| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08444255B2 |
Power distribution in a thermal ink jet printhead
A thermal inkjet printhead may include a substrate and a resistive layer. A thermal resistor may be formed in the resistive layer. A first metal layer may be between the substrate and a resistive layer having a thickness to form a power bus. A dielectric layer may be between the first metal layer and the resistive layer. |
| US08444254B2 |
Apparatus and method of protecting inkjet printer head
An apparatus and method to protect an inkjet printer head including a head controller of a printer body and a head chip to drive a heater by using a serial interface, the apparatus including: a clock monitoring unit to monitor a serial clock signal that is used as a reference clock signal supplied to the head chip to control the head chip, and if the serial clock signal is abnormal, to output a signal indicating that the serial clock signal is abnormal; and a heater driving limiting unit to limit energy applied to the heater by using the signal, which is output by the clock monitoring unit, to indicate that the serial clock signal is abnormal. |
| US08444253B2 |
Inkjet head and method of manufacturing inkjet head
Provided is an inkjet head, including: a substrate having an energy generating element for generating energy to be used for ejecting liquid; and a liquid flow path forming member, which forms patterns of an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid and a liquid flow path communicating with the ejection orifice and which has a surface subjected to water-repellent treatment, in which the inkjet head includes, in a surface having the ejection orifice, multiple water-repellent areas subjected to water-repellent treatment, and multiple recesses each having a bottom in the liquid flow path forming member and having a surface not subjected to water-repellent treatment. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an inkjet head. |
| US08444252B2 |
Printhead assembly with minimal leakage
A printhead assembly includes an ink manifold having a plurality of ink outlets defined in a manifold bonding surface; one or more printhead integrated circuits, each printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink inlets defined in a printhead bonding surface; and an adhesive film sandwiched between said manifold bonding surface and said one or more printhead bonding surfaces, said film having a plurality of ink supply holes defined therein, each ink supply hole being aligned with an ink outlet and an ink inlet. The adhesive film is a laminated film comprising a central polymeric film sandwiched between a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer has a melt temperature lower than that of the second adhesive layer. |
| US08444250B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and storage medium storing program
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid-ejection head for ejecting image recording liquid; a sealing mechanism for sealing an ejection space; a humid-air supply mechanism storing humidification liquid; and a liquid-discharge portion for discharging the image recording liquid, wherein a controller controls the humid-air supply mechanism to supply an air humidified by the humidification liquid into the sealed ejection space and then controls the liquid-discharge portion to discharge the image recording liquid prior to the image recording, and wherein, where a remaining amount of the humidification liquid is less than a first value, the controller executes a control such that an amount of the supplied humid air and an amount of the discharged image recording liquid are respectively made small and large as compared with in a case where the remaining amount of the humidification liquid is not smaller than the first value. |
| US08444246B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and calibration method
An apparatus includes: a drying unit to dry a printing medium on which an image was printed using an inkjet head; a humidification unit to humidify the printing medium that was dried by the drying unit so that the moisture content of the printing medium becomes the equilibrium state in the ambient environment; a colorimetric unit to perform colorimetry on the printing medium that was humidified by the humidification unit; and a calibration unit to calibrate printing properties on the basis of the result of colorimetry by the colorimetric unit. |
| US08444240B2 |
Data generating apparatus, ink-jet printing apparatus, and data generating method
Processing liquid is ejected by a scan which is as prior as possible to the ink if it is determined that the printing duty of the ink is relatively low. Furthermore, the processing liquid is ejected by a scan which is as posterior as possible to the ink if it is determined that the printing duty of the ink is relatively high. Accordingly, the change of the glossiness can be suppressed regardless of the change of the printing duty of the ink. At the same time, it becomes possible to adjust the glossiness with a minimum necessary amount of processing liquid since the glossiness is adjusted not by varying the amount of the processing liquid depending on the printing duty of the ink, but by varying the printing order. |
| US08444239B2 |
Offset weight supporting slide
An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment with a shelf within the storage compartment. A support apparatus is configured for supporting the shelf. The support apparatus can include a first support, a second support, three track surfaces and three bearings. The first support is configured to be attached to an interior wall of the storage compartment. Each of the track surfaces is located on the first support. The second support is configured to engage the first support by the bearings of the second support being received within a respective track surface located on the first support. The shelf can be attached to the second support of the support apparatus. The shelf and the second support are movable into a plurality of positions relative to the interior wall of the storage compartment by a movement of the shelf with respect to the track surfaces located on the first support. |
| US08444231B2 |
Disk brake apparatus
A disk brake apparatus in which a determination is made as to whether a centering operation should be performed, and operation conditions for the centering operation (the length of the interval and the number of the operations) are set, according to a change of deformation of a disk rotor by heat release over time. When the centering operation is performed, a solenoid is actuated to perform the centering operation according to the set operation conditions. The centering operation is an operation of moving a pair of brake pads (2) and (3) into contact with the disk rotor (1) and then separating the pads from the disk rotor during a cooling process while a vehicle is running. |
| US08444229B2 |
System and method for controlling a hydraulic system
A method for preventing a valve orifice from switching to the small size when a high build gradient is required includes briefly bleeding off a small amount of fluid at the upstream side of the valve. This momentarily reduces the pressure difference when beginning the pressure build. After the valve is opened with the large orifice, the fluid flow through the valve prevents a high pressure difference. The resulting build with the large orifice has the maximum pressure gradient. |
| US08444226B2 |
Leg-rests for passenger seats
Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar. |
| US08444224B2 |
Seat controlling mechanism
A seat controlling mechanism includes motors for actuating a plurality of seat sections, a position detecting apparatus detecting positions of the seat sections and a controlling apparatus controlling the seat sections to move to a predetermined position, wherein an interfering range, an interference avoidable range in which an interference avoidance control is executed and a normal operation range are set in the controlling apparatus, and when at least one of the seat sections positions in the interference avoidable range, the controlling apparatus prohibits the movement of the at least one of the seat sections toward the interfering range. |
| US08444222B2 |
Child safety seat attachment belt retractor system
Retractor systems for securing child safety seats in vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a child safety seat includes a web operably coupled to a spool of a web retractor movably positioned under the safety seat. The web can include a first end portion that carries a first anchor connector and a second end portion that carries a second anchor connector. Rotation of the spool in a first direction retracts the first and second end portions of the web toward the retractor. Rotation of the spool in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, allows the first and second end portions to be drawn away from the retractor. |
| US08444218B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position. |
| US08444215B2 |
Housing for the radiator blind of a motor vehicle
A housing is provided for a radiator blind of a motor vehicle. The housing includes a base section that is configured to accommodate the radiator blind and a prescribed port. The housing also includes an adapter section that is secured to the prescribed port. As a result of this measure, the housing can be used in various installation situations. |
| US08444210B2 |
Drag reducing apparatus for a vehicle
The present disclosure provides for drag reduction on a moving object through the atmosphere, thus increasing fuel efficiency. This is accomplished by attaching an inflatable boattail (i.e. drag reducer) to the aft face or rear end of a vehicle or trailer, thus delaying the flow separation to a point further downstream and mitigating the intensity of the negative pressure on the aft face. |
| US08444209B2 |
Trim for vehicles and door trim for vehicles
It is an object of the present invention to provide a trim for vehicles capable of reducing the number of parts and thereby reducing the cost when a plurality of shock absorbing portions are required to have different hardnesses from each other. The trim for vehicles according to the present invention is a door trim 20 including a lower board 21, and a pull handle 40 mounted on the lower board 21, further including a plurality of shock absorbing portions with different hardnesses capable of absorbing shock energy, wherein an extension portion 50 of the plurality of shock absorbing portions is formed integrally with the pull handle 40, and the extension portion 50 has a shape extending downward from the pull handle 40. |
| US08444207B2 |
Locking apparatus with two-bar linkage for a folding top
A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a coupling device, and a driving apparatus. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is mounted to the coupling device such that the bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus is for driving the locking hook to move between the closed and opened positions and includes a first two-bar linkage, a driving arm connected with the two-bar linkage, and an actuating drive for actuating the driving arm. |
| US08444206B2 |
Tensioning bow member for a flexible cover system
A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member. |
| US08444205B2 |
Molded component and sealing system for a motor vehicle window
A molded component to connect a motor vehicle window with a water box includes a first segment affixable to the vehicle window and a second segment having a detent cavity bounded by a resilient leg and configured to receive a rib of the water box in an insertion direction so as to detachably affix the water box in a frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner in the detent cavity. A detent element projects into the detent cavity at an acute angle relative to the insertion direction such that the resilient leg is elastically deformed to a greater extent during an extraction of the rib of the water box from the detent cavity than during an insertion of the rib of the water box into the detent cavity. This facilitates the insertion and presents a greater resistance to the extraction of the rib from the detent cavity. |
| US08444203B2 |
Driving position adjusting apparatus for vehicle
A driving position adjusting apparatus for a vehicle comprises a driver's seat provided on a floor panel of a vehicle compartment, an operational pedal, such as an accelerator pedal, which is operated by a driver seated in the driver's seat, an incline-face portion which is provided on the floor panel, on which a heel of the driver operating the operational pedal is placed, the incline-face portion having an upper face which is inclined so that a front portion thereof is located at a higher position than a rear portion thereof, and a heel-placement height adjusting device which adjusts a height position of the driver's heel placed on the incline-face portion at least by moving up or down the incline-face portion. |
| US08444202B2 |
Display surround
This disclosure relates to a display surround for protecting a display area and, in particular, to trim elements for surrounds located around dials in automotive instrument panels. A display surround for protecting a display area comprises a perimeter wall for surrounding the display area and a wall capping piece. The wall extends from a base portion of the wall proximate the display area towards an end portion of the wall away from the display area. The end portion includes a top face, and the top face includes a groove. The capping piece has a tongue. The tongue includes a protuberance on opposite sides and the groove includes a recess on opposite sides. The capping piece is secured in place to cap the wall by seating the tongue within the groove and by engaging each protuberance with a corresponding recess. |
| US08444199B2 |
Vehicular box structure
An upper cover has an engagement edge, a bottom cover has a receiving edge where the engagement edge is inserted, and the engagement edge is inserted into the receiving edge. The receiving edge has a groove where the leading end of the engagement edge is inserted, the engagement edge has a stopper surface, which serves as a stopper part, on the outer surface toward the basal end side, and the groove has a stopper receiving surface, which serves as a stopper receiving part and catches the stopper surface, on one side internal surface toward the basal end side. As the leading end of the engagement edge is inserted into the groove of the receiving edge and the stopper surface is caught by the stopper receiving surface, the engagement edge of the upper cover and the receiving edge of the bottom cover are joined together without any separation. |
| US08444198B2 |
Deployable trunk stowage system for vehicle
A storage bin attached to the upper wall of a vehicle trunk. The storage bin is movable between a stowed position in which the bin is moved upward and is locked against the upper wall of the trunk and a deployed position in which the bin is moved downward and is open for storage of one or more items. When moving between a stowed position and a deployed position, the bin might pivot or sides of the bin might collapse. |
| US08444194B2 |
Substrate transport hand and substrate transport robot
This substrate transport hand includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion capable of receiving a first substrate and a second substrate thereon respectively, a third receiving portion supporting the first substrate received on the first receiving portion along with the first receiving portion, and a fourth receiving portion movably provided on a hand body portion for supporting the second substrate received on the second receiving portion along with the second receiving portion when moved to a first position of the hand body portion. |
| US08444192B2 |
Pitch adjustable bi-directional shovel
A pitch adjustable bi-directional shovel includes a substantially flat blade including a forward edge and a rearward edge. Each edge of the blade includes a contact surface. A pivot is secured to the blade. A handle is provided including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably mounted to the pivot. An adjustable retention assembly is secured to one or more of the pivot, the blade, or the handle, wherein the pivot and the adjustable retention assembly cooperate to alter the pitch of the blade with respect to the handle so as maintain the blade in general parallel orientation with the associated debris laden surface. The contact surface of the forward edge slideably engages the associated debris laden surface when urged in the forward direction and the contact surface of the rearward edge slideably engages the associated debris laden surface when urged in the rearward direction. |
| US08444190B2 |
Latching device for multipart housings
A latching device for at least two housing parts, in which a snap-on connection as well as a latching connection between the housing parts is produced by a correspondingly designed rotary knob/pushbutton function. The actuating button preferably is respectively arranged on two opposing sidewalls of an upper housing part, wherein the actuating button respectively acts upon a spring lever that is arranged on the inner wall of the upper housing part.During assembly of the upper housing part and a lower housing part, a forced snap-on connection between the two housing parts is produced and can only be disengaged again by exerting pressure upon the actuating buttons on both sides. |
| US08444183B2 |
Barrier seal and assembly incorporating same
A barrier seal includes a bulkhead having a first end, a second end and a surface extending between the first end and the second end. The barrier seal further includes a rib extending radially outwardly from the surface of the bulkhead. The rib defines a first sealing profile extending from a first side of the rib and a second sealing profile extending from a second side of the rib. |
| US08444181B2 |
Single-color screen patterns for copy protection
A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint. |
| US08444175B2 |
Saddle-type vehicle
A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, equipped with an airbag module and an airbag control unit wherein the motorcycle is not increased in width. The motorcycle includes a body frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe with a rider's seat provided on the body frame and on which a rider or riders are to be seated. The airbag module is provided on the body frame and in which an airbag is accommodated. The airbag control unit is provided for controlling the deployment of the airbag. The airbag module is disposed on the front side of the rider seat with the airbag control unit being disposed between the head pipe and the airbag module. |
| US08444174B1 |
Collapsible deer blind
A hunting blind is disclosed for use with a utility trailer that includes a rectangular base, each side thereof having a different relative height than the others. The base is adapted for removable attachment with the frame of the utility trailer. Four walls are fixed with the base each with at least one hinge and are selectively fixed together in a deployed position. A roof may be included and fixable with a top edge of at least two of the walls. The walls may be folded down over the trailer in turn to achieve a collapsed configuration suitable for towing. The trailer frame may include both a vehicle platform fixed above the walls when collapsed for transporting an ATV, and a game platform for holding caught game thereon. |
| US08444173B1 |
Foldable frame structure for baby trailer
A foldable frame structure for baby trailer includes a bottom frame, which includes two side bars and a retractable front bar and a retractable rear bar, two vertical side frames each having two bottom frame bars respectively pivoted to the side bars and an arched top frame bar pivoted to the bottom frame bars, a transverse top bar detachably connected between the arched top frame bars of the two vertical side frames, a trailer bar pivoted to the front side of one side bar of the bottom frame and selectively locked between an extended position and a received position. The retractable rear bar has two angled end pieces respectively affixed to the side bars to reinforce the structural strength of the side bars so that wheels can be directly pivoted to the side bars, saving the cost. |
| US08444171B2 |
Convertible double stroller
A convertible double stroller comprising a pair of cross bars pivotally connected at a common vertex connected to a pair of telescoping rods creating a generally hour-glass shaped frame assembly having a front end and a rear end, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame assembly, a handle bar attached to the frame assembly rear end, and a pair of seat mounts fixedly attached to each of the telescoping rods, wherein the convertible double stroller may be selectively transitioned between three configurations: (a) a seated configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a fully expanded position thereby positioning the seat mounts in a side-by-side placement for seating; (b) a seated configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a moderately expanded position thereby positioning the seat mounts in a front-to-rear placement for seating; and (c) a storage configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a fully collapsed position for storage. |
| US08444170B2 |
Foldable stroller
A foldable stroller includes a frame, a seat, and a plurality of wheels. The seat is disposed on the frame. The frame includes two back-frame side rod sections, two rear-leg side rod sections, and two rear-leg connecting members. Each of the back-frame side rod sections is connected pivotally to the corresponding rear-leg side rod section by the corresponding rear-leg connecting member. As such, the back-frame side rod sections are pivotable respectively toward the rear-leg side rod sections to fold the frame. The frame further includes two knuckles disposed respectively on bottom ends of the back-frame side rod sections, and two latch mechanisms disposed respectively on the knuckles. The latch mechanisms are operable to lock the frame in an unfolded or folded state. |
| US08444169B1 |
Trailer hitch coupler
A trailer hitch coupler to couple a trailer to a trailer hitch includes a socket adapted for receiving a trailer hitch ball; a clamp associated with the socket and operable for engaging the trailer hitch ball; a sensor operatively connected with the socket and operable for determining a distance between an inner surface of the socket and an outer face of the trailer hitch ball when the trailer hitch ball is positioned within the socket; a clamp prevention device operatively connected with the socket and with the clamp and operable to prevent engagement of the clamp with the trailer hitch ball; and a release mechanism operatively connected with the sensor and the clamp prevention device and operable to release the clamp prevention device to allow the clamp to engage the trailer hitch ball when the sensor communicates a desired hitch condition. |
| US08444162B2 |
Bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring, mountable in the area of a vehicle axle
A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted near an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell device. Each of the insertion devices comprise at least two layer elements which have different stiffness. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. The outer bearing shell device comprises a one-piece bearing ring element, and the insertion devices can be operatively connected, at least in a force locking manner, to the bearing ring element and the transverse leaf spring, via tensioning elements. |
| US08444160B2 |
Suspension device
A suspension device in which a knuckle for supporting a wheel is supported by arms and a damper is connected to the knuckle. A suspension device (10) is configured in such a manner that the intersection (73) between a line extended from an elastic kingpin axis (68) of a rear wheel (31) and a road surface (72) is located on the rear side, relative to the vehicle, of the ground contact center (74) of the rear wheel. The elastic kingpin axis is tilted forward relative to the vehicle and is disposed below the rotation center (32) of the rear wheel in the vertical direction. A lower connection section (81b) of a damper (18) is provided on a line (33) drawn in substantially the vertical direction from the rotation center of the rear wheel. A damper axis (84) is tilted inward in the width direction of the vehicle and tilted forward relative to the vehicle. |
| US08444159B2 |
Stabilizer, and method of producing a stabilizer
In a method of producing a stabilizer for installation in a bearing unit of a motor vehicle, each end portion of a strip-shaped metal element is provided with a closing contour. The metal element is shaped to assume an undulating configuration having a wave portion. After being placed in a tool, a stabilizer bar is pressed against a circumference of the wave portion of the undulating metal element and the wave portion is formed onto the stabilizer bar such that the wave portion has at least one section which is ironed and the ironed section is urged into forced contact with the stabilizer bar. The metal element is then bent to embrace the stabilizer bar, and the end portions of the metal element are connected by engaging the closing contours of the end portions with a defined incline to thereby form a closed limiter ring fixed to the stabilizer bar. |
| US08444158B2 |
Knuckle and bushing assembly
A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions. |
| US08444157B2 |
Wheel set attachment for floor maintenance equipment
A wheel set attachment is used in combination with floor maintenance equipment, such as buffers, sanders, grinders, cleaners, etc. (“buffer”), which are typically equipped with small diameter wheels which make transport difficult. The wheel set attachment is conducive for conveying the device up flights of stairs, over obstacles, or conveying the device any appreciable distance. The wheel set attachment of the present invention easily attaches to the buffer without the need for tools and is quickly removed. Once installed, the wheel set attachment is stable and provides a pair of wheels which function as though integral to the buffer. |
| US08444156B2 |
Modular rough terrain vehicle
A trailer including a plurality of rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of said main frame, each of which includes a tandem with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a U-shaped cross member for maintaining said main frame level from side to side; at least one length-adjustable member operatively connected to said main frame and at least one of said plurality of frame arms; selective movement of said length-adjustable member causing said distal end of at least one of said plurality of frame arms to move up or down; and an automatic leveling system for moving each said length-adjustable members and each said corresponding frame arm such that said main frame is maintained in a relatively level orientation when said trailer encounters uneven terrain. |
| US08444144B2 |
Electronic amusement device and method for operating a game offering continuous reels
A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player. |
| US08444143B2 |
Sheet transport apparatus
In a sheet transport apparatus, coiled springs 82 are fitted in and supported by recess portions 81b at a bottom face 81a of a support frame 81 and recess portions 73c at an upper face 73b of an inner guide 73. In other words, most of the portions of the coiled spring 82 are enclosed inside the recess portions 81b of the support frame 81 and the recess portions 73c of the inner guide 73, and covered and hidden by side walls 81f of the recess portions 81b and side walls 73d of the recess portions 73c. |
| US08444142B2 |
Multifeed processing apparatus, multifeed processing method, and multifeed processing program
A multifeed processing apparatus includes a control unit and is connected to a multifeed detecting mechanism and an image reading mechanism. The control unit includes (i) a calculating unit that calculates a shape of a peripheral edge of a medium from any one or both of an output of the image reading mechanism and an image of the medium read by the image reading mechanism, (ii) a detecting unit that detects a change in the shape on a boundary of an overlap detected portion, from the shape calculated by the calculating unit and a position of the overlap detected portion detected by the multifeed detecting mechanism, and (iii) a deciding unit that determines a case where the change in the shape is detected by the detecting unit, as a multifeed. |
| US08444141B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A sheet processing apparatus comprises: an first stack portion which temporarily stacks a sheet thereon; a first stack portion which is disposed under the first stack portion and stacks thereon a sheet discharged from the first stack portion; a second stack portion which is disposed above the first stack portion and stacks a sheet thereon; a stack reference wall which serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the second stack portion; and an alignment reference wall which is disposed more upstream in the sheet conveyance direction than the stack reference wall and serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the first stack portion; wherein the second stack portion has such a length that an end of the sheet stacked on the first stack portion cannot project from the second stack portion, as viewed from above in a vertical direction. |
| US08444138B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming system with air blower device
A sheet feeding apparatus, having: a sheet stacking table to stack sheets; a sheet feeding device to feed the sheets one by one from an upper most section of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table; an assist air blower device to blow an assist air at a lateral side, a front side or a rear side of the sheet fed from the sheet stacking table so as to assist sheet feeding; a detecting device to detect a behavior of the sheet assisted by the assist air; and a control device to set an amount of the assist air used in image forming to be an optimum air amount based on a detected result which is obtained by detecting the behavior of the sheet when the assist air blower device is operated at a predetermined timing while image forming is not carried out. |
| US08444137B2 |
Recording material feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
In a sheet feeding cassette which lifts up and lifts down a bottom plate each time when a paper is fed, a recording material sensor detects that no recording materials exist when the bottom plate rises over a predetermined position. Accordingly, by measuring a period of time when it is detected that no recording materials exist during a sheet feeding operation, a stacking amount of the recording materials in a sheet feeding cassette can be detected. |
| US08444133B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method
A sheet processing apparatus includes a support unit on which sheets are stacked together as a sheet stack, first and second binding units that respectively perform first and second binding processes to bind the sheet stack as first and second sheet stacks, a transporting unit that transports the first and second sheet stacks toward first and second paths, respectively, which are in opposite directions, a reversing-and-transporting unit disposed at the second path to transport the second sheet stack such that upper and lower sides thereof are reversed, a first transported-sheet-stack support unit that is disposed at the first path and on which the first sheet stack transported by the transporting unit is placed, and a second transported-sheet-stack support unit that is disposed at the second path and on which the second sheet stack reversed and transported by the reversing-and-transporting unit is placed. |
| US08444131B2 |
Sheet transporting device, cutting device, printing press and corresponding method
The sheet transporting device of the invention includes: a transferring device (64) adapted to transfer a sheet (30), a conveying device (66; 66A) for conveying a sheet transferred from the transferring device (64) onto the conveying device, and a controlling means (76) adapted to control the speed of the conveying device (66; 66A) and defining a transfer cycle (CT). The controlling means (76) is adapted to slow down the conveying device (66) when a sheet is conveyed by the related conveying device and to accelerate the conveying device when no sheet is present on said conveying device. The invention can be used for the cutting devices of rotary printing machines. |
| US08444130B2 |
Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing. |
| US08444127B2 |
High temperature composite patch tool
A tool comprises a caul plate having at least one suction hole and a vacuum port fluidly coupled to the suction hole for drawing a patch against the caul plate under vacuum. |
| US08444125B2 |
Attaching apparatus for load port apparatus
An attaching apparatus for attaching a load port apparatus to an attaching face of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a bogie truck body to be attached to a lower end portion of the load port apparatus. A pair of downwardly projecting positioning protrusions having a circular transverse sectional shape are also attached to the lower end portion of the load port apparatus. A support plate is secured to a lower end portion of the attaching face in such a manner as to project toward the load port apparatus. A pair of positioning recesses are formed on an upper face of the support plate and each has a circular hollow shape, in a plan view, such that said plurality of positioning protrusions may be individually fitted therein. |
| US08444120B2 |
Method and apparatus to help promote contact of gas with vaporized material
Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an ampoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer. |
| US08444114B2 |
Anchorage extractor
The present invention is directed to an anchorage extractor. The extractor is used to remove post, anchorage or stake from the ground without using a force generated by a motor. The anchorage extractor comprises a base disposed on the ground to provide a stable support. A lever is connected to a driving wheel that is connected to a rack. The anchorage is attached to the rack and when the lever is actuated, the drive wheel drives the rack upward, removing the anchorage from the ground. An advantage of the present invention is that the direction of the extraction force is parallel to the anchorage axis by adjusting the angle of the extractor. The extractor may be folded on itself or dismantled to be transported. |
| US08444113B2 |
Screw in multi-way seat valve
In a screw-in multi-way seat valve V comprising a screw-in housing 1, in which at least one sleeve 21 is positioned axially which sleeve 21 forms a valve seat 20, and a valve member 15 provided inside and having a seat surface 31 with a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the valve seat 20, the sleeve 21 is axially positioned in the screw-in housing 1 by a threaded connection 23 and at the same time is sealed by a press fit zone 24, the press fit zone 24 forming an anti-rotation protection for the threaded connection 23. |
| US08444107B2 |
Wrist joint for positioning a test head
An apparatus for supporting a load comprises a pivot apparatus coupled to the load and movable with the load; and a base stationary relative to the pivot apparatus. At least two areas of support are situated between the pivot apparatus and the base. Respectively opposite force components are at the two areas of support. The two areas of support move along a one curved path to tilt the load. |
| US08444105B2 |
Umbrella and anchoring device and method for using same
An umbrella anchoring device comprising a support dowel and a generally truncated cone shaped umbrella stop, with two opposing surfaces, an angled wall connecting the outer perimeter of the surfaces, and a hollow passage through the vertical axis thereof which is complementary to the cross section of the support dowel, wherein the umbrella anchoring device is used to support an umbrella with at least a partially hollow shaft. A method of using the anchoring device, where the support dowel is placed generally vertically in the ground, the umbrella stop is placed over the end thereof and slid so that the wider surface is at ground level and the narrower surface is below, and an umbrella is placed over the support dowel, with the end resting on the umbrella stop. |
| US08444104B2 |
Secure mechanism of portable accessory device for outdoor umbrella
A portable accessory device includes a housing having a mounting slot, an accessory unit supported in the housing, and two adjustable retainers for adjusting the size of the mounting slot for a shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Each of the adjustable retainer includes a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards the mounting slot, slidably mounted at the housing, wherein the pusher surfaces of the retention arms are facing with each other and are arranged for biasing against an outer surface of the shaft of the outdoor umbrella until the shaft thereof being fitted at the mounting slot so as to substantially mount the housing at the shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Therefore, the portable accessory device is adapted to detachably mount at the outdoor umbrella to provide an additional function via the accessory unit for users to have high quality outdoor activities. |
| US08444103B2 |
Foldable support frame assembly with scissor-linkages
A foldable support frame assembly includes a row of support units arranged along a first direction. Each of the support units includes two support frames. Each of the support frames includes two parallel braces, a top rail connected fixedly between upper end portions of the linking rods, and a bottom rail connected fixedly between lower end portions of the braces. The braces of each of the support units constitute two first scissor-linkages spaced apart from each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The foldable support frame assembly further includes a plurality of second scissor-linkages arranged alternately with the support units along the first direction, and a positioning mechanism for maintaining each of the first and second scissor-linkages in an unfolded state. |
| US08444096B2 |
Apparatus for positioning a device
An apparatus for positioning a device. The apparatus includes a coupling member, a first arm, a second arm, and a sloped support member. The coupling member defines a first opening and a second opening. The first arm passes through the first opening, and the coupling member is movably connected to the first arm. The second arm passes through the second opening. The sloped support member is releasably connected to the second arm. The apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom. |
| US08444087B2 |
Composite skin and stringer structure and method for forming the same
Composite stringer and skin structures and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite stringer and skin structure includes a polymer-based elongated stringer portion having reinforcing fibers positioned in a plurality of adjacent plies, a first portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively shallow angle relative to a selected reference direction, and a second portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively broad angle relative to the selected reference direction. A polymer-based and fiber reinforced skin member adjoins the stringer portion, and an adhesive material is interposed between the stringer portion and the skin member. |
| US08444083B2 |
Auxiliary power unit inlet
An aircraft auxiliary power unit assembly includes an aircraft skin providing a cavity. The aircraft skin is secured to a structure in an assembled condition and provides an opening. An auxiliary power unit is arranged within the cavity and secured to the structure. The aircraft skin substantially covers the auxiliary power unit in the assembled condition. An inlet duct is removably secured within the opening and is selectively connected to the auxiliary power unit between installed and service positions. The installed and service positions are with the aircraft skin in the assembled condition. A method of servicing the auxiliary power unit includes removing the auxiliary power unit inlet duct from the opening in the aircraft skin. The auxiliary power unit that is arranged within the cavity of the aircraft skin is exposed. A portion of the auxiliary power unit is serviced through the opening. |
| US08444082B1 |
High performance ‘X’-configuration airplane for storage and launch from a tubular container
An air vehicle can be folded into or unfolded from a compact tubular storage container without assembly or disassembly of the air vehicle. The air vehicle includes a fuselage, two aerodynamic surfaces rotatably mounted on the fuselage along a common axis with at least one pivot mechanism, and at least one spring mechanism configured to deploy the aerodynamic surfaces so they extend outwardly from the body. In a stowed configuration, both aerodynamic surfaces are parallel to the fuselage for stowage of the aircraft in a container. Each aerodynamic surface has a winglet located at an outer edge of the tail portion of the aerodynamic surface, and a rudder on each winglet. The aircraft does not require a vertical stabilizer or rudder system on the fuselage. An outer backward-swept wing portion can be unfolded from the outer edge of each aerodynamic surface to increase the wing aspect ratio. |
| US08444075B2 |
Concentrated bi-density eccentric counterweight for cone-type rock crusher
A cone crusher includes a stationary main shaft and an eccentric that rotates about the main shaft to cause gyrational movement of a head assembly to crush rock within a crushing gap. The cone crusher includes a counterweight assembly mounted for rotation with the eccentric. The counterweight assembly includes a counterweight body having a series of tanks. Each tank can receive either a first ballast and a second ballast or a combination thereof. The first ballast is formed from a material having higher density than the second ballast to increase the concentration of weighting in desired locations around the counterweight assembly. |
| US08444070B2 |
Electric-actuated control valve of a unit fuel injector
A unit fuel injector (10) has a control valve (40) in which a valve spool (92) is displaceable within a bore (91) of a valve body (90) between a limit of displacement that fully opens an oil outlet port (42) to an oil inlet port (44) while closing an oil drain port (106) to the oil outlet port and a limit of displacement that closes the oil outlet port to the oil inlet port while opening the oil outlet port to the oil drain port. The valve spool has a spool body (96) whose geometry defines an exterior envelope of the valve spool. Permanent magnets (98, 100) are disposed within a bore of the spool body inside of the exterior envelope, and electromagnets (102, 104) are electromagnetically coupled with the permanent magnets for displacing the valve spool within the valve body bore. |
| US08444067B2 |
Flow reservoir for a paint spray gun
The invention relates to a flow reservoir for a paint spray gun with a bowl-shaped container (1), a cover (2) that can be set on the container (1), and an attachment part (3) for direct fixing of the flow reservoir to the paint spray gun. The flow reservoir is distinguished in that the attachment part (3) consists of a connector (5) formed directly on the cover (2) with a screw-wedge element (8) for direct quick-connect attachment of the flow reservoir to the paint spray gun. |
| US08444065B2 |
Water discharge device
An object is to provide a water discharge device in which a water sprinkling member having water discharge ports can simultaneously achieve both good rotation start-up ability and good rotation stability. A water discharge device FC is configured in such a manner that the center of gravity of a rotor constituted of a tubular body 20 and a head 40 (the water sprinkling member) is positioned near an opening 4 which is located near the center of swing at which a central axis C1 of the tubular body 20 tilted by swinging revolution and a central axis C2 of an inflow chamber 3 intersect in a state where any water is not supplied to a buffer chamber 43 of the head 40, whereas the center of gravity of the rotor is moved to a head 40 side in a state where the water is supplied to the buffer chamber 43 of the head 40. |
| US08444062B2 |
Mobile fluid distribution system and method
A fluid distribution system and method for mobile applications. The system includes a power source, a pump driven by the power source, and a motor driven by the pump. The system also includes a spray head with a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, a fluid piston disposed in a chamber for controlled access between the inlet and outlet passages and defining a variable orifice, and a hydraulic cylinder controllably engaged to the orifice. The fluid piston and the hydraulic cylinder are aligned with a common longitudinal axis, and the inlet passage is offset from the axis in a direction opposed to the location of the outlet passage. |
| US08444060B2 |
Fuel injector with deterioration detection
A fuel injection apparatus with a deterioration detection device that includes a volume changing chamber, the volume of which is determined by fuel pressure inside the injector. After injector nozzle opens, the time for the volume changing chamber to change from an initial volume to a target volume is measured and used for calculating changes in nozzle orifice size. The value of orifice size change can be used for both diagnosing injector deterioration and compensating fuel flow rate in a feedback control. In addition to detecting injector deterioration and failures, the volume changing device also dampens effects of noise in fuel pressure to fuel flow rate control and decreases chances of after-injection and second injection. |
| US08444058B2 |
Embedded RFID tags and associated methods and systems
Embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for objects or containers and related systems and methods are disclosed that overcome problems existing with previous RFID tags. The RFID tags are embedded within recesses within the outer surfaces of objects or containers, such as within a metal valve flange for a metal container. The RFID tags can also be shaped and configured to fit within recesses so that the top surfaces of the RFID tags match the outer surfaces of the objects or containers. The embedded RFID tags can also be painted or otherwise disguised so that they are more difficult to identify. In addition, the RFID tags are preferably tamper resistant and can also use PSK (phase shift key) modulation. The embedded RFID tags described herein are particularly useful for tracking of liquid propane gas (LPG) containers and/or other types of containers or objects for holding hazardous materials. |
| US08444055B2 |
Detection device and processing system
When a user who has a magnetic substance attached paper enters a gate which generates a magnetic field, steep magnetization reversal is produced in the magnetic substance by the magnetic field. As a result, pulse current flows into a detection coil provided in the gate, and a generated waveform signal indicating a characteristic transient response is output to a terminal device. The terminal device calculates correlation coefficients of this waveform and a plurality of stored reference waveforms, additionally calculates an average of the calculated correlation coefficients, and determines whether or not the average is equal to or more than a threshold. When the average is equal to or more than the threshold, the terminal device instructs an imaging device to image a user. When the average is below the threshold, the imaging device is not allowed to image the user. |
| US08444053B2 |
Intelligent credit card system
A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers. |
| US08444049B2 |
Precisely locating and address confirming method
A precisely locating and address confirming method is provided. The method comprises: S1, a printing carrier is divided into several areas with equal interval, and the width of each area is set to be the same with the width of a shelf article depositing unit, and a main bar code containing article depositing position information is printed in the center of each area of the printing carrier; S2, the printing carrier is disposed on the shelf in such a way that each area corresponds to each shelf article depositing unit; S3, the article depositing position information contained in the main bar code is scanned and read when the scanning beam of a manipulator happens to be superposed with the main bar code of the area corresponding to the shelf article depositing unit so as to confirm the address of the article depositing position. The present solution is suitable for an automatic access system for single book, CD, or the similar articles with small size, and the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction of the article access position is is rapidly, precisely located and the address is confirmed. |
| US08444047B2 |
Mug
The present invention relates to a mug, especially a disposable mug, which mug defines an internal space for receiving liquid. It is significant for the mug according to the present invention that the mug contains a flap (10; 110) provided on the inside of the mug, that the flap (10; 110) extends along the inside of the mug in a non-active state, and that the flap (10; 110) reaches out from the inside of the mug in an active state of the flap (10; 110). |
| US08444046B2 |
Carton having novel opening features
Cartons have dispensing features that enable containers or other articles to be selectively dispensed from the cartons while preventing inadvertent escape of the articles from the cartons. A carton can have an exiting end panel closing an interior space and a dispenser pattern defining a dispenser having a bottom door extending across the exiting end panel. The dispenser pattern can comprise a plurality of tear lines that define a removable portion comprising at least a portion of the exiting end flap, the top panel, and at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser pattern further comprises a pivot line in the bottom panel, a first line, and a second line that are for enabling pivoting of the bottom door about the pivot line. |
| US08444040B2 |
End effector for forming swept friction stir spot welds
An apparatus includes a connector and is configured to mount to a machine having multiple axes of control. A control signal on the connector determines a path of a rotating tool holder. |
| US08444039B2 |
Thermally-insulated vibration welding tool
A welding assembly for forming a weld along a welding interface of a work piece(s) using vibrations includes a welding tool and a thermal barrier. The thermal barrier is at least a chemical and/or mechanical insulating layer positioned adjacent to the welding tool, which minimizes the rate of dissipation of heat generated by the vibrations at or along the welding interface. The welding assembly may also include a wear-resistant layer adjacent to the thermal barrier, which protects the thermal barrier from damage or wear. The welding tool is a portion an anvil assembly and/or a sonotrode assembly. A method of insulating a welding tool includes applying or connecting a thermal barrier to a surface of the welding tool, and minimizing the rate of dissipation of heat generated by the vibrations at or along the welding interface using the thermal barrier, which includes an insulating layer. |
| US08444037B2 |
Surgical stapling device with captive anvil
A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot. |
| US08444036B2 |
Motor driven surgical fastener device with mechanisms for adjusting a tissue gap within the end effector
A surgical fastener apparatus having a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector including a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. A cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners, the actuator including a power source and a motor. Means for electrically adjusting the amount of spacing between the jaws when the end effector is in the closed position. |
| US08444035B2 |
Pneumatic staple or nail gun with dual trigger mechanism
An improved apparatus for nailing or stapling flooring pneumatically, wherein a pneumatic stapler or nailer is provided with a dual trigger single sequential actuation system by which an operator can reach either trigger with his index finger. In one embodiment, the triggers being interconnected. In a second embodiment, each trigger actuates a valve that communicates with a pneumatic piston which drives the staple. |
| US08444034B2 |
UTV gun mount system
A gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles comprising: a first inverted L-shaped tubular member comprising a first attacher, a second inverted L-shaped tubular member comprising a second attacher, an obliquely oriented tubular member having a first tubular member end and a second tubular member end with a gun grip attached to each tubular member end and a first elastic cord and a second elastic cord. The first and the second inverted L-shaped tubular member may be partially inserted into receiving holes in side walls of a bed-box of a utility terrain vehicle and may be additionally secured to the vehicle via the first and second elastic cord which are attached to the first and second attacher. The gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles is suitable for transporting at least one weapon securely fastened to the gun grips which are attached to the obliquely oriented tubular member. |
| US08444033B2 |
Device for attaching accessories to bars, application to motor vehicle roof rail bars
A device for attaching accessories to a vehicle roof bar, the device comprising, a threaded control rod, two threaded nuts threaded onto the control rod, two guide bodies, wherein each of the guide bodies has one of the threaded nuts positioned within the guide body, a C-shaped rail, wherein each of the guide bodies and each of the threaded nuts are positioned within the C-shaped rail; two jaws, each of the jaws being attached to one of the guide bodies and a first portion of each jaw being located outside the C-shaped rail, whereby rotation of the control rod in a first direction causes the guide bodies to move towards each other thereby allowing a second portion of the jaws to contact the vehicle roof bar, and where further rotation of the control rod in the first direction locks the guide body within the C-shaped rail. |
| US08444032B2 |
Collapsible vehicle-mounted equipment carrier
A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a hub portion to which is secured a number of vehicle-engaging and equipment-engaging support members. The various support members are each connected to sections of the hub that are movable relative to one another and that include engagement structure to hold the hub sections in desired angular positions with respect to one another. The hub sections can be moved upon disengagement of a clamping mechanism that compresses the hub sections into engagement with one another, and also holds each of the various components of the carrier in connection with one another. |
| US08444031B2 |
Prop-supporting harness for a stage performer
A harness for the wearing of at least one stage prop by a stage performer includes a frame with a backrest suitable for supporting the stage prop, and elements forming shoulder supports suitable for positioning and/or maintaining the harness in place on the artist's shoulders. The backrest and the elements forming the shoulder supports are rigid. The elements forming the shoulder supports are coupled to the backrest by a pair of elastic coupling elements. |
| US08444028B2 |
Device for ejecting droplets of a fluid having a high temperature
In a jetting device for ejecting droplets of a relatively hot fluid, a fluid chamber body is made of a heat resistant material and an inner surface of the fluid chamber body, the inner surface defining a fluid chamber of the jetting device, is wettable by the fluid. This configuration provides that no additional force needs to be applied for forcing the fluid into an orifice, i.e. a narrow tube leading towards a nozzle. |
| US08444022B2 |
Pouring device with deformable spout
A pouring device includes a container, a stiffening member with first and second stiffening portions having respective terminating ends spaced from each other. The first and second stiffening portions are coupled to the container with a deformable region of the container being positioned between the terminating ends of the first and second stiffening portions. The deformable region can be more resilient than the stiffening member to form a pour spout at least in part from the deformable region upon application of a force to the container toward opposing sides of the deformable region. |
| US08444020B1 |
Assembly for hand held or remote elevated operation of aerosol spray cans
Assembly for hand held or remote elevated operation of most modern style aerosol cans. The assembly comprises a frame having a handle, a saddle, a swiveling threaded adaptor, and an activating linkage. An aerosol can is held to the device with a clamp. For use in a manual fashion, the user may grasp the handle and depress a lever link of the activating linkage, such with a thumb or palm of a hand. For use in an elevated position, the assembly can be threaded onto a painters' extension pole using an indexing adaptor. The can may then be elevated, and the user can activate the assembly simply by pulling down on a tether. |
| US08444015B2 |
Fluid dispensing apparatus
A fluid dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid, and includes a fluid reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed, a dispense tube to dispense the fluid, and an elevator mechanism. The fluid reservoir receives a fluid from a fluid supply. A dispense tube has a dispense outlet, and is connected to an outlet port on the fluid reservoir. The elevator mechanism changes a relative vertical displacement between the dispense outlet and the outlet port. Particularly, a processor controls the elevator mechanism to raise the dispense tube to a raised filling position to prevent fluid flow from the dispense outlet, and lower the dispense tube to a lowered dispensing position to dispense the fluid. |
| US08444013B2 |
Food topping device including a vibration device and adjustable discharge pan and screen assembly
A food topping device for dispensing a food toppings. The food topping device includes a hopper that receives a food topping. The hopper directs the supply of the food topping onto the base plate of a discharge pan. The angle of the discharge pan relative to horizontal can be selectively adjusted. A vibration device is coupled to the discharge pan. When the vibration device is activated, the vibration of the discharge pan helps the food topping to overcome the angle of repose and flow down the base plate toward a discharge end. A screen positioned at the discharge end of the discharge pan further controls the flow of food topping from the device. The angle of the screen can be adjusted to control the discharge rate. A flow plate is positioned between the hopper and the discharge end to further control the amount of topping reaching the discharge end. |
| US08444009B2 |
Object block magazine
A magazine having compartments for receiving cassettes has an outer housing having an open top and an open front side. An inner housing within the outer housing encloses an interior space and defines a plurality of compartments. The inner housing has opposing sidewalls, and spring elements form the compartments. A generally U-shaped feed element is mounted on the inner housing movably reciprocally in the longitudinal direction over a depth of the compartment so that the feed element moves a cassette from one compartment to an adjacent compartment. |
| US08444007B2 |
Inner wipes
The present invention provides a dispenser for moisturized sheets in the core of a toilet paper roll. Not only are wet and dry wipes provided coincidentally, the location is particularly handy for toilet use. In a utilization of existing bathroom fixtures, the novel concept offsets the rotational axis of the toilet paper roll to make an aperture available to dispense the moisturized sheets from the volume of the core previously occupied by the conventional spool. The invention further provides a hermetically sealed refill unit and a method of dispensing and refilling. |
| US08444003B2 |
Assembled container
An assembled container has a body and an upper collar. The body has an open top, an annular lip, an annular wall and multiple combining blocks. The annular wall is formed on and protrudes from the annular lip and has at least one engaging recess. The combining blocks are formed on and protrude from the annular lip and each have a combining hole and at least one engaging hole. The upper collar is connected to the open top of the body and has an annular recess, at least one engaging block and multiple combining inserts. The at least one engaging block is formed in the annular recess and respectively engages the at least one engaging recess. The combining inserts are formed in the annular recess and are respectively inserted into and combined with the combining holes. |
| US08444001B1 |
Plate with cup attachment
A dinner plate of conventional size and shape includes coupling means on its planar bottom that grasps and retains flexible plastic drink cups, enabling a user to stabilize the plate atop the cup and to hold both securely with one hand. The user squeezes the cup rim and inserts it between diametrically opposing, chordal grooves of the coupling means, the cup's resiliency expanding the rim into the grooves when released. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means is a coaxial, raised island in the plate bottom that forms a recess into which the cup rim fits, radially inward-extending lugs in the recess walls fitting under the cup rim to secure it against the plate bottom. This leaves the plate bottom flat for use on horizontal surfaces and optimizes nesting of plates for storage and stacking, as well as creating a closure for the cup. |
| US08443995B2 |
Hot fill type plastic container
A hot fill type plastic container includes a bottom portion and a main body having a vacuum uptake portion that is bounded by upper and lower horizontal grooves. The vacuum uptake portion has four side panel portions, and each of the side panel portions has at least one vertical groove defined therein. The vertical grooves are substantially centered with respect to the side panel portions. No surface features other than the vertical grooves are included on the side panel portions. The main body further includes upper and lower round portions that are respectively positioned above and below the vacuum uptake portion. |
| US08443994B1 |
Tethered bottle cap assembly with means to retain a detached cap portion
The present invention is a bottle cap assembly including an anchor, a cap portion, and a retaining device. The anchor attaches to a bottle and has a threaded neck and a ridge extending outward from the threaded neck. The cap portion removably attaches to the anchor and the bottle. The cap portion has a retaining sleeve along an entire circumference of the cap portion. The retaining device keeps the cap portion connected to the anchor, so that the cap portion is not lost. The retaining device includes a rod element housed in the retaining sleeve, and the rim of the retaining sleeve prevents detachment of the rod element from the retaining sleeve. The rod element extends between the anchor and cap portion, while only the anchor remains attached to the bottle. |
| US08443993B1 |
Bottle cap assembly with means to retain a detached cap portion
The present invention is a bottle cap assembly comprising an anchor for attachment to a bottle and a cap portion removably attached to the anchor. The anchor has a first connector, and the cap portion has a second connector. The second connector removably engages the first connector, when the cap portion detaches from the anchor, and extends around the circumference of the cap portion, so that the cap portion can be attached to the first connector in any orientation. The first connector can also be mounted on a tab extending down from the anchor. The first and second connectors can be male and female connectors, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second connectors can be compatible magnets. A retaining member can also be used to permanently attach the cap portion and anchor member to reduce the risk of loss when the first and second connectors are being engaged. |
| US08443990B2 |
Mobile industrial rack system
A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor. |
| US08443989B2 |
Media rack configuration
A media rack system is disclosed that generally includes a rack configured to receive a plurality of components that are selectively connected via a plurality of media, e.g., optical fibers or any other wired communication link. An exemplary system may further include one or more media loop retention housings, which include a spool configured to selectively support one of the media, and a media loop retainer defined by the spool. The media loop retainer includes a predetermined radius for selectively retaining a loop of the media. The predetermined radius is greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius associated with the fiber. |
| US08443981B1 |
Apparatus for removing heavy material from ore in a water environment and method of use
Apparatus for removing heavy material from ore in a water environment includes an upstanding tube, a reservoir, and a pulsator connected between the upstanding tube and the reservoir. The pulsator cyclically causes the upstanding tube to move downward, and fluid pressure within reservoir causes it to move back upward. This vertical pulsation of the upstanding tube effects the separation of heavy material from lighter material contained within the ore. The pulsator includes a member and diaphragm which are cyclically forced downward into the reservoir by a cam-driven rocker arm. A given downward movement of the member and diaphragm results in an amplified upward movement of the ore and the water within the upstanding tube. |
| US08443972B1 |
Hang tag assembly for a hole saw
A method of packaging a hole saw includes positioning a circular cutting edge portion of the hole saw against a surface of a base member of a hang tag assembly. The base member includes a post that extends from the surface into a hollow interior defined by the hole saw. A cap member of the hang tag assembly is positioned adjacent a mounting portion of the hole saw. The cap member includes a stem and a display card portion. The stem is advanced through a bore defined in the mounting portion and into the hollow interior of the hole saw. The post is then secured to the stem within the hollow interior of the hole saw. |
| US08443969B2 |
Ingredient release spout
An ingredient release spout. The ingredient release spout may include a cap, an ingredient capsule separate from the cap, a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein, and a base. The capsule nest and the ingredient capsule being separate such that the capsule nest is engageable with the cap. |
| US08443968B2 |
Package for containers
A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. A plurality of features in the top panel receives and holds a top portion of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of features comprises an opening in the top panel wherein the top panel has at least two edges at least partially forming a respective opening to engage a respective container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the respective container to the package. The at least two edges are in contact with an underside of a flange of the respective container. |
| US08443964B2 |
Adjustable reservoir for rod-like articles
An adjustable reservoir for articles such as smoking articles and smoking article filters comprises a plurality of conveyors mounted one above another in a vertical stack, each conveyor comprising an endless belt defining a curved conveying path of constant radius extending between two ends proximally spaced to define a gap through which articles carried by the belt may drop, and a drive mechanism operable to rotate at least one conveyor about the vertical axis of the stack so as to change the angular position of the gap of that conveyor relative to the gaps of adjacent conveyors. Changing the relative angular positions of the gaps allows the capacity of the reservoir to be adjusted, and further adjustment can be achieved by changing the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The drive mechanism can be configured to move one or more groups of conveyors in unison, or to move each conveyor individually. |
| US08443957B2 |
Package stream indexer device
A package stream indexer device (1) for indexing a stream (S) of packages (P) being displaced thereon within a stream plane includes first and second articulated tracks (24) with live rollers (28) and corresponding lower articulated tracks (50) with depending pressure wheels (58) for maintaining packages (P) in contact with the first and second tracks (24) and within the package path defined there between within the stream plane. Each of the first and second articulated tracks (24) along with corresponding lower track (50) are each composed of a plurality of interconnected links (26,52) frictionally engaged together to allow adjustment in track orientation from one set position to another by means of dynamic movement on the tracks (24,50). The second tracks (24) respectively register upstream arid downstream of a moveable intermediate conveyor (2′) bridging an input conveyor (40) and a reception conveyor (40″ or 40′″), with the respective indexing mechanisms (1′, 1″ or 1′″). |
| US08443956B2 |
Dual clutch transmission having area controlled clutch cooling circuit
A dual clutch transmission having a hydraulic circuit for controlling and cooling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission having lube valves in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and wherein the cooling flow is controlled by a solenoid which is adapted to move a valve member to produce a flow area through the valve that is an inverse function of the current delivered to the solenoid and so as to deliver a predetermined control solenoid pressure ultimately to each of the clutches of a dual clutch transmission. |
| US08443949B2 |
Mechanical actuator cartridge for a motor vehicle brake
The cartridge (22) comprises a body (24), a rotary control plate (28) driving a push plate (30) in a translational movement, elastic means (38) of compressing the push plate (30) towards the control plate (28), and a cage (40) for holding the elastic means (38). The body (24) comprises a projection (42) for attaching the cage (40), collaborating with an attachment orifice (46) formed in an axial tab (44) of the cage (40). The cage (40) is capable of a rotational movement between an attachment position in which the attachment orifice (46) collaborates with the projection (42), and a release position in which the cage (40) is not attached to the body (24). The body (24) comprises a first limit stop (50) that limits the rotation of the cage (40) with which the tab (44) collaborates in the release position. The body (24) comprises a ramp (60), adjacent to the first limit stop (50). In the release position (40), the tab (44) rests radially against the projection (42) and the ramp (60). |
| US08443948B2 |
Vibration damper with stroke-dependent damping force
A vibration damper including a cylinder in which a displacer carries out a translational movement. The displacer has a work piston which divides the cylinder into two work spaces. The work spaces outside the displacer for each operating movement direction of the displacer are connected to damping valves by a flow connection. Every flow connection has only one flow direction through a check valve arrangement. The flow connection has a plurality of inflow ports which are offset in axial direction starting from the work spaces and is formed by a bypass channel, and a plurality of damping valves are connected to the bypass channel and admit damping medium via the inflow ports. |
| US08443946B2 |
Vehicle disc brake device
A disc brake device in which uneven wear on the brake pads is prevented. Each brake pad has a set pin hole at one end in which a set pin is fitted, and a torque-receiving component for receiving braking torque in the other end. The pistons for pressing the brake pads are composed of first and second pistons. A center of the first piston near the set pin is located further inside from the middle of the sliding range of the brake pads, and the distance from the set pin is extended. |
| US08443941B2 |
Cooling/lubricating device for machine tool feed shaft
By using the same liquid for cooling and lubricating a feed shaft, a simpler structure is obtained, thereby allowing easier maintenance. A feed shaft that is rotatably supported at one end thereof moves a slide of a machine tool. The feed shaft is supported by a support member via a bearing. A pipe is fitted to the feed shaft, and a pathway space is provided allowing the reciprocal flow of the cooling/lubricating liquid in the axial direction. Some of the cooling/lubricating liquid supplied via the support member to the feed space passes through the pathway space as cooling liquid, cools the feed shaft, and is held in a discharge space. At the same time, some of the cooling/lubricating liquid flows, as lubricating liquid, into the bearing, is discharged, and is held in a discharge space. The cooling/lubricating liquid in the discharge space that has absorbed the heat of the structure is immediately discharged out of the support member. |
| US08443939B2 |
Method for producing a combo brace rail shield
A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination. |
| US08443936B1 |
Self-contained work platform attachment for mobile cranes
A self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment for mobile cranes, which transforms them into a state-of-the-art aerial boom lift with powered platform leveling and powered rotation up to 180-degrees. It can be supplied by the crane manufacturer with a new crane, or as an after-market attachment add-on, and may be easily pinned to the swing-jib mounting system on the outermost boom tip sheave head present on most mobile cranes without adaptive components or crane modification. In contrast, current work platforms and baskets only have gravity-leveling in association with 180-degrees of unrestricted platform rotation range, and current aerial lift boom trucks, which can function as crane booms, are not designed for add-on or after-market self-contained pin-on work platforms, instead having an integrally-designed platform with rotation and leveling powered from a base unit via hose and cable reels or carries, which are not required with the self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment. |
| US08443934B2 |
Acoustic resistance member and method for making the same
An acoustic resistance member includes an air-shielding layer which does not allow air to pass through such that acoustic waves do not propagate, and an acoustic resistance layer which allows air to pass through such that acoustic waves propagate. The air-shielding layer is composed of a resin containing a coloring agent, and a part of the air-shielding layer is removed. |
| US08443933B2 |
Tubular acoustic insulating element
An exhaust system composed of a plurality of components for an internal combustion engine for connecting to a manifold, the exhaust system includes at least one first section, which is provided indirectly or directly after the manifold in the flow direction, and a second section, which is directly adjacent thereto in the flow direction, wherein the two sections are connected to each other by a mechanical decoupling element. The resonant oscillations in the range above 600 Hz are to be attenuated in the exhaust system by more than 15 dB and, at the same time, the exhaust system is to be sufficiently rigid and self-supporting and designed to be lastingly gas-tight. For this purpose, a single-walled arid self-supporting acoustic insulating element is integrated in the exhaust system in the flow direction upstream of, or in, the first section. |
| US08443928B2 |
Exhaust tail pipe
An exhaust tail pipe includes a front outer tube, an inner tube and a rear tail pipe. The inner tube has a plurality of screw holes on one side mating a plurality of apertures formed on a rear coupling portion of the front outer tube to be fastened together by a plurality of bolts. The rear coupling portion is coupled on the front end of the rear tail pipe so that the rear section of the inner tube is held at the rear end of the rear tail pipe and fastened together by welding. Such a structure allows the front outer tube and rear tail pipe to be made of different materials, thus can maintain aesthetic appeal of the appearance to enhance product value. |
| US08443927B2 |
Exhaust device of vehicle and straddle-type four-wheeled vehicle provided with the same
An exhaust device of a vehicle having a V-engine including a front cylinder and a rear cylinder, includes at least one muffler disposed in a rear part of the vehicle, a front-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a front surface of the front cylinder and which reaches the muffler, and a rear-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a rear surface of the rear cylinder and which reaches the muffler. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is curved rearward at a curved portion from a connecting portion between the front-cylinder exhaust pipe and the front cylinder inward of the side frame in the lateral direction. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is located outward in the lateral direction with a fixed space from the engine, and extends toward a rear part of the vehicle substantially along the side frame as viewed from above. |
| US08443926B2 |
Electric motorcycle
An electric motorcycle in which a power drive unit and a motive power generation motor for traveling are secured to a swing arm swinging around a pivot shaft, and power from a battery is supplied through the power drive unit to the motive power generation motor. A hollow inside of the swing arm is partitioned into an air introducing space and an equipment fixing space by a partition wall. The power drive unit is secured in the equipment fixing space so as to be in close contact with the partition wall and a fin extending from the partition wall to the air introducing space are formed at a fixing surface of the air introducing space to which the power drive unit is attached. |
| US08443924B2 |
Thermal assistance for bicycle
A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element (26, 46; 146; 227) receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission in such a way that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratios, characterized in that the reducing gear of the heat engine includes a first belt-based reduction stage (6; 286). |
| US08443923B2 |
Vibration isolator device
A vibration isolator device securing a nonmetal panel to a metal frame of a work vehicle includes a metal member affixed to a surface of the nonmetal panel, the metal member facing the metal frame. An isolator mount plate is secured to the frame in a manner permitting a predetermined adjustment between the isolator mount plate and the frame in each of two directions. A vibration isolator is positioned between the metal member and the frame. A region of the isolator mount plate is configured to receive and maintain vibration isolation between the region of the isolator mount plate and the metal member, the region of the isolator mount plate providing a predetermined adjustment between the isolator mount plate and the metal member in a third direction. |
| US08443919B2 |
Semi-sealed blast hole bit and method for drilling
A drill tool includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body, and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. A first sealing system includes a first annular seal gland formed in a cylindrical surface of the cone and a seal ring retained within the first annular seal gland and compressed against a cylindrical surface of the bearing shaft. A second sealing system includes a second annular seal gland formed in a radial surface of the cone and a Belleville spring retained within the second annular seal gland and compressed against a radial surface surrounding the bearing shaft. A set of non-pressure compensated lubrication channels are configured to supply lubricant to an interstitial volume defined between the cone and bearing shaft, the lubricant retained within the interstitial volume by the first and second sealing systems, the lubrication channels further supporting open air circulation through the bearing when the sealing systems fail and lubricant is lost. |
| US08443917B2 |
Insertion coupling for a boring rod assembly and a boring rod assembly
An insertion coupling for a boring rod assembly with at least two coupling elements is disclosed. The coupling elements include at least one corresponding tapered coupling face pair constructed to produce play-free clamping when pressing forces are applied to the insertion coupling. |
| US08443915B2 |
Through drillstring logging systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and systems for logging through a drillstring. In one embodiment, a method of logging an exposed formation includes drilling a wellbore by rotating a cutting tool disposed on an end of a drillstring and injecting drilling fluid through the drillstring; deploying a BHA through the drillstring, the BHA including a logging tool; forming a bore through the cutting tool; inserting the logging tool through the bore; longitudinally connecting the BHA to the drillstring; and logging the exposed formation using the logging tool while tripping the drillstring into or from the wellbore. |
| US08443913B2 |
Hook for electric power tool and rechargeable electric power tool equipped with the hook
A hook for an electric power tool is engageable with a carabiner comprising a hook end portion, and a gate member capable of opening the hook end portion. The hook includes: a base portion attached to a housing of a rechargeable electric power tool; an engagement portion positioned outside the base portion and having a first through-hole; a folded-back portion connecting the base portion and the engagement portion and having a second through-hole; and an outer abutment portion formed between the first and second through-holes and configured to cause the gate member to be bent inwardly when the gate member is pressed against the outer abutment portion. The outer abutment portion is engaged with the carabiner by inserting the hook end portion into the first and second through-holes, while the gate member is pressed against the outer abutment portion to open the hook end portion. |
| US08443912B2 |
Hand-held power tool
A hand-held power tool (2) has a base housing (4) in which there is provided an operational unit (12) movable in a reciprocating manner along a operational axis (A) defining a first spatial axis (z) and spaced from a center of gravity (SP) of the hand-held power tool (2) in direction of a second spatial axis (y) which is perpendicular to the first spatial axis, (z), and further has a cover housing (18) which is held on the base housing (4) by decoupling elements and is fixedly connected to a main handle (24) and to side-handle connection element (28), with the decoupling elements having, in a projection perpendicular to a plane (Eyz) defined by the first spatial axis (z) and the second spatial axis (y), a first support device (19) which is located adjacent to the center of gravity and which holds the cover housing (18) on the base housing (4) so as to be displaceable along and pivotal in direction of the first spatial axis (z). |
| US08443909B2 |
Insulated fire shutter
A fire shutter adapted to close off an area comprises a shutter curtain movable from an up position to a closed position, wherein the shutter curtain closes off the area when in the closed position, and at least one retractable guide, movable from a retracted position to an extended position and having a camber. The shutter curtain engages the at least one retractable guide as the shutter curtain moves from the up position toward the closed position, biasing the at least one retractable guide to the retracted position, and in the closed position the shutter curtain engages the camber and allows the at least one retractable guide to move to the extended position. The shutter curtain can also comprise front slats and rear slats, and an insulation package can be deployable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position within a space between the front slats and the rear slats. |
| US08443907B2 |
Apparatus and method for sealing portions of a wellbore
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation includes: a carrier configured to be deployed in the borehole; and a sealing device including at least one deformable element disposed at the carrier, the deformable element configured to have a first position and a second position, the first position forming a void in the sealing device configured to retain a flowable sealing material therein, the second position causing the void to be in flowable communication with leak paths formed in at least one of the sealing device and the borehole. |
| US08443906B2 |
Tools and methods useful with wellbore reverse circulation
A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method. |
| US08443905B2 |
Re-latch mechanism for wellbore liner system
A tool for releaseably coupling a first tubing to a second tubing in a wellbore has a tubular mandrel configured to couple to and be carried into the wellbore by the first tubing. A collet ring is in an interior of the mandrel and has a plurality of collets to engage the second tubing. A releasing piston is carried in the interior of the mandrel to change between supporting the collet ring such that the collets can release from the profile and allowing the collet ring to lock such that the collets are locked in the profile. |
| US08443894B2 |
Anchor/shifting tool with sequential shift then release functionality
The tool can run in and latch another tool such as a ball valve into a packer, for example. It has the capability of operating the valve while still engaged to the valve housing. Once the valve is operated and released a pressure test can be conducted while the tool is still engaged to the valve housing. After that a predetermined applied force allows release from the valve housing without the valve shifting mechanism still engaged. In a different configuration the tool can be a simple pulling tool to remove the valve housing without shifting it. The tool has a rotational lock to allow release from a packer by turning to the right. In another configuration it can be a latch tool for a production string that shifts the valve as it releases when the production string is pulled. |
| US08443893B1 |
Cleaning apparatus for a wellhead assembly and method of use thereof
A cleaning apparatus for mounting on a wellhead of a well to spray elements positioned in a central passage of the wellhead. The cleaning apparatus may comprise an annular body including an inner surface defining at least a portion of an aperture through the body, with the annular body defining a fluid channel therein. The apparatus may comprise an inlet fitting on the annular body and in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a plurality of orifices positioned on the annular body and oriented to direct fluid into the aperture. The orifices may be in fluid communication with the fluid channel such that fluid carried in the fluid channel is moved through the orifices into the aperture. A method is also disclosed, and a wellhead assembly including the cleaning apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08443885B2 |
Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods
Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a consolidating agent emulsion composition comprising an aqueous fluid, an emulsifying agent, and a consolidating agent; and introducing the consolidating agent emulsion composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition may be introduced into at least a portion of a propped fracture that comprises proppant particulates and allowed to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the propped fracture. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition comprises a resin composition. Additional methods are also provided. |
| US08443884B2 |
Directional setting tool and associated methods
A setting tool for setting a well tool in a wellbore includes a setting mechanism which is operative to apply a setting force to set the well tool, and an orientation indicator which indicates an orientation of the setting tool. A method of setting a well tool and engaging an assembly with the well tool includes setting the well tool in a wellbore utilizing a setting tool which includes an orientation indicator, and then engaging the assembly with the well tool, thereby fixing an orientation of the assembly relative to the well tool. A method of azimuthally orienting a whipstock in a wellbore includes setting an anchor in the wellbore, the anchor including an alignment device, and indicating an azimuthal orientation of the alignment device relative to the wellbore. The anchor setting and azimuthal orientation indicating are performed using only a single trip into the wellbore. |
| US08443883B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting poor hole cleaning and stuck pipe
A method for preventing a downhole tool from getting stuck in a wellbore, includes: monitoring output of at least one friction sensor mounted on an external surface of the downhole tool; and if the output indicates a high friction condition, then reducing the friction to prevent the tool from getting stuck. A tool and a computer program product are provided. |
| US08443882B2 |
Wellbore centralizer for tubulars
A tubular centralizer is secured to the tubular for run in. The profile for run in is small so that damage to the centralizer is minimized during run in. When the string is in position the centralizer is actuated to change shape or volume to engage the surrounding borehole to centralize the tubular for subsequent operations such as cementing or in the case of screens for gravel packing. The centralizer can be a shape memory material that is initially compressed at above its transition temperature to hold the smaller shape. At the desired location after run in it is brought above the transition temperature and changes back to the original shape or volume to centralize the tubular string. The structure can be spaced ring segments or a cohesive ring structure with an undulating profile or radiating blades to create flow spaces in the annulus where it is deployed for flow of a sealing material or gravel, for example. |
| US08443880B1 |
Blowout preventer with shearing blades
The disclosure provides a blowout preventer (BOP) system with a ram having a shear blade with a shear blade profile to shear a tubular member disposed in the BOP. The shear blade profile can include a stress concentrator and centering shaped surface. The stress concentrator and the centering shaped surface can be laterally offset from a centerline of ram travel and on opposite sides of the centerline. An opposing second shear blade can have a mirror image of the shear blade profile with the stress concentrator and centering shaped surface reversed to the orientation of the first shear blade. Further, the ram can include a mandrel with a mandrel profile for the tubular member to deform around during the shearing process and to reduce an overall lateral width of the sheared tubular member in the BOP through-bore to allow retrieval of the deformed sheared tubular member from the BOP. |
| US08443877B1 |
Drilling rig with top drive and inside blowout preventer
A drilling rig with a top drive having an inside blowout preventer for drilling in a wellbore, the drilling rig having a derrick and a crown, a torque track suspended from the crown, a travelling block hanging from a cable, a drawworks for raising or lowering the travelling block, and a top drive with a rotatable stem suspended from the travelling block. The top drive has a motor mounted to the top drive housing and is connected to the rotatable stem. An inside blowout preventer with a rotatable stem is connected to the top drive rotatable stem. The inside blowout preventer has a hydraulically actuatable arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a tubular body having a tubular bore, and a valve operator assembly surrounding the tubular body. |
| US08443874B2 |
Heat dissipating structure and portable phone
A heat dissipating structure and a portable device are provided, which enable that heat is dissipated from a heat generating part without causing a user to feel discomfort. A heat transfer member is configured to transfer heat generated in a heat generating body and a thermal storrage unit is thermally connected to the heat transfer member. The thermal storrage unit includes a pack with stretching property and a thermal storrage medium which is filled in the pack and a volume of which changes with a change in temperature. The pack is arranged such that there is a gap between the pack and a first heat dissipating portion at normal temperature and the pack contacts the first heat dissipating portion when the thermal storrage medium expands with a change in temperature. |
| US08443873B2 |
Heat exchanger for vehicular air conditioning apparatus
In a heater core that constitutes part of a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a plurality of first and second tubes are provided through which heated water flows through the interior thereof, and fins having louvers therein are disposed between the first and second tubes. Further, the heater core is equipped with a first heating section, which faces toward a first front passage through which air from a first blower unit flows, and a second heating section, which faces toward a first rear passage through which air from a second blower unit flows. Between the first heating section and the second heating section, a partitioning fin is disposed for blocking communication of air mutually between the first and second heating sections. Additionally, the first and second tubes are arranged in parallel to the direction in which the partitioning fin extends. |
| US08443867B2 |
Casting method and casting device for cast-metal object
A casting method and a casting device for a cast-metal object which are inexpensive and have a high degree of freedom are provided to cast plural types of cast-metal objects simultaneously.A cast-metal object is cast by using a casting device (10) including a mold structure (5) for forming a casting space capable of filling molten metal; and a runner (1) provided separately from the mold structure (5) for supplying molten metal into the casting space in the mold structure (5) by connecting the runner to the mold structure (5), wherein the runner (1) has a dividable structure, and the mold structure (5) has an assembly structure of a plurality of members. |
| US08443866B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for movable partitions
Movable partition systems include a movable partition coupled to and movable along a track. The movable partition may comprise at least two accordion folding sheets of panels, a motor carried by the movable partition, and at least one electronic component unit configured to control the motor. The electronic component unit may be carried by the movable partition and disposed between the sheets of folding panels. Methods of installing a movable partition system include coupling an electronic component box to a floating door jamb within a movable partition. |
| US08443863B2 |
High temperature sheet handling system and methods
Methods and apparatus provide for imparting a controlled supply of gas to at least one Bernoulli chuck to provide a balanced draw and repellant gas flow to a material sheet; and at least one of: elevating a temperature of the supply of gas to the at least one Bernoulli chuck such that the gas flow to the material sheet is provided at the elevated temperature providing a stream of gas to an insulator substrate to promote separation of an exfoliation layer from a donor semiconductor wafer, and providing a stream of gas to a junction of the insulator substrate and any support structure to promote separation of the insulator substrate and the supporting structure. |
| US08443858B2 |
Edge banding machine
An edge banding machine has: a glue-applying unit including a glue container mounted on a mounting plate, and a glue-applying roller rotatable relative to the glue container; a transmission unit including front and rear conveying wheels and a transmission member connected between the front and rear conveying wheels for driving the glue-applying roller; and a feeding unit including two juxtaposed vertical rods disposed on the mounting plate and spaced apart from each other by a passage distance, and two elongate projecting blocks spaced apart from each other by a distance that reduces gradually in a direction toward the front conveying wheel. The projecting blocks are spaced apart from the vertical rods by a gap distance. A ratio of the gap distance to the passage distance is not more than 4. |
| US08443855B2 |
Pneumatic tire
Disclosed is a pneumatic tire including a straight main groove and two wave-shaped main grooves arranged in the center area of a tread, and diagonal grooves arranged in each shoulder area ranging from each wave-shaped main groove to the outer side of the tire, and extending obliquely outward from the wave-shaped main groove to a direction reverse to the tire rotational direction, the rotational direction being specified for the tire. Each diagonal groove is formed to have a convex protruding toward the outer side of the tire, and the extending end portion of the diagonal groove terminates in the shoulder area. Thus, each shoulder area is provided with a non-block pattern in which a land section continues in the tire circumferential direction. Thereby, the pneumatic tire has increased driving stability and uneven wear resistance while substantially maintaining good drainage performance and noise performance against columnar resonance. |
| US08443854B2 |
Sliding drawer card holder and extractor
Two components slide with respect to one another, and hold a stack of cards. A first component includes three members extending into a chamber formed by its C-shaped cross-section. When the components are slid apart, the first card in the stack is partially exposed. The card is pushed back past the outer members providing resistance to prevent the cards from moving while allowing only the top card to be pushed past the outer appendages to expose the next card. When the components are pushed together, a bump on an L-shaped component assures that the cards are aligned in a stack. The two outer members include tangs at their terminations that retain a stack of cards within the chamber and prevent them from sliding past. Between the outer members, a central spring extends in an angled configuration into the chamber and presses against the cards and frictionally retains them in position within the chamber. |
| US08443852B2 |
Tyre inflation/deflation device
A device (1) for effecting automatic nitrogen filling, or nitrogen-for-air substitution, for the simultaneous inflation/deflation of a plurality of vehicle tires, comprising multiple controllers (17) corresponding to the number of tires to be inflated/deflated, each having an individual display (8), a pressure sensor (9), an inflation valve (4) and a deflation valve (11), whereby multiple vehicle tires may be inflated/deflated simultaneously, with user input interfaces (10) for pressure setting adjustments. |
| US08443849B2 |
Apparatus and method for draining irrigation systems
An irrigation system draining apparatus adapted for use with an irrigation system having a conduit with a fluid source connection, an air inlet, and at least one output port, the apparatus includes a suction device. The suction device has an input port that is adapted to access an interior of the conduit, and to drain fluid from the conduit by suction when the fluid source connection is closed and the air inlet is open. A method of draining an irrigation system includes closing a fluid source connection for the irrigation system, opening an air inlet of the irrigation system, and using a suction device to drain fluid from the irrigation system conduit through the one output port. |
| US08443843B2 |
Air-oil separator
The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component. |
| US08443840B2 |
Excessive pressure release valve and release valve unit having the release valve
Provided is a small, simple-structured, homogeneous and mass-producible excessive pressure release valve which works even at a relatively low excessive pressure to surely and safely release the pressure to the external world. The excessive pressure release valve has an elastic rubber plate and a reversibly openable slit that passes through the upper and the lower surfaces and release the pressure to the external world when the internal excessive pressure stressing on the lower side surface, pushes and opens the slit toward upper surface side. The elastic rubber plate is made of silicone rubber containing 1-20% by mass of silicone oil. |
| US08443838B1 |
Refrigerant control valves
A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels. |
| US08443836B2 |
Ventilating apparatus
This invention discloses a ventilating apparatus which has a configuration extending along a first axis, a second axis and a third axis. The first axis, the second axis and the third axis are orthogonal to each other. The ventilating apparatus includes a main body, a tail pipe and an airtight sealing material. The main body made of porous ceramics having an outer surface. The main body has a head end and a tail end disposed along the second axis, a first aperture passing therethrough along the first axis near the head end of the main body, and a first air orifice extending along the second axis. The tail pipe has a second aperture which is connected to the first aperture of the main body. The airtight sealing material covering the outer surface of the main body with the first aperture exposed. |
| US08443835B2 |
Microfluidic structure and method of measurement and/or positioning of a volume of a liquid
A measurement channel for use in a microfluidic system, particularly a lab-on-chip system, having a first end at which a first gas permeable but liquid impermeable wall section is disposed which makes available a gas conduit, and a second end at which the measurement channel is connectable to at least one fluid conduit and at which an isolation or cutoff device is disposed, wherewith in the measurement channel a defined volume is included between the wall section and the isolation or cutoff device. A microfluidic structure is disclosed having a plurality of fluid conduits, and further having a valve for selectively connecting and/or blocking the fluid conduits, at least one of which fluid conduits is in the form of a measurement channel. A method of measuring and/or positioning a volume of a liquid in a microfluidic system, by a measurement channel is disclosed. |
| US08443834B2 |
Nozzle check valve
A protection system for protecting a fire hydrant is disclosed having an interior, the protection system including a nozzle having a first end to be secured to the hydrant and a second end configured to engage a fire hose coupling, the nozzle defining a bore that is in fluid communication with the interior of the fire hydrant, wherein the nozzle defines a seat disposed in the bore; and a disc disposed within the bore and configured to move axially and rotationally from a normally closed position to an open position in response to an increase in pressure within the interior of the fire hydrant. |
| US08443833B2 |
Check valve
A valve is provided. The valve includes a flapper member. A barrel is coupled to the flapper member, the barrel having an interior volume and at least one movable vane within the interior volume. A shaft member is rotationally coupled to the barrel, the barrel having at least one stationary vane disposed within the interior volume. |
| US08443832B2 |
Sequencer assembly, system and method
This invention pertains to a sequencer for controlling the distribution of fluid input into a tank to at least two outlets using a plurality of cells connected to actuate a respective floating outlet. Each of the cells has a relatively uniform construction comprising an enclosure and a float. Each enclosure has an inlet arranged at one end to allow fluid therein and offset openings at an opposite end. The enclosure also is configured to accept the float in an inner cavity and arranged so as to allow the fluid therein to cause said float to move within said enclosure. Each cell is further arranged in pairs of a lift cell and a trigger cell adapted to actuate a floating outlet. Each float has an inclined upper surface configured to transfer a ball through the offset openings as the fluid causes the float to rise and fall from each cycle of actuate a respective floating outlet. The sequencer being particularly adapted to a system and method for dosing a septic system having two or more disposal fields. |
| US08443831B2 |
Safety device for a high-pressure connector of a hydraulic device
A safety device on a high-pressure connector of a hydraulic device has a shield that surrounds the high-pressure connector and catches hydraulic liquid that escapes at high pressure. The shield has a housing surrounding seal-tightly a pressure medium distributor on the hydraulic device and has furthermore a protective pipe connected to the housing and surrounding a connecting nipple for a high-pressure hose conduit adapted to be coupled by a hose coupling. |
| US08443825B2 |
Faucet valve system
A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system. The valve system may include a housing having ports for receiving untreated supply water, supplying water to a water treatment system, receiving treated water from the water treatment system and supplying treated water to a dispenser. The valve system includes an automatic shutoff device that prevents water from flowing into the water treatment system when the dispensing faucet is closed and allows water to flow into the water treatment system when the faucet is open. The valve system may include a pressure relief mechanism that removes pressure from the water treatment system when the faucet is closed and a check valve for maintaining a desired amount of pressure within the valve system. |
| US08443821B2 |
Method for determining the path and pressure wear condition of a valve mechanism and valve arrangement using such a valve
A method for sensor operating-state determination of a valve arrangement to control a process medium flow through a pipeline having a valve element, arranged such that it can move axially within a valve housing via a pneumatic actuating drive by application of control pressure, with the control pressure being measured and evaluated in order to determine the sliding friction during the movement. The valve element can be moved at a constant speed over at least a subarea of the travel movement, the value of which speed is measured via a position sensor system for signal processing, with the currently applied control pressure being measured at approximately the same time for signal processing via a pressure sensor system. The current sliding friction of the valve element can be determined as a measure of wear state from both measured values, by an electronic evaluation unit, based on a proportional drive force expressed by the control pressure which occurs when the valve element is traveling at a constant speed. |
| US08443812B2 |
Smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery
The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article. |
| US08443810B2 |
Methods of reducing mucus in airways
This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung. |
| US08443809B2 |
Lubricated condom
A condom, including a non-porous sheath member, having an open end and a rounded end, and shaped to cover the glans and body portion of a penis, and at least one rib having at least one outer portion and at least one inner portion, wherein the at least one outer portion is attachedly fixed to said non-porous sheath member, and wherein an inner cylinder formed by at the at least one inner portion is exclusive from said non-porous sheath member, and including at least one lubricant within the inner cylinder and at least one hole extending from the inner cylinder through the outer portion to provide for flow of the lubricant outwardly from the inner cylinder through the at least one hole pursuant to application of a predetermined pressure, wherein the at least one rib extends at least one of substantially from the open end to the closed end and substantially about a circumference of the non-porous sheath member. |
| US08443806B2 |
Face piece seal check device
A sealing device for positive pressure testing is attached to a respirator face mask and includes an outer frame integrally joined to a movable cap by a flexible link that biases the cap in an open position for the operational use of the face mask against a manually applied force to move the cap to a sealed position for the positive pressure testing to assure the proper fit of the face mask on the wearer. The method for positive pressure testing includes flexibly moving the sealing device from the open position to the sealing position such that the sealing surface of the cap seals the exhalation valve assembly closed. The wearer then exhales into the mask to test the seal of the mask. When the test is completed, the sealing device is released and the inherent biasing force moves the cap from the sealing position to the open position. |
| US08443804B2 |
Adjustable volume manual resuscitation bag assembly
An adjustable volume control manual resuscitation bag assembly includes a resuscitation bag, a volume control knob, a traction assembly operating in response to adjustment of the control knob, and a follower assembly including a bag compression limiting member and a follower which are moved in response to operation of the traction assembly to adjust and limit the volume of gas delivered by compression of the bag. |
| US08443803B2 |
Respiration bag
A collapsible respiration bag assembly is disclosed and includes a flexible hollow body longitudinally extending about a longitudinal axis thereof between an air intake end and an air outlet end and formed with at least three annular folds. A patient valve is fitted at the outlet end and includes a face mask coupler transversing the longitudinal axis. An intake valve assembly is also included and a face mask fitted with a face engaging rim, a dome portion and a valve coupler detachably connectable to the face mask coupler. The dome portion of the face mask is deformable between an operative, concave position and a convex stowing position, where the dome portion is inverted and where the valve coupler is detached from the face mask coupler. The assembly is configurable between at least one extended, operative position and a fully collapsed stowed position where the annular fold zones at least partially overlap. |
| US08443802B2 |
Apparatus for deploying oxygen masks
An apparatus for deploying oxygen masks that includes a pre-packaged modular system that does not require manual repacking of oxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The cartridge is for use with a manifold having a passageway in fluid communication with a source of breathable gas. The cartridge includes an end wall, a sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening. A flexible member defines a chamber inside the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold. The flexible member has an outlet. A mask assembly is disposed inside the cartridge. The mask assembly has a hose coupled to the outlet of the flexible member. A cover is removably attached to the distal end of the at least one side wall. |
| US08443800B2 |
Method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus
Several methods and a system for a method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of safety of a building structure includes safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus by enclosing the breathable air apparatus in a secure chamber of a fill site of the emergency support system of the building structure to provide a safe placement to supply the breathable air to the breathable air apparatus. The method may include ensuring that a prescribed pressure of the emergency support system maintains within a threshold range of the prescribed pressure by including a valve of the emergency support system to prevent leakage of breathable air from the emergency support system. |
| US08443799B2 |
Dry powder inhalation system for transpulmonary administration
A dry powder inhalation system suitable for transpulmonary administration characterized by using a combination of: (1) A vessel housing a freeze-dried composition that contains a single dose of an active ingredient, and has: (i) a non-powder cake-like form, (ii) a disintegration index of 0.015 or more, and (iii) a property of becoming fine particles having a mean particle diameter of 10 microns or less or a fine particle fraction of 10% or more upon receipt of an air impact having an air speed of at least 1 m/sec and an air flow rate of at least 17 ml/sec; and (2) A device capable of applying said air impact to the freeze-dried composition in said vessel and for discharging the powder-form freeze-dried composition that has been made into fine particles. |
| US08443798B2 |
Inhaler
An inhaler is disclosed. It comprises a housing to receive a strip of blisters each having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and, an actuator operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member. The actuator is also operable to cause the blister piercing element to puncture the lid of a blister such that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it out of the blister and via the mouthpiece into the user's airway. |
| US08443797B2 |
Apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method of the same
An apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method for the same includes an elongated body insertable orally into a patient. The elongated body defines leading and trailing ends. An opening is defined through the leading and trailing ends, such that surgical equipment may be insertable through the opening of the elongated body. A securing member is connected to the trailing end. The securing member holds the elongated body in a position such that an airway remains open to treat the patient, while supporting oxygen flow to the patient. |
| US08443793B2 |
Heating apparatus
A heating apparatus includes an elongated flexible envelope (4) comprising two sheets (6), (8) that are attached to each other along permanent side seams (10), (12) and along a permanent bottom seam (14) and a moisture-activated chemical heater (16) disposed inside envelope (4), wherein envelope (4) is folded over on itself and secured by temporary side seams (18), (20) and a permanent top seam (22) to form a continuous moisture barrier surrounding the moisture activated chemical heater (16) and wherein heater (2) may be opened for use by removing top seam (22) and unfolding envelope (4) by unpeeling temporary seals (18), (20) to provide unfolded envelope (4), wherein sheets (6) and (8) remain sealed along permanent seams (10), (12) and (14), but wherein envelope (4) now has an open top end (30). |
| US08443791B2 |
Dual feed-out archery cam
An archery bow includes a cam assembly rotatably supported at a pivot axis on a limb of the bow. The cam assembly includes a primary string feed-out which operates to feed out a length of a bowstring as the bow is drawn. The cam assembly includes a control system associated with a secondary string feed-out. The control system is operative, during the time the bow is being drawn and the primary string is being fed out, to control the effective length of a secondary portion of the string such that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the effective length of that secondary portion decreases and so that during a subsequent portion of the draw, the effective length increases. The controller thereby operates to modify the force draw profile of the bow so as to increase the amount of energy stored therein during the initial portion of the draw. |
| US08443788B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine is charged by a compressor such that for example only a fraction of the charge is supercharged for an operating cycle of the internal combustion engine and is supplied via a separate charging channel with the help of a short-stroke valve which is controlled by the camshaft after closure of the inlet of the internal combustion engine such that the suction/charging stroke of the four-stroke process is maintained entirely or partially. |
| US08443786B2 |
Fuel vapor storage canister, fuel vapor adsorbent for canister, and method of producing fuel vapor adsorbent
A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure. |
| US08443781B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes: a purge control unit causing fuel evaporative emission to be introduced into an intake passage to attain a purge flow rate based on a pressure in the intake passage; a fuel cut return rich control unit setting a rich target air-fuel ratio when returning from fuel cut, and feedback-controlling a fuel supply rate on the basis of the target air-fuel ratio, purge flow rate and intake air flow rate to attain the target air-fuel ratio; a fuel increase upper limit setting unit setting an allowable upper limit for an increase in fuel supply rate in fuel cut return rich control; and an actual air-fuel ratio control unit controlling an actual air-fuel ratio to a richer side when the fuel supply rate in the fuel cut return rich control has reached the allowable upper limit and the actual air-fuel ratio is lean. |
| US08443780B2 |
Low leakage cam assisted common rail fuel system, fuel injector, and operating method therefor
A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet and a low pressure space. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position. Injecting fuel via operating the fuel system may include operating the fuel system in a low leakage mode where the pressure intensifier displaces fuel at a low pressure, between high pressure injections. |
| US08443774B2 |
Camshaft variator device
The invention relates to a camshaft variator device for an internal combustion engine which includes a crankshaft and a camshaft. The invention includes: a first component which is rigidly connected to the camshaft of the engine, such that the rotation of the first component causes the camshaft to rotate; a second component which is rotated by the crankshaft of the engine; a third component which connects the first and second components to one another and which, in turn, rotates the first component in relation to the second component in order to vary the position and partial speed of the camshaft in respect of the crankshaft; and a fourth component which is used to impart a longitudinal and reciprocating longitudinal movement to the third component. The purpose of the device is to enable the opening and closing time and duration of the valves to be varied by varying the position and partial speed of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft. |
| US08443767B2 |
Air venting arrangement
An air venting arrangement for a liquid cooling system associated with an internal combustion engine has a shunt vessel, and a transfer conduit connecting a flange portion of the shunt vessel to the liquid cooling system, and configured to pass coolant between the shunt vessel and the liquid cooling system. A venting conduit is disposed in a bore of the flange portion, and positioned to vent entrained air in the transfer conduit, developed during a filling of the cooling system, to a portion of the shunt vessel, and reduce the time required in filling of the liquid cooling system. A compression limiter and fastener connected to the compression limiter maintains and positions a first and a second end of the venting conduit at predetermined locations to provide venting of the transfer conduit to the reservoir portion. |
| US08443765B2 |
Digital rotary control valve
A valve includes a body having an interior and defining at least one inlet passageway and discharge passageway. The valve also includes a flow diverter disposed within the body between the inlet and discharge passageways to receive a fluid from the inlet passageway in an inlet direction. The diverter is adapted to discharge the fluid to at least one discharge passageway in a direction that differs from the inlet direction. The diverter is rotatable to vary the discharge direction. According to one embodiment, the discharge direction is substantially perpendicular to the inlet direction. In another embodiment, a series of fluid passages are formed between the diverter and the interior of the valve body to permit a small firm or thickness of fluid to extend between portions of the diverter and the valve body, thereby forming a fluid bearing. |
| US08443764B2 |
Arrangement for the adjustment of equipment for a boiler
The arrangement is for positioning equipment in association with an opening in a boiler wall and has a rotation mechanism that rotates the equipment around a virtual rotation axis that lies within the outer wall of the boiler. During the use of a liquor spreader for the introduction of combustible material, the opening of the liquor spreader is arranged in the virtual center of rotation so that the point at which the combustible material is introduced is retained independently of the angle of rotation. The liquor spreader is united either with a glide device or the guide in the rotation mechanism. |
| US08443761B2 |
Veterinary procedure table with scale
A veterinary procedure table includes an animal support upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. A sink associated with the animal support is adapted to receive fluid material that may be generated during the performance of the veterinary procedure and to direct the fluid material away from the animal support. The veterinary procedure table further includes at least one sensor for sensing a load disposed on the animal support, and a display communicating with the sensor to indicate a weight associated with the sensed load. |
| US08443760B2 |
Cat feeding enclosure
A cat feeding enclosure comprises a plurality of exterior walls enclosing an interior space, an entry opening for a cat to enter the interior space, a feeding area in the interior space for accommodating a receptacle for holding cat food, and an interior wall within the enclosure defining a circuitous path for a cat to walk along from the entry opening to access the feeding area. The entry opening is preferably no larger than necessary to accommodate passage of a large size cat therethrough. The circuitous path has a plurality of sharp turns to prevent a dog from following the circuitous path from the entry opening to the feeding area. |
| US08443756B2 |
Showerhead electrodes and showerhead electrode assemblies having low-particle performance for semiconductor material processing apparatuses
Showerhead electrodes for a semiconductor material processing apparatus are disclosed. An embodiment of the showerhead electrodes includes top and bottom electrodes bonded to each other. The top electrode includes one or more plenums. The bottom electrode includes a plasma-exposed bottom surface and a plurality of gas holes in fluid communication with the plenum. Showerhead electrode assemblies including a showerhead electrode flexibly suspended from a top plate are also disclosed. The showerhead electrode assemblies can be in fluid communication with temperature-control elements spatially separated from the showerhead electrode to control the showerhead electrode temperature. Methods of processing substrates in plasma processing chambers including the showerhead electrode assemblies are also disclosed. |
| US08443755B2 |
Paint applicator with vacuum regulator
A paint spraying system having a paint reservoir (16) remote from a spray gun (12) of the type which draws paint to the gun using vacuum (6, 7). A paint pump (14) delivers paint under positive pressure to the paint gun and a paint regulator (28) in or associated with the paint gun delivers the paint to the gun as drawn by vacuum by the gun through the regulator. An over-pressure relief valve (70) may be used to limit the positive pressure delivered by the pump. A mechanical switch may be used to select a SPRAY or CLEAN mode for the operation of the paint regulator to allow flushing of the paint regulator. |
| US08443751B2 |
Motor vehicle display
A motor vehicle display with a first indicator and a first dial in which an average fuel consumption is indicated on the first dial by the first indicator. There is a second dial and the first indicator, in conjunction with the second dial, indicates a distance which can still be covered with the amount in the vehicle tank, wherein the second dial is followed automatically. |
| US08443748B2 |
Docking aid apparatus with utility implement
This invention is for a docking aid to help dock a boat to a docking post, or to pull a boat closer to the shore. It comprises of a shaft and a tensile member. The tensile member may pass through the shaft and form one or more loops at the ends of the shaft. One loop may be used to dock to a docking pole, while a second loop may be used as a handle to pull, or to loop around another docking element. At least one loop may have a utility implement with an attached tool. This tool may be used to grab a docking post from a boat, to grab an inbound boat from a dock, to pull closer to a second boat, or to grab objects out of the water that may have fallen overboard. The docking aid may also be floatable. |
| US08443747B1 |
Mooring pendant apparatus
A releasable mooring pendant apparatus that can be coupled or decoupled to a boat. The apparatus comprising of a pair of clips, one at each end of a rod, with each clip comprising hook and ring sections, and an opening therebetween defining a mouth. A movable arm placed under tension to biasly maintain each clip in a closed position, and each clip may only be opened upon activation through the intermedium of a functional retractor lever by a boater pulling on a cable, wherein a functional retractor lever causes a greater force on the movable arm such that the clip is caused to open. The mooring pendant apparatus operates as an extension of the boater's arm, and it can be utilized either by keeping the apparatus on the boat or leaving it connected to the mooring line and also to the mooring ball. |
| US08443735B2 |
Vehicle and truck assembly
Truck assemblies, systems and methods are provided for transferring weight supported by various wheels, and axles. An example truck assembly may include a truck frame element, and a carrier coupled with the truck frame element. A bias may be configured to bias the carrier away from the truck frame element. An actuatable linkage arrangement may include a compliant linkage coupled with the carrier. The compliant linkage may pull the carrier against the bias in a first direction. |
| US08443734B2 |
Pivoting system for a chair
The seat surface of a chair of a chair lift can be pivoted with the aid of a pivot mechanism. Thus, the seat surface can, while a passenger is sitting thereon, be pivoted in such a way that it extends so as to descend, or descend more markedly, toward the rear edge of the seat part. Passengers enter automatically, and independently of their size and sitting position on the chair, into a stronger, stable back position, thereby reliably counteracting slipping in the direction of the front edge of the seat part and thus slipping-through between the seat surface and transverse hoop. |
| US08443728B2 |
Impact fuze for a high-spin self-destructing device
A fuze includes a shell, a plunger a firing pin unit, a spring, a receptacle, a plurality of detents, a detonation unit and a restraint unit. The plunger is movably provided in the shell. The firing pin unit is movably provided in the shell, in the vicinity of the plunger. The spring is compressed between the plunger and the firing pin unit. The receptacle is provided in the shell and movably connected to the firing pin unit. The detents are movably provided between the firing pin unit and the receptacle. The detonation unit is movably provided in the receptacle opposite to the detents. The restraint unit is provided in the shell and movably connected to the detonation unit. |
| US08443725B2 |
Method of perforating a web
Methods of perforating a web substrate are disclosed that include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques. |
| US08443722B2 |
Cooking rack accessory
A cooking rack accessory for steaming food and a method thereof. The cooking rack accessory comprises of a support frame that includes a toroidal fluid reservoir configured to store a fluid. A manifold is disposed above the fluid reservoir and is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. A toroidal steam chamber is disposed above the manifold and is in fluid communication with the manifold and the fluid reservoir. A plurality of coupling members is coupled to the support frame and configured to selectably couple to a cooking rack. The coupling members are elongated members extending from the fluid reservoir and arch over a cooking rack. A plurality of steam apertures is disposed through the steam chamber to release steam. A selectably sealable fill aperture includes a spout member coupled to a funnel member, which is all in fluid communication with each other and with the fluid reservoir. |
| US08443719B2 |
Root beer float strainer and method of reducing foam
A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of the beverage container. At least one of the bottom and side sections is liquid permeable, and the bottom section and side section are separately or collectively capable of retaining ice pieces when the strainer is in the container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container. |
| US08443717B2 |
Capsule for preparing drinks
A capsule for preparing drinks by passing a liquid through a powdered substance (9) contained in a chamber (8) made in the capsule (1). The chamber (8) is delimited on at least one side by at least one filter element (7) having a plurality of through-holes (12) extending from a first face (13) of the filter element (7) facing the inside of the chamber (8), to a second face (14) of the filter element (7). At least at the first face (13), the through-holes (12) have inlet sections (15) extending according to a main trajectory of extension and each having a length, measured along the main trajectory of extension, greater than their width, measured transversally to the main trajectory of extension. |
| US08443715B2 |
Piston-pin bore dimensions for a piston of an internal combustion engine
A piston with a piston boss in which a piston-pin bore is provided for accommodating a piston-pin. The piston-pin bore widens in the direction of a piston of a piston inner area with the widening above a bore axis with regard to a piston stroke axis, is less than the widening below the bore axis or vice versa. |
| US08443707B2 |
Self-contained munition gas management system
An apparatus is disclosed that is a self-contained gas management system (hereinafter “GMS”) that accommodates individual canisters of highly energetic small munitions, but is not so limited. By decoupling the gas management system for a given munition from an adjacent munition, the risk of downing a multi-pack launcher or munition adapter is reduced. Thermal wear, overheating, restrained firing and aft closure debris can be isolated through the separation of gas management systems. In addition, the GMS allows for ease of replenishment and maintenance of a given sub-cell of a multi-pack system. The GMS works with existing munitions and canisters without the need to modify them. Each GMS is dimensioned to fit the canistered munition it receives as well as the launch system with which it is used. The illustrative GMS comprises a plenum, and a first and a second uptake structure. The plenum receives the exhaust from the canistered munition when the munition fires. The plenum is fluidically coupled to the first and second uptake structures. The uptake structures in the illustrative embodiment receive the missile exhaust from the plenum and vent the exhaust to the atmosphere. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second uptake structures are disposed along opposite sides of the canistered munition, flanking it. |
| US08443704B2 |
Fly-cutting system and method, and related tooling and articles
Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties. |
| US08443702B2 |
Torque wrench
To make improvements in torque wrenches with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism and to provide a torque wrench that realizes more stable operation and is capable of highly precise tightening. In a torque wrench with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism, a solid columnar roller member 14 is engaged with a cam part 7 of a cam shaft 8 such that it is rotatably supported by a roller support lever member 12 mounted in a head portion 2 such as to be rotatable around a support shaft 16 and such that it is pressed against the cam part 7 by a spring force transmitting rod 18 biased by a torque setting spring. The roller support lever member 12 is configured such that the distance r2 from the support shaft 16 to a point of application of force of the spring force transmitting rod 18 is longer than the distance r1 from the support shaft 16 to the roller member 14. |
| US08443701B1 |
Open wrench
An open wrench includes a handle which is flat relative to a horizontal plane and a driving head is connected to the head. The driving head has a clamping opening with an opening communicating therewith. The driving head has two flat portions located on top and bottom of the driving head respectively and the flat portions each have an outer face, an inner face and a recess, all of which are located around the clamping opening and arranged in U shape. The inner face is located close to the clamping opening and the outer face is located close to the inner face. The outer face is raised, relative to the horizontal plane, from the mediate portion thereof and toward two ends of the outer face so as to define an inclined angle between the outer face and the horizontal plane. |
| US08443700B2 |
Tong assemblies
A tong assembly is disclosed, comprising: a frame having at least a pair of posts spaced laterally from each other to receive a tong between the posts, each post extending vertically and having a lateral stabilizing surface on a side facing inward or outward; and a tong stabilized in relation to the frame by the lateral stabilizing surfaces and by each post being received by respective openings in the tong that have a cross lateral dimension sufficient to permit cross lateral movement of the tong in relation to the frame by at least one half of the cross lateral length of the lateral stabilizing surface. |
| US08443699B2 |
Torque control wrench for both left-hand thread and right-hand thread
A torque control wrench for both a left-hand thread and a right-hand thread is disclosed. The torque control wrench includes a wrench unit having a transmission unit, a movable shaft engaged with the transmission unit, for rotating the transmission unit with external force, and a socket for receiving rotational force at a rotation speed changed by the transmission unit and tightening or loosening a bolt with the received rotational force, a handle for generating the rotational force with which the socket tightens or loosens the bolt, and a torque controller between the wrench unit and the handle, for controlling a torque applied from the handle to the socket, including a clutch for rotating along with rotation of the handle and thus rotating the movable shaft and, if a torque equal to or greater than a preset torque value is applied, rotating idly, and a clutch torque controller for controlling the torque applied from the handle to the clutch. |
| US08443698B2 |
Rotary indexing table
A rotary indexing table having a plate which has drivers engaging into a driving groove of a barrel cam is provided. The plate is drivable via a barrel cam to make a rotary movement about an axis of rotation which is in turn drivable by a motor to make a first rotary movement about its longitudinal axis. An additional drive element connected drive-wise to the barrel cam is provided which is coupled to the plate via at least one coupling element. |
| US08443696B2 |
Steering column with crash device
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, having a device for absorbing energy in the case of a crash. Such a steering column should be disclosed which is built in a structurally simple manner, produced with few individual components, and requiring no more space in the radial direction than does a steering column which does not have an energy absorption device. Therefore, an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle is suggested, comprising a) a steering shaft which is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis thereof in an operating element, said operating element having at least one first resistance element; b) a holding element having at least one wall surface, wherein the operating element in the assembled state of the steering column is arranged to be axially guided and displaceable, at least in the case of a crash, inside the holding element, and the first resistance element of the operating element is associated with the wall surface; c) wherein the at least one wall surface of the holding element comprises a crash element which projects in the direction of the operating element, and said crash element can itself be deformed by the operating element and the relative displacement during a crash between the operating element and the holding element, while dissipating energy, and/or the wall surface of the holding element deforms while dissipating energy. |
| US08443690B2 |
Speed reduction device for power seat
A speed reduction device for a power seat includes a worm gear, a helical gear, a casing including a casing body and a casing cover, and a motor fixation device. The motor fixation device includes a first fitting portion provided at a housing, a first engagement portion formed at the first fitting portion, a second fitting portion formed at the casing body and to which the first fitting portion is fitted, a second engagement portion formed at the second fitting portion and arranged to overlap the first engagement portion in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft of the motor in a case where the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion, and an engagement projection formed at the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in a case where the casing cover is tightened to the casing body. |
| US08443688B1 |
Method of learning an initial capacity point of a clutch in a dual clutch transmission
A method of learning an initial capacity point of a clutch in a dual clutch transmission includes identifying when the dual clutch transmission is operating in a steady state gear condition with a first clutch continuously transmitting torque to a first shaft. When the dual clutch transmission is operating in a steady state gear condition, a second clutch is sequentially positioned in each of a plurality of application positions (Pn, Pn+1, Pn+2, . . . , Pn+i). The second clutch is configured to transmit torque to a second shaft. The second shaft is positioned in a geared state in each of the plurality of application positions. The first application position (Pn+i) in the sequence of application positions in which the second shaft is not successfully positioned in the geared state is defined as the initial capacity point of the second clutch. |
| US08443681B2 |
Method and apparatus for visualizing contraction stress from curable materials
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method to use such an apparatus for visualizing the contraction stress from curable materials. Particularly, a simple test device has been designed and fabricated and a method of using such a device, which allows a user to easily distinguish the curable materials that can generate contraction stress in different magnitudes. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a simple and effective way to make the complicated contraction stress due to polymerization (curing or setting) visualizable and audible. |
| US08443680B2 |
Pipe reel load simulator
An arrangement of elements which are used to restrain and deflect a pipe specimen to a prescribed form with precisely controlled loads. A rigid frame includes a movable pipe bending form to which one end of a pipe specimen is connected and a rotating table to which the second end of the pipe specimen is connected. Means for assessing the drive torque used to draw the pipe specimen over the pipe bending form is provided in the form of a load cell. The rotating table is used in combination with a travelling pipe end truck foundation to generate a bending moment in the pipe specimen in the same plane as the pipe specimen is being bent by the pipe bending form. By the use of precise loads on the pipe specimen, computer analysis of the simulated reeling of the given pipe construction will produce predictions of the reeling tension, shear, and bending moment in the pipe at the point of the travelling pipe end as this point on the pipe approaches contact with the reel. |
| US08443679B2 |
Testing device with a drive, which converts rotational movement into a reciprocating movement of variable amplitude
The invention relates to a testing device for the static and dynamic testing of workpieces, comprising a first clamping device and a second clamping device for the workpiece, and a drive for the cyclical displacement of the second clamping device, wherein the drive has a rocker arm on which the second clamping device is pivotably mounted and the two ends of the rocker arm are connected in each case to a pivotably mounted link, and the free ends of the links are coupled in each case to a crank drive, wherein the links protrude from the ends of the rocker arm in the same direction in the basic position of the testing device. |
| US08443677B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing load-bearing capacity
In an embodiment, a hydraulic jack is provided having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion attached to a first section of a structure and the second portion attached to a second section of the structure. When a pressurized fluid is forced between the first portion and the second portion, a load is transferred to the first section and the second section by the pressure of the fluid on the first portion and the second portion. The first section and the second section are forced apart by the load, thus creating or enlarging at least one void in the structure. The pressurized fluid fills or partially fills one or more of the at least one void, thereby increasing the surface area effectively normal to the direction of the load in contact with the pressurized fluid. |
| US08443674B2 |
Ultrasound test device with cluster housing
The invention relates to an ultrasound inspection device for the inspection of tubular workpieces, where the ultrasound inspection device can be coupled to the workpiece by means of a fluid medium, the workpiece and the ultrasound inspection device can be moved relative to each other, a transducer unit substantially disposed in a cluster housing is provided, where the cluster housing includes a wear sole which is adapted to the respective diameter of the workpiece and which can be placed on an outer lateral surface of the workpiece and is configured such that a chamber forms between the workpiece and the transducer unit, at least one fluid inlet channel, which, with a fluid inlet opening, opens into the chamber, at least one fluid outlet channel for venting and draining the chamber, which opens into the chamber where the mouth of the fluid outlet channel and the fluid outlet channel are configured and disposed such that a filling process of the chamber and of the fluid outlet channel can be carried out starting on the outer lateral surface of the workpiece, and then in a rising manner. |
| US08443673B2 |
High sensitivity geophone
A geophone including a plurality of ferromagnetic masses (e.g., magnets) disposed to oscillate on one or more compliant elements (e.g., springs) in a manner that produces a steep flux gradient at one or more conductive coils is disclosed. The magnetic masses are positioned with like poles facing each other so as to compress the magnetic field gradient. The coils may be positioned in the flux gap either between the magnets, in close proximity to the magnets, or surrounding the magnets. Vibration measurements may then be detected from the movement of at least one of the magnetic masses. |
| US08443672B2 |
Low-power shock and vibration sensors and methods of making sensors
Sensors for monitoring shock or vibration of an object are provided. The sensors include a proof mass, at least piezoelectric device, and an electronic circuit connected to the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device generates a current when the proof mass imparts a force on the piezoelectric device in response to the proof mass being subjected to a transient acceleration when the object is subjected to a shock or vibration. The electronic circuit is at least partially controlled in response to the current generated from the piezoelectric device due to the shock or vibration. Embodiments of the sensor provide multi-axis sensing capabilities. Methods of making the sensors and flexible circuits are also provided. |
| US08443669B2 |
Servo accelerometer
A servo accelerometer has a pair of housings having a tubular part, one end opened and the other end closed with a closing part. A frame that supports a pendulum is held between the housings. A permanent magnet is attached to each of the closing parts with a bottom pole piece interposed therebetween. Coils arranged in annular magnetic gaps are attached to the pendulum. The closing part has a recess, and the bottom pole piece is disposed in the recess. The outer circumference of the bottom pole piece faces the inner circumference of the recess with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween. |
| US08443667B2 |
Temperature-robust MEMS gyroscope with 2-DOF sense-mode addressing the tradeoff between bandwith and gain
The current invention is a novel gyroscope design, which yields devices robust to fabrication and environmental variations, allows flexible selection of operational parameters, and provides increased bandwidth with minimized sacrifice in gain regardless of the selected frequency of operation. The gyroscope has a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) drive-mode and a 2-DOF sense-mode. The drive-mode operational frequency and the sense-mode bandwidth can be selected arbitrarily in the proposed design, relaxing the tradeoff between the gain, die size, and detection capacitance. The symmetry of the structure ensures the optimal location of the drive-mode resonance relative to the sense-mode operational region, even in presence of fabrication imperfections. |
| US08443666B2 |
Rate-of-rotation sensor and method for operating a rate-of-rotation sensor
A rate-of-rotation sensor having a substrate and a first Coriolis element are provided, an excitation arrangement being provided for the excitation of vibrations of the first Coriolis element in a first direction, a first detection arrangement being provided for detecting a first deflection of the first Coriolis element in a third direction running generally perpendicular to the first direction; characterized by the first Coriolis element being developed as balancing rocker. |
| US08443660B2 |
Device for determining a contact surface length of a vehicle tire
An apparatus ascertains a contact area length of a vehicle tire. The apparatus has a transmission unit which has a resonator and which is set up to transmit a sensor signal at a defined frequency. A change in the frequency of the sensor signal on the basis of mechanical excitation of the resonator is indicative of a contact area length for the vehicle tire. Furthermore, the apparatus has a contact area length ascertainment unit which is set up to receive the sensor signal and to take the change in the frequency of the sensor signal as a basis for ascertaining the contact area length of the vehicle tire. |
| US08443655B2 |
Method of controlling fuel composition learning
A method of controlling fuel composition learning includes steps of monitoring changes in airflow within an engine to determine steady state conditions. The method further includes steps of initiating a fuel composition learning process during steady state conditions. A current fuel component concentration factor is updated using a temporary fuel component concentration factor. The temporary fuel component concentration factor is calculated as the average of an air/fuel correction factor. Once the current fuel component concentration factor is updated, the temporary fuel component concentration factor is reset. The air/fuel correction factor is reset to reflect any difference that existed between the temporary fuel component concentration factor and the air/fuel correction factor at the update time. |
| US08443650B2 |
Temperature compensated pressure switch (TCPS)
A temperature compensated pressure switch (“TCPS”) with thermal lag compensation, trend indication, and forecast analysis. The TCPS has a first control unit, a pressure sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first pressure data, a temperature sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first temperature data, and a first storage unit connected to the first control unit storing: minimum and maximum pressure data corresponding to temperature data and rate of temperature change values. The first control unit can substitute a second temperature data, for the first temperature data for a period of time. The first control unit also outputs a first signal indicating the amount of material is acceptable when the first pressure data is above the minimum pressure data and outputs a second signal indicating the amount of material is unacceptable when the first pressure data is not above the minimum pressure data. |
| US08443647B1 |
Analyte multi-sensor for the detection and identification of analyte and a method of using the same
A multi-sensor as disclosed herein can include a substrate and at least three sensing elements disposed on the substrate. Each sensing element includes two electrodes separated by a distance and a nanowire mat adjacent to and in contact with the electrodes. The nanowire mats include nanowires which define a percolation network. The density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of one sensing element is different than the density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of either of the other at least two sensing elements. |
| US08443645B2 |
Bending method and bending apparatus for medical suturing needle
A bending method and a bending apparatus are provided for bending a medical suturing needle into different curved shapes by using one bending roller. The bending apparatus comprises a reciprocally rotatable bending roller, and a belt having such a flexibility as can be wound on the outer circumference of the bending roller. The bending method curves a medical suturing needle by sandwiching and constricting a material for the medical suturing needle between the bending roller and the belt and by rotating the bending roller reciprocally in the winding direction and in the rewinding direction. In the bending method, the curved shape of the material is changed by changing the winding angle of the belt to be wound on the outer circumference of the bending top thereby to change the area for constricting the material. |
| US08443639B2 |
Resistant mechanical combination lock and improvements thereto
A resistant mechanical combination lock and improvements thereto are described herein to include one or more of the following features: an improved combination change/set feature that includes a tumbler interlocking lever with digitated micro-fingers suitable for interdigitating with digitated micro-fingers on the peripheral edge of a combination tumbler ring, the tumbler interlocking lever and the combination tumbler ring sandwiched between a pair of outer gate rings to form a tumbler wheel assembly; a key stabilization feature in which an internal boss and a pivot recess together help stabilize the change key when changing the combination of a lock to help prevent “lock out”; an improved duress feature that includes a duress tumbler wheel assembly (that includes a duress lever) and an interchangeable microswitch; and/or a fence control feature that preferably includes an overcenter spring and trigger plate for controlling fence contact with the drive cam. |
| US08443638B2 |
Method and mechanism for attaching a locking mechanism to a pick-up truck tailgate
A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes. |
| US08443637B2 |
Internal rotatable lock cylinder
There is provided a locking system having a lock bar and a lock cylinder, where the lock cylinder comprises an outer tube, an inner tube and securing means. The inner tube is placed inside the outer tube and has an opening for receiving a part of the lock bar, and the inner tube can rotate between a first and a second position relative to the outer tube corresponding to open and locked position of the locking system. The outer tube, the inner tube, the securing means and the lock bar are dimensioned so that when the inner tube is in the first position relative to the outer tube, then the securing means are in engagement with the outer tube and the inner tube, and the lock bar can be brought in and out of the inner tube, and when the inner tube is in the second position relative to the outer tube, then the securing means are in engagement with the inner tube and the lock bar, whereby the lock bar is securely locked to the inner tube, while at the same time the lock bar and the inner tube can rotate relative to each other. It is preferred that the securing means is made up of a number of locking balls. |
| US08443634B2 |
Textile-based electrodes incorporating graduated patterns
Textile-based electrodes incorporating graduated patterns include a fabric portion having non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having electrically conductive yarn filaments. The electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor biophysical characteristics, such as the garment wearer's heart rate. |
| US08443632B2 |
Transverse row bushing support
According to the invention, a system for forming glass fiber from molten glass is disclosed. The system may include a tip plate, a plurality of tips, and a plurality of support members. The plurality of tips may include a plurality of rows of tips. Each of the plurality of support members may support the tip plate. Each of the plurality of support members may be located between two of the plurality of rows of tips. |
| US08443627B2 |
Method of making heat treated coated article using diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating and protective film
There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article. |
| US08443625B2 |
Krypton and xenon recovery method
A method of separating air in which a superheated air stream is introduced into a mass transfer contacting zone associated with a higher pressure column of an air separation unit. Krypton and xenon is washed from a superheated air stream introduced into the mass transfer contacting zone, thereby to form a krypton and xenon-rich liquid. The krypton and xenon-rich liquid is stripped within a stripping column to produce a krypton-xenon-rich bottoms liquid. A krypton-xenon-rich stream composed of the krypton-xenon-rich bottoms liquid from the stripping column is produced for purposes of further refinement. |
| US08443624B2 |
Non-Azeotropic refrigerant mixture and refrigeration cycle apparatus
Disclosed is a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture containing tetrafluoropropane as a high-boiling refrigerant and a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture containing tetrafluoropropane as a high-boiling refrigerant circulates through a refrigeration cycle so as to avoid occurrence of negative pressure in a low-pressure circuit.The non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is characterized in that a mixing ratio of a high-boiling refrigerant and a low-boiling refrigerant is determined so that a saturated vapor line where pressure is 0.00 MPa is not higher than −45° C. in a low-pressure circuit formed between the decompressor to the compressor. |
| US08443621B2 |
Ice maker and method for making ice
The present invention relates to an ice maker and a method for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator and an ice making method. According to an ice maker and an ice making method, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator. In addition, since a portion of refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator is used for making ice, no additional energy is required for making ice, thereby reducing energy consumption. |
| US08443620B2 |
Ice tray assembly and refrigerator having same
An ice tray assembly for a refrigerator is provided. The ice tray assembly is installed in a door of a refrigerator. The ice tray assembly allows water to be supplied from a water container to an ice tray only when the door is closed. To this end, the ice tray assembly includes a valve for opening and closing a channel through which the water is supplied from the water container to the ice tray which is operated in cooperation with the operation of the door. An inner space of a refrigerator main body and corresponding storage space is increased since the ice tray assembly is installed in the door. Further, because water fed from the water container to the ice tray is controlled according to the operation of the door, water is not spilt from the ice tray when the door is operated. |
| US08443618B2 |
Refrigerating and/or freezing appliance
A cooling and/or freezing device, in particular a refrigerator, upright freezer or chest freezer, includes an evaporator for cooling air, a blower for supplying the cooled air into the interior of the cooling and/or freezing device, and a first heater for de-icing the evaporator. The device also includes, a second heater, arranged such that during operation of the second heater, the temperature of the blower surface lies above the dew point of the air present in the vicinity of the blower, at least in certain regions. |
| US08443615B2 |
Systems and methods of dry cooling
A dry cooling assembly is provided comprising a supporting body of liquid having a temperature higher than ambient temperature, and an inflatable elongated tube at least partially submerged in the supporting body of liquid. The inflatable elongated tube has an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. The lower ballast portion defines a reservoir containing liquid facilitating ballast. The liquid facilitating ballast is warmed by heat from the supporting body of liquid such that the temperature of the support body of liquid is reduced. |
| US08443614B2 |
Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
Provided is a refrigerator with a dispenser assembly capable of sensing the height of a vessel and water level using a remote sensor by employing changes in electrostatic capacitance, in order to enable a user to automatically dispense water to a desired level regardless of the material or size of a vessel. |
| US08443613B2 |
Vehicle air comfort system and method
Systems and methods are provided for conditioning air inside an enclosure. The systems and methods may comprise: (1) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transfer fluid; (2) a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the flow tunnels for thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels; (3) an air inlet for receiving unconditioned air; (4) a thermal exchange assembly for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air to result in conditioning of the air; and (5) an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into the enclosure. |
| US08443608B2 |
Feed arm for a multiple circuit fuel injector
A feed arm for a multiple circuit fuel injector of a gas turbine engine. The feed arm includes an elongated tubular sleeve having a central bore with an interior wall defining an inner diameter, and an elongated fuel tube positioned within the bore of the tubular sleeve. The fuel tube includes a tubular wall defining an outer diameter, which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the central bore. A primary fuel flow passage is formed within the tubular wall of the fuel tube and bounded by the interior wall of the tubular sleeve, and the primary fuel flow passage circumferentially extends around the fuel tube at least once along the axial length of the fuel tube. A secondary fuel flow passage extends through a central portion of the fuel tube, and the fuel tube is configured to facilitate heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. |
| US08443607B2 |
Coaxial fuel and air premixer for a gas turbine combustor
An air/fuel premixer comprising a peripheral wall defining a mixing chamber, a nozzle disposed at least partially within the peripheral wall comprising an outer annular wall spaced from the peripheral wall so as to define an outer air passage between the peripheral wall and the outer annular wall, an inner annular wall disposed at least partially within and spaced from the outer annular wall, so as to define an inner air passage, and at least one fuel gas annulus between the outer annular wall and the inner annular wall, the at least one fuel gas annulus defining at least one fuel gas passage, at least one air inlet for introducing air through the inner air passage and the outer air passage to the mixing chamber, and at least one fuel inlet for injecting fuel through the fuel gas passage to the mixing chamber to form an air/fuel mixture. |
| US08443606B2 |
Enhanced steam cycle utilizing a dual pressure recovery boiler with reheat
An enhanced steam cycle utilizing a dual pressure recovery boiler with reheat. A dual pressure designed recovery boiler furnace is provided with a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace is operated at a lower temperature to prevent or reduce corrosion of the lower furnace wall tubes. The lower furnace can be either a low pressure natural circulation steam generating (drum) system or economizer. The upper furnace operates as a high pressure natural circulation steam generating (drum) system, or as a once-through supercritical steam generating system at higher temperatures and pressures permitting implementation of higher efficiency reheat steam cycles. |
| US08443599B2 |
Thermoacoustic apparatus
A thermoacoustic apparatus capable of reducing the time elapsed until an acoustic wave is generated and improving the energy conversion efficiency significantly is provided. In order to solve the above-described issues, in a thermoacoustic apparatus 1 including a pair of heat exchangers 41 and 43 separately set on the high temperature side and on the low temperature side, a second stack 42 which is sandwiched between the heat exchangers 41 and 43 and which has a plurality of transmission paths in the inside, and a loop tube 2 provided with the heat exchangers 41 and 43 and the stack 42, the thermoacoustic apparatus converting acoustic energy generated in the loop tube 2 with an acoustic wave generator 3 to thermal energy by using the heat exchangers 41 and 43 and the stack 42, a narrow portion 21 in which the inner diameter is relatively reduced is disposed at a position at which the particle velocity of a standing wave generated in the loop tube 2 is in the vicinity of a maximum. Furthermore, in order to reduce the particle velocity, a branch tube 2e is connected at a position at which the particle velocity of a standing wave generated in the loop tube 2 is in the vicinity of a minimum. |
| US08443598B1 |
Zero turn drive apparatus
A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and an input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing. |
| US08443593B2 |
Liquid-cooled exhaust valve assembly
A valve assembly may include a valve body, a valve member, and a valve shaft. The valve body may include an inlet, an outlet, and first and second fluid paths in fluid communication with the inlet. The first fluid path may extend axially through at least a portion of the valve body. The second fluid path may be defined by first and second annular walls and may at least partially surround the first fluid path. The valve member is disposed in the valve body and may be movable between a first position preventing fluid flow through the first fluid path and a second position allowing fluid flow through the first fluid path. The valve shaft may be fixed to the valve member and mounted to the valve body for rotation relative to the valve body. |
| US08443590B2 |
Reduced volume electrically heated particulate filter
A control system comprises an exhaust treatment system, an electric heating module, and an exhaust heating module. The exhaust treatment system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter and an electric heater. The PM filter includes M zones that receive exhaust gas of an engine and filter PM from the exhaust gas. The electric heater heats exhaust gas input to N of the M zones, wherein M is an integer greater than one and N is an integer less than M. The electric heating module activates the electric heater to heat exhaust gas input to the N zones to regenerate the N zones. The exhaust heating module heats exhaust gas input to the M zones by controlling an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas after the N zones regenerate. |
| US08443588B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
There is provided a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can favorably reduce a load necessary for cranking at the time of the next start, while preventing the fresh air inflow to a catalyst at the time of the stop of the internal combustion engine. A valve stop command is issued to an electrically-driven actuator so that the operational states of intake and exhaust valves becomes a valve closed/stopped state when fuel supply is stopped in response to an establishment of a predetermined stop condition of the internal combustion engine. Then, to return the operational states of the intake and exhaust valves to a valve operating state after the completion of the stopping operation of the internal combustion engine, a valve return command is issued to the actuator, and a crankshaft is rotationally driven by a predetermined angle required to return the operational states of the intake and exhaust valves to the valve operating state. |
| US08443582B1 |
Gas turbine engine with geared turbofan and oil thermal management system
A lubricant supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant lube pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear for an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed. |
| US08443579B2 |
Storage device for elongated articles
An apparatus and method for storing an elongated article, such as a light string or the like. The apparatus includes a hollow tube and an elongated sock. The elongated sock is fed onto the hollow tube such that end of said sock is in proximity to the end of the tube. In use, one end of the elongated article is inserted through the hollow tube and is pulled through the tube along with the sock. As the length of the elongated article is pulled through the tube along with the sock, the length of the elongated article is disposed within the length of the sock. |
| US08443577B2 |
Method and device for safe handling and removal of bodily remains
A portable device that can be taken to the site of biological remains is provided. The device includes means for holding and dispensing one or more types of sealable shielding elements within which to seal remains. The device also includes means to temporarily hold the remains while the sealable shielding elements are placed about the remains and sealed. The device includes means to hold one or more rolls of one or more types of sealable shielding materials to first protect the user and the shielding elements from sharps and then seal, including heat sealing, the body and/or toxic or caustic elements from the population before disposal. |
| US08443574B2 |
Intumescent thermal barrier from hub to tire
A door assembly has a door header mounted on a frame defining a doorway, a door movably supported on the frame, and a track including at least one supporting surface along at least one side of the track. The track is secured to the door header. The assembly has at least one roller that is adapted to roll along the track. The roller has a rim portion adjacent a hub portion, and a tire material surrounding the rim portion that contacts the track. The roller is at least partially covered with a thermal barrier between the tire material and at least one of the rim portion and the hub portion to prevent heat transfer to the tire material. |
| US08443573B1 |
Blast-resistant foundations
Blast-resistant foundations are presented that can be used to support a tower, a building, a building supporting a tower, and a tower supporting a building. These foundations can be transported to an installation site and rapidly deployed. They are comprised of one or more precast foundation blocks that do not penetrate the ground beneath them, do not require adjacent foundation blocks to be bound to one-another at their sides with interconnecting steel, and do not require the buildings and/or towers they support to use guy-wires. They can include protected cavities that contain utility equipment and supplies, and they can include conduits from these cavities that can be extended upward through one or more legs of a tower. |
| US08443571B2 |
Wind power equipment and assembly
In one example, we describe a method of construction and assembly for a very large wind power generator (or windmill or wind turbine unit), for sea, coast line, or in-land installment. In other examples, we describe the improvements on components of a wind power generator (or windmill or wind turbine unit). In one example, we describe a method of avoiding or minimizing problems with the weather forecasts or military radar interferences, for large wind mills or wind farms. |
| US08443568B2 |
Adjustable hip-end purlin
A structural connection between the upper outer edges of multiple structural members with one or more elongate connectors that span from edge to edge between pairs of structural members. |
| US08443565B2 |
Internal structural mullion for standing seam panel system
A standing seam panel system includes an internal structural mullion. A pair of panels meet at a joint and have standing flanges and detents. The mullion includes a main extrusion and a secondary extrusion, the main extrusion having an innermost portion, and a main hooked portion opposite the innermost portion. A secondary extrusion is attached to the main extrusion and has a leg hooked portion opposite the main hooked portion to form a pair of hooked portions, the hooked portions engaging the detents of the panels. Slotted holes are defined within said main extrusion, and screw fasteners pass through the slotted holes of the main extrusion and into a building substrate, wherein the innermost portion of the main extrusion is attached to a building substrate such that the mullion is adapted to move vertically along the building substrate to accommodate expansion or contraction of the panels. |
| US08443560B2 |
Concrete form block and form block structure
A concrete form block for construction of a building includes first and second panel devices, each having inner and outer faces separated by ribs. Projecting connectors are disposed on the inner faces and each has a pin-receiving aperture. U-shaped couplers are used to connect the two panel devices together so that their inner faces are parallel. Each connector has first and second connecting pins and these are received in the apertures of the connectors of the panel devices, with each pin being pivotable in its aperture after insertion. The panel devices can be moved from a collapsed configuration having at least a reduced space between the inner faces and an in-use configuration with more space between these faces. There is also disclosed a panel structure having upper and lower channel forming frames connected to an outer wall portion thereof. These form a channel for receiving equipment for utilities. |
| US08443558B2 |
Support system for solar energy generator panels
A support system for a solar panel comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive multiple solar panels. The legs each comprise a base, a plurality of shafts, and a support precipice. The support precipice is divided into two sides by a t-bar. The first side comprises a guiding wing to effectuate modular assembly of the support system. The second side comprises a beveled edge to effectuate secure coupling of a solar panel. The system is able to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or implements. The system is also movable. |
| US08443557B2 |
Tower base section of a wind turbine, a wind turbine and a system for mounting a tower
A tower base section, a tower adapter and a wind turbine having the tower base section and the tower adapter are provided. The tower base section includes a tubular side wall and a flange portion. The flange portion has an inner radius and an outer radius and is configured as a T-flange. The tubular side wall is located closer to the outer radius than to the inner radius. The adapter is arranged outside the tubular side wall and includes a bottom surface pressing from above on the flange portion. |
| US08443556B2 |
Wall clip and shim adapted for insulating concrete walls and similar materials
A stackable shim system. A first shim includes a receiving feature, an attachment feature, and a main portion having a first thickness. A second shim also includes a receiving feature, an attachment feature, and a main portion having a second thickness. The receiving feature of each shim is configured to engage with the attachment feature of the other shim such that either shim can be removably attached to the other to create a stacked shim having a main portion having a thickness that is the sum of the first and second thicknesses. The shims may be conveniently used for taking up space and/or accommodating for irregularities in construction materials. |
| US08443555B2 |
Roofing element of the type used in particular as a low swimming pool shelter element
A roofing assembly includes a panel configured to define a major surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and a frame including a first transverse profile attached to the first end of the panel, and a second transverse profile attached to the second end of the panel. A force-applicator is located between the first transverse profile and the second transverse profile. The force-applicator is configured to apply a force between the first transverse profile and the second transverse profile, thereby applying a tension force to the panel. The force-applicator defines a longitudinal axis displaced from the major surface of the panel, the force-applicator including two parts capable of being moved, one with respect to the other, connected to one another by a sliding connection controlled by a spring. |
| US08443541B2 |
Optical sight
An optical sight is provided and may include a housing having a base, a first post extending from the base, and a second post extending from the base. The optical sight may additionally include an optical element supported by the housing between the first post and the second post, a reticle displayed on the optical element, and an illumination system generating the reticle. A first actuation member may be disposed on one of the first post and the second post and may selectively control an intensity of the reticle by controlling an output of the illumination system. |
| US08443539B2 |
Rail contacts for accessories mounted on the powered rail of a weapon
A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to encircle the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The Weapon Accessory Rail Contacts provide the mechanism to electrically interconnect the power-consuming accessory with the powered rail. |
| US08443535B2 |
Emergency exit indicator
An emergency exit indicator includes a housing and a light source received in the housing. The housing includes two first connecting arms at top and bottom thereof and two second connecting arms at lateral sides thereof. The first and second connecting arms are connected with each other by four connecting units located respectively at four corners of the housing. Each connecting unit includes a seat and two engaging tabs extending from the seat. One engaging tab is engaged with a corresponding first connecting arm, and the other is engaged with a neighboring second connecting arm. |
| US08443534B2 |
Two-position tab
A tabbing apparatus is provided that includes a pocket and a tab element disposed within the pocket in a retracted position. The tab element includes an indexing segment configured for protruding from the pocket in an extended position as a tab and for being received within the pocket in the retracted position, an anchor portion attached to the pocket, and an intermediate portion connecting the anchor portion and indexing segment and configured for folding to allow the indexing segment to move between the retracted position and the extended position. The indexing segment is configured for displaying writing thereon for indexing a file. |
| US08443526B2 |
Robot compliance device
A robot compliance device includes first and second discs (12, 30) spaced along a first axis (X). A column (24) is interconnected between the first disc (12) and a beam (14) intermediate the first and second discs (12, 30). A compliance member (40) is mounted around the column (24) between the first disc (12) and the beam (14). First and second canted resilient plates (50) are interconnected between the compliance member (40) and the beam (14) and spaced from each other along a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis (X) and are at a first acute angle with and spaced from the first axis (X). Third and fourth canted resilient plates (52) are interconnected between the second disc (30) and the compliance member (40) and spaced from each other along a third axis (Z) perpendicular to the first and second axes (X, Y) and are at a second acute angle with and spaced from the first axis (X). |
| US08443523B2 |
Door lock locating tool kit
A door lock locator configured to attach to a door having a latch edge and to locate the door lock in relation to a strike plate. The door lock locator includes an edge wall having an edge hole locator, a first wall extending from the edge wall and including a bore hole locator, a second wall extending from the edge wall and cooperating with the first wall to attach the door lock locator to the door. The door lock locator also includes a strike plate locator coupled to one of the edge wall, the first wall, and the second wall. The strike plate locator has a protrusion that selectively engages the strike plate to locate the edge hole locator and the bore hole locator. |
| US08443521B2 |
Lockable folding knife
A folding lock back knife apparatus includes a blade having a tip and a tang portion pivotally connecting to a handle of unitary construction formed from a continuous piece of metal having an integral locking mechanism and integral locking end portion, the locking end portion proximal to the pivot hole positioned to stop the blade from pivoting past the open position and the locking mechanism having a locking bar integral with a support arm continuously formed between a locking end portion and a pressure pad end constructed and arranged to lock the blade in relation to the handle when the locking end portion engages the at least one tang notch and unlocks the blade in relation to the handle when force is applied to the pressure pad end in the direction of the handle flexing the support arm, thereby disengaging the locking end portion from the tang notch. |
| US08443516B2 |
Process for refurbishing cylinder rolls and bases for printing machines
The present invention relates to a refurbished cylinder roller and a process for refurbishing cylinder rollers for use in printing machines. More particularly, the present invention also relates to a process for refurbishing metallic gravure cylinder rollers by replacing the worn outer plating layers with an extruded and thermally cured electrically conductive polymer material, and thereafter electroplating new outer plating layers thereon, the new plating layers including a new printing image formed therein. The present invention also relates to a refurbished gravure cylinder roller which includes a core member extending along an axial length, an image-carrying layer having a printing image formed therein and arranged circumferentially about the core member, and an electrically conductive intermediate polymer layer arranged between the core member and the image-carrying layer, where the intermediate polymer material has a conductivity selected to permit electro-plating of the image-carrying layer directly thereon. |
| US08443513B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus which can achieve an improvement in throughput and suppress the reduction in the operation rate of the entire apparatus even when a problem occurs. In the disclosed apparatus, at the rear end of a substrate loading block including a loading/unloading arm for transferring a wafer to a carrier, a first, a second, and a third processing blocks are disposed in that order. In the substrate loading block, transfer stages are provide for transferring a wafer from the loading/unloading arm to the first processing block, for transferring a wafer to the second processing block, and for transferring a wafer to the third processing block so that the wafer on the transfer stage is directly carried to the second processing block by a first direct carrying mechanism, and to the third processing block by a second direct carrying mechanism. |
| US08443512B2 |
Electric blind rivet setting device
The present invention provides a small electric blind rivet setting device that is capable of being driven by a battery and that does not require a pathway for recovering the broken mandrels to be provided in the motor shaft. A recovery container 10 is provided in a tool housing 27 forward of an electric motor 13 in the axial direction, and a spindle 14, which rotates because of the rotation of a drive shaft 18 connected to the electric motor circumventing the recovery container, is connected so as to move a pulling head (30) in the axial direction. The positive rotation, stopping of rotation and reverse rotation of the electric motor are controlled by a pulling operation on a trigger and detecting the position of the pulling head in the axial direction. |
| US08443510B1 |
Method for utilizing an electronic lapping guide for a beveled pole in a magnetic recording transducer
A method for providing at least one transducer including magnetic structure and having an air-bearing surface (ABS) are described. The method includes providing a lapping electronic lapping guide (lapping ELG) and a targeting ELG. The lapping ELG and targeting ELG each are coplanar with the desired thickness of the magnetic structure and have a back edge at the distance from the ABS such that the ELG back edges are substantially aligned with the flare point. The targeting ELG has a front edge at a front edge distance from the ABS corresponding to an intersection of the bevel and the desired thickness. The method further includes lapping the transducer and terminating the lapping based on a first resistance of the lapping ELG and a second resistance of the targeting ELG. |
| US08443508B2 |
Compound tool with screwdriver attachment
A punch down tool, a receiver for a punch down tool, and a work end adapter for a punch down tool, for terminating electrical conductors and turning fasteners, are disclosed. The work end adapter is adapted to receive standard tool bits and standard finned shaft tips. The punch down tool is adapted to receive standard blades and to receive the work end adapter. When installed in the punch down tool, the work end adapter rotates only with the punch down tool, and will not rotate independently of the punch down tool. The punch down tool has an impact mechanism and a lock-out button to prevent the tool's impact mechanism from operating. |
| US08443507B2 |
Method for forming a reinforced toolbox
A method for forming a reinforced toolbox includes the step of: injection molding step: injection molding a toolbox with plastic material; extruding step: extruding a protector strip with aluminum; cutting step: cutting the protector strip into a plurality of protectors; assembling step: assembling the protector with the toolbox. |
| US08443503B2 |
Automated toe adjustment apparatus using floating mechanism
The present invention provides an automated toe adjustment apparatus and method that includes a power nut runner, a vision machine, a robot, and a floating mechanism. More particularly, the power nut runner adjusts a toe by adjusting an adjusting bolt of the tie-rod assembly. The vision machine photographs the power nut runner to verify position information of the power nut runner. The robot engages the power nut runner with the adjusting bolt of the tie-rod assembly and rotates the power nut runner. The floating mechanism absorbs a shock between the power nut runner and the robot as the vehicle is shaken by the overall process. |
| US08443499B2 |
Concentric camshaft and method of assembly
A method of assembling a camshaft may include locating a first lobe member of the camshaft on a first shaft and inserting a locking pin into a first bore in the first lobe member and into a second bore in the first shaft. The locking pin may include a first recess extending into a first end thereof defining a first annular wall. A first retaining member may be forced into a first recess. The forcing may displace the annular wall in an outward radial direction and into a frictional engagement with the first bore. |
| US08443497B2 |
Transformation of a cremation container for display
A kit for transforming a cremation container into a casket for display comprises a frame and a canopy. The frame includes a head end section, a right side section, and a left side section. Moreover, each section has a top surface, a bottom surface and a continuous channel along the bottom surface. The frame seats over the cremation container such that the channel of the head end section receives a rim of an end panel of the cremation container, the channel of the right side section receives a rim of a right side panel of the cremation container and the channel of the left side section receives a rim of a left side panel of the cremation container. The canopy temporarily overlies at least a portion of the cremation container. |
| US08443496B2 |
Injection molded modular casket
A modular casket that is easy to assemble and can be assembled with few or no tools is disclosed. The casket comprises a number of injection molded plastic pieces that can be snap-fit together. The casket is relatively compact and lightweight and is conducive to shipping and storage, yet has sufficient strength for its intended purpose. |
| US08443487B2 |
Door closer with a braking mechanism
A door closer for doors, particularly glass doors, which are supported by a stationary support structure (S) and are movable between an open door position and a closed door position. The door closer comprises a box-like body (10) and a pin (20) reciprocally rotatably coupled to rotate around a first axis (x) between the open door position and the closed door position. Closing means are provided (30) to automatically return the door, as well as a braking means (40) acting thereon to counteract their action. First and second cam elements (31, 41) unitary with the pin (20) and interposed between a first and second plunger elements (32, 42) are provided. |
| US08443483B2 |
Wiper blade for vehicle window wiper
A wiper blade for use on a vehicle window comprises a blade hinge made of a hydrophobic, elastomeric material, a wiping lip and a blade body. The wiping lip has a tip that contacts the vehicle window, a wiping lip base adjoining the blade hinge, and a tapered portion extending between the tip and the wiping lip base. The wiping lip base is made of a hydrophobic, elastomeric material and a majority of the tapered portion is made of an elastomeric material that is not hydrophobic. The blade body includes a main body portion configured to secure a wiper arm thereto, and a base portion adjoining the main body portion and the blade hinge. The base portion is made of a hydrophobic, elastomeric material and the main body portion is made of an elastomeric material that is not hydrophobic. |
| US08443479B2 |
Multi-positionable manual toothbrush
A multi-positionable manual toothbrush includes a toothbrush body, a toothbrush head, and a spring capable of engaging the toothbrush head at a plurality of angles with respect to the toothbrush body. |
| US08443477B2 |
Autonomous cleaning machine
Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit. |
| US08443475B2 |
Method and device for cleaning teeth
The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled. |
| US08443470B2 |
Bathtub safety gate
The bathtub safety gate is a two-piece door fabricated from molded plastic and positioned to cover the front or entry of the bathtub. The door parts are mounted for hinged or swinging movement on the end walls of the tub. Overlapping members are provided at the mating ends of the doors to permit a degree of adjustability. Pins or other fastening devices are contemplated for locking the doors in closed position when not in use. |
| US08443466B2 |
Ear protection device
Various embodiments of ear protection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ear protection device can include a band and ear frame portions. The ear frame portions can include several components, some of which are configured to move relative to each other. The ear frame portions are coupled to the band portion. The band portion is configured to be disposed around the back of a user's head and/or neck. In other embodiments, the frame and fabric components can vary. |