus and related systems and methods of use are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a housing having a generally concave reflector, and a light source disposed within the reflector. A handle can be engaged with the housing and/or the light source to facilitate manual positioning and repositioning of the light source relative to a photographic apparatus remote from the housing and/or an object to be photographed. A synchronization device is in communication with the light source and the photographic apparatus for causing the light source to emit a flash of light when the photographic device is actuated. A modifier can also be engaged with the reflector for modifying the emitted flash of light. In a portable system, various interchangeable reflectors, modifiers, and light sources can be provided. Power sources for the light sources and a stand engageable with the handle can also be included. |
| US08348439B2 |
Projection display system
An enclosure of a dichroic mirror system that synthesizes a plurality of monochromatic laser beams emitted from a laser light source to output synthesized light is a structure having a dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a dichroic mirror system upper enclosure joined to each other, and includes a light-leakage protecting structure that is formed by a convex portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a concave portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system upper enclosure engaged with each other at a joint therebetween. |
| US08348436B2 |
Light source device, image display device, and light amount correction method
A light source device includes: a light source; a driving signal generating unit that supplies a driving signal to the light source; a light amount measuring unit that measures the amount of light of the light source; and a light amount correcting unit that calculates as a light amount error a difference between a target light amount corresponding to a gray-scale value indicated by gray-scale data input from the outside and the amount of light measured by the light amount measuring unit, corrects a differential efficiency by an integrated value of a product of the light amount error and the gray-scale value, corrects a threshold value of the driving signal, and outputs to the driving signal generating unit a command signal for generating a driving signal having a differential efficiency and a threshold value after the correction. |
| US08348433B2 |
Liquid-cooling device including liquid pumping unit and liquid storage unit and projector including liquid-cooling device
A projector includes a liquid-cooling device configured to cool down an optical element, an optical element holding member that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and holds the optical element; a liquid pumping unit that circulate cooling liquid; a liquid storage unit that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and temporarily stores cooling liquid therein; and a plurality of liquid circulation members that connect the optical element holding member, the liquid pumping unit, and the liquid storage unit and define a flow channel of the cooling liquid, and the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member are arranged along a circulation direction of the cooling liquid along the flow path in order of the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member. |
| US08348432B2 |
Light source unit that includes a luminescent material, a primary light source that emits light to excite the luminescent material, and a secondary light source, and projector
To provide a light source unit which can increase luminance and a projector including this light source unit. This light source unit includes a luminous wheel having a segment area on which a luminescent material layer is formed which emits light of a predetermined wavelength band by receiving light, and a segment area which is made into a transmission portion which transmits light, a primary light source which shines light of a visible wavelength band on to the luminous wheel, a secondary light source which emits light of a wavelength band which is different from light from the luminescent material layer and light from the primary light source, a collective optical system which collects light from the luminous wheel and the secondary light source to cause them to converge to the same optical path, and a light source control device which controls the emission of light from the light sources. |
| US08348429B2 |
Optical coherence tomography device, method, and system
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography instrument comprises an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user is provided; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's eye; an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's eye; an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and electronics coupled to the detector. The electronics can be configured to perform a risk assessment analysis based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer. An output device can be electrically coupled to the electronics, and may be configured to output the risk assessment to the user through the output device. The optical coherence tomography instrument can be self-administered, and the eyepiece can be a monocular system or a binocular system. |
| US08348427B2 |
Systems for extended depth fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) and related methods
Systems for extended depth frequency domain optical coherence tomography are provided including a detection system configured to sample spectral elements at substantially equal frequency intervals, wherein a spectral width associated with the sampled spectral elements is not greater than one-half of the frequency interval. Related methods are also provided herein. |
| US08348422B2 |
Apparatus and method for activation of components of an energized ophthalmic lens
This present invention provides apparatus and methods for the activation of an energized ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for activation and deactivation of one or more components via wireless communication with an activation unit external to the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an energized ophthalmic lens contains components which detect external signals, process the detected signal and activate components that change optical characteristics via the control of electrical energy. |
| US08348420B2 |
Eyeglass with a soft sleeving element
The present invention provides an eyeglass frame/one-piece lens with a soft sleeving element. The soft sleeving element is provided with an elongated groove disposed inner the upper portion, and at least an inlaid flange is disposed in the elongated groove so as to form at least two spaced sections. At least a through hole and at least a curved slot are disposed in each side of the soft sleeving element, and a distal end is disposed at the bottom of each curved slot. The eyeglass frame/one-piece lens is provided with at least a pair of protrudent extensions at each side, at least a lower catching hollow is disposed at the bottom of each lower protrudent extension, and a catching concavity is formed on the upper rim of the eyeglass frame/one-piece lens. Each pair of protrudent extensions are inserted through the through hole and the curved slot, each distal end is caught and firmly secured in each lower catching hollow, and the inlaid flange is caught in the catching concavity. |
| US08348414B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus equipped with cutting head and ultraviolet light irradiation device
A printing apparatus capable of performing printing and cutting operations is presented. The printing apparatus including a supporting member for supporting a medium, an ink head comprising a nozzle for discharging ultraviolet light curable ink onto the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the ink head in the second direction, a cutting head comprising a cutter for cutting the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the cutting head in the second direction, and an ultraviolet light irradiation device coupled to the ink head for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet light curable ink discharged on the medium during the printing operation, wherein at least a portion of the medium is irradiated by the ultraviolet light after a region of the recording medium is cut by the cutter. |
| US08348412B2 |
Reactive dyes, their preparation and their use
Reactive dyes of formula wherein R1 is hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted C1-C4alkyl, (R2)s denotes s identical or different substituents from the group halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, Me is chromium, cobalt or iron, E is a bivalent radical of formula wherein X denotes chlorine or fluorine, T is a fiber-reactive radical of formula —NH—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2a), —NH—(CH2)2-3—O—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2b), (R3)0-2 denotes from 0 to 2 identical or different substituents from the group halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy and sulfo, Z is vinyl or a —CH2—CH2—U radical and U is a group that is removable under alkaline conditions, Q is a —CH(Hal)-CH2-Hal or —C(Hal)=CH2 group, s is the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, q is the number 0 or 1, A denotes a bivalent radical of formula wherein R1, R2, X, T, m, n, q and s are as defined above, R4 and R7 denote hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, R5 and R6 represent, each independently of the other, identical or different substituents from the group hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, and t and u are each independently of the other the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, are especially suitable for dyeing synthetic polyamide fiber materials and yield dyeings or prints having good wet-fastness properties. |
| US08348405B2 |
System and method for transporting solid ink pellets
A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container for storing solid ink pellets and a withdrawal tube having an inlet end disposed within the container. A vacuum generator is disposed at the outlet end of the withdrawal tube operable to draw a vacuum within the tube. A feed conduit is connected to the outlet end for receiving solid ink pellets drawn therein by said vacuum generator and conveying the pellets to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets. An assist tube is provided within the container with a discharge nozzle disposed within the withdrawal tube at the inlet end and operable to provide a flow of air into the withdrawal tube to agitate solid ink pellets and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets by the vacuum generator. |
| US08348404B2 |
Method and system for melter tank airflow management
An airflow system for a solid-ink melter tank is disclosed, which prevents clogging of drop tube supplying solid ink to the solid-ink melter tank. An inlet may provide airflow as well as solid ink to the melter tank and an outlet maintained at a temperature higher than temperature of the inlet, promotes a convective air current. The inlet may be coaxial with the drop tube or is present as a separate opening in the solid-ink melter tank. The outlet can be taller, externally insulated, and fabricated with a thermally conductive material as compared to the inlet. The heated outlet promotes expulsion of hot air from the solid-ink melter tank and prevents heating of drop tube, which leads to drop tube clogging by partially melting the solid ink. |
| US08348400B2 |
Device for feeding liquid to inkjet heads and device for wiping inkjet heads
When liquid materials are fed to inkjet heads, fluid pressures are equalized so that a gas does not remain in liquid feed pipe lines. Separate liquid feed pipe lines (3) for feeding the liquid material, each of which communicates with each of a plurality of inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a common liquid feed pipe line (2) which stores one kind of the liquid material and communicates with an ink tank (1). Separate gas flow pipe lines (19), each of which is capable of feeding a gas and communicates with a connection portion between the common liquid feed pipe line (2) and each of the separate liquid feed pipe lines (3), with each of the inkjet heads (4), or with both the connection portion and each of the inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a bypass pipe line (18a). |
| US08348399B2 |
White ink delivery
A method for white ink delivery includes circulating white ink through a white ink delivery system between successive print jobs; and in response to a time interval between two of the successive print jobs being greater than a threshold time interval, draining the white ink from the white ink delivery system. |
| US08348397B2 |
Fluid height backpressure device in a system for supplying fluid to a printhead
A fluid height backpressure system includes a printhead, a fluid supply tank, a backpressure device, and an air removal device. The backpressure device responsible for supplying system backpressure includes at least one tower disposed in an upright position and having a plurality of walls defining first and second chambers for respectively communicating with the ink supply tank and a fluid supply reservoir of the printhead. The air removal device provides additional back pressure in the second chamber, allows backpressure in the system to be maintained even with an empty fluid supply tank, and also supply of ink to the fluid supply reservoir of the printhead substantially without air bubbles being introduced therein. Also, ink sensors are utilized for sensing out-of-ink/ink-low conditions and also to help establish and continue the operation of the backpressure device. |
| US08348396B2 |
Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device includes a flexible membrane and an adhesive layer on the flexible membrane. The adhesive layer includes a first region and a second region extending from the first region. The fluid ejection device includes a piezoelectric material layer including an edge region and a central region. A surface of the edge region of the piezoelectric material layer is substantially coplanar with a surface of the second region of the adhesive layer. The surface of the edge region and the surface of the second region are substantially parallel with the flexible membrane. |
| US08348395B2 |
Piezoelectric element, liquid ejection head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A piezoelectric element, comprising electrodes and a piezoelectric body formed between the electrodes. The piezoelectric body consists of a perovskite oxide including bismuth, lantern, iron and manganese. The molar ratio of the sum of the bismuth and the lantern to the sum of the iron and the manganese is 0.87 or more and 0.94 or less. The molor ratio of the bismuth to the lantern is 3.57 or more and 4.82 or less. |
| US08348394B2 |
Liquid ejecting head
A discrete element electrode terminal and a driving IC are formed between piezoelectric element rows. A circuit substrate is placed at a side opposite to a flow path substrate side of the driving IC. An input pad is formed on an elastic film at a position corresponding to an inter terminal of the driving IC. An output terminal of the driving IC is electrically bonded to the discrete element electrode terminal, the input terminal of the driving IC is electrically bonded to the input pad, and the input pad is electrically bonded to a substrate terminal of the circuit substrate. |
| US08348391B2 |
Valve and actuator employing capillary electrowetting phenomenon
A valve 25 includes: a passage 33 having a first passage 31 which communicates an atmosphere-communicating passage 24 and outside of a cartridge body 10, and a second passage 32 which branches from the first passage; an electrode 35 provided on a wall surface forming the second passage 32; an electrode 37 provided on a wall surface of a bottom wall 11d forming the first passage 31; a driver IC 44 which applies a predetermined voltage selectively to one of these two kinds of electrodes 35, 37; an insulating film 36 provided on a surface of the electrode 35; and an insulating film 38 provided on a surface of the electrode 37. Accordingly, there is provided a valve which is capable of opening and closing a passage communicating two spaces separated from each other, which has no movable part, and which has a simple construction. |
| US08348388B2 |
Printhead integrated circuit with printable zone longer than nozzle row
A printhead integrated circuit (IC) for a stationary pagewidth printhead, includes nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A length of a printable zone corresponding to the nozzle row is longer than a length of the nozzle row. |
| US08348383B2 |
Printing device and method
A printing device includes a carriage control part that reciprocates a carriage, a print control part that confirms an origin point of the carriage by a position detecting part, a carriage moving time calculation part that calculates a first moving time (B) and a second moving time (C), and a line feed time calculation part that calculates a third time (A). The first moving time is a period during which the carriage moves from a carriage position to the position detection part after print completion, and the second moving time is a period during which the carriage moves from the position detection part to a next print starting position. The third time (A) is a period during which the recording medium is carried from the print completion to the next print position. The position control part executes an origin point confirmation operation of the carriage when (B+C |
| US08348382B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
In a cap mode where a cap member covers a nozzle surface, a controller controls a second movement mechanism so that the cap member is disposed opposite to the nozzle surface. In an ejection recovery mode where ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles and the ink adhered to the nozzle surface is wiped off by a wiping member, the controller controls a first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism so that the nozzle surface, a wiping tray and the cap member are arranged downward in this order. |
| US08348370B2 |
Assay system and method
An array of electro-actuated fluid dispensers (200, 465, 500, 670) for metering out liquid reagents includes a support member (230); and a plurality of discrete electro-actuated fluid-dispensing die (220, 460) disposed on the support member (230), each of the die (220, 460) being configured to receive a supply of fluid (130, 300, 447, 454, 456, 665) being deposited thereon and dispense the fluid (130, 300, 447, 454, 456, 665) as needed for assay testing. |
| US08348369B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
An image forming method includes discharging a droplet of a recording fluid via nozzles of a recording head onto a print medium; performing a main scan in which the print medium is scanned in a main scan direction; performing a sub-scan in which the print medium is scanned in a sub-scan direction; determining an overlap region in an image region that is formed by a single main scan; and performing an overlap control by forming an image in the overlap region through a plurality of main scans while the print medium is moved in the sub-scan direction by a feed amount L, wherein L=(n−x)d−md, where n is a number of the nozzles in the recording head; x is a number of the nozzles in the overlap region; d is a nozzle pitch; and m is a feed correcting coefficient (0 |
| US08348368B2 |
Method for arraying head assemblies of inkjet printer and apparatus for performing the same
A method for arraying head assemblies of an inkjet printer and an apparatus used for the method that can reduce a period of time taken to array the head assemblies after the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer by adjusting height and rotation center of each of the head assemblies before the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer, and can improve array precision of the head assemblies by adjusting a position in the X direction and a rotation angle of each of the head assemblies having already adjusted height and rotation center after the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer, by adjusting a position in the Y direction of each of the head assemblies and can control an ink spray time. The method includes setting a reference height and a reference rotation center; adjusting a height and a rotation center of a head coupled to a head assembly using the reference height and the reference rotation center; mounting the head assembly in the inkjet printer; and adjusting a position of the head assembly and a rotation angle of the head assembly. |
| US08348367B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and method for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid and a pressure chamber in communication with the nozzle. A pressure generator causes pressure fluctuation in the liquid retained in the pressure chamber. The liquid ejecting head is capable of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle as a result of operation of the pressure generator. A driving signal generating section generates a driving signal having an ejection pulse for driving the pressure generator to eject the liquid from the nozzle. The ejection pulse is a voltage waveform four waveform portions having, respectively, voltage levels V1, V2, V3 and V4 that satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B). 0≦V3≦0.4×V2 (A) 0.2×V2≦V4≦V2 (B) |
| US08348366B2 |
Wiring board
An FPC connected to a piezoelectric actuator has a board and two driver ICs mounted on the board. The board is provided with two wires for transmitting two kinds of mode selection signals respectively corresponding to two kinds of driving modes and with a selection pad selecting one from the two kinds of mode selection signals transmitted through the two wires and then outputting the selected signal to each driver IC. |
| US08348360B2 |
Elementary support for object display comprising a hinge polyhedral compartment
A support can provide information and display objects. The compartment of the support is hinged to switch between a flat folded condition and an unfolded and open functional condition to receive an object. It comprises a retractable wall (115) for holding the compartment in its unfolded and open condition and an elastic element (127) for biasing the holding wall in an unretracted holding position. The flattening of the compartment is done by retracting the holding wall against the action of an elastic element. The pivoting holding retracting wall (115) is a shoring wall between a floor face (105) and a ceiling face (103) with which they form a force descending rod. |
| US08348354B2 |
Vehicle braking system
A vehicle braking system including an input piston and a pressure piston that are moveably supported within a cylinder. The input piston is allowed to depress the pressure piston and is connected to the a brake pedal. Pressure chambers to the front and to the rear of the input piston are communicated through a communication passage such that the control hydraulic pressure in accordance with the operation amount to the brake pedal is applied to the second pressure chamber via first and second linear valves. The control hydraulic pressure in accordance with the operation amount to the brake pedal that has been transmitted to the pressure piston through the input piston is regulated by a pressure regulating valve so as to be applied to the second pressure chamber. The braking hydraulic pressure may be output from the pressure chambers, respectively. |
| US08348353B2 |
Brake control device for vehicle
A brake control device that controls braking forces applied to wheels to stabilize the behavior of a vehicle turning a corner, and includes a turning condition detection unit detecting a turning condition of the vehicle; a braking amount setting unit setting braking amounts for the respective wheels based on the turning condition detected by the turning condition detection unit; a brake control unit applying braking forces to the wheels according to the braking amounts set by the braking amount setting unit; and a road surface friction coefficient estimation unit estimating a road surface friction coefficient of the road on which the vehicle is running. The braking amount setting unit changes upper limits of the braking amounts for the respective wheels according to the road surface friction coefficient when the vehicle is in a center differential lock mode or a direct four-wheel drive mode. |
| US08348349B2 |
Mining methods and systems using mobile conveyors
A conveyor system for an open pit mine may include one or more conveyor lines. The conveyor lines are used to transport material from one location in the mine to another location. The material transported may be a waste material, such as overburden material, or coal. The conveyor lines may move from a first end of the pit to a distal second end. When the conveyor lines reach the second end, they may reverse direction and return towards the first end. During this reversal in direction of travel, equipment may be selectively swapped between the conveyor lines. The conveyor lines may include at least one mobile bridge conveyor. Each mobile bridge conveyor may support one or more conveyors that transport the material. |
| US08348348B2 |
Headrest for a vehicle seat
A headrest for a vehicle. A supporting body is mounted on a backrest of the seat, and a head support is adjustable and arrestable relative to the supporting body along a horizontal axis. The headrest includes a first arresting mechanism and second arresting mechanism that is disposed parallel to the horizontal axis and is provided with arresting stages. For an arresting of the head support on the supporting body, the first arresting mechanism is configured to engage into the second arresting mechanism under the effect of a biasing force. The first arresting mechanism is further configured such that it can travel over an angle of rotation about the horizontal axis counter to the biasing force. |
| US08348339B2 |
Seat that detects pelvis and chest displacement
A seat for reducing looseness of a seated posture in the entirety of the body. In connection with a load peak position of the pelvis of a seated occupant as detected by a pelvis displacement sensor disposed in the seat cushion of a seat, a control device compares an initial peak position and a peak position after displacement. At the same time, the control device detects a shoulder blade position from load distribution of the chest of the seated occupant, detected by a chest displacement detecting sensor disposed in the upper portion of a seat back, and compares an initial position detected in advance and an after-displacement position. Next, the control device moves the seating position of a seat cushion in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial peak position and the after-displacement peak position, and moves the upper portion of the seat back in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial position and the after-displacement position of the shoulder blade of the seated occupant. |
| US08348337B2 |
Child safety seat with energy absorbing apparatus
A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity. |
| US08348331B2 |
Cargo management system for pick-up trucks
A structural attachment system for a cargo management system is fully integrated into the cargo bed side walls of a pick-up truck so that the only feature that is different than a standard pick-up is an array of holes along the top of the cargo bed side walls. The cargo management system also includes a wide range of different pick-up truck cargo bed mounted accessories that incorporate structural hooks that are adapted to be retained and released by the structural attachment system. Additionally, the structural attachment system provides a single point, simple method of retention and release via an actuation handle at the rear most point of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The configuration of the structural attachment system allows significant structural retention forces to be transferred from the accessories into the pick-up truck cargo bed side walls via the structural hooks. |
| US08348326B2 |
Seat slide apparatus for vehicle
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a plurality of lower rails adapted to be fixed at a floor of the vehicle in an inclining manner relative to the floor of the vehicle; a plurality of upper rails adapted to be slidably supported by the lower rails, respectively, and to support a seat for the vehicle; a motor generating a driving force for moving the upper rails in a manner where the upper rails slide relative to the corresponding lower rails; a transmitting mechanism transmitting the driving force of the motor to the upper rails; and at least one slide-resistance applying portion provided in the transmitting mechanism and applying an increased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide downwardly on the inclination while applying a decreased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide upwardly on the inclination. |
| US08348325B2 |
Vehicle tailgate having pivoting secondary tailgate therein
A pickup truck tailgate assembly is provided that includes a primary tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a pickup cargo box and has an opening formed in the central portion thereof. The assembly also includes a secondary tailgate pivotally attached to the primary tailgate in the central opening. The assembly further includes a pivoting connection connecting the secondary tailgate to the primary tailgate so that a secondary tailgate may pivot downward relative to the primary tailgate. The secondary tailgate may further be deployed to form a step for access to the cargo box and may provide a gate for retaining items within the cargo box. |
| US08348322B2 |
Vehicle having utility bed and seat
A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat. |
| US08348321B2 |
Vehicle body structure for fitting pillar garnish and fender panel
A vehicle body structure for fitting a pillar garnish and a fender panel is provided which surely prevents a space formed in the surface of a vehicle body from being viewed as black. The vehicle body structure includes a resin-made pillar garnish on a front surface side of a pillar of a vehicle body, a steel-made fender panel having an end on an end of the pillar garnish, and a seal member sealing a space between respective ends of the pillar garnish and the fender panel. The pillar garnish has an extending portion which extends in a direction from the end of the pillar garnish to the end of the fender panel. The fender panel has a flange which extends in a direction from the end of the fender panel to the end of the pillar garnish. The seal member is mounted on the extending portion and the flange. |
| US08348316B2 |
Angular cooking tongs for manipulating delicate food items
Cooking tongs comprise a flat slice portion (1) and a dished portion (2) mounted on elongate arms (3, 4) with a spring hinge (5) therebetween biasing the portions to a spaced apart position. The dished portion comprises a forward edge which is substantially straight, when viewed in plan, a concave part (9) adapted to accommodate the yolk portion of a frying egg, and a periphery (8) around said concave part lying in a single plane. The portions are mounted on the respective arms in such a manner as to permit the flat surface to engage the flat slice portion uniformly when the portions are pressed together, whereby to engage the white of said egg around the yolk, in use. |
| US08348315B2 |
Cat litter scoop
A cat litter scoop has a handle part and a scoop part. The handle part includes a releasable locking mechanism and a button for releasing the locking mechanism. The scoop part is connected to the handle part via the releasable locking mechanism. When the scoop part is soiled, such as after scooping cat litter, a user presses the button to release the locking mechanism and jettison the scoop part and the user has no contact with the cat litter and no contact with the soiled scoop part. Preferably, the scoop part is biodegradable and may include paper pulp. |
| US08348313B2 |
Energy absorber for vehicle bumper
An energy absorber for a vehicle includes an elongate member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a generally planar front wall and a pair of spaced apart vertically extending side walls, and one or two at least partial end walls. The elongate member further includes a base section extending between channels and one or more flanges that may extend from the base. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a bumper beam and a fascia at the front or rear end of a vehicle to provide low speed impact protection. |
| US08348306B2 |
Vehicle restraint system
An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment. |
| US08348305B2 |
Airbag
An airbag includes a body cloth made of polyamide woven fabric and constituting a circumferential wall of the airbag. The body cloth includes on the inner surface a bond area having a coating layer of polyamide elastomer and to which a supplementary cloth made of polyamide woven fabric is bonded, an extended area having a same coating layer of polyamide elastomer as on the bond area, and an uncoated area that has no coating layer. The coating layer on the bond area is used as heat sealable adhesive that adheres the supplementary cloth to the body cloth whereas that on the extend area is arranged in such a manner as to be exposed to inflation gas upon airbag inflation so as to act as a protective membrane for preventing gas leakage. |
| US08348304B2 |
Airbag jacket activating system
An airbag jacket activating system includes radio communications transceivers configured to make RF communications and LF communications, respectively. An acceleration sensor configured to detect acceleration of a motorcycle. An update unit configured to update an LF communications ID, to code the updated LF communications ID together with an RF communications ID, and to transmit the coded updated LF communications ID and the coded RF communications ID to an airbag jacket through RF communications. An update unit configured to store the updated LF communications ID in a case where the LF communications ID is received together with the RF communication ID. A control unit configured to cause the coded RF communications ID and an ignition signal to be transmitted through the RF communications, and to cause the LF communications ID and the ignition signal to be transmitted through the LF communications when the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08348303B1 |
Airbag cover hinge with force-absorbing system
An airbag cover hinge has load-absorption capabilities that provide a controlled release of the airbag cover during airbag deployment. The hinge has a textile base structure formed of longitudinal and cross threads. High strength, load-bearing stop threads are integrated into the textile base structure. When the airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads eventually tear, while the stop threads extend in length and function as a hinge that holds the torn parts of the textile base structure together. |
| US08348300B2 |
Snowboard and skis
The tips are upwardly curved and the board's/ski's underside (the sole) is provided with first and second surfaces, straight in cross section, extending in the board's/ski's longitudinal direction, which are arranged at an angle to each other and usually interconnected via a third surface. The sole's first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge, which normally consists of a steel edge, have a varying height over a third sole surface (1), where this height typically both increases and decreases as one advances from the middle of the snowboard/ski towards the transition to the tip (A-A). At the same time the first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge substantially have a greater height over the third surface (1) in a 10 cm long area from the transition (A-A) and backwards than in the area forming the central half of the snowboard/ski. |
| US08348298B2 |
Slider with hydraulic cylinder
A slider for a fifth wheel is arranged on a towing vehicle, comprising a substructure with at least two guide rails aligned in the direction of travel, a displaceable slide carrying the fifth wheel and acting upon the guide rails, and a motor-driven drive unit. A slider is provided which allows the gap width between the towing vehicle and the trailer being adapted to the respective driving situation during travel. For this purpose, the slider is characterized in that the motor-driven drive unit is configured from a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydraulic circuit. |
| US08348297B2 |
Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same
An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is disclosed. |
| US08348296B2 |
Accessory connection member for bicycles
A bicycle accessory connection member includes a base having a planar contact surface and a recessed and curved match surface. Two elongate fastening members extend two sides of the contact surface and toward the match surface. The body and the fastening members are made by resilient material. A space is defined through the base so that the part with the accessory rack or bag is inserted into the space and connected to the base. An S-shaped hook has two recesses defined in two ends thereof and the two fastening members are engaged with the two recesses respectively so as to firmly connect the body to the bicycle frame. |
| US08348293B1 |
Wheelchair with easily changeable wheel sets
A wheelchair that has the ability to change quickly and easily the front casters of the wheelchair to another set of front casters intended for a different usage. This usage includes: an ‘everyday’ chair set up that uses narrower rear tires and smaller front casters; a snow chair set up with wide rear tires and larger front casters (or skis in place of casters); a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame; a hiking set up with mountain bike rear tires and over sized youth mountain bike front casters set); or a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame. A user may also mix and match front casters and rear wheels to form a different combination not listed above. |
| US08348290B2 |
Structural component for rear frame structure of a motor vehicle
A structural component for a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle is provided with a mounting zone suitably designed for the mounting of a rear axle, more preferably of the twist-beam axle type, a first support zone suitably designed for supporting a suspension spring of the rear axle, a second support zone suitably designed for supporting a shock absorber of the rear axle, and at least one fastening zone suitably designed for fastening the structural component to the rear frame structure. In addition, it extends to an assembly consisting of a rear axle with structural components fastened thereto, a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle with such structural components, and a motor vehicle equipped accordingly. |
| US08348288B1 |
Knee scooter
A knee scooter having pivotable handle bars, a U-shaped frame with a wide rear axle and an adjustable knee support for use by injured or disabled users. The wide rear axle of the U-shaped frame can be laterally moved to accommodate either an injury to a right or left leg. The scooter is steered by turning a pair of front wheels and hand brakes are positioned on the handle bars to manually stop the scooter as needed. The steering or turning of the front wheels is limited to about 60° rotation for safety purposes. The method of use includes securing the handle bars in an upright position, adjusting the steering column height, adjusting the knee support height and moving the rear axle laterally to accommodate supporting either a right or left leg as needed as the other leg is used to propel the scooter. |
| US08348287B1 |
Slab cart
A slab cart for sheet material which comprises a dolly component. A shelf component receives the sheet material. A mechanism is for coupling the shelf component to the dolly component in a pivotable manner, so that the shelf component will go from a horizontal position to a vertical position. When the shelf component is in the horizontal position the sheet material will be manually slid off of the shelf component onto a support table and be manually slid from the support table onto the shelf component. When the shelf component with the sheet material is in the vertical position, the sheet material will be held on edge to the shelf component and be transported by the dolly component through the confines of narrow places. |
| US08348283B2 |
Suspension control apparatus and vehicle control apparatus
A suspension control apparatus selectively performs at least one of: compression-stroke control performed when a wheel load is increased, for setting a damping-force characteristic of at least one of damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be increased among a plurality of wheels, to a hard side in an early stage of a compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to a soft side in a latter stage of the compression stroke; extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is increased, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in an early stage of an extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in a latter stage of the extension stroke; compression-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic of at least one of the damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be reduced, to the soft side in the early stage of the compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the latter stage of the compression stroke; and extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the early stage of the extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in the latter stage of the extension stroke. |
| US08348281B2 |
Seal ring and stern tube sealing device
A stern tube sealing assembly and a seal ring thereof has a key part having an inverted V-shape, a front step part on the front side, and a back step part on the back side thereof. The seal ring width in a propulsion-shaft axis direction becomes thinner in the transition area from the key part toward a heel part. The inner diameter of the key part at the back step part is greater than that of the key part at the front step part. The ring has a lip part having a V-shaped lip tip protruding inwardly in the radial direction and a spring groove having a semicircular cross-section. The center of the spring groove is nearer to the inboard side than the lip tip, by an offset in the axis direction, the offset being within approximately 10% of the orthogonal projection length of the width of the lip back. |
| US08348277B2 |
Roulette game system and method of play
A conventional roulette wheel modified to include a set of roulette numbers depicted on an inner rotatable unit which like another set of roulette numbers depicted on an outer rotatable ring serve to identify a ball compartment such that a ball compartment into which the roulette ball ultimately lands is identified by two roulette numbers increasing the number of wager options for players including a high-paying bonus wager. Various systems for ensuring alignment of the outer and/or inner sets of roulette numbers with the ball compartments are disclosed. |
| US08348271B2 |
Printer with sheet sending mechanism
A supply roller for sending a piece of sheet from pieces of sheets stacked within a cassette towards a sheet guide and a pair of feed-in rollers for sending the piece of sheet supplied from the sheet guide towards a printing region are provided within a printer. The pair of feed-in rollers has a feed-in drive roller driven by a motor and a feed-in driven roller driven by the feed-in drive roller. A sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers is faster than a sending speed of the supply roller, and a sending force of the pair of feed-in rollers is stronger than a sending force of the supply roller. A controller of the printer controls the rotation of the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers according to a procedure that does not rely on a position of the sheet sent by the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers during the continuous feeding mode. |
| US08348269B2 |
Image scanning device and document transporting method
An image scanning device includes a scanning specifying unit, at least two document detecting units, a supply timing adjusting unit, and a document supplying unit. The scanning specifying unit specifies one of at least two scanning methods each having a different transportation interval between documents. The document detecting units are at least two in number and arranged to detect a document at different positions on a transportation route. The supply timing adjusting unit is arranged to measure a transportation distance of the document after detection by the document detecting units and to generate a supply signal. The document supplying unit is arranged to supply a document from a paper feed tray based on the supply signal. The supply timing adjusting unit is arranged to generate the supply signal based on a result of detection by the document detecting unit that corresponds to the specified scanning method. |
| US08348268B2 |
Apparatus for transitioning media sheets in a printer
A new media path includes a flexible member that cooperates with a control point for smooth transitions of media sheets along the path. The media path includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a cross-member axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the elongated member having a first surface that is non-linear in at least one of the longitudinal and cross-member axes, and a bevel on a second surface of the elongated member, the bevel being proximate to the first end of the elongated member at a predetermined distance from the first end. |
| US08348260B2 |
Document processing apparatus, assembly and sub-assembly and method for operating the same
A sub-assembly of a document processor that routes at least one document from an input hopper, along a document path and to an output bin is disclosed. The document processor includes a flag movably-arranged within the input hopper to/from a closed orientation and an open orientation; a rod fixed to and extending from the flag, wherein the rod includes an outer surface; a cam member including a camming surface, wherein the camming surface is communicatively-coupled to the outer surface of the rod; a driven shaft connected to the cam member, wherein the cam member further includes a one-way clutch, wherein the driven shaft extends through the one-way clutch; and a feed motor connected to the driven shaft. A method for operating the sub-assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08348259B2 |
Sensors and variable positioned lift plates for laminated stocks in paper trays with a top vacuum feeder
An apparatus, method and system for a feeding a sheet in a document reproduction machine. A feedbox is contained within a document reproduction machine. Within the feedbox, an elevator moves at least one sheet to the upper portion of the feedbox, to a stack height finger, for feeding the sheet into a feed device. At least one sensor, located at the upper portion of the feedbox, detects the location of the sheet. The location information is sent from the sensor to a data processing device. The data processing device sends information to an actuating device. The actuating device may cause one or more plungers to move through apertures in the elevator. The plungers will result in a substantially flat sheet. The sheet is then fed into the feed device. |
| US08348255B2 |
Disk holding apparatus and defect/foreign material detecting apparatus
A disc holding apparatus including a plurality of movable holding claws, which have a holding section abutting to the outer circumference of a wafer having a notch and are arranged in the circumference direction of the wafer. The wafer is held by having each holding section on the inner edge side of each movable holding claw abut to the outer circumference of the wafer, thereby, at the time of detecting the notch by a sensor including a light source and a light receiving section, even when one of the holding sections abuts to the outer circumference of the wafer at a part where the notch exists, light from the light source is permitted to enter the light receiving section through the notch without being blocked by the holding section. Even when the wafer is held at the part where the notch exists, the wafer is not required to be correctly held again and throughput is improved with a shortened process time. |
| US08348254B2 |
Carpet pad separator
This invention concerns a carpet stand for lifting carpet, containing a rigid lift tip body along its long axis, further containing a support rod and a lifting tip. The lifting tip itself lies tangent to the exterior of the rigid lift tip's body, and perpendicular to its long axis, and is shaped such that it may grip or hold onto, into the backing of a carpet. The support rod itself is sized so that it may pass through the backing of a carpet. The support rod is then inserted down through the carpet such that the lift tip will grip and raise the carpet a distance sufficient to separate a carpet from its supporting surface. |
| US08348253B2 |
Modified boiler wall tube tool
A boiler wall tube tool comprises a pair of opposed clamp members, each one of the clamp members having a nose intermediately disposed between a recess and a planar or inclined wall, and an aperture formed centrally through the clamp member. The clamp members oriented so that the recess of one of the clamp members is substantially aligned with the planar wall of the remaining clamp member for engaging a boiler wall tube therebetween. The aperture of one clamp member is substantially aligned with the aperture of the remaining clamp member. Means for moving the clamp members toward each other for secure clamping engagement of the tubes for maintaining the clamp members in alignment while connecting the ends of the tubes by welding is also provided. |
| US08348252B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning and/or leveling a test head
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for aligning a first workpiece to a second work piece that includes: (a) placing the first workpiece on an alignment apparatus including: (i) two or more fluid chambers disposed in fixed relation to each other, the chambers having a movable wall and one or more apertures for admitting or releasing fluid; (ii) fluid channels coupled to the one or more apertures that enable fluid to flow between at least two of the fluid chambers; and (iii) one or more valves disposed to enable or to stop the flow of fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid channels; (b) pumping incompressible fluid into the fluid chambers; (c) opening the one or more valves; (d) bringing the first and second workpieces into contact; (e) waiting a predetermined time for fluid flow in the fluid channels; (f) determining whether the first and second workpieces are aligned; (g) if they are aligned, shutting the valves; and (h) if they are not aligned, moving the second workpiece a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, and returning to waiting. |
| US08348251B2 |
Sewing clip
A sewing clip is provided. In one embodiment, the sewing clip securely clamps fabrics of various thicknesses, sizes, elasticity, and textures in assistance of a sewing operation. The sewing clip includes two rigid members and an elastic assembly. The two rigid members each have a first surface with a clamping and handling end and a hinge extension coupled to the first surface. When employed in a sewing operation, the clamping end of each rigid member has a tapering-width adapted to slide in a direction away from a stitching point. An elastic assembly couples the hinge extensions of each rigid member and biases the two rigid members so as to secure overlapping fabric between the clamping ends while avoiding unnecessary alteration or damage to the fabric. A recessed divot is also provided in the clamping end that allows for retention of surplus fabric. |
| US08348249B2 |
Reaction device for forming equipment
An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod. |
| US08348248B2 |
Bubbling supply system for stable precursor supply
Embodiments of the invention generally provide apparatus and methods for vaporizing liquid precursors. In one embodiment, a bubbling system for supplying a vapor of liquid precursor is provided including a gas flow conduit having a first end and a second end, a nozzle structure connected to the second end of the gas flow conduit, and comprising one or more perforated conduits fluidly coupled with the second end of the gas flow conduit, and a plate disposed around the gas flow conduit and in a spaced relationship from the nozzle structure, wherein both the one or more perforated conduits and the plate extend radially from an axis of the gas flow conduit. |
| US08348238B2 |
Moving device
A support unit for moving an object may include an elongated member, at least one suction device coupled to the elongated member for attaching to an object, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the elongated member and an attached object, and a rotating member for moving the support unit and the attached object from a departure location to a destination location. |
| US08348236B2 |
Butterfly valve with a rigid seal
A valve is disclosed and can include a valve body having a central bore for passage of fluid there through and a longitudinal axis. The valve can also include a seal installed within the valve body along the central bore. The seal can include a first seal member having an annular ring portion and a hub portion extending from the annular ring portion. The seal can also include a second seal member including an annular ring configured to engage a distal end of the hub portion and create a sealing engagement between the hub portion and the annular ring when a compressive force is applied to the first and the second seal members. |
| US08348231B2 |
Pressure balance of automotive air bypass valve
A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38) and a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field. An armature structure (14, 16) can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position, defining a working gap area (62) between the coil and a portion of the armature structure, to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. Under certain operating conditions of the device, pressure is balanced between the working gap area and an area defined adjacent to 1) the sealing edge, and 2) a distal end of the armature structure. |
| US08348223B2 |
Flexible mold for a smoking device
A flexible mold for a smoking device having a cup-shaped outer wall, a cup-shaped inner wall, and a third cup-shaped wall. The outer wall has a continuous sidewall connected to a bottom wall containing a central opening. The sidewall of the outer wall extends from the bottom wall of the outer wall to an open end and contains an opening in the sidewall spaced between the bottom end and the open end. The inner wall has a continuous sidewall, a cover closing one end. The sidewall of the inner wall is attached to the bottom wall of the outer wall surrounding the central opening. The third wall has a continuous sidewall and a closed end. The sidewall of the third wall is connected to the sidewall of the outer wall surrounding the opening in the outer wall. The closed end abuts a surface of the inner wall. |
| US08348219B2 |
Integrally formed motor holder
A machine with a holder for mounting a motor to the device, which may be a printer, includes a support structure, a motor including a drive shaft with a drive shaft axis aligned with an opening in the support structure, and a holder including a base portion positioned adjacent to the motor, a first spring tab integrally formed with the base portion and operably contacting the motor to bias the motor toward the support structure, and a first latch arm integrally formed with the base portion and coupled with the support structure, the first latch arm resiliently deformed by the support structure in a direction away from the drive shaft axis. |
| US08348209B2 |
Universal retaining device, particularly for fastening panel elements and/or accessory parts in aircraft
A universal bracket for fastening different panel elements and/or additional devices in aircraft, comprises a base plate for fastening to a substructure, a support plate connected to the base plate and a plurality of spring clips received in the support plate to provide a releasable and vibration-damping connection to the panel elements. The base plate has at least one bore screen for fastening at least one device carrier for fastening at least one additional device, in particular emergency lighting, an emergency exit sign or the like, in different positions, wherein the fastening of the device carriers is provided with a fastening device such as fastening rivets, screws or the like. |
| US08348206B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a frame having a protrusion, a support, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly rotatably connects the frame and the support. The hinge assembly includes an elastic member providing a force pulling the frame and the support to move towards each other. The protrusion of the frame and the support cooperatively support the electronic device on a surface. |
| US08348205B2 |
Expandable armrest of wheel chair
An expandable armrest of a wheel chair includes a fixed part having a first pivotal portion which includes a first pivotal hole. A movable part is pivotably connected to the first pivotal portion of the fixed part by its second pivotal portion. A first transverse hole and a second transverse hole are defined in the second pivotal portion. A slide member is slidably inserted into the slots of the second pivotal portion and has an inclined hole in which an engaging member is engaged. The engaging member has a first end and a second end. A trace that the engaging member moves in the inclined hole constantly intersects a trace that the first end moves in the first transverse hole and a trace that the second end moves in the second transverse hole, such that the movable part is positioned by controlling the movement of the slide member. |
| US08348202B2 |
Railroad switch machine
A switch machine that includes a first relay having first normally open contacts and first normally closed contacts provided in the normal motor connection path and a second relay having second normally open contacts and second normally closed contacts provided in the reverse motor connection path. The normally open and closed contacts of each relay are associated in pairs and the first relays are structured such that each normally closed contact and the corresponding normally open contact cannot be simultaneously closed. Also, a method of protecting a motor of a switch machine that includes integrating a current being drawn by the motor and opening a motor circuit that includes the motor if the integrated current exceeds a threshold. |
| US08348201B2 |
Actuator device based on a shape memory alloy, and a wing flap assembly fitted with such an actuator device
A wing-flap assembly includes a flap made up of a plurality of flap sections, in which each flap section is connected to the preceding one in a rotatable manner, and one or more actuator devices adapted to control the rotation of the flap sections. Each actuator device includes an extended element made of shape memory alloy and an arch-shaped framework made of elastic material, to which the extended element is fixedly connected under tension. Each end of the extended element is fixed to a respective end of the arch-shaped framework. At least one of the actuator devices is connected at one end to the first of the flap sections, and on the other side it is adapted to be connected to a wing structure. |
| US08348198B2 |
Sail wing with high span efficiency and controlled pitching moment
An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a sail wing appended to the fuselage, the sail wing having a sail wing root chord length, and wherein the sail wing includes a sail wing leading edge spar, a sail wing membrane attached to the sail wing leading edge spar, and a sail wing trailing edge wire located at a trailing edge of the sail wing membrane, the aircraft further comprising a wing surface extension, located aft and at an inboard area of the sail wing trailing edge wire, the wing surface extension having a wing surface extension root chord length, and wherein the wing surface extension includes a wing surface extension membrane attached to the sail wing trailing edge wire, and a wing surface extension trailing edge, and wherein the wing surface extension trailing edge is reflexed such that the wing surface extension trailing edge is positioned upwards at a first angle with respect to a plane formed along a centerline of the aircraft and along the lower surfaces of the sail wing. The wing surface extension is further configured to affect a reduced nose-up pitching moment, and to produce a more even coefficient of lift along the wing of the aircraft. |
| US08348192B2 |
Crash attenuation system for aircraft
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, any number of intermediate states, in which the vent is partially open, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. |
| US08348188B2 |
Internal cutter on submersed mixer
A mixing system for a fluid tank is described, the system having a drive motor, an impeller, a shroud enclosing the impeller and a cutter mounted on the shroud to cut solids. The shroud is open at inlet and discharge ends for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. The cutter is detachable from the recess to allow replacement. In use, homogeneity is maintained in a slurry contained within the tank by submerging the impeller such that the cutter cooperates with the impeller to cut solids within the slurry, drawing tank contents into the impeller at the inlet, cutting material between the cutter and blade, and then discharging the material. |
| US08348175B2 |
Apparatus for preventing and removing fog at runway using sprinklers
There is provided an apparatus for preventing and removing fog at an airport runway. The apparatus includes: a water tank 10 buried in a ground around a runway; a water tank temperature sensor 20 for sensing a water temperature in the water tank; a heater 30 provided inside the water tank, for heating water contained in the water tank; a cooling device 40 provided inside the water tank, for cooling water contained in the water tank; the sprinklers 50 installed at opposite sides along the runway and over the ground around the runway, and supplied with the water from the water tank to spray water towards the atmosphere over and around the runway; and a controller 60 controlling, on the basis of the water temperature of the water tank measured using the temperature sensor, operation of the sprinklers, the heater, and the cooling device, according to an externally inputted operational signal. |
| US08348174B2 |
Advanced water and energy conserving shower and cleaning systems and methods
Systems and methods for energy-saving and water-saving devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a head assembly is coupled to receive a liquid flow from a liquid supply and a gas flow from a gas supply, wherein the head assembly defines a mixing region configured to receive the liquid flow and the gas flow, and a dispensing portion configured to receive a combined flow from the mixing region. In some implementations, a spray nozzle may sprayably introduce the liquid flow into the mixing region. In other implementations, a plurality of curtain flows may be drawn through apertures into the dispensing portion by the combined flow. In still other implementations, a portion of the combined flow dispensed by the head assembly may be recaptured into the gas flow. |
| US08348171B2 |
Smartcard interconnect
A smart card inlay and method for assembling the same are provided. The method includes attaching a first trace to a substrate, attaching a second trace to the substrate, attaching an antenna wire to the substrate, coupling a first end of the antenna wire to a first area of the first trace, and coupling a second end of the antenna wire to a first area of the second trace. A second area of the first trace and a second area of the second trace are configured to be coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) or IC module, and the first area of the first trace is located away from the second area of the first trace and the first area of the second trace is located away from the second area of the second trace. |
| US08348170B2 |
Method for producing an antenna on a substrate
A simple and universal technique for fabricating different antenna structures, in particular a multilayer antenna structure, on a substrate is disclosed. Before the antenna is actually fabricated or placed on the substrate, connecting surfaces for connecting an antenna conductor and/or a chip or a chip module as well as through-platings extending through the antenna substrate are prepared between the connecting surfaces. |
| US08348168B2 |
Focus adjustment with liquid crystal device in imaging scanner
A method and apparatus for using in an imaging scanner. The apparatus includes an illumination source, a solid-state imager, a liquid crystal device, a lens system, and a decoding circuitry. The liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two parallel plate structures. The lens system is operative to focus light reflected from the target object onto the array of photosensitive elements in the solid-state imager through the liquid crystal device. The decoding circuitry is operative to decode a barcode on the target object from the image captured by the solid-state imager. |
| US08348166B2 |
System and method for surveying with a barcode target
System and method for surveying. In one embodiment, a process is provided including detecting a barcode associated with a position of interest. The barcode may be decoded to extract data associated with the position of interest. Additionally, decoded data associated with the position of interest can be presented to an operator of a surveying tool. |
| US08348163B2 |
Antenna device and RFID tag reader having the same
An antenna device includes a first conductive plate, a second conductive plate, arranged in parallel with the first conductive plate, which has at least one slot formed thereon, a power feeding element located between the first and second conductive plates to feed power to the first conductive plate, and a shutter configured to be movable to close/open the slot of the second conductive plate. |
| US08348161B2 |
Three-dimensional spectacles and a management system therefore
An improved structure of three-dimensional (3D) spectacles is provided, including a spectacle frame on which an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip is mounted. The 3D spectacles are specifically for use in a 3D auditorium or 3D theater and are composed of a frame, lenses, and temples. The RFID chip is combined with the spectacle frame by being embedded in the frame or attached to a surface of the frame. With the RFID chip so mounted, a theater worker may use a reader to identify if a specific pair of 3D spectacles has already been sanitized. Also, the 3D spectacles can help in entrance and exit management, ticketing management, distribution of souvenirs, and toilet guiding service. In file-out, a reader may be used to confirm the returning of 3D spectacles. In this way, the theater service quality can be significantly improved. |
| US08348158B2 |
Anonymous transaction card
A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card. |
| US08348151B1 |
Cash dispensing automated banking machine with GPS
Automated banking machines include a Global Positioning System (GPS). The machines can transmit their GPS location reading to a service center. The service center can receive through a customer's cell phone, a customer request for directions to the nearest cash dispensing machine that does not have a transaction fee. The customer request can include account data and GPS location of the cell phone. The service center can determine from the account data which financial networks would not cause the customer to be assessed a transaction fee for a cash withdrawal. The service center can then determine from the GPS locations of the machines in these financial networks, which machine is geographically closest to the cell phone's GPS location. Directions to this nearest automated banking machine are then sent to the cell phone. |
| US08348150B1 |
In wall rotating device for exchanging items between service provider and drive-through lane customer
A system operated responsive to data included on data bearing cards enables carrying out transactions between a service provider and a customer. Customers may be located within a vehicle in a drive-through lane adjacent to a building which houses a service provider station. Financial accounts may be assessed charges for items based on data read from cards. The customer and service provider may exchange items through a pneumatic tube conveyor system. Alternatively items may be exchanged through a rotating device which provides for selectively positioning items at delivery stations at different vertical heights. The service provider positions items at a suitable level for exchange with the customer based on the height associated with the user in their vehicle. |
| US08348149B1 |
Using dynamic barcodes to send data to a cellphone
An electronic screen capable of showing dynamic images is used to display a set of barcodes, where the barcodes are ‘played’ at the same location on the screen. The screen might also show other material. The data encoded in the barcodes is decoded by a user with a cellphone and camera, that can decode each barcode and combine the data from all the barcodes. This can be extended with the screen also showing static barcodes that encode URLs, where the URLs go back to a web server that also controls the screen. A user with a cellphone and camera scans one of these static barcodes and uses a browser to go to the decoded URL. The web server uses this visit to change what is being shown in the dynamic barcodes, or to change the conditions under which the latter are displayed. |
| US08348148B2 |
Metering infrastructure smart cards
A metering infrastructure having smart devices that utilize smart cards. An infrastructure having a plurality of smart devices is disclosed wherein each smart device is adapted to be controlled by a removable smart card, and wherein each removable smart card includes a computational platform capable of storing and executing program code and a set of application programs capable of being executed on the computational platform, wherein each of the set of application programs is implemented to control an aspect of an associated smart device into which the removable smart card is inserted. |
| US08348147B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking the location of a digital media player deployed in a network
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining documentation that includes a first identifying code and information relating to a deployment of a media device. The method also includes deploying the media device at a location, wherein deploying the media device at the location includes connecting the media device to a display device, as well as causing a second identifying code to be displayed on the display device, the second identifying code being indicative of an association between the display device and the media device. The first identifying code and the second identifying code are captured, and paired. When the first identifying code is paired with the second identifying code, the location is a designated point-of-deployment for the media device. |
| US08348140B2 |
Clip file
The invention relates to a clip file, comprising a clip body with a front and a rear clip jaw (5) made from sheet steel, wherein both clip jaws (5) are connected by means of a yoke and the rear clip jaw rests against a rear wall of a rear cover of the file, while the front clip jaw (5) presses against a section of a multiply folded strip (2), provided with a window (4), formed from the longitudinal edge of the rear cover folded towards the front of the file and the strip (2) forms a stop which cooperates with a counter stop formed from an edge of the front clip jaw (5) folded inwards. According to the invention, the clip body may be provided with a defined grip point by means of a projection embossed in the center of at least the front clip jaw, the apex of which faces the yoke of the clip body. |
| US08348139B2 |
Composite solder alloy preform
Various embodiments of the invention provide laminate composite preform foils for high-temperature Pb-free soldering applications. The laminate composite preform foil is composed of a high-melting, ductile metal or alloy core layer and a low-melting solder coating layer at either side of the core layer. During soldering, the core metal, liquid solder layer, and substrate metals react and consume the low-melting solder phase to form high-melting intermetallic compound phases (IMCs). The resultant solder joint is composed of a ductile core layer sandwiched by the IMCs layers at substrate sides. The joint has a much higher remelt temperature than the original melting temperature of the initial solder alloy coating, allowing subsequent mounting of packaged devices. |
| US08348137B1 |
Methods for making connection to microwires
Connections can be made to microwires comprising a conductor of a lower melting point metal (e.g., indium 290) in a sheath of higher melting point polymer (e.g., PETG) by placing a small diameter spring, slightly larger in inside diameter than the outer diameter of the microwire, and of a readily solderable material over the distal end of the microwire. The conductor of the microwire is then soldered to the distal end of the spring in any of several ways that result in a solid member at the distal end of the microwire. The flexible spring provides a flexible support for the microwire, so that as the microwire flexes in use, the spring provides a strain relief; that is, the proximal portion of the spring flexes along with the microwire, so that the microwire bends over some distance rather than at a single point. |
| US08348131B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with mechanical indicator to show levels of tissue compression
Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, the instrument includes a cartridge supporting assembly for operably supporting a staple cartridge therein. The cartridge supporting assembly may be responsive to firing and retraction motions applied thereto from a firing assembly. An anvil may be operably coupled to an anvil closure assembly. The anvil closure assembly may be constructed to selectively move the anvil in a proximal direction toward the cartridge supporting assembly to enable a portion of tissue to be clamped between a cartridge supported by the cartridge supporting assembly and the anvil under a predetermined amount of compression. The device may further include a closure actuator that operably interacts with the anvil closure assembly such that as the closure actuator is moved in a first direction, the anvil closure assembly causes the anvil to move in the proximal direction to increase the compression of the tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. A variable load generating member may cooperate with the anvil closure assembly and the closure actuator to apply a resistive load to the closure actuator in relation to an amount of compression applied to the tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. |
| US08348129B2 |
Surgical stapler having a closure mechanism
A surgical stapler comprising a first handle portion comprising a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second handle portion comprising an anvil. The stapler further comprises a rotatable latch and a latch projection, wherein the latch is rotatably coupled to one of the first handle portion and the second handle portion and wherein the latch projection extends from the other of the first handle portion and the second handle portion. The latch is configured to engage the latch projection to move the first handle portion and the second handle portion toward one another. In various embodiments, the latch projection comprises a rotatable bearing wherein the latch is configured to contact the rotatable bearing when the latch engages the latch projection. |
| US08348122B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism including a rotatable knob, a screw having a helical channel and an anvil retainer. The helical channel includes a dwell portion for providing a tactile indication to a surgeon that the anvil retainer has been advanced to a position wherein the anvil assembly can be removed from the anvil retainer. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly. |
| US08348112B2 |
Mounting system for mounting an electronic device on a vehicle
A mounting system for mounting an electronic device on a vehicle is disclosed herein. The mounting system includes a mounting bracket that can be attached to a vehicle. The mounting bracket has a first member defining an engaging member and a second member defining a keeper. The mounting system also includes a retainer attached to the electronic device and capable of engaging and rotating around the engaging member. Additionally, the mounting system includes a latch associated with the electronic device. The latch comprises a rotor capable of engaging the keeper and securing the electronic device to the mounting bracket after the retainer has engaged the engaging member. |
| US08348101B2 |
Locking dispenser
A locking dispenser to dispense material from a replaceable refill container maintains a lock assembly having a plurality of spring-biased plungers configured in accordance with a predetermined lock parameter. The refill container carries a collar that includes a plurality of markers configured in accordance with a predetermined key parameter. Thus, when a refill container having a key parameter that is compatible with the lock parameter of the key block is installed at the dispenser, the plungers transition from a locked state to an unlocked state to enable the movement of an actuator, which when depressed by a user, results in the dispensement of material from the refill container. |
| US08348098B2 |
Dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of different preparations
A dispensing device dispenses at least two different preparations substantially simultaneously. The device has a delivery element to deliver a first preparation from a package to its surrounding environment when an actuating element, in at least one embodiment a trigger connected to a pump, is actuated. The dispensing device has a connection line between the delivery element and at least one portion cartridge for a second preparation. The portion cartridge is detachably coupled to the dispensing device such that as the actuating element is actuated, the first and second preparations can be simultaneously dispensed. |
| US08348097B2 |
Beverage server system
A beverage server system for extracting a beverage from a corked beverage bottle without uncorking the bottle includes a penetration element for penetrating the cork. The penetration element includes a beverage extraction conduit for extracting the beverage from the bottle and a gas injection conduit for injecting gas into the bottle. A gas injection port disposed in the gas injection conduit is located at a level higher than a beverage extraction port disposed in the beverage extraction conduit in the bottle when extracting the beverage from the bottle through the beverage extraction conduit. The beverage server system has a simple structure, extracts beverage from the beverage bottle without causing contact of the beverage inside the beverage bottle with air, and is easy to operate, maintain, and introduce into a household. |
| US08348096B2 |
Discharge device with discharge stroke which reduces volume of media and dosage chambers
A discharge device for liquid media having housing sections movable relative to one another along a total stroke between a non-actuated rest position and an actuated end position and together forming a manual actuating device. A media reservoir stores the medium prior to discharge, and a conveying device includes a discharge opening and a dosage chamber. The actuating and conveying devices are operatively coupled such that during a first partial stroke of the discharge actuation starting from the rest position the media reservoir and the dosage chamber are in communicating connection and during a second partial stroke of the discharge actuation following the first partial stroke the media reservoir and the dosage chamber are separated, the volume of the dosage chamber and the media reservoir being reduced by the second partial stroke of the discharge actuation. |
| US08348095B2 |
Counter for a device for dispensing a fluid or powder product
A dose counter for a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element (410) forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element (420) forming a tens wheel, said first counter element (410) co-operating with an actuator member (430) that is adapted to cause said first counter element (410) to turn each time said actuator member (430) is actuated, said first rotary counter element (410) including means (418, 419) that are adapted to cause said second counter element (420) to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member (430), said actuator member (430) including an opening that is mounted in rotary manner on said pivot pin (461), a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear tab (431) extending radially from said opening, said tab (431) co-operating with the first counter element (410) on each actuation, said tab (431) being extended on the other side of said pivot pin by a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear portion, that is itself connected to an elastically-deformable portion (434) of shape that is curved and that passes, at least in part, around the pivot pin (461). |
| US08348094B2 |
Vacuum based pill singulator and counter based thereon
A singulating disc, carried by a housing, has a plurality of openings around its periphery. The disc rotates vertically through a pickup chamber of a hopper carried by the housing. A vacuum is pulled through the openings by a pump which is connected to the disc. Items are placed in the hopper and, via gravity, fall to the bottom of the hopper where they contact the periphery of the rotating disc. The vacuum at the openings attaches an item and holds it while the disc rotates. At the top of the discs rotation, a diverter directs the item into a path depending on the results of a fragment detection and/or counting mechanism. Items that are allowed to pass by the diverter are scraped off the disc into another path by a scraper. Negative pressure is used to singulate and count a multitude of sizes and shapes of items with no calibration. Retractable paddles, a vacuum management system, and RFID tags may be incorporated. The paddles aid in the pickup and agitation of the items while the vacuum management system conserves the vacuum capacity necessary to pickup and singulate items. The RFID tags may contain information such as the number of items left in the hopper, a par level for that item, an expiration date, among others. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US08348089B2 |
Industrial baking tray with contoured reinforcement band
An industrial or commercial baking tray that includes a baking surface; a walled portion surrounding the baking surface and formed integrally therewith; and a contoured reinforcing band positioned around the perimeter of the walled portion, wherein the top edge of the walled portion has been adapted to enclose at least a portion of the contoured reinforcing band; and wherein the cross-sectional geometry of the contoured reinforcing band is operative to impart strength and stability to the baking tray while reducing the overall mass of the reinforcing band. |
| US08348085B2 |
Pressure tank
A pressure tank includes a metallic vessel, a plastic liner received in the metallic vessel, a flexible diaphragm, two connectors and a nozzle coupled to the nipples respectively. The metallic vessel includes upper and lower shells. The upper shell defines a first planar area on a side thereof and a second planar area on a top thereof. The lower shell defines a third planar area therebottom. The flexible diaphragm divides the metallic vessel into a storage space and a pneumatic room. Each of the connectors includes a nipple and an anti-leak assembly. The nipples of the connectors are mounted on the side and top of the upper shell respectively and are in communication with the storage space. The two anti-leak assemblies provide leakproof connection between the nipples and the plastic liner. Additionally, the nozzle is mounted on the third planar area to be in communication with the pneumatic room. |
| US08348082B2 |
Pull-tab sealing member
A pull-tab sealing member includes a bottom laminate sheet, a top laminate sheet, and a tube portion. The bottom laminate sheet includes a support layer having a bottom surface facing the container and a top surface on the opposite side thereof, a lower polymer layer disposed on the bottom surface of the support layer, and an adhesive coating formed on a bottom surface of the lower polymer layer for securing the bottom laminate sheet to the container. The top laminate sheet includes a polymer support having a bottom surface and a top surface and an adhesive layer disposed on the bottom surface of the polymer support layer. The tube portion includes a polymer tubed layer secured to a portion of the top surface of the support layer of the bottom laminate sheet and a tubed tab portion formed integrally with the polymer tubed layer and secured to a portion of the adhesive layer of the top laminate sheet. The support layer of the bottom laminate sheet is secured to the adhesive layer of the top laminate sheet by a remaining portion of the adhesive layer and the polymer support layer, the tubed tab portion, and the portion of the adhesive layer therebetween form a tab portion. |
| US08348080B2 |
Trash container with retractable weatherproof cover
Apparatus for enclosing and containing its contents. Apparatus may include a container having wheels and a handle. Apparatus may include a top portion with a retractable cover capable of protecting the contents of the container from weather and other harmful elements. |
| US08348078B2 |
Leak proof drinking lid with pressure relief
A leak proof/resistant drinking lid (10) is provided for use with beverage container. The lid (10) includes a manually actuated valve stem (16) mounted to a housing (14), a drinking port (18) extending through the housing (14), a drinking valve head (20) carried on the stem (16), a pressure relief port (22) extending through the drinking valve head (20), and a pressure relief valve head (24) mounted to the stem 16. The pressure relief valve head (24) is releasably mounted to the stem (16) by a connector (26). A resilient member (28) is sandwiched between the stem (16) and the drinking valve head (20) to transmit an actuating force from the stem (16) to the drinking valve head (20) and to allow the stem (16) and the pressure relief valve head (24) to translate relative to the drinking valve head (20). |
| US08348077B2 |
Bodies, packages of bodies, and a device and method for packaging bodies
The invention relates to bodies that have a structuring with connecting elements formed around the entire girth of the body. Furthermore, the invention relates to packages including an arrangement of at least two bodies according to the invention, with the connecting elements of a first body cooperating with the corresponding connecting elements of a second body in a form-locking manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing packages from bodies. The device has an alignment unit and at least one sliding device for form-lockingly connecting the aligned bodies, with at least two bodies at a time being rotated about their longitudinal axes in order to align corresponding connecting elements of the two bodies so that they can cooperate. The invention moreover relates to a method for producing packages from bodies, whereby at least two bodies are aligned first and subsequently assembled to form a first package, with the oppositely arranged connecting elements form-lockingly interlocking. |
| US08348072B2 |
Tension-mounted pole caddy
A tension-mounted pole caddy for mounting between two substantially parallel surfaces is disclosed. The pole device generally includes a first tubular body, a second tubular body, a toothed rack, a locking pawl, and a base-mounted lever for operation of the locking pawl. Preferably, the first tubular body includes a base end for contacting a surface and a telescoping end, while the second tubular body has a base end for contacting a second surface and a telescoping end coupled with the telescoping end of the first body. The toothed rack is affixed within the first body portion proximate the telescoping end, with the locking pawl within the second body and capable of movement to engage and disengage the toothed rack. The lever is coupled to the locking pawl via linkage, such that operation of the lever between a first and second position actuates the locking pawl to engage and disengage, respectively, from the toothed rack, wherein the lever is positioned at the base end of the second tubular body. |
| US08348071B1 |
Adjustable air handler stand and filter rack
A base assembly for air handlers having a filter. Four metallic legs each have a distal end. The metallic legs also have first through holes at first predetermined distances from their respective distal ends. The metallic legs have a rectangular or square cross section, and each distal end mounts to a floor. First and second metallic upper frames have vertical extensions to telescopically receive the four metallic legs respectively. The first and second metallic upper frames further have braces member and air filter C-shaped tracks. The first and second metallic upper frames each further have elongated male horizontal arms and elongated female horizontal arms that join whereby the air filter C-shaped tracks face each other to receive a filter. |
| US08348070B2 |
Display mounting apparatus
A display apparatus and method for mounting display brackets. The display brackets having a male anchor portion having a profile which is an upwardly curved tab of substantially even thickness. The apparatus comprising: an elongate insert element having an anterior face and posterior face; the elongate insert element having a pair of parallel longitudinal anterior lip portions that define an elongate longitudinal orientated slot aperture to a substantially horizontally orientated anchoring cavity for receiving the male anchor portion; the anchor cavity having a profile that substantially conforms to the profile of the male anchor portion. |
| US08348069B2 |
Rotatable organizer
A rotatable organizer comprising: a base; a first gear in rotatable communication with the base; a first turntable fixedly attached to the first gear, the exposed turntable having a center; a second gear in rotatable communication with the base, and meshing with the first gear; a third gear in rotatable communication with the base, and meshing with the second gear; a second turntable fixedly attached to the third gear, the second turntable having a center; an enclosure attached to the base; a central divider attached to the enclosure. A rotatable organizer similar to the one previously described, except with rails instead of an enclosure, with the rails being about ½ inch to about 9 inches high. |
| US08348063B2 |
Backflush device for a filter system
The invention relates to a backflush device (6) for a filter system (1) for removing impurities from a fluid, the backflush device (6) serving to backflush a filter body (3) in the filter system separating the clean side (5) from the inlet side (4), and comprising at least one backflush nozzle (7) for applying a rinse medium to the filter body (3), said nozzle comprising at least one opening (8) through which the rinse medium flows in a flow direction (9) during backflushing and exits the backflush nozzle (7). In order to improve the effectiveness of the backflushing, the at least one opening is designed as a slit opening (8) extending transverse to the flow direction (9) in a straight line having a constant cross-sectional profile (16) comprising a nozzle segment (17) expanding the flow direction (9). |
| US08348062B2 |
Packaging box
A packaging box, which is easily disassembled to easily remove a product therefrom. A packaging box including an external box having a receiving space therein, the external box including a receiving part and a cover removably coupleable to the receiving part; an internal box receivable in the receiving space of the external box, the internal box having a receiving space therein; and a slide pad slidably coupleable to a lower portion of the internal box. |
| US08348061B2 |
Cosmetic container
A cosmetic container (X) has a cap (11) that is fit externally onto a container body (1), in which a cosmetic is stored, to fully cover a to-be-covered portion of the container body (1). First and second magnets (15 and 17) are disposed respectively in the cap (11) and the container body (1) so as to oppose each other in the completely covered condition and so that the cap (11) fully covers the container body (1) by the mutual magnetic attachment of the magnets (15, 17). Each magnet (15, 17) is formed into a ring in a circumferential direction and having a plurality of magnetic poles disposed alternately in the circumferential direction. |
| US08348057B1 |
Anti-theft toolbox
The present invention relates to an anti-theft toolbox comprising a lower frame, an upper frame and a locking element. The lower frame and the upper frame latch together by locking portions. The locking portions have notches. The locking element has two tighten masses with a groove spanned across them. The inner wall of the groove has opposite flanges. The flanges are anchored into the corresponding notches. The two tighten masses are bound by a plurality of binding portions which has a hollow in-between every two adjacent binding portions. |
| US08348050B2 |
Dental floss dispenser and method of operation thereof
A dispenser including a first sheet defining at least part of one or more cavities; a second sheet defining at least another part of the one or more cavities; a plurality of pull covers attached to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet; and a plurality of floss portions each located in a corresponding cavity of the one or more cavities, wherein when a pull cover of the plurality of pull covers is separated from the first sheet or the second sheet, a corresponding floss portion of the plurality of floss portions is removed from a corresponding cavity of the plurality of the one or more cavities. One or more of the floss portions may be attached to, or formed integrally with, a corresponding pull cover of the plurality of pull covers. A weakened area may delineate a pull cover. |
| US08348048B2 |
Deflection apparatus for a conveying system
A deflection mechanism (1) for a conveying system including a central member (5) with a rolling element (20) that revolves around the central member (5). The rolling element (2) has a plurality of guided rolls (3) which roll within a raceway (13) of the central member (5). The shape of the central member (5) is adjustable such that a deflection angle of the deflection mechanism (1) can be adjusted. |
| US08348046B1 |
Conveyor belt cleaning assembly
Belt cleaning assemblies for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces generally include contact and non-contact cleaning assembles. Continuous conveyor belt systems having belt cleaning assemblies and methods for cleaning continuous conveyor belts are also provided. |
| US08348045B2 |
Device for transporting flat objects
The device for transporting flat objects from an output unit to an input unit has a conveyor belt with several pairs of flaps to transport flat objects in suspended fashion. A feed unit serves to convey the flat objects into the flaps from below. Each flap has a first side piece and a second side piece, which define an intermediate space for holding an edge section of the flat object. The first side pieces and the second side pieces of the flaps of each pair of flaps face each other. Each flap can be pivoted between an open position for picking up and releasing the flat object and a closed position for transporting the flat objects. |
| US08348042B2 |
Optical sensing device for detecting optical features of valuable papers
An optical sensing device for detecting plural optical features of valuable papers is provided that comprises first and second photocoupers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 positioned in the vicinity of and on the opposite sides of a passageway 13 for guiding the valuable paper 64. Each of first and second photocouplers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 has a light emitting element 20, 22, 30, 32 for emitting a light, and a light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 for selectively receiving the light from the light emitting element 20 so that each light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 can receive lights reflected on and penetrating the valuable paper 64 for detection of multiple optical features from the valuable paper 64. Thus, the optical sensing device can derive plural optical scanning patterns by means of less number of light emitting and receiving elements to improve accuracy in valuable paper validation; can pick out optical patterns for different colors printed on valuable paper by means of plural lights of different wavelength irradiated on a same scan line or area on valuable paper; and can utilize inexpensive light emitting and receiving elements to reduce cost for manufacture. |
| US08348037B2 |
Sealing plug for a torque converter
A torque converter having three sealed chambers in which a piston for engaging and disengaging a lock-up clutch is attached to the torque converter using a plurality of leaf springs. The assembly includes a plurality of access or pass-through holes for effecting the attachment of the leaf spring to the cover using rivets. Also included is plurality of plugs to seal the pass-through holes. A method of using the plugs to prevent uncontrolled leakage from one sealed chamber to another. |
| US08348036B2 |
Two pass multi-function torque converter
A multi-function torque converter including: an apply pressure chamber for a torque converter clutch; a first pressure chamber including a torus; and a resilient flow control element in fluid communication with the apply chamber and the first pressure chamber and arranged to control fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber. The resilient flow element is displaceable to block fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber in torque converter mode for the torque converter and to enable fluid flow to the apply chamber in lock-up mode. The torque converter includes a second pressure chamber and the clutch includes a piston plate at least partially bounding the apply pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. |
| US08348035B2 |
Pressing-on device for a current collector and method for energy transmission
A current collector for a rail vehicle and a method for transmitting energy from power rails to the vehicle employ a contact shoe that includes an upper sliding contact surface and a lower sliding contact surface. A first pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the upper sliding contact surface and an upper contact surface of a first power rail, when the contact shoe is in an upper sliding contact position. A second pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the lower sliding contact surface and a lower contact surface of a second power rail, when the contact shoe is in a lower sliding contact position. The pressing-on forces may be applied by a pressing-on device attached to the contact shoe. The contact shoe may be moved into the upper sliding contact position by the first power rail, and into the lower sliding contact position by the second power rail. |
| US08348029B2 |
Single fastener strut top mount and method of optimizing same
A strut top mount is optimized to provide a resilient response to jounce and rebound load rates that is symmetrical and linear over a predetermined range of travel. An annular tower is formed of the body structure. A central bracket has adhered thereto an outer resilient element that abuts the tower, and has adhered oppositely thereto an inner resilient element. A bearing is supported by the central bracket, and a spring seat is supported by the bearing. A sleeve is received by a strut shaft and adhered to the inner resilient element A lower washer abuts a lower end of the inner resilient element. An upper washer abuts an upper end of the inner resilient element. A retention washer is mounted onto the strut shaft, wherein a periphery thereof has a retention washer resilient element. The components are collectively tuned to provide the optimization. |
| US08348026B2 |
Brake cylinder for compressed air operated vehicle disc brakes
A brake cylinder is provided for vehicle brakes, in particular for commercial vehicles brakes, that is equipped with a brake cylinder housing, in which a spring-loaded piston, a service brake piston, a spring-loaded spring and a piston return spring are arranged. The brake cylinder is simple to construct and extremely compact. The spring-loaded piston is in a primary chamber of the brake cylinder and is arranged between the service brake piston and a front side of the brake cylinder housing having the compressed air connections. |
| US08348025B2 |
Piston-side brake shim
The present invention is a shim or shim assembly that clips onto a brake caliper piston. It is generally a rimmed round (disc or annular) shape to cap the edges of the caliper piston and includes surface features for lubrication, and improved fitting. Reduced noise from frictional fretting is provided along with protection of piston's outer rim. Reduced thermal transfer into the piston is also provided. |
| US08348020B2 |
Elevator control device with carrier frequency switch circuit
An elevator control device includes a vector controller that calculates a voltage command required for driving an elevator cage, a carrier frequency switch circuit that outputs a carrier frequency signal, and a power converter that performs PWM control based on the voltage command and the carrier frequency signal, generates an AC power and supplies the AC power to an AC motor. The carrier frequency switch circuit changes the carrier frequency signal when a torque command for driving the AC motor reaches a torque limit value. Thus, it is possible to continuously operate an elevator without causing damage to a switching element of the power converter. |
| US08348018B2 |
Display device for an elevator shaft in which several elevator cabins travel
A display device for a lift system with at least one lift shaft, in which several lift cabins travel. The device includes an allocation manager that allocates an identifier to a lift cabin carrying out a transport job and a display at a boarding location that outputs an identifier of a lift cabin. The display can simultaneously display the identifier for several lift cabins. |
| US08348016B2 |
Descender with fall arrest and controlled rate of descent
A device for providing a controlled maximum rate of descent down a rope and fall arrest. The device includes a movable cam that in response to tension on a rope pivots into a closed position, jamming the rope within the device and arresting a fall. Force applied to a torque arm coupled to the cam allows the cam to be pivoted to its open position, which allows rope travel. As cam is opened, the rope travels a more sharply angular path through the device, which creates a frictional force on the rope sufficient to limit the maximum rate of descent. |
| US08348015B2 |
Tubular access ladder and method
An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling. |
| US08348012B2 |
Resonator
The present disclosure relates to a resonator, and more particularly, to a resonator installed at the rear of a turbo charger of a vehicle and combined with a Helmholtz resonator and a groove type resonator to attenuate both high-frequency noise and low-frequency noise. The resonator installed at the rear of a turbo charger of a vehicle to attenuate an inhaling noise includes: at least one Helmholtz resonator having a cavity in an air introduction path extending into a duct so that the cavity is formed in a radial direction of the duct; and at least one groove type resonator provided at the rear of the Helmholtz resonator and protruding outwards in the radial direction of the duct. |
| US08348011B1 |
Earplug cushion for an earphone
An earplug cushion for an earphone comprises a central tube part with a sound outlet and a sound inlet fitting with the sound guide tube of the earphone, an outer shield part extending from the sound outlet to the sound inlet for being inserted into the canal, and a buffer part disposed at the tube part next to the sound outlet; according to special and effective design for the buffer part, when the earphone is worn with the earplug cushion, the buffer part becomes twisted and deformed to be adapted to the canal in different sizes snugly without clearances for decreasing oppression to the canal and enhancing quality of the listened sound. |
| US08348009B2 |
Steering device, particularly electric servo steering device for a motor vehicle
A steering device, in particular an electric power-steering device for a motor vehicle, comprising an axially parallel drive which has a steering gearbox housing, a steering axle, a steering element, and at least one axle steering mechanism connected to the steering element, having a motor unit disposed on the steering gearbox housing, having a servo gearbox disposed in a gearbox cover and having a control unit for the motor unit, which is disposed in a control device housing. The control device housing of the control unit is disposed on one axially parallel side of the servo gearbox, and a motor housing of the motor unit is disposed on the other axially parallel side of the servo gearbox. |
| US08348008B2 |
Electric power steering system
In an electric power steering system, a motor drive controller that has an inverter circuit board and a control circuit board housed in a control case is provided so as to overlap a control case fixation surface formed at an end portion of a gear housing in the axial direction of a steering shaft, so that it is possible to reduce the projection in the axial direction of a motor as compared to the conventional one. In addition, a metallic board is used for the inverter circuit board and the inverter circuit board is fixed to the control case fixation surface so as to be in surface contact therewith, so that it is possible to efficiently dissipate the heat generated on the inverter circuit board into the gear housing and a fixation support plate. |
| US08347999B2 |
Power generating unit for a vehicle and method therefor
A power generation system has at least one wheel. A trailing arm is pivotably coupled to an undercarriage of a vehicle for converting rotational energy generated by the at least one wheel to electrical energy. A transformer is coupled to the trailing arm. An electric refrigeration unit is coupled to the transformer. |
| US08347997B2 |
System and method for armoring vehicles using a hull having a blast vent
A modular, wheeled vehicle suitable for military use, includes a driver module having a width for seating one person and having length for seating a second (and optional third) person therebehind, and an engine module disposed behind the driver module containing an engine for powering the modular vehicle. The engine module has a rear surface adapted to receive a storage module. The driver module and the engine module form a central element having a pair of sides, a bottom, and a top. The central element is adapted to receive the modules on both of the central element sides. The central element has air inlet for personnel and for the engine disposed atop the central element. The bottom of the central element and troop side pods generally are V-shaped with slanted, upward extending sides. |
| US08347994B2 |
Tractor hood airflow system
A vehicle engine enclosure includes a tractor frame which supports an engine. A cooling system is mounted on the frame. The cooling system has a housing which surrounds cooling components. A hood is mounted on the frame and encloses the engine and the cooling system. The hood includes a top panel and left and right hood side panels. The top panel has outlet vents formed therein. A pair of left and right side plates are mounted on the frame. A rear end plate covers a rear end of the hood. A plurality of seals are placed between these components so that a duct is formed which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vents to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air. |
| US08347989B2 |
Hole opener with hybrid reaming section and method of making
A hole opener having a hybrid reaming section for reaming subterranean wellbores may include a tubular reamer body having a longitudinal axis and upper and lower ends, a rolling cutter mount coupled to the body, a rolling cutter rotatably coupled to the mount, and a fixed blade coupled to the body adjacent the mount. A method of forming a hybrid reamer tool for downhole use may include providing a tubular stem having couplers on the upper and lower ends, coupling a reamer body having an outer periphery to the stem between the stem upper and lower ends, coupling a rolling cutter mount to the outer periphery of the reamer body, the mount having a rolling cutter rotatably coupled thereto, and coupling a fixed blade to the outer periphery of the reamer body adjacent the rolling cutter mount. |
| US08347986B2 |
Roller cone drill bit with lubricant pressure relief mechanism and method
Roller cone drill bits may be provided with pressure relief mechanisms operable to control lubricant pressure within respective lubricant systems. Each lubricant system may be enclosed and isolated from downhole well fluids. Portions of each pressure relief mechanism may be completely surrounded by lubricant to increase downhole life of associated operating mechanisms and to produced more repeatable and more reliable opening and closing of the pressure relief mechanism. The downhole drilling life of bearing surfaces, fluid seals and other supporting structures associated with roller cones mounted on support arms of such roller cone drill bits may be substantially increased. Each pressure relief mechanism may be locked in a closed position to assist with filling the respective lubricant system with lubricant. |
| US08347985B2 |
Mulitmodal geosteering systems and methods
Multimodal geosteering systems and methods are disclosed. Some disclosed tool embodiments include first and second transmitter-receiver arrangements that make geosteering measurements using different forms of energy (such as acoustic and electromagnetic energy) to provide geosteering measurements that at least indicate a boundary direction but may also indicate a boundary distance. Some disclosed method embodiments include: determining a direction to a bed boundary using measurements with different energy types; and adjusting a drilling direction based at least in part on said determination. Combinations of (or selections between) the different measurements may be made based on, inter alia, measurement range, resolution, and contrast. Some disclosed system embodiments include a memory and a processor. The memory stores geosteering display software that configures the processor to generate an image with different regions based on the different types of geosteering measurements. Characteristics such as opacity, resolution, and intensity may visually distinguish the different regions. |
| US08347982B2 |
System and method for managing heave pressure from a floating rig
A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating fluid either into or out of the riser annulus. |
| US08347977B2 |
Powered mobile module and attachment combination
Various attachments (different dozer blade arrangements, a gantry crane, large auger) are designed for use with multiple identical powered mobile modules including a main support frame housing an internal combustion engine as a prime mover and being supported on either powered tracks or wheels. The modules can be either equipped with a cab and manned or used without a cab and controlled remotely. One or more of the mobile modules may be equipped with a GPS unit to aid in positioning the associated attachment. |
| US08347974B2 |
Safety locking device
A safety locking device 18 for a quick hitch/coupler 10 of an earth working machine. The safety locking device 18 has a locking element 21 which is biased into a locking position to automatically lock a front pin of an implement when it is engaged in the hook 14 of the coupler 10. The safety locking device 18 has an hydraulic operable mechanism to move the locking element 21 to an unlocking position. The hydraulic supply to the safety locking device 18 is independent of the hydraulic supply to a locking mechanism 16 of the coupler 10. |
| US08347973B2 |
Increasing oil production
A method of recovering petroleum from dormant oil wells or increasing the production of oil wells. An alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate is introduced into a water layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir and/or an explosive composition is introduced into an oil layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir. CO2 gas is produced by reacting the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate with an acid and/or by detonating the explosive composition. |
| US08347972B2 |
Torque wrench system having multiple torque stations
An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed. |
| US08347971B2 |
Manipulatable spider components adapted for cooperation with a vertically reciprocating control line guide
A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener. |
| US08347968B2 |
Single trip well completion system
A completion system that is usable with a well may include a packer, a screen, an isolation valve and an annulus communication valve. The screen communicates well fluid between an annulus of the well and an interior passageway of the completion system. The isolation valve is radially disposed inside the screen to control communication through the screen between the annulus and the interior passageway. The annulus communication valve is located downhole of the packer and uphole of the screen to control communication with the annulus of the well. The packer, screen, isolation valve and the annulus communication valve are adapted to be run downhole as a unit into the well as a single trip completion. |
| US08347966B2 |
Seal system and method
A system in some embodiments includes a system, having a seal assembly, including an inner energizing ring, an outer energizing ring, a load ring disposed between the inner energizing ring and the outer energizing ring, a sealing element, and a lock ring. Further other embodiments provide a method of sealing, including rotating an inner energizing ring in a direction to move the inner energizing ring in a first axial direction to seat a seal, rotating an outer energizing ring in the direction to wedgingly engage and set a lock ring in a radial direction, and rotating a load ring in the direction to move the load ring in a second axial direction to set the lock ring. |
| US08347963B2 |
Controlling transient underbalance in a wellbore
A method of perforating a well includes selecting a desired transient underbalanced condition, configuring a perforating gun string to achieve the transient underbalanced condition, deploying the perforating gun is a wellbore, and firing the perforating to achieve the transient underbalanced condition. |
| US08347961B2 |
Low heat of hydration cement compositions and methods of using same
A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation, comprising preparing a cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag, vitrified shale, calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate or combinations thereof, and placing the cement composition in the wellbore. A cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag, vitrified shale, calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate or combinations thereof. A cement composition comprising water and a cementitious material, wherein the cementitious material further comprises blast furnace slag. |
| US08347955B1 |
Plunger lift mechanism
Method and apparatus for a plunger lift mechanism with a main channel disposed between a first and second valve. The first valve is closed by engaging a sealing member to a first seat at a proximal end of the main channel and the second valve consequently closes to with a sealing member engaging a second seat at a distal end of the main channel. An amount of pressure accumulates on a first side of the plunger lift to overcome a pressure on a second side of the plunger lift to force the plunger lift to traverse a well bore and evacuate any fluids present above the plunger lift. |
| US08347952B2 |
Enhanced vent for outlet for a cooling system
A cooling mechanism includes a first heat exchanger, a first fluid-flow port, and a second fluid-flow port. The first heat exchanger includes a forced-fluid driver and is configured to pump heat from inside an enclosed area to outside of the enclosed area. Furthermore, the first fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a first fluid flow into the enclosed area and the second fluid-flow port is configured to accommodate a second fluid flow from the enclosed area. Note that the first fluid-flow port and the second fluid-flow port are approximately coplanar. In addition, a given fluid-flow port, which may be either or both of the fluid-flow ports, is tapered to have an associated cross-sectional area which is smaller at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the outside of the enclosed area than at an edge of the given fluid-flow port that is proximate to the inside of the enclosed area. |
| US08347951B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device includes a canister filled with a phase-changeable working fluid, a housing hermetically fixed to a top of the canister and communicating with the canister, a fan located above a top of the housing and an impeller comprising a driving member received in the housing, an annular magnet accommodated in the hub and an axle coaxially connecting the driving member and the annular magnet together. The fan includes a plurality of windings fixed on an inner side thereof. When the working fluid is heated and vaporized to move through the driving member, the driving member is driven by the vaporized working fluid to rotate, whereby the annular magnet rotates within the windings to cause the windings to generate a current. |
| US08347943B2 |
Diecasting tool arrangement
Diecasting tool for the production of a cylinder crankcase (2), comprising a salt core (4) and at least one cylinder sleeve (6), wherein the cylinder sleeve (6) comprises an upper end (8) on the cylinder head side, and a lower end (10) on the crankshaft side, and the cylinder sleeve (6) is supported on at least one center sleeve that is disposed on the diecasting tool, and the salt core (4) at least partially surrounds the cylinder sleeve (6) in the manner of a cladding, wherein the salt core (4) comprises a crown (12) that at least partially bears on one of the ends (8, 10) of the cylinder sleeve (6), and the core (4) comprising openings (14) that extend vertically beneath the end (8) of the cylinder sleeve (6) on the cylinder head side. |
| US08347938B2 |
Multiple-pane window with an electrical built-in element
According to the invention, a multilayer or insulating window pane (1) having at least two rigid panes (1P) and a spacer frame (1S) which connects these panes so as to form a tightly sealed intermediate space between the panes, and also an electrical component (3; for example motor, valve) which is arranged in the intermediate space between the panes, and also an associated electrical connection device is equipped with a detection device (4) for operating data of the component (3), which detection device cannot be manipulated from the outside but can be at least indirectly read off or read out. As a result, switch-on processes or times, maximum current consumption or operating temperature or the like, for example, can be detected and checked for servicing and/or monitoring purposes by reading out the operating data. |
| US08347932B2 |
Roof seam tape applicator
An apparatus for placement of seam tape to a roof or roof membrane. The apparatus comprises first and second sides spaced a distance apart, wherein each side includes a material axle opening and a pressure applicator orifice. The apparatus also comprises a removable pressure applicator having a first end and second end positioned in the pressure applicator orifices of the first and second sides. A support element may be operatively attached to the first and second sides, span the distance between the first and second sides, and positioned opposite the pressure applicator to support the apparatus. Additionally, a material axle may be positioned such that its ends are removably positioned in the material axle openings of the first and second sides. A closed front side may connect the first and second side, while an open stern may allow direct access to the pressure applicator, the support element, and the material axle. |
| US08347931B2 |
Attaching device and method of fabricating organic light emmitting device using the same
An attaching device and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device using the same are disclosed. The attaching device includes a process chamber, first and second substrate supporters, a substrate detachable part, and an open-close valve. The first and second substrate supporters are positioned inside the process chamber, load and fix substrates. The substrate detachable part is positioned inside the second substrate supporter, and moves up and down to allow the second substrate supporter to instantaneously receive a physical pressure. The open-close valve is positioned on a portion of the process chamber, and opens and closes the process chamber to control a pressure inside the process chamber. |
| US08347928B2 |
Support element
Provided is a wood splitter having a support element, a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and wood splitting components. A support element may be a first elongated element and a second elongated element engaged to the first elongated element. The first elongated element may be subject to a first pre-stress load. The first pre-stress load may be a first moment. The a second elongated element may be engaged to the first elongated element and may be subject to a second pre-stress load. Wood splitting components may be engaged with at least one of a first elongated element or a second elongated element, may be adapted to operate to split wood, and may be adapted to apply an operational load during operation to the first elongated element. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment. |
| US08347921B2 |
Parallel type valve assembly
Two connected valve units each formed by serially connecting plural electromagnetic valves in a direct abutment state are disposed in parallel between two end blocks. The two end blocks are tightened with plural connecting bolts disposed therebetween so as to directly clamp and fix the two connected valve units from both sides in the serial connection direction of the electromagnetic valves. One of the end blocks is provided with a power supply connector, and the other is provided with an air inlet port and a discharge port. |
| US08347920B2 |
Pressurized fluid positioner control system
The inventive technology, in embodiments, may include a controller configured to coordinate operation of valves and remotely controllable regulators that are fluidically communicative therewith, allowing the control of positioners of positioner zones that are fluidically communicative with such remotely controllable regulators. Preferred embodiments may find application as, e.g., a pneumatic system to control positioners, whether such positioner find use in bottling applications or elsewhere. Additional aspects of the inventive technology may relate to methods for pressurized fluid positioner control. |
| US08347915B2 |
Load-lock technique
A method of exhausting a gas in a chamber of a load-lock system having a first valve defining an opening for supplying a gas and a second valve defining an opening for conveyance of an article. The method includes a gas supplying step for supplying a gas heated by a heater into the chamber through the first valve, while the first valve and the second valve are kept open, a conveying step for conveying the article into the chamber while the second valve is kept open, and an exhausting step to be carried out after the gas supplying step and the conveying step are executed and the first and second valves are closed, to exhaust the gas inside the chamber while the first valve and the second valve are kept closed. |
| US08347914B2 |
System for filling a tank
System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening. |
| US08347911B2 |
Vacuum relief valve and method for assembling the same
A vacuum relief valve is provided. The vacuum relief valve includes a body having a side wall, and a stem that is movable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position. The stem is biased in the closed position. The vacuum relief valve further includes a first sight glass coupled to the body and configured to enable visual inspection of a sealing area of the vacuum relief valve. The sealing area includes at least a portion of said stem. |
| US08347910B2 |
Water refilling plug for battery cells
A water refilling plug for automatically filling battery cells has a cylindrical plug housing that includes a connector fitting for water delivery into a housing, as well as a valve, actuated by a float, having an annular valve body and a conical valve seat. The valve is arranged between an inflow channel and an outflow channel leading into the battery cell. In accordance with the invention, swirl-generating deflection channels are arranged between the annular inflow channel and the conical valve seat in a pattern distributed over a circumference in the plug. |
| US08347908B2 |
Lightweight titanium aluminide valves and methods for the manufacture thereof
Embodiments of a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are provided. In one embodiment, the airborne vale includes a valve element and a flowbody. The flowbody is formed at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy and has a flow passage therethrough in which the valve element is movably mounted. Embodiments of a method for producing such a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a lightweight flowbody at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy, hot isostatically pressing the lightweight flowbody, and machining the lightweight flowbody to desired dimensions. |
| US08347906B1 |
Floor drain installation system
A floor drain installation system includes an adaptor attached to a drain pipe projecting from the ground, a coring sleeve having a bowl-shaped upper end attached to or integral with the adaptor, and a coring plug received within the bowl of the receiver to close off the drain pipe during pouring of a concrete floor and to create a space for subsequent reception of a drain head and grate. |
| US08347903B2 |
Colander/bowl set
A colander/bowl set includes a bowl having at least one indicator; and a colander comprising a plurality of holes, the colander being insertable into the bowl and removably attachable to the bowl. The at least one indicator is a calibrated guide positioned at a height of a maximum amount of water which the colander/bowl set holds, accounting for displacement of water by the colander and by a particular kind of food. |
| US08347899B2 |
Wind turbine fluid application apparatus
A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower. |
| US08347895B2 |
Massage comb
A massage comb is disclosed for applying ointments directly to the scalp of a person. The comb consists of an upper and a lower section with the lower section having hollow teeth with openings at the bottom of each of the teeth. The comb may be constructed of bamboo so that the ointment may penetrate through the bamboo material and apply the ointment to the strands of the hair. The upper and lower section are fastened to each other by way of dove tail system to allow easy access for the ointment to be filled into the lower section. |
| US08347894B1 |
Multiple dispensing combs in a single comb body
A fusion comb is a single comb which houses two separate and independent combs. Each independent comb has a manually operated plunger which forces a hair product through the comb and out of a set of outlets in the teeth of that comb. By withdrawing the plunger, liquid is suctioned through the teeth and into the comb. |
| US08347883B2 |
Manual controlled bi-phasic intrapulmonary percussive ventilation and methods
The method and system ventilates a patient's airway during the inspiratory phase and expiratory phase from a source of pressurized gas, typically from a compressor. The system and method supplies, to the patient airway during the inspiratory phase, a plurality of pulses of small volumes of gas from the gas source, and adds, in succession, pulses of small volumes of gas to provide successively greater volumes of gas successively increasing in pulsatile form the pressure of the gas in the patient's airway. This addition of successively greater volumes of gas serves to provide diffusive ventilation to the patient during the inspiratory phase, and, permits the patient to exhale during the expiratory phase. |
| US08347881B2 |
Pneumostoma management device with integrated patency sensor and method
A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch comprises of multiple thin layers of materials and which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange includes a filter, a protective outer layer and an inner hydrocolloid layer. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. An indicator responsive to gases exiting the pneumostoma is integrated into the device and provides and external indicia of the patency and efficacy of the pneumostoma. |
| US08347880B2 |
Pneumostoma management system with secretion management features for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof. |
| US08347878B2 |
Aerosol therapy device
Aerosol therapy device comprising a nebuliser (10) for generating an aerosol and forming an aerosol flow, a first nosepiece (11) for introducing the aerosol flow into one of the two nostrils (12) of a user, a pressure fluctuation source for generating a pressure fluctuation (DS), a second nosepiece (14) for introducing the pressure fluctuation into the other of the two nostrils (15) of the user in order to superimpose the pressure fluctuation and the aerosol flow, and a sensor system comprising a first pressure sensor (19) for detecting the signal of the pressure fluctuation that arrives at the first nosepiece (11), and an evaluation means (18) that concludes the degree of closure of the velum of the user based on the signal. |
| US08347876B2 |
Floating temperature regulating and evaporation reducing cover for a pool
A soft, flexible, floating temperature regulating and evaporation reducing cover for a pool generally comprises an independently inflatable outer ring and central portion. Holes through the central portion permit egress of air from under the central portion when the cover is placed on water. Valves for chamber and cavity are located near one edge such that the cover may be deflated by rolling from an edge opposite the valves. Top and bottom films are adapted to absorb or reflect solar radiation to heat or cool the pool as desired. Magnets on the ring condition water and attach to similar floating covers to form rafts. For holding the cover in a pool during winds, the ring can be inflated with water or in an alternate embodiment, water anchors fill with water. |
| US08347870B1 |
Archery bow stabilizer
By mounting a bow stabilizer equipped with a mounting base member for mounting the stabilizer to an archery bow and an adjustable stabilizing block gradationally adjustable along the mounting base member in a transverse relationship to a major axis of the archery bow, a highly effective archery bow stabilizer is provided. The stabilizer is equipped with a stop for maintaining the adjustable stabilizer block at the desired stabilizing position. Mounts for mounting weighted stabilizing rods to the adjustable stabilizing block and at an off-set angular position upon the mounting base member coupled with an attached adjustable wrist sling for anchoring archer's wrist and bow to the bow stabilizer provides a unique and highly effective archery bow stabilizer. |
| US08347866B2 |
Fuel control system and method for more accurate response to feedback from an exhaust system with an air/fuel equivalence ratio offset
An engine control system includes a saturation determination module, an adjustment factor generation module, and a fuel control module. The saturation determination module determines when a first exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor is saturated, wherein the first EGO sensor is located upstream from a catalyst. The adjustment factor generation module generates an adjustment factor for an integral gain of a fuel control module when the first EGO sensor is saturated. The fuel control module adjusts a fuel command for an engine based on differences between expected and measured amounts of oxygen in exhaust gas produced by the engine, a proportional gain, the integral gain, and the integral gain adjustment factor. |
| US08347864B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (1) has a fuel tank (18) and a fuel vapor reservoir (25). According to the method during the tank vent period—before opening the tank vent valve (28) a reference value is updated if a condition is met, and otherwise the existing reference value is maintained, —before opening the tank vent valve (28) an opening period is determined as a function of at least one variable, —the tank vent valve (28) is controlled such that the flow achieves the target flow value by the end of the opening period that was determined, —the load level of the fuel vapor reservoir (25) is computed based on the reference value, —a fuel amount is computed based on the load level, —and the fuel amount to be metered by the injection valve (22) is corrected based on the computer fuel amount. |
| US08347860B2 |
Control strategy for a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engine
A method for operating a multi-cylinder spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine responsive to a low load demand includes monitoring an engine state associated with combustion for each cylinder during each combustion cycle during low load operation, determining a combustion stability index for each cylinder based upon the monitored engine state associated with combustion for the respective cylinder, and individually adjusting an initiation of a spark discharge relative to an end of a fuel injection event for each cylinder based upon the combustion stability index determined for the respective cylinder. |
| US08347856B2 |
Reducing noise, vibration, and harshness in a variable displacement engine
A method for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having one or more deactivatable cylinders, the method including controlling the stability of a vehicle in response to vehicle acceleration, and reactivating or deactivating combustion in at least a cylinder in response to vehicle acceleration. |
| US08347855B2 |
Control system and method for improving engine stop-start response time
A control system for an engine includes a stop-start initiation module and a load control module. The stop-start initiation module shuts down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The load control module, in response to the engine shutdown request, increases a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. A method for an engine includes shutting down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The method further includes increasing, in response to the engine shutdown request, a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. |
| US08347854B2 |
Internal combustion (IC) engine head assembly combustion chamber multiple spark ignition (MSI) fuel savings device and methods of fabrication thereof
A composite device assembled into a top of a head combustion chamber as a formed in place multiple spark ignition structure with embedded electrodes connected in a series electrical circuit spaced from a single centrally located ignition source to receive an arc from a central spark plug electrode to initiate a series multiple spark ignition within the series electrical circuit. |
| US08347851B2 |
Fuel injection control device for internal combustion engine
When a control valve allows communication through a fuel drain channel, fuel flows into an inner control chamber from an outer control chamber through a communication channel and flows out to a fuel tank. The fuel flow through the communication channel generates a differential pressure between inner control pressure and outer control pressure. Thus, an outer differential pressure immediately after an outer valve opening time can be set small, restraining an increase in the unburnt HC content of exhaust gas at low load, which could otherwise result from a high rising speed of an outer needle valve immediately after the outer valve opening time. An inner differential pressure immediately after an inner valve opening time can be set large, restraining an increase in the smoke content of exhaust gas, which could result from a low rising speed of an inner needle valve immediately after the inner valve opening time. |
| US08347848B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An engine having a rotor including at least one slot and at least one combustion chamber used to form a cavity is provided. The engine also includes at least one vane rollably disposed in the slot, and a block for receiving the rotor, and having a first quadrant including an inlet port, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant having an outlet port. The vane moves through the first quadrant, drawing air into the block and the cavity. The vane then moves through the second quadrant, compressing the air. The vane then moves through the third quadrant, combusting the air, and forcing the rotor to rotate. The vane then moves through the fourth quadrant, forcing the air out of the outlet port. |
| US08347845B2 |
Engine oil filter and cooling system
In an engine oil filter system in which: a filter-attachment base is joined to one side surface of an engine; and an oil filter which filters lubricating oil supplied to the engine from an oil pump is attached to the filter-attachment base, an oil cooler for cooling down the lubricating oil transferred between the engine and the oil filter is formed integrally with the filter-attachment base. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an inexpensive engine oil filter system which includes an oil cooler constituted by utilizing a filter-attachment base, and which thus eliminates the need to modify an oil filter and also the need to form, on an engine, an attachment portion to which the oil cooler is exclusively attached. |
| US08347842B2 |
Coolable piston for internal combustion engine
A coolable piston includes an annular wall extending between a crown and a lower distal end. First and second shoulders are provided in the wall. The first shoulder extends between first and second inner diameters of the wall. The second shoulder extends between the second and a third inner diameter. A collar is provided on the lower distal end of the wall and flanged over to project radially inwardly. An annular rib depends from the crown, with an annular cavity provided between the rib and the wall. An annular channel is formed in the rib. A ring member at least partially closes the cavity. The ring member is supported against axial movement by an inner periphery of the ring member being received in the annular channel. A locking ring is disposed in the collar against the second shoulder and supports an outer periphery of the ring member against axial movement. |
| US08347838B2 |
Internal combustion engine valve drive train switching arrangement
In an internal combustion engine valve drive train switching arrangement with a switching unit, the switching unit has at least one actuating unit with at least two switching members and at least one switching device for actuating the two switching members independently in an at least partial chronological offset, so as to perform a first switching process based on a first signal and then a second switching process, independently of an electronic evaluation. |
| US08347834B2 |
Spark-ignited internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same
A spark-ignited internal combustion engine includes a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes a mechanical compression ratio and an actual compression ratio start timing-changing mechanism that changes a start timing at which actual compression starts. An actual compression ratio is changed according to the specific heat ratio of an intake gas that is supplied into a cylinder. |
| US08347833B2 |
Diesel type cross-cycle internal combustion engine
The present invention provides a cross-cycle internal combustion engine that can conduct a combustion cycle called as the cross-cycle with diesel ignition means. The diesel type cross-cycle operation consists of seven processes, which are the intake-process, the cold-compression process, the injection process, the cold-expansion process, the exhaust process, the hot-compression process, and the diesel-ignition process. |
| US08347832B2 |
Fuel supply and combustion chamber systems for fastener-driving tools
A fuel supply and combustion chamber system for a portable power tool, such as, for example, a fastener-driving tool, wherein the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize liquid or gaseous fuels. The fuel supply and combustion chamber system can comprise multiple combustion chambers for achieving predetermined combustion and power output characteristics. In addition, the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize portioning valve structures for providing predetermined amounts of either a gaseous or liquid fuel into the portable power tool combustion chamber. |
| US08347831B2 |
Sealed control valve for a fluid flow circuit
A control valve for a fluid flow circuit comprises a body that has a fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) and that defines an axisymmetric housing for a modulating member capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (XX) and adopting different angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the outlets. The body comprises a side wall (16) into which the fluid outlets open. The side wall (16) and/or the modulating member comprises sunken areas (EV) and non-sunken areas (CR), the sunken areas (EV) serving to reduce the surface area of the modulating member (26) in contact with the side wall (16). |
| US08347830B2 |
System for controlling and conveying air flows through the engine compartment of a motor vehicle
A motor vehicle is provided with a conveyor structure that conveys the entire flow of air that traverses the radiator downwards and then longitudinally underneath the floor panel of the motor vehicle, preventing said flow from traversing the engine compartment and obtaining a consequent reduction in the aerodynamic resistance of the motor vehicle. Associated to the aforesaid conveyor structure are active and passive fins for enabling an adequate cooling of the components of the engine unit or electronic components associated thereto during given operating conditions. |
| US08347825B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for pet waste disposal
A leash module including a retention opening configured to receive and retain a used pet waste bag that has been closed via a tied knot, and a bowl portion configured to receive and retain water for drinking by a pet. The leash module is configured to be removably coupled to a leash assembly. The retention opening includes a bag receipt opening sized and dimensioned to allow for insertion of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag, and a bag retention opening extending from the bag receipt opening, the bag retention opening being narrower than the bag receipt opening and being sized and dimensioned to prevent passage of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag. |
| US08347822B2 |
Animal centerline weave training device
An apparatus for demonstrating animal agility. The weave apparatus includes a rail with a set of members positioned on alternating sides of the rail. Each member includes a slider with a weave pole. Each slider is movable along a longitudinal axis of a corresponding one of the members with the weave pole positioned over the rail in one position. In various embodiments, the weave apparatus includes a set of releasably removable members, indicia indicating the distance the slider is from the rail, a tilting mechanism between the weave pole and the slider, and/or a set of gates. |
| US08347816B2 |
Feed dispenser with a wear-resistant pecking area for feeding birds
The invention relates to a feed dispenser for birds with a wear-resistant pecking area. This feed dispenser comprises a dispensing pan with a raised mid-section, that is surrounded entirely by a base plate. This base plate is built up of a plastic base material and a substantially impenetrable contiguous layer of material that is more wear-resistant than the plastic base material, for example a more wear-resistant plastic or metal. This achieves the advantage that the base plate is protected from perforation by the birds' beaks. |
| US08347815B2 |
Mobile pet bed/carrier
The present invention relates to a mobile pet bed wherein the top and bottom units of the mobile pet bed are reversibly attached to each other. When the top unit is removed from the bottom unit the mobile pet bed functions similarly to a traditional pet bed. When the top unit is attached to the bottom unit the mobile pet bed functions as a pet carrier. Additionally, the top unit of the mobile pet bed has a door portion that can be opened and closed to permit pet ingress and egress as well as permitting easy loading of the mobile pet bed with the animal without necessitating the removal of the top unit from the bottom unit. |
| US08347812B2 |
Device and method for cleaning cables
The present invention relates to a device arranged to move along a cable (1), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge, in order to obstruct covering of snow or ice on the cable. The device (2) comprises a compound (6) that obstructs covering of snow or ice as well as means (10) to coat the cable (1) with the compound (6). In addition, the device comprises sensors arranged to detect how large amount of the compound that is in the container. The sensors detect if the container needs to be replenished, and if so is the case, the device is arranged to automatically move to a replenishing device in order to there replenish more of the compound. The present invention also relates to a method to obstruct covering of snow or ice on a cable (1), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge. |
| US08347803B2 |
Roll suppression device for offshore structure
The present disclosure relates to a roll-suppression device for an offshore structure. The device includes a damping plate separated downward from a hull to be placed below a bottom of the offshore structure by a connection unit, so that the width of the damping plate may be effectively enlarged without occurrence of collision during shuttle docking or ship-to-ship operation. Accordingly, the device may maximize roll-suppression, as compared with a bilge-keel or a step, and a detachable design of the device facilitates ship construction or shore operation inside a drydock. |
| US08347802B2 |
Watercraft with reactive suspension and an integrated braking and steering system
A watercraft with several stability and handling design improvements. It has an enhanced reactive suspension system positioned in the vessel between a set of separating hull and body components. The watercraft also has improved braking, steering and stabilizing systems designed around multiple pivoting mechanisms on the vessel hull that work individually or in unison to achieve the desired braking or steering effect. The stabilizing system is operated by a computerized, gyroscopic hydraulic control to maintain stability and comfort of ride, minimizing the roll, pitch and yaw commonly experienced in the passenger compartment. |
| US08347801B2 |
Floating support for oil production fitted with pack ice destruction devices, and an associated method
A floating support for off-shore oil production in an arctic or antarctic zone, the support being fitted under its hull with a disconnectable turret from which there extend anchor lines connected to the sea bottom and bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The hull including lateral sides extending in its longitudinal direction. The longitudinal lateral sides of the support carry respective pluralities of devices for localized destruction of pack ice, each device having a destruction tool having at least one pointed portion suitable for breaking pack ice by repeated actuation in vertical pivoting and/or translation of the tool relative to the side, the point, on moving downwards, thus bearing in localized manner against the surface of the pack ice with a force that is preferably at least 10,000 kN. The tool being actuated in pivoting and/or translation with the help of a pivoting and/or translation guide structure applied against the side of the support. |
| US08347800B1 |
Methods for tufting a carpet product
Methods of tufting a pattern in a backing material using a plurality of different yarns A, B, . . . n that are threaded in the needles of a needle bar in a non-repeating sequence or pattern of yarn sets across the width of the needle bar. |
| US08347796B2 |
Furniture component fastening apparatus, furniture system and method of assembling furniture for a work space
A furniture system, method of assembling furniture for a work space, and a fastening apparatus for interconnecting furniture components include one or more fastening devices. Each fastening device includes a body that has a channel sized and configured to receive a first rail. Each fastening device also includes at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body for attaching the fastening device to at least one other furniture component. The connector assembly and the opening in the body are sized and configured so that the other furniture components are positioned such that at least one of their height and length extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the first rail, such as a direction that is mostly perpendicular to the length of the first rail. Other embodiments of the fastening device may include variations in configurations to the connector assembly or body. |
| US08347793B2 |
Apparatus for transport of equipment and method for manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture may include providing a first platform having a substantially planar first surface and a second platform having a substantially planar second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The method may further include mechanically coupling the second surface and first surface via a plurality of compression springs allowing movement of the second platform relative to the first platform. Additionally, the method may include mechanically coupling at least one weight sensor to the second platform configured to measure a portion of weight of a load upon the apparatus. Moreover, the method may include communicatively coupling a compression spring control module to at least one compression spring of the plurality of compression springs and the at least one weight sensor configured to tune the at least one compression spring based at least on the portion of weight of the load measured by the at least one weight sensor. |
| US08347792B2 |
Portable utility shelf
A portable utility shelf having a first shell pivotably connected to a second shell. A channel having a slot is located in the front surface of at least one of the shells. A fastener is mounted in the slot in the channel. The fastener allows for mounting one shell on an attachment surface and pivoting the utility shelf to an open position to create a work surface on the other shell. |
| US08347790B1 |
Multi-purpose table
A multi-purpose table including aperture disposed in a top surface and removable cups therein for playing a bean bag game and for holding items therein, respectively; a pair of compartments underneath the table surface for holding bean bags; and a plurality of spaced apart drawers having holes in which to hold cups and slots for holding poker chips. |
| US08347789B2 |
Transport system
A transport system, including a rail system and carriages movably disposed thereon, the rails being encompassed by a primary conductor system to which at least one secondary coil, included by the carriage, is inductively coupled for the contactless transfer of electrical energy and/or information. |
| US08347779B2 |
Rotary actuator
In cylinder chambers 14 and 15 of a housing 10 constituting an actuator main body 13, racks 17 and 18, to both end portions of which piston portions 17a and 18a are provided, are reciprocably incorporated. A pinion 25 meshing with the racks 17 and 18 is provided on a rotary shaft 24 rotatably mounted to the housing 10. An inner ring 32 is incorporated inside an outer ring 41 fixed to the housing 10, and the inner ring 32 is attached to the rotary shaft 24 and rotates and drives a swung member. Rollers 43 serving as rolling elements are incorporated between an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 41 and an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 32, and the rotary shaft 24 and the inner ring 32 are rotatably supported by the outer ring 41 via the rollers 43. |
| US08347778B2 |
Fluid-working machines
A fluid-working machine comprises at least one primary working chamber such as a cylinder (4) of cyclically changing volume and primary valves (7) to control the connection of the at least one chamber to low (10)- and high (9)-pressure manifolds. The machine has at least one secondary working chamber (5) of cyclically changing volume and a secondary valve (12, 21) for placing the secondary chamber in communication with the primary chamber (4) in an active state of the secondary chamber (5) and for isolating it therefrom in an idling state of the secondary chamber. |
| US08347777B2 |
Dynamic firearm
In weapon shot is fired during counterrecoil. The counterrecoil energy damps the recoil energy. During recoil, the breech block is unlocked, the spent cartridge case is ejected from the barrel by the residual pressure of the powder gases and is directed by a deflector into a hole in the gun carriage. When recoiling into the aftmost position, the barrel approaches the projectile and locks it by means of the breech block. Meanwhile, the next cartridge is taken from a magazine. In the event of misfire, the barrel, continuing to counterrecoil, actuates an extractor for removing the defective projectile. A recoil imitator returns the barrel to the aftmost position, where it is loaded with a projectile in a manner similar to the post-firing recoil. The technical result is ability to load the weapon automatically before firing or to reload the weapon automatically in the event of misfire. |
| US08347775B2 |
Kinetic energy dissipation system for dissipating kinetic shock energy
An energy dissipation assembly is provided for mounting between a fixed support and moveable support. The assembly includes a sacrificial deformation tube, a hardened cutter/deflector assembly and, optionally, a connecting cable to maintain the cutter/deflector assembly in juxtaposed coaxial alignment with an end deformation tube. The cutter/deflector assembly has a generally flattened disc shaped profile and includes a central hub, a circular support ring and one or more cutting blades. The support ring is concentrically about the hub and has an inner diameter greater than the outer tube diameter. On the occurrence of a shock force, the cutter/deflector assembly moves axial to cut/deform the deformation tube to dissipate force energy. |
| US08347769B2 |
Device and method for controlling a brake of a microtome
The present invention relates to a device for controlling a brake of a microtome. The microtome (1) has an actuating element (2), a movement mechanism (8) and a brake. With the aid of the movement mechanism (8), an object to be cut can be moved relative to a knife blade. The actuating element (2) can be manually actuated by an operator and, as a result thereof, the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be performed with the movement mechanism (8). The relative motion can be locked with the aid of the brake. So that the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be used in a mechanically designed movement mechanism (8) and/or the relative motion can be locked without an additional hand movement of the operator, the inventive device is characterized by at least one sensor unit (5, 13). The sensor unit (5, 13) is provided on the actuating element (2) or adjacent to the actuating element (2). With the aid of the sensor unit (5, 13) a contact by the operator can be determined. The device is further characterized by a control of the brake depending on a contact by the operator determined or not determined by the at least one sensor unit (5, 13). |
| US08347766B2 |
Automatic screw tightening apparatus
An automatic screw tightening apparatus has a screw discharging unit for transferring a screw to a transfer tube, an engaging unit for engaging the head part of the screw transferred from the transfer tube with a front end of a driver, and an openable and closable sealing cover for preventing air from leaking and which is opened and exposes the screw for tightening. |
| US08347761B2 |
Drive socket design for hold and drive fastener
A drive tool that includes a drive socket. The drive socket includes alternating flutes and lobes and has a conical portion. The lobes, rather than being tapered in the conical portion of the socket, are each uniform in width as they progress to an end of the socket. The fact that the lobes are uniform in width in the conical portion of the drive socket provides for better engagement with the flutes of a conical section of a fastener. |
| US08347758B2 |
Clamping device for a steering column
A clamping device for the positional fixing of a vehicle steering column which can be adjusted in its length and/or inclination has a clamping disc and a plurality of rolling bodies, with clamping ramps for the rolling bodies being formed on the surface of the clamping disc, wherein the rolling bodies each make contact with one of a plurality of separate contact elements arranged in a common plane. |
| US08347756B2 |
Transmission with connection mechanism for varying tension force
A transmission includes a drive member, a driven member having a connection mechanism, and an at least partially flexible transmission coupled to the drive member and the connection mechanism of the driven member and configured to cause movement of the driven member in response to movement of the drive member. The connection mechanism is configured to be adjusted to vary a tension force applied to the flexible transmission. |
| US08347754B1 |
Multi articulating robatic instrument
A system for navigating around healthy organs to reach a desired site of surgery is provided. The system includes an articulating shaft capable of navigating around healthy organs in a body. The articulating shaft includes a plurality of shaft sections and one or more movable joints. Further, the one or more movable joints have a two-degree of freedom motion. The two-degree of freedom joints operatively connect the plurality of shaft sections. Moreover, the system includes one or more cables which aid in controlling the movements of the movable joints. Additionally, the system can include a variety of medical tools located at the tip of a shaft section of the articulating shaft, wherein the medical tool aids in performing the medical activity. |
| US08347751B2 |
Transmission device
The invention relates to a transmission device comprising a first gear wheel and a second gear wheel that is rotatably coupled thereto, wherein a damping element acting in the circumferential direction is provided axially between the gear wheels. According to the invention it is provided that the damping element can be tensioned by the gear wheels during the operation of the transmission device. |
| US08347746B2 |
Crawling automated scanner for non-destructive inspection of aerospace structural elements
Apparatus for non-destructive inspection of structural elements or workpieces, in particular those having an airfoil configuration, that moves a scanning sensor across the width (span) of a structural element or workpiece for the purpose of detecting structural damage. In one embodiment, the apparatus simultaneously traverses the length (chord) of the structural element or workpiece. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a guide rail that encompasses the structural element or workpiece and the scanning sensor travels along the guide rail from a first location at an upper rear region, to the front, of the structural element or workpiece, and then around the leading edge toward the lower rear region. The apparatus includes a processor and a display device to display the processed, sensed, information. |
| US08347742B2 |
Sampler
A sampler for automatic taking of liquid samples from a sample-taking location. The sampler includes: a housing with a door; an energy or power supply unit; a control/evaluation unit; a sample-taking unit, which, in a predeterminable time interval, takes a predetermined quantity of sample from the sample-taking location; a sample collecting unit arranged in a lower region of the housing of the sampler for storing taken samples; and a temperature-control unit, which controls at least the region of the sampler, in which the sample collecting unit is arranged, to a predetermined temperature. |
| US08347740B2 |
Systems for weighing a pulled object having a changing weight
A system for measuring the weight of an object while pulling the object upward includes a puller having a frame and a cable having a first end coupled to the object and a second end engaging a second cylinder. At least a portion of the cable engages the outer circumferential surface of a first cylinder and the second cylinder. The apparatus also includes an upper arm and an actuator. A force measurement device is coupled to the first cylinder and to the upper arm and measures the weight of the object. The actuator is operable to lower and raise the weight measurement device and the first cylinder. In some embodiments, the position of the cable with respect to the frame may be adjusted by a dampening system or a bushing. |
| US08347735B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining flow meter tube amplitude over a variable temperature range
A method for operating a flow meter is provided. The flow meter includes a driver and pickoff sensors coupled to a flow tube. The driver is adapted to vibrate the flow tube in response to a drive signal. The method comprises setting a target pickoff voltage and measuring a flow meter temperature. The method further comprises generating a temperature compensated target pickoff voltage and controlling the drive signal to maintain a temperature compensated flow tube amplitude. |
| US08347717B2 |
Extension-mode angular velocity sensor
An angular velocity sensor including a drive extension mode. In one aspect, an angular rate sensor includes a base and at least three masses disposed substantially in a plane parallel to the base, the masses having a center of mass. At least one actuator drives the masses in an extension mode, such that in the extension mode the masses move in the plane simultaneously away or simultaneously towards the center of mass. At least one transducer senses at least one Coriolis force resulting from motion of the masses and angular velocity about at least one input axis of the sensor. Additional embodiments can include a linkage that constrains the masses to move in the extension mode. |
| US08347714B2 |
Illumination devices for balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels
The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels includes a base frame for supporting a balancing shaft, which receives the vehicle wheel. A plurality of light sources are arranged in a ring around the balancing shaft, and a plurality of pattern generators projects images onto the side of the wheel to form reference points. The light sources are split into sectors, and at least one pattern generator is arranged between two sectors of the light sources. Laser pointers may be used as pattern generators. |
| US08347712B2 |
Balancing machine for rotating bodies, particularly for motor vehicle wheels
A balancing machine for rotating bodies, particularly for wheels of motor vehicles and the like, including a rotating shaft supported by a supporting element which is connected rigidly to the frame of the balancing machine, at least one first measurement transducer and one second measurement transducer being coupled elastically, along perpendicular planes, to an extension of the supporting element, an actuation motor being connected to the rotating shaft by means of a belt, the actuation motor being connected on an extension of the supporting element, and the extension connecting the rotating shaft to the measurement transducers. |
| US08347707B2 |
Flow rate measuring apparatus
Provided is a flow rate measuring apparatus which suppresses deformation of a base main body due to vibration of a pipe so as to be able to reduce occurrence of disconnection of wires due to the vibration of the pipe. The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a bonding portion (16) corresponding to a deformation suppression portion provided between an inner wall surface (17a) of a flange (17) of a base (11) and an outer circumferential wall surface (6a) of a cover (6) covering a circuit board (5), which is opposed to the inner wall surface (17a), for connecting the flange (17) and the cover (6) to suppress the deformation of a base main body (32) of the base (11) due to vibration of an intake pipe (50). |
| US08347704B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting tire having decreased pressure, and program for detecting tire having decreased pressure
The detection apparatus includes means for detecting rotation speed information of the respective wheels of a vehicle; means for estimating, a frequency characteristic of the wheel rotation speed information; and means for determining, based on the estimated frequency characteristic, a tire having a decreased air pressure. The frequency characteristic estimate means includes, to a time-series signal including the wheel rotation speed information: means for time-series estimating a third order or more linear model parameter; means for generating pseudo input data; means for estimating, based on the estimated linear model parameter and the pseudo input data, output data to a linear model; means for identifying, based on the pseudo input data and the estimated output, a linear model parameter for which the order is reduced to a second order; and means for estimating, based on the identified parameter for which the order is reduced to the second order, a resonance frequency of a tire torsional direction. The decreased air pressure determination means is so configured as to determine a tire having a decreased air pressure based on the estimated resonance frequency of the tire torsional direction. |
| US08347701B2 |
System and method for quantifying the presence of components in the exhaust of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles
A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions. |
| US08347698B2 |
Sensor with G-load absorbing shoulder
A sensor is provided and includes a body disposed at a point of measurement interest on a rotor at a radial distance from a centerline thereof and having a substantially cylindrical shape and first and second opposing ends and a sensing end coupled to one of the first and second opposing ends, the other of the first and second opposing ends being coupled to a communication system, the sensing end including a sensing device configured to generate a signal reflective of a detected condition at the point of measurement interest, and at least one of the first and the second opposing ends being formed to define a shoulder portion for absorbing gravitational loading. |
| US08347693B2 |
Apparatus and methods for continuous compatibility testing of subterranean fluids and their compositions under wellbore conditions
Disclosed is a fluid testing device which utilizes a small, cross-section fluid interface to separate a test fluid chamber from a drive and measuring chamber. The test fluid chamber contains the test fluid and a paddle-type fluid test assembly. The drive and measuring chamber contains a second fluid and assemblies for moving the paddle and for determining the resistance movement. The two chambers are connected together by a narrow cross-section passageway allowing for continuous testing while test fluids are flowed through the test chamber and for successive testing of different samples without breaking down the device between tests. A pair of coaxial shafts extends between the test fluid chamber and the drive and measuring chamber. The shafts are connected together by a spring located in the drive chamber whereby the resistance to movement is determined by measuring the deflection in the spring. The shafts are magnetically coupled to a motor to rotate the shafts. |
| US08347689B2 |
Tool for assisting leak testing of an enclosed volume and method incorporating the tool
A tool for assisting the leak testing of an enclosed volume is disclosed. The tool may comprise an outer seal defining inside its perimeter an attachment face of the tool. A vacuum port defined in the attachment face is configured to be fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. A nozzle disposed in the attachment face may be coupled to the test port, in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. A primary connection in fluid connection with the nozzle may be placed in fluid connection with the external conduit. A nozzle seal is disposed in the attachment face around the perimeter of the nozzle, such that when the nozzle is coupled to the test port, the nozzle is fluidly isolated from said vacuum port. A leak-test system incorporating at least one tool and a method for leak testing an enclosed volume using the tool are disclosed. |
| US08347684B2 |
Apparatus and method for producing embossed paper or laminated metallic foil sheets
An apparatus (1) and method for producing embossed paper or laminated metallic foil sheets (55) comprising means for feeding an elongate strip (20) of paper or laminated metallic foil, a pair of matched embossing rollers (5, 10) disposed to receive such a strip from the feeding means, and means for receiving such a strip from the embossing rollers after being embossed thereby, and for cutting such strip into sheets. The rollers have a plurality of embossing sectors (75) arranged on the surface thereof. At least one of the sectors imparts a first embossing, and at least another of the sectors imparts an alternate embossing different in appearance from the first embossing. The sectors are dimensioned similarly to the foil sheets. At least one group of the sheets carry the first embossing while at least another group of the sheets carry the alternate embossing. |
| US08347683B2 |
Texturing of the seal surface for a roller cone rock bit
Surface texturing is employed to modify the topography of one or more surfaces (radial or cylindrical) of the sealing system for a roller cone rock bit. The surface texturing results in a dimpled surface which retains additional lubricant helpful in reducing friction in the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. Shot peening is disclosed as one method for texturing the desired surface. |
| US08347682B2 |
Apparatus for cleaning cylinders or rolls
An apparatus for cleaning cylinders (5) and/or rolls (5), e.g., working rolls (5) in a rolling stand, which are used for producing a rolled stock (1) such as strips or slabs, in which a liquid is sprayed onto the cylinders (5) at high pressure through several nozzles D1-Dn, a number of nozzles (D1-Dn) are stationary arranged in and/or on a nozzle beam (10), at least one on-off valve is associated with each nozzle (D1-Dn), and one or several nozzle(s) (D1-Dn) are sequentially switched on and off one after another starting from one end of the nozzle beam. |
| US08347676B2 |
Constructive improvement to an anti-theft lock device applied to automobile trunks
A constructive improvement to an anti-theft lock device applied to automobile trunks, whose innovative solution implies a new anti-theft lock (1), applicable both to common trunk locks and to trunk locks having electric assembly elements, wherein said improvement provides greater productivity during the assembly of said item, in addition to providing greater reliability to the anti-theft safety system, and this is achieved thanks to a constructive concept wherein the anti-theft lock item (1) comprises a clench ring element (A), sealing joint (B), lock cylinder element (C) and fastening clinch element (D). The clench ring element (A) comprises a hollowed latch area (A1), an upper latch element (A2) and a lower latch element (A3), also having a relief lock (A4), in addition to structural grooves (A5). In turn, the fastening clinch element (D) has upper (D1) and lower (D2) latch ends, having an inflexion segment (D3) in its middle section, and both these elements are fitted into the lock cylinder element (C). Once assembled, the anti-theft lock item (1) prevents the access of tools (4) to the bracing element (F), thanks to the formation of a height barrier (H1), also generating a width (H2) which eliminates assembly gaps. |
| US08347675B2 |
Positional multiplex keyway system
A method and apparatus for extending an existing simplex or multiplex lock-and-key system that includes a family of first keys each having a first profile and of a corresponding plurality of first locks each operable by a first key and each having a first keyway configured for accepting the first key profile. Second keys of a new family are defined with a core section corresponding to the first key profile and a narrowed projection extending from the bottom of the core section. Corresponding second locks have a second keyway profile defined as the compliment of the second key profile, thus including a complimentary core section and a foot recess extending from the bottom of the second keyway core section. The second locks accept a second key positioned at the second keyway baseline to normally lift the lock pin stacks and operate the second lock. The second locks also accept the first keys but the first keys cannot enter the narrowed foot recess of the second keyway and are accordingly elevated in the second keyway above the keyway baseline, and are therefore unable to normally lift the lock pin stacks to operate the second lock. |
| US08347674B2 |
Electronic lock and key assembly
A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another. |
| US08347671B2 |
Lockout device
A lockout device is provided for an instrument having a body and an actuating member extending from the body for operating the instrument. The lockout device includes a bottom member, a cover member, and a flexible member. The bottom member and cover member are adapted to receive a cinching portion of the flexible member between first and second holding surfaces of the bottom member and cover member. When the flexible member is wrapped around a portion of the body and received between the first and second holding surfaces and the cover member is in a closed position, the first and second holding surfaces prevent movement of a cinching portion of the flexible member. |
| US08347670B2 |
Lockable utility box lid
One embodiment of a lockable utility box lid (20) for a utility box enclosure (10) comprises a box lid (12) having at least one upper tool aperture (22) and at least one clamping mechanism (30) coupled to the underside of the box lid (10). The clamping mechanism (30) includes at least one lower tool aperture (38) of a lock plate (32) oppositely corresponding to the upper tool aperture (22) of the box lid (12). The lock plate (32) may be coupled to a plurality of side plates (40). The clamping mechanism (30) may also include a pivot arm (60) coupled with a jaw plate (72). A pivot tab (34) of the lock plate (32) may be inserted through a pivot tab aperture (76) of the pivot arm (60) thereby creating a fulcrum point. A back plate (50) inserted into a plurality of back plate apertures (52) of the side plates (40) and a threaded plate (64) inserted into a plurality threaded plate apertures (68) of the pivot arm (60) may be aligned to receive a bolt (80). A bolt head (82) of the bolt (80) may be aligned beneath the lower tool aperture (38). A handled tool (92) may be inserted first through the upper tool aperture (22) and again through the lower tool aperture (38) where it may insert into a bolt head cavity (84) of the bolt head (82) wherein a rotation of the handled tool (92) will produce a transitional movement of the at least one clamping mechanism (30) between an engaged and disengaged position. |
| US08347668B2 |
Differential linkage attachment of door handles
A differential linkage attachment of handles includes a first handle ring and a second handle ring placed on right and left sides, respectively, and set in a rectangular dead bolt shifting block independently. An end of the second handle ring is encircled with a first slanted latch bolt shifting plate, and an end of the first handle ring is encircled with a second slanted latch bolt shifting plate. All of the five parts turn around on a center axis. When the second handle ring turns forward or clockwise, the rectangular dead bolt shifting block or the first slanted latch bolt shifting plate is linked to turn around on the center axis independently, and when the first handle ring turns clockwise, the rectangular dead bolt shifting block or the second slanted latch bolt shifting plate is linked to turn around on the center axis independently. When the second handle ring or the first handle ring turns backward or counter-clockwise, only the rectangular dead bolt shifting block is linked, so that the rectangular dead bolt extends out to lock the door. Front and rear handles operate the rectangular dead bolt and the slanted latch bolt independently. |
| US08347666B2 |
Locking device, a locking arrangement, and a locking system
The invention relates to a locking device adapted for locking a shutter element (13) adapted to slide along a railing (11), which locking device (3) comprises at least one locking bolt (5) movable between a first state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to engage with a locking member (9) in the shutter element to lock the shutter element against movement, and a second state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to avoid engagement with the locking member and to allow movement of the shutter element. The invention also relates to a locking arrangement adapted to be connected with and allow locking of a shutter element (13) arranged to slide along a railing (11), which locking arrangement (7) comprises at least one locking member (9) shaped to allow a locking bolt (5) to, in a first state, engage with and lock the locking member, and thus the shutter element, against movement. The invention also relates to a locking system. |
| US08347665B2 |
Self-balancing locking mechanism for doors
A self-balancing locking mechanism for actuating a locking pin-bar assembly of a door. The mechanism includes a drive shaft having an axis of rotation mounted to the door, and a cam mounted to the drive shaft. The mechanism also includes one or more actuator plates, each having a proximal end with a radial slot formed therein and installed about the drive shaft, and a distal end coupled to a locking pin-bar assembly that is slidably supported adjacent a perimeter of the door. The mechanism further includes one or more linkage bars, each having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the cam at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, and a distal end pivotably coupled to a mid-span of the actuator plate. Rotation of the cam causes the linkage bar to drive the actuator plate along a radial axis and engage the locking pin-bar assembly with a side edge of a door frame, and simultaneously cause the radial slot of the actuator plate to bear on the drive shaft and balance any off-axis loads applied by the linkage bar to the actuator plate. |
| US08347662B2 |
Shielding assembly for door lock system
A combination including an apparatus with a frame bounding an internal space and a first repositionable door that is movable between closed and open positions relative to the frame. Cooperating components on the first door and at least one of: a) the frame; and b) a second door are alignable in a first relative position with the first door closed. A lock assembly cooperates with the components with the first door in the closed position and the cooperating components in the first relative position and has a locked state wherein the lock assembly prevents the first door from being moved from its closed position into its open position. A shielding assembly conforms to at least a part of the exposed outer surface, overlies at least a part of the exposed outer surface, and is frictionally held against the lock assembly to be maintained in an operative state. |
| US08347656B2 |
Apparatus for and method of processing glass optical fiber, method of manufacturing and method of drawing optical fiber
An apparatus includes: an introducer to introduce a glass optical fiber that has passed a pulling mechanism pulling, to draw the glass optical fiber, one end of an optical fiber preform that has been fused by heating; a shredder including a casing connected to the introducer and a shredding mechanism to shred the glass optical fiber introduced by the introducer in the casing into glass optical-fiber pieces; a pipe connected to the casing of the shredder and to carry the glass optical-fiber pieces; and a suction unit connected to the pipe and to suction the glass optical-fiber pieces via the pipe. |
| US08347651B2 |
Method of separating strengthened glass
A method is provided for separating or dividing strengthened glass articles, particularly strengthened glass sheets, into at least two pieces, one of which has a predetermined shape and/or dimension. A flaw is initiated in the glass at a depth that is greater than the depth of the strengthened surface layer of the glass, and a vent extending from the flaw is created at a vent depth that is greater than the depth of and outside the strengthened surface layer to at least partially separate the glass. In one embodiment, the vent is generated by treating the glass with a laser to heat the glass to a temperature in a range from about 50° C. below the strain point of the glass up to a temperature between the strain point and the anneal point of the glass. A glass article having at least one strengthened surface and at least one edge having an average edge strength of at least 200 MPa is also described. |
| US08347650B2 |
Method of producing a quartz glass crucible
A method of producing a quartz glass crucible for pulling a single crystal comprising: providing a melting mold comprising a wall having passages between outside and inside; providing an outer layer granulation consisting of first coarser SiO2 particles and forming an outer granulation layer from the outer layer granulation on the inside of the melting mold wall; providing a barrier layer granulation consisting of second finer SiO2 particles and forming a barrier granulation layer from the barrier layer granulation on the outer granulation layer; applying a negative pressure to the outside of the melting mold wall; and heating the barrier granulation layer and the outer granulation layer with formation of a quartz glass crucible with transparent inner layer. In order to produce a sealing layer that is as thin and uniform as possible it is suggested that the SiO2 particles of the barrier layer granulation should have a mean particle size (D50 value) of less than 50 μm and that the formation of the barrier granulation layer should include a measure for fixing the barrier layer granulation to the outer granulation layer. |
| US08347647B2 |
Air cycle machine for an aircraft environmental control system
An ECS system provides an ACM which locates the compressor upon a common shaft between a first turbine and a second turbine. Each RAF is located remote from the ACM such that the turbines are located outboard on each end of the ACM to provide the highest efficiency possible with each turbine using a straight axial outlet diffuser. As the compressor is located between the turbines the bypass circuits from the turbines are less circuitous and more efficient. Integral valve ports formed into the ACM housing portions results in a weight reduced design due to increase bypass efficiencies and simplified installations. |
| US08347644B2 |
Air conditioning system
An air conditioning system includes a first circulation module and a second circulation module. Two circulation modules are joined by a heat exchanger. The first circulation is a modular refrigeration system includes a compressor, expansion device, and heat exchangers. The second circulation module includes a main liquid refrigerant tank, a number of distributed liquid refrigerant tanks, liquid pumps and a plurality of indoor units which includes a heat exchange device and a vapor propelling device. The heat exchange device is connected to the main liquid tank. The vapor propelling device propels the working fluid in a saturated vapor state to the first heat exchanger, thus forming a working fluid loop. It can be switched between the heating and cooling modes. |
| US08347642B2 |
HVAC controller for vehicle
A controller for a vehicle includes an in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the air supplied to an evaporator by actuating a blower fan, an outside air temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the evaporator, and an engine stop duration determiner which determines an engine stop duration on the basis of the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature sensor immediately before an engine stops and the temperatures detected by the outside air temperature sensor and the in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor. An engine control unit continues the operation of the blower fan after a stop condition holds and the engine is stopped, and then restarts the engine and actuates a compressor when the engine stop duration has elapsed. |
| US08347640B2 |
Enhanced performance dehumidification apparatus, system and method
A dehumidifier includes an air flow path with first, second and third segments in series from upstream to downstream and passing ambient air respectively to an evaporator coil then to a condenser coil and then discharging same. The air flow path has a fourth segment passing ambient air to the condenser coil in parallel with the noted second air flow path segment. A bypass door is configured to selectively block air flow along the fourth segment and allow air flow along the fourth segment. |
| US08347635B2 |
Locking apparatus for a radial locator for gas turbine engine mid turbine frame
A gas turbine engine mid turbine frame apparatus includes a an inner case supporting a bearing, an outer case to which the inner case is mounted, and an apparatus for radially positioning one relative to the other, the apparatus including a plurality of radial locators extending outwardly of the outer case and an associated locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is mounted adjacent to but independent of the locators and provides for anti-rotation of the radial locators once installed. |
| US08347632B2 |
Open-cooled component for a gas turbine, combustion chamber, and gas turbine
An open-cooled component for a gas turbine is provided. The component includes an outer wall that is subjected to a hot gas and at least partially defines a first cavity for a first means. The outer wall is provided with through-openings which open up into the cavity on one side and into a hot gas chamber on the other. The inventive component also includes at least one second cavity for admixing a second means, said second cavity is connected to the through-openings in a fluid-connected manner. A combustion chamber for a gas turbine, and to a gas turbine including one such component is also provided. |
| US08347629B2 |
System and method for reducing moisture in a compressed air energy storage system
A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air. |
| US08347619B2 |
System and method of controlling torque of plural variable displacement hydraulic pumps
A system and method of controlling torque of plural variable displacement hydraulic pumps in construction equipment are provided, which can control torque of the variable displacement hydraulic pumps so that the total amount of torque of the hydraulic pumps does not exceed the preset amount of torque by presetting the torque so that the engine does not stop even at maximum load of the hydraulic pumps or by presetting the speed of the engine or the used torque of the hydraulic pumps in consideration of the fuel economy or working speed. The system includes an engine, at least two variable displacement hydraulic pumps, hydraulic actuators, control levers generating manipulation signals, control lever sensing means detecting the manipulation amounts of the control levers, hydraulic pump pressure sensing means detecting load pressures of the hydraulic pumps, maximum torque setting means setting the total torque inputted to the hydraulic pumps, desired flow rate computing means computing flow rates of the hydraulic pumps, expected torque computing means computing expected torque values of the hydraulic pumps, torque distributing means distributing torque values of the hydraulic pumps, limited flow rate computing means computing the flow rates of the hydraulic pumps, and output means outputting control signals to regulators. |
| US08347617B2 |
Hydralic two-circuit system and interconnecting valve system
A hydraulic two-circuit system (2, 4) for activating consumers (A1, B1; A2, B2; A3, B3) of a mobile unit, for example a track-laying unit, and an interconnecting valve arrangement (38), which is suitable for a two-circuit system (2, 4) of this type and via which the two circuits (2, 4) can be interconnected so as to add them together, are disclosed. According to the invention, the interconnecting valve arrangement has an interconnecting valve with two pressure connections (P1, P2), two LS input connections (LS1, LS2) and two LS output connections, wherein a valve body of the interconnecting valve is designed with four control surfaces, of which two control surfaces which act in one direction are acted upon by the highest load pressure (LS1) in the first circuit and by the pumping pressure (P2) in the second circuit, and the control surfaces acting in the other direction are acted upon by the highest load pressure (LS2) in the second circuit and by the pumping pressure (P1) in the first circuit. |
| US08347616B2 |
Compressed air engine and power train system
An engine and drive train system suitable for personal or commercial transportation vehicles. The system converts the expansive energy of compressed air or gas into mechanical energy to produce motion or force. The engine of the present invention further uses the intrinsic kinetic energy of the vehicle in motion to generate and store compressed air or gas for in-situ or later use. The engine may also be used for braking by the introduction of high pressure air or gas at maximum displacement. |
| US08347612B2 |
Method and apparatus for regenerating a particulate filter system
A method for regenerating a particulate filter configured to treat engine exhaust gas in a vehicle equipped with an on-board navigation and an extra-vehicle communications system includes monitoring present operation of the vehicle, projecting vehicle operating conditions based upon information from the on-board navigation and the extra-vehicle communications system, monitoring a storage capacity of the particulate filter, executing a control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter exceeds an upper threshold, executing the control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and in response to an operator request to regenerate the particulate filter, and executing the engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and the projected vehicle operating conditions indicate an opportunity to regenerate the particulate filter. |
| US08347609B2 |
Methods and systems for emission system control
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an SCR catalyst downstream of an exhaust turbine and a particulate filter upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises, adjusting a turbine wastegate to adjust a catalyst temperature to a desired catalyst temperature. |
| US08347603B2 |
Method for metering a reagent for the emission control of internal combustion engines and device for executing the method
A method for metering a reagent which an emission control device situated in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine requires for removing at least one exhaust gas component from the exhaust gas and a device for executing the method are described. The fluid level of the reagent stored in a reagent tank is measured. The measured change in the fluid level is compared to at least one measure for the change in the fluid level calculated as a function of consumption. An error signal is output when the comparison result exceeds a predefined threshold value. This approach enables reliable information to be provided about the fluid level of the reagent in the reagent tank. |
| US08347600B2 |
Power plant and method of operation
At least one main air compressor makes a compressed ambient gas flow. The compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to both master and slave turbine combustors at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to each turbine combustor from each turbine compressor as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow. A fuel stream is delivered to each turbine combustor, and combustible mixtures are formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flows. A master and slave turbine power are produced, and each is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate each turbine compressor. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated through recirculation loops. At least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow bypasses the combustors or an excess portion of each recirculated gas flow is vented or both. |
| US08347599B2 |
Fuel control arrangement
A fuel control arrangement includes an injector control valve, a fuel supply structure including a primary supply path, a secondary supply path, and a splitter valve configured to split fuel flow between the primary supply path and the secondary supply path to thereby regulate fuel supply. The fuel control arrangement also includes a fuel injector directly connected to the injector control valve. The splitter valve is configured to split fuel flow between the secondary path and the injector control valve in response to a fuel pressure indicative of fuel demand. Further, the splitter is provided distal to the fuel injector and the injector control valve, to operate under different environmental conditions from the injector and the injector control valve. The injector control valve is actuated by a fluid pressure system controlled by a solenoid. |
| US08347595B1 |
Dust suppression system
A system for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing having an air stream inlet at a first end thereof and an air steam exhaust at a second end thereof. The housing defines a flow path between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust. At least one liquid introduction jet disposed between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust injects liquid droplets into the air stream. A scrubber disposed between the at least one liquid introduction jets and the air stream exhaust for removes smaller particles from the air stream. |
| US08347593B2 |
Push mower
A push mower having a height adjustment lever, which can be manipulated easily, is provided. The provided push mower includes: a main body configured to move along a ground; a blade attached to the main body; a height adjustment lever attached to the main body; and a height adjustment mechanism configured to change a height of the blade from the ground based on a position of the height adjustment lever. The height adjustment lever includes: a pillar protruding from the main body; a grip fixed to the pillar; and a lock member attached to the grip and configured to move with respect to the grip between a lock position and an unlock position. A movement of the height adjustment lever is inhibited when the lock member is at the lock position, and the movement of the height adjustment lever is allowed when the lock member is at the unlock position. |
| US08347589B2 |
Method of packaging dispenser assembly
A method of packaging dispenser assemblies, the method comprising forming a group of n dispenser assemblies, disposed in such a manner that the flaps are stacked and the housings are in side-by-side alignment and oriented in the same direction. When arranged in this way, the dispensers remain visible through the large windows formed in their respective housings. |
| US08347587B2 |
Method of tiling a roof with interlocking tiles employing an adjustable rain lock
A roofing system includes at least one row of tiles extending across a surface in a row direction, a first tile of the at least one row of tiles including a rain lock adapted to interlock with a second tile adjacent to and within the same row as the first tile, wherein the rain lock has a lower end, an upper end, and a weakened portion proximate the lower end to allow for removal of a predetermined portion of the rain lock. The second tile of the roofing system includes a corner at the upper end of the rain lock of the first tile, the corner including a notch and a second weakened portion to allow for lengthening of the notch. |
| US08347585B2 |
Modular seismically restrained distribution system and method of installing the same
A method of installing distribution systems such as needed piping, ductwork, electrical wiring, and other systems in a new construction having a structural ceiling and floor, comprises the steps of: providing a frame module of main and cross frame members; assembling the modules on site directly below the final placement position; installing ductwork, piping, electrical wiring, and other distribution systems in the modules; fabricating and attaching upper wall portions to the modules; lifting modules with attached upper wall portions towards the structural ceiling; attaching support columns to the structural ceiling and floor; and mounting the modules onto the support columns, such that the support columns support the modules. |
| US08347584B2 |
Structural column with footing stilt
A structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like is bedded in a concrete footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The column assembly includes a post whose bottom end is suspended above a floor of the hole by a stilt. The stilt includes a plurality of legs which extend from the post's bottom end and grip the hole floor through a plurality of cleats. The cleats help stabilize the column assembly during the concrete pour operation so that it does not shift out of position. The stilt legs are provided with a base pad, which is set below the bottom end of the post at a predetermined distance so that the concrete footing can be poured in a single operation immediately after the hole is formed. The stilt can accommodate posts made from wood, pre-cast concrete or any other known construction material. The stilts can be manufactured from formed flat steel or commercially available angle iron and channel stock. |
| US08347576B2 |
Mechanically embossed single ply roofing membrane for anti-roll blocking
A single ply mechanically embossed roofing membrane in a roll form for use in commercial applications on flat and low pitched roofs. The roofing membrane preferably includes a scrim or reinforcement sheet sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer is completely embossed with various configurations forming alternating ridges and valleys. The embossed roofing membrane improves roll blocking upon installation. The embossed roofing membrane can be installed by fully adhering or mechanically attaching to the roof deck. |
| US08347569B1 |
Self-adjusting coplanar ACM panel mounting system secured by novel retaining clip
A self-leveling structural element in a non-progressive attachment system, a U-shaped retentive clip having a base and two upwardly extending arms that are forced apart by the installation of a self-drilling screw, the novel retentive clip with screw coacting with an extruded frame to mount and retain a plurality of aluminum composite material (ACM) panels in a coplanar manner, to form an Aluminum Composite Cladding System, for a non-progressive system that enables removal of individual panels for replacement or repair. |
| US08347568B2 |
Building panel mounting system and method
A building panel mounting system comprising a rail attachment strap, a rail, a rail attachment profile and a building panel. The rail attachment strap is connectable to a support structure, extends along a longitudinal axis and includes one or more rail support brackets. The rail is connected to the rail support bracket and extends in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The rail attachment profile has an engagement formation removably connected to the rail. The building panel is connected to the rail attachment profile. |
| US08347567B2 |
Water barrier trim
A water barrier trim has a base, a top flange, and an overhang section. The base has at least one ridge extending away from the base in a first direction and a projection extending in the first direction. The top flange section is positionable adjacent to the base. The overhang section is positionable adjacent to the base and defines a drip cap. The at least one ridge is sized and configured to rest on a top of a trim board. The projection is sized and configured to fit into a slot defined in the top of the trim board to provide an interference connection. |
| US08347564B2 |
Solar cell module
A solar cell module includes a plate-shaped solar panel including a plurality of solar cells arranged on same plane; a plate-shaped cell protection member that covers the plural solar cells that are arranged on the same plane; and a surface protection member that is bonded onto a top surface of the cell protection member; an outer frame that supports a circumference of the solar panel; and a brace having rigidity against bending and that supports a center area of a back surface of the solar panel in such a manner that both ends of the brace are joined to each of two opposed positions of the outer frame. An initial tension is provided to the brace. |
| US08347563B2 |
Boom assembly
A telescopic boom broadly comprises an elongated hollow outer boom, an elongated inner boom telescopically received within the outer boom, and a guidance structure for guiding the inner boom for telescopic movement is provided. The guidance structure includes a plurality of guide rails attached to the interior corners of the outer boom, a first roller assembly attached to one end of the inner boom, a second roller assembly attached to one end of the outer boom, and a mid roller assembly positioned proximal to the second roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a plurality of wheels mounted on axles for engaging the guide rails. The second roller assembly includes roller bars positioned on opposed sides of one end of the outer boom for guiding the inner boom during telescopic movement. The mid roller assembly includes a third roller bar that engages guide rails positioned on the inner boom. |
| US08347562B2 |
Radiant barrier rafter vent
A radiant barrier rafter vent defining an elongate radiant heat reflective panel formed from a sheet of aluminum or other heat reflective material having longitudinal creases that permit compressing the panel a selected amount in a direction transverse to its length and panel strengthening spaced apart formations on the remainder of the panel. The panel have a high reflectivity and are installable in various buildings between the rafters or roof supports spaced apart from the roof and optionally coated with a sound absorbing material or include small perforations therein. |
| US08347561B2 |
Geodesic domes with reduced strut length variations
A domed structure (500) comprises a plurality of struts (505) of equal or a reduced number of differing lengths. The struts are held in place by hubs (510, 515, 1400). In one aspect, a first hub secures the ends of inserted struts at a constant distance from its center, while other hubs secure the ends of inserted struts at predetermined distances from their centers. The differences between the various predetermined distances is the difference in strut lengths required by the design of the structure. Thus all struts are of equal length and identical, or a reduced number of lengths, resulting in an economy of scale and ease of construction. A cover can be added after the structure is built. Alternatively, the hubs can be sewn into a fabric or plastic cover for further ease of construction. The struts can be glued in place, or removed from the hubs to disassemble the structure. |
| US08347555B2 |
Safety fence that is closed automatically
A safety fence includes a door unit, a locking unit mounted on the door unit, a switching mechanism mounted on the door unit and connected with the locking unit, and a positioning and restoring unit mounted on the door unit. The door unit includes a first rail, a second rail and a door. Thus, when the door unit is not opened to reach the predetermined angle, the door is driven by the positioning and restoring unit and is returned and moved backward relative to the first rail to abut the second rail so that the door is locked onto the second rail by the locking unit so as to close the door unit automatically. |
| US08347554B2 |
Hinge and door unit
A hinge enabling a plurality of hold-stay members to automatically lock when the door is fully open, increasing the durability of the hinge, and enabling easy release of the hold-stay members. A hinge includes a one-side hinge plate, a plurality of opposing-side hinge plate portions provided along the lengthwise direction of the hinge plate and supported by it, and an open-angle limiting mechanism for stopping, at a specific angle, opening movement of the opposing-side hinge plate portions. |
| US08347553B2 |
Drive device for refrigerator doors
An arrangement comprises a housing, in particular of a cooling and/or freezing device, a door which is articulated to the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis of a hinge, and at least one drive device for pivoting the door relative to the housing, with the drive device comprising a drive unit by means of which a moment is exertable on the door relative to the hinge axis via at least one force transmission means. |
| US08347549B2 |
System for trapping flying insects and a method for making the same
The present application discloses a device for attracting and capturing flying insects, and a method for attracting and capturing flying insects. The device and method use at least one electrically-powered airflow generator and an electrically-powered heater. |
| US08347548B1 |
Counterbalanced fishing hook
A counterbalanced fishing hook having an eye oriented at an angle to the shank. A weight is mounted to the eye and shank in a position to counterbalance the weight of the hook when a line is connected to the eye and the hook is suspended underwater. In a second embodiment, the shank has a horizontal straight portion and a portion that is bent at an angle with the curved portion and the barb oriented in a plane parallel to and displaced from the plane of a straight shank portion. The second embodiment employs a flat weight that is oriented parallel to the plane of the curved portion and the barb for holding the barb above the bottom of a body of water. |
| US08347547B1 |
Stowable fishing device
The invention provides a fishing device adapted to carry a plurality of fishing lures. The fishing device includes a winged section having a support shaft guide which slideably engages onto a wire support shaft equipped with a winged section retaining eyelet. Depending upon the slideable position of the support guide in relation to the winged section retaining eyelet, the winged section may be retained and collapsed about the wire support shaft in a stowable form or allowed to radially expand to a fishing lure position. The winged section and the support shaft are adapted to carry a plurality of fishing lures dimensionally triangulated along different planes of carriage travel. |
| US08347544B1 |
Dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm
A dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm includes a body, a clamping assembly configured to releasably clamp the body to the firearm, and a dampening structure disposed within a cavity formed in the body. The cavity has opposing fixed end walls, and the dampening structure is captivated between the opposing fixed end walls of the cavity. |
| US08347542B2 |
Firearm cover
A cover for a firearm is disclosed. The firearm cover is shaped to complement the bottom of an upper portion of a two piece receiver. The firearm cover may be pinned to the bottom of an AR-15® upper receiver and may cover a bottom opening and/or a rear opening when in place. When secured in place, the firearm cover may capture a bolt carrier within an inner cavity of the upper receiver. Additionally, the firearm cover will protect the inner cavity, keeping dust, debris, and moisture out of the upper receiver. |
| US08347541B1 |
Power rail system
A power supply system for a firearm including a plurality of leads disposed in a rail for providing power to an electric firearm accessory attached thereto and an electric firearm accessory including connectors for electrically connecting to leads disposed in a rail on which the accessory is mounted. |
| US08347540B2 |
Handguard system for firearms
A handguard system for connecting an accessory to a firearm has a tubular body having a bore size to closely receive the body of the barrel nut. The tubular body has a tapered wedge portion that defines a gap therein. There may be a tapered clamp element adapted to fit over the wedge. The clamp element may be operable to squeeze the gap as the clamp element is pushed onto the wedge. The squeezing of the gap is operable to clamp the tubular body to the body of the barrel nut. The tubular body and the body of the barrel nut may each include a mating feature that prevents longitudinal movement of the tubular body while the mating features are engaged. The tubular body and the upper receiver may each include a mating feature that prevents rotational movement of the tubular body while the mating features are engaged. |
| US08347539B2 |
Trigger guard for loading and unloading a weapon
A weapon safety apparatus comprising a sleeve comprising a cavity portion open to receive a trigger portion of a weapon and free of any structures that impede movement of the trigger. The sleeve further comprises a body portion comprising at least one closed portion preventing access to a trigger of the weapon. The sleeve is shaped to provide access to all loading or unloading components of the weapon. The cavity portion of the sleeve may be further open to receive a handle of the weapon. A method for loading and unloading a weapon using the above weapon safety apparatuses is also provided. |
| US08347537B2 |
Label tag cord
A label tag cord made of plastic material is used as a connector between the label tag and the product, or as an independent identifier. The label tag cord includes a linearly extending and pliable cord body. First and second positioning parts are configured at opposite ends of the cord body. The preset area between the first and second positioning part form an extended block area having width and thickness larger than the cord diameter. The extended block area correspondingly defines a first surface or second surface, at least one of which forms an identifying surface. The extended surface can provide text and image layout. A display unit has a surface containing protruding or concaving parts or paste area. The text and image display unit can be a trademark, pattern, or image. The label tag cord can help to produce brand value, increase advertising effect, and enhance product value. |
| US08347535B2 |
Display and method of making thereof
The present invention provides a display and method of making thereof that can comprise comprising fragmenting a first image into a plurality of individual first image fragments, fragmenting a second image into a plurality of individual second image fragments, and positioning the first image fragments and the second image fragments at locations and at orientations in a three dimensional space to form a display having the first image visible when the display is viewed in one direction, the second image visible when the display is viewed in a different direction, and neither the first image nor the second image visible when the display is viewed in other directions. The invention also envisions a kit for making a display and a method for making an advertisement where two images can be viewed from two directions and not from any other direction. |
| US08347526B2 |
Shoes, devices for shoes, and methods of using shoes
A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a forefoot portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and one or more springs for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. A device for a shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are installable in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and an energy return member positioned between the first plate and the second plate. A method of using a shoe includes applying, with a foot, a force on at least one of two plates that is positioned in a forefoot portion of a shoe, so as to move the two plates together and increase a loading of a spring, and launching the foot due to the two plates being moved apart by the spring as the foot is being lifted. |
| US08347524B2 |
Dryer, in particular for powdered or granular material
The dryer comprises a casing having a longitudinal axis, a mixing shaft, a circular plate that seals an opening made in one of the end walls of the casing, and a frame supporting the casing and the shaft. In the edge portion of the opening closest to the chamber a first circumferential groove is made which is formed by a first radial cavity and by a second radial cavity deeper than the first, joined by an axial portion. An annular sealing element made of a non-stick material, having a cross-section comprising at least one axial strip and one radial strip, is inserted into the first groove in such a way that the radial strip is inserted into the second cavity and the axial strip occupies the axial portion and the mouth of the first radial cavity. A first sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the first cavity so as to radially compress the axial strip against the plate and a second sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the second cavity so as axially to compress the radial strip. |
| US08347520B2 |
Drying unit and laundry washing/drying machine equipped with the drying unit
In a laundry washing/drying machine involving drying by a heat pump cycle, in an initial stage of the drying operation the heat within an air circulation path is deficient and therefore it is impossible to effect quick heating of air on a drum inlet side up to a sufficiently high temperature. According to the present invention there is provided a drying unit capable of raising the drum inlet air temperature quickly up to a sufficiently high temperature in an initial stage of the drying operation and thereby shortening the drying time. The drying unit includes a heat pump cycle device for performing a cycle of radiating, with use of a radiator, the heat of a refrigerant compressed by a compressor, passing the refrigerant through a pressure reducing/expansion valve, evaporating the refrigerant in an evaporator and compressing the refrigerant again by the compressor, an air circulation path for allowing air to be circulated by a blower in such a manner that air heated by the radiator is introduced into a drying chamber to dry the laundry, exhaust air discharged from the drying chamber is passed through the evaporator, then is heated again by the radiator and the air thus dehumidified is circulated by the blower, and an external heat source applying device for applying the heat of an external heat source to the evaporator to quicken the rise in temperature of the air in an initial stage of the drying operation. |
| US08347518B1 |
Screw mount placement device
A screw mount placement device allows an item to be hung levelly and allows the item to be hung in a desired position relative or not relative to already mounted objects on a wall. |
| US08347512B2 |
Cutting members for shaving razors
Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion. |
| US08347507B2 |
Method for assembling roller bearing
A method for assembling a roller bearing having rollers and spacers interposed between the adjacent rollers includes alternately disposing, along the inner circumference of an outer ring, the rollers and the spacers. Two spacers are then placed along inner portions of rolling contact surfaces of the rollers having been disposed. The last roller is then inserted toward the outer ring so that the spacers placed on both sides are allowed to slide, whereby the last roller is mounted on the inner circumference of the outer ring. |
| US08347503B2 |
Methods of manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers
Methods for manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers involved in boiling and condensing, including a high performance nucleate boiling surface bonded with the walls of fin-less boiling passages. One method includes providing a first heat exchanger core subassembly including a first joinable end, at least one cooling and one boiling passage, and a first partial finless passage arranged at the joinable end. A second heat exchanger core subassembly is provided similar to the first including a second joinable end. The first and second heat exchanger core subassemblies are brazed. The first joinable end is affixed, preferably by welding, to the second joinable end and the first partial finless passage is affixed to a second partial finless passage to form a coupled finless passage, and thereby a heat exchanger core. |
| US08347494B2 |
Electronic component mounting method
A mounting method for mounting an electronic component on a printed circuit board, the mounting method includes fixing a lower surface of a magnet panel to a magnetic body included in the electronic component by a magnetic force, seizing the electronic component by attracting a part of an upper surface of the magnet panel to an attaching unit, determining a position of the attracting unit to place the electronic component at a predetermined position with respect to the printed circuit board and releasing the attracting unit from the upper surface of the magnet panel. |
| US08347492B2 |
Method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light
Disclosed is a method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light. A flexible sheet of material serves as substrate for a plurality of light collecting or emitting devices mounted in spaced relation on the sheet. The sheet has thereon electrical leads for interconnection to each device. For each device, a respective light coupler is formed by (1) forming a plurality of reflectors on the sheet around the intended periphery of the respective device, by applying reflective material to selected areas of the sheet; (2) forming cut lines around selected edges of the plurality of reflectors; (3) forming fold lines associated with the reflectors; and (4) folding the reflectors and attached substrate away from the substrate portion on which the device is mounted, to form a coupler whose interior is reflective and that is substantially closed around a main axis of light propagation into or from the respective device. |
| US08347490B1 |
Method for fabricating a carrier with a three dimensional inductor
A method for fabricating a carrier with a three-dimensional inductor comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a protective layer; forming a first photoresist layer on the protective layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form a second opening and a plurality of disposing slots; forming a first metal layer in second opening and disposing slots; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a first dielectric layer on the protective layer; forming a second photoresist layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; forming a second metal layer in slots to form a plurality of inductive portions; removing the second photoresist layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a third photoresist layer on the second dielectric layer; patterning the third photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; and forming a third metal layer in slots. |
| US08347478B2 |
Method and system for replacing the water cooled laser in a microplate reader
The present invention relates to a method of refurbishing a microplate reader such as a FLIPR type microplate reader by the replacement of the water cooled laser with an LED source which provides a relatively homogeneous light and operating performance comparable to the laser light source. |
| US08347477B2 |
Pipe producing apparatus and existing pipe rehabilitating method employing the same
In an embodiment, a shaping frame (2) of a pipe producing apparatus (1) includes a plurality of linking bodies (20) in which a pair of linking elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via a coupling shaft (23), a bending link (30) with opposite ends of which coupling elements are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which expands or contracts the shaping frame (2), a drive unit (40) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (25, 25) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which forcedly sends out a profile strip (100) from the inside, and a joint unit (80) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which is provided at a joint portion (120) of a winding of the profile strip. |
| US08347475B2 |
Handle structure
A handle structure suitable for disposing on a surface of a carrier is provided. The carrier has a locating part is assemble to a case. The handle structure includes a holder, an elastic element and a fastening element. The holder has a rotating axis and a locating element, and has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. The rotating axis connecting to the carrier is disposed on the first end, and the holder is pivoted on the surface. The locating element disposed on the first end interferes with the locating part. The elastic element has a first fixing part fixed to the carrier and a pushing part connected to the first fixing part and pushing against the holder. The fastening element has a second fixing part fixed to the carrier and a fastening part connected to the second fixing part and fastened to the second end. |
| US08347474B2 |
Brake drum/brake rotor removal tool
A pulling tool includes a elongated main support body having a plurality of retention holes formed on opposite sides thereof. An actuator stem member is threadably mounted in the support body. A pair of jaw members is slidably mounted on opposite side of the support body. The jaw members have extended hook portions adapted to engage an outer periphery of a wheel element removably mounted on a stationary wheel mounting member. A pair of tubular holders is slidably mounted on opposite sides of the support body, and retained against outer faces of the jaw members to prevent lateral outward movement of the jaw members on the support body and to orient the jaw members substantially perpendicularly to the support body. |
| US08347468B2 |
Method of making a current collector
A method of manufacturing a current collector comprising embossing a sheet comprising lead thereby forming an embossed grid comprising rows of raised portions and lowered portions, and slots comprising edges of the raised portions and lowered portions; creating areas for tab creation by pressing or stamping areas of the embossed grid to a flattened state, thereby forming a sheet comprising embossed grid sections and flat sections; applying paste to the top and bottom of the embossed grid sections; and stamping current collectors out of the sheet such that at least one tab is created from a flat section. |
| US08347467B2 |
Lightweight viewing casket with reinforcing lid and method of using same
A casket arrangement includes a casket body, a first lid portion, and a second lid portion. The casket body is in the form of an open top box with a bottom, side walls or panels, and end walls or panels. The second lid portion includes a tab configured to fit under a top panel of the first lid portion. |
| US08347456B2 |
Cleaner head
A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member. |
| US08347443B1 |
Window cleaning assembly
A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head. |
| US08347442B2 |
Barbeque grill cleaning device
A barbeque grill cleaning device including a soaking container, in which the grill may be submerged in a cleaning liquid, and a rotary scrubbing head for scrubbing the grill while positioned in the soaking container. The barbeque grill cleaning device includes: a container defining a cavity shaped and sized for receiving a barbeque grill therein; and a scrubbing head for scrubbing the barbeque grill, the scrubbing head is rotatable relative to the container; such that the cleaning of the barbeque grill is aided by a scrubbing action as a result of contact between the barbeque grill and the rotating scrubbing head. |
| US08347440B1 |
Retractable trailer ramps
A pair of integrated ramps attach to the rear of a trailer or utility cargo bed, the ramps swinging on a horizontal plane from a stored position and then being rotated to form a pair or flat ramps surfaces in a flat position, the ramps sliding along the rear end of a trailer on a secure end railing. The sliding railing provides adjustment to the width of the ramps for the purpose of off loading cargo carried upon the cargo surface of the trailer, the ramps forming a stable angled surface between the cargo bed and the ground. The ramps may form a tailgate in a stored position or be made part of the side rails for the trailer in the stored position. |
| US08347439B1 |
Reduced height combination ramp and load leveler
A reduced height combination ramp and load leveler includes at least two lengthwise support members, a plurality of cross members and plurality of cross treads. A retention tube is secured to each end of the at least two lengthwise support members. The at least two lengthwise support members and the plurality of cross members are preferably fabricated from an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength of at least 50,000 to reduce a height of the combination ramp and load leveler. Two stake receivers allow a single ramp to be used as a load leveler. Each stake receiver is sized to removably receive an adjustable stake. A ramp stand includes a support base and an adjustable tube receiver that is vertically postionable relative to the support base. The adjustable tube receiver retains the retention tubes. |
| US08347437B2 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method includes supplying water into a tub, washing an object to be washed via rotation of a drum, rinsing the washed object, and dehydrating the washed object to remove moisture from the object. In the water supply step, steam is ejected simultaneously with the supply of water, to regulate the interior temperature of the drum. |
| US08347436B2 |
Adaptable mattress conversion
A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system. |
| US08347435B2 |
Pillow with positionable inserts
A pillow having positionable inserts is provided. Certain embodiments include inserts that are made from memory foam material formed into a variety of shapes that can assist in correcting the curvature of a user's spine. Some inserts may be made from cylindrical pouches that contain particulate materials. Inserts may be color-coded to correspond to different sizes of inserts or different filling materials. The inserts may be affixed within the pillow or on a bottom end of the pillow with hook and loop fasteners, double stick tape or other fastening means. Certain embodiments may contain measurement indicia, such as an internally located imprinted grid, to assist in precise placement of inserts within the pillow. The measurement indicia can assist physicians in monitoring a patient's progress or in making changes to therapy regimens. Certain embodiments of the pillow may have a cradling end configured to more comfortably cradle a person's head. |
| US08347430B2 |
Mattress protector
A mattress protector having a top portion and a bottom portion configured to fasten together over the mattress and/or a mattress and box spring includes sides and ends extending from each of the top portion and the bottom portion. A fastener is also included on each of the top and bottom portions. The fastener includes a fastener assembly to seal the mattress against bed bugs and dust mites. When the top and bottom portions are placed around the mattress, and the fastener is secured, the entire mattress is surrounded by the mattress protector and protected from penetration by bed bugs and dust mites. |
| US08347429B1 |
Edge warning devices for sleep surfaces
A device that warns a sleeper of the locations of the edges of the sleep surface includes two non-rigid sheets wherein one end of each sheet defines a sleeve into which can be inserted a bolster that desirably includes a filler member and a bolster cover, the opposite end of each sheet is provided with mechanical fastener strips such as hook-and-loop strips, in one sheet, the strips desirably are arranged to extend in a direction that has at least one directional component that is perpendicular to the sleeve wherein the second sheet, the free edge of the sheet that is opposite the sleeve end of the sheet is provided with at least one hook-and-loop strip arranged to extend in a direction that is parallel to the sleeve. |
| US08347426B2 |
Shower device level with the surrounding ground
A shower device level with a surrounding floor includes a surface for recovering waste water combined with an element for draining the water. The recovery surface includes a tub embedded in the floor, whose peripheral edge, over all or part of its periphery, is essentially flush with the floor, and a detachable support element, forming the shower floor, essentially at a level with the surrounding floor, in an operative position, so as to form a surface continuity between the latter and the detachable support element. The peripheral edge of the tub includes a preferably flat seat surface, and the tub is supported in a recess of the floor at least by the seat surface that rests on a belt of the recess at a level below that of the surrounding floor, and the seat surface extends by a raised surface whose upper edge is essentially flush with the surrounding floor. |
| US08347425B2 |
Shower attachment and related method of use
The invention is directed to a shower attachment capable of affixing to a standard residential or commercial shower enclosure. The shower attachment uses existing plumbing to supply pressurized water to a water intake, which in turn feeds a vertical assembly. The vertical assembly includes a stabilizing rod having a top end and corresponding back end. A pivot arm having a first portion and corresponding second portion connects to the stabilizing rod. A detachable shower wand is positioned at the second portion of the pivot arm, which is capable of receiving pressurized water from the water intake. In addition, a horizontal assembly connects to the bottom end of the shower attachment to secure the device to the shower enclosure. |
| US08347424B2 |
Leveling mechanism for floor drain
A floor drain includes a head having a top surface, a leveling member, and a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the frame is positioned adjacent the top surface of the head. The leveling member is positioned between the head and the bottom surface of the frame and is displaceable relative to the head in a first direction. A method of leveling a floor drain with a floor surface is also disclosed. |
| US08347421B2 |
Impact reduction system
An impact reduction device including a pad having a first layer and a second layer. At least one of the first and second layers defines at least one impression. The impact reduction device is arranged and configured to at least partially collapse upon application of a force and to regain its shape after removal of the force. |
| US08347418B2 |
Shorts
Shorts having a constitution where the exposed skin area can be freely determined while a wearer wears the shorts without unnecessary physical or psychological burden is disposed. By connecting an approximately inverted triangular front cover and an approximately inverted triangular back cover at their tops of individual approximately inverted triangular shape, when the wearer wears the shorts, a lower abdomen, a crotch and buttocks of the wearer's body can be covered as one unit by the front and back covers. Further, by inserting a ring-shaped string into a string through passage made at upper hems of the front and back covers in a freely slidable manner, both ends of the upper hems of the front and back covers can be slid towards the center along the string and a state of the front and back covers is changeable to a narrow-width state to cover the lower abdomen, the crotch and the buttocks of the body. |
| US08347417B1 |
Pocket handkerchief support device
Various embodiments provide a pocket handkerchief support device. An example embodiment includes: a main support having a plurality of elastic straps attached thereto for holding a handkerchief firmly against a front surface of the main support, the main support including nubs at a lower end, the nubs creating a void in a recessed lower edge of the main support; and an extender attachment including an adhesive area on an upper portion of the extender attachment for removably attaching the extender attachment to the main support, the extender attachment including nubs at a lower end, the nubs creating a void in a recessed lower edge of the main support. |
| US08347415B2 |
Sport garment having an improved comfortableness
A garment for sport activities prevailingly made of substantially inextensible materials comprises additional flaps (140) of extensible elastic materials supplementing the conventional stretchable inserts (130). When the wearer of the garment is of anormal anatomic typology, the supplementary flaps (140) are concealed inside the garment but are adapted to be freely exposed on the garment outer surface by a manual actuation of zippers (135) in case of a different anatomic typology. Each additional flap (140) is attached at a first lateral side (136) to an insert (130) and at the opposite lateral side (137) to a zone of the garment which is made of substantially inextensible materials. Thus, the garment fits adequately and comfortably to the wearer's body also in correspondence of parts of the body which can be of various shapes and/or dimensions. |
| US08353061B2 |
Near-field scanning optical microscopy with nanoscale resolution from microscale probes
To date, the probes of scanning near-field optical microscopes were aimed at creating electromagnetic field characteristics that are maximally localized near a nano-sized point (miniature apertures and tips, fluorescent nano-particles and molecules, dielectric and metal corners). Alternatively, the probe field, which is distributed within a larger area, can ensure the super-resolution as well. For this purpose, the field spectrum should be enriched with high spatial frequencies corresponding to small sample dimensions. As examples of such near-field probes, we propose and theoretically study the models of optical fibers with end-faces containing sharp linear edges and randomly distributed nanoparticles. These probes are more robust than the conventional probes and their fabrication is not concerned with nanoscale precision. The probes enable waveguiding of light to and from the sample with marginal losses distributing and utilizing the incident light more completely. Numerical modeling shows that, even with substantial measurement noise, the suggested probes can resolve objects that are significantly smaller than the probe size and, in certain cases, can perform better than miniature nanoprobes. |
| US08353059B2 |
Optical scanning probe
The present invention relates to a scanning probe (2) for capturing data from a plurality of points on the surface of an object by irradiating the object with a light stripe and detecting light reflected from the object surface, the scanning probe comprising (a) stripe generating means (14) for generating and emitting a light stripe (55); (b) a camera (16) comprising an imaging sensor having an array of pixels to detect the light stripe reflected from the object surface; (c) means for adjusting the intensity of the light stripe (55) during acquisition of the frame, in dependence upon the intensities detected by the camera (16). It also relates to a means to modify the stripe length, a scanner with separate compartment for the processing means, and an attachable dust cover for a scanner. |
| US08353058B1 |
Methods and systems for detecting rootkits
A computer-implemented method for detecting rootkits is disclosed. The computer-implemented method may include sending periodic security communications from a privileged-processor-mode region of a computing device. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying at least one of the periodic security communications. The computer-implemented method may further include determining, based on the periodic security communications, whether the privileged-processor-mode region of the computing device has been compromised. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08353056B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting program plagiarism through memory access log analysis
An apparatus and method for detecting program plagiarism through memory access log analysis is provided. A data extractor extracts an access log of an original program and an access log of a target program to be compared with the original program from a memory accessed by the programs. A common string detector enumerates values, which are obtained from the access logs extracted from the original program and the target program, into strings and detects a common string that commonly exists in the strings. A discontinuity calculator calculates a discontinuity value that indicates a distance between the strings by using an array of the detected common strings. A plagiarism determining unit determines that the target program is plagiarized if the calculated discontinuity value is less than a predetermined reference value. |
| US08353055B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing rights object
A method for upgrading a Rights Object (RO) includes: acquiring, by a Digital Rights Management (DRM) Agent, RO related information of the RO that requires updating from a Secure Removable Media (SRM) Agent; providing, by the DRM Agent, the RO related information to a Rights Issuer (RI), and obtaining a new RO from the RI; and interacting, by the DRM Agent, with the SRM Agent to upgrade the RO that requires updating on the SRM by means of the new RO. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the DRM Agent acquires RO related information which is stored on the SRM and does not have Move rights, and interacts with the RI to move the RO out from the SRM, so as to move the RO without the Move rights out from the SRM. |
| US08353050B2 |
Mobile device management
A device management method, is disclosed in which available features on a slave mobile device are managed (monitored or controlled) by a slave manager module commanded by a master device through secure messages exchanged between the two devices using respective electronic messaging capabilities on the two devices. Selection of the features of the slave mobile device to be controlled or monitored is facilitated on the master device through a master manager module resident thereon. The features that are controlled or monitored may comprise any user-accessible feature incorporated or installed on the slave mobile device and user access to the feature may be prevented according to at least one criterion, such as: date of use, time of day of use, number of times of use, originator and recipient. User access to the feature may be prevented access to the user-accessible feature when usage limitations for the feature have been reached. |
| US08353049B2 |
Separating keys and policy for consuming content
In accordance with one or more aspects of the separating keys and policy for consuming content, content has a corresponding leaf license, and the leaf license has one or more associated root policy addenda. Each root policy addenda includes policy identifying when it is permissible to decrypt and consume the content, but excludes a content key to decrypt the content. The content can be decrypted and consumed only if the policy identifies that it is permissible to decrypt and consume the content. |
| US08353048B1 |
Application digital rights management (DRM) and portability using a mobile device for authentication
A method, system, and medium are provided for operating a computing device and a mobile device to access computer software with a secure access and to access a packet network, and for operating a computer software on a mobile device with different computing devices. A mobile device is used to authenticate a user's access to computer software. The computer software may reside on the mobile device, the user's computing device, or another computing device. A unique identifier is stored in the mobile device associated with the computer software to enable the authentication. |
| US08353047B2 |
Methods and systems for digital image data tracking
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for notification handling in a processing server and an imaging device. |
| US08353037B2 |
Mitigating malicious file propagation with progressive identifiers
A method and system for mitigating a propagation of a file that includes malicious code. Segments of the file are determined by a series of sizes determined by a function ƒ. Signatures identifying segments of the file are determined by applying a hash function to each segment. A complete match between the file and a malicious file is determined by determining a first match between signature(s) identifying a first set of segment(s) of the file and signature(s) identifying corresponding segment(s) of the malicious file and by determining a second match between a signature identifying a final segment of the file and a signature identifying a last segment of the malicious file. Responsive to determining the complete match, the file is identified as the malicious file and a transfer of the final segment of the file is interdicted. |
| US08353036B2 |
Method and system for protecting cross-domain interaction of a web application on an unmodified browser
A system and method for protecting cross-domain interaction of a web application on an unmodified browser. The system includes: a security framework, which is created by a browser. The security framework further includes: a component creator for creating components from a plurality of sources; and supervision module for supervising and controlling scripts/codes executed during the creation of components and invocation and interaction operations performed by various components after the creation of components. |
| US08353035B1 |
Systems and methods for creating text signatures for identifying spam messages
A computer-implemented method for creating text signatures for identifying spam messages may include: 1) identifying a spam message, 2) tokenizing the text of the spam message, 3) identifying at least one incorrectly punctuated token within the tokenized text of the spam message, 4) identifying, within the tokenized text of the spam message, at least one token that is adjacent to the incorrectly punctuated token, and then 5) creating a candidate signature for identifying future instances and/or variations of the spam message that includes both the incorrectly punctuated token and the token that is adjacent to the incorrectly punctuated token. Corresponding systems and configured computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08353033B1 |
Collecting malware samples via unauthorized download protection
A hook is set for one or more downloading functions. Subsequently, code is executed within an application process. Responsive to the executed code calling one of the hooked functions to download code, a return address of the called function is examined. If the return address is within a memory area not marked executable, the code is permitted to be downloaded and the downloaded code is submitted to a security server for analysis. |
| US08353026B2 |
Credential security system
A credential caching system includes receiving a set of authentication credentials, storing the set of authentication credentials in a credential cache memory, wherein the credential cache memory is coupled with a management controller, and supplying the set of authentication credentials for automatic authentication during a reset or reboot. In the event of a security breach, the credential caching system clears the set of authentication credentials from the credential cache memory so that the set of authentication credentials may no longer be used for a reset or reboot. |
| US08353024B2 |
Method of transmitting information effectively in server/client network and server and client apparatuses using the same
A method for transmitting information effectively in a server/client network system is provided, the network system including a client placed behind a firewall and a server that provides the client with a predetermined service. The method includes the client generating a hole packet which is for making a hole in the firewall to allow a packet to pass through the firewall from the server, the hole being maintained for a certain period of time, and transmitting the hole packet to the firewall; and transmitting a packet from the server to the client through the hole made by the hole packet. |
| US08353020B2 |
Transparently extensible firewall cluster
A generic master-slave mechanism enables a single processor of a cluster of firewall processors to define the behavior of the other processors in the cluster for a specific logical connection. The cluster of firewall processors utilizes virtual adapters representing physical adapters on other processors in the firewall cluster. This virtualization allows each cluster member to act as though it is a standalone machine that owns all local IP addresses of the entire cluster. When traffic is received by a firewall processor, the firewall processor determines if there is a master associated with the logical connection for the traffic. If so, the traffic is routed to the master. If no master is associated, in an example configuration, the receiving firewall processor becomes the master. A message traffic logical connection has a single master. A master remains the master of a logical connection until the connection is terminated. |
| US08353018B2 |
Automatic local listing owner authentication system
A method and apparatus for verifying that a user is the owner of a public listing is provided. The user selects an option to claim ownership of the public listing offered by an online service provider. The online service provider uses information regarding the user and the public listing to generate a verification code. The online service provider delivers the verification code to the owner of the public listing via the contact information provided by the public listing. If the user owns the public listing, the user receives the verification code via contact information associated with the public listing. The user verifies ownership by inputting a code to the online service provider. If the inputted code matches the verification code, then the online service provider identifies the user as the owner of the listing. Once verified, the user modifies the listing. |
| US08353016B1 |
Secure portable store for security skins and authentication information
A security component may be associated with a network-enabled application. The security component may access a secure store, which may include customization information, which may include one or more graphical user interface customizations defined by a user, and one or more instances of card information. The card information may specify how to authenticate a user's credentials to access a relying party (e.g., web site). The security component may initiate the display of an embedded region of a window drawn by the network-enabled application. At least a part of the appearance of the embedded region of the window may be defined according to the customization information and not by the relying party. The embedded region may provide a user interface for determining user authentication credentials. The customization information and the one or more instances of card information may not be accessible to the relying party. |
| US08353014B2 |
Dynamic dual permissions-based data capturing and logging
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to application data logging and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for capturing and logging application data. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for capturing and logging application data can include consulting both administrative permissions for capturing and logging application data, and also user permissions for capturing and logging application data. Subsequently, application data can be captured and logged only if permitted by the administrative permissions and the user permissions. In this regard, it can be determined from either or both of the permissions whether capturing and logging of application data is permitted generally, and also a type or portion of the application data that is permitted to be captured and logged. |
| US08353007B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying a network
Exemplary systems and methods for identifying a wireless network are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a method includes at least a digital device receiving network information associated with a network, generating an access identifier based on the network information, generating a credential request including the access identifier, providing the credential request to a credential server, receiving a credential request response from the credential server, the credential request response comprising network credentials to access the network, and providing the network credentials to a network device to access the network. |
| US08353000B2 |
System and charging control method of network convergence policy and charging control architecture
A system and charging control method of network convergence policy and charging control architecture are disclosed, based on the QoS parameter, charging policy and user subscribing information granted by the service layer, the PCRF confirms PCC rule, and provides the PCC rule to the policy distribution function PDF. As the interface between the PCRF and PCC policy performing entity, the PDF performs the protocol conversion and information distribution. Based on the PCC rule, the PCC policy performing entity performs QoS policy of the service data flow and the detecting and charging of the service flow. |
| US08352999B1 |
Method for managing data in a shared computing environment
A method of storing secret data in a shared computing environment includes defining secret data, such as a password and administration policies according to a schema of a directory server such as a LDAP server. The secret data and administration polices are centrally stored on the LDAP server. The secret data can be encrypted. Administration polices include authorization and authentication policies, and a security zone can be defined for a collection of entities with a common security characteristic, such as a common password. A security zone defines a group of users and the secret data that can be accessed by the group of users. Multiple security zones can be defined. The secret data can be accessed directly from the server of the directory service without accessing another server or data store assuming the administration policies are satisfied. |
| US08352996B2 |
Adaptive video switching for variable network conditions
A method for video playback switching in response to changing network conditions. The method includes accessing a server to retrieve respective index files for a low bit rate version and a high bit rate version of the video file, and instantiating a low bit rate media player and a high bit rate media. Playback of the video file is begun by the high bit rate media player streaming the high bit rate version from the server. Upon an indication of impeded network conditions, a transition point is selected, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the high bit rate version stops and where downloading of the low bit rate version begins. The low bit rate media player is then positioned to begin playback at the transition point. Playback of the video file is then switched to the low bit rate player upon encountering the transition point. |
| US08352994B2 |
Method and system for long term monitoring of video assets
A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert. |
| US08352988B2 |
System and method for time shifting the delivery of video information
A method and apparatus providing time-shifted television within a video-on-demand system. |
| US08352987B2 |
Method for scheduled-recording of program and image display apparatus using the same
A method for a scheduled-recording of a program and an image display apparatus using the same are provided. The method for a scheduled-recording of a program includes displaying a search menu for searching other programs related to a program being displayed, and scheduling the recording of at least one program from among programs searched according to search options selected from the search menu. Therefore, a scheduled-recording may be readily set without searching for each program separately from an electronic program guide screen, and thus, greater convenience is provided to the user. |
| US08352986B2 |
Image display system, image display method and display unit
A picture display system having two display devices and a base device for supplying picture signals to one of the display devices and capable of having bidirectional communication with the other display device is disclosed. The picture display system (1) is made up by a mobile display device (100), a base device (200) and a large format display device (300). The base device (200) sends picture signals to the display device (100) and to the large format display device (300). On a display image surface of the mobile display device (100), there is provided a touch panel for detecting the contact position contacted by a user for displaying a remote-control panel RP accepting an operating input from the user on the display image surface. An operating signal conforming to a display item of the remote-control panel RP, displayed at a contact position, detected by the touch panel, is generated and transmitted by wireless communication to the base device (200). This base device (200) selects the picture signals, supplied from the external inputting devices (400), as a supply source of picture signals, responsive to an operating signal, to transmit the so selected picture signals to the large format display device (300). |
| US08352985B2 |
Method of storing and displaying broadcast contents and apparatus therefor
Provided are method of storing broadcast contents, a method of displaying stored broadcast contents and an apparatus therefor. In method of storing the broadcast contents by analyzing the received broadcast contents, grouping the contents that are similar to each other, and arranging the contents sequentially in time, the method includes classifying a broadcasting signal received from an external broadcast contents provider into an unit segment of a first item, determining at least one keyword representing the first item that is classified into the unit segment, storing the first item as a sub-ordinate item of a first sub contents group according to the determined keywords, and arranging the first sub contents group including the stored first item sequentially in time, so that the progress of specific broadcast contents can be easily identified by each time slot. |
| US08352983B1 |
Programming contextual interactive user interface for television
A user interface for interactive television services is represented as a visual overlay that provides a viewer with knowledge of a library of available content relating to a currently tuned to television channel and navigation options for selecting desired portions of the available content from the library, the available content being designated according to business rules specified by a provider of the interactive television services. The visual overlay may be displayed over full-screen or embedded television programming, which may be broadcast television programming or on-demand television programming. |
| US08352978B2 |
Systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs
The present invention allows control of the presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs, and enables a single broadcasting of each advertisement associated with a network to be made to numerous television systems in parallel. The presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs is controlled in the present invention by determining at television viewer equipment whether the television networks, channels, or programs with which the advertisements are associated are unavailable to the television viewer or are undesirable to the television viewer. Once this determination has been made, the television viewer equipment then presents the advertisements, or selects and presents suitable alternative advertisements. A single broadcasting of each network advertisement to all television systems is enabled in the present invention by broadcasting each advertisement with a network identifier to all television systems. At the television systems, the network identifier and channel map or program guide information located in television viewer equipment are then used by an interactive program guide or other application running in the television viewer equipment to determine whether a local affiliate for that network is available and not designated as undesirable by the television viewer. If the local affiliate is available and not designated as undesirable, the advertisement is then presented to the television viewer, otherwise a suitable alternative advertisement is then identified and presented to the television viewer. |
| US08352976B2 |
Disc chucking apparatus, motor and disc driving device equipped with motor
The present invention relates to a disc chucking apparatus having claws that horizontally move and provide elasticity to improve performance in centering and chucking a disc. The disc chucking apparatus includes: a centering base to which an inner circumferential surface of a disc is fixed; a plurality of chuck chips arranged at regular intervals along an outer circumferential surface of the centering base; and a plurality of elastic support parts disposed to be opposite to the chuck chips on the centering base, rotating horizontally when the disc is mounted, and pressing the inner circumferential surface of the disc in an outer diameter direction thereof. |
| US08352973B2 |
Disk and discharge slider apparatus
According to the slot-in type disk apparatus, the discharge slider 106 is constituted by a main discharge slider 106 and a sub-discharge slider 106, first load means 106C and second load means 106X, 106Y are given to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, when a load in a direction in which the disk is pushed in is applied to the discharge lever 100 when the disk is discharged, a load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is applied to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, and load caused by the first load means 106C is after the load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is released. |
| US08352971B2 |
Contained command invocation framework
An object-oriented middleware framework for use in a network having a plurality of hosts including a first host having an associated first memory and first processor; and a second host having an associated second memory and second processor. The object-oriented middleware framework includes an Originator Command Container instantiating a Command by executing computer programming code stored in the first memory using the first processor. The framework also includes an Invocator Command Container, remote from the Originator Command Container and its associated first host where the instantiated Command is invoked, locally by executing computer programming code stored in the second memory using the second processor. |
| US08352968B2 |
API and business language schema design framework for message exchanges
A server system facilitates an exchange of messages with a remote client application. The server system includes a plurality of application servers hosting a plurality of applications. A plurality of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) provides programmatic access to the plurality of applications, each of the APIs being configured to receive request messages compiled by the remote client application. First and second request messages, respectively addressed to first and second APIs of the plurality of APIs by a remote client application, each comprise at least one common data component. Further, the first request message includes a first payload specific to the first API, and the second request message includes a payload specific to the second API. |
| US08352965B2 |
Transmission method and circuit device capable of automatic transmission interface selection
A circuit device capable of automatic transmission interface selection and associated method are provided. The circuit device includes a first interface port, a second interface port, a first interface driver module, a second interface driver module, and a buffer module. A first interface driver module receives a first interrupt packet, converts the first interrupt packet into a first command packet, and stores the first command packet into the buffer module. A second interface driver module receives a second interrupt packet, converts the second interrupt packet into a second command packet, and stores the second command package into the buffer module. The format of the first interrupt packet is different from that of the second interrupt packet, while the first and the second command packets comply with a common format. |
| US08352963B2 |
Method and system for data preparation and communication between software applications
A computer-implemented method can include executing a first application in stateful manner, wherein the first application executes continuously while receiving a sequence of a plurality of inputs from a user; and, in response to each of at least some of the plurality of inputs at the first application, executing a second application in a stateless manner by an execution controller, wherein the stateless execution can include the execution controller instructing the second application to execute an ordered stack of action scripts, the second application initiating and executing the ordered stack of action scripts, and the second application terminating upon completion of the executing of the ordered stack of action scripts. |
| US08352962B2 |
Managing application interactions using distributed modality components
A method for managing multimodal interactions can include the step of registering a multitude of modality components with a modality component server, wherein each modality component handles an interface modality for an application. The modality component can be connected to a device. A user interaction can be conveyed from the device to the modality component for processing. Results from the user interaction can be placed on a shared memory are of the modality component server. |
| US08352960B2 |
Limiting receipt of unsolicited events by a logical partition in a data storage system
A logical partition (LPAR) is managed in a data processing system by performing an initial program load (IPL), commencing execution of an application on the LPAR and selecting from a plurality of unsolicited events of which the application is to receive notice. A command is transmitted to a storage controller indicating the identity of the selected unsolicited events, wherein the storage controller will store the information in a data structure. Upon the later occurrence of an unsolicited event, the storage controller will transmit to the LPAR only notices of the selected unsolicited events. |
| US08352957B2 |
Apparatus and method for passing metadata in streams modules
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for passing metadata in STREAMS modules. The apparatus and method are configured to perform acts including, allocating a STREAMS message in a kernel space, storing data in the data block in the STREAMS message, allocating a buffer space for metadata associated with the data, storing the metadata of the data in the metadata block in the STREAMS message, passing the metadata among STREAMS modules as a part of the STREAMS message, and performing an operation based upon the metadata. |
| US08352955B2 |
Process placement in a processor array
There is provided a method for placing a plurality of processes onto respective processor elements in a processor array, the method comprising (i) assigning each of the plurality of processes to a respective processor element to generate a first placement; (ii) evaluating a cost function for the first placement to determine an initial value for the cost function, the result of the evaluation of the cost function indicating the suitability of a placement, wherein the cost function comprises a bandwidth utilization of a bus interconnecting the processor elements in the processor array; (iii) reassigning one or more of the processes to respective different ones of the processor elements to generate a second placement; (iv) evaluating the cost function for the second placement to determine a modified value for the cost function; and (v) accepting or rejecting the reassignments of the one or more processes based on a comparison between the modified value and the initial value. |
| US08352954B2 |
Data storage resource allocation by employing dynamic methods and blacklisting resource request pools
A resource allocation system begins with an ordered plan for matching requests to resources that is sorted by priority. The resource allocation system optimizes the plan by determining those requests in the plan that will fail if performed. The resource allocation system removes or defers the determined requests. In addition, when a request that is performed fails, the resource allocation system may remove requests that require similar resources from the plan. Moreover, when resources are released by a request, the resource allocation system may place the resources in a temporary holding area until the resource allocation returns to the top of the ordered plan so that lower priority requests that are lower in the plan do not take resources that are needed by waiting higher priority requests higher in the plan. |
| US08352951B2 |
Method and apparatus for utility-based dynamic resource allocation in a distributed computing system
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for allocation of finite computational resources amongst multiple entities, wherein the method is structured to optimize the business value of an enterprise providing computational services. One embodiment of the inventive method involves establishing, for each entity, a service level utility indicative of how much business value is obtained for a given level of computational system performance. The service-level utility for each entity is transformed into a corresponding resource-level utility indicative of how much business value may be obtained for a given set or amount of resources allocated to the entity. The resource-level utilities for each entity are aggregated, and new resource allocations are determined and executed based upon the resource-level utility information. The invention is thereby capable of making rapid allocation decisions, according to time-varying need or value of the resources by each of the entities. |
| US08352950B2 |
Algorithm to share physical processors to maximize processor cache usage and topologies
A method and apparatus for use in a computing environment to run a variety of applications in logical partitions. The apparatus includes one or more logical processors (LPs), one or more logical partitions (LPARs) configured to each access a share of processing resources of the LPs in accordance with predefined instructions, and an LPAR manager configured to determine an operational mode of each of the LPARs and any available amount of an excess of the share of the processing resources of the LPs and to dispatch the processing resources of at least a subset of the LPs to the LPARs in accordance with the respective predetermined shares and with respect to the determined operational mode of the respective LPARs and the amount, if any, of the excess share. |
| US08352948B2 |
Method to automatically ReDirect SRB routines to a zIIP eligible enclave
A Method to redirect SRB routines from otherwise non-zIIP eligible processes on an IBM z/OS series mainframe to a zIIP eligible enclave is disclosed. This redirection is achieved by intercepting otherwise blocked operations and allowing them to complete processing without errors imposed by the zIIP processor configuration. After appropriately intercepting and redirecting these blocked operations more processing may be performed on the more financially cost effective zIIP processor by users of mainframe computing environments. |
| US08352947B2 |
Method to automatically redirect SRB routines to a zIIP eligible enclave
A Method to redirect SRB routines from otherwise non-zIIP eligible processes on an IBM z/OS series mainframe to a zIIP eligible enclave is disclosed. This redirection is achieved by intercepting otherwise blocked operations and allowing them to complete processing without errors imposed by the zIIP processor configuration. After appropriately intercepting and redirecting these blocked operations more processing may be performed on the more financially cost effective zIIP processor by users of mainframe computing environments. |
| US08352946B2 |
Managing migration ready queue associated with each processor based on the migration ready status of the tasks
The present disclosure is directed to a method for managing tasks in a computer system having a plurality of CPUs. Each task in the computer system may be configured to indicate a migration ready indicator of the task. The migration ready indicator for a task may be given when the set of live data for that task reduces or its working set of memory changes. The method may comprise associating a migration readiness queue with each of the plurality of CPUs, the migration readiness queue having a front-end and a back-end; analyzing a task currently executing on a particular CPU, wherein the particular CPU is one of the plurality of CPUs; placing the task in the migration readiness queue of the particular CPU based on status of the task and/or the migration ready indicator of the task; and selecting at least one queued task from the front-end of the migration readiness queue of the particular CPU for migration when the particular CPU receives a task migration command. |
| US08352943B2 |
Method for preventing industrial automation system from avalanche
The invention relates to a method for preventing industrial automation system from avalanche, in which the industrial automation system comprising a storage unit for storing time stream data to be processed and a CPU for processing the time stream data in the storage unit, the method comprises the following items: 1) establishing a data processing task priority level; 2) scheduling the data processing task of the CPU; 3) using method of the storage unit. Under a given CPU processing ability, the time stream data to be processed is set with different priority levels, the CPU firstly processes the to-be-processed data processing task with the highest priority level and then processes those with the next priority level. And the storage unit is also set with the corresponding sub-storage units with different priority levels in accordance with the priority levels of the to-be-processed data processing task. The to-be-processed data processing task with higher priority level can be stored or cover those with lower priority level. Therefore, it can effectively ensure that the automation system deals with unexpected number of tasks without causing the crash of the system under a given CPU processing ability. |
| US08352941B1 |
Scalable and secure high-level storage access for cloud computing platforms
An untrusted component exposing a high level storage object interface within an untrusted client virtual machine accepts application level storage object operations. Responsive to a storage object operation, the untrusted component passes a message through the underlying hypervisor to an associated trusted component. The trusted component processes the message by authenticating the client virtual machine and locating an internal mapping between the client virtual machine and an associated customer-specific set of backend storage resources to which the requested storage object operation is to be applied. The trusted component uses a trust relationship with the backend storage system to securely communicate the storage object operation to the backend storage system, and passes the operation results through the hypervisor back to the untrusted component in the source client virtual machine from which the storage object request originated. |
| US08352939B1 |
System, method and computer program product for performing a security or maintenance operation in association with virtual disk data
A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a security or maintenance operation in association with virtual disk data accessed independent of a virtual machine. In use, data stored on a virtual disk is accessed at least in part independent of a virtual machine. Further, a security or maintenance operation is performed in association with the accessed data. |
| US08352936B2 |
Creating virtual appliances
Techniques for creating a virtual appliance in a virtualization environment are provided. The techniques include implementing a framework, wherein the framework comprises a knowledge representation scheme for describing library knowledge to specify one or more libraries that are used for interaction between two or more appliance components, and using the framework to instrument the one or more libraries via use of the library knowledge, record each of one or more communication parameter values in an original environment, and package one or more disk images, wherein the one or more disk images contain the one or more instrumented libraries, the one or more communication parameter values, and translation logic, to create a virtual appliance. |
| US08352932B2 |
Synchronizing controller firmware download
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for synchronizing controller firmware download. A master device controller receives a code download and sends the code download to a subordinate device controller. The master device controller requests a subordinate code status from the subordinate device controller indicating a status of the code download at the subordinate device controller and stores the received code download and a master code status for the download. The master device controller receives the subordinate code status from the subordinate device controller and compares the subordinate code status with the master code status to determine whether both are valid and at same code level. The master device controller updates the master code image with the code download and coordinating the update of the code download to the subordinate code image in response to determining that the master and subordinate code status are both valid and at the same code level. |
| US08352929B2 |
Method for preventing software reverse engineering, unauthorized modification, and runtime data interception
A method for preventing the unauthorized modification of a software or unauthorized modification of runtime data. According to this method, a converter, which is capable of converting the software into a generalized machine code is provided. The converter is designed such that it cannot be reverse engineered, by using a conversion process that causes data loss. An interpreter, which the knowledge of its process method is kept restricted, is also provided. The interpreter interprets the general machine code into a specific machine code, while reconstructing the lost data during the interpretation process. |
| US08352928B2 |
Program conversion apparatus, program conversion method, and computer product
A linker generates a simulator-use executable format program from a pre-conversion object program and a simulator-use object program. A simulator executes the simulator-use object program and acquires branch trace information. A binary program converting tool, based on the branch trace information and a branch penalty table, generates a post-conversion object program having a rewritten branching prediction bit of the pre-conversion object program. Another linker generates an actual-machine-use executable format program from the post-conversion object program and an actual-machine-use object program. |
| US08352925B2 |
Mechanism for enabling a set of code intended for a first platform to be executed on a second platform
A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform. |
| US08352923B2 |
Method and system for isolating software components
Disclosed is a software testing system operative to test a software application, for example during runtime. There may be provided an apparatus for at least partially isolating, from within the software application, at least one highly coupled software component which performs a given function. Isolation may be performed by introducing, prior to execution, code elements for runtime access of application points associated with the at least one highly coupled software component. There may also be provided apparatus for removing or replacing a behavior of at least said at least partially isolated highly coupled software component during runtime. |
| US08352922B2 |
Date and time simulation for time-sensitive applications
A process for providing a simulated date and/or time to a time-sensitive application is disclosed herein. Such a process may include detecting the invocation of a time handler method configured to retrieve system time. Upon detecting the invocation, the contents of a call stack may be captured and analyzed to determine which requester method initiated the invocation. The process may then determine whether the requester method should receive a real or simulated system time. A real system time may be returned to the requester method in the event it should receive the real system time. A simulated system time may be returned to the requester method in the event it should receive the simulated system time. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08352919B2 |
Operation support in versioning systems
Implementations of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes accessing computer code from a repository at a computer, registering a plurality of operations on the computer code at the computer, generating a changelist based on the operations, the changelist comprising a plurality of computer code objects affected by the operations, initiating a reversion operation to revert one or more of the computer code objects to a previous state, partitioning the computer code objects to provide independent first and second partitions, the first partition including an object set based on the computer code objects, and executing the reversion operation based on only the first partition including the object set. |
| US08352913B2 |
Generating and resolving component names in an integrated development environment
A component name manager operates within an integrated development environment to assist developers in creating dynamic websites and Internet applications. The component name manager identifies an input field displayed on a graphical user interface of an object-oriented software development environment. The input field uses a fully-qualified name of a software component for accessing to access instructions and data associated with the software component and located at an application server. In response to receiving an input associated with the input field, the component name manager displays a list of qualified names of software components available for use in the object-oriented software development environment. Each of the qualified names identifies a path for accessing a corresponding software component. The component name manager can resolve fully qualified names by accessing one or more of an application file, an administrator interface, project level mappings, and global level preference mappings. |
| US08352910B1 |
System and method for providing audio in a media file
A system and method adds audio to a media file. The audio may be received via one or more files in an uncompressed format, a compressed format or both types of files may be received. The system and method can mix multiple sources, and converts the audio received into a compressed version in a manner that facilitates streaming. |
| US08352909B2 |
Business process diagram (BPD) component analysis
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with business process diagram (BPD) component analysis are described. One example method includes accessing a BPD having a BPD component for which a mapping to a business process execution language (BPEL) component is to be automatically produced by a computer. The example method may also include detecting a join gateway in the BPD. The example method may also include manipulating the mapping to identify that resolution of the join gateway is to be determined by gateway resolution upon determining that the join gateway is not going to receive a loop back edge. |
| US08352908B2 |
Multi-modal conversion tool for form-type applications
GUI form code comprising a set of GUI elements can be imported. A user interface description can be generated from the GUI form code that has an element corresponding to each GUI element. For each user interface element converted from a corresponding to one of the GUI elements, a user interface element type can be determined as can temporal associations between the user interface elements. A Conversation User Interface (CUI) code corresponding to the GUI form code can be created from the user interface description. When creating the CUI code for each of the user interface elements, different and rules to convert the user interface element into CUI code can be used depending on a user interface element type of the user interface element being converted. When creating the CUI code, the user interface elements can be temporally ordered based on the pre-determined spatio-temporal associations between the graphical user interface (GUI) elements. |
| US08352906B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for implementing external domain independent modeling framework in a system design
Disclosed are a method, system, and computer program product for implementing external domain independent modeling framework in a system design. In some embodiments, the method or system comprises importing an external model in an external format into the framework while substantially preserving some or all of the interpretation of the external model, determining a internal common representation for the external model within the framework, and displaying or storing the internal common representation in a tangible computer readable medium. In some embodiments, the method or system further comprises validating the accuracy of the internal common representation, determining an analysis or transformation capability for the framework, or outputting a first output model in a second external format. In various embodiments, the method or system requires no external tool compliance. |
| US08352905B2 |
Application builder for industrial automation
A control system development platform is provided. The platform includes a shell component adapted to support development of a control systems application. An abstract model is associated with the shell component to facilitate development of the control systems applications. |
| US08352901B2 |
Technique for generation of load-slew indices for circuit characterization
A method and system for generation of low-slew indices for circuit characterization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for automatically generating a subset of sampling points from a set of load and slew points for circuit characterization includes iteratively obtaining sampling points such that error between an actual value and an interpolated intermediate value is below or equal to a threshold error value. The subset of sampling points is then formed from the iteratively obtained sampling points. |
| US08352900B1 |
Analytic experimental estimator for impact of voltage-overshoot of voltage waveform on dielectric failure/breakdown
A method tests integrated circuit devices to measure a voltage overshoot condition. The method determines an overshoot time proportion. The overshoot time proportion is the amount of time the voltage overshoot condition occurs relative to the amount of time the normal operating condition occurs during a full useful operating lifetime of the integrated circuit devices. The method also determines an overshoot failure proportion. The overshoot failure proportion comprises the amount of dielectric failures that occur during the voltage overshoot condition relative to the amount of dielectric failures that occur during the normal operating condition. The method calculates an allowed overshoot voltage based on the overshoot time proportion and the overshoot failure proportion. The method additionally calculates an average overshoot voltage of a voltage waveform and compares the average overshoot voltage to the allowed overshoot voltage to identify if the average overshoot voltage exceeds the allowed overshoot voltage. |
| US08352899B1 |
Method to modify an integrated circuit (IC) design
A method to modify a first IC design into a second IC design, the first and second IC designs specifying a common interconnection layer with a plurality of interconnections, is disclosed. The method includes identifying an interconnection from plurality of interconnections within the common interconnection layer. The interconnection is unused for routing signals in the first IC design. The metal layer that is coupled with the identified interconnection is removed from the first IC design to generate a modified design. The identified interconnection of the first IC design is placed into one of an invisible state or a temporarily removed state in the modified design. The metal layer in the modified design is routed for a specific logic gate design. The modified design is then stored as the second IC design. |
| US08352896B2 |
System and method for distribution analysis of stacked-die integrated circuits
Systems and methods for distribution analysis of a stacked-die integrated circuit (IC) are described. The stacked-die integrated circuit includes a primary die, and clock load information for the primary die of the IC is determined. Additionally, a clock load model may be created using the clock load information for the primary die. Clock load information for a second die that is coupled to the primary die may also be determined. The clock load information for the second die may be incorporated into the clock load model to create an enhanced clock load model of the stacked-die IC, which may then be analyzed as if a single-die IC. |
| US08352895B2 |
Model library implementation and methodology for worst case performance modeling for SRAM cells
Worst case performance of an SRAM cell may be simulated more accurately with less intensive computations. An embodiment includes determining, by a processor, a process corner G of an SRAM cell, having pull-down, pass-gate, and pull-up devices, process corner G being defined as the worst performance of the cell when only global variations of parameters of the SRAM cell are included, setting each of the pull-down, pass-gate, and pull-up devices at process corner G, performing, on the processor, a number of Monte Carlo simulations of the SRAM cell devices around process corner G with only local variations of the parameters, generating a normal probability distribution for Iread based on the local Monte Carlo simulations around process corner G, extrapolating the worst case Iread from the normal probability distribution of Iread to define a process corner SRM representing a slowest SRAM bit on a chip, and validating an SRAM cell based on the SRM corner. Embodiments further include creating a library of SRM corner values for multiple SRAM cells, and validating an SRAM cell by selecting an SRM corner from the library. Embodiments further include linearly scaling the SRM corner value with global sigma input variations from 0 sigma to 6 sigma and/or with local sigma input variations from 0 sigma to 6 sigma, selecting a scaled SRM corner value at the sigma corresponding to design and memory size requirements for the SRAM cell, simulating the scaled SRM corner by a processor, and employing the simulated scaled SRM corner to validate performance of an SRAM cell. |
| US08352894B2 |
Verification techniques for liveness checking of logic designs
A technique for verification of a logic design using a liveness-to-safety conversion includes assigning liveness gates for liveness properties of a netlist and assigning a single loop gate to provide a loop signal for the liveness gates. Assertion of the single loop gate is prevented when none of the liveness gates are asserted. A first state of the netlist is sampled and the sampled first state provides an initial state for a first behavioral loop for at least one of the liveness gates following the assertion of the single loop gate. The sampled first state of the first behavioral loop is compared with a later state of the first behavioral loop to determine if the sampled first state is repeated. A liveness violation is returned when the sampled first state is repeated and an associated one of the liveness gates remains asserted for a duration of the first behavioral loop. |
| US08352893B1 |
Circuit topology recognition and circuit partitioning
Aspects of the invention relate to circuit topology recognition and circuit partitioning. In various embodiments of the invention, diode-connected transistors can be identified in a circuit netlist based on the unique structure. From the diode-connected transistors, current mirrors can be found. The current mirrors may be employed for locating differential pairs used in the input stage of operational amplifiers and for locating supply voltage and ground nodes in the netlist. The subcircuits that are strongly connected due to feedback loops of operational amplifiers in the circuit can then be identified and grouped together for circuit analysis and simulation. |
| US08352885B2 |
Three-dimensional mask model for photolithography simulation
A three-dimensional mask model of the invention provides a more realistic approximation of the three-dimensional effects of a photolithography mask with sub-wavelength features than a thin-mask model. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of filtering kernels in the spatial domain that are configured to be convolved with thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image. In another embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of correction factors in the frequency domain that are configured to be multiplied by the Fourier transform of thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image. |
| US08352878B2 |
Scrollable context menu for multiple element selection
Selections from a long list of elements on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) are presented. When a context window is presented for the selections, different cues are provided in the context window to provide feedback regarding the selections that are not in the current view, and to also facilitate rapid navigation to those selections on the GUI. Interaction with the GUI widgets within the context window, and interaction with the context window itself, facilitates the navigation toward the other selections that are not in the current view. Interaction with the GUI widgets also facilitates the preview of the selections that are not in the current view, thus making it easier to determine what has been selected without having to navigate to the view that contains those selections. |
| US08352876B2 |
Interactive electronic book operating systems and methods
Interactive electronic book operating systems and methods for displaying and allowing customization of content of scientific, engineering and other technical and professional digital books. The display screen can include icons for forward and backward page turning, generating of dynamic indexing and tables of contents, bookmarking, color themes, floating pages, highlighting, adding sticky notes, hiding selected content on the pages, quizzing the reader, lecturing the reader, tutoring the reader, showing the reader additional designs and practical relevance, and allowing the instructor to generate uniform seed numbers for problems and designs and/or allowing the instructor to generate random seed values for problems and designs. |
| US08352870B2 |
Conflict resolution
Embodiments of a collaborative authoring environment enable a user to resolve editing conflicts arising when synchronizing a user copy of a data file with a master copy of the data file. Content updates may be synchronized separately from metadata updates. Metadata updates may be synchronized automatically, whereas content updates may be synchronized only when any identified editing conflicts are resolved. When an editing conflict is identified, the user interface of the authoring application may be configured to toggle between displaying and hiding the identified editing conflicts. |
| US08352868B2 |
Computing with local and remote resources including user mode control
A method for selectively controlling allocation of one or more computing resources for a process. The method includes providing a user option to execute a process using local or remote computing resources and then executing the process using a selected option. A more specific method includes predetermining two or more allocation options; displaying a plurality of the predetermined allocation options, wherein each option indicates a different allocation of resources between at least one resource on a local computing system and at least one resource on a remote computing system, wherein the resources; determining, by using the local computing system, a function to be performed; accepting a signal from a user-input device to select one of the plurality of options in association with performing the function; allocating the resources in accordance with the selected option; and then using the selected resource allocation to accomplish a task. |
| US08352860B2 |
Image processing device and method for notifying a user of an included compressed image
The present invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method, which prevent printing mishaps from occurring in printed matter when a user performs a printing process without knowing a compressed image is included on a page layout. When a compressed image is detected, a warning is generated to request selection of the next process. For this reason, when interruption of printing is designated, the printing process may be interrupted. The use of a warning color or application of an outline may be designated, and a drawing setting may also be performed according to the designation. An output of a warning page is designated, and a setting may also be performed such that a print output is obtained by either extracting the compressed image or by deleting the compressed image. |
| US08352858B2 |
High-speed web server
A high-speed web server that generates an HTML file upon receipt of an HTTP request is described. The server includes an application executor device and an HTTP server device that receives the HTTP request and sends an HTTP response to the HTTP request. A method for sending an HTTP response in a server that generates an HTML file upon receipt of an HTTP request is also provided. The method includes: executing a script; calculating the number of appearances of the string; storing the string in a storage; executing a script when the script is a command for processing a string; replacing the string with reference information; and sending the string file along with the HTML file when it includes reference information for reference to the string file. |
| US08352855B2 |
Selection of text in an unstructured document
Some embodiments provide a method for defining a selection of text in an unstructured document that includes a number of glyphs. The method identifies associated sets of glyphs and a reading order that specifies a flow of reading through the glyphs. The method displays the document. The method receives a start point and end point for a selection of text within the displayed document. The method defines a selection of text from the start point to the end point by using the identified sets of glyphs and intended flow of reading. |
| US08352854B2 |
Dynamic page generator
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method for providing at least one customized advertisement in a dynamically generated customized page is provided. The method includes receiving a user request for a customized page. In response to the user request, the method further includes receiving a template program specific to the user. The template program is based on user configuration information. The user configuration information includes user demographic information. The template program is received from one of at least two locations. The location is determined from the frequency of the user request for the customized page. After receiving an advertisement selected in accordance to the user demographic information, the template program is executed using the selected advertisement to generate the customized page. The customized page is provided to the user. |
| US08352847B2 |
Matrix vector multiplication for error-correction encoding and the like
In one embodiment, a matrix-vector multiplication (MVM) component generates a product vector based on (i) an input matrix and (ii) an input vector. The MVM component has a permuter, memory, and an XOR gate array. The permuter permutates, for each input sub-vector of the input vector, the input sub-vector based on a set of permutation coefficients to generate a set of permuted input sub-vectors. The memory stores a set of intermediate product sub-vectors corresponding to the product vector. The XOR gate array performs, for each input sub-vector, exclusive disjunction on (i) the set of permuted input sub-vectors and (ii) the set of intermediate product sub-vectors to update the set of intermediate product subvectors, such that all of the intermediate product sub-vectors in the set are updated based on a current input sub-vector before updating any of the intermediate product sub-vectors in the set based on a subsequent input sub-vector. |
| US08352846B2 |
Method an apparatus for low density parity check codes encoding and decoding
Provided is a method for generating a single rate or multi-rate highly structured low density parity check, encoding a data stream with the generated LDPC matrix for transmission in a wireless communication system, and for efficient LDPC decoding at a receiver. |
| US08352843B2 |
Method and apparatus for coding a communication signal
An apparatus for coding a communication signal is provided. The apparatus includes an encoder configured to encode the communication signal, to increase the length of the communication signal, and a repetition coder configured to repetitively code part of the encoded communication signal, to utilize at least some of the increased length of the communication signal. The apparatus further includes an interleaver configured to interleave the repetitively coded communication signal. A method is also provided for coding a communication signal. |
| US08352841B2 |
Systems and methods for out of order Y-sample memory management
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for out of order memory management. For example, a method for out of order data processing is disclosed. The method includes providing an out of order codeword memory circuit that includes a number of codeword memory locations in a codeword memory area and the same number of index values in an index area. Each of the index values corresponds to a respective one of the codeword memory locations. The methods further include receiving a data set; storing the data set to one of the codeword memory locations; receiving an indication that the data set stored in the one of the codeword memory locations has completed processing; and grouping an index value corresponding to the one of the codeword memory locations with one or more other index values corresponding to unused codeword memory locations. |
| US08352840B2 |
Event cleanup processing for improving the performance of sequence-based decoders
The invention relates to improving the performance of sequence-based soft-output decoders using event cleanup processing, wherein combinations of potential error events are evaluated using an error detection code (EDC) to select events that produce a modified set of decisions that has no EDC detectable errors. The event cleanup method and associated event cleanup decoder enable to significantly improve the error rate performance of sequence-based decoders and/or significantly improve decoding efficiency compared to other known error cleanup methods. |
| US08352839B2 |
Encoding data into constrained memory
Encoding data into constrained memory using a method for writing data that includes receiving write data to be encoded into a write word, receiving constraints on symbol values associated with the write word, encoding the write data into the write word, and writing the write word to a memory. The encoding includes: representing the write data and the constraints as a first linear system in a first field of a first size; embedding the first linear system into a second linear system in a second field of a second size, the second size larger than the first size; solving the second linear system in the second field resulting in a solution; and collapsing the solution into the first field resulting in the write word, the write word satisfying the constraints on symbol values associated with the write word. |
| US08352836B2 |
Error addition apparatus
An error addition apparatus receives a data signal D having a frame format having a specific signal inserted into its front, adds errors to the data signal D, and outputs a resulting signal. The apparatus has an error addition regulation unit for receiving a frame synchronization signal F, indicative of a timing at which the front of the frame of the data signal has been inputted, and regulating the errors such that the errors are added to positions other than a region of the specific signal. Accordingly, errors are not added to a specific signal. |
| US08352835B2 |
Data verification using checksum sidefile
Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for data verification in a storage system are provided. A read of data is asynchronously submitted to nonvolatile storage media. A read of a first checksum signature is submitted to a solid state, sidefile memory location of a storage controller in the storage subsystem. The first checksum signature is representative of the data previously written to the nonvolatile storage media. A second checksum signature is calculated from the read of the data. The first and second checksum signatures are compared. If a match is not determined, a critical event is reported. |
| US08352834B2 |
High throughput interleaver / deinterleaver
Systems and methods for performing high-speed multi-channel forward error correction using external DDR SDRAM is provided. According to one exemplary aspect, an interleaver/deinterleaver performs both read and write accesses to the DDR SDRAM that are burst-oriented by hiding active and precharge cycles in order to achieve high data rate operations. The interleaver/deinterleaver accesses data in the DDR SDRAM as read blocks and write blocks. Each block includes two data sequences. Each data sequence further includes a predetermined number of data words to be interleaved/deinterleaved. The PRECHARGE and ACTIVE command for one data sequence is issued when a preceding data sequence is being processed. Data in one read/write data sequence has the same row address within the same bank of the DDR SDRAM. |
| US08352833B2 |
System and method for data read of a synchronous serial interface NAND
A method and system is disclosed for operating a NAND memory device. The NAND memory device is operated by transmitting serial peripheral interface signals from a host to a NAND memory device, whereby the signals are communicated to a NAND memory in the NAND memory device without modifying the signals into a standard NAND memory format. Similarly, a method and system is disclosed for receiving signals from the NAND memory device without modifying the signals from a standard NAND format into a serial format. The system also incorporates error detection and correction techniques to detect and correct errors in data stored in the NAND memory device. |
| US08352832B2 |
Unequal delay codes for burst-erasure channels
An error correction code includes a separate error code portion for each of two or more separate burst erasure durations (or burst error durations). For each burst erasure duration, the code can be employed to recover from the burst erasure with a different delay time. Each error code portion has a particular parameter for burst duration (B) and delay (T), meaning that the code can be used to recover from a burst erasure of duration B with delay T. Each error code portion is based on separating the source symbols into sub-symbols and diagonally interleaving the sub-symbols based on the (B,T) parameters for the error code portion. Accordingly, different burst erasures are recovered from with different delays. |
| US08352823B2 |
Methods and systems for handling ARQ resets
Systems and methods for handling automatic repeat request (ARQ) resets are described. A first device may receive a message initiating an ARQ reset procedure transmitted by a second device. The first device may determine if both the first and second devices have initiated an ARQ reset procedure. The first device may take action to limit a loss of blocks of data exchanged between the first and second devices, if both the first and second devices have initiated an ARQ reset procedure. |
| US08352822B2 |
Method and arrangement relating to communications network
The invention relates to a method in a radio base station and user equipment, and comprises varying the transmitted timings of the HARQ feedback signaling such that only users with orthogonal pre-coding vectors (W) are scheduled simultaneously, to reduce multi-user interference and to ensure that said signaling is received by a transmitter before the start of the next retransmission. |
| US08352815B2 |
Circuit and method operable in functional and diagnostic modes
The application discloses a circuit comprising at least one flip flop, said flip flop comprising: a master latch and a slave latch; a data signal input and a scan signal input arranged in parallel to each other and each input comprising a tristateable device; and a scan enable signal input, a functional clock signal input and a scan clock signal input; wherein: in response to a first predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a functional mode of operation, said scan input tristateable device is operable to isolate said scan input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said data input and to output data to said slave latch and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said data output; and in response to a second predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a scan mode of operation said data input tristateable device is operable to isolate said data input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said scan clock to receive data from said scan input and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said scan output. |
| US08352809B2 |
Checking method and electronic circuit for the secure serial transmission of data
A checking method in which serial data protected by check data are transmitted via a serial data bus from a transmitter to a receiver, the receiver then conditions the data and compares them with the transmitted check data in order to recognize transmission errors, wherein the transmitter bases the production of the check data and the receiver bases the conditioning of the data on the same check data formation method, wherein the check data formation/conditioning is performed using error recognition hardware, wherein the region of the receiver contains not only the error recognition hardware but also error recognition software which are used to additionally check the received data, and wherein also an error in the transmitted data and/or check data is caused by a transmitter-end error stimulation. A transmission and reception circuit for carrying out the above method and also the use thereof is also disclosed. |
| US08352806B2 |
System to improve memory failure management and associated methods
A system to improve memory failure management may include memory, and an error control decoder to determine failures in the memory. The system may also include an agent that may monitor failures in the memory. The system may further include a table where the error control decoder may record the failures, and where the agent can read and write to. |
| US08352805B2 |
Memory error detection
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation. |
| US08352804B2 |
Systems and methods for secure interrupt handling
The invention relates to systems for secure interrupt handling, a method for verifying a priority of a winning service request node and a method and an apparatus for verifying integrity of service requests.In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for verifying a priority of a winning service request node (SRN) established in an arbitration between a plurality of service request nodes (SRNs) performed by an interrupt controller, the method comprising: storing the priority of the winning SRN in the interrupt controller; encoding the priority of the winning SRN, wherein the encoding allows for error detection; transmitting the encoded priority from the winning SRN to the interrupt controller; and verifying the priority of the winning SRN by comparing the encoded priority transmitted by the winning SRN with the priority of the winning SRN established in the arbitration and stored in the interrupt controller. |
| US08352803B2 |
Framework for managing failures in outbound messages
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), a request from a requesting node for an establishment of a first service data flow (SDF); generating a first rule set for implementing the first SDF in response to the request; transmitting a first rule of the rule set to a first node for installation of the first rule; waiting for a period of time for a response from the first node; determining from the response whether installation of the first rule at the first node failed or succeeded; and if installation of the first rule succeeded, transmitting a second rule of the first rule set to a second node for installation of the second rule. |
| US08352802B2 |
Method and system for remote diagnostics
A diagnostic system for computers, including a connector interface for connecting the diagnostic system to a PC, a storage medium for storing executable instructions that boot the PC when the diagnostic system is connected to the connector interface, for storing diagnostic testing program code that scans and tests the PC, and for storing a phone number for a remote online help-desk facility, a modem for communicating wirelessly with the online help-desk facility when the PC is not fully operational, and for enabling the remote online help-desk facility to remotely run the diagnostic testing program code on the PC and view the results, an audio subsystem for enabling voice communication between a user and a representative at the remote online help-desk facility, and a processor for controlling the storage medium, the modem and the audio subsystem. A method is also described and claimed. |
| US08352801B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to debug a network application by utilizing a cloned network and an interactive debugging technique
A method includes instantiating a cloned network that includes a second set of virtual service nodes. The second set of virtual service nodes includes at least one cloned virtual service node that is a clone of a corresponding virtual service node in a first set of virtual service nodes. The at least one cloned virtual service node has access to a history of events that occurred at the corresponding virtual service node in the first set of virtual service nodes. The method includes initiating an interactive debugging session that includes step by step processing of the events of the history of events. |
| US08352797B2 |
Software fault isolation using byte-granularity memory protection
Software fault isolation methods using byte-granularity memory protection are described. In an embodiment, untrusted drivers or other extensions to a software system are run in a separate domain from the host portion of the software system, but share the same address space as the host portion. Calls between domains are mediated using an interposition library and access control data is maintained for substantially each byte of relevant virtual address space. Instrumentation added to the untrusted extension at compile-time, before load-time, or at runtime and added by the interposition library enforces the isolation between domains, for example by adding access right checks before any writes or indirect calls and by redirecting function calls to call wrappers in the interposition library. The instrumentation also updates the access control data to grant and revoke access rights on a fine granularity according to the semantics of the operation being invoked. |
| US08352795B2 |
High integrity processor monitor
A method of ensuring high integrity of a processor is provided. The method includes executing sets of sequential instructions, each execution being based on a unique initial value, generating a computed final value responsive to each execution of a set of sequential instructions, and sending computed values to a monitoring portion of a high integrity processor monitor system responsive to the generating for each execution of the set of sequential instructions. The execution of the sets of sequential instructions tests pertinent addressing modes, operand sizes, and instruction side-effects for each instruction tested in a monitored central processing unit. |
| US08352790B2 |
Abnormality detection method, device and program
Model data is generated from performance information sorted by day of the week, time period, and process status by a performance information analysis section and a process status analysis section. An abnormality determination section detects abnormality using appropriate model data. What the graph of an expected status is like, how much the graph of the current status that has been determined abnormal differs from the graph of the expected status, and how much the current status is like the expected status are displayed allowing a system manager to observe detailed information about abnormality determination. |
| US08352788B2 |
Predictive monitoring with wavelet analysis
A computer implemented method, computer program product and system for monitoring a plurality of hardware or software system resources for identifying hidden trends in the behavior of the system resources, includes: collecting metrics of at least one system resource indicative of the behavior of at least one system resource; for each of the at least one system resource, determining a spectrum representative of a time-based signal of the collected metrics; performing a wavelet transform on each of the at least one spectrum; and analyzing the result of the wavelet transform to identify possible linear trends in the behavior of the at least one system resource. |
| US08352786B2 |
Compressed replay buffer
A compressed replay buffer in a first electronic unit of an electronic system holds commands in a table. As commands are transmitted from the first electronic unit to a second electronic unit, the command, along with associated data, command type, and the like are stored in a row in the table. No rows in the table contain “dead cycles” to indicate that no command was sent on a particular cycle on a bus over which the commands were transmitted. The second electronic unit may request that the first electronic unit replay some number of commands. In response, the first electronic unit uses commands in the compressed replay buffer, along with required timings stored on the first electronic unit, to replay the number of commands requested. |
| US08352785B1 |
Methods for generating a unified virtual snapshot and systems thereof
A method, computer readable medium, and system for generating a unified virtual snapshot in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes invoking with a file virtualization system a capture of a plurality of physical snapshots. Each of the physical snapshots comprises content at a given point in time in one of the plurality of data storage systems. A unified virtual snapshot is generated with the file virtualization system based on the captured plurality of the physical snapshots. |
| US08352778B2 |
Failure recovery method
The reliability is improved at a low cost even in a virtualized server environment. The number of spare servers is reduced for improving the reliability and for saving a licensing fee for software on the spare servers. A server system comprises a plurality of physical servers on which a plurality of virtual servers run, a single standby server, a module for detecting an active virtual server, and a module for switching the correspondence of boot disks of virtualization modules for controlling virtual servers to the physical servers. When a physical server fails, the boot disk of the associated virtualization module is connected to a spare server to automatically activate on the spare server those virtual servers which have been active upon occurrence of the failure. |
| US08352773B2 |
Time aligning circuit and time aligning method for aligning data transmission timing of a plurality of lanes
A time aligning circuit includes a plurality of buffers, a plurality of delay selectors, a plurality of adjustment symbol generators, and a controller. Each buffer receives an ordered set on a corresponding lane. Each delay selector delays an output of the ordered set of the corresponding buffer. Each adjustment symbol generator outputs an adjustment symbol or the output received from the corresponding delay selector according to an adjustment control signal. When an initial symbol of a designated delay selector is detected but initial symbols of other delay selectors are not received yet, the controller generates the delay control signal to the designated delay selector and generates the adjustment control signal to control a designated adjustment symbol generator corresponding to the designated delay selector in order to output one adjustment symbol until initial signals of all delay selectors are detected. |
| US08352769B1 |
System and method for querying for energy data in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a query over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain, the query including a request for data relating to energy use. The query can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In other embodiments, a discovery protocol (DP) and a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is used for transporting events regarding the entities that connect or disconnect from the network. The entities send discovery events over a DP/LLDP protocol, identifying them as part of the domain. In yet other embodiments, the method includes querying a selected one of the entities to determine, if the selected entity moved to a certain energy level, an energy consumption value at the certain energy level. |
| US08352760B2 |
Power supply circuit and motherboard including the same
A power supply circuit includes a power controller and a switch. The power controller is connected to a Southbridge chip of a motherboard. The Southbridge chip outputs status signals of the motherboard. The power controller provides a +5V_SYS voltage or a +5V_SB voltage to a universal serial bus (USB) connector according to the status signals. The switch is connected to the USB connector, a USB controller, and the Southbridge chip. The switch connects or disconnects from the USB connector and the USB controller according to the status signals. |
| US08352757B2 |
Oversubscribing branch circuits while lowering power distribution costs
A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element. |
| US08352755B2 |
Digital image system transmitting digital image data
A digital image system which transmits digital image data, and more particularly, to a digital image system in a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) format or a digital visual interface (DVI) format. |
| US08352754B2 |
Power management of PoE devices based on powered queue and unpowered queue of time order connection priority while maintaining reserve power
In a communications system, such as a Power-Over-Ethernet system, where power supply equipment (PSE) supplies power to powered requiring devices (PRDs), a system and method of dynamic power management is implemented. The system and method monitors the power consumed at each port by the PRDs. Based on this monitoring, the PSE dynamically determines the minimum power which can be allocated to each PRD, and so dynamically maximizes the available reserve power. The PSE maintains a queue or queues wherein PRDs are listed in order of a power allocation priority. When additional power is available, the PSE preferentially allocates power to a PRD or PRDs which have higher priority. The system and method of the present invention minimizes the power allocated to each individual network device, as a result of which the total number of network devices that can be supported with the available power may be maximized. |
| US08352753B2 |
Microcontroller and method for starting an application program on a microcontroller by which unauthorized access to data contained in or processed by the microcontroller is prevented
A microcontroller comprises a microprocessor (1), a test interface (4) and an internal non-erasable memory (2). First control means (6) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the test interface (4), and second control means (7) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the internal non-erasable memory (2). The microprocessor (1) of the microcontroller comprises control outputs (101) which are connected with the first and second control means (6, 7). With appropriate timing of activation and deactivation of the test interface (4) and the internal non-erasable memory (2), the microcontroller offers the possibility of preventing an unauthorized access to contents of the internal non-erasable memory (2) without limiting the usability of the test interface (4) for the development of application programs. The microcontroller further offers the possibility to entirely block access to data which are stored in the microcontroller or have been processed within the microcontroller via the test interface (4). |
| US08352746B2 |
Authorized anonymous authentication
A method, program and system for processing data is disclosed. The method, program and system comprising the steps of: (a) receiving (e.g., during an enrollment process) a first biometric data and a first personal key, (b) processing the first biometric data and the first personal key through an irreversible cryptographic algorithm, sometimes after: (i) generating one or more variants from the first biometric data, (ii) processing the first personal key through a reversible cryptographic algorithm, and (iii) adding salt to the first biometric data or first personal key, (c) receiving (e.g., during an authentication process) a second biometric data and a second personal key, (d) processing the second biometric data and the second personal key through the irreversible cryptographic algorithm, (e) comparing the second processed data to the first processed data, and (f) generating a signal pertaining to the comparison of the second processed data to the first processed data, such as: (i) a confirmation reflecting authentication when the second processed data matches the first processed data (sometimes allowing access to a facility or system) or (ii) a denial reflecting no confirmation when the second processed data does not match the first processed data. |
| US08352745B2 |
System and method for controlling user access to an electronic device
A method and system for authenticating a user to access a computer system. The method comprises communicating security information to the computer system, and providing the computer system with an implicit input. The method further comprises determining whether the security information and implicit input match corresponding information associated with the user. The method further comprises granting the user access to the computer system in the event of a satisfactory match. When authenticating the user, the method and system consider the possibility of the user being legitimate but subject to duress or force by a computer hacker. |
| US08352742B2 |
Receiving encrypted emails via a web-based email system
The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing an Email User to create a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Email Account and thereafter to digitally sign, send, verify and receive PKI encrypted emails over a computer network, such as the Internet. The systems and methods preferably include a Web-based Email System and a Certificate Authority that coordinate their actions to make the process of creating, maintaining and using the PKI Account as easy as possible for the Email User. In a preferred embodiment, a Keystore System may also be used to enhance the management and use of digital keypairs. |