Document Document Title
US08444300B2 LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a circuit board with a plurality of LEDs switch and a lamp base made of heat dispersing material. The lamp base includes a fastening pedestal. The fastening pedestal includes an accommodating member, a shell, and a plurality of heat diffusion walls. The accommodating member defines a cavity configured for receiving the circuit board. The shell encloses the accommodating member. The plurality of heat diffusion walls connect the accommodating member to the shell. Each of two adjacent heat diffusion walls define an outlet.
US08444292B2 End cap substitute for LED-based tube replacement light
Disclosed herein is a replacement light for a fluorescent tube usable in a fluorescent fixture. The light includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A support structure is disposed within the housing. At least one LED is positioned within the housing and is arranged on the support structure. A first seal has at least one aperture and is disposed within the first end of the housing. The first seal is configured to conform to an inner circumference of the first end of the housing. At least one electrical connector extends through the at least one aperture is and connectable to the fluorescent fixture.
US08444289B2 Combination headlamp and flashlight assembly and method of use
A combination headlamp and flashlight assembly includes a headlamp base; a headlamp head including a light source; a battery case, and a battery. The combination headlamp and flashlight assembly is changeable between a headlamp configuration and a handheld flashlight configuration. In the headlamp configuration, the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the headlamp base to form a headlamp, the battery case carries the battery, and the battery case is electrically coupled to the headlamp base for powering the light source with the battery to provide illumination. In the handheld flashlight configuration, the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery to form a handheld flashlight where the battery forms a handle and body of the handheld flashlight and powers the light source to provide illumination.
US08444288B1 Charger plate having illuminated members
A charger plate having illuminated members. The charger plate includes a base, a raised portion, a rim and a circuit. The base is positioned substantially at a center of the charger plate and includes a first plurality of light emitting sources (LES) that outputs light from the base. The raised portion is substantially opaque and circumferentially surrounds the base. The rim circumferentially surrounds the raised portion and includes a second plurality of LES that outputs light from the rim. The circuit may independently control color and brightness associated with the first plurality of LES and the second plurality of LES. The base may include a reflective portion operable to reflect light from the first plurality of LES. The base and the rim may include a light pipe each for distributing the light emitted from their respective LES. The circuit may be powered via power inductive magnets instead of a battery.
US08444283B1 Systems and methods for underwater lighting
An underwater dock light having an internal water cooling system formed from primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary mounting surfaces forming a chamber. Each of the mounting surfaces are each in thermal communication with a light emitting unit generating heat. LED circuit boards are mounted at an angle to produce a large diameter of light in the surrounding water. A light bifurcating structure causes a central portion of light to be a different color than the perimeter. The transparent lens has an opening and a latching structure configured to connect the transparent lens to the end of the transparent cover. A tire valve stem is located on the underwater light and is capable of removing or filling the underwater light with a gas. Antifouling circuitry automatically cycles the underwater light on and off multiple times during periods of non-use. Smart circuitry communicates and accepts commands by a user.
US08444281B2 Optical device
An optical device has a reflecting mirror using a particle-dispersed silicon material including silicon carbide and silicon. The reflecting mirror includes a plurality of segments joined to each other by reaction sintering. Producing the segments is easy in comparison with that of a reflecting mirror of one piece. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce probability of breakage of the segments and to shorten process time of production of a reflecting mirror.
US08444280B2 Magnetically deformable ferrofluids and mirrors
There is provided a process for the preparation of a suspension of magnetic particles in a polar carrier liquid. The process includes the step of: coating the surface of the magnetic particles with an organic ligand having a hydrophilic chain prior to the suspension. For preparing a magnetically deformable mirror, the suspension of magnetic particles in a polar carrier liquid is coated with a reflective surface layer. A ferrofluid includes a suspension of magnetic particles coated with an organic ligand having a hydrophilic chain in a polar carrier liquid.
US08444278B2 Projection display apparatus
A projection display apparatus includes a housing case housing a plurality of light sources, a light valve, and a projection unit. The housing case has a projection-plane-side sidewall and a front-side sidewall, the projection-plane-side sidewall facing the placement surface, the front-side sidewall being provided on an opposite side to the projection-plane-side sidewall. The front-side sidewall has a protruding portion protruding outward of the housing case.
US08444275B2 Light source control for projector with multiple pulse-width modulated light sources
A color projection display in which at least one color channel includes: a light source assembly including a multiplicity of pulse modulated light sources providing an aggregate light beam; a light modulation control subsystem; illumination optics to direct the aggregate light beam to an image modulation plane; and a spatial light modulator in the image modulation plane. The light modulation control subsystem senses an aggregate light intensity signal for the aggregate light beam and controls the pulse modulation parameters for the multiplicity of pulse-modulated light sources responsive to the sensed aggregate light intensity signal to reduce light intensity fluctuations in the aggregate light beam within the imaging time interval.
US08444270B2 Auto-phoropter interface and computer monitor filter
An interface for allowing communication between an auto-phoropter and a computer with visual acuity testing software. An adjustable filter for a computer monitor used with a computer with visual acuity testing software.
US08444267B2 Ophthalmic lens, systems and methods with angular varying phase delay
An ophthalmic lens, such as an intraocular lens (IOL), a phakic IOL or a corneal implant, and a system and method relating to same, having coupled thereto one or more rotationally asymmetric and/or non-continuous diffractive zones, such as for providing improved multifocal vision correction.
US08444266B2 Illuminated eyewear
Illuminated eyewear is provided. In one form, the temple arm members have all the lighting components mounted thereto including for each temple arm member a light, power source for the light, and electrical connections including a switch for providing power from the power source to the light. In another form, the cross-frame member has blinder portions integrally formed at either end thereof which are configured to block stray light to avoid glare problems. The blinder portions preferably include surfaces that are inclined to generally extend along the light cone generated by an LED light source mounted to the front end portion of each of the temple arm members. In another form, the temple arm members each have a recessed cavity formed in inner surface portion thereof in which the power source and switch components are received with the switch actuator mounted to the inner surface portion so it is hidden from view when the eyewear is worn for enhanced aesthetics.
US08444258B2 Method of supplying fluid to a fluid ejection head, fluid supply mechanism, and fluid ejection device
A drop in the throughput of continuous printing operations caused by refilling a subtank with ink is suppressed. The control unit of an inkjet printer 1 fills subtanks 11a-11d with ink whenever ink consumption exceeds a reference volume q during continuous printing. Ink is suctioned by producing negative pressure in subtanks 11a-11d during the ink refill operation while ink continues being supplied to the inkjet head 7 from pressure adjustment chambers 13a-13d disposed between subtanks 11a-11d and inkjet head 7. Ink ejection from the inkjet head 7 can therefore continue even during the ink refill operation. By setting the volume of the pressure adjustment chambers 13a-13d greater than at least the amount of ink that is ejected during the ink refill operation, there is no need to interrupt printing in order to replenish the ink supply.
US08444251B2 Scrapping unit and image forming apparatus having the same, and cleaning methods thereof
A scrapping unit and an image forming apparatus having the same, and cleaning methods thereof to improve a maintenance performance. The scrapping unit cleans a polluted member disposed in an image forming apparatus and stained by a polluting material. The scrapping unit may include an endless belt to circulate between an exposed position where a surface of the endless belt is exposed toward the polluted member, and a non-exposed position where the surface of the endless belt is not exposed with respect to the polluted member, and a belt support frame which includes a belt support surface to support the endless belt so that the endless belt can be unfolded in the exposed position, and a storing space to store the endless belt so that the endless belt can be folded in the non-exposed position.
US08444247B2 Liquid ejection device and liquid testing method
A liquid ejection device includes a plurality of nozzles, an ejection testing portion and a controller. The nozzles are arranged to eject a liquid. The ejection testing portion is arranged to perform ejection testing of the liquid from each of the nozzles. The controller is arranged to eject the liquid from the nozzles to print an image onto a medium, and to perform a flushing operation when printing on the medium is not being performed. The ejection testing portion is arranged to perform the ejection testing of each of the nozzles during the flushing operation. The controller is arranged to terminate the flushing operation in midcourse when results of the ejection testing for the nozzles are normal.
US08444242B2 Ink refilling device
An ink refilling device including a supply portion to be connected to an ink cartridge and supply ink, an ink tank, a first connecting tube having one end connected to the ink tank, a three-way switching valve including an input end connected to the other end of the first connecting tube, a first output end and a second output end, and adapted to switch between a first flow path from the input end to the first output end and a second flow path from the input end to the second output end, a second connecting tube having one end connected to the first output end and the other end connected to the supply portion, a third connecting tube having one end connected to the second output end and the other end connected to the ink tank, and a feed pump provided along the first connecting tube to feed the ink.
US08444237B2 Refrigerator with a door opening apparatus
A refrigerator of the embodiment includes a cabinet in which a storage chamber is formed; a door that is connected to the cabinet and opens and closes the storage chamber; and a door opening apparatus that is provided in the cabinet and opens the door, wherein the door opening apparatus includes: a push member that contacts a rear surface of the door and pushes the rear surface of the door by a rotation operation and a driver that is connected to the push member and generates power for moving the push member.
US08444236B2 Drawer pull-out guide
A drawer pull-out guide includes a body rail to be fastened to a furniture body and at least one pull-out rail slidably supported relative thereto. The rail is supported so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. At least one carriage having at least four load-transmitting rolling elements is supported between the rails. The rolling elements run on a runway of a rail, and the runway has a first substantially horizontal, straight guide section in the rear end area and a second substantially horizontal, straight guide section in the front end area. The first and the second guide sections are interconnected by a third guide section that extends downward at an angle from the first to the second guide section.
US08444235B2 Storage system
A storage system is provided comprising a rail mounted to a surface. A cabinet is supported on said rail. At least one engagement member engages the rail to suspend the cabinet from the rail. The cabinet is supported at an angle relative to the surface. An adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the position of the engagement member relative to the rail for adjusting the angle. A method of mounting a cabinet on a surface is also provided comprising mounting a rail having a flange on a surface. A cabinet as described herein is suspended from the rail by the engagement member. The adjustment mechanism is moved towards or away from the surface to adjust the angle of the cabinet.
US08444233B2 Electronic device with a resilient bracket
An electronic device includes a chassis and a bracket. An opening is defined in the chassis. The opening has a first side edge and a second side edge located at opposite sides thereof. A length of the second side edge is greater than that of the first side edge. The bracket is mounted in the opening. The bracket includes a pair of first hooks and a pair of second hooks at opposite sides thereof. A distance between the pair of first hooks corresponds to the length of the first side edge. A distance between the pair of second hooks corresponds to the length of the second side edge. The pair of first hooks is engaged into the opening along the first side edge. The pair of second hooks is engaged into the opening along the second side edge.
US08444232B2 Collapsible showcase
A collapsible showcase including a lower panel; an upper panel detachably mounted on the lower panel; a lower collapsible compartment attached to the lower panel and protruding outwards thereof; an upper collapsible compartment attached to the upper panel and protruding outwards thereof; wherein the lower an upper compartments are folded on the panel to which they are hingedly attached at least at one of their side walls. The showcase also has a collapsible base attached to the lower panel and protruding in a contrary direction from the compartments to provide stability to the showcase. The compartments may be divided in sub-compartments by dividers and the showcase may also include a shelf. When the showcase is folded, the collapsed compartments are located between both panels in a sandwich manner.
US08444230B2 Vehicle motion control apparatus
A vehicle motion control apparatus includes hydraulic pressure applying means for applying hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder side of any of plural solenoid valves, respectively arranged between a master cylinder and plural wheel cylinders, for the corresponding wheel cylinders even when an operator of the vehicle does not operate a brake operation member, motor controlling means for controlling an output of the electric motor to be reduced in accordance with a condition of a road surface when the hydraulic pressure is applied to the wheel cylinder, and valve controlling means for controlling the operation of the solenoid valve to increase an amount of the brake fluid flown by the operation of the solenoid valve before the output of the electric motor is reduced when the output of the electric motor is controlled to be reduced.
US08444228B2 Wheel assembly for trash/recycling cart
A wheel assembly that may be installed on, and removed from, an axle without the need for tools. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, at least one clip supported by the wheel, and a cover securing the clip in position. The wheel assembly is mountable on an axle including a circumferential groove and is retained on the axle by the extension of the clip into the groove. The clip includes an actuator arm extending away from the plane of the wheel so as to be readily accessible for actuation by one's fingers. Actuation of the arm withdraws the clip from the groove to release the wheel from the axle. Preferably two clips are provided diametrically opposite one another, enabling both arms to be actuated simultaneously in a pinching operation.
US08444227B2 Loose terrain traction-assist device for wheeled all-terrain and utility vehicles
A loose terrain traction assist device for wheeled vehicles includes a generally frusto-conical structure having a proximal portion with a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of a tire of a vehicle, a distal portion that extends outwardly from the wheel, and an outer surface defined between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The traction assist device also includes an attachment arrangement for releasably coupling the frusto-conical structure to a wheel assembly of the vehicle, such that at least part of the frusto-conical structure is adapted to engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle in loose terrain and to not engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle on normal terrain.
US08444223B2 Folding seat assembly having automatic seat cushion tip-up
A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which provides easy access to a third row of passenger seating and folds to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly includes a base frame operatively attached to the floor of the vehicle. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the base frame about a first pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A proximate end of a sub frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back about a second pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a folded position. A seat cushion is pivotally coupled to the sub frame at a third pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A first end of a link member is pivotally coupled to the base frame and a second opposite end of the link member is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the sub frame.
US08444221B2 Booster seat assembly
A booster seat assembly may be used with a bench seat assembly and with a seat belt assembly for each occupant. The booster seat assembly may support at least two child sized occupants and may permit each child sized occupant to access the seat belt assembly for self latching and self unlatching.
US08444220B2 Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat has a back frame, an elastic member interconnecting side supports of the back frame, a movable member on the elastic member, and a restriction on the back frame. The movable member and the restriction engage each other in a first mode when a rearward load on the elastic member is less than a given value and are released from one another in a second mode when the load on the elastic member equals or exceeds the given value. The restriction restricts a rearward movement of the movable member in the first mode to limit rearward bending of the elastic member. Rearward movement of the movable member is permitted in the second mode to release the limitation on bending of the elastic member. Thus, the vehicle seat protects an occupant's neck during a rear collision.
US08444216B2 Vehicle wiring structure
A vehicle wiring structure equipped with a pipe (20), the two ends of which are inserted into the vehicle through an electrical-load-side through-hole and a power-source-side through-hole provided in the floor, and power cables (40a, 40b, 41), which are inserted in the pipe (20) and connect a power source and electrical loads. The power cables pulled out of the end part of the pipe (20) inserted through the power-source-side through-hole (60) are restrained by a first cable guide (70) provided inside the vehicle and are wired to a power source connection part, while the end part of the pipe (20) inserted through the power-source-side through-hole (60) reaches as far as the position where the first cable guide (70) is provided. The pipe (20) is supported by a through-hole seal member (61) that has a pipe through-hole (62) through which the pipe (20) passes and that closes the power-source-side through-hole (60).
US08444212B2 Driver protection system for a vehicle
The invention concerns a driver protection system for a vehicle comprising a restraining bow frame (7) which is pivotable about a pivot axis between a securing position in which the restraining bow frame (7) secures a driver from falling out of the vehicle and a release position in which the restraining bow frame (7) permits the driver to climb out of the vehicle, wherein the restraining bow frame (7) in the release position is displaced relative to the securing position in the direction of the pivot axis.
US08444208B2 Structure for attaching mounting member to door impact beam
An attachment member has a first holding member and a second holding member that are oppositely positioned on a door impact beam while holding the door impact beam therebetween. The first holding member has a claw portion formed therein. The claw portion is capable of being elastically deformed by contacting the door impact beam when the attachment member is attached to the door impact beam. At least one of the first holding member and the second holding member is adhered to the door impact beam. The first holding member and the second holding member are bonded while being electrically connected to each other. The attachment member is attached to the door impact beam while the claw portion contacts the door impact beam.
US08444200B2 Retrofit tailgate damper
A tailgate control mechanism used to exert a force on a pivot. The tailgate may include a pivoting main body and a pivot fixed to a truck bed, where the main body may move about the pivot. The tailgate may also include a piston element including a first end connected to the pivot and a second end connected to the main body. The second end may be positioned above the first end when the main body is in a closed position. The piston element may also be configured to provide a counter force to balance the weight of the tailgate. The piston element may also be retrofitted.
US08444196B2 Console for a vehicle
A console is provided, in particular a central console for a vehicle, having a rail pair for the essentially horizontally displaceable accommodation of inserts of the console between the rails of the rail pair in guides of the rails, as well as a storage space between the inserts and the floor of the vehicle. For such a console, it is provided that the rails are implemented as freestanding brackets, the brackets at least being mounted in the floor of the vehicle, an essentially horizontally situated section of the particular bracket, which is distal from the floor, having at least one guide. Such a console offers high flexibility in regard to the storage space usable in this area with structurally simple design and may be advantageously used both with and also without the inserts in this aspect.
US08444195B2 Combination cot loading and fastening system
A combination cot loading and fastening system for loading and unloading an ambulance cot having a normal loadingheight of about 76 centimeters (about 30 inches) into an emergency rescue vehicle having a transport deck in excess of 78 centimeters (about 31 inches), the vehicle having an opening providing access to the transport deck, is disclosed. The system comprises a pair of tracks, a shuttle assembly to securely pull the ambulance cot along the pair of tracks, and a locking mechanism mounted on the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly is configured to position the locking mechanism a distance away from a second end of the pair of tracks and at angle below the transport deck of the emergency rescue vehicle, the angle ranging from about 10° to 25°, and the distance ranging about 22.8 centimeters (about 9 inches) to about 50 centimeters (about 20 inches).
US08444191B2 Removable automobile molding for dent and scratch protection
A removable automobile molding has been developed that is an extruded plastic assembly, which attaches to the sides or fronts of the vehicle using a flexible magnetic film and can protect any surface of the automobile from dents or scratches. The flexible-plastic, guard assemblies are sized for each vehicle to allow car doors to be opened or closed with the assemblies attached and can be left on the vehicle either temporarily or permanently. Theft of the extruded plastic assemblies is prevented due to the use of spring-loaded clips attached to the extruded plastic assembly, which attach to the edges of the door and cannot be removed unless the door is open. For some vehicles the theft protection assembly may not be required or cannot be attached to the vehicle.
US08444189B2 Door open/close system for a vehicle
A door open/close system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of door open/close devices 11, 11′ having a latch mechanism 14 including a latch 13 for engaging with an engaging member 12, a motor 16a (16a′) for driving the latch mechanism 14, and a latch state detecting member 21 (21′); and a control member 4 for starting to drive the motor of any one of all the door open/close device when the latch state detecting member of the one door open/close devices detects that the latch mechanism is in the half-latch state, said control member driving synchronously the motors of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device to change the latch mechanisms from the half-latch state to the full-latch state when the latch state detecting members of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device detect that the latch mechanisms are in the half-latch state in a case that the door of the vehicle is changed from a fully opened state to a fully closed state.
US08444186B2 Seal and restraint system for plastic pipe with low friction coating
An apparatus for restraining plastic pipe against both internal and external forces at a pipe or fitting connection and to join and seal at least two pipes to form a pipeline is shown featuring an improved restraining and sealing mechanism. The restraining and sealing mechanism includes a circumferential housing and a companion sealing ring which are received within a mating groove provided in the belled end of a female pipe. The circumferential housing has an interior region which contains a gripping ring insert. The sealing ring and housing are integrally located within a belled pipe end during belling operations. Either the exterior of the gripping ring or the interior of the housing or both are provided with a low friction coating.
US08444185B2 Flexible extrusion resistant ring seal assembly
An extrusion resistant ring that is radially expandable and contactable to accommodate the relative movement of two joined bodies relative to each other. The extrusion resistant ring in combination with an elastomeric diaphragm provides a high pressure seal for down-hole oil drilling apparatus.
US08444182B2 Water intake pipe of ocean thermal energy conversion power plant
A water intake pipe of an ocean thermal energy conversion power plant is made by connecting a plurality of connecting sections, and each connecting section includes a plurality of steel ropes between two flange disks and covered with a soft tube material, and each connecting section is in a cage form and fixed by the flange disks, and the water intake pipe includes a support, and the closer the connecting section to the sea surface, the higher is the load-carrying capacity of each steel rope, and the steel rope closer to the sea surface has a greater tension.
US08444180B2 Gathering data concerning publication usage
Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to publication usage by participants in publication readership studies. Some methods and systems employ portable monitors carried by participants of the studies along with publications fitted with various devices, such as piezoelectric transducers, RFID tags and others devices and circuits.
US08444179B2 Dual stage air bag inflator
An apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20) and is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing (70) and is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing (70) has a first portion (77) that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion (74) of the secondary housing (70) when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.
US08444178B2 Airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus is provided with at least one detent assembly each including a micro switch, a telescopic cylinder slidably disposed in the micro switch, a bifurcation for fastening the cylinder by attaching to the micro switch, a first rope secured to the micro switch, and a second rope secured to the bifurcation wherein the micro switch is open in an inoperative position; an airbag; a cover spaced around the airbag; sensors disposed in an automobile; and an ECU for controlling the airbag and the sensors. The airbag is surrounded and fastened by the first and second ropes of the detent assemblies. The airbag expands to close the micro switch and break loose when an actual accident event is sensed by at least one of the sensors.
US08444172B2 Stroller and basket frame of the same
A basket frame of a stroller comprises a connecting device connected between a front frame and a rear frame. The connecting device comprises a first connector having a first pivot part, a second connector having a second pivot part, and a torsion spring. The first pivot part is pivotally connected to the second pivot part. An application of a downward force on the rear frame deforms the torsion spring and causes the rear frame to pivot downward. A removal of the downward force causes a spring return to make the rear frame to return to a fixed position.
US08444168B2 Configuration of an electro-mechanical fifth wheel lock control unit (lock controller)
Invention patent application for one Lock Controller (1) made in a cast casing fitted with a closure lid (2) designed with a bearing for the solenoid (3) guiding axle (3a) and one micro-processed control unit (4), being said Lock Controller (1) installed in the free niche (C) of the bottom half of the fifth wheel (5) where the hole (5b) is made through the wall (5c) in order to allow the passage of the extension (1d) of the Lock Controller (1) and one hole (6a) made into the Locking bar (6) face coinciding with the wall (5c) limits the course and one safety ring (8) is welded or glued at section (7a) of the long rod (7), to limit its course.
US08444165B2 Guard bar and tunable footpeg system for all-terrain vehicles
A guard bar apparatus is configured to protect the legs of ATV riders, and provide a secure mounting location for shock absorbing tunable footpegs. The guard bar assembly provides for a pivot point for allowing rapid turns around fixed objects. The footpeg apparatus is configured with a cradle having a receiving cavity within which one or more elastomeric balls may be positioned to function as shock absorbers. A foot contact component is pivotally mounted to provide a foot engagable surface and an oppositely disposed biasing surface which pivotally moves against the balls within the receiving cavity to achieve a shock absorbing function. A travel limiting feature limits the travel of the foot contact component and may be utilized to preload the receiver cavity containing balls into compression.
US08444163B2 Bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring
A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted in the region of an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which are at least partially encompassed by the outer bearing shell device and comprise layer elements with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. In the region of a support surface of the transverse leaf spring, a recess is formed for each of the insertion devices in which the insertion devices engage in a form-locking manner. The insertion devices are each formed in the contact surfaces facing the support surfaces of the transverse leaf spring, having at least one receiving device into which, in the assembled state of the insertion devices, a region of the transverse leaf spring engages.
US08444153B2 Sealing of at least one shaft by at least one hydraulic seal
An arrangement (30, 80) for sealing a shaft (40, 60, 90, 110) in a casing (31, 81) by a hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) includes at least one essentially annular, radially inwardly open cavity (51, 71, 101, 121) and at least one essentially annular, radially outwardly directed sealing element (54, 74, 102, 122) which projects into the cavity (51, 71, 101, 121). To provide a hydraulic shaft seal, in which swirl and friction losses in the sealing medium are low and no leakage occurs, the hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) is arranged on the inner side (42, 62, 92) or on the outer side (111) of the shaft (40, 60, 90, 110) and the cavity (51, 71, 101, 121) or the sealing element (54, 74, 102, 122) of the hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) is connected to a wall (32, 82) of the casing (31, 81).
US08444152B2 Spring seal assembly and method of sealing a gap
A spring seal assembly includes a first plate and a second plate. One or more spring elements are located between the first plate and the second plate and compressible therebetween. The spring seal assembly is insertable into a gap between two adjacent components such that at least one of the first plate and the second plate at least partially block a flow between the two adjacent components while exerting a force on the two adjacent components to prevent vibration of the seal in the gap. A method of sealing between adjacent components includes at least partially compressing a spring seal assembly. The spring seal assembly is inserted into the gap and allowed to expand in the gap thereby at least partially blocking a flow between the two adjacent components while exerting a force on the two adjacent components to prevent vibration of the seal in the gap.
US08444147B2 Multiple mode card shuffler and card reading device
A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.
US08444135B2 Sheet conveyance device, and image forming apparatus and image reading unit including same
A sheet conveyance device includes a loading section, a first conveyance member a separation section, a first sheet length detector to detect whether the sheet is longer than a predetermined length slightly longer than a specific sheet size in the sheet conveyance direction, a trailing-edge detector disposed downstream from the separation section, a leading-edge detector disposed downstream from the trailing-edge detector a distance smaller than the specific sheet size and from the first conveyance member a distance longer than the specific sheet size, and a controller. When the sheet is equal to or greater than the predetermined length, the controller starts sheet feeding when the trailing-edge detector detects the trailing edge of the sheet, and when the sheet is smaller than that, the controller starts sheet feeding when either the leading-edge detector detects the leading edge of the sheet or the trailing-edge detector detects the trailing edge thereof.
US08444132B2 Spring loaded corrugated stitcher head and method of stitching
A stitching head is provided for stitching books or printed products. The stitching head includes a supporter and a driver. The supporter has a corrugated supporter surface including first ridges and first grooves. The driver interacts with the supporter and has a channel and a corrugated driver surface which includes second ridges and second grooves. The first grooves and first ridges of the supporter mesh with the second ridges and second grooves of driver and the channel supports stitching material between the corrugated supporter surface and the corrugated driver surface. A method is also provided.
US08444129B2 Methods of verifying effectiveness of a put of a substrate onto a substrate support
In a first aspect, a method of manufacturing a substrate is provided wherein an end effector mounted substrate is attempted to be placed, that is put, onto a substrate support, such as a pedestal or slotted support of a substrate carrier, and the effectiveness of the put is verified by a sensor associated with the end effector. In one embodiment, the verification takes place during the retraction motion of the end effector and is accomplished by sensing the presence, absence, or location of the substrate on the substrate support. The sensor may be a through beam sensor, and may be mounted on, coupled to or otherwise move with the end effector adapted to carry the substrate. Numerous other aspects are described.
US08444128B2 Double acting work support with internal sequence control
A work support comprises a plunger, a transmission member, a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a clamping mechanism, a plug, and a body. The plunger may be slidably retained within the clamping mechanism, which in turn is firmly held within the transmission member. The transmission member may extend and retract from the body corresponding to a pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber. Extension of the transmission member also extends the plunger such that the plunger may contact and receive a load from a work piece. The third chamber may be located between the outer surface of the clamping mechanism and the inner surface of the transmission member. Increasing pressure in the first chamber while decreasing pressure in the second chamber extends the transmission member and opens the plug which blocks the entry to the third chamber. Pressure in the third chamber closes the gap between the clamping mechanism and the plunger and applies a clamping force to the plunger.
US08444126B2 Holding and turning device for touch-sensitive flat objects
A holding/turning device for touch-sensitive flat objects, in particular wafers, with a distance positioning device which is arranged for holding the object perpendicular to the object plane at a defined distance, a lateral positioning device, arranged for positioning the object in the object plane and for rotating together with the object about a rotational axis perpendicular to the object plane, and with a rotational drive, coupled with the lateral positioning device, providing a driving force for rotating the object about the rotational axis, wherein the driving force can be applied to the object by the lateral positioning device. The distance positioning device is adapted for holding the object without involving contact, and is decoupled from the rotational drive in such a way that the distance positioning device does not rotate together with the object.
US08444124B2 Engine natural vibration frequency detection method, active vibration isolation support device control method, engine natural vibration frequency detection apparatus, active vibration isolation support device control apparatus, active vibration isolation support device, and vibration frequency detection apparatus for vibrating body
The natural vibration frequency of a roll resonance which does not occur since the engine rotation number is high in a normal operation range of an engine is detected at the time of engine start or stop when the engine rotation number is lower than the normal operation range, and thus the natural vibration frequency of the roil resonance can be detected with a good accuracy. A current is generated by an electromotive force of an actuator of the active vibration isolation support device excited by the engine immediately before stopping its rotation, and the frequency of the current is used to detect the natural vibration frequency of the engine, and the roll resonance of the engine is suppressed by controlling the operation of the active vibration isolation support device at the time of engine start based on the natural vibration frequency, thereby not only eliminating the need of a specific frequency detection sensor, but also effectively reducing the vibration at the time of engine start when the roll resonance becomes strong.
US08444123B2 Suspension system having active compensation for vibration
A suspension system for a seat of a vehicle comprises a base, a linkage, and a seat attached to the base via the linkage. A pneumatic shock absorber provides a respective resistance level against movement of the seat with respect to the base based on a corresponding pressure level of air or gas within the pneumatic shock absorber. A set of cylindrical members are spaced apart beneath the seat. A tension member is arranged to engage the cylindrical members. The tension member is attached to the seat via a bracket. An electric motor is capable of driving one of the cylindrical members. A first sensor is arranged to detect first sensor data associated with an instantaneous position of the seat versus time. A controller generates a first control signal for the electric motor to change a height of the seat in opposition to a change in the instantaneous position of the seat and a second control signal to change the pressure level.
US08444119B2 Carburetor
A carburetor has a housing and an intake passage section disposed in the housing. A throttle element is arranged in the intake passage section and a choke element is arranged in the intake passage section upstream of the throttle element. At least one fuel opening opens downstream of the choke element into the intake passage section. A fuel valve controls a fuel quantity supplied to the at least one fuel opening. At least one auxiliary fuel port opens upstream of the choke element into the intake passage section.
US08444112B2 Locking Y-valve
A locking Y-valve has branches that can be independently locked open or locked closed. Each branch has a ball valve connected to a rotating valve column. The valve column extends through a lock plate and attaches to a housing that contains a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a retractable lock pin that cooperates with two recesses in the lock plate to keep the housing, valve column, and ball valve locked in place. The locking mechanism is attached to a rotatable handle outside the housing. Rotating the handle retracts the lock pin from a recess so that the handle can be moved. Releasing the handle extends the lock pin into a recess, securing the handle in place. One or more of the lock plate and housing may be integral with the Y-valve. In the preferred embodiment, the lock plate is configured to be retrofit onto existing Y-valves, so that a non-lockable Y-valve may be converted into a lockable Y-valve.
US08444111B2 Combined valve
A combined valve includes a pilot mechanism and a manual mechanism. The manual mechanism includes: a flange formed with a communication passage; a housing including a holding hole formed in an axial direction for rotatably holding the manual mechanism and a storage opening part having a wider diameter than the holding hole and housing the flange in position; an operation port located in a position corresponding to the holding hole and internally holding a joint; and an exhaust port opening in an inner wall of the storage opening. The manual mechanism further includes a first sealing member forming a connecting passage to connect the operation port and the communication passage between the housing and the manual mechanism; and a second sealing member sealingly separating an opening portion of the exhaust port opening in the inner wall of the storage opening part from the connecting passage.
US08444110B2 Valve arrangement
The invention concerns a valve arrangement (7) comprising a flow path (11) connecting an inlet (9) and an outlet (10), a closing means (12) arranged in said flow path (11), a resetting means and a first pressure in a first pressure chamber (14) acting in a closing direction on said closing means (12), a pressure of said outlet (10) and a second pressure in a second pressure chamber (18) corresponding to a pressure of said inlet (9) when said closing means (12) is closed acting in opening direction on said closing means (12), said first pressure chamber (14) being connectable to the outlet (10) via an auxiliary valve (13). It is intended to keep small a pressure pulse when opening the valve arrangement (7). This is achieved in that the closing means (12) having a first opening state (A) and a second opening state (B), a flow resistance of said closing means (12) in said first opening state (A) being larger than a flow resistance of said closing means in said second opening state (B).
US08444109B2 Blowout preventer translating shaft locking system
The disclosure provides a blowout preventer (BOP) system with an actuator for opening and closing a ram. The actuator includes a locking system having a clutch piston to operate a clutch having ratcheting teeth. The locking system disengages the clutch prior to the ram opening and closing. The clutch piston has a first portion with a larger area than a second portion. A clutch fluid pressure acts on the first portion, and a closing fluid pressure acts on the second portion. This area difference in the clutch piston portions allows the clutch to be disengaged during closing operations, even when the closing fluid pressure is the same as the clutch fluid pressure and the clutch is biased engaged by a bias assembly. Further, closing fluid pressure is applied to lessen the load on the clutch ratcheting teeth, while the clutch fluid pressure is applied to unlock the clutch.
US08444108B2 Mine seal with electrically non-conductive ties
A mine seal comprising two spaced apart walls, at least one electrically non-conductive tie extending between the walls and holding them in place against forces tending to separate the walls, and a filler material filling the space between the walls. A form for making such a mine seal is also disclosed.
US08444106B1 Stake-mounted turkey pot call holder
A holder for the sound-box of a pot call for a wild turkey comprises a mass-producable unitary synthetic resinous trough having a generally cylindrical shape and a coaxial U-shaped channel in the trough, the channel being wide enough to snugly removably hold the sound-box. The trough is removably mounted on a vertical mounting post projecting axially, vertically from a two-piece or two-strut stake the lower end of which is pointed so that it can be pushed into the ground at height not higher than that of a hunter's fingers when he is seated. Two embodiments are provided: (i) the lower strut may be retracted fully into the upper strut; (ii) the upper end of the lower strut is slidably inserted into the lower end of the upper strut and locked in position in a T-slot.
US08444100B2 Retainer structure
A retainer structure having excellent workability of attaching to and removing from a panel is obtained. In an approximately cylindrical retainer main body (22), a cap holding portion (26) for attaching a cap (18) which is an attached member, and a panel clamping piece (32) contacting a body panel (14) from a side opposite to a seal packing (20) so as to clamp the body panel (14) between the panel clamping piece and a flange portion (24), are formed. The cap holding portion (26) and the panel clamping piece (32) are formed at positions different in a circumferential direction of the retainer main body (22).
US08444099B1 Back plate of liquid crystal display module and splice structure thereof
The present invention discloses a back plate of a liquid crystal display (LCD) module and a splice structure thereof. The back plate is assembled at least by a first back plate portion and a second back plate portion, wherein at least one splice structure is defined between the first back plate portion and the second back plate portion, and the shapes of two sides of the splice structure are correspondingly engaged with each other. Besides, the convex portion is provided with a fixing hole thereon, and the concave step portion is correspondingly provided with a fixing pillar therein. The fixing pillar passes through the fixing hole to fix the first back plate portion and the second back plate portion. The present invention can use different type of material to assemble into the back plate, so as to intensify the splicing strength except for decreasing the material cost.
US08444098B2 Balloon holder caddy systems
A balloon holder caddy system designed to simulate the look of Helium-filled balloons, to reduce the safety hazards associated with traveling with Helium-filled balloons in the passenger compartment of an automobile, and to eliminate repeated trips to a base location and back (a product use location such as is common with real estate agent's sign postings.) Balloon holder caddy system comprises a top gang-clip with multiple balloon neck receiving slots for creating a balloon cluster, a rod for elevating the balloon cluster simulating helium filled balloons, and an intermediate leg gripper and a base gripper for attaching to a sign-post leg using re-useable/releasable zip-ties. The system providing a unique and efficient balloon displaying means.
US08444095B2 Coupler for cable trough
Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.
US08444091B2 Aircraft stabilizer surface trailing edge
Trailing edge (3) of an aircraft stabilizer surface (1), where this surface (1) is manufactured of a composite material and comprises an outer cladding (40) and an inner cladding (41) that are connected by a connecting clip type element (20) on this trailing edge (3), the connecting clip type element (20) comprising at its ends some recesses (23) used for coupling to the inner zone of the upper and lower claddings (40, 41) of the stabilizer surface (1), such that the connecting clip type element (20) is flexible enough to be pinched so that its ends will be housed, by means of these recesses (23), between the outer and inner claddings (40, 41) of the aircraft stabilizer surface (1), whereby the outer zone of the stabilizer surface (1), on its trailing edge (3), is formed by a continuous aerodynamic surface without changes of gradient.
US08444088B2 Fuselage structure and method for the production of a fuselage structure
The present invention provides a method for the production of a fuselage structure, and a fuselage structure, in particular of an aircraft or spacecraft, with an inner shell arrangement which has an upper inner shell and a lower inner shell, the upper inner shell being spaced apart at least in some sections from the lower inner shell by a first gap in order to form a window region; and a window band which is arranged at least in the window region and has a pane device which comprises a grid structure which absorbs fuselage forces.
US08444086B2 Aircraft wheel-and-brake set fitted with a rotary drive device
The invention provides an aircraft wheel-and-brake set, the wheel including a rim mounted to rotate on an axle of the aircraft about an axis of rotation, and the brake including a stack of disks extending into the rim in service, and a support carrying brake actuators facing the stack of disks in order to selectively press said disks together, wherein the support carries at least one rotary drive member for driving the wheel in rotation, which drive member is carried in such a manner that it extends outside said wheel.
US08444085B2 Support structure
A support structure is provided for attaching a gas turbine engine to a pylon. The gas turbine engine has an engine casing surrounding an engine core, and the pylon has first and second attachment positions, the second attachment position being forward of the first attachment position relative to the working gas flow direction through the engine. The support structure has three elongate members joined to form a triangular frame encircling the engine casing. A first vertex of the triangular frame attaches to the pylon via a first attachment arrangement at the first attachment position. Two thrust struts respectively extend from the other two vertices of the triangular frame and attach to the pylon via a second attachment arrangement at the second attachment position. Three engine connection formations extend from the respective vertices of the triangular frame to positions on the engine casing to connect the support structure to the engine casing.
US08444081B2 High voltage flying apparatus employing multiple motors
A flying apparatus having a frame configured to couple to a high voltage tether system, and at least one motor module mounted to the frame, the module including a holding structure attached to the frame, a rotating structure, including a rotor shaft, configured to rotate relative to the holding structure, a rotor attached to the rotor shaft and a plurality of motors attached to the holding structure, each including a drive shaft configured to engage with the rotor shaft, wherein the motors are configured to receive electrical energy from the tether system and drive the drive shafts to create a torque on the rotor shaft to thereby rotate the rotor and create lift to fly the apparatus from the ground to a desired position aloft while remaining coupled to the tether system.
US08444080B2 Paper dispenser
A paper dispenser has a brake for a paper roll and a tensioning device for the web of paper and interacts in such a manner that the braking effect of the brake is adapted to the tension in the web of paper. The tensioning device is loaded in a paper path between the two conveying rollers and the paper reel.
US08444076B2 Blender blade
A blender blade or blade for being mounted to an interior base of a blender container for rotation about a vertical axis is described. The blade includes at least two blade wings, such that it may include four blade wings. The blade includes a body, first transition section, second transition section, first blade wing and second blade wing. Body includes an aperture, wherein the body is located on a first horizontal plane. First and second transition sections extend at downward angles from opposite sides of the body. First blade wing extends outwardly from the first transition section, wherein the first blade wing is located on a second horizontal plane. Second blade wing extends outwardly from the second transition section, wherein the second blade wing is located on a third horizontal plane. The blade is a one-piece blade and can process approximately 6-48 ounces of working medium.
US08444073B2 Kneading apparatus and method for producing toner
A continuous kneading apparatus including: a stationary portion having an internal space where matter is conveyed; a rotary disc member and a screw member which are configured to convey the matter in the internal space; a drive shaft member to which the rotary disc member and the screw member are fixed; and a cooling medium passage through which a cooling medium passes, wherein the cooling medium passage is provided for the screw member which is placed upstream of the rotary disc member with respect to the conveyance direction of the matter, wherein the cooling medium passing in the cooling medium passage is lower in temperature than the matter passing in the internal space, and wherein the matter passes in the internal space while provided with shear force by rotation of the drive shaft member and thus continuously kneaded, and while cooled by the cooling medium.
US08444072B1 Thickness detecting safety shredder
A thickness detecting system for a paper shredder having a lever arm extending into the shredder's throat. One or more sensors may be in communication with the lever arm and configured to measure the rotation of the lever. A first maximum thickness and second maximum thickness may correspond to the paper inserted into the throat before and during shredder, respectively. Circuitry may reverse the motor when the thickness is exceeded to ease the removal of the paper and to prevent further shredding. A touch structure and the preferential power supply switch may be used to engagingly interact with each other, so that the motor can be switched off when the plate is selectively positioned to close the paper feed opening, can be switched on when the plate is selectively positioned to open the feed opening, and can be switched off when unexpected items are introduced into the feed opening.
US08444069B2 Fuel injection apparatus
A fuel injection apparatus includes a body, a nozzle, a pressure control unit, a physical quantity measurement unit, a first terminal, a second terminal, a positioning member, and a resin connector main body portion. The pressure control unit controls opening and closing of the nozzle The physical quantity measurement unit outputs an electric signal in accordance with a physical quantity of high pressure fuel. The first terminal is connected to the pressure control unit. The second terminal connected to the physical quantity measurement unit. The positioning member integrally holds the first terminal and the second terminal and locates the first terminal and the second terminal at predetermined positions. The connector main body portion receives therein the positioning member.
US08444066B2 Chemical dispensing apparatus
A chemical dispensing apparatus includes a housing that is connectable to a source of water, such as a standard garden house, and an internal space in which is disposed a rotatable container containing a quantity of chemical concentrate to be mixed with the source of water as it flows through the housing and is dispensed from the housing from a sprinkler head or misting nozzle. The flow of water through the housing powers a water turbine which is connected to the rotatable container, such that the container is rotated as water flows through the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the water turbine is replaced with an electric motor. Rotation of the container cause the chemical concentrate to dissolve which is then mixed with the water before it is dispensed through the sprinkler or mister.
US08444064B2 Rotary sprayer
A rotary sprayer (10) for fluids (14), has a rotating disc (22), a drive (58) for the disc (22), and a supply device (28) for the application of fluid (14) onto the disc (22). The disc (22) has a distribution plane (30) for the fluid (14), and at least one opening (34) is provided in the distribution plane (30), via which a secondary flow (50) of the fluid (14) is separated from the main flow (48) to another plane (46). The disc (22) has a first spray edge (44) for spraying the working flow (52) of the fluid (14) and a second spray edge (54) for spraying the secondary flow (50) of the fluid (14). Since the main flow is divided into a secondary flow and a working flow, the effective amount of fluid that is used to moisten the workpiece can be reduced without having to therefore reduce the amount of fluid that is supplied e.g. via the pipe conduit. The formation of drops is thereby reliably prevented and a pipe conduit is used that has a cross-section of adequate size to prevent clogging.
US08444051B2 Self-service machine problem code
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for responding to a problem associated with a self-service machine. For example, some embodiments provide a method that includes: (a) determining that a problem associated with a self-service machine occurred during a transaction involving the self-service machine and a user of the self-service machine; (b) presenting, to the user via a user interface associated with the self-service machine, a code based at least partially on the determining that the problem occurred; (c) receiving the code from the user; and/or (d) initiating a claim for the user based at least partially on the receiving the code from the user, where the claim relates to the problem.
US08444048B1 System and method for providing transaction-related communication using machine-readable encoded information
A computer generates encoded information to associate a physical package to a transaction. The transaction comprises an order for one or more items to be shipped in the package. The encoded information is provided for inclusion in a machine-readable representation of the encoded information for shipping with the physical package. Subsequent to delivery of the physical package to a recipient, recipient reaction information containing the encoded information obtained from the machine-readable representation is received over a network. The encoded information is used to associate the recipient reaction information to a record for the transaction.
US08444045B2 Joining of parts via magnetic heating of metal aluminum powders
A method of joining at least two parts includes steps of dispersing a joining material comprising a multi-phase magnetic metal-aluminum powder at an interface between the at least two parts to be joined and applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The AMF has a magnetic field strength and frequency suitable for inducing magnetic hysteresis losses in the metal-aluminum powder and is applied for a period that raises temperature of the metal-aluminum powder to an exothermic transformation temperature. At the exothermic transformation temperature, the metal-aluminum powder melts and resolidifies as a metal aluminide solid having a non-magnetic configuration.
US08444044B2 Apparatus and methods for forming wire bonds
A wire bonding apparatus includes a processing block, a bond head assembly and an infrared radiation source for selectively heating the bond pad areas of one or more semiconductor dies and/or bonding sites on a substrate. Methods for forming wire bonds using selective heating of the bond pad areas of one or more semiconductor dies and/or bonding sites on the substrate are also disclosed.
US08444042B2 Method for producing steel pipe plated with metal by thermal spraying
[Problems] To provide a process for producing a thermal sprayed, metal plated steel tube having a metal layer substantially uniform and favorable over the whole surface in a highly productive manner.[Means for solving] A process for producing a metal tube comprising continuously forming a metal plate composed of a first component into a tubular shape and continuously welding its butted ends to form the metal tube, wherein, after the continuous welding, a metal layer composed of a second component which is different from the first component is formed by thermal spraying directly over the surface of the metal tube, the metal layer having no discontinuities in the circumferential and lengthwise directions. Especially it is preferred that the process comprises a process step of making the thickness distribution of the metal layer more uniform after formation of the thermal sprayed metal layer over the external surface.
US08444041B2 Brazing system and method
A brazing system has a first gas source, a second gas source, a first enclosure, a second enclosure, a brazing torch, and a control system configured to control a ratio of the first gas source and the second gas source.
US08444029B2 Reinforced hanger and associated packaged product assembly
A hanger includes a body and a hook. The body includes an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar spaced from and extending substantially parallel to the upper crossbar, and first and second sidebars extending between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar opposite each other. The hook is coupled with and extends upwardly from a center of the upper cross bar. The upper cross bar includes a substantially linear intermediate section, an upper reinforcement section extending above the linear intermediate section, a lower reinforcement section extending below the substantially linear intermediate section, a first rib extending between and bordering each of the substantially linear intermediate section and the upper reinforcement section, and a second rib extending between and bordering each of the substantially linear intermediate section and the lower reinforcement section.
US08444025B2 Discharge apparatus comprising rotating device
A discharge apparatus comprising at least one container (1; 101) is provided, said container receiving a component and having an outlet (2) and a discharge element (3, 103). The discharge apparatus further comprises a rotating device, which has a drive member (4; 104) and a rotating member (5; 105), wherein upon a rotation of the rotating member relative to the drive member the drive member is moved in the axial direction and drives the discharge element in the at least one container for discharging the components. A housing element (6; 106) is provided, on or in which the at least one container (1; 101), the drive member (4; 104), and the rotating member (5; 105) are disposed, wherein at least the at least one container (1; 101) can be removed or is provided in the housing element (6; 106). The rotating device, together with the housing element, forms an accessory for the container.
US08444024B2 Head part module of a discharge pump for a discharge container and a discharge pump comprising a head part module and a pump part module
A head part module of a discharge pump for a discharge container, in which the head part of the pump mechanism can be readily varied. A head part module of a discharge pump includes a mounting cap having a link cylinder upwardly extending via an inward flange from an upper end of a mounting cylinder: a cover ring having a top plate with a through hole in the middle part thereof, an outer wall hanging from an outer circumference of the top plate, a first fitting strip and a second fitting strip circumferentially provided on the rear face of the top plate, a top part of the link cylinder, being loosely fitted into the second fitting strip; and a push down head having an outer cylinder hanging from an outer circumference of a top plate a first communication tube hanging from a rear face of the top plate above the through hole and a nozzle forwardly projecting from the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder being fitted onto an outer face of the outer wall.
US08444023B2 Push-button for a system for dispensing a product under pressure
A push-button for a system for dispensing a product under pressure, the push-button includes an actuator body having an orifice for ejecting the product, a closing off valving element of the ejection orifice and a sleeve having a mounting well of the push-button on a feed tube for the product under pressure, the body being slidably mounted around the sleeve between a high position and a low position by forming between them a space for carrying the product from the mounting well to the orifice for ejecting the product, the valving element being mounted between the body and the sleeve by the intermediary of a device for reversible displacing of the valving element between a closing off position—respectively an ejection position—when the body is in high position—respectively in low position—, the push-button includes an elastic recalling of the body in high position.
US08444021B1 Water on demand bag
A portable, disposable water pack. The water pack is comprised of a light weight, water impervious bag having an opening with a water tube inserted there through. The invention pack has two plastic handle strips attached thereto. The invention pack also has a preformed, tear-down notch formed therein.
US08444018B2 Extrusion device
An extrusion device for the extrusion of single- or multi-component materials from at least one container is provided. The extrusion device includes a housing having a functional section and a manual operation section. The housing extends substantially along an axial direction. The functional section includes at least one container receptacle. The manual operation section includes a lever arrangement via which an extrusion rod arrangement can be actuated to extrude materials from the at least one container. The lever arrangement includes a lever body mounted on a rotary axis. The lever body includes a lever push arm on one side of the rotary axis and a lever grip arm on the other side of the rotary axis. The lever push arm acts in a force-transmitting manner on a drive body attached on the extrusion rod arrangement upon actuation of the lever grip arm. The lever body includes a fork which forms at least two fork sections, and a fork trunk, wherein each of the at least two fork sections each extends into a lever push arm, and the fork trunk extends into the lever grip arm.
US08444016B2 Apparatus for dispensing milk-based products
An apparatus for dispensing milk-based beverages comprises a milk container (4), a pump (8) for conveying the milk from the milk container (4) to a milk outlet (20), supply means (13, 14) for supplying at least one flavoring agent to the milk and means for mixing the at least one flavoring agent with the milk. To this end, a coolable cabinet (2), into which the milk container (4) can be inserted, is arranged in a housing (1). Via a hose line (7), the milk in the milk container (4) reaches a mixing apparatus (9) in a meterable quantity, conveyed by the pump (8) disposed in the hose line (7). At least one flavoring agent is able to be additionally supplied in a metered manner into the mixing apparatus via the supply means (13, 14), and is able to be mixed with the milk; the mixed beverage thus obtained reaches, via an outlet (20), a vessel (21) which can be provided beneath this outlet (20). Flavored cold milk-based beverages can thereby be produced in an optimal way.
US08444011B2 Tapping apparatus with pressure control means
A tapping apparatus (1), provided with a container (2) and a pressure control device (10) for controlling pressure in an inner space (3) of the container, wherein the pressure control device (10) includes a compartment (31) with a pressure medium therein and a dispensing opening (30) with a valve mechanism (12), wherein an operating element (15) is provided for operation of the valve mechanism by a user, for supplying an amount of pressure medium from the compartment (31) into an inner space (3) of the container.
US08444008B2 Tissue holder and dispenser
A tissue holder and dispenser includes a cuboid shaped housing having a front panel, two planer side panels and a planer rear panel as well as a planer bottom panel and an open top. The front planer panel includes a horizontal slot through which individual tissues are dispensed while one side wall includes a rectangular opening through which an empty tissue box can be ejected by pushing it out of the housing with a finger inserted through a circular opening on the opposite side wall that is aligned with the rectangular opening in the first side wall. The housing is constructed and dimensioned to hold from one to four tissue boxes with the top of each box facing a front surface of the rectangular front planer panel so that a slit in the top of the tissue box on the bottom of the housing will come into register with a slot in the lower portion of the rectangular front planer panel.
US08444002B2 Pressure compensating bases for polymeric containers
A plastic container having a sidewall defining a chamber and having an opening at one end into the chamber; a base extending from the sidewall and closing the second end, the base having an outer perimeter portion defining a support structure, an axially inwardly extending perimeter wall spaced radially inwardly from the support structure forming an angle with a plane normal to an axis of the container of less than about 90°, and a flexing panel closing an end of the perimeter wall, the flexing panel moveable along an axis of the container from a first position where a central portion of the panel is below a top portion of the perimeter wall to a second position where the central portion is above the top portion of the perimeter wall to change the volume of the container; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial grooves on the panel.
US08444000B2 Ergonomic paint roller tray with end handles
A paint tray includes a cavity defined by a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, and a second sloping end wall. Each of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, and second sloping end wall inclines upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The cavity terminates at a top edge. The paint tray also includes a top tray rim adjacent the top edge of the cavity, a perimeter rim that inclines downwardly and outwardly from the top tray rim, a handle disposed at an edge of the perimeter rim proximate each end wall, and a leg panel extending downwardly and outwardly from each of a first side and a second side of the perimeter rim proximate the second sloping end wall. The leg panel has a bottom edge that is co-planar with the bottom wall.
US08443999B1 Cap, cap/container combination
Caps, containers embodying such caps, and methods of enhancing cap safety. Air flow passages through the cap enable one, who accidentally swallowed the cap, to breathe/pass air through the cap. Some air passages extend top to bottom. Openings in the outer side wall, and an air flow path across the cap, allow air to enter the cap on a first side, flow transversely through the cap, and exit an opposing side. The top-to-bottom air flow passages, and the air flow path across the cap, including the openings in the outer wall of the cap, collectively support air flow through the cap, thus through the person's airway, if/when the cap becomes accidentally lodged in a person's airway. The openings can be used to engage and extract an accidentally swallowed cap. Elements of an optional tamper evident ring remain attached to the cap after the cap is removed from the container.
US08443997B2 Transport case for transport of high-value heavy transport goods
In a transport case for transport of at least one high value, heavy transport goods, a floor is provided on which an object carrier is arranged on an inside of the case such that it can be displaced in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the case. At least one cover is connected with the floor with at least one hinge such that it can be folded over and the cover can be opened such that the transport good is freely accessible parallel to the longitudinal axis in an opened state of the transport case.
US08443984B2 Method and apparatus for screening
A screening machine includes wall members, screen assembly guide members, a screen assembly and a compression assembly. The screen assembly includes a frame with a plurality of side members and a screen supported by the frame. The compression assembly is attached to at least one wall member and forms the screen assembly into a concave shape.
US08443983B2 Separator device
A separator device comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a magnetic separator rod or element being located within the housing to collect and separate from the flow of fluid through the housing magnetic particles carried by the flow of fluid.
US08443975B2 Enhanced edge protector
An edge protector includes a first section formed from a laminate of paper or paperboard plies. The first section being formed in an angled configuration defining first and second legs and defining a first apex therebetween. In addition, the first apex defines first inside and second outside corners and the first and second legs and the first apex define a first width. The edge protector also includes a second section formed from a laminate of paper or paperboard plies overlying a core element. The core element and laminate are formed in an angled configuration similar to the first section. The second section defines third and fourth legs and defines a second apex therebetween. In addition, the second apex defines third inside and fourth outside corners, and the third and fourth legs and the second apex define a second width that is less than the first width. The plies overlying the core element wrap around the fourth outside corner and extend inwardly toward the third inside corner. The first and second sections are affixed to one another with the first and third legs abutting one another and the second and fourth legs abutting one another.
US08443965B2 Take-up machine
A take-up machine is provided. Each of upper and lower conveying devices has an endless rotating body and a plurality of take-up pads provided on the surface of the endless rotating body. The take-up machine is configured to pinch a top face and a bottom face of a resin-molded article with the take-up pads of the upper and lower conveying devices to take up the resin-molded article. The take-up machine is installed along an extrusion line of a resin extruder. In a lateral direction orthogonal to an extrusion line, a length of each of the take-up pads is multiple times a length of the resin-molded article to be taken up. Each of the take-up pads has a plurality of supporting potions which are arranged in the lateral direction and capable of supporting resin-molded articles with different shapes. The upper and lower conveying devices are movable in the lateral direction so as to make one of the supporting portions coincide with the extrusion line.
US08443963B2 Multiplexed gathering device and method
A multiplexing gathering device includes a first gatherer for forming first gathered printed products on a first line and a second gatherer for forming second gathered printed products on a second line. A collecting device collects the first and second gathered printed products. A first transporter transports the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter for transports the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller for controls the first gatherer and second gatherer so that second gathered products are selectively formed as a function of the formation of first gathered printed products. A method is also provided.
US08443962B2 Removable unit and image forming apparatus
A removable unit includes an endless belt-like member; a first contact member that contacts an inner surface of the belt-like member; a second contact member disposed upwardly of the first contact member in a direction of gravitational force when the removable unit is mounted to a body of an image forming apparatus; a first cleaning member disposed between the first contact member and the second contact member; and a second cleaning member disposed between the first cleaning member and the second contact member. The first cleaning member prevents an adherent cleaned off by the second cleaning member from moving downward in the direction of gravitational force along an inner peripheral surface of the belt-like member.
US08443959B2 Coin processing apparatus
A coin processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a coin conveying section that conveys coins on a coin passage; an identifying section that identifies coins on the coin passage; at least one discharging section that discharges normal coins that are identified as normal by the identifying section from the coin passage; at least first and second removing sections that remove abnormal coins that are identified as abnormal by the identifying section from the coin passage; and a control section that distributes abnormal coins to either one of the first and second removing sections in order to remove the abnormal coins, in accordance with identification factors of the abnormal coins.
US08443955B2 Clutch system and method for controlling a clutch system
The invention relates to a device and to a method for controlling a coupling system having a coupling provided with a hydraulic actuation system, which includes an adjustable coupling part for connecting and separating a power transmission path between a coupling input side and a coupling output side, a hydraulic connection that connects the actuation unit to an electrohydraulic actuator that is arranged outside the coupling, and a control unit for controlling the actuator. The hydraulic connection forms a hydraulic system together with hydraulic components of the actuation unit and the actuator. According to the invention, a mechanical stop that delimits the adjustment of the coupling part on the actuation unit is formed. A pressure sensor monitors the pressure in the hydraulic system or a control signal of the actuator. The pressure sensor detects an installation of the coupling part on the stop based on occurring characteristic alterations of the pressure in the hydraulic connection or the control signal and controls the electrohydraulic actuator in accordance therewith and/or produces a diagnosis signal.
US08443953B2 Clutch with high binding ability
A clutch with high binding ability comprises a plurality of detent components provided between a left and a right lateral plates and each detent component can be pulled back to its original location by a resilient element. The detent block of each detent component is movably positioned between the left and the right lateral plates. The detent element of each detent component is slidably connected onto the detent block. One end of the detent element is provided with a groove for locating a positioning bar therein. Thereby, when the clutch rotates, the radial force of the detent element can be increased in order to enhance the detent ability of the detent element. When the rotational speed of the clutch is decreased to be the rotational speed of passive driving or to be lower than the rotational speed for engagement, the detent element can be pulled back to its original location by means of the elastic element located between the detent block and the detent element.
US08443951B1 Ratchet cylinder for a bicycle hub
A ratchet cylinder for a bicycle hub is provided with a cylinder member, a plurality of ratchet teeth, a plurality of springs and a C-ring. The C-ring circles around the connecting end of the cylinder member and engages in the grooves of the respective ratchet teeth, so as to retain the ratchet teeth in the receiving grooves and allow the ratchet teeth to pivot within a limited angle. The springs are disposed between the ratchet teeth and the ratchet cylinder to keep pushing the respective ratchet teeth of the hub shell into an engagement position with the teeth of the hub shell, so that the ratchet teeth can be surely engaged with the teeth.
US08443947B2 Magneto-rheological fluid damper
A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a housing, a magnetically permeable body, a spindle, and a magneto-rheological fluid. Given a plurality of multi-pole two-way magnetic poles and a plurality of multi-pole coils, magnetic lines pass through the magneto-rheological fluid mostly in a direction perpendicular to a gap, such that the magneto-rheological fluid features an enhanced chaining force. Accordingly, the magneto-rheological fluid damper enables an increase in a magnetically permeable area of the magneto-rheological fluid subjected to an applied magnetic field and enhancement of damping force, and is free from a complete system failure.
US08443945B2 Vehicle chocking systems and methods of using the same
Vehicle chocking systems include a first chock comprising a first bottom surface, a first front wheel restraining surface and a first rear wheel restraining surface opposite the first front wheel restraining surface, a second chock comprising a second bottom surface, a second front wheel restraining surface and a second rear wheel restraining surface, wherein the first bottom surface, the first front wheel restraining surface and the first rear wheel restraining surface of the first chock and the second bottom surface, the second front wheel restraining surface and the second rear wheel restraining surface of the second chock each comprises a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensors are communicatively coupled to a controller comprising a processor and a memory having a computer readable and executable instruction set to determine if the proximity sensors for each of the first bottom surface, the second bottom surface and opposing wheel restraining surfaces are engaged.
US08443944B2 Monitoring method for an elevator installation
The monitoring method for an elevator installation includes a control unit and at least one bus junction, which bus junction has a receiver, a transmitter and a safety element. The control unit and the bus junction communicate by way of a bus. The monitoring method has the following steps: a digital default signal is transmitted by the control unit to the receiver; the digital default signal is converted by the receiver into an analog signal; the safety element is acted on by the receiver with the analog signal; if the safety element is closed the analog signal is detected by the transmitter; for a detected analog signal, a digital signal of the control unit is provided by the transmitter; wherein on detection of an analog zero signal a digital signal is transmitted by the transmitter to the control unit.
US08443942B2 Seal arrangement
In order to provide a seal arrangement for sealing a through-opening in a wall of an engine component, comprising an insert element for insertion into the through-opening, wherein the insert element has a through-channel that is closable by means of a closure element, and a sealing element for sealing between the insert element and the engine component, which seal arrangement has an adequate sealing action, even with low manufacturing outlay it is proposed that the sealing element in the assembled state of the seal arrangement is disposed in axial direction of the insert element between the insert element and the engine component.
US08443938B2 Hunting ladder stand having collapsible ladder segments
An elevated hunting stand with a platform assembly and a collapsible ladder. The collapsible ladder includes a plurality of telescopically separating sections. The ladder sections are secured together by locking pins. The ladder rails and rungs are pivotally attached and operated as a parallelogram linkage system, so the ladder sections can be reduced in size to a compressed configuration by rotating the rungs relative to the rails. A plurality of stabilizing members are provided to hold the ladder sections in an expanded position. The platform assembly can serve as one of the stabilizing members.
US08443931B2 Noise reduction of supersonic jet engines
A jet engine adapted for reducing far-field noise levels is disclosed. The jet engine has a plurality of flap assemblies that are disposed around a perimeter of an exhaust port of the jet engine. Each flap assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The jet engine also includes a plurality of actuators respectively coupled to the plurality of flap assemblies. Each actuator is configured to selectively move the coupled flap assembly between the first and second positions. The jet engine also includes a controller that is coupled to each actuator. The controller is configured to cause at least one actuator to move the coupled flap assembly between the first and second positions at a determined frequency.
US08443930B2 Method and apparatus for a loudspeaker assembly
A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver. The loudspeaker assembly can be used to replace ceiling tiles having any size or configuration, and can also me mounted in other surfaces, such as ceiling walls, floors, table tops, etc. made of drywall, hard decking, wood, stone, cement, glass, or any other material or type of construction, or configured in a stand-alone loudspeaker frame or cabinet. The loudspeaker assembly of the present invention can be mounted in any orientation.
US08443925B2 Motorcycle
The motorcycle comprises a chassis frame (5); an engine (20), a hanger portion (21) suspended from the chassis frame (5); a pair of down tubes (9) extending downward in the fore portion of the chassis frame (5); and an engine hanger bracket (100), further comprising plate portions (101) and collar portions (106) disposed upon the plate portions (101), the engine hanger bracket (100) linked to the pair of down tubes (9) and the hanger portion (21). The motorcycle further comprises an upper suspension portion (112), which suspends the engine (20) by fastening the down tubes (9), the plate portions (101), the collar portions (106), and an upper hanger portion (22), in a state of being positioned in a linear state in the vehicle width direction; and a lower suspension portion (124), which suspends the engine (20) by fastening the plate portions (101) and a lower hanger portion (23).
US08443920B2 Inverted pendulum type vehicle
The present invention provides an inverted pendulum type vehicle which can perform a turning movement with ease without requiring any additional device even though the vehicle is configured to travel on a single drive wheel. A substantially vertical principal axis of inertia of the vehicle is tilted rearward with respect to a plumb vertical line. As result, when a rider shift his gravitational center in either lateral direction and tilts the vehicle in the corresponding direction, the main wheel is caused to turn around the principal axis of inertia so that the main wheel is steering in effect, and the vehicle can be turned in a desired direction.
US08443918B2 Excavation and compaction equipment for the construction of screw piles
Excavation equipment for the construction of compaction piles includes a tool mounted at the end of a drilling rod; the tool is constituted by a shaft (10) provided on its end with digging teeth (12) and with at least a plate (14) for collecting debris rotating between an open position during the excavation and closed during the ascent of the tool. A screw (17, 18, 17′, 18′, 20); is of the type having at least two principles (17, 18, 20), in the upper part (20) fixed directly on the shaft (10) and in the lower part (17, 18) fixed on a cylindrical element (16) inserted on the shaft. A compactor (19) is positioned on the screw (17, 18) of the cylindrical element (16). The shaft rotates between two positions displaced between them, one corresponding to the excavation condition and the other to the ascent one; each of the at least two-principle screws of the shaft (20) constitutes the continuation of a corresponding screw (17, 18) of the cylindrical body (16) depending on the angular position of the shaft (10).
US08443911B2 Blade segment and blade assembly for a surface working vehicle
A blade assembly for use on a surface working machine includes a moldboard. The moldboard includes a lower mounting section including a mounting edge for mounting a plurality of blade sections thereto. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of blade segments for detachable connection to the lower mounting section of the moldboard and adapted to overlap with any adjacent blade segment when mounted to the moldboard. Each blade segment includes a front face for forward machine orientation, a back face opposite the front face, a right edge including a first overlap section, and a left edge including a second overlap section. The first overlap section shaped for overlap with the second overlap section of an adjacent blade segment so that when mounted to the moldboard adjacent blade segments substantially abut each other.
US08443910B2 Fire extinguishing device
A fire extinguishing device comprises a pan with a handle extending therefrom. The pan has a top side and an under side; the under side having a concave portion extending from a perimeter portion. The pan has side perimeter portions extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The under side of the proximal end having a perimeter portion that lies substantially in a single plane and a raised portion of the under side of the distal end of the perimeter portion is raised from the single plane.
US08443904B2 Continuous communications conduit apparatus and method
A continuous communications conduit for use in a well is disclosed. A first 101 and second 102 conduit section are threadably engaged and a weldment is formed 200. A heat shield conduit 220 can be disposed within a bore (111, 112) of a conduit section (101, 102) between a first conduit section shoulder 151 and a second conduit section shoulder 152. A first 301, second 302, and third 303 conduit section can be threadably engaged and a weldment 400 formed. An electrical conductor 300 can be disposed in a bore of the conduit sections (301, 302, 303). A heat shield conduit 320 can be disposed between a first conduit section shoulder 351 and a second conduit section shoulder 352. Optionally, an elastomeric stabilizer (410, 420) may be utilized.
US08443903B2 Pump down swage expansion method
The tubular string to be expanded is run in on a running string. The swage assembly has a seal from the running string to the existing tubular and the top of the tubular string to be expanded also has a similar seal against the exiting tubular. Annulus pressure around the running string drives the swage assembly to support the expanded tubular to the exiting tubular and to continue expansion to the end of the tubular. Cementing then takes place followed by reconfiguring the swage assembly to engage the liner hanger seal with the result being a monobore connection in a single trip including the cementing.
US08443902B2 Time-controlled release device for wireline conveyed tools
A time controlled release device for down line tools includes an outer housing, a disconnect housing releasably coupled to the outer housing, and a mandrel extending longitudinally within the outer housing and the disconnect housing. In addition, the device includes a locking collet and a trigger sleeve disposed about the mandrel. Further, the device includes a first biasing spring disposed within the outer housing between the locking collet and a first shoulder of the outer housing. Still further, the device includes a release collet forming a portion of the outer housing at the distal end and a disconnect release sleeve mounted on the mandrel. Moreover, the device includes a second spring disposed within the outer housing between a second shoulder of the outer housing and a pressure piston mounted on the mandrel between the second spring and a shoulder of the mandrel. The pressure piston has a metering orifice therethrough.
US08443901B2 Inflow control device and methods for using same
A completion assembly with a valve assembly for regulating fluid flow in a wellbore is disclosed. The completion assembly can include a base pipe with a sand screen. A flow control housing is disposed on one end of the sand screen. A first tubular port in the base pipe leads into the flow control housing, and a second tubular port is also formed in the base pipe. A flow path is formed within the flow control housing and communicates with both the base pipe and the inner annulus of the screen assembly. A valve assembly is located in the flow control housing and is in fluid communication with both the inner annulus and the base pipe. The valve assembly is positionable between multiple positions for controlling the flow through the flow control flowpath in response to fluid pressure applied to the second tubular port.
US08443900B2 Electric submersible pumping system and method for dewatering gas wells
A method of unloading liquid from a reservoir includes deploying a pumping system into a wellbore to a location proximate the reservoir using a cable. The pumping system includes a motor, an isolation device, and a pump. The method further includes setting the isolation device, thereby rotationally fixing the pumping system to a tubular string disposed in the wellbore and isolating an inlet of the pump from an outlet of the pump; supplying a power signal from the surface to the motor via the cable, thereby operating the pump and lowering a liquid level in the tubular string to a level proximate the reservoir; unsetting the isolation device; and removing the pump assembly from the wellbore using the cable.
US08443896B2 Riser floatation with anti-vibration strakes
A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.
US08443895B2 Travel joint having an infinite slot mechanism for space out operations in a wellbore
A travel joint (100) for space out operations in a wellbore. The travel joint (100) includes a generally tubular mandrel assembly (112) and a generally tubular housing assembly (102) slidably disposed about the mandrel assembly (112). The mandrel assembly (112) included an infinite slot (118) and at least one axial slot (120). A lock assembly (128) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The lock assembly (128) is operable to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). A floating lug ring (140) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The floating lug ring (140) includes at least one lug (142) and is operable to rotate relative to the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102) when the lug (142) travels in the infinite slot (118).
US08443892B2 Fracturing with telescoping members and sealing the annular space
A fracturing operation is done in open hole. The annular space is spanned by telescoping members that are located behind isolation valves. A given bank of telescoping members can be uncovered and the telescoping members extended to span the annular space and engage the formation in a sealing manner. Pressurized fracturing fluid can be pumped through the telescoped passages and the portion of the desired formation fractured. In a proper formation, cementing is not needed to maintain wellbore integrity. In formations that need annular space isolation, the string in a preferred embodiment can have an external material that grows to seal the annular space in lieu of a traditional cementing operation.
US08443891B2 Methods of fracturing a well using Venturi section
Methods of fracturing a well can include the steps of: (A) obtaining a fracturing job design having at least one treatment interval; (B) running a tubular string into the treatment interval; (C) before or after the step of running, forming one or more tubular string openings in the tubular string, wherein after the step of running, the one or more tubular string openings are positioned in the treatment interval; (D) except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, blocking at least 86% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval that is between one of the ends of the treatment interval and the axially closest of the one or more tubular string openings, and, except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, leaving unblocked at least 4% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval; and (E) pumping a fracturing fluid through the one or more tubular string openings at a rate and pressure sufficient to initiate at least one fracture in the subterranean formation surrounding the treatment interval.
US08443888B2 Apparatus and method for passive fluid control in a wellbore
In one embodiment, a device for controlling flow of water from a subterranean formation into a production well may include a flow control member formed from a shape-conforming material and a hydrophilic polymer disposed within the shape-conforming member in an amount sufficient to cause the flow control member to restrict flow of water therethrough.
US08443887B2 Twinaxial linear induction antenna array for increased heavy oil recovery
A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. An aspect of at least one embodiment disclosed is a linear radio frequency applicator. It includes a transmission line and a current return path that is insulated from the transmission line. At least one conductive sleeve is positioned around the transmission line and the current return path. The transmission line and the current return path are electrically connected to the conductive sleeve. A radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the transmission line. When the linear applicator is operated, a circular magnetic field forms, which creates eddy current in the formation causing heavy hydrocarbons to flow. The heat is reliable as liquid water contact is not required. The applicator may operate in permafrost regions and without caprock.
US08443886B2 Perforating gun with rotatable charge tube
A perforating gun designed to orient a charge holding structure (e.g., tube, solid rod) within a barrel of the perforating gun to be at the same position relative to a wellbore casing regardless of a position of the barrel of the perforating gun. A charge assembly receivable within the barrel includes the charge holding structure and first and second end caps that are rotatably interconnected to the charge holding structure and non-rotatably interconnected to the barrel. As the charge holding structure is always or substantially always designed to maintain a common orientation in relation to the wellbore casing, explosive charges associated with the charge holding structure so as to fire towards particular location on the wellbore casing may always or substantially always perforate such particular locations upon or after the explosive charges have fired.
US08443878B2 Dual stripper assembly for slick cable
The dual stripper device of the invention has a hollow body formed for coaxial connection to the wellhead which provides for unobstructed passage of a slick cable, such as a data transmitting cable which transmits data in real time to the well surface. Disposed coaxially within the hollow body is a resilient wiper element with an internal bore formed along its longitudinal axis for passage of the slick cable. A hydraulically actuated piston applies a compressive force to the wiper element so that a pressure seal is formed between the wiper element and the cable when the wiper element is sufficiently compressed by the piston. The seal can be maintained during dynamic movement of the slick cable through the wiper element. A mirror image backup wiper assembly can be actuated in the case of failure of the first wiper assembly.
US08443872B2 Heat exchanger for vehicular air conditioning apparatus
In an evaporator that constitutes part of a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, first fins having louvers therein are arranged between first and second tubes. Together therewith, a second fin, which does not have any louvers therein, is provided at a boundary portion between a first cooling section, which faces toward a first front passage through which air from a first blower unit flows, and a second cooling section, which faces toward a first rear passage through which air from a second blower unit flows. In addition, air is supplied to the interior of a casing from the first blower unit and is cooled by the first cooling section, which is partitioned by the second fin, whereas air supplied from the second blower unit passes through the second cooling section, which is partitioned from the first cooling section by the second fin.
US08443870B2 Steam heat exchanger
A steam heat exchanger includes a steam heating pipe with a condensation pipe part and a sensible heat pipe part provided on the lower side of the condensation pipe part. In the condensation pipe part, a liquid is heated by latent heat. The drain discharge capacity in a steam trap or an orifice disposed on the drain discharge side equals the amount of condensation at the service temperature of the steam heat exchanger. Condensed water produced after the heat exchange in the condensation pipe part enters the sensible heat pipe part on the downstream side to hold the sensible heat pipe part in a water sealed state. In this sensible heat pipe part, the liquid is heated by sensible heat. Heat exchange efficiency is improved by using latent and sensible heat, the amount of steam used can be reduced, and the load of a steam generation source can be reduced.
US08443869B2 Condenser-type welded-plate heat exchanger
A condenser-type heat exchanger having a set of welded plates that together define fluid systems that interpenetrate each other, comprises at least two modules of welded plates. Each module presenting an independent cooling system (CF1, CF2), fluid (CF2) being preferably colder than fluid (CF1), and a connecting chamber that connects the two modules in series in the system of fluid to be condensed such that the direction in which the fluid to be condensed flows is reversed when it changes from one module to the next module.
US08443868B2 Air/refrigerant heat exchanger assembly
An air/refrigerant heat exchanger includes a plurality of coiled tubes. A first tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a phase change material therein. A second tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of cooled refrigerant flowing therethrough and the first tube is in thermal contact with the second tube. A third tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of air flowing therethrough and the third tube is in thermal contact with the first tube and the second tube.
US08443865B2 Wheel clamping apparatus and method
A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm with a jointed auxiliary arm is also provided. A wheel clamp having a plurality of arms, wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm, is also provided. A method of securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine is also provided.
US08443864B2 Device for stripping a wafer from a carrier
Device and method for stripping a wafer from a carrier that is connected to the wafer by an interconnect layer. The device includes a receiving means for accommodating the carrier-wafer combination consisting of the carrier and the wafer, a connection release means for breaking the connection provided by the interconnect layer between the carrier and the wafer, and stripping means for stripping the wafer from the carrier, or for stripping the carrier from the wafer. The connection release means operates in a temperature range from 0° to 350° C., especially from 10° to 200° C., preferably from 20° to 80° C., and more preferably at ambient temperature. The method includes the steps of accommodating the carrier-wafer combination on a receiving means, breaking the connection provided by the interconnect layer by a connection release means, and stripping the wafer from the carrier, or stripping the carrier from the wafer by stripping means.
US08443861B2 Marking or labeling machine and a marking or labeling method
A marking or labeling machine which includes at least one marking or labeling member and a feed mechanism for bringing workpieces for marking or labeling into register with the at least one marking or labeling member. The feed mechanism includes at least two arms mounted to turn about a common first axis, with each arm carrying at least one support member for supporting a workpiece for marking or labeling, and also includes secondly independent drives for driving each of the arms in rotation about the common first axis independently of the other arm.
US08443860B1 Welding gun of plastics
A welding gun of plastics includes a main body, a power cord, a power controller, a transformer and two welding tubes. Each welding tube has one end fixed in the main body and another end formed with a plugging hole extended outward the main body for a pin of a welding wire to plug in. The welding wire can be electrified to create thermal energy that is able to instantly melt the interface of two pieces of plastics, enabling the welding wire to be embedded in plastics so as to reinforce fusing strength.
US08443859B2 Bonding tool for attaching prepared adhesive to bonding part
A manually operated or automated bonding tool for the attachment of a formed adhesive element to a bonding part is disclosed. The bonding tool includes a loading module in which the bare bonding part is loaded, an oven module in which the bare bonding part is heated, an adhesive picking station module in which the adhesive is attached to the heated bare bonding part, and a part transfer module which advances the bare bonding part sequentially from the loading module, through the oven module, and to the adhesive picking station module. The oven module includes an elongated heating block having a bonding part guide by which the bare bonding parts are transferred through the oven and to the adhesive picking station module. The part transfer module is used to push the unheated bare bonding part into and through the oven module and into position on the adhesive picking station module.
US08443857B2 Process of thermal transfer using hot melt adhesive lamination for forming a carpet backing and finished carpet or tile product
A method for binding a greige carpet and a secondary backing material using a hot melt adhesive is disclosed. A heated application roll may be provided and the secondary backing material may be contacted with the hot melt adhesive and greige carpet and pressed against the heated application roll.
US08443853B2 Inkjet refilling station
Embodiments provide an inkjet cartridge refilling system. The system may include a drill station configured to drill at least one refilling hole in an inkjet printer cartridge. The system may include an evacuation station configured to remove excess ink from the inkjet printer cartridge. In some embodiments, the excess ink is removed via a vacuum source. The system may also include a filling station configured to provide any of a plurality of inks into the cartridge. Some embodiments provide the ink to the inkjet cartridge via a hole drilled in the cartridge. Other embodiments provide the ink via inkjet nozzles of the inkjet printer cartridge. The system may also include a test station configured to test the refilled cartridge to determine whether it is functioning properly after being filled with ink.
US08443851B2 Overfill prevention control for fluid storage container
An overfill prevention device is provided for preventing overflow of a fluid storage tank. The overfill prevention device includes a filler cup designed to fit within the fill opening of the tank body and attach thereto. A seal that is adapted for receiving and sealing to a fill nozzle is placed between upper and lower regions of the filler cup. A breather piece, which defines a vapor path with first and second openings, is integrated with the filler cup. The first opening of the breather piece is fluidly coupled to the lower cup region, whereas the second opening is positioned above the first opening, located at or below the full level of the storage tank.
US08443848B2 Port system for fastening a container to a connection system
The invention concerns a port system (1) for fastening a container (3) comprising a vessel (2) and an outlet (6) to a connection system (14) presenting an inlet, said port system comprising: —a main skirt (4) connectable to the outlet (6) of the container presenting a connecting end and a discharge end (7), —a hopper (8) attached to the internal wall of the skirt and tapering to a discharge outlet (9) in direction of the main skirt discharge end (7), —a tearable membrane (10) closing the skirt discharge end and the hopper.
US08443847B2 Electric wire end treatment device and electric wire end treatment method technical field
An end treatment portion 1a which treats ends Wa and Wb of an electric wire W and a transfer portion 7 which transfers the electric wire W are provided; a discharge portion 6, which discharges the electric wire W which is subjected to an end treatment by the end treatment portion 1a and transferred by the transfer portion 7, is also provided; the discharge portion 6 includes a discharge beam 11 for securing the electric wire W in a predetermined arrangement pattern; a calculation portion 20, which controls a securing treatment for securing the electric wire W to the discharge beam 11 in the discharge portion 6, is provided; and the predetermined arrangement pattern is set by the calculation portion 20 based on a content of processing the electric wire W at a subsequent process.
US08443846B2 Polyolefin composition for water pipes with increased resistance to chlorine dioxide
The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition with increased resistance to degradation caused by ClO2-containing water and to a pipe made of such a polyolefin composition. The present invention further relates to the use of the polyolefin composition for the production of a pipe and to the use of a combination of particular types of antioxidants for increasing the resistance of the polyolefin composition against degradation caused by contact with ClO2-containing water.
US08443844B2 Flange protector
A flange protector is provided comprising a flexible impact-resistant material having a cover portion, the cover portion having such dimension and configured to cover in protective relationship the surface of a flange member adapted to be connected to an opposing flange member, the flange protector having multiple lugs configured to be inserted into bolt holes located about the periphery of the flange. The lugs have an upper end attached to the flange protector and an insertable end spaced therefrom, the upper end being connected to the flange protector by hinge means, and the lower end being configured to permit rotation into and engagement with a bolt hole. A combination of the flange protector and a flange is also provided.
US08443841B2 Guiding device for a metal bellows
A guiding device for a metal bellows (3), on at least one bellows end (37) movable along the wall of a housing (10) during the expansion and contraction of the bellows (3). A guiding element is provided between the end body and the housing (10). The guiding element is formed by a plurality of separate guiding bodies (49) disposed in intervals from each other on the circumference of the end body (39).
US08443839B2 Fluid-biased hydraulic control valve with armature piston
A hydraulic control valve has a valve body, a selectively energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. The coil is energizable to generate a magnetic force that moves the armature from a first position to a second position. A pole piece is positioned to establish a gap between the pole piece and the armature. The pole piece has a cavity that opens at the gap. A piston extends from the armature into the cavity and moves with the armature. The armature is biased to seat at a valve seat in the first position by pressurized fluid. Magnetic force required to move the armature away from the valve seat is a function of the difference between an area of the piston and an area defined by contact of the armature at the valve seat.
US08443837B2 Coupling device
A coupling device which contributes to a further reduction in the space required to transport a die etc., in which first and second joints are simplified in structure and downsized, and that is advantageous when multiple sets of such first and second joints are installed. The coupling device comprises a female joint and a male joint. The female joint is fitted on a mold and comprises a first valve casing, a first valve body, and a first open/close valve having a first valve seat and a first valve portion. The male joint is fitted on a clamping plate of an injection molding machine and comprises a second valve casing, a second valve body, and a second open/close valve having a second valve seat and a second valve portion. The coupling device further comprises a valve body drive unit. When, in a condition where the front ends of the first and second valve casings and are in contact with each other, the valve body drive unit drives and advances, in the male joint, only the second valve body relative to the second valve casing, the first and second valve bodies and are driven to the valve opening side.
US08443826B2 Demand valve for gas mixing
A demand valve for gas mixing comprises two or more flow control valves that are connected to separate gas supplies. The demand valve includes a common actuation mechanism, such as a diaphragm arranged to displace levers, each of which, in turn, opens and closes proportionally in a substantially constant ratio a respective flow control valve. Inhalation flow drawn through an outlet causes displacement of the diaphragm and hence opening of the flow control valves. Gas from the separate supplies is therefore mixed in a main chamber to a substantially constant composition, regardless of the flow rate demanded, before being dispensed via the outlet.
US08443824B2 Fluid flow controller
A flow controller includes a housing having central portion and finger-gripping portions on either side of the central portion. The housing defines an interior flow path and includes a breakable member at least partially positioned within the interior flow path of the housing to prevent the passage of fluid through the flow path. The breakable member includes a stem integrally molded to a tubular member. The finger-gripping portions and the central portion define an outermost surface and the outermost surface of the finger gripping portions extends radially outwardly of the outermost surface of the central portion. The central portion includes a wall having a selected thickness.
US08443822B2 Method for detecting a malfunction in an automated irrigation system
A method for detecting a breach in an irrigation line (32) of an irrigation system (10) includes comparing a fluid condition at a first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at a second point located at an irrigation unit (20) to determine whether a disparity of at least a predetermined percentage in the fluid conditions exists. The fluid condition can include a measurement of irrigation fluid pressure, quantity of irrigation fluid (19), rate of flow of the irrigation fluid (19), voltage and/or electrical current through the irrigation fluid (19). The method can include selectively monitoring the fluid condition at the irrigation unit (20) over time using a main control system (22). In another embodiment, the method includes comparing the fluid condition at the first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at each of a plurality of second points. In still another embodiment, the method includes the main control system (22) selectively activating one or more of the irrigation units (20) so that irrigation fluid (19) flows to or through one or more of the irrigation units (20) to measure the fluid condition.
US08443819B2 Umbrella support assembly
An umbrella assembly and various embodiments of hub assemblies which provide an umbrellas assembly which is easy to install or remove, is extremely rigid, and is capable of withstanding high wind gusts and other high external forces. A first hub assembly includes a mounting bracket having extended regions for mounting to a hub. A second hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mounting brackets to a hub. A third hub assembly includes a mortise-tenon mounting bracket. A fourth hub assembly includes securing rings for securely binding mortise-tenon mounting brackets to a hub. A rib center joint connector having stops is presented. A rotatable fabric connector having a plurality of curved surfaces on the head of the fabric connector is present.
US08443818B2 Touchless car wash system
A carwash system is disclosed wherein a spray arm dependingly mounted to an overhead longitudinally movable carriage for dispensing fluids onto the exterior surfaces of a vehicle in a wash bay unidirectionally circumnavigates the vehicle for multiple circuits while performing one or more wash functions by coordinating longitudinal and rotational movements of the arm through the selective operation of two independent motor drives. Electrical power and/or data is carried to and from electrical devices on the arm by way of a slip ring conductor which is mounted coaxially with the arm pivot on the bottom side of the carriage. The fluid supply conduit also passes concentrically through this pivot.
US08443816B2 Kit for applying a cosmetic composition
A kit for applying a mascara composition comprising several tanks respectively containing different mascara compositions and one or several application device for the mascara compositions, the application device comprising a cap and a rod provided with a heatable applicator element.
US08443814B2 Flexible level system for a comb
A comb system for creating or replicating a haircut. The comb system has a comb that measures different angles via level and measuring attachments that can be affixed or movable about the comb so user can select the desired angle for an accurate cut.
US08443811B1 Therapy tools and treatment methods
Handheld flashlight type vibratory therapeutic treatment invention, devices, and methods that can house a small piezoelectric crystal adjacent to a bulb in the emitting chamber portion of a flashlight housing, where the crystal is located next to or between light source, or off-axis to the light emitting beam of the flashlight. The crystal can generate a fixed output of approximately 7 to approximately 8 Hertz while the flashlight body is positioned up to approximately 18 inches over the body part being treated with a light beam from the bulb being aimed at the area to be treated. Treatment effectiveness can occur within approximately 2 minutes of being treated. The flashlight invention can be used for treating a variety of ailments such as inflammations, nerve problems, joint pain, muscle pain, as well as gall bladder type problems.
US08443795B2 Use of brackets and rails in concentrating solar energy collectors
Examples and variations of apparatus and Methods for concentrating solar radiation are disclosed.
US08443792B2 Portable campfire chimney
A campfire chimney for placement over a campfire to shield nearby persons from excessive heat, smoke and burning embers. The campfire has a base comprising at least for telescoping legs to adjust the height of the chimney over the fire. The chimney has a bottom conical section for placement over the fire and a tubular top section for exhausting products of combustion. The chimney can be disassembled and can be transported conveniently by a single individual.
US08443790B2 Cocking winch apparatus for a crossbow, crossbow system including the cocking winch apparatus, and method of using same
A crossbow having a bowstring cocking winch apparatus, a cocking winch apparatus usable with a crossbow, and a method of operating the apparatus are described. The cocking winch apparatus includes a projecting alignment member having a non-round cross-sectional shape, where the alignment member is removably securable to a butt portion of a crossbow stock by inserting the alignment member into a correspondingly-shaped hole formed in the stock. The cocking winch apparatus provides a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring, enabling a user to easily cock the bowstring by rotating a handle to draw the bowstring back, and to place it in cocked position in the crossbow trigger mechanism.
US08443785B2 Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pump control systems and methods
A control system for a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicle, includes a composition determination module and a pump control module. The composition determination module determines a composition of LPG in an LPG tank of the LPG vehicle based on an LPG tank pressure and a temperature of the LPG in the LPG tank. The pump control module controls operation of an LPG pump based on the composition.
US08443784B2 Internal combustion engine and method for control
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention an internal combustion engine includes a piston disposed in a cylinder, a valve configured to control flow of air into the cylinder and an actuator coupled to the valve to control a position of the valve. The internal combustion engine also includes a controller coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve when an uncontrolled condition for the internal engine is determined.
US08443782B2 Air intake apparatus for internal combustion engine
An air intake apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold adapted for being connected to an engine head, the intake manifold including therein an intake passage through which a stream of fuel-air mixture passes and a receiving portion formed at an inner circumferential surface of the intake passage, the receiving portion being at a downstream side of stream of fuel-air mixture; a valve open/close mechanism including a cartridge made of resin, an open/close valve accommodated in the cartridge, and a shaft for rotating the open/close valve, the cartridge defining a first clearance with the receiving portion and defining a second clearance with the engine head; and a first elastic member arranged between the engine head and the cartridge of the valve opening/closing mechanism for elastically retaining the cartridge in an upstream direction of the stream of fuel-air mixture.
US08443778B2 Dual crankshaft internal combustion engine
A dual crankshaft internal combustion engine having two rotating offset crankshafts respectively attached to connecting rods. Each of the connecting rods, in turn, are pivotally attached to piston rods, which are located an equidistance between the crankshafts. The piston rods are attached to a piston reciprocally disposed in a cylinder. The crankshafts are aligned in parallel and are geared together, either directly or indirectly, thus causing the crankshafts to rotate in the same or opposite directions, depending upon the linkage gear configuration. The dual crankshaft internal combustion engine utilizes leverage from the wedge-effect of the offset crankshafts to provide increased torque, power duration and fuel efficiency.
US08443776B2 Seal structure, chain case, and seal structure formation method
A chain case disposed opposite an interval between a cylinder block and a cylinder head sandwiching a gasket includes a liquid sealing material guiding recessed portion that opposes the interval and is entirely surrounded by a seal surface. During seal structure formation, a large amount of a liquid sealing material is caused to flow forcefully toward the interior of the interval when an operation is performed to fasten the chain case to the cylinder block and the cylinder head such that the liquid sealing material flows to the innermost portion of the interval, and as a result, the liquid sealing material can reach an end portion of the gasket reliably. Hence, the liquid sealing material can flow sufficiently to positions requiring sealing, whereby lubricating oil leakage from the interior of the chain case can be prevented.
US08443775B2 Systems and methods for controlling engine temperature
A system for controlling temperature associated with an engine is provided. The system includes a first fluid circulating system, including a first fluid pump and a heat exchanger. The engine, the first fluid pump, and the heat exchanger are in flow communication. The system also includes an electric power source. The system further includes a second fluid circulating system, including a second fluid pump and a heating element. The engine, the second fluid pump, the heat exchanger, and the heating element are in selective flow communication. The system further includes a sensor associated with the engine, the sensor configured to sense at least one parameter and to generate a signal indicative of the at least one parameter. Moreover, the system includes a controller configured to control operation of the second fluid circulating system in response to the signal, and to control the heating and cooling of the engine.
US08443771B2 Method of controlling an actuator having a movable member with positional feedback control
A valve actuator for a combustion engine has a movable member for collaborating with a stem of a valve, and an electromagnetic device with a permanent magnet associated with a resilient device for moving the movable member between an extreme valve-closed position and an extreme valve-open position. A method of controlling the valve actuator has the steps of determining a clearance range between the movable member and the valve stem during the movement of the movable member between the extreme closed and open positions, determining, in the clearance range, intermediate positions reached by the movable member as a function of different values of an electrical control parameter of the electromagnetic device, and using positional feedback control to control the electromagnetic device, using one of the intermediate positions as a setpoint value, according to the desired performance of the actuator.
US08443770B2 Secondary air supply system of internal combustion engine
A secondary air supplying system of an internal combustion engine includes secondary air valve chambers to control the supply of secondary air. The secondary air valve chambers are formed in a cylinder-head cover that covers a cylinder head from above. In such a secondary air supplying system, a cam shaft and a rocker-arm shaft are offset from a cylinder axis L and are disposed at respective sides of the cylinder axis L from each other. In addition, the secondary air valve chambers are formed at the rocker-arm-shaft side of the cylinder axis L. With this configuration, it is possible for the secondary air valve chambers formed in the cylinder-head cover to be disposed as close as possible to a cylinder head, and the internal combustion engine can be made more compact in size.
US08443769B1 Internal combustion engines
This invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to internal combustion engines and methods of operating the engines with a new fuel saving cycle. An engine including at least two piston and cylinder assemblies preferably adjacent to one another, that when operating with the new fuel savings cycle, establish at the end of the simultaneous compression strokes a charge of compressed air in one cylinder of one assembly and a charge of compressed air fuel mixture in the other cylinder of the other assembly. When the air fuel mixture is ignited, the high pressure conditions in the other cylinder are immediately communicated through a passage to the one cylinder to accomplish a double expansion during the simultaneous power drive strokes thus using much of the pressure energy before exhaust occurs by the pistons themselves rather than to dump it as is usually done.
US08443768B2 High-flow cylinder liner cooling gallery
A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine and a method of making the same are disclosed. The cylinder liner may generally include a cylindrical body configured to receive a piston assembly. The cylindrical body may further include a main body portion configured for selective engagement with an engine bore, and an upper flange configured to support the cylindrical body within the engine bore. The cylindrical body may also define an undulating cooling gallery adjacent the upper flange. The undulating cooling gallery generally defines a single coolant flow path extending about a perimeter of the cylindrical body.
US08443762B2 Method of feeding different diets to different groups of pigs
A method of feeding different diets to different groups of pigs is disclosed which includes a two-way or three-way sorter in combination with a walk-through scale which directs pigs into different feed courts to feed the same different diets depending on their detected weights. The detected weights of the pigs are compared to weight set points of a pig weight growth curve in the software of the microprocessor associated with the invention.
US08443758B1 Feed bin and boot slide operator
A feed bin boot slide operator provides an arm which may be adjustable in length operably coupled to a handle supported by a leg. The leg and arm are preferably pivotably connected together and the leg may terminate at a foot with a pivot. Movement of the handle reciprocates the arm which is connected to a sliding door so the operator need not crouch underneath the feed bin to operate the door.
US08443757B2 Milking system, method of cleaning a milking system and monitoring cleaning of a milking system
A method and system for cleaning of milking systems—creates slugs of cleaning liquid in milking systems in response to the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid. The milking system includes a milk conduit (3), a liquid sensor (4) for detecting the presence of liquid in the milk conduit (3), a vacuum source (7) for applying a suction pressure to the milk conduit and cleaning equipment (12, 13) including elements supplying cleaning liquid into the milk conduit and an air injector (16) arranged to supply air into the milk conduit, the system being adapted to supply cleaning liquid into the milk conduit, apply a suction pressure to the cleaning liquid and supply air so that a liquid slug is created that flushes the milk conduit. The liquid sensor (4) is adapted to sense the presence of cleaning liquid supplied to the milk conduit, and the system is adapted to supply the air based on the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid. The sensing of the sensor (4) is also used for evaluating performance of cleaning operations.
US08443754B2 Electrostatic coating apparatus
An atomizer (2) with a rotary atomizing head (4) is mounted on the front side of a housing member (6) in which an air motor (3) is accommodated. A primary external electrode (8) is located around the outer peripheral side of the housing member (6) in such a way as to encircle the housing member (6). A secondary external electrode (10) is located on the front side of the housing member (6), in a position closer to the rotary atomizing head (4) than the primary external electrode (8). A first high voltage (V1) in the form of a direct-current voltage is supplied to the primary external electrode (8) from a first high voltage generator (11). On the other hand, a second high voltage (V2), in the form of a pulsating voltage (V2p) consisting of a series of intermittent pulses in a range lower than the first high voltage (V1), is supplied to the secondary external electrode (10) from a second high voltage generator (12).
US08443752B2 Method and device for arranging a sprinkling material on a dough piece
The present invention relates to a method and device for arranging sprinkling material, such as seed, on a dough piece, including at least one member for arranging the sprinkling material on a surface for dough pieces and at least one member for placing the dough piece on the surface provided with the sprinkling material, and also further including in an advantageous embodiment at least one member for applying an adhesive such as water to at least a part of the dough piece to be provided with the sprinkling material, wherein the at least one member for placing the dough piece are adapted to place the dough piece with the part provided with the adhesive facing toward the surface.
US08443750B2 Tethered tow body, communications apparatus and system
The problem of providing a submerged vehicle with above-the-surface communications to a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite while traveling at operating speed is solved by an efficiently deployable tethered tow body having a hydrodynamic and buoyant hull body and incorporating a lift-generating wing that provides hydrodynamic lift to efficiently lift the tow body containing antennas and other communications devices to the surface. The tow body allows for stable operation during underwater tow, surface tow, and transitions between underwater tow and surface tow. Disclosed embodiments include communications apparatuses encompassing the principles of the tethered tow body, as well as various underwater systems that incorporate a tethered tow body or communications apparatus for establishing communications with a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite.
US08443749B2 Floating island module comprised of post-consumer carpet fiber matrix and method of manufacturing same
A floating island comprising one or more modules each comprised of one or more layers of permeable and porous matrix comprised of post-consumer carpet fibers and a top covering and a bottom covering around each layer. Alternate embodiments include layers comprised of polyethylene terephthalate bottle-fiber matrix and/or jute or coir fibers. A method of manufacturing the floating island module described above.
US08443746B2 Elevated walkway for improved cabin height
Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.
US08443744B2 Sewing machine
A sewing machine includes a control portion that controls a thread tension adjustment portion and a feed portion such that a first stitch and a second stitch are formed alternately on a sewing object. The first stitch includes only a stitch in which an interlacing point of the upper thread and a bobbin thread is lower than a top surface of the sewing object. The second stitch includes at least one set of a first section and a second section. The first section is a section in which the interlacing point and the bobbin thread are pulled out, by the thread tension, in the first direction on the top surface of the sewing object. The second section is a section in which the bobbin thread is pulled out in the second direction, and at least part of the second section overlapping with the first section.
US08443737B2 Security assembly and method of controlling a security assembly
A security assembly comprising a frame member 12 and a plurality of doors 14 is mountable inside the housing 4 of an ATM or safe etc. Each door 14 can be opened and closed independently of the other doors. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each door 14 is attached to the frame member 12 by a hinge 16. A barrier member 18, which acts to lock the door 14, is mounted to the door 14 by two pivoting brackets 20. When in the locked condition, the barrier members 18 extend substantially along the whole length of the edge of the door to prevent access through the boundaries between the doors and the frame. A barrier member actuator in the form of a plurality of independently moveable locking blades 22 is slidably mounted to the frame 12.
US08443736B2 Furniture-supported retractable platform assembly
A platform assembly is suitable for insertion and retention between a lower furniture support, such a boxspring of a bed, and an upper furniture support, such as a mattress of a bed. The platform assembly has a housing and a platform provided with foldable legs. When withdrawn from the housing with the legs in the unfolded position and resting on the floor, the platform is able to support a load, such as blankets, pillows, suitcases and the like, and even a pet or small child.
US08443730B2 High strength polymer-based cartridge casing and manufacturing method
A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing can include a first end having a mouth and a neck extending away from the mouth. Next, a shoulder extends below the neck and away from the first end. The cartridge can be have a frangible portion capable of being split upon discharge of a projectile. The shoulder can have unequal outside and inside shoulder angles. The casing can also include an insert having a rim at one end or a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally along a wall between the shoulder and the bottom of the cartridge and spaced radially from each other around a circumference of the wall. A projectile can be disposed in the mouth and a relief can be disposed on the neck near the mouth and projectile. The relief can form a gap between the neck and the projectile to receive an adhesive.
US08443729B2 Cartridge for a firearm
The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a centerfire rifle cartridge with a case having a head having a rim, a body extending from the head to a tapered shoulder, and a neck extending from the shoulder and defining a mouth receiving a bullet. The body has a straight external surface free of a protruding belt, and has a maximum diameter sized to closely fit for operation within a standard action of magnum width. The cartridge has an overall length sized to closely fit for operation within a standard action such as a short action or a long action.
US08443724B2 Process apparatus with output valve and operation thereof
An apparatus is provided for treating a loose fibrous solid organic feedstock. The apparatus includes a reactor vessel and a compressor operable to introduce feedstock at elevated pressure into the reactor chamber. The apparatus includes means for controlling and modulating moisture level within the reactor. The apparatus includes an outflow or discharge assembly that has its own feeder or drive for packing feedstock into a discharge accumulator. The discharge accumulator feeds an outflow valve, in this case a uni-directional rotation ball valve operated by a servo motor. Discharge from the valve may be carried through a diffuser into a settling cyclone. In operation the ball valve is rotated to open and close the outflow passageway, the rate of rotation being variable in real time. The rate of rotation may be a function of the pressure or other parameters sensed in the reaction vessel, and, particularly, in the accumulator immediately upstream of the ball valve, and of proxy sensed values such as discharge feeder motor current.
US08443721B2 Food product steamer
A food product steamer includes rotatable platforms that can be covered and uncovered by one or more rotatable, concave hoods. In a first position for the platform(s), the platform(s) supports a food product over a steam-emitting opening above a steam generator. In a first position for the hood, the hood covers the food product such that steam from the steam generator is trapped within the hood to steam the food product. In a second, open position, the hood is rotated where it can receive the food product when the food product slides or falls off the platform as the platform is rotated from its first position to a second, elevated position. At least one embodiment enables food products to be removed from either side of the steam generating base by using a double-acting hinge.
US08443720B2 Continuous curding machine for tofu products
The object of the present invention is to provide a continuous curding machine for tofu products, designed to be capable of manufacturing clean tofu products in that it will not cause a leakage of soymilk and seams and/or wrinkles on the tofu, sanitary and simple in mechanism, easy to perform transport of tofu to following processes, and capable of forming a deep coagulation compartment so as to enable “tatedori” (taking the depth of the coagulation compartment to be the longest side of the tofu). The machine is equipped with the conveyor belt C that transports coagulating coagulant-added soymilk as well as with a concave member 10 disposed underneath the belt. The belt C is conveyed as it is shaped into concave in accordance with the form of the said concave member 10 disposed underneath, and forms a coagulating compartment 10a, 10b.
US08443713B2 Rotary cylinder device
Disclosed is a small rotary cylinder device wherein friction loss is reduced and energy is conserved by reducing effects of a reaction force applied from cylinders to pistons, which is incorporated in a piston composite body and which linearly reciprocates, the piston composite body being eccentrically connected to a first crank shaft rotating about a shaft. Guide bearings (1c) guide linear reciprocation of first and second piston assemblies (7, 8) attached to second tube bodies (6b), which are caused by rotating a first crank shaft (5) about a shaft (4) and rotating a piston composite body (P) about the first crank shaft (5), in the radial direction of a rolling circle of second imaginary crank shafts (14a, 14b), which has a radius 2r and which is centered at the shaft (4).
US08443712B2 Gas-operated firearm
A gas operating system for a firearm renders the firearm capable of firing a wide range of shot loads by passively or automatically compensating for different shot loads. The firearm includes a plurality of ports formed in the firearm barrel, and corresponding ports formed in a gas cylinder of the gas operating system. The ports tap gases generated during firing which are used to cycle the firearm. When firing different cartridge loads, differing combinations of the ports are selectively at least partially blocked or otherwise obstructed by the cartridge casing according to the size of the cartridge.
US08443711B2 Gas operating systems, subsystems, components and processes
A gas operating system for a firearm includes a gas block, a barrel nut that maintains the gas block at a predetermined axial position on a barrel of the firearm, a member that is movable with respect to the gas block axially with respect to the barrel in response to pressure exerted by expanding propellant gases conveyed thereto by the gas block and a mechanical linkage receiving a force form the member urging it in an axial direction of the barrel and coupled with a loading and ejection mechanism of the firearm to convey the force thereto for operating the loading and ejection mechanism. Various embodiments of gas block assemblies and operating rods for gas operating systems for firearms are provided.
US08443710B2 Battery-powered motor unit
The technology herein relates to rotating a second structure, which can be a turret, relative to a first structure, which can be a vehicle. The system can include a motor unit having a motor with a motor gear to rotate a drive shaft and a drive gear. A manual input shaft can also be configured to transmit rotation to the drive shaft. The motor can have a central axis that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with a plane substantially defined by an outer surface of a gear box coupled to the motor. A mounting bracket is configured to allow mechanical communication between the motor unit and an internal ring gear. The mounting bracket has a mounting frame defining at least a first slide channel. A first motor unit coupler has a slide flange that is slidably received by the mounting frame and receives a motor unit. The internal ring gear can be mounted to a vehicle and a turret can be pivotably disposed within the internal ring gear. A motor unit is mounted on the turret and a drive gear is rotatably mounted on the motor unit and in direct engagement with the internal ring gear.
US08443708B2 Textile armour
Textile armor (2) comprising at least one textile section (4) and corresponding supporting means (6), wherein the arrangement is such that the or each textile section is fully extended.
US08443705B2 Optical fiber cutting device
An optical fiber cutting device is configured so that a disk-like blade member is moved in a state, in which the blade member is pushed against a glass fiber part of an optical fiber, to form a flaw on a surface of the glass fiber part. The blade member is turned by a feed roller in synchronization with a movement operation of the blade member that rotates by a contact friction force generated when the blade member is put into contact with a contact member fixedly provided halfway a movement path of the blade member.
US08443703B2 Wireless transmission torque wrench with angular orientation correction
Disclosed is a torque wrench with wireless transmission function, including at least one wrench body having an end to which a tool head is coupled for coupling with a tool piece, such as wrench socket, for application of torque, at least one toque-strain bar, which is coupled to the tool head of the wrench body, at least one torque sensor, which is mounted to the toque-strain bar to detect the value of the torque transmitted to the toque-strain bar, at least one angular position sensor, which is set inside the wrench body to detect a horizontal angle of the body and the tool head, at least one detection and processing circuit, which is arranged in the wrench body and connected to the torque sensor and the angular position sensor to convert detected torque and angle into digital torque and angle data for displaying or issuing an alarm and to transmit the torque and angle data in a bi-directional wireless manner, and at least one control receiver, which receives the torque and angle data from the detection and processing circuit for subsequent applications.
US08443697B2 Bicycle shifter
A shifter designed to actuate a gear change device of a bicycle by pulling and releasing a control cable. The shifter includes a base plate mountable to the bicycle, a cable spool and cable-pull and cable-release lever assemblies. The cable spool is rotated in a cable-pull direction to wind the control cable thereon and in a cable-release direction to unwind the control cable therefrom. The cable-pull and cable-release lever assemblies are operatively connected to the cable spool to rotate the cable spool in the cable-pull and cable-release directions, respectively. The cable-pull lever assembly includes a cable-pull lever rotated about a first axis and at least two winding pawls received by and rotating with the cable-pull lever about the first axis to transmit rotational movement of the cable-pull lever to the cable spool.
US08443695B2 Adjustable steering column assembly with break-away lever
An adjustable steering column assembly having a repositionable steering column and a break-away lever arm. The lever arm has a first mounting interface and an adjustment assembly member operably coupled with the steering column has a second mounting interface. Engagement of the first and second mounting interfaces mounts the lever arm on the adjustment assembly member. Movement of the lever arm rotates the adjustment assembly member to facilitate the repositioning of the steering column. Applying a breakaway force exceeding a threshold value to the lever arm disengages the mounted lever arm from the adjustment assembly member by relative translational movement between the first and second mounting interfaces. Some embodiments employ a threaded fastener installed to a predetermined torque to bias the first and second mounting interfaces into engagement. The threaded fastener can be installed such that it may be non-frangibly disengaged by displacement through the open end of a slot.
US08443692B2 Multi-linked device having a reinforcing member
A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.
US08443691B2 Vehicle reversing apparatus
A vehicle reversing apparatus includes a reverse drive gear, a reverse gear, a shifter gear, a shifter gear slide mechanism, and lost motion mechanism. The reverse drive gear is configured to rotate by a starter motor or an internal combustion engine, and the reverse gear is configured to reverse the vehicle. The shifter gear is configured to be mounted circumferentially rotatably relative to a reverse shaft and to transmit rotation of the reverse drive gear to the reverse gear. The shifter gear slide mechanism is configured to slide the shifter gear through rotation of a shifter motor to enable the shifter gear to engage the reverse drive gear and the reverse gear. The lost motion mechanism is configured to coaxially connect a rotation shaft of the shifter motor and the reverse shaft to each other.
US08443687B2 Electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, first and second actuator control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and first and second clutch control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A valve is in downstream fluid communication with the first and second actuator control devices. Selective activation of combinations of the control devices allows for a pressurized fluid to engage the dual clutch and an actuator in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
US08443684B2 Rotary drive device
The subject is a rotary drive device (1), which has a device housing (7) in which drive means (2) are disposed that are in driving communication with a rotatably supported power takeoff part (4). The power takeoff part (4) has a power takeoff disc (5) that is received at least partly in a bearing receptacle (25) of the device housing (7), the power takeoff disc being surrounded by an annular roller bearing unit (33). The roller bearing unit has a bearing assembly (34) with rolling elements (35) and with one inner and one outer running surface arrangement (37, 38), and the entire bearing assembly (34) is disposed inside the bearing receptacle (25) and is surrounded radially outward by a boundary wall portion (27) of the device housing (7).
US08443683B2 Double-wheel control moment gyroscope
Provided is a control moment gyroscope, in which a pair of momentum wheels are symmetrically disposed, thereby reducing torque noise and vibration, increasing output torque, and reducing its size. The control moment gyroscope includes a gimbal rim, a wheel frame having a first wheel frame located inside the gimbal rim and a second wheel frame having the same structure as the first wheel frame and symmetrically coupled with the first wheel frame, a first momentum wheel coupled to the first wheel frame, a second momentum wheel coupled to the second wheel frame corresponding to the first momentum wheel, a gimbal motor installed on an outer circumference of the gimbal rim and connected with first ends of the first and second wheel frames, and an angular velocity sensor installed on the outer circumference of the gimbal rim, connected with second ends of the first and second wheel frames.
US08443682B2 Asymmetric-cup anemometer
A rotational cup anemometer with an improved design for the cups is herein disclosed. The anemometer has a rotational assembly with essentially identical cups. Each cup is asymmetric to the plane of rotation. Each cup has a central axis parallel to the plane of rotation. Each cup is asymmetric to the central axis of the cup. Each cup may have a lower surface extension that provides a lifting surface, contributes to an upward force as the rotational assembly is rotated or affects presented frontal area at wind angles. A rotation rate of the rotational assembly as a function of wind angle is closer to the ideal cosine curve as compared to a standard anemometer, for a range of wind angles. Rotating the rotational assembly in a wind parallel to the plane of rotation produces a net upward force on the cups that offsets the weight of the rotational assembly.
US08443671B2 Micromechanical structure and method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure
A micromechanical structure includes: a substrate; a seismic mass movable relative to the substrate along a first direction parallel to a main plane of extension of the substrate; a first electrode structure is connected to the substrate; and a second electrode structure connected to the substrate. The seismic mass includes a counterelectrode structure having finger electrodes situated between first finger electrodes of the first electrode structure and second finger electrodes of the second electrode structure, along the first direction. The first electrode structure is fastened to the substrate by a first anchoring element in a central region of the micromechanical structure, and the second electrode structure is anchored to the substrate by a second anchoring element situated in the central region.
US08443668B2 Yaw rate sensor
A yaw rate sensor having a substrate, a first Coriolis element and a second Coriolis element is described, the first Coriolis element being excitable to a first vibration by first excitation means, and the second Coriolis element being excitable to a second vibration by second excitation means, and the first and second Coriolis elements being connected to one another by a spring structure, and the spring structure also including at least one rocker structure, the rocker structure being anchored on the substrate by at least one spring element.
US08443664B2 Equalizing container for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system
An equalizing tank for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, with a housing including a housing upper part and a housing lower part, and with a device for monitoring the fluid level in the equalizing tank, the device including a switching unit which is fastened to the housing and has a plug-in connector and a contact carrier, a portion of which projects into a guide pipe which extends into an interior space of the tank, and a sensor element or switching element which is arranged on the contact carrier in the region of the guide pipe and which can be switched by a transmitter in a switching point at which the switching unit generates a signal for an electronic control unit.
US08443663B1 Navigational aid for boom/mainsail
An embodiment of concentrically-mounted disks, designed for sailing, which can be used in conjunction with a navigational chart and/or a compass to calculate boom/mainsail angles in degrees relative to a sailboat's course heading, calculating all sailable compass headings. Calculations factored by transitioning boom/mainsail angles, apparent wind ratios, angle of attack, and the areo-hydrodynamics of sailing. Further providing depictions of course heading, relative position of boom/mainsail, apparent wind direction, and coordinates relative to a navigational chart.
US08443662B2 Geo-location systems and methods based on atmospheric pressure measurement
System and method for geo-location of a device (such as a tag) using barometric pressure readings taken in the vicinity of the device and correlated to datasets of barometric pressure that have pressure gradients over time and space. The readings taken in the vicinity of the device may be correlated to the datasets using an iterative Bayesian approach to determine a geo-location of the device with a high degree of confidence.
US08443654B2 Device for monitoring the obstruction of at least two filters of a fluid circulation system of an aircraft gas turbine engine
A device monitors an obstruction of two fluid filters of a fluid circulation system of a gas turbine engine of an aircraft. A first obstruction sensor sends a first detection signal of an obstruction of a first filter. A second obstruction sensor sends a second detection signal of an obstruction of a second filter. A processor includes a monitoring input to measure the first and second detection signals. The first obstruction sensor includes a Wheatstone bridge including a strain gauge resistor. The second obstruction sensor is connected in parallel with the strain gauge resistor. The first detection signal is sent over a first predetermined variation range. The second detection signal is sent over a second predetermined variation range, distinct from the first variation range. The processor identifies the obstruction of one of the fluid filters as a function of one of the variation ranges of the detection signals.
US08443653B2 Breakaway tooling apparatus
A breakaway tooling apparatus connectable to a manipulator and at least one tool for limiting the amount of damage to the associated manipulator and tool when the apparatus accidentally engages an obstacle. The detection mount has a narrowed neck region and stepped throughbore adjacent the narrowed neck region for creating a weakened portion that will fracture upon the realization of a predetermined force to the detection mount. An air passageway extends from an outer portion of the detection mount to an inner portion of the detection mount, wherein the air passageway is connectable to a supply of pressurized air. A blocking member prevents the pressurized air from passing through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is not fractured at the weakened portion, and the blocking member allows pressurized air to flow through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is fractured at the weakened portion. A pressure indicator determines whether the air pressure in the air passageway is above or below a predetermined air pressure level, thereby indicating whether the detection mount is fractured at the weakened portion.
US08443651B2 Drop test device for testing corner of case
A drop test device for testing a corner portion of a work piece, includes a bottom board, a support pillar, and a hanging mechanism. The support pillar is mounted on the bottom board. The hanging mechanism is mounted on the support pillar and is located above the bottom board. The hanging mechanism includes a support member. The support member includes a triangle base. Angles and sides of the triangle base hold the work piece thereon to have a corner of the work piece directed towards the bottom board.
US08443646B2 Compensation device for a press brake
An adjustment compensator device for a press brake die includes an elongate engagement member, an elongate die holder, an elongate primary adjustment wedge and at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges. The elongate primary adjustment wedge is positioned between and extending along at least a portion of the elongate engagement member and the elongated die holder, and at least a portion of primary adjustment wedge is adjustable in a direction transverse to an elongate length of the engagement member. The at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges have a length wherein each of the secondary adjustment wedges is less than a length of the primary adjustment wedge. The elongate secondary adjustment wedges are positioned end to end in a direction along a length of the die holder and positioned between the engagement member and the die holder. Each of the elongate secondary adjustment wedges is adjustable in a direction transverse to the elongate length of the engagement member.
US08443635B2 Laundry machine
A novel-structure laundry machine that is capable of washing laundry using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a machine body constituting the external appearance thereof, a drum mounted in the machine body for receiving laundry, a steam generation unit for generating steam, and a primary steam supply part for supplying the steam generated in the steam generation unit into the lower part of the drum.
US08443628B2 Method for manufacturing non-planar glass-ceramic products
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a non-planar product in glass-ceramic. Said method comprises the following steps: (i) in a conventional furnace (3), heating a sheet of precursor glass of said glass-ceramic, so that said sheet becomes formable while avoiding its ceramming; (ii) forming said heated sheet; (iii) cooling said formed sheet (2b); (iv) ceramming said formed, cooled sheet.
US08443617B2 Refrigerator and rail assembly thereof
Provided is a rail assembly fixed to the sides of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, with rail housings supporting rail members that insert and extrude a storage container, and a light source fixed to a rail housing to indicate whether a certain function is being performed in the storage compartment and function as a lamp that illuminates the inside of the storage compartment.
US08443616B2 Replacement basin for refrigerated counter
A replacement basin for a refrigerated counter having an integral basin and a method of installing that replacement basin is disclosed. Upon removing of the existing integral basin, the replacement basin may be mounted to the refrigerated counter, connected to the counter's existing refrigeration system, and then used to support one or more removable product filled bins or containers.
US08443612B2 Engine mounting arrangement
An engine mounting apparatus having a yoke carrier block and a main mount block, the yoke carrier block being connectable to the main mount block, the main mount block being connected to the engine by at least one engine attachment link for transferring loads from an engine in a normal load path during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement, characterized in that the yoke carrier block is connected to a further engine attachment link independently of the main mount block, the further engine attachment link being unloaded during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement and arranged to transfer loads from the engine in the event of a failure of one or more components in the normal load path.
US08443604B2 Memory alloy spring engine
A memory alloy spring engine includes a spring (1) made from a memory alloy, a driving stem (6) and a heat resource. The memory spring (1) is connected to the driving stem (6) and configured to move the driving stem (6) when being compressed and deformed by an external force, to restore to an original shape after being compressed and then heated, and to move the driving stem (6) again after being cooled and then compressed and deformed again so as to move the driving stem (6) up and down along therewith in continuous repeating cycles. The memory spring is equipped with a polyhedral glass ball (3), the polyhedral glass ball (3) is configured to collect sunlight from different angles and to conduct solar heat to the memory spring (1) so that the memory spring is heated and thereby restored to the original shape. The engine may utilize natural heat energy (solar energy or geo-heat) and combustible fuel alone or in combination to generate electricity according to different locations or different times.
US08443602B2 Closely-coupled exhaust aftertreatment device for a turbocharged internal combustion engine
An exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust manifold that is configured for fluid communication with an exhaust port to receive an exhaust gas flow. It also includes a primary turbocharger having a turbine inlet configured for fluid communication with the exhaust manifold to receive the exhaust gas flow and pass it to an outlet. It also includes an exhaust bypass valve that is operable for movement between an open position and a closed position, the exhaust bypass valve having an inlet that is configured for fluid communication with the exhaust manifold in the open position to receive the exhaust gas flow and pass it to an outlet. Still further, it includes an exhaust aftertreatment device configured for thermal communication with the exhaust manifold, the device having an inlet configured for fluid communication with the turbine and bypass outlets to receive the exhaust gas flows therefrom.
US08443601B2 Method for controlling a wastegate in a turbocharged internal combustion engine
A method for controlling the wastegate in a turbocharged internal combustion engine including the steps of: determining, during a design phase, a control law which provides an objective opening of a controlling actuator of the wastegate according to the supercharging pressure; determining an objective supercharging pressure; measuring an actual supercharging pressure; determining a first open loop contribution of an objective position of a controlling actuator of the wastegate by means of the control law and according to the objective supercharging pressure; determining a second closed loop contribution of the objective position of the controlling actuator of the wastegate; and calculating the objective position of the controlling actuator of the wastegate by adding the two contributions.
US08443592B2 Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
An exhaust purification system is provided with an NOx storage reduction catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage and an SOx trap material arranged upstream of the NOx storage reduction catalyst and removes SOx contained in exhaust gas. A main flow path has a secondary flow path connected to it. In the secondary flow path, a removal device is arranged for removing the sulfur constituent contained in fuel. The secondary flow path includes an opening and closing device. When the SOx removal rate of the SOx trap material becomes a predetermined removal rate judgment value or less or the concentration of the SOx which flows into the SOx trap material becomes a predetermined concentration judgment value or more, at least part of the fuel flowing through a main flow path is made to flow into the secondary flow path and run through the removal device.
US08443591B2 Exhaust gas oxygen concentration control system and method
An engine control system comprises an oxygen comparison module and a regeneration control module. The oxygen comparison module compares an oxygen concentration of an exhaust gas of an engine to an oxygen threshold. A regeneration control module initiates regeneration of a particulate filter and controls regeneration based on the oxygen comparison and at least one of a particulate filter load, a particulate filter temperature, and a speed of the engine.
US08443589B2 Diesel oxidation catalyst efficiency diagnostic method
A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) testing system includes a DOC that is located in an exhaust system of a vehicle. A control module verifies proper operation of the DOC during a post-fuel injection process in an engine of the vehicle. The control module computes a predicted temperature of exhaust gases at an output of the DOC that corresponds with proper operation of the DOC during the post-fuel injection process, determines an actual temperature of the exhaust gases during the post-fuel injection process, and activates an alarm indicator when a difference between the predicted temperature and the actual temperature is greater than a first predetermined value. A first temperature sensor is located downstream from the DOC in the exhaust system. The first temperature sensor communicates with the control module, generates the actual temperature, and transmits the actual temperature to the control module.
US08443587B2 Method for exhaust aftertreatment in an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes first and second sets combustion chambers fluidly coupled to respective first and second aftertreatment devices. A third aftertreatment device including a supplemental heating device is fluidly coupled to outlets of the first and second aftertreatment devices. The first set of combustion chambers is operated rich and the second set of combustion chambers is operated lean. The supplemental heating device is operated to transfer thermal energy to the exhaust gas feedstream.
US08443586B2 Variable area fan nozzle bearing track
A variable area fan nozzle for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a first track slider movable relative to the hinge beam along a first interface. A second track slider is movable relative to the first track slider along a second interface that includes a bearing assembly. A VAFN cowl is mounted to the second track slider.
US08443585B2 Thrust reversing variable area nozzle
A gas turbine engine system includes a first nozzle section associated with a gas turbine engine bypass passage and a second nozzle section that includes a plurality of positions relative to the first nozzle section. In at least one of the positions, there is a gap between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section. A movable door between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section selectively opens or closes the gap.
US08443583B2 Pilot fuel injection for a wave rotor engine
Apparatus and methods for combustion of fuel. Some embodiments of the inventions include a fuel nozzle which injects fuel into a combustion channel of a wave rotor combustor or a pulse detonation combustor In some embodiments the combustion process includes a backward-propagating detonation wave within a substantially closed channel which compresses discrete quantities of combustible and noncombustible mixture. Yet other embodiments include a precombustion chamber integrated into the wave rotor, the outlet stator or both.
US08443581B2 Method and apparatus for producing optical fiber
An optical fiber producing method and apparatus for producing an optical fiber in which, in a path where an optical fiber is reeled out from a supply bobbin, taken up by take-up means, and wound by a winding bobbin, twists are alternately imparted to the optical fiber by a twist imparting portion. A zone where a high tension load is allowed to be applied to the optical fiber without affecting winding tension of the winding bobbin is disposed, a twist is imparted in the zone, and, when tension immediately before the twist imparting portion is indicated by T (g), a free path length is indicated by L, a twisting amount is indicated by R (turns/m), and a and b are constants, the tension and free path length by which the twisting amount R approximated by “R=a×T×Lb” is made “2” or more are set.
US08443576B2 Post casing
A casing member for assembly with an opposed identical casing member to encase a post includes an elongate body portion having spaced apart first and second side edges extending lengthwise of the body portion. First and second connectors are adjacent the first and second side edges respectively, and extend lengthwise therealong. The first connector includes a first tongue protruding from the body portion along a tongue axis. The second connector includes a groove bounded at least partially by spaced apart first and groove second sidewalls joined to the body portion. The first groove has a groove axis parallel to both the groove sidewalls and the tongue axis. The first tongue is inter-engageable with the first groove of the opposed identical casing member and the first groove is inter-engageable with the first tongue of the opposed casing member so as to secure the two casing members together about the post.
US08443572B2 Building methods
A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure of the structure with a cable retainer attached to, or forming part of, the substructure and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. assembling the sub-structure into a structure; 3. inserting a cable into the cable retainer; 4. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable relative to the cable retainer; and 5. after step 4, bonding the cable to the cable retainer.
US08443570B2 Window jamb channel attachment apparatus and method
A window jamb channel attachment apparatus. The apparatus can include a channel clip, the channel clip including a first foot, a second foot, a first leg, a second leg, and a joining portion, the first foot and the second foot adapted to couple to a window jamb channel, the first leg having a first end coupled to the first foot and a second end coupled to the joining portion, the second leg having a first end coupled to the second foot and a second end coupled to the joining portion, the joining portion including an aperture defined therein. The apparatus can further include an object holder removably coupled to the channel clip, the object holder including a body, a fastener portion sized and shaped to be received in the aperture of the channel clip, and an object support portion.
US08443569B2 Four-way radial connector
An improved connector and connection joining a plurality of supported structural members, preferably four roof trusses or rafters to a supporting structural member, preferably a header or girder truss. The connector is formed with a plurality of seat members, preferably four, that are joined to back member sections at angular junctures stiffened by shallow embossments. Variations can have three or five seat members.
US08443567B2 Spacer for welded wire reinforcement in concrete structures
A spacer is provided for attachment to a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires to space them from a form. The spacer has a base member having a generally planar shape and two opposite sides, one of the sides having two continuous grooves that extend completely across the base member and that intersect one another for receiving therein a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires, and the other of the sides having a projection that projects outwardly therefrom a preselected distance to space the intersecting reinforcement wires a specified distance from a form. A cover member covers the one side of the base member. The cover member has fastening portions that coact with complementary fastening portions on the base member to fasten the cover member to the base member with the intersecting reinforcement wires sandwiched therebetween to thereby attach the spacer to the intersecting reinforcement wires.
US08443564B2 Field adjustable grid intersection clip
A clip for a suspended ceiling grid to join a pair of grid runners intersecting a third grid runner from opposite sides of the third grid runner, the clip being bendable sheet metal symmetrical about a vertical plane, having a saddle portion with a seat and generally planar flaps depending from opposite sides of the seat, including a pair of generally planar wings each cantilevered from a respective one of the flaps; the seat width corresponding to a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner, the flaps extend over the sides of the reinforcing bulb and web of the third grid runner, a flap and wing joined at a vertical bend line, weaker than each adjacent area of the flap and wing whereby the wing can be manually bent to a desired angle relative to the flap.
US08443561B2 Connecting element for panels
A connecting element for panels comprises at least one plate (2) which can be fixed to a first panel (3), a connecting body (4) connected to the plate (2) and which can be inserted in a cavity (6) in a second panel (5) to connect the second panel to the first panel (3); the connecting body (4) having a substantially ‘V’-shaped cross-section and having a top edge (9) which can be completely inserted in the cavity (6).
US08443559B2 Device for fixing substrates, in particular glass substrates
A fastening device for substrates, for example for glass substrates assembled as a multiple glazing unit, including retaining elements placed between at least one of the two substrates facing one another and a supporting structure for transferring loads of the substrates to the supporting structure. The retaining elements include a mechanism to compensate for dimensional variations. The compensation mechanism allows a relative movement between the substrates.
US08443554B1 Variable size door and window sill pan with drain
A variable size sill pan can be adapted to various widths, lengths, and heights of framed door or window openings. The sill pan assembly includes an extruded base which is typically inclined, window or door supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit, and molded corner elements. Grooves are provided on the front flange of the sill pan base to permit the front flange to be cut to a desired length. Grooves are provided on the rear sill pan wall permit the rear sill pan wall to be cut to a desired length. Grooves or markings are provided on a base and on end cap sections to permit the pieces to the cut to a desired width. An assembled sill pan is formed by attaching the adjusted pieces together, or by snapping and gluing the adjusted pieces together.
US08443552B2 Mounting structure of door guard bar
A vehicle has a mounting structure for mounting a door guard bar. An insertion hole is formed in an upper portion of a trim pad, and a lever-handle accommodating hole is formed in a side portion of the trim pad below the insertion hole. An end portion of a lever handle is inserted into the lever-handle accommodating hole. A cover portion of a bezel is disposed on the inner side of the lever-handle accommodating hole, and covers a part of the lever-handle accommodating hole while exposing an operation portion of the lever handle to the inner side of the vehicle. A door guard bar is inserted into the insertion hole, and fixed to the inner door panel of the vehicle door. The cover portion of the bezel covers the portion of the door guard bar.
US08443551B2 Sliding door
A sliding door with a door leaf, which is suspended from two carriages and displaceably guided along a roller rail profile, which is disposed at a wall or at a ceiling, the sliding door having at least one closing device, which is suitable to displace the decelerated door leaf into a closed position. The at least one carriage has a carrier, at or in which the closing device is disposed.
US08443549B2 Sliding door with large opening
A door assembly includes a track, a track header, a fixed door panel, at least two sliding door panels, a pivot mechanism, and a lock arrangement. The sliding door panels are slidably movable on the track between (1) a closed position wherein the sliding door panels are extended across the track, and (2) an open position wherein the sliding door panels are constructed and arranged to be in a compact, overlapping relationship with each other and the fixed door panel. The pivot mechanism is constructed and arranged to enable pivotal movement of the track with fixed door panel and the two sliding door panels mounted thereon about a pivot axis from a normal configuration to a breakaway configuration. The lock arrangement is constructed and arranged to releasably lock the track with respect to the track header to prevent pivotal movement of the track away from the normal configuration.
US08443548B2 Plant container assembly and method
A transplantable plant container assembly is provided for containing a growing medium for a plant that significantly promotes air root pruning. The container assembly includes a container device that includes a sidewall support and a bottom support collectively defining an interior cavity. The sidewall support is comprised of a lattice framework defining a plurality of spaced apertures that extend from an interior wall to an exterior wall thereof. A relatively thin, moisture absorbent liner material is disposed adjacent to the lattice framework. The liner material is sufficiently penetrable to enable root penetration therethrough, by the plant, at the apertures. However, the liner material must also have sufficient structural integrity, when moist, to bound the growing medium and moisture across the spaced apertures of the lattice framework when contained in the interior cavity.
US08443546B1 Hydroponic plant growing system
A hydroponic plant growing system including a housing divided into a growing chamber and a fragrance masking manifold by an electrical control panel having spaced holes formed therethrough which permits air flow between the growing chamber and the fragrance masking manifold. A water reservoir is defined between a reservoir top panel and a bottom panel of the housing, the top panel having spaced plant basket collars adapted to support a plant cup to position plant roots in reservoir and to position plant vegetation within the growing chamber. Air discharge tubes in the growing chamber discharge ambient air into the growing chamber by a fan to circulate air through the growing chamber into the fragrance masking manifold where a fragrance source masks odors before the air is discharged back to ambient. An irrigation pump dispenses water into each plant cup, excess water drained back into the reservoir.
US08443545B2 Automated high-throughput seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.
US08443544B2 Process of growing plants under hypergravity conditions
A process for the germination and/or modulation of plant development by subjecting plants to simulated hypergravity conditions as a way of increasing efficiency and speed of plant development and/or germination.
US08443542B1 Firing pin sighting system
Apparatus and method for a firing pin sight system. At least one rearwardly facing sight is located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of the firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of said firearm. An optical alignment signaling indicia indicates to the shooter when the aim line of the handgun is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment.
US08443538B1 Integral weapon rapid deployment monopod
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol handle on a rifle with a rapidly extendable and height adjustable monopod for enhancing stability and shot accuracy, where the monopod is retracted and concealed inside the rear grip handle when not used, and supports and stabilizes the firearm when the monopod is extended. A spring biased button can be depressed to allow for springs on top of retracted telescoping cylinders to spread apart and extend out from beneath a grip handle on the rifle. The invention can be used to create a triangulation configuration effect when used with a forward bipod, such as a forward grip bipod.
US08443532B2 Steam iron
Steam irons with a steam valve that is controlled by an intuitively operated, usually pivotable handle may not provide consistent steam ironing behavior due to the fact that the force exerted on the handle by the user may change over time. To overcome or mitigate the problem, the present invention provides a steam iron (1), comprising a by-pass (9) around the handle-operated valve (7). The by-pass allows a relatively small but continuous water stream to be transported from a water reservoir (6) to steam outlet openings (12) in the soleplate (11) of the iron. Consequently, subject to an ample supply of water, the steam iron provides a minimum of steam ironing comfort throughout a steam ironing session.
US08443531B2 Device for feeding, ironing, folding and stacking of linen
A device for feeding, ironing, folding and stacking of linen, having a maximum depth of 2.500 mm, and when viewed in the depth direction thereof, being successively provided with a feeding unit for feeding a piece of linen to be ironed into the device, the feeding unit having detection and measuring means to measure the piece of linen, an ironing unit, having at least one ironing roll and, for each ironing roll, a heated chest for ironing the piece of linen, a folding unit for folding the ironed piece of linen, the folding unit being provided with a longitudinal folding portion located after the ironing mangle for longitudinally folding the ironed piece of linen, and a cross folding portion located below the ironing mangle for cross folding the ironed piece of linen, and a stacking unit located to the right or left of the device for stacking the folded linen.
US08443530B2 Ice resurfacing sled
An ice resurfacing sled including a fuel source directing fuel to a manifold which distributes it under a regulated pressure to a plurality of orifices where it is burned in expansion chambers. The hot gas flows into a melting chamber formed by a top surface, two lateral sled runners and the surface of the ice to be melted. The melting chamber is shaped to have a reduced cross sectional area near its rear outlet to assist in maintaining the flow of heated gas beneath the sled to optimize melting. A wind screen is provided at the rear of the sled to prevent tail winds from disrupting the flow of hot gas through the melting chamber.
US08443529B2 Towed piste processing implement
A piste processing implement having a finisher arrangement which is composed of an elastically flexible material and which is provided, on its underside facing toward a piste surface, with profilings which form a profile pattern in the piste surface during towing operation. The profilings have differently designed profiling sections distributed over a width of the finisher arrangement, with at least a first profiling section being provided which has a greater width and a smaller depth than the second profiling sections.
US08443525B2 Picture locating tool
A hanging tool for hanging an ornamental object, e.g., a picture, on a wall includes an extension pole having an anchor attachment attached to an upper end of the extension pole. The anchor attachment includes an anchor for supporting the ornamental object in a laterally offset position relative to the wall. The anchor is disposed along a substantially horizontal axis extending through the anchor attachment. The anchor attachment defines a marking bore offset from the anchor and angled relative to the axis of the anchor to position a marking device, e.g., a pencil, at the intersection of the axis of the anchor and the wall in order to mark the wall and transfer the vertical location of the anchor to the wall.
US08443522B2 Pocket safety cutter
Pocket safety cutter devices include ergonomic blade housing and handle portions adapted to be safely folded together into compact closed configurations.
US08443519B2 Blade supports for use in shaving systems
Supported blades for use in shaving systems are disclosed. The supported blades include a blade support having a surface that is coated with aluminum. The aluminum coating is on a portion of an outer surface of the blade support or on the lower surface of the blade support or covering the entire lower surface of the blade support. The aluminum coating is less than 5 μm thick and is made of substantially pure aluminum. By providing aluminum coating, corrosion is prevented without the need for aluminum clips. The supported blades may be mounted in a blade unit housing without clips within a cartridge which can be mounted on a detachable or permanent handle of a shaving razor.
US08443517B2 Expansion joint bracket and method
An expansion joint bracket retains an expansion joint board in a concrete installation. The expansion joint bracket may include a base member having multiple nail holes for securing the bracket to the earth (or sand or gravel put down prior to pouring concrete there upon). First and second board support members may run perpendicular to the base and parallel to each other to hold the expansion joint board in place. Gussets, typically triangular shaped gussets, extend from the board support members to the base member. The expansion joint brackets may be disposed every 12-24 inches on the expansion joint board and concrete may be poured over the expansion joint brackets, resulting in a quick and simple concrete installation.
US08443515B2 Welded gas turbine engine parts with different thicknesses and method
A welded part comprises a first detail and a second detail at least partially overlapping the first detail in an overlapping zone. A pair of side-by-side weld seams is provided in the overlapping zone to form a part suited for used in a gas turbine engine with the first and second details.
US08443514B2 Maintenance method of a gas turbine unit and gas turbine unit
A maintenance method of a gas turbine unit, having a first stator element provided with first connecting holes contemplates replacing a second stator element, provided with second connecting holes and connected to the first stator element by means of coupling pins insertable into the first and the second connecting holes, with a third spare stator element provided with third connecting holes; and coupling the first stator element to the third spare stator element by means of eccentric coupling pins and eccentric bushes, each of which is selectively insertable in the first and the third connecting holes.
US08443509B1 Preparing bar-wound stator conductors for electrical interconnection
A method of preparing a plurality of bar-wound stator conductors for electrical interconnection includes inserting the plurality of conductors into a stator, twisting a conductor such that a first conductor of a first row is adjacent to a second conductor of a second row; trimming the adjacent first and second conductors to a common length using a trimming device; and grinding the trimmed first and second conductors to a pre-determined surface profile using a rotary cutting tool.
US08443504B2 Pin tool assembly for acting on a retaining pin for a tooth of a ground engaging implement
A pin tool assembly for forcibly removing a first type of retaining pin from digging teeth arranged in side-by-side relation across a forward edge of a digging implement. The pin tool assembly includes a tool defining a blind recess laterally disposed to one side of the tool. The tool assembly further includes an elongated extractor pin having an enlarged head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. Cooperating instrumentalities maintain and position the extractor pin relative the tool such that, when a force is applied to the tool, the free end of the shank portion of the pin engages with and forcibly extracts the retaining pin from the digging tooth. Preferably, the tool further defines a plurality of openings for snugly accommodating a series of retaining pins therein.
US08443502B2 Blank arrangement
This invention relates to a blank arrangement, with a blank (22) that is to be machined, in particular for the production of dental restoration parts. The blank is connected to a holder (16), which is fixedly connected to the blank (12), and to an adapter (22), which releasably bears the holder (16) and the blank (12), the adapter (22) having an effective surface by means of which the blank unit can be mounted in or on the work holding fixture of a machining device.
US08443500B2 Universal rubber bushing extraction tool
A universal rubber bushing-extracting tool includes a threaded rod and two pushing units. Each of the pushing units includes a nut, a mount, a bearing and two pushers. The nut is engaged with the threaded rod. The mount includes at least two slots defined therein. The bearing bears the mount on the nut. Each of the pushers is movably located in a related one of the slots. The pushers of one of the pushing units push an internal ring of a rubber bushing and the pushers of the other pushing unit push an external ring of the rubber bushing.
US08443498B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing a multi layer chip capacitor
The present invention carries out the vacuum deposition by setting a deposition angle between a single mask set including a shadow mask having a plurality of slits and a deposition source to form a lower terminal layer, a dielectric layer, an inner electrode layer, and an upper terminal layer at once under a vacuum state generated once, or adjusts slit patterns by relatively moving upper and lower mask sets that respectively include shadow masks having a plurality of slits and face each other to form a lower terminal layer, a dielectric layer, an inner electrode layer, and an upper terminal layer at once under a vacuum state generated once.
US08443494B2 System for magnetically cinching clothing to a user
One embodiment of a system includes a backing bar extending a bar length between a first bar end and a second bar end, the bar having an aperture disposed through the bar, with the aperture located between the first end and the second end, the aperture sized to pass a portion of clothing a first magnet coupled to the backing bar proximal the first end a second magnet coupled to the backing bar proximal the second end and an elongate concave bar receiving member extending along a receiving member length that is approximately as long as the bar length, the receiving member length extending between a first receiver end and a second receiver end, with the receiving member being magnetic proximal the first receiver end and the second receiver end, the receiver to receive the backing bar to pinch clothing extending through the aperture between the backing bar and the receiving member.
US08443493B2 Fastening device
A fastening device for attaching a structural member to a support member includes a lower portion having a shank portion attachable to the support member, and an upper portion having a radial flange at the outer side and an axial passage. The shank portion is insertable into the axial passage of the upper portion from one end thereof. At least one outer side of the shank portion has an axially parallel extending row of saw-tooth-shaped teeth, and a resilient pawl being formed at the axial passage for cooperating with the row of teeth in a ratchet manner, when the upper portion is pushed onto the shank portion in a first direction, to block a displacement of the upper and lower portions in a second, opposite direction.
US08443489B2 Appliance hinge counterbalance assembly
A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge includes a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. The base includes: (i) a channel located between the first and second side walls; and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base. The cam includes: (i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, with a first end of the camshaft located in the first notch portion and a second end of the camshaft located in the second notch portion; and, (ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft. The hinge assembly includes a biasing spring that comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. The outer end of said spring is located outside the channel. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lobe of the cam such that the spring biases the spring rod to an extended position.
US08443488B2 Door closer capable of realizing self-control positioning
A door closer capable of realizing self-control positioning has a cylindrical housing, a piston, a spring and a pull rod; the piston is built in the cylindrical housing and connected and fastened with one end of the pull rod; the pull rod is sheathed in the spring, and the two end parts of the spring respectively are in contact with a sealing lid of the piston and the cylindrical housing; the door closer further has a self-control positioning mechanism having a cylindrical outer sleeve a control part and a locking part; the cylindrical outer sleeve is connected and fastened with the cylindrical housing; the control part and the locking part are linked by a clutch and joined together; the locking part and the pull rod are linked by a clutch, and the pull rod is provided with a series of grooves which can be clasped with the locking part.
US08443486B2 Electric vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner includes an electric air blower; a dust separator placed at an upstream side of the electric air blower and having a filtration filter for taking in dust-containing air sucked by the electric air blower and separating the dust from the air; and a dust accommodating section for accommodating the dust separated by the dust separator. The filtration filter includes a plurality of through-holes penetrating from an upstream surface at an upstream side to a downstream surface at the downstream side, and a central axis of the through-hole is inclined with respect to a normal line direction of a surface of the filtration filter.
US08443484B2 Substrate processing apparatus
To automatically purge a transfer chamber by means of inert gas. There is provided a substrate processing apparatus including a controller that performs control so that a transfer chamber 102 connected to a processing chamber 202 for processing a substrate is purged by gas, the controller having a switching unit that switches a function of exhausting the gas in the transfer chamber 102 in a set direction, and a function of circulating the gas through the transfer chamber 102 in an inert gas atmosphere.
US08443481B2 Mop head with attachment part
A mop head with an attachment part for receiving a handle. The attachment part is arranged to slide along the mop head between at least two fixed positions, in which the attachment part cooperates with the mop head in a locking fashion through the action of locking elements. The attachment part is provided with at least one unlocking element that, when a force directed towards another fixed position is applied on the unlocking element, by acting on the locking element cancels the locking cooperation between the attachment part an the mop head. In particularly advantageous embodiments, the unlocking elements are embodied as ears arranged at the attachment part. Further, the locking elements may include attachment lips arranged on the unlocking elements that cooperate with attachment bores on the mop head. The attachment part may also be arranged to slide in a groove in the mop head with a receiving element.
US08443480B2 Ostomy pouch cleaner
A hand tool and related method is provided for cleaning the discharge opening of an ostomy pouch. The hand tool includes a handle with a handgrip, a swab holder, and a bore extending through the handle; and a swab plunger having a telescoping shaft with proximal and distal ends extending though the bore, a gripping member attached to the proximal end of the shaft, and a swab engagement cap attached to the distal end of the shaft, the plunger having retracted and extended positions. A closed-end tubular swab is inserted over the distal end of the swab holder to wipe waste material from the ostomy pouch discharge opening. The plunger is then extended and pushed forward to detach the swab from the hand tool.
US08443474B2 Dock levelers with thermally balanced traction decks
Example dock levelers installed at a vehicle loading dock include pivotal or otherwise vertically adjustable deck plates with special coatings on the deck's upper surface. In some examples, the coating improves traction and addresses various thermal issues, such as condensation and thermal strain between a polymeric coating and a steel deck plate. In some examples, when indoor and outdoor air create a temperature differential across opposite faces of the deck, the coating is designed such that a median temperature of the temperature differential occurs near an interface where the coating bonds to the steel plate's upper surface. In some examples, the coating includes particles of different sizes and colors embedded within and covered by a polymeric base material. As traffic abrades the coating, the different colored particles become exposed at different levels of wear, thereby providing a visual signal indicating when the coating needs to be touched up or replaced.
US08443473B2 Patient positioning frame device and application technique
Devices and methods of the present invention are directed to positioning a patient in a prone position that exposes the posterior thoracic lumbar spine during a surgical procedure, such as a laminectomy procedure. The device has at least three support members, with a first support member configured and adapted to support at least a portion of a patient's torso and the patient's hips; a second support member, generally contiguous with the first, configured and adapted to contact a patient's thighs and to position the patient's thighs in a desired angular position relative to the patient's hips and torso; and a third support member, generally contiguous with the second support member, adapted to support a patient's knees and lower legs and to position the patient's lower legs in a desired angular position relative to the patient's torso and thighs. A patient is positioned in the frame device prior to being anesthetized while the patient is lying supine and, during or following administration of anesthesia, the patient (mounted in the device) is rolled onto an operating table and positioned in a prone position. Operation on the posterior thorical-lumbar spine in this position is especially advantageous, and the spinal canal remains virtually bloodless, providing excellent visualization during the surgical procedure. When the surgery is finished, the process is reversed.
US08443472B2 Litter attachment bracket
A modular bracket assembly is provided for use with a field hospital portable bed or a NATO litter. The assembly includes a clamp that can be releasably attached to the pole of a litter. The clamp is formed with a mounting aperture. The assembly also includes a lower support that can be mounted in the mounting aperture of the clamp or in attachment holes of field hospital portable beds or the socket that is formed within each hinge when a collapsible litter. An accessory mount is provided on the lower support and can receive a mounting flange affixed to a medical accessory. An upper support can be mounted on the top end of the lower support and can be used to support medical equipment items and/or IV solutions.
US08443471B2 Rope and fastener assembly
A rope assembly, according to various embodiments, comprises: (1) a braided rope comprising a plurality of braided strands; and (2) a rope fastener that is adapted to: (A) be attached to the braided rope adjacent a first end of the braided rope; (B) allow a user to selectively form a braided rope loop of a first particular circumference by fitting the rope fastener through the plurality of braided strands at a first particular location on the braided rope; and (C) allow a user to selectively form a braided rope loop of a second particular circumference by fitting the rope fastener through the plurality of braided strands at a second particular location on the braided rope. In various embodiments, the rope fastener is shaped for selectively preventing the rope fastener from returning through the plurality of braided strands after the rope fastener has been fitted through the plurality of braided strands.
US08443468B2 Cervical spine protection collar for contact and non-contact activities
The present invention is a collar/harness worn to protect the cervical spine of an active participant when force is applied that would otherwise cause hyperextension, abnormal movement or position, or compression that results in injury, the device (collar-harness) is worn on the shoulders with an anterior (chest interface) portion and a posterior (back interface) portion such that a removable, adjustable coil interfaces with a helmet and the collar via attachment platforms arrayed at the angle of the mandible on either side and at the base of the head to prevent compression and hyperextensions of the cervical spine.
US08443463B2 Evaporative cooling clothing system for reducing body temperature of a wearer of the clothing system
The present invention discloses an evaporative cooling clothing system for reducing body temperature of a wearer of the clothing system. The clothing system includes a clothing article configured using a wicking fabric and a hollow transport defining a cavity for transporting a liquid from a liquid reservoir to an upper region of the clothing article. The hollow transport has an intake section and a dispensing section. The intake section is attached to the liquid reservoir for receiving the liquid, and the dispensing section is attached to the upper region of the clothing article. The upper region of the clothing article receives the liquid from the dispensing section and transfers the liquid to a lower region of the clothing article. The lower region of the clothing article exposes the liquid to an environment surrounding the clothing article for evaporation.
US08443462B1 Athletic grip enhancing finger gloves
Apparatus worn on the fingers similarly to gloves, to enhance grip, particularly suitable as an aid in catching sports balls. The apparatus having a sheath for each finger, which may bear a friction enhancing material on an external surface. Each sheath may be internally reinforced by members which are more resistant to bending than the constituent material of the sheath. Reinforcement members may comprise bands which extend circumferentially about sheaths or may extend axially along sheaths. Sheaths may be provided with internal elastic bands which may overlie other bands at acute angles thereto or which do not overlie other bands.