最新美国发明专利第2013-05-28期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08450271B2	Peptide-based scaffolds for cartilage regeneration and methods for their use Disclosed herein are novel peptide amphiphile molecules and compositions composed of a peptide sequence that non-covalently binds the growth factor TGF-β1. Also disclosed are methods of using these peptide amphiphiles to create a gel scaffold in situ that enhances articular cartilage regeneration when used in combination with microfracture. Significant improvement in tissue quality and overall O'Driscoll histological scores were observed in rabbits with full thickness articular cartilage defects treated with the TGF-binding peptide amphiphile. The gel can further serve as a delivery vehicle for recombinant TGF-β1 protein growth factor. Scaffolds that localize and retain chondrogenic growth factors may synergistically enhance cartilage repair when combined with microfracture, by inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into chondrogenic differentiation. This invention represents a promising new biomimetic approach to enhance current techniques of articular cartilage regeneration in the clinical setting.
US08450268B2	Methods of using macrocyclic modulators of the ghrelin receptor The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that have been demonstrated to be selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.
US08450262B2	Hydrophobic group-containing copolymer and process for the production thereof [Objective] This invention is to provide a novel copolymer suitably applicable to a detergent composition having an excellent precipitation inhibitory ability and showing a good washing effect even under severe conditions of washing with water used to take Japanese bath. [Solution] A laundry detergent or cleaning composition which comprises a hydrophobic group-containing copolymer characterized by having 1 wt % or more but below 50 wt % of a structural unit (a) derived from at least one kind of monomer (A) selected from ether bond-containing monomers.
US08450257B2	Multipurpose, non-corrosive cleaning compositions and methods of use Compositions comprising an alkanesulfonic acid and an organic nitrogenous base, and related methods of use.
US08450250B2	Drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils A method of preparing a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is able to be injected into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is injected into a pipeline of liquid hydrocarbon hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
US08450248B2	Oil well fracturing fluids Additives useful in attenuating the crosslinking time of sparingly soluble borate minerals and the use of those additives in oil well fracturing fluids and methods are described.
US08450245B2	Heterocyclic alkanol derivatives The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic alkanol derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as biologically active compounds, in particular for controlling harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US08450242B2	Thermal transfer donor element A thermal transfer donor element can be used to provide a clear protective overcoat on a thermal image receiver element from a thermal transferable protective clear film on the donor element. This thermal transferable protective clear film includes a transparent poly(vinyl acetal) binder to which are attached silicone groups to improve scratch resistance of the transferred protective overcoat. Such protective overcoats can also be applied over thermally transferred dye images.
US08450241B2	Film transfer sheet and intermediate transfer recording medium A film transfer sheet including a sheet substrate provided with a layer via a resin layer and a peelable transparent sheet provided with an adhesive layer. The sheet substrate and the peelable transparent sheet are laminated together such that the layer is overlapped on the peelable transparent sheet and peeling is designed to occur between the layer and the peelable transparent sheet so as to transfer the peelable transparent sheet provided with the adhesive layer to a transfer-receiving member. The resin layer includes as an essential component a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a storage elastic modulus of 3.0 ×105 Pa to 1.2 ×106 Pa at a temperature of 130° C. to 150° C. Also provided is an intermediate transfer recording medium including a sheet substrate provided with a layer via resin layer and a peelable transparent sheet provided with a dye receptive layer, in which the sheet substrate and the peelable transparent sheet are laminated together.
US08450238B2	Sorbent formulation for removal of mercury from flue gas Methods and systems for reducing mercury emissions from fluid streams having a high concentration of sulfur oxide species are provided herein. In embodiments, mercury is removed from flue gas streams by injecting a dry admixture of a porous mercury adsorptive material and at least one dry agent into the flue gas stream.
US08450232B2	Catalysts useful for the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons A catalyst useful for the alkylation or transalkylation of aromatic compounds is disclosed. The catalyst is an acid-treated zeolitic catalyst produced by a process including contacting an acidic zeolitic catalyst comprising surface non-framework aluminum and framework aluminum with an organic dibasic acid at a catalyst to acid weight ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 20:1 and at a temperature in the range from about 50° C. to about 100° C. to selectively remove at least a portion of the surface non-framework aluminum. The resulting catalyst may have a measured first-order rate constant, kcum, for the alkylation of benzene with propylene to form cumene, of at least 2.0 cm3/s g.
US08450231B2	Silicon-containing particles, method for manufacturing thereof, oil composition, ceramic material, and method for manufacturing thereof This invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon-containing particles characterized by preparing a uniform phase comprising a curable composition that includes a silicon-containing compound having in one molecule one or more reactive functional groups per 50 silicon atoms and an oil that does not participate in curing of the composition, then curing the composition, and causing phase separation from the oil for obtaining the silicon-containing particles; and to silicon-containing particles obtained by the above method. The method provides silicon-containing particles of an extremely small diameter in a simple process without the use of surfactants. And the silicon-containing particles possess excellent dispersibility in oil and a high degree of ceramification by baking.
US08450228B2	Refractory, method for manufacturing refractory, and refractory raw material In a carbon-containing refractory composed of a refractory aggregate, a carbon based raw material, and a carbon bond connecting between the refractory aggregate or the carbon based raw material, transition metal-containing nanoparticles having particle diameters of 1,000 nm or less and containing a transition metal are contained in the above-described carbon bond while being dispersed. When the carbon-containing refractory is heat-treated, flexible structures of carbon fiber-shaped textures having diameters of 50 nm or less are formed in the inside of a carbon bond and, thereby, an increase in strength, a reduction in modulus of elasticity, and a reduction in thermal expansion coefficient are facilitated. Therefore, a carbon-containing refractory exhibiting high thermal shock resistance, high abrasion resistance, and high corrosion resistance are provided.
US08450222B2	Coated multi-threat materials and methods for fabricating the same According to some aspects, a method of manufacturing a coated multi-threat fabric, including providing a first fabric layer having a first surface, the first fabric layer having a plurality of high performance fibers, applying a first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer, the polymeric material having a melt flow index of between about 0.7 to 1400 g/10 min, a Shore D hardness of between about 36 and 75, and ultimate tensile strength of between about 5 and 75 MPa, spreading the first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer so as to form a raw coated fabric having a first coating layer, and heating the raw coated fabric to bond the first coating layer to the first fabric layer, wherein the first polymeric material is selected such that the coated multi-threat fabric is flexible enough to be stored on a roll of a predetermined size. In some aspects, a coated multi-threat fabric includes at least one layer of fabric, each layer having a plurality of high performance fibers, and at least one coating of polymeric material bonded to the at least one layer of fabric, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer selected to allow the coated multi-threat fabric to be stored on a roll of a predetermined size.
US08450221B2	Method of forming MOS transistors including SiON gate dielectric with enhanced nitrogen concentration at its sidewalls A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) having at least one MOS device includes forming a SiON gate dielectric layer on a silicon surface. A gate electrode layer is deposited on the SiON gate layer and then patterning forms a gate stack. Exposed gate dielectric sidewalls are revealed by the patterning. A supplemental silicon oxide layer is formed on the exposed SiON sidewalls followed by nitriding. After nitriding, a post nitridation annealing (PNA) forms an annealed N-enhanced SiON gate dielectric layer including N-enhanced SiON sidewalls, wherein along lines of constant thickness a N concentration at the N-enhanced SiON sidewalls is ≧ the N concentration in a bulk of the annealed N-enhanced SiON gate layer −2 atomic %. A source and drain region on opposing sides of the gate stack are formed to define a channel region under the gate stack.
US08450218B2	Methods of forming silicon oxides and methods of forming interlevel dielectrics A method of forming silicon oxide includes depositing a silicon nitride-comprising material over a substrate. The silicon nitride-comprising material has an elevationally outermost silicon nitride-comprising surface. Such surface is treated with a fluid that is at least 99.5% H2O by volume. A polysilazane-comprising spin-on dielectric material is formed onto the H2O-treated silicon nitride-comprising surface. The polysilazane-comprising spin-on dielectric material is oxidized to form silicon oxide. Other implementations are contemplated.
US08450215B2	Particle beam systems and methods An inspection method comprises focusing a particle beam onto a sample; operating at least one detector located close to the sample; assigning detection signals generated by the at least one detector to different intensity intervals; determining, based on the detection signals assigned to the intensity intervals, at least one first signal component related to electrons incident on the detector; and determining, based on the detection signals assigned to the intensity intervals, at least one second signal component related to X-rays incident on the detector.
US08450214B2	Methods of etching single crystal silicon A single crystal silicon etching method includes providing a single crystal silicon substrate having at least one trench therein. The substrate is exposed to a buffered fluoride etch solution which undercuts the silicon to provide lateral shelves when patterned in the <100> direction. The resulting structure includes an undercut feature when patterned in the <100> direction.
US08450212B2	Method of reducing critical dimension process bias differences between narrow and wide damascene wires A method including forming an organic polymer layer (OPL) on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer having a first opening and a second opening over the OPL, the second opening wider than the first opening; performing a first reactive ion etch (RIE) to form a first trench and a second trench in the organic layer, the second trench wider than the first trench, the first trench extending into but not through the organic polymer layer, the second trench extending through the OPL to the substrate, the first RIE forming a first polymer layer on sidewalls of the first trench and a second polymer layer on sidewalls of the second trench, the second polymer layer thicker than the first polymer layer; and performing a second RIE to extend the first trench through the OPL to the substrate, the second RIE removing the second polymer layer from sidewalls of the second trench.
US08450211B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an insulation layer containing an impurity, forming a contact hole by etching the insulation layer, performing a treatment to decrease a concentration of the impurity on a surface of the insulation layer, and rinsing the contact hole.
US08450209B2	p+ Polysilicon material on aluminum for non-volatile memory device and method A method of forming a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface and forming a first dielectric overlying the surface, forming a first wiring comprising aluminum material over the first dielectric, forming a silicon material over the aluminum material to form an intermix region consuming a portion of the silicon material and aluminum material, annealing to formation a first alloy from the intermix region, forming a p+ impurity polycrystalline silicon over the first alloy material, forming a first wiring structure from at least a portion of the first wiring, forming a resistive switching element comprising an amorphous silicon material formed over the p+ polycrystalline silicon, and forming a second wiring structure comprising at least a metal material over the resistive switching element.
US08450207B2	Method of fabricating a cell contact and a digit line for a semiconductor device The present invention proposes the use of a silicon nitride layer on top of a second conductive layer. After a step of etching a second conductive layer, an oxide spacer is formed to define a gap. Then, another silicon nitride layer fills up the gap. After that, the oxide spacer is removed. Later, a first conductive layer is etched to separate the digit line to cell contact line.
US08450206B2	Method of forming a semiconductor device including a stress buffer material formed above a low-k metallization system A bump structure or pillar structure formed above a metallization system of a complex semiconductor device may include a stress buffer layer, which may efficiently distribute the resulting mechanical stress which may typically occur during the chip package interaction due to a thermal mismatch of these components. The stress buffer layer comprises copper-based buffer regions that cover a significant portion of the overall surface, wherein a thickness of approximately 3-10 μm may also be used. Moreover, the buffer regions may efficiently replace aluminum as a terminal metal active region.
US08450205B2	Redundancy design with electro-migration immunity and method of manufacture An IC interconnect for high direct current (DC) that is substantially immune to electro-migration (EM) damage, and a method of manufacture of the IC interconnect are provided. A structure includes a cluster-of-via structure at an intersection between inter-level wires. The cluster-of-via structure includes a plurality of vias each of which are filled with a metal and lined with a liner material. At least two adjacent of the vias are in contact with one another and the plurality of vias lowers current loading between the inter-level wires.
US08450200B2	Method for stacked contact with low aspect ratio A method for an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a first dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer; forming a second dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer; and forming a contact plug with an upper portion substantially in the second dielectric layer and a lower portion substantially in the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is electrically connected to a metal line in the metallization layer. The contact plug is discontinuous at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion.
US08450198B2	Graphene based switching device having a tunable bandgap A method of implementing bandgap tuning of a graphene-based switching device includes subjecting a bi-layer graphene to an electric field while simultaneously subjecting the bi-layer graphene to an applied strain that reduces an interlayer spacing between the bi-layer graphene, thereby creating a bandgap in the bi-layer graphene.
US08450194B2	Method to modify the shape of a cavity using angled implantation A method of modifying a shape of a cavity in a substrate. The method includes forming one or more cavities on a surface of the substrate between adjacent relief structures. The method also includes directing ions toward the substrate at a non-normal angle of incidence, wherein the ions strike an upper portion of a cavity sidewall, and wherein the ions do not strike a lower portion of the cavity sidewall. The method further includes etching the one or more cavities wherein the upper portion of a cavity sidewall etches more slowly than the lower portion of the sidewall cavity.
US08450192B2	Growth of planar, non-polar, group-III nitride films Growth methods for planar, non-polar, Group-III nitride films are described. The resulting films are suitable for subsequent device regrowth by a variety of growth techniques.
US08450187B2	Method of cutting semiconductor substrate Multiphoton absorption is generated, so as to form a part which is intended to be cut 9 due to a molten processed region 13 within a silicon wafer 11, and then an adhesive sheet 20 bonded to the silicon wafer 11 is expanded. This cuts the silicon wafer 11 along the part which is intended to be cut 9 with a high precision into semiconductor chips 25. Here, opposing cut sections 25a, 25a of neighboring semiconductor chips 25, 25 are separated from each other from their close contact state, whereby a die-bonding resin layer 23 is also cut along the part which is intended to be cut 9. Therefore, the silicon wafer 11 and die-bonding resin layer 23 can be cut much more efficiently than in the case where the silicon wafer 11 and die-bonding resin layer 23 are cut with a blade without cutting a base 21.
US08450184B2	Thin substrate fabrication using stress-induced spalling Manufacturing a thin film direct bandgap semiconductor active solar cell device comprises providing a source substrate having a surface and disposing on the surface a stress layer having a stress layer surface area in contact with and bonded to the surface of the source substrate. Operatively associating a handle foil with the stress layer and applying force to the handle foil separates the stress layer from the source substrate, and leaves a portion of the source substrate on the stress layer surface substantially corresponding to the area in contact with the surface of the source substrate. The portion is less thick than the source layer. The stress layer thickness is below that which results in spontaneous spalling of the source substrate. The source substrate may comprise an inorganic single crystal or polycrystalline material such as Si, Ge, GaAs, SiC, sapphire, or GaN. The stress layer may comprise a flexible material.
US08450183B2	Power semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a power semiconductor device according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) forming a silicon nitride film on a semiconductor substrate; (b) after the step (a), forming a ring-shaped trench along a peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate 6; (c) forming a first silicon oxide film on an inner surface of the trench; (d) after the step (c), forming a second silicon oxide film on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate to bury the trench; (e) planarizing the second silicon oxide film by using the silicon nitride film as a stopper; and (f) forming a third silicon oxide film in a region in which the silicon nitride film is removed.
US08450181B2	In-situ passivation methods to improve performance of polysilicon diode A nonvolatile memory cell including a storage element in series with a diode steering element. At least one interface of the diode steering element is passivated.
US08450176B2	Methods of manufacturing rewriteable three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices include forming a vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells on a substrate. This is done by forming a vertical stack of spaced-apart gate electrodes on a first sidewall of a vertical silicon active layer and treating a second sidewall of the vertical silicon active layer in order to reduce crystalline defects within the active layer and/or reduce interface trap densities therein. This treating can include exposing the second sidewall with an oxidizing species that converts a surface of the second sidewall into a silicon dioxide passivation layer. A buried insulating pattern may also be formed directly on the silicon dioxide passivation layer.
US08450168B2	Ferro-electric capacitor modules, methods of manufacture and design structures Ferro-electric capacitor modules, methods of manufacture and design structures. The method of manufacturing the ferro-electric capacitor includes forming a barrier layer on an insulator layer of a CMOS structure. The method further includes forming a top plate and a bottom plate over the barrier layer. The method further includes forming a ferro-electric material between the top plate and the bottom plate. The method further includes encapsulating the barrier layer, top plate, bottom plate and ferro-electric material with an encapsulating material. The method further includes forming contacts to the top plate and bottom plate, through the encapsulating material. At least the contact to the top plate and a contact to a diffusion of the CMOS structure are in electrical connection through a common wire.
US08450166B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor devices Method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate having a first material on a substrate and forming a layer of a second material overlaying the gate. Sidewall spacers are formed on opposite sides of the gate. The substrate is dry etched using the layer of second material and the sidewall spacers as a mask forming a recess in the substrate between two adjacent gates. A liner oxide layer is formed on inner walls of the recess. The liner oxide layer is removed by isotropic wet etching. Orientation selective wet etching is performed on the recess to shape the inner wall of the recess so as to cause the inner wall of the recess to be sigma-shaped. By removing the substrate portions having lattice defects due to dry etching through oxidation and wet etching, defect-free epitaxial growth performance is realized.
US08450154B2	Oxide based memory with a controlled oxygen vacancy conduction path Methods, devices, and systems associated with oxide based memory can include a method of forming an oxide based memory cell. Forming an oxide based memory cell can include forming a first conductive element, forming a substoichiometric oxide over the first conductive element, forming a second conductive element over the substoichiometric oxide, and oxidizing edges of the substoichiometric oxide by subjecting the substoichiometric oxide to an oxidizing environment to define a controlled oxygen vacancy conduction path near a center of the oxide.
US08450151B1	Micro surface mount device packaging A variety of improved approaches for packaging integrated circuits are described. In one described approach, a multiplicity of dice are mounted on a carrier (e.g., a plastic carrier). Each die has a plurality of wire bonded contact studs secured to its associated I/O pads. An encapsulant is applied over the carrier to cover the dice and at least portions of the contact studs to form an encapsulant carrier structure. After the encapsulant has been applied, a first surface of the encapsulant and the contact studs are ground such that exposed portions of the contact studs are smooth and substantially co-planar with the encapsulant. In some embodiments, a redistribution layer is formed over the encapsulant carrier structure and solder bumps are attached to the redistribution layer. A contact encapsulant layer is applied over the encapsulant carrier structure to provide extra mechanical support for the resulting packages.
US08450147B2	Laminating encapsulant film containing phosphor over LEDs A process is described for wavelength conversion of LED light using phosphors. LED dies are tested for correlated color temperature (CCT), and binned according to their color emission. The LEDs in each_bin are mounted on a single submount to form an array of LEDs. Various thin sheets of a flexible encapsulant (e.g., silicone) infused with one or more phosphors are preformed, where each sheet has different color conversion properties. An appropriate sheet is placed over an array of LED mounted on a submount, and the LEDs are energized. The resulting light is measured for CCT. If the CCT is acceptable, the phosphor sheet is permanently laminated onto the LEDs and submount. By selecting a different phosphor sheet for each bin of LEDs, the resulting CCT is very uniform across all bins.
US08450140B2	Method for large-scale manufacturing of photovoltaic cells for a converter panel and photovoltaic converter panel So as to improve large-scale industrial manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and of the respective converter panels at a photovoltaic cell with a microcrystalline layer of intrinsic silicon compound at least one of the adjacent layers of doped silicon material is conceived as a an amorphous layer.
US08450138B2	Three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructures, method of making, and their application in quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite photodetectors and photovoltaics Provided herein are embodiments of a three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure, a method of producing same, and the application of this structure. The three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure includes two interpenetrating layers which are spatially continuous, include only protrusions or peninsulas, and have no islands. The method of producing the three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure includes forming an essentially planar continuous bottom layer of a first material; forming a layer of this first material on top of the bottom layer that is textured to produce protrusions for subsequent interpenetration with a second material, coating this second material onto this structure, and forming a coating with the second material that ensures that only the second material is contacted by subsequent layer. One of the materials includes visible and/or infrared-absorbing semiconducting quantum dot nanoparticles, and one of materials is a hole conductor and the other is an electron conductor.
US08450136B2	Methods of manufacturing solar energy modules A solar energy module includes one or more solar cells, each having a front side for receiving light and an opposite back side. An encapsulant material covers at least the front side of each of the solar cells. The solar energy module also includes a backskin layer formed from a cross-linked mixture of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and acid copolymer bonded to the back side of each of the solar cells.
US08450133B2	Strained-enhanced silicon photon-to-electron conversion devices Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins.
US08450131B2	Imprinted semiconductor multiplex detection array An array of sensor devices, each sensor including a set of semiconducting nanotraces having a width less than about 100 nm is provided. Method for fabricating the arrays is disclosed, providing a top-down approach for large arrays with multiple copies of the detection device in a single processing step. Nanodimensional sensing elements with precise dimensions and spacing to avoid the influence of electrodes are provided. The arrays may be used for multiplex detection of chemical and biomolecular species. The regular arrays may be combined with parallel synthesis of anchor probe libraries to provide a multiplex diagnostic device. Applications for gas phase sensing, chemical sensing and solution phase biomolecular sensing are disclosed.
US08450128B2	Method for producing semiconductor optical device and semiconductor optical device A method for producing a semiconductor optical device includes the steps of forming a semiconductor region including a ridge structure on a substrate; forming an insulating film on the semiconductor region; forming a non-photosensitive resin region on the insulating film, forming a first mask that defines a scribe area; forming the scribe area by etching using the first mask; after removing the first mask, forming an insulating layer by etching the insulating film, forming an electrode on the ridge structure and the non-photosensitive resin region to produce a substrate product; forming a scribe line on a surface of the semiconductor region in the scribe area of the substrate product; and cutting the product along the scribe line to form a semiconductor laser bar.
US08450126B2	Semiconductor test pad structures A semiconductor test pad interconnect structure with integrated die-separation protective barriers. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of stacked metal layers each having an electrically conductive test pad separated from other test pads by a dielectric material layer. In one embodiment, at least one metallic via bar is embedded into the interconnect structure and electrically interconnects each of the test pads in the metal layers together. The via bar extends substantially along an entire first side defined by each test pad in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a pair of opposing via bars may be provided that are arranged on opposite sides of a die singulation saw cut line defined in a scribe band on a semiconductor wafer.
US08450121B2	Method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display A pixel includes an organic light emitting diode, a first transistor having a source coupled to a first power source, a control gate coupled to a first node, and a drain coupled to a second node, wherein the first transistor includes a floating gate and an insulating layer between the floating gate and the control gate, a second transistor having a source coupled to a data line, a drain coupled to the first node, and a gate coupled to a scan line, a third transistor having a source coupled to the second node, a drain coupled to the organic light emitting diode, and a gate coupled to one of a light emitting control line and the scan line, and a capacitor coupled between the first power source and the first node.
US08450118B2	Method for detecting binding interactions between membrane proteins and analytes in a homogenous assay Devices and methods for detecting interaction between components associated with lipid membranes and analytes are described herein. In certain methods, a surface of a compartment of a device is coated with a material that attaches to lipid membrane from a sample. An analyte is introduced and interaction is detected, for example, by back scattering interferometry. In another method, a surface is passivated with a material that does not bind a lipid membrane. A sample is introduced that contains a membrane comprising a component for testing and an analyte. Interaction is detected. In a third method, a channel is filled with a first liquid that does not comprise a lipid membrane. A bolus of a second liquid that comprises a membrane comprising a component for testing and an analyte is introduced under laminar flow conditions so that a leading edge of the second liquid does not completely displace the first liquid in a sensing area that is interrogated by optical methods, for example, a laser. Interaction between the analyte and the component is detected.
US08450115B2	Method of analyzing a disposable test swipe A portable chemical analytical apparatus to analyze a test swipe includes a heater to warm the test swipe to a predetermined temperature; a clamp to secure the test swipe to the heater; one or more pumps to dispense one or more chemicals onto the test swipe from a disposable cartridge; a fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe; and a camera to capture an image of the test swipe for automated analysis.
US08450114B2	Method of stabilizing constant-temperature path Provided is an automatic analysis apparatus which can obtain stable analysis results by stabilizing a constant-temperature bath and the temperature of a reaction liquid inside reaction containers. For this purpose, the automatic analysis apparatus (1) comprises: a storage tank (10) for storing a temperature controlling liquid (L1) dispensed into reaction containers (5) using dispensing apparatuses (6) and (7); and a dispensation control section for performing a control for dispensing the temperature controlling liquid (L1) using the dispensing apparatuses into an empty reaction container when there is such an empty reaction container, in which neither a specimen nor a reagent is dispensed, on a reaction table (4), where the temperature controlling liquid is cooled down substantially equal to the dispensed reagent by laying a pipe, which is provided between a cooler and a reagent table (2) for passing the coolant, through the temperature controlling liquid in the storage tank.
US08450106B2	Oncolytic virus Malignant tumors that are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies are significant therapeutic challenges. An embodiment of the present invention provides an oncolytic virus capable of killing target cells, such as a tumor cells. In various embodiments presented herein, the oncolytic virus is armed or encodes a therapeutic polypeptide. In at least one embodiment, a recombinant oncolytic virus has been generated that can specifically replicate in cancer cells leading to their destruction and at the same time secrete robust amounts of a therapeutic polypeptide. Compositions and methods disclosed herein have broad therapeutic applicability.
US08450094B1	System for management of yeast to facilitate the production of ethanol A system and method for managing an ethanologen for use in biorefinery is disclosed. The method for propagating ethanologen for use in the production of a fermentation product from biomass omprises the steps of providing a medium for propagation of ethanologen and supplying a first cell mass of ethanologen to the medium. A first cell mass of ethanologen is propagated into a larger second cell mass of ethanologen. The system for propagating ethanologen for use in the production of a fermentation product from biomass comprises a first stage comprising a first vessel configured to maintain a medium comprising ethanologen and a second stage comprising a second vessel configured to maintain a medium supplied from the first stage.
US08450091B2	Perhydrolase providing improved specific activity An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08450090B2	Compositions and methods for promoting fatty acid production in plants The invention relates to methods and products for producing fatty acids by manipulating metabolic function in plants and fungus. The fatty acids generated according to the invention may be useful in the production of biofuels.
US08450081B2	Identification of pathogens in body fluids Identification of infectious pathogens, particularly viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms is effected with a method whereby pathogens of acute infections can be identified, without first culturing them in external nutrient media, by mass spectrometric measurement of their protein profiles obtained from pathogens directly precipitated from body fluid into pellets by centrifuging. With this method, pathogens which cause acute infections can be identified in less than one hour.
US08450071B2	Biomarker and method for detecting a chronic inflammatory-associated disease The present invention in one embodiment uses detection of isoforms of CAP37 as an early detection marker for a chronic inflammatory-associated disease. Chronic inflammatory-related diseases may include, for example, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, and osteoarthritis. The invention is also directed to isoforms of CAP37 protein having apparent molecular weights of about 135 kDa (±15 kDa) and about 100 kDa (±15 kDa) as assessed by SDS PAGE under reducing conditions, and their use as biomarkers for the presence of a chronic inflammatory-associated disease in a subject. The invention is also directed to monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies raised against such isoforms of CAP37 protein and kits and diagnostic tests comprising these antibodies.
US08450070B2	Method for screening of cell-protecting agent The invention provides a screening method and screening kit for a cell protecting agent. Specifically, the invention provides a method for screening a cell protecting agent showing an Hsp90-binding activity and a heat shock protein expression-inducing activity but having no Hsp90 client protein degradation-promoting activity. The method comprises the following steps (1) to (3): (1) measuring the binding property of a test compound to Hsp90; (2) measuring the activity of a test compound to induce the expression of a heat shock protein, or measuring the activity of a test compound to disrupt an Hsp90/HSF-1 complex, by using a cell capable of expressing the heat shock protein; and (3) measuring the activity of a test compound to induce the degradation of an Hsp90 client protein by using a cell capable of expressing the Hsp90 client protein. The invention further provides specifically a kit for screening a cell protecting agent, comprising (1) Hsp90; (2) a reagent for measuring the heat shock protein expression-inducing activity; (3) an imidazothiazine derivative; and (4) a reagent for quantifying an Hsp90 client protein.
US08450065B2	Copy number variation determination, methods and systems The present invention methods and systems for determining copy number variation of a target polynucleotide in a genome of a subject including amplification based techniques. Methods can include pre-amplification of the sample followed by distribution of sample and a plurality of reaction volumes, quantitative detection of a target polynucleotide and a reference polynucleotide, and analysis so as to determine the relative copy number of the target polynucleotide sequence in the genome of the subject.
US08450063B2	Determination of copy number differences by amplification The present invention provides for determining relative copy number difference for one or more target nucleic acid sequences between a test sample and a reference sample or reference value derived therefrom. The methods facilitate the detection of copy number differences less than 1.5-fold.
US08450059B2	Quantitative PCR-based compositions and methods for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis Provided are quantitative PCR-based compositions and methods for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient sample, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The methods presented herein involve isolating a patient sample, optionally extracting DNA from the sample, carrying out a quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of an Aspergillus spp. ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. The present disclosure also provides primers and primer sets for specifically detecting an Aspergillus spp. fungal pathogen in the presence of human ribosomal DNA (rDNA).
US08450057B2	Diagnostic tests using gene expression ratios The invention provides methods for diagnosing biological states or conditions based on ratios of gene expression data from cell or tissue samples, such as cancer cell or tissue samples. The invention also provides sets of genes that are expressed differentially in normal and cancer lung cells and tissues. These sets of genes can be used to discriminate between normal and malignant cells or tissues, and between classes of malignant cells or tissues. Accordingly, diagnostic assays for classification of tumors, prediction of tumor outcome, selecting and monitoring treatment regimens and monitoring tumor progression/regression also are provided.
US08450050B2	Method for manufacturing recording head A method for manufacturing a recording head including forming a flow-channel side-wall forming layer which contains a photosensitive resin, on a substrate having ejection energy generating elements and wiring thereon; exposing the flow-channel side-wall forming layer to light, and optically determining a flow channel; forming a shape stabilizing layer which contains a photosensitive resin; forming an ejection orifice forming layer which contains a photopolymerization initiator and a negative photosensitive resin; exposing the ejection orifice forming layer to light, and optically determining an ejection orifice; and developing the ejection orifice forming layer, shape stabilizing layer, and flow-channel side-wall forming layer, in the order named. The photosensitive resin in the shape stabilizing layer is a material to be cured by a component that is produced upon the exposure of the ejection orifice forming layer and derives from the photopolymerization initiator.
US08450038B2	Toner A toner having good dispersibility of a pigment and a release agent therein and having excellent low temperature fixability is provided. The toner includes a binder resin, a pigment and a release agent, and the binder resin includes a graft polymer in which abietic acids and an unsaturated fatty acid are grafted to a vinyl resin. An image is formed using such a toner.
US08450034B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, image forming method and image forming apparatus Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor exhibiting not only excellent durability together with high sensitivity but also excellent image reproduction, which is suitable for an image forming method by which imagewise exposure is performed employing a light source having an emission wavelength peak being in the range of 350-500 nm to form a high density electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and also provided are an image forming method employing the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and an image forming apparatus thereof. Also disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor possessing a conductive support and provided thereon, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, wherein the charge generation layer possesses a pyranthrone pigment, and the charge transport layer possesses at least one of compounds represented by Formula (1) or Formula (2) described below:
US08450030B2	Thin film evaluation method, mask blank, and transfer mask Provided is a thin film evaluation method for a transfer mask which is adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light and comprises a thin film formed with a pattern on a transparent substrate. The method includes intermittently irradiating pulsed laser light onto the thin film to thereby evaluate the irradiation durability of the thin film.
US08450022B2	Fuel cell hybrid power generation system and method for gas distribution systems A method for use with a gas distribution system in which a higher pressure gas is transported/distributed and reduced to a lower pressure gas for a gas distribution or transmission line, the method comprising pre-heating the higher pressure gas before it is reduced in pressure, using an energy recovery generator to generate electricity using the pre-heated higher pressure gas while reducing the gas pressure to a lower gas pressure, using a fuel cell power plant to generates electricity while producing heat that is used to pre-heat high pressure gas, and combining the electrical outputs of the energy recovery generator and the fuel cell power plant to generate a combined electrical output. The method also comprises the fuel cell power plant making the waste heat available to the gas pre-heater without using a combustion unit thereby increasing the system's electrical efficiency.
US08450020B2	In-vehicle algorithm for fuel cell stack health quantification A method for determining the health of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack. The method includes maintaining a constant flow of hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, shutting off a flow of air to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack when a predetermined concentration of hydrogen in the anode side has been achieved, and identifying a catalyst surface area and a catalyst support surface area for catalyst layers in the fuel cell stack. The method also includes determining the total parasitic current of the fuel cell stack to determine a cross-over parasitic current and a shorting resistance of the fuel cell stack. The method further includes calculating the catalyst surface area and the catalyst support surface area of the catalyst layers and comparing the difference between the identified catalyst surface area and the calculated catalyst surface area to estimate the change in the catalyst surface area.
US08450019B2	Three-way diverter assembly for a fuel cell system A three-way diverter assembly with a movable member is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The movable member, disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet, is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and selectively positional therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.
US08450017B2	Fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification sensors The present invention discloses a fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with RFID sensors includes the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system and an RFID data processing system. The RFID data processing system captures data of the temperature and flow rate from the RFID sensors, while the system data are in turn converted into RFID signals. The RFID data processing system transmits a control signal generated from the RFID signal to control the operation of the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system. Since the RFID transmission technology, the sensor error caused by wires is consequently reduced. Furthermore, overall sensitivity and accuracy of the RFID sensors are increased, which leads to an accompanying increase in the stability of the operating system.
US08450016B2	Fuel cell system and control method of fuel cell system A fuel cell system is provided which estimates a water content in a fuel cell based on a predetermined map using an integrated value of electric current generated by the fuel cell (ST4) before power generation is stopped (ST5). When a temperature of the fuel cell has fallen lower than a predetermined value (ST7) after the power generation is stopped (ST5), the fuel cell system determines a dry degree in the fuel cell (ST8) and an anode scavenging period (ST9) based on predetermined maps. Scavenging is performed in an anode in the fuel cell for the anode scavenging period (ST10).
US08450014B2	Lithium ion batteries with titania/graphene anodes Lithium ion batteries having an anode comprising at least one graphene layer in electrical communication with titania to form a nanocomposite material, a cathode comprising a lithium olivine structure, and an electrolyte. The graphene layer has a carbon to oxygen ratio of between 15 to 1 and 500 to 1 and a surface area of between 400 and 2630 m2/g. The nanocomposite material has a specific capacity at least twice that of a titania material without graphene material at a charge/discharge rate greater than about 10 C. The olivine structure of the cathode of the lithium ion battery of the present invention is LiMPO4 where M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and combinations thereof.
US08450013B2	Material for lithium secondary battery of high performance Provided is a cathode active material containing a Ni-based lithium mixed transition metal oxide. More specifically, the cathode active material comprises the lithium mixed transition metal oxide having a composition represented by Formula I of LixMyO2 wherein M, x and y are as defined in the specification, which is prepared by a solid-state reaction of Li2CO3 with a mixed transition metal precursor under an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and has a Li2CO3 content of less than 0.07% by weight of the cathode active material as determined by pH titration. The cathode active material in accordance with the present invention and substantially free of water-soluble bases such as lithium carbonates and lithium sulfates and therefore has excellent high-temperature and storage stabilities and a stable crystal structure. A secondary battery comprising such a cathode active material exhibits a high capacity and excellent characteristics, and can be produced by an environmentally friendly method with low production costs and high production efficiency.
US08450012B2	Interconnected hollow nanostructures containing high capacity active materials for use in rechargeable batteries Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions. Nanostructures can be interconnected during forming the nanoscale coating, when the coating formed around two nearby template structures overlap.
US08450011B2	Secondary battery and method of producing the secondary battery A secondary battery includes: an electric cell layer including a stack structure sequentially including: a positive electrode layer, a separator layer, and a negative electrode layer having an electrolyte higher in conductivity than an electrolyte of at least one of the separator layer and the positive electrode layer.
US08450009B2	Cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery A cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery including a center pin that has a diameter greater than a diameter of a hole formed in the center of an insulating plate to reduce the noise generated by contacting the center pin with the bottom surface of the cylindrical can.
US08450005B2	Molten salt and thermal battery The present invention provides a molten salt containing at least two salts, and having a melting point of 350° C. or more and 430° C. or less and an electric conductivity at 500° C. of 2.2 S/cm or more. The present invention also provides a thermal battery including the molten salt as an electrolyte.
US08450002B2	Electrode assembly including electrode having non-coated portion, method of manufacturing the same, and secondary battery including the same Disclosed are an electrode assembly, a method of manufacturing the same, and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode coated with a first active material, a second electrode coated with a second active material, and a separator between the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes and the separator are wound into a jelly-roll. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a non-coated portion where an active material is not coated on a roll-starting end or a roll-finishing end of the at least one of the first and second electrodes, the non-coated portion is at a region of a side surface of the at least one electrode, and the region having the non-coated portion does not face an electrode having a different polarity from the at least one of the first and second electrodes with the separator therebetween.
US08450000B2	Rapidly rechargeable battery Design of a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is constructed of a plurality of high surface area, gas adsorbing electrodes and an electrolyte, wherein, during charging operation, gases are formed and adsorbed at the plurality of electrodes such that they generate an electrochemical potential for discharge of the cell formed by electrodes and electrolyte until the state-of-charge has become negligible (deep discharge). The rapidly rechargeable gas battery is designed such that it can withstand high charging current and a deep discharge without irreversible changes in the electrode materials.
US08449996B2	Battery pack A battery pack including a bare cell including an electrode assembly inserted therein, a holder case fixed to one side of the bare cell, a protective circuit board seated on the holder case and including a protection circuit electrically connected to the bare cell to control charging or discharging thereof, a first metal member fixed to the protective circuit board, and a second metal member fixed to the holder case and connected to the first metal member.
US08449995B2	Corrosion resistant coating for copper substrate A protecting coating for a copper substrate is disclosed. The coating comprises seed layer comprising titanium ions that forms an “alloy-like” structure with the copper substrate. The coating further comprises a first layer of carbon disposed on the seed layer comprising titanium ions. A second layer comprising titanium is disposed on the first layer of carbon, and a second layer of carbon is disposed on the second layer comprising titanium.
US08449994B2	Turbine engine components A thermal barrier coating is formed over the substrate. A majority of the thermal barrier coating comprises a multi-phase material comprising a polycrystalline material including two or more phases. Each phase forms an individual grain, adjacent individual grains are separated by grain boundaries, each phase comprises an oxide compound, the multi-phase material is formed from three or more constituents, the three or more constituents consist of different materials that are not completely soluble in each other, and the two or more phases are not completely soluble in each other and do not form only one compound.
US08449989B2	Organic compound and organic light emitting device using the same Disclosed is a compound represented by formula 1: wherein each of A, X, Y, Y′ and Y″ has the same meaning as described herein. When used in an organic light emitting device, the compound represented by formula 1 has at least one function selected from the group consisting of hole injection, hole transport, light emitting, electron transport, electron injection, etc., depending on the type of each unit forming the trimer or substituents in each unit. An organic light emitting device is also disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a first electrode, an organic film having one or more layers and a second electrode, laminated successively, wherein at least one layer of the organic film includes at least one compound represented by formula 1.
US08449986B2	Multifunctional biocomposite additive compositions and methods Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.
US08449985B2	Polyiptycenylene vinylene and method of making the same Methods are provided for obtaining soluble or insoluble poly(iptycenylene vinylene) homo- and co-polymers via a soluble precursor polymer. The polymers obtained by the methods can be used in electronic or opto-electronic devices, e.g., chemosensors.
US08449976B2	Fibrous structures Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Flexural Rigidity (GM Flexural Rigidity or GMFlex) as measured according to the Flexural Rigidity Test Method described herein to Dry Burst (DB) as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method described herein ratio (GMFlex/DB ratio) of less than 0.26 and a Density of less than 0.10 g/cm3 as measured according to the Test Methods described herein are provided.
US08449974B2	Electrically responsive composite material, a method of manufacture and a transducer produced using said material An electrically responsive composite material is disclosed, along with a method of producing an electrically responsive composite material, a transducer having a substrate for supporting a flowable polymer liquid and a method of fabricating a transducer. The electrically responsive composite material produced is configurable for application in a transducer. The method includes the steps of receiving the flowable polymer liquid and introducing electrically conductive acicular particles (1501, 1502) to facilitate the conduction of electricity by quantum tunneling. Dielectric particles (1505, 1506) are added of a size relative to the acicular particles such that a plurality of these dielectric particles are dispersed between adjacent acicular particles.
US08449968B2	Cellular cushioning article A cellular cushioning article is described. The cellular cushioning article may be used to wrap items such as fragile items needing protection during storage or shipping. The article includes a polymeric film including discrete first cells projecting from a major surface of the film. The first cells are arranged in rows parallel to each other, such that for two opposing polymeric films with the major surfaces facing each other, the total thickness of the two opposing polymeric films is less than twice the thickness of one polymeric film. The cellular cushioning article can be fan-folded into a stack occupying much less volume as compared to stacks formed by fan-folding known cellular cushioning articles.
US08449966B2	Pellicle frame and a pellicle A new kind of pellicle frame is proposed which is made up of a core body and a clad body; the core body consists of a composite of carbon fiber plus resin, and it is preferred that the carbon fiber exists in the form of a laminated body of carbon fiber sheets in which the resin is impregnated; and the clad body is the outer layer sealing the core body such that no carbon is exposed through the clad body.
US08449961B2	Pipe for the air intake circuit of a motor vehicle engine, and circuit incorporating the same The present invention relates to a pipe usable for an air intake circuit of a motor vehicle engine, and to this air intake circuit in particular for the intake of air at the outlet of a turbocompressor that comprises at least one such pipe.This pipe (1) comprises at least one inner elastomer layer (10), one outer elastomer layer (16), one intermediate elastomer layer (12) and one reinforcing structure (14) which is situated between the intermediate and outer layers and which comprises yarns based on an aliphatic polyester, such as a PET, each intermediate and outer layer being formed from a composition based on at least one acrylate copolymer (ACM).According to the invention, said composition is crosslinked by means of a system chosen from the group consisting of those based on at least one soap combined with sulfur, with a urea derivative and those based on a thiadiazole.
US08449949B2	Compositions and methods for creating electronic circuitry The present invention is directed to non-lithographic patterning by laser (or similar-type energy beam) ablation, where the ablation system ultimately results in circuitry features that are relative free from debris induced over-plating defects (debris relating to the ablation process) and fully additive plating induced over-plating defects. Compositions of the invention include a circuit board precursor having an insulating substrate and a cover layer. The insulating substrate is made from a dielectric material and also a metal oxide activatable filler. The cover layer can be sacrificial or non-sacrificial and is used to remediate unwanted debris arising from the ablation process.
US08449947B2	Thermal control nonwoven material A nonwoven textile having reversible enhanced thermal control properties, the material comprising: a bat or web bonded by polymeric binder containing thermal control material within the interior of the bat or web, wherein the thermal control material is dispersed throughout the interior of the polymeric binder, and wherein the thermal control material is substantially entirely within the interior of the nonwoven textile.
US08449942B2	Methods of curing non-carbon flowable CVD films A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method may include the steps of mixing a carbon-free silicon-containing precursor with a radical-nitrogen-and/or-hydrogen precursor, and depositing a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer on a substrate. The conversion of the silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer to a silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer is then initiated by a low temperature anneal (a “cure”) in an ozone-containing atmosphere. The conversion of the silicon-and-nitrogen film to silicon oxide in the ozone-containing atmosphere may be incomplete and augmented by a higher temperature anneal in an oxygen-containing environment.
US08449941B2	Method for forming thermal barrier coating on hot-gas-path components of gas turbine during operation Disclosed is a method for formation of a thermal bather coating on a gas turbine during operation thereof, which includes addition of an organic compound containing silicon to a fuel under a first condition in order to form a base layer on the surface of a part coming into contact with a combustion gas of the fuel in the gas turbine during operation thereof, as well as addition of the organic compound containing silicon to the fuel under a second condition in order to form a porous layer having more pores than the base layer above the base layer.
US08449940B2	Deposition of high-purity silicon via high-surface area gas-solid interfaces and recovery via liquid phase Solid silicon is deposited onto electrically heated deposition plates by the reduction reaction of gaseous trichlorosilane and hydrogen which are mixed and pumped across the surfaces of the plates. The plates can have a number of high-surface area geometries such as concentric cylinders, spirals, or repeating S-shapes. Once the desired amount of silicon has been deposited, the deposition plates are heated to above the melting point of silicon causing the deposited silicon to slide off the plates in the form of a crust due to gravitational force. The plates are left coated with a thin film of liquid silicon which contains any impurities leached from the plates. This film is melted off separately from the main silicon crust to avoid contamination of the latter and the plates are then ready for the next deposition cycle.
US08449936B2	Flavor molecules A method of providing a range of flavors to an orally-receivable or ingestible product, the method including adding at least one compound, including salts thereof, of the formula: wherein R1 may be H, OH, O(CH2)2OH, OCH2OCH3 or R2 may be selected from a range of 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic rings, and wherein R3 may be H or OH. The compounds give rise to a wide range of flavors, and some are useful as sweetness enhancers, this allowing sweetener content to be reduced while maintaining sweetness. Also disclosed are orally-receivable or ingestible products including the compounds.
US08449935B2	Process for producing soy milk It is to provide a process and apparatus for producing soymilk which is obtained by completely deactivating various kinds of enzymes responsible for a grassy smell, while preventing heating unevenness, and inducing appropriate thermal denaturation of protein and a rich flavor, and which can be processed by coagulation into tofu high in water retentivity and elasticity and rich in flavor. [Solving means] The apparatus includes a submerged friction-grinding unit M having a friction-grinding portion in which soybeans are friction-ground together with soybean-grinding water to obtain a raw soybean soup, a heating unit N for heating the raw soybean soup obtained in the submerged friction-grinding unit M, a connecting pipe P2 for connecting the submerged grinding unit M and the heating unit N and a preheating unit Y1 attached to the connecting pipe P2 for preheating the raw soybean soup, whereby the raw soybean soup obtained in the submerged friction-grinding unit M is fed into the heating unit N while being preheated and is then further heated in the heating unit N The heating step by the heating unit N may be divided into multiple stages.
US08449933B2	Method for extracting juice from plant material containing terpene glycosides and compositions containing the same Processes for extracting juice from plant material containing terpene glycosides comprising the steps of crushing a plant material comprising terpene glycosides, blanching the crushed plant material in acidified water to obtain a puree, the puree comprising a juice extract and a plant solids residue, separating the juice extract from the plant solids residue, mixing enzymes with the juice extract, and separating the juice extract to obtain a sweet juice.
US08449927B2	Stabilized anthocyanin compositions The invention describes stabile anthocyanin compositions, methods to prepare such compositions and also methods of use of such compositions to treat various afflictions. The present invention describes unique compositions of an anthocyanin and a stabilizing compound such that the combination of the two components provides that the anthocyanin does not readily undergo degradation, such as oxidation, pH instability, etc.
US08449924B2	Process for the preparation of plant extracts for treating skin disorders and enhancing healing of wounds The present invention provides a process for the preparation of Plectranthus amboinicus extracts using a stirring separation method. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the Plectranthus amboinicus crude extract and/or extract for treating skin disorders, including enhancing the healing of wounds, especially in diabetic patients.
US08449922B1	Method of treating a chemically sensitive individual A method for treating a chemically sensitive individual is provided. The method includes the steps of: collecting a blood sample from the individual; isolating normal mixed T and B lymphocytes from the blood sample; propagating the isolated mixed T and B lymphocytes to obtain propagated lymphocytes; lysing the propagated lymphocytes to obtain a lysate; and administering the lysate to the individual. A therapeutic dose of the lysate can be determined by skin testing, and the dose can be administered subcutaneously. The effects of the treatment on the individual can be reflected by clinical tests such as hematological immunological profiles and symptom and signs scores.
US08449914B2	Controlled release carvedilol compositions A controlled release pharmaceutical composition for oral use comprising carvedilol. The composition releases carvedilol after oral administration to a mammal, including a human, in such a manner that a prolonged residence of carvedilol is obtained in the circulatory system compared with the known compositions of carvedilol. Furthermore, a composition according to the present invention makes available to the body a suitable plasma concentration of one or both of the enantiomeric species, namely R(+) and/or S(−) carvedilol for obtaining the desired therapeutic effect.
US08449912B2	Sustained release compositions of alfuzosin The invention relates to sustained release compositions of alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that include one or more functional layers. The functional layer includes alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic rate-controlling polymers.
US08449908B2	Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol The present invention overcomes the problems associated with existing drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. Preferably, the cannabinoids are delivered via an occlusive body (i.e., a patch) to alleviate harmful side effects and avoid gastrointestinal (first-pass) metabolism of the drug by the patient. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for relieving symptoms associated with illness or associated with the treatment of illness in a mammalian subject, comprising the steps of selecting at least one cannabinoid from the group consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (−)-HU-210, (+)-HU-210, 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC-11-oic acid, CP 55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2, selecting at least one permeation enhancer from the group consisting of propylene glycol monolaurate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, an oleoyl macrogolglyceride, a caprylocaproyl macrogolglyceride, and an oleyl alcohol, and delivering the selected cannabinoid and permeation enhancer transdermally to treat an illness.
US08449895B1	Conditioning cleansing cream A conditioning cleansing cream for removing oil and debris from the hair while leaving it soft, detangled, and conditioned is provided. The conditioning cleansing cream comprises an amount of African Black Soap, an amount of Castor Oil, an amount of Aloe Vera Extract, an amount of Jojoba Oil, an amount of Coconut Oil, an amount of Rosemary extract, an amount of Shea Butter, and an amount of Glycerin.
US08449889B2	Immuno-molecules containing viral proteins, compositions thereof and methods of using An immuno-molecule which comprises a soluble human MHC class I effector domain; and an antibody targeting domain which is linked to the soluble human MHC class I effector domain, methods of making same and uses thereof.
US08449888B2	Vaccines based on targeting antigen to DCIR expressed on antigen-presenting cells The present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.
US08449887B2	Anti-chikungunya monoclonal antibodies and uses thereof The present invention relates to the field of arbovirosis caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIK). The present invention specifically concerns anti-CHIK monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and more specifically anti-CHIK.E2 MAbs and their use as diagnostic products in methods for detecting the presence or absence of a CHIK strain.
US08449882B2	Anti-EPHA2 antibody Problem to Be SolvedIt is intended to provide an antibody having an inhibitory activity against cell malignant transformation and/or tumor cell growth, etc.SolutionThe present invention provides an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by a hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836) or a hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837), an antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, an antibody obtained by humanizing the antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, a pharmaceutical agent comprising the antibody as an active ingredient, etc.
US08449878B2	Prebiotic formulations for use with probiotics to increase probiotic growth rate and activity Naturally occurring lecithins and/or oleic acid stimulate the growth and lactic acid producing activity of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species of probiotic bacteria, and replace polysorbate 80 for those products. They can be used in naturally occurring form, or where they are to be combined with probiotics in a carrier, or they can be treated to yield a stable powdered form of these naturally oily compounds. They can be sold as combined prebiotic/probiotic formulations in the same carrier, or sold as separate dietary supplements, e.g., in capsule or tablet form, to be used with the probiotic formulation as desired.
US08449871B2	Composition comprising novel polyurethanes and cosmetic treatment process The present disclosure relates to novel polyurethanes comprising cationic units, of diisocyanates and of nonionic units derived from polyolefins comprising at least 10 mol % of units comprising at least one residual carbon-carbon double bond.The present disclosure also relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polyurethanes, and also to a cosmetic treatment process, for example for shaping and/or holding the hair, comprising the application of such a composition.
US08449869B2	Artificial nail composition having improved adhesion property An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial nail composition which can improve adhesion between a natural nail and an artificial nail, and also can suppress exfoliation or detachment.The artificial nail composition comprises: (a) a compound having at least one radical polymerizable unsaturated double bond in the molecule, (b) an acidic phosphorus compound having at least one radical polymerizable unsaturated double bond in the molecule, and (c) a radical polymerization initiator.
US08449866B2	Cellular labeling for nuclear magnetic resonance techniques This disclosure provides, in part, fluorocarbon imaging reagents and formulations for the ex vivo labeling of cells. Labeled cells may be detected in vivo or ex vivo by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The disclosure additionally provides methods for using the imaging reagents in a variety of clinical procedures.
US08449865B2	Drying process The present invention relates to a method of drying biological and other labile samples so that they can be preserved as a highly viscous liquid. The method involves the steps of preparing a preservation sample by dissolving/suspending an active agent in a solution of a stabilizing agent, subjecting the preservation sample to such temperature and pressure conditions that the preservation sample loses solvent by evaporation without freezing or bubbling to form a foam and removing solvent until the preservation sample dries to form a highly viscous liquid.
US08449863B2	Stabilized uncoated particles of reversed liquid crystalline phase materials Uncoated particles of reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase material containing an active disposed within are provided. The uncoated particles have an ionic charge that is sufficient to stabilize them in dispersion in a liquid, e.g. a polar solvent. The active that is disposed within the particles may be, for example, a pharmaceutical or nutriceutical compound.
US08449862B2	Method for producing hydrogen An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing hydrogen by using formic acid as a feedstock, which provides a solution to problems to be solved for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale, such as problems of production cost, storability and transportability, and also offers improved convenience. The method for producing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized by heating an ionic liquid containing formic acid. The ionic liquid is preferably an ionic liquid in which a counteranion is a formate anion (i.e., formic acid salt). Such an ionic liquid is, as a medium for the production of hydrogen from formic acid as a feedstock, excellent in terms of reaction selectivity (high-purity hydrogen is produced) and reaction velocity.
US08449859B2	Syntheses of quaternary chalcogenides in cesium, rubidium, barium and lanthanum containing fluxes The present invention relates to syntheses of quaternary chalcogenide compounds such as copper zinc tin sulfide in cesium, rubidium, barium and lanthanum containing fluxes. The quaternary chalcogenides are useful as the absorber layer as a p-type semiconductor in a thin film solar cell application.
US08449856B2	Mesoporous silica particles The present invention relates to (1) hollow silica particles including an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure with an average pore size of from 1 to 10 nm, wherein the silica particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.05 to 10 μm, and 80% or more of the whole silica particles have a particle diameter falling within the range of ±30% of the average particle diameter; (2) composite silica particles including silica particles which include an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure with an average pore size of from 1 to 10 nm, and have a BET specific surface area of 100 m2/g or more, and a hydrophobic organic compound or a polymeric organic compound incorporated inside of the silica particles; and a process for producing the hollow silica particles.
US08449848B2	Production of polycrystalline silicon in substantially closed-loop systems Production of polycrystalline silicon in a substantially closed-loop process is disclosed. The processes generally include decomposition of trichlorosilane produced from metallurgical grade silicon.
US08449845B2	Zirconium crucible In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, a zirconium crucible is provided for melting an analytical sample and is capable of inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible by using a high-purity crucible, improving the durability of high-purity zirconium as an expensive crucible material, and increasing the number of times that the zirconium crucible can be used. With this zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, the purity excluding gas components is 3N or higher, and the content of carbon as a gas component is 100 mass ppm or less.
US08449844B2	Multi-chambered tissue containment system for molecular and histology diagnostics A container for storing a biological sample is disclosed. The container includes a first chamber having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end, defining a first chamber interior adapted to receive a sample holder therein. The container also includes a second chamber having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end, defining a second chamber interior adapted to subsequently receive the sample holder therein. The second chamber interior is in fluid isolation from the first chamber interior. A removable closure encloses at least one of the open end of the first chamber and the open end of the second chamber while the sample holder is disposed within one of the first chamber interior and the second chamber interior. A first fluid may be disposed within the first chamber interior, and a second different fluid may be disposed within the second chamber interior.
US08449843B2	Fluid-containing pouches with reduced gas exchange and methods for making same The invention is directed to fluid-containing pouches and to methods for forming fluid-containing pouches. In one embodiment, the invention is to a fluid-containing pouch, comprising first and second opposing sheets, and a fluid (e.g., a calibrant fluid, a reactant fluid or a wash fluid) disposed between the first and second opposing sheets. The first sheet and the second sheet have a substantially liquid and gas impermeable perimeter seal. The sheets may be sealed, for example, by one or more of heat crimping, pressure crimping, heat and pressure crimping, ultrasonic welding, metal-to-metal welding or laser welding. Fluid-containing pouches sealed according to the disclosed methods and apparatuses show substantially improvement in terms of reduced gas exchange, notably CO2 pressurization levels.
US08449840B2	Dispensing device Provided is a dispensing device capable of removing bubbles reliably. In this dispensing device, deaerated water is fed by a water feed pump to the inside of a pipeline up to the vicinity of the leading end of a dispensing nozzle. A water feed valve disposed near a dispensing pump is closed to establish a deaerated water space opened on the leading end side of the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing pump is activated on the space, thereby causing the dispensing nozzle to perform suction and exhaust actions. The dispensing device comprises a vacuum means connected to the space through the water feed valve thereby maintaining a vacuum state. In case the deaerated water space is cleared of the bubbles, the cleared water space is brought, by opening a change-over valve, into communication with a pipeline having a vacuum means connected thereto, thereby bringing the space into the vacuum state.
US08449812B2	Process for the production of a titanium silicalite shaped article A process for the production of a titanium silicalite shaped article by: a) preparation of a synthesis gel containing a Si2 source, a Ti2 source, a template compound and water, b) crystallization of the synthesis gel under hydrothermal conditions, c) drying of the titanium silicalite from step b) at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the template compound, d) preparation of a formable mass containing the product from step c), a binder and a paste-forming agent, e) forming of the mass from step d) into a green shaped article, f) optionally drying, and g) calcinations of the green shaped article, as well as a titanium silicalite shaped article obtainable according to this process, and the use of this shaped article as a catalyst in epoxidation or ammoximation reactions.
US08449810B2	Molding method using shape memory polymer A method is provided for molding a composite part defined by using a preform comprising a shape memory polymer (SMP) binder. A bound preform comprising the SMP binder in a permanent shape and defined by a simplified geometry provided to a mold. The bound preform is heated above a transformation temperature of the SMP binder and deformed into a shaped preform defined by the temporary shape of the SMP binder. In a molding sequence, the shaped preform is constrained in its temporary shape by the mold while resin is introduced to the mold and cured to produce a final part. The shape of the cured part defines the temporary shape of the SMP binder. The bound preform may be generally configured as a mat or be defined by a substantially flat surface such that the preform may be used as a preform to mold a variety of differing part configurations.
US08449808B2	Plastic shell with ink-free pattern and its manufacturing method thereof A plastic shell with ink-free pattern and its manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes a step of providing a multilayered film with ink-free pattern, a step of adhering a protective layer of the multilayered film on a surface of a plastic shell body, and a step of performing a laser engraving procedure to present a relief pattern on a surface of the protective layer.
US08449802B2	Acrylic matt thermoplastic resin films and process for producing the same Acrylic matt thermoplastic resin films having excellent printability, flex whitening resistance, impact resistance and solvent resistance, and a process for the preparation thereof are provided. The films made of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an acrylic resin (A) and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a crosslinked acrylic polymer (B) as a matting agent are prepared by a process wherein the resin composition is kneaded and formed into a film, and the both surfaces of the film are simultaneously brought into contact with rolls between them, one roll being kept at a temperature of not less than the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin composition and the other roll being kept at a temperature of less than the Tg, whereby the film surface contacted with the roll having a temperature of Tg or higher is converted into a mirror surface and the film surface contacted with the roll having a temperature lower than Tg is converted into a matt surface.
US08449800B2	Method of strengthening the connection between pipe sections in high pressure pipelines A preventative maintenance method of strengthening the connection between high pressure, in situ piping. An encapsulation mold is installed over a properly functioning, non-leaking coupling or joint interconnecting pipe sections carrying gas in excess of 60 psi. A resin sealant having tensile strength in excess of 3000 psi fills the mold, so that it circumscribes the coupling and adjacent portions of the pipe sections extending from the coupling, forming a permanent bond to the coupling and pipe sections. The method prevents high pressure pipe connection pullout, which otherwise could lead to catastrophic failure.
US08449798B2	High density powdered material liner A die set for forming explosive charge liners from powdered material is provided. The die set comprises a die block defining a basin and a punch shaped to interact with the basin. The die block and the punch are configured to exclude powdered material from a center axis of the basin.
US08449795B2	Method of manufacturing sinter-active U3O8 powder and method of producing nuclear fuel pellets utilizing the same There is provided a method of producing U3O8 powder having large surface area and small particle size by oxidizing defective UO2 pellets and manufacturing nuclear fuel pellets which are stable in a pore structure and high in density through the use of a mixture comprising UO2 powder and U3O8 powder. The method includes producing an U308 powder having a surface area of at least 1 m2/g by oxidizing defective UO2 pellets at a temperature of 300 to 370° C. in such a way that a maximum weight increase rate per 1 g of the UO2 pellets is up to 0.06 wt %/min; producing a mixed powder by mixing the U3O8 powder with an UO2 powder by 2 to 15 wt %; producing a compact by compression molding the mixed powder; and sintering the compact in a reducing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 1600 to 1800° C. In addition, a small amount of an Al-compound may be added to the oxidized U3O8 powder before the U3O8 powder is mixed with the UO2 powder. The additive such as Al is mixed with the U3O8 powder and then mixed with the UO2 powder to produce the pellets by a conventional production method. This ensures a stable pore structure, high density and a considerable increase in a crystal grain size.
US08449791B2	Graphene composition having liquid crystalline properties and preparation method thereof The present invention relates to a graphene composition having liquid crystalline properties and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly to a graphene composition wherein graphene having useful electrical properties is uniformly dispersed in a medium, whereby it is chemically and physically stable, exhibits a liquid crystal phase in a wide temperature range and has good compatibility with other compounds, and to a preparation method thereof. In the graphene composition, liquid crystalline properties are imparted to graphene, which can be produced in large amounts and has excellent mechanical, chemical and electrical properties, and thus the graphene composition can provide a chance to apply functional carbon materials in various fields, including nanocomposites, energy storage materials, and photonics.
US08449790B2	Solid lithium ion conducting electrolytes and methods of preparation A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.
US08449788B2	Leather finishing compositions comprising dioxolane derivatives Uses of dioxolane derivatives in the finishing of leather are described. Also described, are leather finishing compositions comprising dioxolane derivatives and methods for treating leather.
US08449785B2	Substrate processing method A substrate processing method is provided to process a substrate having a structure in which a lower photoresist layer, a hard mask layer containing silicon, and an upper photoresist layer are sequentially formed on a target layer to be processed. The substrate processing method includes reducing by using a plasma a width of a first opening formed in the upper photoresist layer, so that the hard mask layer is exposed; reducing by using a plasma a width of a second opening formed in the hard mask layer through the first opening having the reduced width so that the lower photoresist layer is exposed; forming a third opening through the second opening having the reduced width so that the target layer is exposed; and a third width reducing step of reducing a width of the third opening by using a plasma.
US08449784B2	Method for securing a sheath to a blade A method for bonding a sheath made of a first metallic material to an airfoil made of a second metallic material includes treating the bonding surface of the airfoil; treating the bonding surface of the sheath; placing an adhesive between the bonding surfaces of the airfoil and the sheath; and pressing the airfoil and sheath together so that the adhesive bonds the sheath to the airfoil.
US08449782B2	See-through-type integrated thin-film solar cell, method of manufacturing the same and method of electrically series connecting unit cells thereof Provided is a method of manufacturing a see-through-type integrated solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method comprises forming a first conductive material being apart and strip patterned on a transparent substrate so that the first conductive material comprises a predetermined space for enabling light to directly pass through the transparent substrate, forming a solar cell (semiconductor) layer, obliquely depositing a second conductive material and etching the solar cell layer using the second conductive material layer as a mask.
US08449774B2	Separation process A process for separating dissolved components from a solution, said process comprising a) introducing a first solution into a solar pond and irradiating the solution with solar energy, such that temperature and concentration gradients are established, whereby the temperature and concentration of solute at the base of the pond is greater than the temperature and concentration of solute at the surface of the pond, b) introducing a portion of the first solution from the pond into a first osmosis unit, and contacting the portion with one side of a selectively permeable membrane, c) contacting the other side of the selectively permeable membrane with a second solution having a lower solute concentration than the portion of first solution from the pond, such that solvent from the second solution passes across the membrane to dilute and pressurize the portion of first solution, d) removing the diluted portion of first solution from the first osmosis unit, and e) using the pressure generated in the diluted portion of first solution to drive a solution of dissolved components through a membrane to separate at least some of the dissolved components from the solution.
US08449770B2	Multi-purpose filter cartridge assembly A multi-purpose water filter cartridge assembly has two sets of manifold holes formed in a top of a manifold integration board. Each set of manifold holes is composed of an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet of the first set of manifold holes communicates with the inlet of the second set of manifold holes. The manifold integration board further has four sets of cartridge connection holes formed in a bottom thereof and each set is composed of a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first and second inlets of two sets of the four sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the first and second outlets of the first set of manifold holes. The inlets of the two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the outlets of the first set of manifold holes. The first and second inlets of the other two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the first and second outlets of the second set of manifold holes, and the inlets of the two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the outlets of the second set of manifold holes through connection holes inside the manifold integration board. At least one filter cartridge is mounted on a bottom of the manifold integration board. The present invention can conveniently and accurately connect multiple filter cartridges in serial, in parallel or both.
US08449765B2	Filter with data storage provided with an antenna for transmitting signals A filter element (1) for filtering fluids, such as hydraulic fluids or gases, is in a filter housing (12) having an inlet (18) for the fluid to be filtered, an outlet (20) for the filtered fluid. The filter element has a data storage (52). Data stored in the data storage (52) is electronically readable from the data storage (52) by a read and/or write device (70). An antenna (60) extends outside the data storage (52) and provides the signal coupling between the data storage (52) and the read and/or write device (70). The antenna (60) extends at least in sections about a longitudinal axis (44) of the filter element (1) such that independently from the angular position of the filter element (1) and the attached data storage (52) a signal coupling between the data storage (52) and the read and/or write device (70) is ensured.
US08449762B2	Catalyst composition for reducing gasoline sulfur content in catalytic cracking process A sulfur reduction catalyst useful to reduce the levels of sulfur in a cracked gasoline product comprises a metal vanadate compound. The metal vanadate compound can be supported on a molecular sieve such as a zeolite in which the metal vanadate compound is primarily located on the exterior surface of the pore structure of the zeolite and on the surface of any matrix material used to bind or support the zeolite.
US08449756B2	Method for producing ferrate (V) and/or (VI) An undivided electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a housing defining an undivided chamber, the housing having one electrolyte inlet and at least two electrolyte outlets; an anode in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber; and an electrolyte in the chamber, wherein the anode and the cathode are not gas diffusion electrodes. The invention also involves a method of operating an electrochemical cell, and methods for making ferrate(VI).
US08449754B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449749B2	In-water discharging apparatus An in-water discharging apparatus is provided. The in-water discharging apparatus may be manufactured with a high voltage electrode formed in one piece with a corresponding electrode, thus facilitating installation and enabling the apparatus to be miniaturized.
US08449747B2	Method and device for selective cation extraction by electrochemical transfer in solution and applications of said method In order to carry out a selective extraction of cations (Mn+) by an electrochemical transfer in a solution from a first electrolyte (E1) to a second electrolyte (E2), the method includes using as an electrolyte separation wall a transfer wall (2) made of chalcogenide with molybdenum clusters (MonXn+2 or MxMonXn+2) and ensuring the cation transfer through the transfer wall by generating a potential difference (ΔE) between the electrode A1 in the first electrolyte (E1) and the electrode C2 in the second electrolyte (E1) or the transfer wall (2) in order to induce an intercalation of the cations in the transfer wall on the side of the first electrolyte, a scattering of the cations therein, and the de-intercalation thereof in the second electrolyte.
US08449744B2	MS-compatible nonionic or zwitterionic surfactants in free-flow electrophoresis The invention relates to the use of MS compatible surfactants in free-flow electrophoretic methods, which allow the separation of analytes with differentiated electrophoretic mobility. The surfactant is preferably a cleavable surfactant, such as PPS.
US08449740B2	Systems and methods for discriminating control solution from a physiological sample Described herein are systems and methods for distinguishing between a control solution and a blood sample. In one aspect, the methods include using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or a control solution based on at least two characteristics. Further described herein are methods for calculating a discrimination criteria based upon at least two characteristics. Still further described herein are system for distinguishing between blood samples and control solutions.
US08449737B2	Hydrogen and oxygen generator having semi-isolated series cell construction An electrolyzer assembly includes an electrolysis unit having: a hermetically-sealed case made at least partially from a durable dielectric polymer material, the case having a gas outlet and an electrolyte inlet; at least one set of series-coupled, equally-spaced, rectangular, vertically-oriented metal plates installed within the case, each set having first and second end plates, each plate having each side edge sealed to a case wall panel and a bottom edge sealed to the bottom panel; a ground connection to each first end plate; and a voltage connection to each second end plate that is non-zero with respect to the ground connection, thereby providing at least a 1.5 voltage differential between each pair of adjacent plates when gaps between each adjacent pair of plates are filled with electrolyte.
US08449735B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449734B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449733B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449732B2	Apparatus for automatically producing water containing nano gold or silver ions The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically producing nano-gold or silver ionized water having a simplified structure. Therefore, the apparatus can be easily fabricated with low cost. Since the ionized water is continuously produced using a waterway through which raw water flows, differently from the conventional techniques in which the raw water stays in a reservoir, it is possible to solve problems such as settlement of ionized water, and thus it is possible to produce nano-gold/silver ionized water having a desired concentration of gold/silver ions within a short period of time. As a result, the antibacterial and sterilizing activity which is an intrinsic property of the nano-gold/silver ions is improved, and the thus produced ionized water having strong detergency can be used as antibacterial and sterilizing water.
US08449728B2	System for production of ethanol and co-products with fractionation of feedstock and solvent washing of fermentation product A system for the production of ethanol and co-products is provided. The system facilitates an overall reduction in the use of energy, for example, by reducing the mass of wet solids supplied to a distillation system. The system also reduces the amount of energy used to dry the wet solids component of a fermentation product, for example, by increasing the ethanol concentration of the wet solids. The system also facilitates the recovery of co-products including bioproducts and other biochemicals extracted from components of the fermentation product. The solids component of the fermentation product may be dried and constituted into a meal that may be used for animal feed, among other uses.
US08449725B2	Apparatus for recovering styrene monomer and method of recovering styrene monomer using auxiliary solvent Described are an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent, more particularly an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer through pyrolysis of waste polystyrene capable of improving recovery ratio of styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent such as steam, preventing repolymerization of pyrolyzed styrene monomer and effectively preventing production of unwanted high molecular weight materials.
US08449720B2	Method of making paper The invention relates to a method of making a paper or paper board, in which method cut pulp is prepared by cutting basic cellulosic fiber pulp at the consistency of at least 25% so that the average fiber length of the basic pulp is decreased by more than 25% and the SR number of the cut pulp is at most 20% higher than that of the basic pulp, and the cut pulp is used as a raw material in the preparation of a stock.
US08449719B2	Security paper A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate comprising a watermark having repeating motifs, and a security structure that does not completely cover the watermark and has at least one semi-reflective area which is superposed at least partly on the watermark; which paper on the one hand allows observation, through the semi-reflective area, at least partially, of one of the motifs, and on the other hand allows observation at least partially of another of said motifs in a region of the watermark that is not covered by the security structure.
US08449718B2	Bulky paper with concavo-convex pattern and process for producing thereof A process for producing a bulky paper with a concavo-convex pattern includes the steps of producing a wet mixed sheet comprising high-basis-weight regions and low-basis-weight regions from a paper-making material prepared by dispersing a fiber starting material and heat-expanding particles in water, the heat-expanding particles being evenly dispersed in the fiber in the high basis-weight and low basis-weight regions; and then heating the wet mixed sheet to cause expansion of the heat-expanding particles and form a concavo-convex pattern. This allows the free designing of concavo-convex sections on bulky papers.
US08449713B2	Gastro-laryngeal mask A method of making a device by integrally molding. The device includes an inflatable mask comprising a relatively stiff component and a relatively soft compliant flexible component. The mask is insertable, at least when deflated, through a mouth of the patient to an inserted location within a patient. The inserted location is near a laryngeal inlet of the patient. The device also includes an airway tube and an evacuation tube coupled to the mask. The relatively soft compliant flexible component of the mask is integrally formed in a single moulding operation.
US08449711B2	Method for manufacturing a motor vehicle trim panel The invention consists of a method for manufacturing a vehicle trim panel so that the sheet of thermoplastic foam that forms the central core of the trim is made from a mixture of thermoplastic material, additives and fibre reinforcement, where the fibre reinforcement forms an integral part of the sheet thermoplastic foam.
US08449705B1	Techniques for making pressure vessels as unitary structures of composite materials A method for making large pressure vessels using a composite over-wrap process and a soluble mandrel structure that is scalable to a much larger vessel size than can normally be accommodated by the over-wrap process. The method allows the production of very large, lightweight vessels with no seams and no metal liners. Extensions of the method provide for the fabrication of fully embedded threaded or non-threaded bosses of composite materials, and fully embedded longitudinal and circumferential stringers or stiffeners.
US08449702B2	Method for solid oxide fuel cell fabrication A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte.
US08449696B2	Rare-earth sintered magnet containing a nitride, rotator containing rare-earth sintered magnet, and reciprocating motor containing rare-earth sintered magnet The present invention relates to a rare-earth sintered magnet 100 containing an R-T-B-based alloy and a nitride of a transition element, while the nitride is distributed preferentially to a surface part. (R, T, and B indicate a rare-earth element, at least one of iron and cobalt, and boron, respectively.)
US08449693B2	Paint roller cleaning and drying apparatus A paint roller cleaning and drying assembly having a hollow cylindrical body having open top and bottom ends and a hingedly attached cover selectively movable between be closed and open position. A nozzle plenum disposed on an inside body surface substantially parallel to the major axis thereof carries a row of spray nozzles. The nozzle plenum may optionally have an interior cross sectional area that varies along its length to equalize fluid pressure delivered to nozzles disposed along the length thereof. A fluid inlet tube with a hose fitting and valve passes through the wall of the body delivering fluid to the nozzle plenum. Legs support the body in an upright orientation. Notches in the bottom of the legs support the apparatus on the lip of a bucket or pail. A roller support bar has one or more roller cover supports depending downwardly from a lower surface.
US08449690B2	Sump of dish washer There is provided a sump assembly of a dishwasher. The sump assembly includes a sump case having coupling bosses protruded upward, a sump cover seating on an upper portion of the sump case, the sump cover having a coupling boss and a coupling hole, a self-cleaning filter assembly mounted on a top surface of the sump cover, the self-cleaning assembly having a coupling hole, a fluid passage guide mounted on a bottom of the sump cover, pump lower having a first coupling boss formed on a frame portion and a second coupling boss formed therein and a washing pump disposed between the fluid passage guide and the pump lower, and a washing pump disposed between the fluid passage guide and the pump lower.
US08449681B2	Composition and method for removing photoresist and bottom anti-reflective coating for a semiconductor substrate A composition for removing photoresist and bottom anti-reflective coating from a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The composition may comprise a nontoxic solvent, the nontoxic solvent having a flash point above 80 degrees Celsius and being capable of dissolving acrylic polymer and phenolic polymer. The composition may further comprise Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH) mixed with the nontoxic solvent.
US08449679B2	Temperature controlled hot edge ring assembly A temperature-controlled hot edge ring assembly adapted to surround a semiconductor substrate supported in a plasma reaction chamber is provided. A substrate support with an annular support surface surrounds a substrate support surface. A radio-frequency (RF) coupling ring overlies the annular support surface. A lower gasket is between the annular support surface and the RF coupling ring. The lower gasket is thermally and electrically conductive. A hot edge ring overlies the RF coupling ring. The substrate support is adapted to support a substrate such that an outer edge of the substrate overhangs the hot edge ring. An upper thermally conductive medium is between the hot edge ring and the RF coupling ring. The hot edge ring, RF coupling ring and annular support surface can be mechanically clamped. A heating element can be embedded in the RF coupling ring.
US08449676B2	Silica glass crucible A silica glass crucible having a sidewall portion and a bottom portion is provided with a first synthetic silica glass layer constituting an inner layer at least in the sidewall portion, a second synthetic silica glass layer constituting an inner layer at least in a region including a center of the bottom portion, and a natural silica glass layer constituting an outer layer in the sidewall portion and the bottom portion. A melting rate of the second synthetic silica glass layer with respect to a silicon melt is higher than that of the first synthetic silica glass layer. An aluminum concentration of the second synthetic silica glass layer is higher than that of the first synthetic silica glass layer.
US08449674B2	System and method for liquid silicon containment This invention relates to a system and a method for liquid silicon containment, such as during the casting of high purity silicon used in solar cells or solar modules. The containment apparatus includes a shielding member adapted to prevent breaching molten silicon from contacting structural elements or cooling elements of a casting device, and a volume adapted to hold a quantity of breaching molten silicon with the volume formed by a bottom and one or more sides.
US08449671B2	Fabrication of SiC substrates with low warp and bow A method of fabricating an SiC single crystal includes (a) physical vapor transport (PVT) growing a SiC single crystal on a seed crystal in the presence of a temperature gradient, wherein an early-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal is at a lower temperature than a later-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal. Once grown, the SiC single crystal is annealed in the presence of a reverse temperature gradient, wherein the later-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal is at a lower temperature than the early-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal.
US08449670B2	Composition comprising a phosphate binder and its preparation An inorganic binder having calcium silicate sites which are connected the one with the other by alumina-silica phosphate bonds, whereby at least a portion of said alumina-silica bonds are alumina-silica phosphate bonds having a weight ratio Al2O3/SiO2 ranging from 0.3:1 to 10:1, a weight ratio Al2O3/P2O5 ranging from 0.0005 to 0.04, and a weight ratio P/B ranging from 20:1 to 100:1, whereby the inorganic binder further includes a waterproof and/or water repellent silicon compound or mixture.
US08449665B2	Coating compositions including starch nanoparticles Media coating composition and inkjet recording media including it. An example composition includes a total solid content ranging from about 10 to about 65 weight percent by total weight of the composition. The solid content includes from about 80 to about 99 weight percent of insoluble starch nanoparticles having a particle size ranging from about 50 to about 300 nm and from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of fillers by total weight of the solid content. A disclosed example inkjet recording media includes a supporting substrate, and the coating composition disposed on the substrate.
US08449664B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording apparatus A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent includes the following a dye (1) and a dye (2). dye (1): a dye represented by the general formula (1) dye (2): at least one dye selected from the group consisting of dyes represented by the general formula (2a), dyes represented by the general formula (2b), C. I. Acid Red 1, and C. I. Acid Red 254.
US08449657B2	Continuous droplet generator devices and methods Continuous droplet generators and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a continuous droplet generator includes an outer housing that defines a working liquid reservoir configured to maintain a working liquid. The continuous droplet generator also includes one or more heaters configured to change the phase of the working liquid and an evaporation-condensation tube positioned at least partially within the outer housing. The evaporation-condensation tube includes a gas inlet configured to receive a particle-containing gas flow, a gas outlet configured to export generated condensed droplets, a wall, an outer wall surface configured to be in contact with the working liquid, and an inner wall surface in contact with the particle-containing gas flow. The vapor is transported to the particle-containing gas flow through the evaporation-condensation tube by diffusion and vapor pressure difference to increase a relative humidity and grow particles within the particle-containing gas flow by nuclei heterogeneous condensation.
US08449654B2	Method and apparatus for the supply of dry gases A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
US08449651B2	Methods of preparing a crosslinked fiber membrane Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.
US08449650B2	Gas storage and separation by electric field swing adsorption Gases are stored, separated, and/or concentrated. An electric field is applied across a porous dielectric adsorbent material. A gas component from a gas mixture may be selectively separated inside the energized dielectric. Gas is stored in the energized dielectric for as long as the dielectric is energized. The energized dielectric selectively separates, or concentrates, a gas component of the gas mixture. When the potential is removed, gas from inside the dielectric is released.
US08449647B2	Method of inoculating magnesium on compacted graphite iron, and cylinder block and cylinder head manufactured by using the method A method of inoculating magnesium (Mg) on compacted graphite iron (CGI) comprises: providing a partition having a predetermined height on the bottom of a ladle so as to divide the interior of the ladle into a first space and a second space; laminating an Mg inoculant and a cover in order in the second space; and tapping liquid CGI cast iron onto the first space, whereby the Mg inoculant becomes in contact with the liquid CGI iron after the liquid CGI tapped onto the first space goes over the partition toward the second space and after the cover is melted by the liquid CGI. According to the method, the deviation of density of Mg is minimized, and a secondary inoculating process can thus be omitted.
US08449644B2	Silicon carbide porous body There is provided a silicon carbide porous article containing silicon carbide particles as an aggregate and an oxide as a bonding material. The silicon carbide particles are bonded together in a state that pores are held among the silicon carbide particles, and an additive amount of the oxide is 0.5 g/m2 or more and below 3.0 g/m2 with respect to a surface area of the silicon carbide particles.
US08449642B2	Filter medium A filter medium (100) having an inflow side (110) and an outflow side (120) defining a flow direction (190). The filter medium comprises at least n consecutive layers Lx of fiber media, x varying from 1 to n, n being more than or equal to 2. L1 (101) is the layer of the n consecutive layers closest to the inflow side of the filter medium and Ln (103) is the layer of the n consecutive layers closest to the -outflow side of the filter medium. For all layers Lx of the at least n consecutive layers, the ratio Hx/(kx*Ax) is substantially identical, wherein Hx is the average thickness of the layer Lx in flow direction, Ax is the average surface area of cross sections according to planes perpendicular to the flow direction, and kx is the permeability coefficient of this layer Lx. The fiber media of at least part of the layers of the filter medium comprises metal fibers.
US08449640B2	Auxiliary O-ring gland Disclosed are sealing apparatuses having a sealing gland for an O-ring, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland. The apparatuses may be utilized for filter cartridges in filter systems.
US08449638B2	Filter element, air cleaner, and methods A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
US08449636B2	Easy rinsing polishing composition for polymer-based surfaces A polishing composition and method for polishing polymer-based surfaces that can be rinsed from the polished polymer-based surface using water so as to leave substantially less polishing residue behind as compared to conventional polishing compositions. Polishing compositions according to the invention include abrasive particles and a rinsing agent dispersed in water. Polishing compositions according to the invention can be used to polish all types of polymer-based surfaces including, for example, organic polymer-based ophthalmic substrates and clear-coat automotive finishes.
US08449634B2	Hydrogen generating apparatus, method of operating hydrogen generating apparatus, and fuel cell system A hydrogen generating apparatus of the present invention includes a controller (20) configured to, during a stop period, control a material gas feeding device (10) to feed a material gas to a gas passage which is located between the material gas feeding device (10) and a valve (16) to perform a maintaining process for maintaining a pressure in an interior of the gas passage at value which is not smaller than a first threshold which is an atmospheric pressure or larger. When the controller (20) detects there is an abnormality in the maintaining process, the controller (20) controls the material gas feeding device (10) and an ignition device (5A) to feed the material gas with an amount which is larger than an amount in a case where the controller detects there is no abnormality in the maintaining process, during a period which lapses from when the controller detects the abnormality until the ignition device starts an ignition operation in a start-up process.
US08449632B2	Sewage material in coal liquefaction The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a sewage material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a sewage material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.
US08449626B2	Cleaning method Described is a method of cleaning a white load in a laundry machine, preferably a professional laundry machine, the method comprises subjecting the load to at least two washing steps and wherein the method comprises the steps of delivering bleach and subsequently a whitening additive.
US08449622B2	Multi-phase osteochondral implantable device An osteochondral implantable device is provided, comprising an upper cap and at least one insert comprising a non-polymeric material in physical contact with the upper cap, said lower insert comprising at least one non-polymeric material, wherein the porosity of the upper cap is greater than the porosity of the insert and the Young's modulus of the upper cap is smaller than the Young's modulus of the insert.
US08449618B2	High performance knee prostheses Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08449617B1	Convertible glenoid implant A shoulder implant assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a frame member, a cup, and a glenosphere. The frame member can have a central hub and a first arm extending therefrom. The frame member can be configured to selectively and alternatively couple with first shoulder implant components in a traditional shoulder configuration and with second shoulder implant components in a reverse shoulder configuration. The cup can have a concave surface that is configured to articulate with a humeral head component. The cup can be selectively coupled to the frame member in the traditional shoulder configuration. The glenosphere can have an outer articulating surface that is configured to articulate with a second cup. The glenosphere can be selectively coupled to the frame member in the reverse shoulder configuration.
US08449616B2	Apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.
US08449613B2	Two part intersomatic implant A spinal implant comprising a hollow body having a leading end, a trailing end and a pair of lateral walls extending from the leading end to the trailing end, the lateral walls including concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body. The implant includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral walls and into the internal space of the hollow body, the anchoring member having bone anchoring projections defining an outer diameter of the anchoring member. When the anchoring member is inserted into the internal space of the hollow body, the concave inner surfaces of the lateral walls substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.
US08449609B2	Insertion device for intraocular lens An insertion device for an intraocular lens is disclosed which can prevent leakage of a liquid in the device and can house and store a lens as well as the liquid. The insertion device includes a main body including a lens housing portion that houses the lens and an insertion cylindrical portion that feeds the lens into an eye, a pushing shaft that moves the lens from the lens housing portion in the front end direction to push out the lens into the eye through the insertion cylindrical portion, and a lens holding member that holds the lens, and is placed in the lens housing portion. The lens housing portion has a shape that receives insertion of the lens holding member from the rear.
US08449595B2	Delivery systems for delivering and deploying stent grafts A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a curved guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the curved guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state.
US08449594B2	Method and apparatus for caged stent delivery In combination a device for delivering a stent within an intraluminal cavity and a stent including an elongated member configured to receive a stent thereon, a stent mounted on the elongated member and movable between a smaller diameter delivery position and an expanded placement position and a tubular portion attached to the elongated member. First and second stent engaging arms and a pusher arm extend distally of the tubular portion. The first and second engaging arms configured to constrain the stent in an area between the arms and the pusher arm configured to contact the proximal portion of the stent. The engaging arms are movable between a closed stent constraining position and an open stent release position. The delivery system can also be used to deliver other vascular implants.
US08449588B2	Duration and comfort in cooling vest The present invention is a cooling vest which has a type of phase change heat sink that particularly lends itself to layering of the heat sinks on the body. The heat sinks are quilted and have a means for the transportation of moisture through them and the means of transportation of air through channels in the quilted heat sinks. Thus they can remove moisture from the surface of the body and remain flexible.
US08449578B2	Multiplanar bone anchor system The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A multiplanar bone anchor system for a fixation procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The system can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The system can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion.
US08449577B2	Spine fixator The present invention relates to a device for the stabilization of the spine comprising at least two pedicle screws and at least one interjacent linking member. The present invention further relates to pedicle screws which combine the advantages of a monoaxial screw with those of a polyaxial screw by avoiding the drawbacks of these screw types. This objective is achieved due to the fact that the screw head is supported on the screw shank such that it cannot be moved for providing an optimal reducibility of the vertebrae, wherein a movable ball element is present in the screw head, which facilitates the introduction of the linking member and fixates the same once the introduction has been effected.
US08449572B2	Tissue closure and tissue closing device A living body tissue closing device includes an elongated body element, a clip (living body tissue closure) for closing a wound hole which penetrates a living body tissue membrane, and a thread. The body element includes a sheath, and elongated feeding and deformation arrangement. The elongated feeding and deformation arrangement includes a covered tube, a pusher tube, a thread anchoring cap, a guide wire, and a stopper. The clip includes a seal portion for covering the wound hole and a peripheral portion of the wound hole from one side of the living body tissue membrane, a deformation portion deformable between a first form in which the deformation portion can pass through the wound hole and a second form in which the deformation portion cooperates with the seal portion to sandwich the living body tissue membrane therebetween, and a fastener portion for retaining the deformation portion in the second form.
US08449569B2	Apparatus for manipulation of implantable medical device and associated method A surgical device for manipulation of an implantable medical device includes a surgical tool and a controller. The surgical tool may include a mechanical interface that enables a surgical instrument to hold and position the surgical tool, an electrical drive mechanism with a drive shaft, the electrical drive mechanism selectively controlling bidirectional rotation of the drive shaft, and a grasping mechanism operationally coupled to the drive shaft. The grasping mechanism for releasably grasping the implantable medical device. The controller includes a first control device. An implant activation of the first control device controls the electrical drive mechanism to rotate the grasping mechanism in a first direction. A removal activation of the first control device controls the electrical drive mechanism to rotate the grasping mechanism in an opposite direction. A method for manipulation of the implantable medical device is also provided.
US08449568B2	Expandable shield instrument for use in intraocular surgery An instrument capable of providing large-area shielding within an isolated operating region, such as the eye, while being passable through a small incision in the region through which the instrument must be inserted. For example, an instrument capable of being passed through a typical 3 mm (or smaller) phacoemulsification incision without undue damage to ocular tissue, and which expands to provide large-area shielding, e.g. to occlude a large-diameter (e.g. approx. 6 mm) posterior capsule opening. The surgical instrument includes two or more leaves, the leaves being interconnected by at least one fastener in a manner that causes expansion of a leading or distal portion of the instrument when the following or proximal portions of each leaf are manipulated, whether by a user or through interaction with a wall of the incision.
US08449555B1	Pedicle probe A bone probe and method of use, for probing a hole formed in a bone. The bone probe includes a head having a peripheral edge, a tail member, and a shaft coupled therebetween. The peripheral edge of the head engages the sides defining a hole in the bone and transmits vibrations along the shaft to the tail member.
US08449552B2	Surgical drill guide with awl and method of use A drill guide and pin system is provided whereby a drill may be inserted through a drill sleeve into a bone portion to provide a drill bore. For some embodiments, a cooperating pin provides a pin bore which intersects the drill bore at a predetermined angle α and predetermined location relative to at least one of the drill sleeve and/or bore. The pin may have an integral catch so that when a wire is inserted through the drill bore, the catch can pull the wire through the pin bore for use in various surgical techniques. Some embodiments have an articulated arm which can lock in a fixed position in a fixed configuration and have a moveable configuration as well.
US08449550B2	IP precision blade guide A bone resection system for a prosthetic implant having an anterior and posterior outer surface attached to bone has a cutting guide having slotted guide surfaces thereon mountable on the prosthetic implant. The guide surfaces are alignable with the implant outer anterior and posterior surfaces. A saw comprising a housing having spaced apart first and second sides joined by first and second edge surfaces and having a proximal end and a distal end can be inserted into the slotted guide surfaces. A cutting head drive system on the housing drives a cutting head having teeth extending outwardly of the distal end of the housing. A cam element is mounted on the saw housing intermediate the proximal and the distal ends. The cam element has a distal end with a guide arm extending therefrom engagable, during insertion, with the guide surface on the cutting guide. The cam element having a stop surface for engaging a stop surface on the cutting guide to limit blade travel.
US08449549B2	Rod coercer A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes a handle having at least one rod contacting arm extending therefrom; an implant gripping assembly pivotally interconnected with the handle; and first and second implant gripping levers interconnected with the implant gripping assembly and including first and second protrusions biased to engage corresponding recesses of the implant. The protrusions can be selectively retracted from the recesses of the implant by pivoting the implant gripping levers.
US08449547B2	Cutting block for bone resection A cutting block having a base, and a top connected to the base via four walls is disclosed. Each wall has an outwardly facing surface to guide a cutting tool. Each wall also has an attachment hole where a tracker may be attached. The cutting block is floated on the bone using the navigation system to position it at correct locations for the bone resection. After correctly locating the cutting block for each required cut, cutting block is fixed to the bone using pins and the bone resected. Same cutting block is suitable for resection of bone for installation of any size prosthetic device. For certain resections, the rotation angle may be mechanically set and need not be navigated.
US08449544B2	Orthopaedic implant and fastener assembly Treating fractures using one or both of an implant, such as an intramedullary nail, and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The implant in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture having a non-circular cross-section that may be shaped to selectively constrain the fastening assembly within the transverse aperture. Two or more components of the fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the implant, and to cooperate to resist a force moment applied thereto. Without the presence of one of the components, such as the lag screw, another component, such as the compression screw may not resist a force moment applied thereto. In some implementations, an engaging member and a compression device of the fastening assembly are configured so that the compression device interacts with a portion of the implant and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US08449539B2	Ablation electrode assembly and methods for improved control of temperature The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.
US08449538B2	Electroporation ablation apparatus, system, and method A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate relatively flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible member includes at least a first working channel. A first and second electrode extends from a working channel at the distal end of the flexible member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first and second electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located between the first and second electrodes. The waveform parameters of the irreversible electroporation electrical waveform are determined based on image information received from the tissue treatment region.
US08449534B2	Device and process for machining the human eye using laser technology A device for machining the human cornea with focused laser radiation includes controllable components for setting the location of the radiation focus, a control computer for controlling these components, and also a control program for the control computer. The control program contains instructions that have been designed to bring about, upon execution by the control computer, the generation of incisions in the cornea in accordance with a predetermined incision figure, the incision figure defining a corneal bed, a flap situated on the bed and also at least one tissue strip situated in the region of the peripheral edge of the flap between the bed and the flap and extending along the edge of the flap. After the flap has been folded away, the tissue strip has to be removed and enables a creaseless post-ablative close fitting of the folded-back flap against the surface of the bed. In this manner, microstriae which may impair the visual capacity can be avoided.
US08449533B2	Devices, systems and methods for meniscus repair Described herein are meniscus suture passers for repair of the meniscus of the knee. These devices are typically suture passers that may include an elongate body having a pair of arms. One or more of the arms may be angled or bent at the distal end region relative to the long axis of the device, forming a distal-facing opening that is configured to fit meniscus tissue. One or both arms may be movable in the axial direction (e.g., the direction of the long axis of the device). The devices typically include a tissue penetrating element housed within one of the arms but configured to extend across the distal opening between the arms. Thus, a suture may be passed from a first side of the tissue to a second side.
US08449532B2	Detachable aneurysm neck bridge A device for bridging a neck of an aneurysm, comprises a junction region, one or more radially extending array elements secured to the junction region, each array element having an unfolded shape and a delivery shape; and a cover attached to the junction region, and extending over the delivery shape of the array elements, wherein each array element is attached at one end to the junction region and the array elements are constructed and arranged to unfold the cover when assuming their unfolded shape, and wherein the device further comprises a tip, and each array element is attached at another end to the tip, the tip comprising an opening through which a vaso-occlusive device or occlusion fluid may be delivered.
US08449531B2	Instrument guide for use with needles and catheters A guide is provided for use with an imaging instrument, the guide including a first portion, a second portion proximate the first portion, and a cavity at least partially formed by the first and second portions, the cavity having a cavity width and configured to retain an instrument therein. The cavity width is selectively changeable to accommodate a plurality of diameters by sliding the second portion along a path with respect to the first portion.
US08449530B2	Medical instrument with a lockable bend control mechanism A medical instrument comprises a shaft whose distal end is bendable. Arranged at the proximal end of the shaft there is a handle on which a bend control mechanism for controlling the bending movement is arranged. The bend control mechanism has a pivotable control element. The pivotable control element runs over a friction element, and an actuating element is provided via which the friction element can be brought out of a locking engagement with the control element.
US08449529B2	Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices A usage key card is adapted to be handled separate from a device tissue treatment device. The usage key card has a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code, which is unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is also adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device. The storage medium is also formatted, when inserted into the reader, to retain data generated pertaining to operation of the device.
US08449524B2	Fluid component analysis systems and methods for glucose monitoring and control Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining analyte concentration in a sample such as bodily fluid. Systems and methods disclosed herein can also include a treatment dosing system to infuse or inject a treatment drug (e.g., insulin or glucose) and provide glycemic control. The dose of the treatment drug may be based on the concentration of the analyte or the average value for the concentration of the analyte and/or the rate of change of the value of the concentration of the analyte.
US08449523B2	Method of operating a medical device and at least a remote controller for such medical device A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In a further embodiment, a method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is provided. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.
US08449522B2	Method and apparatus for providing topical anesthesia prior to and during a cosmetic procedure A method and apparatus for iontophoretically administering an anesthetic medicament and simultaneously providing electroanesthesia to a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises a generator operable to produce an electrical current comprised of a direct current superimposed with either an alternating current or a pulsed direct current. A conductive mask is configured to cover the anesthetic medicament applied to a treatment area on the skin of the patient, wherein the conductive mask includes an electrical contact connectable to the generator for receiving the electrical current such that the conductive mask functions as an electrode. One or more additional electrodes are applied to the skin of the patient, wherein each of the additional electrodes is connectable to the generator for receiving the electrical current. At least one of the additional electrodes may comprise a conductive applicator for a cosmetic treatment device.
US08449521B2	Methods for making and using a vial shielding convenience kit Methods for making an using convenience kits for hazardous drug (liquid) transfer from vials to syringes and target IV connectors. The following methods for making and using are disclosed: (1) Using a conventional plastic bag as a vial and vial adapter enclosing shroud. (2) Using of a flange (i.e. latch arm) free vial adapter which may, therefore, be used for a large variety of vial sizes. (3) Providing a seal about an access hole through which a vial adapter dispensing portion provides a closed fluid dispensing pathway. (4) Using the shrouding bag and an associated elastic band to provide desired stability of a spiked vial. (5) Accessing, measuring and transferring vial contents directly from a vial to a target IV container.
US08449520B2	Apparatus and methods for making, storing, and administering freeze-dried materials such as freeze-dried plasma A flexible container receives a liquid material, which is freeze-dried in situ within the flexible container. A gas permeable material that is separate from the flexible container provides gas transport for sublimation during drying and lyophilization. The gas permeable portion of the system can be isolated and removed from the flexible container post-lyophilzation The freeze-dried material is stored in the flexible container until administration is necessary. The flexible container receives a reconstituting liquid for mixing with the freeze-dried material, and conveys the reconstituted freeze-dried material from the flexible container for administration to an individual.
US08449519B2	Seam joining together at least two web materials A seam joining together at least two web materials in an overlapped manner by ultrasonic welding, heat bonding or the like, in a bonding pattern, which includes comprising a first bonding pattern and at least one second bonding pattern extending in a longitudinal direction along and adjacent at least one side edge of the overlapped portion. The bonded area of the second bonding pattern occupies more than 30% of the combined bonded area of the first and second bonding patterns. The bonding elements of the first bonding pattern have a mean area that is at least 2 times the mean area of the bonding elements of the second bonding pattern. The contact area of the bonding pattern, as seen in transverse direction of the seam, is between 10 and 30% of the width of the bonding pattern at any given point along the length of the bonding pattern.
US08449516B2	Stretchable absorbent core A stretchable absorbent core (10) includes a stretchable base sheet (20), and a plurality of separate and independent absorbers (30) disposed at least on one side of the base sheet (20). The absorbers (30) are fixed to the base sheet (20) through respective fixing points (33) in such a design that the shape of each absorber is not deformed upon stretch of the base sheet (20). The stretchable absorbent core (10) exhibits stretchability between the fixing points (33). It is preferable that the stretchable absorbent core (10) does not exhibit stretchability at the fixing points (33).
US08449513B2	Ostomy barrier seal An ostomy barrier seal comprising an open-ended conical base 1; and a flange portion 2 extending radially from the base; wherein the conical base 1 has a top opening 3 and a bottom opening 5 for receiving a stoma of a user and the top opening diameter 9 is smaller than the bottom opening diameter 11; such that the stoma of the user fits through the bottom opening and the top opening expands to snuggly fit around and seal along the stoma wall; a related ostomy appliance incorporating the barrier seal; and a related method using the barrier seal to reduce the incidence of waste leakage in an ostomy patients.
US08449509B2	Flexible reduced pressure treatment appliance A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the impermeable flexible overlay comprises suction assistance means, such as channels, which assist in the application of reduced pressure to the area of the wound and removal of exudate from the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the wound treatment appliance.
US08449508B2	Dressing and method for applying reduced pressure to and collecting and storing fluid from a tissue site A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A non-motor-driven pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover is positioned over the non-motor-driven pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the non-motor-driven pump to inhibit liquid from entering the non-motor-driven pump.
US08449507B2	Disposable analgesic and local anesthetic undergarment A method for delivering a local anesthetic to a body part includes applying the local anesthetic to an inner portion of a disposable undergarment having a corrugated region in front of the disposable undergarment, wherein the local anesthetic fills at least one pocket of the corrugated region. The method includes covering the body part with the disposable undergarment such that the local anesthetic is subsequently released from the corrugated region and is absorbed percutaneously into the body part to allow numbing of the body part.
US08449504B2	Wearable infusion device and system Disclosed is a drug infusion system comprising a drug infusion device having a reservoir, a window for viewing the contents of the reservoir, a cannula arranged to be deployed beneath the skin of a patient, and an actuator configured to be manually actuated to drive a medicament from the reservoir to the cannula. The system also has a cannula cover and a needle handle that holds a needle for insertion into the patient. The cannula cover and needle handle are detachably attached to the drug infusion device, and each is attachable to the other. The device further comprises a septum and a septum pincher to seal the device. The device also comprises a pumping mechanism, part of which are a last-dose lock-out mechanism and an occlusion detection mechanism, both of which operate on the same actuator.
US08449503B2	Neural injection system and related methods A novel neural injection system and related methods are herein disclosed. Various embodiments of an embodiment of a neural injection system of the present invention provide for at least one benefit of enhanced injection characteristics, increased operational efficiency, reduced cost per unit, reduced incidence of injury through intraneural/intravascular injection, reduced incidence of injury through pricking/piercing, and/or the like.
US08449500B2	Flow pulsatility dampening devices for closed-loop controlled infusion systems A flow monitoring infusion system that includes an infusion circuit having a fluid with a pulsatile fluid flow flowing therethrough. The infusion circuit includes a dampening element having a dampening chamber that absorbs the pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to transform the pulsatile fluid flow to a more smooth fluid flow. A fluid flow sensor that measures the flowrate of the more smooth fluid flow is disposed along the infusion circuit downstream of the dampening element.
US08449498B2	Relating to injection devices An injection device for a syringe incorporates housing for a syringe. A needle shroud is captive to the leading end of the housing and is movable before use between extended and retracted positions. A drive member is releasable from a rearward position within the housing to urge the syringe forwards to project its needle beyond the retracted needle shroud and then to express a dose through the needle. Locating members on the housing capture the drive member at its forward position (attained after expressing the dose). The captured drive member is also arranged to block retraction of the needle shroud from its extended position.
US08449495B2	Dialysis system having automated effluent sampling and peritoneal equilibration test A dialysis system includes at least one dialysis fluid pump actuator, a disposable cassette including at least one pump chamber operable with the at least one pump actuator, the disposable cassette further including a plurality of fluid ports configured to be connected fluidly to a plurality of fluid containers, and a processor programmed to cause the at least one pump actuator to operate the at least one pumping chamber to selectively move effluent dialysis fluid to a drain container or to a sample container.
US08449492B2	Applicator having an enhanced gripping region An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.
US08449490B2	Disc shunt delivery with stepped needle A solid stepped needle delivers a disc shunt bridging between muscle and a degenerated disc, drawing blood plasma from muscle into the degenerated disc to alleviate back pain and regenerate the disc. The device further includes pull lines attached to the ends of the disc shunt for withdrawing and repositioning the stepped needle during shunt delivery.
US08449486B2	Back and neck cushion therapy device A back and neck cushion therapy device for wearing, attaching to a backpack, or placing over a chair. The device can include a pouch with a traction device disposed therein. The traction device can include a head, a body, and a lower back traction. Straps can be connected to the pouch, allowing a user to strap the device about the user. The traction device can have various indention load deflections, providing firmness or softness. The traction device can be shearable, allowing the user to cut the traction device to a custom size. The pouch can be fastened to a backpack. A reversible back and neck cushion therapy device can include two pouches with two traction devices, such that a user can select a firm side or a soft side. The reversible back and neck cushion therapy device can be hung over a chair back.
US08449482B2	Vibrating anesthesia device The hand-held vibration anesthesia tool of the present invention includes a housing in which a battery, vibratory motor, switch and light source are enclosed. A switch turns the motor and light on and off. A tip extends from the housing for touching a patient's skin. When the motor is actuated, vibrations are transmitted through the tip to the skin to create an anesthetized zone. The light defines a target for the needle or other treatment adjacent the tip.
US08449481B2	Methods and devices for assisting birth Devices and methods for assisting birth are disclosed. The device is constructed from an elastic material with an elongated center and handles at both ends. A patient grasps the device at one end, while the other end is secured. When the patient experiences a contraction, the patient pulls on the device at a downward angle. The device elastically stretches and causes the patient to utilize correct abdominal muscles for pushing a fetus down a birth canal, thus reducing second stage of labor.
US08449475B2	Method for assessing endothelial function The system assesses the endothelial function of a subject. Particularly, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject are compared to reference perfusion data and the comparison yields the assessment of endothelial function. The reference may be data indicative of peripheral tissue perfusion in a healthy person. Also, peripheral tissue perfusion measurements taken in a subject when perfusion is in an unperturbed state (the reference) can be compared to perfusion measurements taken promptly after a challenge to normal or unperturbed tissue perfusion of the subject.
US08449468B2	Opto-acoustic imaging devices and methods In one aspect, the invention relates to a probe. The probe includes a sheath, a flexible, bi-directionally rotatable, optical subsystem positioned within the sheath, the optical subsystem comprising a transmission fiber, the optical subsystem capable of transmitting and collecting light of a predetermined range of wavelengths along a first beam having a predetermined beam size. The probe also includes an ultrasound subsystem, the ultrasound subsystem positioned within the sheath and adapted to propagate energy of a predetermined range of frequencies along a second beam having a second predetermined beam size, wherein a portion of the first and second beams overlap a region during a scan.
US08449466B2	System and method for locating medical devices in vivo using ultrasound Doppler mode A system for locating a medical device in vivo includes an ultrasound scanner having a scan head and being capable of operating in a 3D Doppler mode, a medical device having a distal end configured to be inserted in vivo, and a vibratory element coupled to the medical device to induce vibrations in the first distal end. When the scan head is positioned over the distal end inserted in vivo to obtain scan data of the tissue volume, the ultrasound scanner is configured to generate 3D Doppler data in the form of a plurality of slices from the scan data and to identify a location of the distal end within the slices based upon localized data within one of the slices meeting predetermined criteria.
US08449459B2	Access portal including silicone foam three layer seal A surgical access portal includes a seal housing, a sleeve mountable to the seal housing, and a seal disposed within the seal housing. The seal includes a first layer having an opening for the reception and passage of a surgical instrument, a second continuous layer for providing a fluid tight seal in the seal housing in the presence and/or in the absence of a surgical instrument, and a third layer having an opening for the passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. The first and third layers have a higher density than the second layer for maintaining the second layer in an axially compressed state therebetween.
US08449457B2	Optical head for endoscope An optical head for an endoscope is fitted with an imaging system comprising a solid state imaging sensor and with an illuminating system comprising illuminating means, e.g. LED's. At least one illuminating means is defined by a parameter, which value is different from the value of the same parameter of the remaining illuminating means. Among the parameters are luminous intensity, luminous intensity distribution angle, and direction of the longitudinal axis of the illuminating means.
US08449454B2	Capsule endoscope system A capsule endoscope system includes a contact detector that detects contact with an inner wall of a lumen in the subject; a magnet which is equipped in the capsule endoscope; a magnetic field generating device that is provided at a position, which is fixed with respect to the magnet, and generates a guidance magnetic field to apply to the magnet from the outside of the subject; and a magnetic field generation controller that performs control for guidance in a direction in which the capsule endoscope moves, which is the direction of the axis of the lumen, and performs guidance control for separating the capsule endoscope from the inner wall of the lumen based on a result of detection by the contact detector.
US08449447B2	System and method for treatment of anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse Using a sling that includes a central portion and at least two arms extending from the central portion, a method of treating anal incontinence may include positioning the central portion posteriorly to the rectum and/or anus of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective obturator region. Using a sling having the same or similar structure, a method of treating pelvic organ prolapse may include positioning the central portion beneath the ano-rectum of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective thigh incision near the obturator region.
US08449445B2	Device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system A device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system comprises a band 101 wrapped around the neck with a vibrator 102 positioned over the larynx. Upon activation by a button 103 on a spoon 104 held by an operator, such as the subject 105, the vibrator 102 moves and vibrates the larynx. The patient 105 initiates the sensory stimulation immediately prior to the patient's own initiation of a swallow by viewing on a display screen 106 a movement feedback signal 107, possibly from a piezo-electric sensor 108 also contained in the band 101 which will also be displayed on the display screen 106. The signal 109 from the switch device initiating sensory stimulation will be presented on the same display screen 106 for the patient 105 and trainer to observe when the button or switch 103 is activated for sensory stimulation in relation to the onset of the swallow.
US08449444B2	Blood flow meter Materials and methods related to blood pump systems are described. These can be used in patients to, for example, monitor arterial pressure, measure blood flow, maintain left ventricular pressure within a particular range, avoid left ventricular collapse, prevent fusion of the aortic valve in a subject having a blood pump, and provide a means to wean a patient from a blood pump.
US08449442B2	Method and device for percutaneous left ventricular reconstruction A method for reducing left ventricular volume, which comprises identifying infarcted tissue during open chest surgery; reducing left ventricle volume while preserving the ventricular apex; and realigning the ventricular apex, such that the realigning step comprises closing the lower or apical portion of said ventricle to achieve appropriate functional contractile geometry of said ventricle in a dyskinetic ventricle of a heart.
US08449441B2	Methods to arrest cancer cell growth and proliferation using electromagnetic energy delivered via electromagnetic coil systems A non-invasive method of using electromagnetic field energies to reduce or arrest the growth rate and proliferation of cancer cells, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, relatively without significantly harming normal cells beyond their physiologic threshold of survival are provided. The methods described herein are intended to be used toward the treatment of cancer in human or animals within the context of cancer therapeutics.
US08449437B1	Exercise methods and apparatus An exercise apparatus links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical motion of a foot supporting member. A foot supporting linkage is movably connected between a rocker and a crank in such a manner that the foot supporting member moves through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
US08449436B2	Wrist exerciser with handle A wrist exerciser with a handle and multiple hold positions includes a first exercise ball body and a handle. The first exercise ball body has a first opening, a rotor, and a first hold position for driving the rotor to rotate. The first opening is disposed at a side of the first exercise ball body. The rotor is disposed inside the first exercise ball body. The handle is connected to the other side of the first exercise ball body where the first opening is disposed. The handle is coaxially corresponding to the first opening, and has a second hold position for driving the rotor to rotate, so as to provide multiple hold modes for a user to carry out wrist exercise modes of different postures, thereby increasing interests and enhancing comprehensiveness of forearm muscle exercises.
US08449433B2	Clutch device A clutch device, which has at least one clutch, which can assume an open operating state and a closed operating state, in which a torque can be transmitted by the clutch, an actuator device for activating the clutch, and a sensor device, which has a motion sensor. In order to simplify the actuation strategy of the clutch device, the sensor device has an additional sensor, which detects whether the actuator device is in or near an actuator end position in which the clutch is in the open operating state thereof.
US08449432B2	Multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof A multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system comprises a rotor system comprising one or more rotors and one or more engines. Each engine of the one or more engines is coupled to the rotor system through a multi-ratio transmission. The multi-ratio transmission comprises an output shaft coupled to the rotor system, an input shaft coupled to a respective engine of the one or more engines, a high speed clutch integrated into a high speed gear train, and a low speed clutch integrated into a low speed gear train. The high speed clutch and the low speed clutch are freewheeling clutches without a friction plate and are capable of disconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft in an overrunning condition when the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft.
US08449431B2	Aircraft electric generation system This invention provides an aircraft electric generation system, which can achieve significantly increased capacity of electric generation, while adequately suppressing unwanted increase of a front face area of an aircraft engine as well as successfully dealing with considerably large changes of an engine spool speed. This electric generation system is driven by the engine and includes: a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connected with a rotation shaft of the engine; an electric generator located above the CVT and driven by an output of the CVT; and a lubricating oil pump unit located below the CVT and also driven by the output of the CVT.
US08449430B2	Transversely mounted transaxle having a low range gear assembly and powertrain for a vehicle including same A transaxle can include a housing, a low range gear assembly, and a differential gear assembly. The low range gear assembly can be mounted in the housing and can include a ring gear, a carrier, planet gears, a sun gear, and a clutch. The ring gear, the carrier, and the sun gear can be mounted in the housing. The planet gears can be rotatably mounted on the carrier and can engage the ring gear while the sun gear can engage the planet gears. The clutch can be selectively movable between a first position where the clutch engages each of the sun gear and the carrier and permits rotation of the sun gear relative to the housing and a second position where the clutch engages each of the sun gear and the housing and rotationally fixes the sun gear relative to the housing.
US08449420B2	Power train for hybrid vehicle Disclosed is a power train for a hybrid vehicle that allows for multiple mode driving, which is combined with a way of driving at a fixed gear ratio such as the shift stages of a common transmission, and high-efficiency driving, thereby improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
US08449419B2	Power transmission belt and method of producing the same A power transmission belt low in cost and preventing work precision from being lowered and life expectancy of a metal press working mold from being decreased and a method of producing such a power transmission belt are provided. The power transmission belt includes endless band-like rings, and a plurality of elements bonded into an annular shape by the endless band-like rings. Each of the elements has both side end surface portions pressed between pulleys in the belt width direction, a rocking edge portion serving as a fulcrum when rocked in the state that the elements are partly wound around the pulleys, and a concave-convex portion engageable in concave-convex engagement with the concave-convex portions of a pair of neighboring elements. Each of the elements is formed with a curved inclination surface between the rocking edge portion and the concave-convex portion to have an inclination angle reduced toward the concave-convex portion.
US08449411B2	Racquet handle assembly including a plurality of support members A sports racquet including a handle assembly coupled to and longitudinally extending from a head portion. The handle assembly includes an elongate tubular shaft, a pallet positioned over the shaft, and a plurality of generally planar support members. The pallet is positioned over the shaft and has an outer surface that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending flats. Each of the flats has a length and a width. At least two of the flats define respective elongate recesses. Each of the recesses having a maximum recess width that is less than the width of the respective flat. The support members are positioned within the respective recesses.
US08449410B1	Sports grip sensor A sports training device that includes a pressure sensor mounted on the hand grip of a sports implement such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The device utilizes a piezoelectric force sensor to monitor the grip pressure in a circular sensing area located where the palm meets the index finger. The piezoelectric sensor varies its resistance inversely with the force applied and is connected to an operational amplifier that uses a variable resistor to deliver an output voltage proportional to the force applied. This voltage triggers a vibrating motor that alerts the user that an excessive pressure has been applied to the hand grip. The exact amount of pressure for each player and the sports equipment used will vary but can be adjusted to signal when the pressure is too great for the particular use.
US08449407B2	Metal wood club with improved hitting face A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.
US08449401B2	Golf glasses The present invention relates to a pair of golf glasses. The glasses are designed to enable the golfer to measure a distance to a golf ball precisely as taking an address position, and make the golfer looking at a ball with keeping his or her head still until a clubhead hits the ball, and thereby prevent the golfer from looking-up mistake during a golf swing. The golf glasses of the present invention are characterized in that each of the lenses of the glasses includes a see-through section formed of a vertical gap corresponding to the pupil of golfer's eye, and the other part is a view shielding.
US08449399B2	Joint assembly with centering flange A joint assembly for coupling a first rotating part and a second rotating part includes a first rotating part comprising a first mounting flange having a first shoulder and a first axis and a second rotating part comprising a second mounting flange having a second shoulder and a second axis, the first flange and the second flange configured to secure the joint assembly. It also includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed in the second shoulder. It further includes a centering flange disposed on the first shoulder, the centering flange having a first length and disposed about the first axis; the centering flange having an axially extending non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section that is disposed within and extends radially outwardly from the noncontact section, the contact section having an annular convexly curved outer surface disposed about the first axis and a second length substantially smaller than the first length.
US08449395B2	Game device, game control method, and information recording medium The game device comprises a detection unit, an acquisition unit, a generation unit and a display unit. The detection unit detects the position of a user in real space. The acquisition unit determines clarity that is correlated with the detected position of the user. The generation unit generates an image that expresses a state of an object placed in virtual space that is drawn with the clarity determined for the object. The display unit displays the image generated by the generation unit on a screen.
US08449393B2	Hand-held gaming device with configurable touch sensitive panel(s) A game controller with a communications interface, at least one touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to respective distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions to a game console via the communications interface for use as gaming input.
US08449380B2	Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
US08449377B2	Gaming machine capable of repeatedly execute a unitary game The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of realizing an appropriate balance between players' profits and slot machine providers' profits. When a first number of bets have been selected, a control device executes a first basic unitary game which completes when a first time interval has elapsed after starting the game. When a second number of bets have been selected, the control device executes a second basic unitary game which completes when a second time interval shorter than the first time interval has elapsed after starting the game. On the basis of the fact that the first basic unitary game has been executed, the control device executes a first progressive game in which a first payout rate can be realized. On the basis of the fact that the second basic unitary game has been executed, the control device executes a second progressive game in which a second payout rate higher than the first payout rate can be realized. When a second number of bets have been selected, information relating to the second payout rate is displayed.
US08449373B2	Server for coordinating manufacturing of on-demand lottery tickets A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a ticket manufacturing server and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the server, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with blank media and printing means, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from a vending device in communication with the server. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets in entertaining ways to the customer.
US08449370B2	Game device and game system capable of detecting gaming media A plurality of readers (antennas ANT1 through ANT3) that are each disposed at each of a plurality of laying positions (betting positions) provided on a game table 2 and are used to read the identification information (RFID) from game media (game chips Pa through Pi) placed at any of the laying positions (betting positions), controller (an antenna controller 4) that performs the process of reading the identification information from the game medium by individually driving and controlling the readers and causing predetermined electromagnetic waves radiated from the readers in the direction passing through the laying position while changing the power level thereof, storage unit (antenna controller) that stores the identification information that has been read as the data of each reader while relating the data to the power level of the electromagnetic wave, and collating unit (antenna controller) that identifies the game medium by using the data of the different readers stored in the storage unit in order to collate the data of the adjoining readers with each other.
US08449369B2	Method for electronic gaming including player-selected game symbols and player-selected winning symbols One possible embodiment of the invention could be a gaming methodology comprising the following steps but not necessarily in the order shown, providing an electronic gaming system for playing one or more games of chance, the electronic gaming system utilizing a user interface to allow at least one player to communicate with the electronic gaming system; providing through the user interface a visual presentation to the player of a set of spaces with each space being assigned a gaming symbol used in the play of game, no two or more spaces having the same gaming symbol; selecting by a player, through the set of spaces, a number of gaming symbols for use as winning gaming symbols to determine whether the player has won a game; and selecting by the electronic gaming system of a number of gaming symbols for use by the player for the play of the game.
US08449363B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing poker game with awards based on odds of winning A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively large. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wagers after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
US08449359B2	Structure for installing air-conditioning duct to air-conditioning unit A structure for connecting an air-conditioning duct to an air-conditioning unit; the air-conditioning unit 1 having a first air supply outlet 11 and a second air supply outlet 12 adjacent with each other, the air-conditioning duct having a first air passage and a second air passage adjacent with each other, wherein the first air supply outlet 11 and the second air supply outlet 12 include a U-shaped auxiliary wall 2 having a notched part K at one side therearound, a supply outlet boundary wall 130 separating the first air supply outlet 11 and the second air supply outlet 12, and a duct side step part Z is formed between an opening rim of a first duct 31 and an opening rim of a second duct 32, the duct side step part Z is contacted with is contacted with the supply outlet boundary wall 130 to install the air-conditioning duct 2 to the air-conditioning unit 1.
US08449358B2	Method and apparatus for removing skin and fat from meat parts An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.
US08449357B2	Polymeric fiber CMP pad and associated methods Polishing tools and their methods of manufacture and use are disclosed. In one aspect, a polishing device is provided, including a plurality of polymeric fibers longitudinally arranged and embedded in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder having a stiffness that is less than a stiffness of the polymeric fibers, and a working end of the plurality of polymeric fibers configured such that tips of the polymeric fibers are oriented to contact a work piece.
US08449356B1	High pressure cooling nozzle for semiconductor package A fluid discharge method and apparatus is provided. The fluid discharge apparatus includes a first structure defining a first duct therein, a second structure defining a second duct therein and a third structure defining a third duct therein. Conduits formed in the structures, accurately positioned during machining thereof, extend from openings towards the ducts. Fluid in the ducts is initially directed into the conduits and subsequently out of the openings towards a cutting area comprising portions of a cutting blade and a workpiece being processed by the cutting blade. The conduits are shaped for generating a nozzle-type flow therethrough for accurate directional control of fluid streams discharged from the conduits. A method of forming the fluid discharge apparatus is also provided.
US08449355B2	Glass polishing system A glass polishing system includes a lower unit capable of rotating a glass placed at a fixed position, an upper unit contacting with the glass and capable of being passively rotated due to the rotation of the glass, a moving unit for moving the upper unit in a horizontal or vertical direction, and a polishing slurry supply unit for supplying a polishing slurry to the glass through the upper unit.
US08449354B2	Hard finish machine for hard finishing of a workpiece The invention relates to a hard finish machine (1) for hard finishing of a workpiece (2), comprising at least two different hard finish tools (3, 4) which are arranged on a tool spindle (5), wherein the tool spindle (5) is arranged movable in the direction (Y) of its axis (6) on a tool carrier (7), wherein the tool carrier (7) is translational movable relatively to a machine bed (8) and wherein the hard finish machine furthermore comprises cooling lubricant supplying means (9) for the supply of cooling lubricant to the machining region between the workpiece (2) and the hard finish tool (2, 3). To work in all possible tool and method combinations with optimized cooling lubricant supply conditions the invention proposes that the cooling lubricant supplying means (9) comprise at least one nozzle element (10), wherein the nozzle element (10) comprises a nozzle chamber (11), wherein the nozzle chamber (11) is limited by two facing wall elements (12, 13) which define a stream exit opening (14) for the cooling lubricant and wherein at least one of the wall elements (12, 13) is arranged movable for the variation of the stream exit opening (14).
US08449351B2	Lower unit for glass polishing system and glass polishing method using the same A lower unit for a glass polishing system includes a support installed to a rotatable turntable, and a carrier having a supporting part for supporting a glass to be polished, and a placing part formed in a surface opposite to the supporting part and fixed and placed to the support.
US08449350B2	Sandblasting apparatus and method for shaping product with same A sandblasting apparatus includes a processing chamber, a sandblasting nozzle positioned on a top of the processing chamber, a support mechanism, an elevation mechanism, a worktable, and a cutting mechanism. The support mechanism is positioned in the processing chamber and opposite to the sandblasting nozzle. The support mechanism is used for supporting a template with a cutting pattern. The elevation mechanism is positioned on the bottom of the processing chamber. The worktable is located between the support mechanism and the elevation mechanism and configured for supporting a plate for processing and being opposite to the template. The center of worktable defines a through hole matching with the pattern of the template. The cutting mechanism is fixed on the elevation mechanism and faces the through hole. The elevation mechanism drives the cutting mechanism to move toward or away the worktable.
US08449347B2	Orthopaedic component manufacturing method and equipment A system for use in preparing an articulating surface of a component of an orthopaedic implant is provided. The system includes a magnetorheological polishing fluid including a carrier fluid and a plurality of particles suspendable in said carrier fluid. The system also includes a vessel for containing the Magnetorheological polishing fluid. The system also includes a mechanism for delivering the fluid to form a polishing zone and a holder for securing the component and for moveably positioning the articulating surface of the component relative to the polishing zone. The system further includes a controller for determining the rate of material removal from the object, for determining the direction and velocity of movement of the polishing zone relative to the object and for determining the number of cycles of polishing required.
US08449344B2	Foldable vehicle playsets with moving components Vehicle playsets having multiple configurations. The vehicle playsets may include a track segment, a trigger adjacent to the track segment, a moving component adapted to move toward the trigger, and a launch mechanism coupled to the track segment and adapted to launch a toy vehicle along the track segment toward the moving component. Striking the moving component with the toy vehicle may prevent the moving component from reaching the trigger. The playset may include at least two configurations including a closed configuration and an open configuration that is suitable for play.
US08449342B2	Safety flotation buoy system The invention generally relates to a safety flotation buoy system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a buoy system comprising a designation member and a buoyancy structure coupled to the designation member. The designation member may include a cylindrically shaped flexible rubber region and a lengthwise opening. The opening may be oriented substantially normal to the water surface. The lengthwise orientation of the buoyancy structure may be aligned with the opening of the designation member. The buoyancy structure may be configured to be submerged below the designation member and the water surface so as to enable the formation of an air bubble within an internal region of the designation member.
US08449336B1	Compliant mount for connector A compliant mount for use in a connector or connection adapter is disclosed. The compliant mount may be used in a connection between a portable electronic device and another electronic device, such as a docking station. A compliant mount connector adapter may include a first connector end engageable with a portable device and a second connector end engageable with another device, the first and second connector ends coupled with a compliant mount allowing movement of the first end connector engaged with the portable device relative to the second end connector when engaged within the other electronic device. The compliant mount may include any or all of: elastomers, springs, torsion bars, elastomers, rigid members or housing, ball and socket joints, resilient bendable members, and dongles to allow for controlled resistance to bending or torsional forces applied to the portable device when connected to the other electronic device with the connector adapter.
US08449331B2	Cage and connector cover for a receptacle assembly A cage is provided for a receptacle assembly that includes a receptacle connector. The cage includes an electrically conductive body comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that extend from the upper wall to the lower wall. The body has a front end and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the body. The internal compartment is configured to hold the receptacle connector therein. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. A connector cover is integrally formed with the lower wall of the body. The connector cover extends within the internal compartment of the body. The connector cover includes an interior chamber that is configured to hold the receptacle connector therein such that the cover extends over at least a portion of the receptacle connector.
US08449329B1	Cable header connector having cable subassemblies with ground shields connected to a metal holder A cable header connector includes a contact module having a support body and a plurality of cable assemblies held by the support body. The cable assemblies include contact sub-assemblies configured to be terminated to corresponding cables and ground shields coupled to and providing electrical shielding for corresponding contact sub-assemblies. The support body has a metal holder having a contact plate and a cable plate extending from the contact plate. The ground shields are electrically and mechanically coupled to the contact plate of the metal holder. The cable plate is configured to support the cables extending from the cable assemblies.
US08449327B2	Interleaved outer conductor spring contact for a coaxial connector A spring contact for a coaxial connector includes a first ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the first ring and a second ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the second ring. The first ring and the second ring are nested together. The spring contact may be manufactured, for example, by stamping a pre-form ring from a planar metal sheet and then bending the spring fingers extending radially inward from an inner diameter of the pre-form ring to extend towards a connector end of the resulting spring contact.
US08449322B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes: (a) an electrical connection base, in which a notch is opened forwards at a rear side of the electrical connection base, at least one protruding block, at least one first receiving hole, and at least two second receiving holes are opened forwards from the notch, (b) at least one first terminal, having a vertical first connecting portion correspondingly, and (c) at least two second terminals, each having a vertical second connecting portion correspondingly disposed in the notch. The protruding block has an increased thickness, thus effectively ensuring functions of the protruding block of protecting terminals, isolating the first connecting portion from the second connecting portion and avoiding short circuit between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
US08449319B2	Connector An opening (36) where two terminal fittings (50) are exposed is formed in a surface of a housing (20). A connection detecting member (70) is movable along the surface of the housing (20) between a retracted position and a detection position. The connection detecting member (70) has a shorting terminal mounting portion (85) into which a shorting terminal (60) is mounted. The shorting terminal (60) holds the terminal fittings (50) in a shorted state and releases the shorted state as the two housings (20, 100) are connected properly and the connection detecting member (70) reaches the detection position. The connection detecting member (70) is arranged at a height position overlapping a deformation space for a lock arm (40) between the housing (20) and the lock arm (40). The shorting terminal mounting portion (85) projects lateral to the lock arm (40) while extending along the surface of the housing (20).
US08449317B1	Sealed connector assembly and method of making A connector such as an electrical connector for a data cable assembly, preferably includes a frontshell mechanically fastened to a backshell with a gasket secured between. Mechanical fasteners apply force to the gasket and deform the gasket which forms a moisture ingress resistant seal between the frontshell and the backshell. A second moisture ingress resistant seal is formed over a strain relief that includes external grooves. An adhesive-lined heat-shrink tube mechanically grips the strain relief when heat is applied and the heat-shrink tube shrinks. The adhesive-lined heat-shrink tube also forms O-ring like seals in the grooves when heat is applied and the adhesive melts then re-solidifies in the grooves.
US08449316B2	Press-contacting connection structure of electric wire A press-contacting connection structure of electric wires includes a first cover of a holder, and a second cover of the holder attached to the first holder, and a holder mounting part provided on an electric wire connection target member and configured to be attached to the second cover. The electric wires arranged in parallel with each other are held between the first cover and the second cover so that one side portions of the electric wires extend from one side of the holder and the other side portions of the electric wires extend from the other side of the holder. Ends of the one side portions of the electric wires are folded toward the other side of the holder over the first cover, and are bound by a binding band with the other side portions of the electric wires. A press-contact terminal is inserted into the holder through an opening formed in the second cover when the second cover is attached with the holder mounting part, so that the press-contact terminal is press-contacted to the electric wire accommodated in the holder.
US08449314B1	Latching system for electrical connector An electrical connector latching system for latching to and releasing from a receiving connector quickly and conveniently in a small space without damage to the receiving connector from misalignment of the connectors. The latching system has a first connector end and a second connector end, the first end having a pair of slots formed on the sides thereof, each slot having an aperture at the interior end of the slot and a second connector end having a pair of spring-mounted latching arms attached on the sides, each latching arm having a tooth with a lead-in ramp formed in the distal end thereof, the tooth received by the slot and ultimately by the aperture formed in the first connector end as the spring mounted in the pivoting latching arms urges the arms to latch as the two connector ends are manually pushed together. An adapter plate permits retro-fitting of the latching system to a standard connector.
US08449313B2	Connector and connector assembly In the process of connecting two housings (10, 30), a lock arm (36) is resiliently deformed in an unlocking direction crossing a connecting direction of the two housings (10, 30) by sliding in contact with a guiding surface (17) of a lock portion (16). The guiding surface (17) includes a first guiding surface (17A) arranged in a front area in the connecting direction to the second housing (30) and a second guiding surface (17B) arranged in an area behind the first guiding surface (17A) in the connecting direction to the second housing (30) and having a steep area (22) whose angle of inclination with respect to the connecting direction of the two housings (10, 30) is larger than that of the first guiding surface (17A).
US08449312B2	Housing with a plurality of wafers and having a nose portion with engagement members A connector subassembly is provided that may be utilized for both internal and external applications. The subassembly includes a housing that supports a plurality of wafers with terminals. The housing includes engagement members to secure the housing to either the shield or the guide frame. The engagement members can include an angled portion that allow the housing to form a dovetail joint with the guide frame and/or a multi-faceted portion to engage a fastener.
US08449311B2	Locking audio plug An audio plug connector device comprising an audio plug body, a connector portion coupled to the audio plug body, and an expanding member extending from the audio plug body, wherein the expanding member radially expands from a first diameter to a second diameter to prevent disengagement from a receptacle is provided. Furthermore, an associated method of locking an audio plug into an audio jack is also provided.
US08449305B2	Mechanical and electric connection device for a coaxial cable conveying a high-frequency signal The present invention concerns a device for the mechanical and electric connection between a multilayer line, including a conductive track and at least one ground plane, and a coaxial cable conveying a high-frequency signal, including an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the mechanical and electric connection device comprising: means for electrically connecting the coaxial cable to the ground plane of the multilayer line, including a conductive surface arranged opposite the ground plane of the multilayer line from which it is separated by a layer of a dielectric material so as to establish a capacitive electric link between the conductive surface and the ground plane; and a mechanical attachment means including at least one raised pattern that is made of a dielectric material and that can be inserted into a suitable opening formed in the ground plane.
US08449304B1	Electric connector adapted for connecting with a mated connector by virtue of magnetic attraction An electric connector includes an insulating housing having a base board, two side boards, a top board and a bottom board which define a receiving space thereamong. A terminal body protrudes rearward from a rear surface of the base board in the receiving space. A plurality of probe terminals is assembled in the insulating housing. A magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets stood together to show a shape matched with the receiving space of the insulating housing for being assembled in the receiving space. A metal shell is mounted to the insulating housing to enclose the insulating housing and the magnet unit. The metal shell further electrically resists against rear sides of the magnets to secure the magnet unit in the insulating housing.
US08449302B1	Game piece with a selectively viewable hidden image A game piece with a hidden image that is visible through a decoder filter, with a first visible layer having an image gradient mapped to a first electromagnetic wavelength range and a second visible layer with a disguising mask and the image gradient mapped to a second electromagnetic wavelength range, the electromagnetic wavelength ranges selected based on a color hue for the decoder filter and the disguising mask having an electromagnetic wavelength within the second electromagnetic wavelength range. A method of making a game piece with a hidden image that is visible upon viewing through a decoder filter is disclosed.
US08449297B2	Dental implant for insertion into a jawbone and for fastening a tooth replacement A dental implant inserted into a jawbone in order to fasten a tooth replacement is characterized by a shape corresponding to two partially overlapping cylinder-like members (29, 30) that have significantly different diameters. The axis of symmetry (14) of the first member (29) having the larger diameter extends perpendicular to the cortical bone (4) of the jawbone, while the axis of symmetry (15) of the second member (30) having the smaller diameter is tilted by an acute angle relative to the axis of symmetry (14) of the first member (29). The point of intersection (2) between the axes of symmetry (14, 15) lies on the axis of symmetry of the first member (29), within or outside said member (29).
US08449295B2	Oral irrigation and/or brushing devices and/or methods An oral hygiene device having, in one implementation, a unique, peristaltic pump water streaming or jet action; and in another implementation, a multi-headed toothbrush may also be disposed on the end of a handle on which the jet nozzle or nozzles are disposed.
US08449293B2	Substrate treatment to reduce pattern roughness A method for patterning a substrate with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation is provided. The method includes contacting a surface of the substrate with at least one surface modification agent that reacts with and bonds to the surface 402 of the substrate 401 to provide a modified surface. A layer of photoresist is formed on the modified surface, followed by exposing the layer of photoresist to a pattern of EUV radiation. The surface modification agent has a general formula: X-L-Z, where X is a leaving group; L is a linkage group including a substituted or un-substituted carbon chain having 1 to 20 carbons, a sulfur moiety, a silicon moiety, or combinations thereof; and Z is at least one of an acid functional group, a photoactive acid generator group or a halide.
US08449292B2	Rotary furnace burner A rotary kiln burner particularly for fine-grained solid fuels such as coal dust, with jet air nozzles which can be adjusted easily and effectively during operation of the kiln in order to change the divergence angle of the high-speed jet air streams to change the flame shape and optimize the combustion. The jet air nozzles are attached with the nozzle openings divergent to the burner axis at the end of jet air pipes. The nozzle openings are arranged around the burner axis, with the axes parallel, with the jet air pipes arranged inside an annular cooling air space surrounding the coal dust channel and enclosed on the outside by the burner housing pipe. The nozzle openings are mounted so that they can rotate around the jet air pipe axes, so that on turning the jet air pipes at the cold end of the burner lance, the divergence of the high-speed jet air streams, and thus the angle of the jet air flow angle of the jet air flow cone angle of the jet air flow cone in relation to the coal dust cone, can be changed and adjusted.
US08449290B2	Gas combustor The present invention relates to a gas combustor, which comprises a housing in which a base seat is installed, an engagement pipe at the front of the base seat is connected to a flame device exposed at the front of the housing, wherein the rear portion of the base seat is pivoted with a swing sheet, the inner surface thereof is adjacent to a gas intake control valve fastened in the base seat, and a convey pipe is connected between the gas intake control valve and a pivotal connection device installed at the rear of the housing; and a safety mechanism, installed at the bottom of the housing and including a latch button, a connection rod and a control button; through pressing the latch button, one end of the connection rod is raised, the latch end at the other end of the connection rod is inwardly retracted for releasing the locking state of the control button, so the control button is enabled to be pressed, and the extrusion part extrudes the swing sheet, and the gas intake control valve is formed to an opening state, so the fuel is able to pass through the interior of the base seat for being ejected by the flame device.
US08449288B2	Urea-based mixing process for increasing combustion efficiency and reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) A method for reducing NOx formation, including the steps of: providing a furnace with a plurality of secondary air injection ducts, asymmetrically positioned in an opposing manner; injecting fuel with primary air through a first stage prior to injection of a second air; injecting secondary air and aqueous urea solution through the plurality of reagent injection ducts; controlling the asymmetrical injection to produce a high velocity mass flow and a turbulence resulting in dispersion of the urea solution into the combustion space, thereby providing reduced NOx formation in the combustion process.
US08449287B2	Valve pin for accommodating side loading A valve pin that accommodates side loading for use in a valve-gated nozzle of a hot runner injection molding system is disclosed. The valve pin is operably coupled at a rearward end to an actuating mechanism and includes a shaft that extends through the system such that a forward end thereof engages with a mold gate of a mold cavity. The valve pin shaft has a region forward of the rearward end thereof that accommodates side loading under operating conditions. The region may be a slidable or rotatable interface configured to provide lateral or angular movement between upstream and downstream portions of the valve pin shaft under side loading conditions or may be configured to provide increased flexibility to the valve pin shaft within the region to permit deflection of the valve pin under side loading conditions.
US08449283B2	Dies for forming extrusions with thick and thin walls A die for forming an extrusion includes a die body, a body feed section and an extrusion forming section. The die body may include an inlet and an outlet defining an extrudate flow path through the die body. The body feed section may be positioned between the inlet and outlet and includes an arrangement of body feed channels. The extrusion forming section may be positioned between the body feed section and the outlet and includes a thin-wall forming portion fluidly coupled to at least one thick-wall forming portion. The thin-wall forming portion may include an array of pins extending from the body feed section towards the outlet and the thick-wall forming portion may include at least one baffle section positioned in the extrudate flow path through the thick-wall forming portion. The area of the thick-wall forming portion may be greater than an interstitial area between the pins.
US08449282B2	Mold for molding optical fiber connector A mold for molding optical fiber connector includes a core pin, a core mold and a cavity mold. The core pin has insertion portion and a blind hole forming portion. The core mold defines a hole for receiving the insertion portion. The cavity mold attaches to the core mold and cooperatively defines a molding cavity for forming the optical fiber connector. The cavity mold includes a lens forming portion and a support block in the molding cavity. The core pin aligns with the lens forming portion and the blind hole forming portion thereof is exposed in the molding cavity. The support block is configured for holding the blind hole forming portion and maintaining alignment between the core pin and the lens forming portion.
US08449270B2	Hydraulic powertrain system A hydraulic powertrain system is disclosed, in which one possible embodiment provides at least one combustion cylinder, at least one cylinder head, at least one piston. During combustion, pressure moves the piston downwards, where it creates motion in an attached hydraulic cylinder. Fluid in the hydraulic cylinder is then pressurized, where it exits the hydraulic cylinder and is directed to a fluid turbine, where work is extracted from the pressurized fluid.
US08449261B2	Blade for an axial compressor and manufacturing method thereof The disclosure provides blades, and the modification thereof, for stages 18-22 of an axial compressor wherein the blades have reduced susceptibility to tip cracking. The blades and blades manufactured by the provided method have a thickened profile that results in reduced stress in response to multi frequency impulses and can have increased frequency response of the chord wise bending mode.
US08449254B2	Branched airfoil core cooling arrangement An example airfoil cooling arrangement includes a airfoil wall having a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The airfoil wall establishes a channel that is configured to communicate fluid between an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The channel includes secondary portion that branch from a primary portion. An example airfoil cooling method includes receiving a flow of fluid from a airfoil core cavity and communicating the flow of fluid through channel within a wall of the airfoil. The channel has a secondary portion branching from a primary portion.
US08449252B2	Double-stacked blade ceiling fan and method of operation and method of circulating air An embodiment of a ceiling fan assembly has a motor rotatably mounted to a shaft and adapted to be mounted to an extent of a substantially planar support surface. A first set of fan blades are connected to the motor and a second set of fan blades are connected to the shaft a predetermined distance below the extent of the substantially planar support surface, the motor, and the first set of fan blades. A method of circulating air comprises driving the motor to drive the first set of blades in a first rotational direction about the shaft. Simultaneously, responsive to the air flow generated by the rotation of the first set of blades in a first rotational direction, the second set of blades rotates in a second rotational direction about the shaft, opposite the first rotational direction.
US08449249B2	Turbine nozzle apparatus and associated method of manufacture A turbine nozzle is constructed from a plurality of associated circumferential turbine nozzle segments each of which incorporates at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage bounded at a first azimuthal boundary by a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane, and at a second azimuthal boundary by a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane, with the at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage therebetween, wherein when assembled in the turbine nozzle, a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane of one circumferential turbine nozzle segment is joined to a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane of another adjacent circumferential turbine nozzle segment so as to form therebetween a nozzle vane of the turbine nozzle, wherein the minimum through-flow area of the associated at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage is substantially unaffected by the assembly of the circumferential turbine nozzle segments to form the turbine nozzle.
US08449247B1	Gas turbine engine compressor arrangement A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a gear arrangement configured to drive the fan section, a compressor section and a turbine section. The compressor section includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. The turbine section is configured to drive compressor section and the gear arrangement. An overall pressure ratio, which is provided by a combination of a pressure ratio across said low pressure compressor section and a pressure ratio across said high pressure compressor section, is greater than about 35. The pressure ratio across the low pressure compressor section is between about 3 and about 8 whereas a pressure ratio across the fan section being less than or equal to about 1.45.
US08449244B2	Method for operating a wind energy converter, control device for a wind energy converter, and wind energy converter Some general aspects of the invention provide a method for operating a wind energy converter having a variable-ratio gear system mechanically coupled between a rotor and a generator, wherein the variable-ratio gear system includes a first hydraulic unit coupled to a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit coupled to a second shaft. The method comprises adjusting the variable-ratio gear system to a first gear ratio at which the first shaft substantially does not rotate; determining a wind speed or a related parameter (n, P, p); detecting whether the wind speed or the related parameter (n, P, p) has crossed a first threshold value in a first direction; and adjusting the variable-ratio gear system, when the wind speed or the related parameter (n, P, p) has crossed the first threshold value in the first direction, to a second gear ratio at which the second shaft substantially does not rotate.
US08449239B1	Bracket assembly for vehicle waste tank A bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks having first and second longitudinal frame members. The longitudinal frame members each have proximal ends and lateral edges. In addition, the longitudinal frame members each have sidewalls extending therefrom. The sidewalls extend from their respective proximal ends a predetermined distance. Each proximal end has hinge assemblies that mount onto a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks is mounted onto an underside of the vehicle, so that it is not seen and does not obstruct any functionalities of the vehicle, which may be a recreational vehicle having a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room. The vehicle may also be defined as a caravan, camper, or camper van. The vehicle is intended for everything from brief leisure activities such as vacations and camping, to full-time living, for which they are often parked in special trailer parks.
US08449238B2	In-line furnace conveyors with integrated wafer retainers In one embodiment, an in-line furnace includes a continuous conveyor configured to hold wafers at an angle relative to ground. The conveyor may have fixedly integrated wafer retainers configured to hold the wafers in slots. The conveyor may be formed by several segments that are joined together. Each of the segments may include a base and a set of wafer retainers formed thereon. The conveyor may be driven to move the wafers through a chamber of the furnace, where the wafers are thermally processed.
US08449237B2	Knurled pin fastener and method of forming a knurled pin fastener A pin fastener includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a first substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first end toward the second end, a first tapered section that extends from the first substantially constant diameter section, a second substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first tapered section, and a second tapered section that extends from the second substantially constant diameter portion to the second end. The pin fastener further includes a knurled section formed in the second substantially constant diameter portion.
US08449236B2	Anchor assembly with toggle for hollow walls An anchor assembly (A) for hollow walls comprises an anchor body (400) and a toggle member (231) that is displaceable between a first position wherein the toggle member (231) is substantially aligned with the anchor body (400) such that the anchor assembly (A) can be inserted in the wall (W) via a cutting distal end (325) of the toggle member (231), and a second position wherein the toggle member (231) extends behind the wall (W) at an angle relative to the anchor body (400) which extends through the wall (W). The toggle member (231) is held captive in the first position but is released and then rotated to the second position by a fastener (218) introduced in the anchor body (400). The fastener (218) threadably engages the toggle member (231) thereby drawing the toggle member (231) against a hidden side of the wall (W).
US08449232B2	Indexing device for machine tool A cylindrical pressure-receiving member 34b is arranged in a space between a ring-shaped clamp sleeve 34a and a frame 31b such that the clamp sleeve 34a is fitted around a shaft 38b being integral with a rotary shaft 39. In an outer peripheral portion 34a2 of the clamp sleeve 34a, an annular groove 34a1 provided continuously over the entire circumference within an axial area of the outer peripheral portion 34a2 fitted into an inner peripheral portion 34b3 of the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a thin-wall portion 34a5. Also, a space surrounded by the annular groove 34a5 and the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a pressure chamber 34d communicating with a fluid control circuit. A predetermined gap 34d2 is provided between an inner peripheral surface 31b4 of the through hole 31b1 of the frame and an outer peripheral surface 34b2 of the pressure-receiving member 34b.
US08449230B2	Cutting insert having concave clearance depressions formed on corner side surfaces A tangential cutting insert includes two opposing end surfaces and a peripheral side surface extending between the two opposing end surfaces. The peripheral side surface includes two opposing major side surfaces connected to two opposing minor side surfaces via corner side surfaces. A peripheral edge is formed at the intersection of each end surface with the peripheral side surface. Each end surface has two raised corners with associated raised corner cutting edges and two lowered corners with associated lowered corner cutting edges. Each of the corner side surfaces includes a concave clearance depression which serves as a relief surface for an associated lowered corner cutting edge. The concave clearance depression extends from its associated lowered corner cutting edge in the direction of, but does not intersect, a raised corner associated with opposite end surface.
US08449227B2	Rotatable tool for chip removing machining as well as a loose top and a basic body therefor A rotatable tool for chip removing machining including a basic body and a loose top; the body includes two torque-transferring drivers and an intermediate bottom in which a rear coupling part of the loose top is receivable, and a center hole that mouths in the intermediate bottom. A centric pin is insertable into the center hole, and a screw is accessible from the outside of the basic body. The coupling part includes a pair of side contact surfaces which cooperate with a pair of side support surfaces on the drivers of the basic body for the transfer of torque and negative axial forces between the coupling part and the drivers.
US08449221B1	Method and apparatus for repairing a damaged section of a subsea pipeline A method for repairing a damaged section of a subsea pipeline has the steps of cutting the damaged section at a first location on the subsea pipeline, cutting the damaged section of the second location on the subsea pipeline, removing the damaged section, affixing a first messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at the first location, affixing a second messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at a second location, and connecting a jumper line to the first messenger line assembly and to the second messenger line assembly so as to establish a continuous flowway between the first and second locations. Lift frame assemblies are positioned around the subsea pipeline at the first and second locations so as to elevate the subsea pipeline.
US08449219B2	Water-storage and water-purification system The present invention relates to a water-storing and water-cleaning system. Said system is designed in such a manner that it can be used irrespective of location. It is used, inter alia, in agriculture, in horticulture and in reforestation. Said system comprises a reservoir (2) that is filled with a porous material (3), into which the water is seeped. In order to displace the seepage path, the reservoir (2) contains at least one barrier layer (5) made of a water-impermeable material, that separates the two layers made of the porous material (3) and comprises an outlet (6) for connecting the layers.
US08449218B2	Land fill compactor wheel tip assembly A compactor wheel tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base with a tip attached thereto. A base engaging surface of the tip and a tip engaging surface of the base face and abut when the tip is attached to the base. The tip and base engaging surfaces may have corresponding geometries so that the tip may be attached the base in either a forward and rearward traction position or a side-slop traction position. The tip may include pocket walls having concave surfaces, and a ground engaging surface of a top wall that may be generally planar with a “bow-tie”-shaped cross-section or may define a pair of shoulders, a rib extending between the shoulders, and exterior pockets disposed on either side of the rib.
US08449217B2	Trench paver attachment A trench paver attachment which can be used to backfill a trench to varying grade heights, the attachment being designed primarily for use on paved roads. The attachment in one configuration is able to backfill a trench with crushed rock and cement or the like to a suitable height corresponding to the base of the adjacent pavement, and in another configuration it is able to apply base, binder and top in whatever lifts are called for. The attachment may be adjusted to allow for the paving of any trench from an 18″ width up to a 96″ width, which widths may be varied by the operator during the course of paving the trench.
US08449213B2	Eyeliner applicator An eyeliner applicator includes a pen tube, a bead, a connecting tube, a first water-absorbed member, a second water-absorbed member, a fixing means, and a retainer ring. The connecting tube has an applicator body, a pushing portion, a passage, an outer surface, and at least an abutting member. The passage comprises an upper section and a lower section. The first water-absorbed member is disposed in the upper section of the passage. The second water-absorbed member is disposed in the lower section of the passage. A density of the first water-absorbed member is greater than a density of the second water-absorbed member. The abutting member is disposed on the outer surface of the connecting tube. The retainer ring detachably clasps the outer surface. The applicator can prevent the water of ink from vaporizing and the water-absorbed members from absorbing much ink.
US08449204B2	Optical module An optical module in a simple configuration is provided which can suppress optical crosstalk due to leakage light without causing characteristics deterioration and reliability decrease of light-emitting elements to thereby obtain appropriate light receiving sensitivity. In an optical module in which a plurality of light-emitting elements 11 and light-receiving elements 12 are mounted on an optical-element mounting substrate 1, a light-absorbing resin 6 to absorb light with a light-emission wavelength of the light-emitting elements 11 is arranged to cover side surfaces of the light-emitting elements 11 and a non-adhesive layer 7 including a material not adhesive to the light-absorbing resin 6 is arranged between the light-absorbing resin 6 and the optical-element mounting substrate 1.
US08449203B2	Cooling method for CXP active optical transceivers CXP is a telecommunications connector standard based on cage assemblies originally designed for copper cables. Optical transceivers dissipate more heat than copper cables, however, so cage assemblies designed for copper cables cannot remove heat adequately for proper transceiver operation. One embodiment of the inventive cage assemblies removes heat from an optical transceiver with a heat spreader, which protrudes through an aperture in a cage, and a compressible gap pad in thermal contact with the heat spreader. Inserting the optical transceiver into the cage places the transceiver in thermal contact with a heat spreader and pushes the heat spreader out of the cage, which, in turn, causes the gap pad to come into thermal contact with a heat pipe and/or a heat sink. The embodiment provide a low mechanical profile to support high-density circuit board configurations for high-density optical connectivity systems, such as used in Dense Wavelength Division optical networking.
US08449202B2	Optical connector A connector comprises a housing, a lever and a lock portion. The housing receives terminals. The lever, rotatably attached to the housing, is configured to be rotatable between a first position, where an initial stage of fitting to a counterpart connector is established, and a second position, where the fitting thereof is completed. The lock portion, capable of locking the lever at the second position, is slidably attached to a body portion of the lever, and configured to be slid between a lock position and a lock release position. The lever is provided with a positioning latch-portion configured to latch the lock portion. The positioning latch-portion is provided with a concave latch-portion and a convex latch-portion configured to be elastically displaced to be engaged in or disengaged from the concave latch-portion.
US08449199B2	Bearing retention assembly for and method of assembling turbochargers An assembly for a turbocharger and a method of assembling a turbocharger are disclosed. Such an assembly can include an elongate pin having a tapered part and a protrusion at one end of the pin. The elongate pin is configured to be inserted within a housing opening and a cartridge opening such that the taper of the body portion of the pin mates with the taper of the housing opening. The cartridge opening is configured as to mate with the pin such that the pin substantially restricts the bearing cartridge from surging and rolling but substantially permits all other movements of the bearing cartridge.
US08449198B2	Rolling bearing, hub unit, rolling contact member, universal joint, torque transmission member for universal joint, and method of producing the same A deep-grooved ball bearing including a rolling contact member formed of a sintered β-sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a plurality of balls arranged in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring on an annular raceway. The ball is configured of a sintered body that contains as a main component a β-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1≦z≦3.5 and has a remainder formed of an impurity.
US08449197B2	Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which reduces the weight, size and number of parts and also prevents ingress of rain water or dusts and leakage of differential gear oil has an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle. A hollow drive shaft is inserted into the axle housing. A wheel bearing is arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing and is structured as a unit including a wheel hub and a double row rolling bearing. The wheel bearing includes an inner member with a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange on one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with at least one of the inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. An outer member is arranged around the inner member and formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface opposite to the inner raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are arranged between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner member and the outer member. A cage freely rollably holds the rolling elements. Seals seal an annular space between the inner member and the outer member. A cap, having a metal core formed from steel, is press-fit into an end of a central bore of the wheel hub.
US08449195B2	Retainer of ball bearing In a grease filled bearing for a machine such as a turbo molecular pump that rotates at high speed, objects are to prevent grease retained in an inner circumferential part of a ball retainer from being forced out to the outside of the bearing due to centrifugal force, thereby achieving extension of the operational life of the bearing, and preventing occurrence of rotational mass unbalance due to the grease forced out. A retainer (1) of a ball bearing includes a main body (1A) having a circular annular shape, and plural circular pockets (1a) for retaining balls (4) therein that extend through the main body (1A) in a radial direction, wherein intermediate parts between adjacent pockets (1a) in an inner circumferential surface of the main body (1A) define recesses (1b) for holding grease.
US08449194B2	Wheel bearing with sensor A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately detecting load without affected by hysteresis is provided. The assembly includes a vehicle body fitting flange having bolt holes at respective circumferential portions in the form of projecting pieces. A sensor unit including a strain generating member having contact fixing segments to be fixed to the stationary member and a cutout portion, and a sensor element for detecting strain in a periphery of the cutout portion is provided with the contact fixing segments at positions of the same size in an axial direction relative to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member. The contact fixing segments are spaced each other an angle about an axis of the stationary member, and the angle between the contact fixing segments at respective end portions of the sensor unit is smaller than half the angle between the projecting pieces.
US08449190B2	Centering mechanisms for turbocharger bearings An turbocharger assembly can include a compressor side ring disposed at least partially in a compressor side annular notch of a bearing, the ring in contact with a bore wall of a housing and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to a compressor end of the bearing and to reduce variation in a lubricant squeeze film thickness defined by and between the bearing and the bore wall and a turbine side ring disposed at least partially in a turbine side annular notch, the ring in contact with the bore wall and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to the turbine end of the bearing and to reduce variation in the lubricant squeeze film thickness. Various other springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
US08449188B2	Round table bearing A round table bearing, which has a radial, axial roller bearing for mounting a first bearing ring part relative to a second bearing ring part, and a squeeze-film damper which is connected parallel to the radial, axial bearing. The squeeze-film damper has a basic damper component which is coaxial to the bearing ring parts and which is fastened, together with a rolling element of the bearing ring part which contacts the radial, axial roller bearing, to a rotary table base part.
US08449184B2	Robotized system for positioning a patient with respect to at least one particle source A robotized system (1) for positioning a patient with respect to at least one source of a particle beam, includes the at least one source, two robotized arms (3, 4), a treatment couch (5) for the patient and a logic unit which controls and coordinates the movements of the two robotized arms, wherein the at least one source is fixed, each end of the treatment couch (5) for the patient is connected to the end of one of the robotized arms (3, 4), the at least one particle beam emitted by the at least one fixed source is always included within the space between the ends of the two robotized arms (3, 4).
US08449183B2	X-ray tube holding device An operator who holds an operation handle and visually confirms a display body can accurately grasp imaging relevant information displayed in the display body irrespective of a posture of the X-ray tube.
US08449181B2	Process fluid temperature measurement An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a process fluid includes a resistance based temperature sensor (RTD) sensor configured to thermally couple to the process fluid. First and second electrical connections are configured to apply a current through the RTD. Measurement circuitry is configured to measure a voltage across the RTD and identify a degraded connection to the RTD and responsively measure a temperature of the process fluid using the electrical connections.
US08449178B2	Optical fiber temperature sensor An optical fiber temperature sensor includes an optical transceiver module, a transmission fiber and a sensing head. When the transmission fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber, the sensing head includes a temperature sensing element and a fiber reflector, the temperature sensing element is a section of polarization maintaining fiber. The transmission fiber is fusion spliced with the temperature sensing element, an angle between a polarization axis of the transmission fiber and that of the temperature sensing element is 45 degree at the fusion splicing point. When the transmission fiber is a single-mode fiber, the sensing head includes a polarizer. An angle between a polarization axis of the polarization maintaining fiber connecting the temperature sensing element with the polarizer and that of the polarization maintaining fiber of the temperature sensing element is 45 degree at the fusion splicing point. The present invention is of simple principle and structure, and facilitates manufacturing.
US08449176B2	Automated binary processing of thermographic sequence data A method for processing thermographic data is disclosed including thermally disturbing a specimen of unknown quality, collecting thermal data from said specimen, converting the collected data into a measure of variance and comparing the variance from the sample of unknown quality against the variance of a sample of known quality in order to determine if the quality of the specimen of unknown quality is acceptable.
US08449172B2	Mixing device for creating an output mixture by mixing a first material and a second material A mixing device for mixing a first and second material together to create an output mixture. The device includes a first chamber containing the first material coupled to a mixing chamber defined between a rotor and a stator. The rotor is disposed inside the stator and rotates therein about an axis of rotation. The first chamber houses an internal pump configured to pump the first material from the first chamber into the mixing chamber. The pump may be configured to impart a circumferential velocity into the first material before it enters the mixing chamber. At least one of the rotor and stator have a plurality of through-holes through which the second material is provided to the mixing chamber. Optionally, a second chamber is coupled to the mixing chamber. The second chamber may house an internal pump configured to pump the output material from the mixing chamber into the second chamber.
US08449160B2	Multi-wavelength light emitting device A multi-wavelength light emitting device includes the following three sections; a light source section having multiple luminous points that emit multiple light beams, a condenser lens section that concentrates the light beams emitted from the luminous points, and a light guide section that propagates superposedly and mixedly the light beams concentrated by the condenser lens section after emission thereof from the luminous points.
US08449158B2	Vehicle exterior mirror system A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a signal light disposed in the exterior mirror assembly. The signal light includes at least one light emitting diode. The signal light is configured to emit a light pattern and the light pattern is defined at least between a forward leading edge and a rearward leading edge. The forward leading edge of the light pattern forms a forward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the side of a vehicle equipped with the lighted exterior mirror system, and the rearward leading edge of the light pattern forms a rearward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 15 degrees relative to the side of the equipped vehicle.
US08449156B2	Automotive interior hidden switching A vehicle interior panel having a substrate with a receiving slot. A support lens is disposed in the receiving slot and includes a light source. A sensor is operably connected to the light source and disposed proximate the support lens. A connector operably links the sensor to the light source through the support lens. A decorative layer extends over the support lens and the sensor.
US08449149B2	Illumination apparatus An illumination apparatus including a light-emitting unit and a lens module is described. The light-emitting unit is used for generating a light and has a light exit axis. The lens module has a light exit surface with a plurality of curved surfaces. The lens module receives the light and outputs the light from the curved surfaces. Further, the curved surfaces have at least two curvatures, each for adjusting a illumination range of the light output from the corresponding curved surface.
US08449141B1	Intelligent light fixture with manual follow spot function The present invention relates to entertainments systems comprising a light controller connected to at least one moving head light fixture through a communication channel and to moving head light fixtures, where a moving head comprises switching means for switching said moving head between a normal mode of operation and a follow spot mode of operation, said follow spot mode of operation being characterized in that at least said first rotating means or said second rotating means being deactivated. In is thus possible to use the moving head as both an automatic moving head an as a manual moved follow spot. The moving head comprises also position encoding means determining to position of the moving head and other moving heads in the entertainment system thus be controlled based on the position of the first moving head.
US08449135B2	Illuminated wrench system A tool system includes a first tool having a work area and a light source position inside the tool. The light source is adapted to illuminate the work area. A base has a first port, wherein the first tool can be mounted in the first port.
US08449134B2	Solar razor A solar razor is provided with a housing; at least one shaving assembly rotatably mounted on the housing; a solar cell mounted on an outer surface of the housing for converting light directly into electricity; a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing and connected to the solar cell for storing electricity from the solar cell, the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the shaving assembly; and a switch mounted on the outer surface of the housing and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, the switch being manually movable between first and second positions. The rechargeable battery disconnects from the at least one shaving assembly when the switch is in the first position. The rechargeable battery connects to the at least one shaving assembly when the switch is in the second position.
US08449133B2	Visibility vest The present application is directed to a method for providing reflective and/or lighted capability about the torso of a wearer, said method comprising providing it least one reflective and/or lighted strap, draping said strap about said torso, adjusting said strap via a mechanism that keeps said strap relatively taut about torso such that when said wearer is engaged in movement, said straps remain in place on said torso without substantial impediment to said wearer engaging in an activity.
US08449126B2	Rear view mirror A rear view mirror for a vehicle has certain asymmetrical aerodynamic features that are combined with construction details that render the assembly invertible for use on either side of the vehicle and easier to install than its prior art counterparts.
US08449121B2	Image processing system, projector, method and computer program product An image processing system includes a determination unit that determines a distortion state of a projected image, and a correction unit. The correction unit determines a shape of the image after distortion correction according to the distortion state, moves the determined shape in a display area of an optical modulator in a first direction, performs distortion correction of the image, and moves the image after distortion correction in the display area of the optical modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
US08449117B2	Method and apparatus for wireless image transmission to a projector A method and apparatus is provided in which a digital image is transmitted to a presentation projector resource over a wireless transmission medium using a reduced amount of bandwidth by transmitting a subset of the digital image data. The subset of image data may be a delta subset that represents those areas of the image that have changed since the previous transmission. The subset image data may also be a scalable vector graphics representation of the subset of the digital image. A projector discovery logic selects a suitable projector resource based on the order or signal strength of the discovery replies. A wireless image transmission session is established with the selected projector resource during which the projector is unavailable to other devices. The subset image data may be compressed and transmission coordinated with the projector resource so that the data is sent only when it is ready to be received.
US08449114B2	Fundus imaging apparatus Provided is a fundus imaging apparatus which achieves reduction of a load on an examiner by facilitating understanding of an operation of switching from a fundus imaging mode to an anterior ocular segment imaging mode, comprising: an imaging unit for taking an image of an eye to be inspected; a focusing unit for achieving a substantially conjugate relationship between the eye to be inspected and the imaging unit; a diopter adjustment unit for adjusting a diopter when the eye to be inspected is myopic or hyperopic; an imaging selecting unit capable of selecting the fundus imaging mode or the anterior ocular segment imaging mode; a diopter adjustment switching unit for switching the diopter adjustment unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode; and a drive unit for driving the focusing unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode.
US08449112B2	Ophthalmologic imaging apparatus and ophthalmologic imaging method An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus includes an observation light source configured to generate infrared light for illuminating a subject's eye via an illumination optical system, an imaging unit configured to receive light returned from the subject's eye via an imaging optical system, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to refresh charge generated caused by light received by the imaging unit in response to turning off of the observation light source.
US08449106B2	Image recording device and image recording method An image recording device includes a conveying part that conveys a portion of a medium to an image recording area, a recording part that records an image on the medium positioned in the image recording area, a medium support part that supports the medium positioned in the image recording area on a support surface provided with openings of suction holes and that heats the medium, a suction part that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part via the suction holes, and a control part that repeatedly performs a conveying action and a recording action, and that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part after the next conveying action and before the recording action when a period from the previous conveying action until the next conveying action is equal to or greater than a predetermined period that is longer than the period required by the recording action.
US08449098B2	Ink jet recording method The ink jet recording method includes performing printing by depositing droplets of an ink composition ejected from the ink ejection nozzles on a recording medium transported in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle alignment direction in such a manner that the droplets ejected from at least one ink ejection nozzle located at an end of each of ink jet heads adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle alignment direction are deposited one on the other. The volume of droplet ejected from the ink ejection nozzle at the end of the ink jet head is smaller than the volume of ink droplet ejected from each of the other ink ejection nozzles of the ink jet head, and the ink composition has a yield value of 0.50 to 2.00 mPa.
US08449096B2	Five member ring stabilizers for quinacridone-type pigments in solid ink A synergist for pigment in a solid ink having the following formula:
US08449093B2	Solid ink melter assembly A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further including a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
US08449092B1	Air extraction momentum method A method of printing using a carriage with an ink container and an ejector die mounted thereon, the ink container includes a vent hole for removing air from the ink container. Air is extracted from the ink container by moving a mass within the ink container toward the vent hole, wherein said movement of the mass toward the vent hole is generated by momentum forces arising in the mass from the back and forth movement of the carriage.
US08449089B2	Liquid injecting apparatus Provided is a liquid injecting apparatus equipped with a liquid injecting head, which is mounted on a carriage and moved reciprocally in a widthwise direction of a target, and a valve unit, which is mounted on the carriage to be supplied with liquid via a supply passage from a liquid retainer and to supply liquid to the liquid injecting head. The valve unit has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid retainer via the supply passage; a valve, which opens or closes the supply passage to supply liquid to the pressure chamber; and a flexible film member, which is displaced based on a negative pressure generated as liquid in the pressure chamber decreases to thereby operate the valve.
US08449086B2	Inkjet chamber and inlets for circulating flow An inkjet printhead including a drop generator includes: a substrate including a surface; a chamber disposed on the surface of the substrate, the chamber including: an inlet having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being separated from the first edge by an inlet width along an inlet width direction; and a chamber center, wherein the first edge and the second edge of the inlet are disposed on a same side of the chamber center relative to the inlet width direction.
US08449085B2	Liquid ejection head In order to provide a liquid ejection head which enables ejection of a droplet at a higher frequency, according to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator 18 has a multilayer structure. In the multilayer structure, an upper piezoelectric layer 24 and a lower piezoelectric layer 25 are laminated one on another. A drive electrode 23 is formed at a boundary between the upper piezoelectric layer 24 and the lower piezoelectric layer 25 and is electrically connected to a source for supplying a drive signal. An upper common electrode 26 is formed on the surface of the upper piezoelectric layer 24. A lower common electrode 27 is formed on the surface of the lower piezoelectric layer 25. An inertance of a nozzle orifice 10 and an inertance of an ink supply port 5 are set so as to become greater than an inertance of a pressure generating portion 6, 13, 16.
US08449084B2	Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection head comprising a flow-channel-containing substrate having pressure generating chambers communicating a nozzle opening and a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed above the first electrode, and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer includes an active portion which is substantially driven, a non-active portion which is not substantially driven, and a low dielectric material layer which has a dielectric constant lower than that of a center portion of the active portion and which is in the active portion side of the boundary between the active portion and the non-active portion.
US08449083B2	Multilayer body, piezoelectric element, and liquid ejecting device A multilayer body which includes a low-resistance metal layer having a low electrical resistance, excellent thermal resistance and low surface irregularity is provided. The multilayer body includes a substrate, and a low-resistance metal layer which is formed on the substrate and has a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more sublayers. The low-resistance metal layer includes a gold-containing layer or sublayer composed of gold and another metal.
US08449082B2	Injection molded mounting substrate The present invention relates to a fluid ejection assembly that includes an injection-molded mounting substrate that is formed by a two-shot injection molding process, wherein a housing portion of the mounting substrate is formed by a first shot molding, and a die-attach portion of the mounting substrate is formed within the housing portion by a second shot molding.
US08449078B2	Liquid discharge head with multi-section energy application chambers Provided is a liquid discharge head including a discharge port; an energy application chamber that includes a heat generating element, and communicates with the discharge port; and a flow path that supplies the liquid to the energy application chamber, wherein the energy application chamber includes a first energy application chamber communicating with the discharge port, and a second energy application chamber communicating with the first energy application chamber and the flow path, a distance between facing side walls of the second energy application chamber is larger than that of the first energy application chamber in a section perpendicular to a liquid supply direction from the flow path to the energy application chamber, and for side walls of the energy application chambers formed on a back side in the liquid supply direction, the first energy application chamber and the second energy application chamber share the wall.
US08449077B2	Droplet ejection head In a droplet ejection head, each of droplet ejection units includes: a nozzle which ejects droplets of liquid, a pressure chamber which is filled with the liquid and connected to the nozzle, a drive element which applies pressure to the liquid inside the pressure chamber, and an individual supply channel and an individual recovery channel which are connected to the pressure chamber. The liquid is supplied to and recovered from the pressure chamber through the individual supply channel and the individual recovery channel. In each of the droplet ejection units, a diameter Dn (μm) of the nozzle, a flow channel resistance R1 (Ns/m5) of the individual supply channel and a flow channel resistance R2 (Ns/m5) of the individual recovery channel satisfy: 3.247×1015exp(−0.1717 Dn)≦R1≦3.278×1015exp(−0.1456 Dn); and 3.247×1015exp(−0.1717 Dn)≦R2≦3.278×1015exp(−0.1456 Dn).
US08449072B2	Method for ejecting ink droplets onto a substrate An ink mixed with spacer members is ejected onto one or both of a TFT substrate and a CF substrate while an ink jet head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles is moved. The excursions of a predetermined number of ink jet nozzles from an end of the ink jet head overlap those of a next excursion of the ink jet head without causing overlapping of ejected ink within the overlapping area. An abrupt stepwise change in the amount of ejected ink is suppressed whereby an uneven gap is suppressed.
US08449069B2	Liquid-jetting apparatus A liquid-jetting apparatus includes: a liquid-jetting head which has a liquid-jetting surface provided with first and second nozzles and which jets liquids of different types from the first and second nozzles respectively; a cap which is driven between a capping position and a retracted position; a cap driving member which moves in a first direction to drive the cap; first and second gas discharge valves via which bubble is discharged from first and second liquid supply members connected to the liquid-jetting head respectively; first and second valve opening/closing members which open/close the first and second gas discharge valves respectively; first and second gas discharge driving members arranged in the first direction, which move in a second direction intersecting the first direction to drive the first and second valve opening/closing members respectively; and a driving source which moves the first and second gas discharge driving members in the second direction.
US08449060B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and flying curve detecting method A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle row including nozzles that eject a liquid on an ejecting target medium. The liquid ejecting head moves with respect to the ejecting target medium in a main scanning direction. Liquid is ejected to form test patterns on the ejecting target medium, in which the minimum interval between a plurality of dots formed by ejecting the liquid in the main scanning direction is set as a reference interval. A dot group is formed, in which one or more dots line up at the reference interval in the main scanning direction. A line part is formed, in which a plurality of the dot groups is formed at an interval larger than the reference interval in the main scanning direction. A plurality of the line parts is formed in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction.
US08449059B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A piezoelectric vibrator varies the pressure in a pressure chamber in accordance with a drive signal, whereby ink contained in the pressure chamber is ejected from a nozzle. The drive signal includes a slight-vibration pulse used to change the pressure in the pressure chamber to an extent that the ink is not ejected. The slight-vibration pulse includes a first changing component in which the potential changes from a reference potential in a negative direction in which the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased by the piezoelectric vibrator, a second changing component which is generated to follow the first changing component and in which the potential changes so as to cross the reference potential in a positive direction, and a third changing component which is generated to follow the second changing component and in which the potential changes to the reference potential in the negative direction.
US08449058B2	Method and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with low tail mass drops Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce variable sized drops with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes applying a multi-pulse waveform having at least one drive pulse and at least one break off pulse to the actuator. The method further includes building a drop of a fluid with the at least one drive pulse. The method further includes accelerating the break off of the drop with the at least one break off pulse. The method further includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop of a fluid in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The break off pulse causes the break off of the drop formed by the at least one drive pulse in order to reduce the tail mass of the drop.
US08449056B2	Driving method of liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus A driving method of a liquid discharge head including discharge ports, flow paths communicated with the discharge ports, a first actuator provided on the flow paths, a second actuator provided at a position further from the discharge port than the first actuator of the flow paths, and a common liquid chamber communicated with the flow paths, includes: contracting the flow path and expanding the flow path by the first actuator to discharge liquid from the discharge port; starting contraction of the flow path the second actuator when or before flow of liquid from the common liquid chamber to the discharge port in the vicinity of the second actuator, disappears to allow a meniscus of liquid, located at an inner position of the flow path, to project from the discharge port; and starting expansion of the flow path by the second actuator while the meniscus projects from the discharge port.
US08449055B2	Ink cartridge and recording apparatus An ink cartridge includes: a casing; a pyroelectric portion; a heat conductor; and an electrical interface. The casing is configured to store ink therein. The casing has a bottom wall. The pyroelectric portion is configured to output an electrical signal. The heat conductor is configured to conduct heat to the ink and the pyroelectric portion. The heat conductor has at least a portion in contact with or disposed adjacent to the bottom wall. The electrical interface is configured to output an electrical signal outputted from the pyroelectric portion.
US08449050B2	Article of furniture having a drawer and a current consumer A carrier element can be attached to a furniture body of a piece of furniture, in which a current consumer is disposed in or on a furniture part movable in the piece of furniture, particularly a drawer. At least one power supply unit for the current consumer is disposed—preferably releaseably—on the carrier element.
US08449039B2	Pick assembly with integrated piston In one embodiment a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The at least one block comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. A pick comprises a working end and an opposing base end wherein the base end is disposed within the cavity and comprises a piston that is slidably retained within the cylinder. In a second embodiment a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The rotatable drum comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. The at least one block comprises a first end and an opposing second end wherein the second end is disposed within the cavity. A pick comprising a working end is rigidly secured to the first end of the at least one block and the second end comprises a piston slidably retained within the cylinder.
US08449038B2	Car seat pressure deceleration controller An improved car seat pressure deceleration controller apparatus for providing in pressure through harness means positioned across the front chest of a seated occupant of a passenger vehicle, movable upon impact of the vehicle by activation of electric solenoid means connected by cable means extended over pulley means to engage an upper portion of the harness means, and to move the harness means in an elevated position to encompass over the head of the occupant, and the harness means being connected along its lower portion to tension belt means, controlled by gearbox drive means and motor means to provide deceleration controlled movement to the harness means to decelerate the movements of the harness means, and programmable computer and processor means to determine the position of the harness means to determine the deceleration control for the harness means.
US08449034B2	Full memory I-disk A disc recliner for pivoting a seat back relative to a seat cushion includes a fixed plate mounted to the seat cushion and a movable plate mounted to the seat back. The disc recliner includes a locking mechanism operable between a locked condition coupling the fixed and movable plates and an unlocked condition uncoupling the fixed and movable plates to allow rotation of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. The disc recliner includes a memory plate that is disengaged with the movable plate to allow pivotal adjustment of the seat back between a plurality of seating positions by actuating the locking mechanism to the unlocked condition. The memory plate engages the movable plate to identify a previously selected seating position and to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocked condition thereby allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between the previously selected seating position and a folded position.
US08449032B2	Wheelchair having an adjustable seat A wheelchair having an adjustable seat includes a seat frame including first and second side support members. The side support members are extendable between a first position defining a first length and a second position defining a second length greater than the first length. A seat member is coupled at a first side thereof to the first side support member and at a second side thereof to the second side support member. The seat member extends between the first and second side support members to define a seat area having an initial depth corresponding to the first length of the side support members and a width corresponding to a distance between the side support members. The seat member includes an auxiliary portion for extending the seat member to an extended depth corresponding to the second length of the side support members.
US08449029B2	Single slot lift and rotate mechanism An armrest is movable between a stowed position disposed within a recess of a seat back and deployed position extending from the recess. A bracket fixedly secured to the seat back includes a slot having an angled portion connected with a vertical portion, which is connected with an arcuate portion. First and second pins extend laterally from a proximal end of the armrest and are pivotally and slidably coupled to the slot. The first pin travels along the angled portion and the second pin travels along the vertical portion in response to pivotal movement of the armrest, thereby lifting the armrest to prevent interference between the proximal end of the armrest and the seat back. The first pin remains at the transition between the angled portion and the vertical portion and the second pin travels along the arcuate portion in response to further pivotal movement of the armrest.
US08449028B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
US08449026B1	Convertible seating assembly A seating assembly adapted to be readily converted between an inoperative storage configuration and multiple operative seating configurations, including: a frame sub-assembly, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes a back section, a seat section, and a telescoping leg support section; a ground engaging leg sub-assembly; and body support member. An adjustable headrest that releasably retains a beach towel is provided. Integrated storage pockets for retaining, personal articles, paraphernalia, music players, drink bottles, etcetera are yet further provided.
US08449024B2	Car frame featuring rtm-technology modules of compsite material A car frame having a central body, which defines the passenger compartment of the car and is defined by a number of metal parts welded to one another. A monolithic front body is bolted to the central body and is made of composite material fibre using RTM technology. A monolithic floor panel is also connected to the central body and is made of composite material fibre using RTM technology.
US08449022B2	Reinforced vehicle structure A reinforced vehicle structure includes a vehicle floor, a reinforcement member, an accessory attachment member and a plurality of mounting structures. The vehicle floor has an underbody floor surface facing an underbody of the vehicle and an interior floor surface facing an interior of the vehicle. The reinforcement member is mounted to the underbody floor surface. The accessory attachment member is mounted to the interior floor surface. The plurality of mounting structures is spaced along the reinforcement member and extends through the vehicle floor to couple the accessory attachment member to the reinforcement member.
US08449021B2	Vehicle lower-leg protection device and method of making and using the same In one embodiment, a thermoplastic lower-leg device, comprises: corrugations in a direction perpendicular to an impact direction; and an interior section extending in the impact direction and having an outbound portion having an outbound length D1 extending at an angle, α1, from the interior section and an inbound portion having an inbound length, D2, extending in a direction opposite the outbound portion at an angle, α2, from the interior section.
US08449017B2	Aerodynamic skirt resilient member A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut includes a shape variation adapted to change the mechanical strength thereof and also adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.
US08449011B2	Monopod seat structure for automotive seats and method A monopod seat structure including first and second sides. A back is pivotally connected to the seat. A vertical support column is disposed below the seat and positioned substantially centrally between the first and second sides of the seat. A side support member includes a top portion operably connected to one of the first and second sides. A bottom portion is operably connected to a transmission hump of a vehicle.
US08449009B1	Adapter for attachment of a display unit to a console of a vehicle A device includes an adapter having a number of holes and a number of threaded studs. The holes are arranged in a spaced apart pattern corresponding to a bolt pattern of a legacy cockpit display unit. The threaded studs are arranged in a spaced apart pattern similar to a bolt pattern of a display unit.
US08449007B2	Waste collection device Methods and apparatus are provided for a hand held device for collecting waste material deposits. In one exemplary embodiment the device comprises a frame with a grip portion, and a waste receptacle with an open end for receiving a waste material deposit. The exemplary device may further comprise a pivoting scoop adapted to swing between a loading position in which the scoop extends generally away from the grip end of the frame, and a dispensing position in which the scoop is generally juxtaposed with the open end of the waste receptacle.
US08449003B2	Door expansion adjusting handle and latch set A door expansion adjusting handle and latch set for mounting on a door. It includes a first handle positioned on a first side of a door having a thickness, a shaft having two ends with one end fixedly connected to the first handle, a second handle positioned on a second side of the door and connected to the other end of the shaft by a nut, the nut permitting the second handle and shaft to rotate relative to each other but preventing the second handle from being removed from the shaft, a latch that is operated by rotating the first handle and/or the second handle, and a coil spring that is interposed between the fixing member and the second handle to bias the first handle and the second handle towards or away from each other. If the thickness of the door increases or decrease, the coil spring will permit the second handle to move closer or further from to the fixing member to accommodate the increase in door thickness.
US08449000B2	Shock-actuated lock A lock that is actuated by an actuating force, such as that caused by an earthquake, for locking a door of a compartment or other enclosure. A magnet can be embedded on an inside surface of a door of the compartment. A displaceable component is provided within the compartment. An actuating force can displace a position of the displaceable component such that it can be aligned with the magnet. The displaceable component can be attracted to the magnet and thereby lock the door in a closed position.
US08448998B2	Accessory securing mechanism An accessory securing mechanism includes a housing member, a securing member, and elastic members. The housing defines an assembly recess, the assembly recess forms a protrusion to engage a string, the securing member and the elastic member are received in the assembly recess, the elastic member resists the securing member, and the securing member resists the protrusion to secure the string.
US08448996B2	Casement window lock A locking mechanism for a casement window assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the window assembly, an actuator operably connected to the housing and pivotable about a fulcrum, and a linkage member having a first channel and a second channel. The housing has an elongated opening having opposed ends. The actuator includes an actuator body having a first pin and a second pin located thereon. The linkage member is connected to the actuator such that the first pin is received in the first channel and the second pin is received in the second channel. Pivoting the actuator about the fulcrum causes the first pin to move within the first channel and the second pin to move within the second channel, moving the linkage member along the opening, from one end of the opening to the other end of the opening.
US08448995B2	Apparatus and method for supporting a pipe coupling A pipe coupling support having a substantially rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe coupling installed on pipe. In many cases, the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling will be non-cylindrical. For example, when pipes of differing diameters or pipes manufactured from different materials must be joined with commonly available pliable couplings. In this instance the inner surface of the body of the pipe coupling support may be formed to mate with a majority of or substantially the entire exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling.
US08448994B2	Latch assembly for joining two conduits A latch assembly for connection of conduit, the assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion, wherein each of the female portion and the male portion have a shell and a connection device. The connection device of the female portion includes a connection assembly with a molded-in slot, a release button, and a raised rib or alternatively is a connection opening. The connection device of the male portion includes a cantilevered region with a ramped engagement feature or alternatively is a raised cantilevered release button. When connected the cantilevered region or button deflects to accommodate the female portion until the ramped engagement feature or button engages the molded-in slot or connection opening, thus releasing the deflection. Depressing the release button disengages the latch allowing separation of the assembly.
US08448988B2	Vehicle system including a structure in which exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed An exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed below a floor supported by both side members of a vehicle to recover heat from exhaust gas passing through an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. Assistance members, which extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, are provided between the both side members of the vehicle. The exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed close to one of the assistance members.
US08448983B2	Occupant restraint device An air belt device includes: a seat belt that restrains a seated occupant; an air belt that is provided in a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt and that is deployed when supplied with a gas; a retractor that extractably winds up the seat belt from a side of a shoulder portion of the occupant; an inflator that supplies gas to the air belt; and a flexible hose that is curved when the seat belt is not worn and that communicates the inflator with the end of the air belt that extends into the seat back.
US08448982B2	Air bag device Provided is an airbag device mounted to a steering wheel in which a mounting member is provided in a protruding manner. The airbag device includes an airbag, an inflator configured to inflate and deploy the airbag, a cover that covers the airbag, and a mounting plate. A locking body configured to be locked with the mounting member is held on the mounting plate via the holding member. The mounting plate includes a recess that is recessed from a portion for mounting the inflator. The locking body is provided in the recess of the mounting plate.
US08448975B2	Step-in telemark ski binding A step-in binding for reversibly securing a boot to sports equipment comprises a toe portion (a toe iron or toe box) that engages the toe of the boot and a cable having both ends connected to the front portion. The cable extends from the front portion around the heel of the boot. The cable includes a heel lever that engages both the heel of the boot and a heel block such that the boot heel remains free to be lifted vertically relative to the ski and binding. The heel of the boot is reversibly secured to the sports equipment by frictional forces between a camming surface of the heel lever and an anterior surface of the heel block. The heel lever can be tipped between an open position and a closed position.
US08448974B2	Board-like sliding device in the form of a ski or snowboard The invention relates to a board-like sliding device in the form of a ski or snowboard. Said board-like sliding device comprises a multilayered sliding board body and at least one elongated force-transmitting element supported on the upper side of the sliding board body for influencing the bending resistance or the vibrational behavior of the sliding board body as well as a binding device for a potentially detachable connection with a sports shoe. Between the lower side of the force-transmitting element and the upper side of the sliding board body at least one engaging coupling means is formed. The force-transmitting element is designed in this case as a thin-walled shell body with a wall thickness of less than 5 mm, which at least over the main part of its longitudinal extension has a substantially U-shaped cross section. At least part sections of the side arms of the force-transmitting element run at least partly in groove-like depressions on the upper side of the sliding board body.
US08448970B1	Suspension system for steerable front wheel of vehicle A suspension system for a steerable front wheel of a vehicle such as a motorcycle has two substantially identical, straight, elongate, tubular members that extend forwardly and downwardly from the vicinity of a handlebar of the vehicle along opposite sides of a lower rear quadrant of the front wheel and have open front end regions that at least partially enclose compressible coil suspension system springs. Elongate arms are pivotally connected to brackets that are rigidly secured either above or below the open front end regions of the elongate members, define surfaces that extend across the open front ends of the front end regions to be pressed against by the suspension system springs, and have upper end regions that support opposite ends of a front wheel's axle that extends between the two elongate arms. By adjusting the extent to which the suspension springs are compressed, the ride provided by the suspension system is adjusted.
US08448965B2	Transverse link for a wheel suspension A transverse link for a wheel suspension, which can be connected to a suspension point of a car body or of a chassis and a holding point of a wheel mount. The transverse link has a connecting rod on the wheel mount side and a connecting rod on the vehicle side, which are connected to one another in a rotating manner. The connecting rod on the vehicle side can be fastened on the suspension point of the auto body or of the chassis and the connecting rod on the wheel mount side can be fastened to the holding point of the wheel mount. Such a transverse link can be used both on the front and rear axles. The plurality of variable parameters permits fine coordination with regard to kinematic travel properties. Also, a low number of additional components are required.
US08448964B2	Hinging arrangement for a wheel axle suspension A hinging arrangement for a wheel axle suspension of a vehicle, comprises an attachment eye fixed to a component to be hingedly attached to the vehicle, and a hinge pin, e.g. a hinge bolt, attached to a fixed vehicle component. The hinge pin is extending through the attachment eye, wherein the attachment eye has a bore for the hinge pin which comprises at least one tapering bore portion. The arrangement further comprises at least one resilient ring and a clamping member each provided with a central bore for the hinge pin, wherein, in the mounted state, the resilient ring is received at least partially within said tapering bore portion. The resilient ring is bearing with one side against the tapering surface of said tapering bore portion and said clamping member is forced against the other side of the resilient ring whereby the resilient ring is compressed between the clamping member and the tapering surface of the tapering bore portion.
US08448960B2	Foldable walker apparatus There is provided a walker apparatus having a brake, a braking handle, a brake wire, a brake rod, and a brake rod assembly. A gripping member connects to the brake wire. The gripping member includes a plate having a first end, a second end and an aperture near the second end. The plate connects to the brake wire near the first end and the plate slidably receives the brake rod through the aperture near the second end. The gripping member includes a clamp that engages the brake wire via a set screw. The gripping member is spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod in a non-actuated mode. When the braking handle actuates the brake wire, the plate tilts with the first end elevating relative to the second end, thereby causing the plate to engage with and abut the brake rod for thereby actuating the brake rod to brake.
US08448955B2	Three-wheeled skateboard Three wheeled skateboards having direct connection between the front and back skate wheels where there is improved maneuverability and turning capability is provided. A steering plate is added to the axle of a conventional front skateboard truck and is made specifically for this application. Both ends of the single cable are fixably attached to the steering plate and are connected to the single rear wheel truck to supply the direct mechanical linkage. The single wheel truck at the rear has the wheel mounted in such a way as to allow it to be turned by the mechanical linkage that carries turn motion from the two wheel truck at the front of the skateboard. The single wheel mounted to the rear of the centerline of the truck rather than in front of or on the centerline of the truck increases the quickness of the action of the skateboard.
US08448952B2	Vehicle with active-regenerative suspension In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an active suspension system having a regenerative actuator is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises a drive system including a battery mounted to a chassis and a controller coupled to the drive system. The controller also couples to a suspension system between the chassis and at least one wheel of the vehicle. The suspension system includes an actuator having an electric motor providing energy by converting linear movement of a ball screw into rotational movement of a rotor having a hollow core permitting at least a portion of the ball screw to translate within the rotor during operation of the actuator.
US08448950B2	Split mechanical seal A split mechanical seal has split ring fitting holes into which split rings having a rectangular cross-section are fitted. The split ring fitting holes are formed over the entire length in the circumferential direction of the seal between split sealing rings and split flanges. The split rings are mounted in the split ring fitting holes with the phases of the split sealing rings and the split flanges shifted from each other such that one end of each split ring projects from a split contact surface.
US08448949B2	Sealing assembly with integral sensor A sealing assembly is equipped with life-sensing means in terms of wear (12a, 12b), thermal degradation, physical damage, chemical incompatibility and structural breakdowns within the sealing assembly, and means (22a, b) for transmitting an output of the sensing means to detect a change in the sealing environment or an impending seal failure.
US08448943B2	Carriage reset for upcoming sheet A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.).
US08448940B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A movable side regulating plate is provided on a frame body. The movable side regulating plate regulates side edges in a width direction of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking plate, and is movable in the width direction. A sheet pressing portion configured to press the side edges of the sheets and press the sheets onto a stationary side regulating plate is provided on the movable side regulating plate. The sheet pressing portion has a relief shape for reducing a pressing force exerted on the sheets when an amount of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount. The relief shape is formed so that a downstream edge in a sheet feeding direction of a lower surface is located higher than an upstream edge in the sheet feeding direction of an upper surface.
US08448935B1	Pickup mechanism A pickup mechanism includes a main frame, a supporting element mounted to the main frame, and a pickup module positioned in the main frame and including a pickup arm, a transmitting element, a separation element, a pickup element and a barrel element. The separation element includes a separation shaft and a separation roller. The pickup element includes a pickup shaft and a pickup roller. The separation roller and the pickup roller are restricted in the pickup arm. The transmitting element links the separation shaft and the pickup shaft. The pickup arm is pivoted at the separation shaft. The barrel element has a base portion pivotally mounted around the pickup shaft, and a stopping block. When the pickup module swings upward or downward, the barrel element is driven to rotate along with the pickup shaft to make the stopping block against the supporting element or apart from the supporting element.
US08448932B2	Inspection apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium Tab positions of tab sheets that are inserted between printed pages while a print job is performed are determined to be correct or incorrect using a control method for controlling an inspection apparatus which is connectable to a printing apparatus. The method includes reading tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus, detecting positions of tabs of the tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus according to the reading result, and determining whether each of the detected positions is correct or incorrect.
US08448929B2	Riveting screw tack and use thereof for temporarily fixing a boring grid to elements to be assembled The invention relates to a riveting tack (50) to be introduced into coaxial openings of at least two elements to be assembled, and comprising a hollow cylindrical body (51), a rod (53) passing through the hollow body and partially provided with an external thread (52a), a nut (54) mounted on the threaded end (53a), two half-clips (56) fixed to the rod (53) and comprising hooking lips (57) on the ends thereof, and a spacer (58) arranged between the two half-clips (56), the rod/half-clip set being axially mobile along the spacer (58) between a first position wherein the hooking lips (57) are radially close, and a second position wherein the two half-clips (56) are retracted inside the hollow body (51) and radially distanced from each other. The invention is characterized in that the set formed by the half-clips (56) and the spacer (58) is, in the cross-section thereof, in the form of a near-perfect circle having a diameter identical to the inner diameter of the openings.
US08448926B2	Liquid distributor for a rotating packed bed Provided is a method for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow. Liquid is removed from the interior region through a liquid outlet, and gas is removed through the gas outlet in the liquid distributor.
US08448922B2	Safety brake device for theatre hoist A safety brake device for a theatre hoist to prevent the uncontrolled release of a load that is suspended above or below people includes an overrunning clutch and a torque disc. The torque disc only rotates with the overrunning clutch when the load is lowered, but must overcome friction forces applied to the surface of the torque disc to do so. The friction forces are constantly applied to the torque disc by maintaining friction material in contact with the torque disc. The friction material is a non-asbestos, non-metallic composite saturated with a lubricant.
US08448916B2	Solenoid valve for controlling a fluid A solenoid valve for controlling a fluid is disclosed. The solenoid includes an armature, a pole core, wherein a working gap is provided between the armature and the pole core, a valve member which is connected to the armature and can be moved together with the armature, a valve body with a through-opening on which a valve seat is formed, wherein the valve member opens and closes the through-opening on the valve seat, a return element which applies a return force to the valve member in order to return the valve member to a closed state, a spring element which is arranged in the working gap, and an adjusting device which is arranged on the armature and which is in contact with the spring element in order to adjust a spring force of the spring element.
US08448914B2	Sensor arrangement for a vehicle window A sensor arrangement for a vehicle window includes a mounting frame having an engagement portion, a sensor housing attachable to the mounting frame, a spring-loaded bracket connected to the sensor housing, and a two-arm lever. The lever is pivotably mounted to the bracket, wherein pivoting of the lever causes the bracket to compress and press the sensor housing against the mounting frame. The second lever arm engages the engagement portion of the mounting frame after the lever is further pivoted to a final assembly position to thereby hold the sensor housing in place against the mounting frame.
US08448912B2	Retainers and methods of attaching thereof A retainer has an arm support portion and at least three arms extending from the arm support portion. The at least three arms are resiliently flexible. A grip member is provided on each one of the at least three arms. Each grip member is capable of engagement with a surface. During use of the retainer, the at least three arms are in a flexed or loaded position and each grip member is in engagement with the surface. The at least three arms provide a spring force to the surface through the grip members to securely mount the retainer on the surface. An object can be supported by the retainer.
US08448911B2	Rail arrangement for guiding a fitting inside guiding rails particularly in aircrafts The invention relates to a rail arrangement for coupling a displaceable element to a support structure, wherein the rail arrangement comprises a guiding rail and a fitting. In this arrangement the fitting is connectable to the displaceable element, and the guiding rail is connectable to the support structure. The fitting is arranged in the guiding rail in such a way that the fitting can be displaced in longitudinal direction of the guiding rail; wherein the guiding rail is formed as an open-top hollow profile with a rail base. In this arrangement the rail base comprises at least one elevation that extends upwards (i.e. towards the open-top). The fitting comprises a bottom surface which in longitudinal direction is interrupted by a continuous groove, wherein the form of the groove of the fitting is designed in such a way that the fitting is guided by the elevation along the guiding rail.
US08448905B2	Aircraft with aerodynamic lift generating device An aircraft (1) comprising: a fuselage (2), opposing wings (3, 4) either side of the fuselage (2), each wing (3, 4) supports at least one tangential flow rotor (5) and has a rotational axis. At least one tail section (3A) is disposed on each wing (3, 4) for forming a wing trailing edge. The tail sections (3A) are moveable about the, or each, rotor axis (X) relative to the fuselage (2) so as to provide, in use of said aircraft (1), variable thrust forces, whereby in use, movement of the or each tail section (3A) controls the flight of the aircraft (1). Lift is generated by way of a shroud (12) which forms an extension to the tail section (3A) curved surface or cowl to jointly cover a proportion of the circumference of the rotor. Ideally the shroud (12) and tail section curved surfaces create a vortex chamber generally within the rotor. An alternative embodiment includes a vertical axis fan (6) is provided on the fuselage (2) to adjust aircraft “pitch”.
US08448903B2	Longitude-drift phase plane control with continuous or quasi-continuous maneuvers A satellite longitude and drift control method is provided that includes providing a satellite that has a continuously or a quasi-continuously firing thruster, where the thruster is disposed to apply accelerations which counter a tri-axiality displacement in an orbit of the satellite, and the satellite thruster is disposed to achieve optimal ΔV performance in the presence of orbit determination and orbit propagation errors. The method further includes targeting an optimal two-phase continuous acceleration target cycle using the continuously or the quasi-continuously firing thruster, providing a closed loop and a hybrid loop implementation of the thruster firing, where the hybrid loop implementation includes an open and closed loop implementation, and where the closed loop and the hybrid loop implementations are disposed to provide quasi-continuous implementations of an optimal continuous control program.
US08448901B2	Aircraft nacelle including hot air discharge means The invention relates to an aircraft nacelle that comprises a discharge means (50) for establishing a communication between the inside of the nacelle and the outside thereof, and a junction area between two members (54, 56), and at which the two members are superimposed, both members each having a surface defining the outer surface of the nacelle on either side of the junction area, characterized in that said discharge means (50) includes a dual-portion shim (52), i.e. a first portion provided between the superimposed panels and including at least one protruding and/or recessed member for forming a passage between said panels in order to establish a communication between the inside and the outside of the nacelle, and a second portion at the level of only one panel, i.e. that located inside at the junction area, in order to protect the same against excessive temperatures.
US08448898B1	Autonomous solar aircraft Methods and apparatus for unmanned long endurance flights are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lightweight solar wing for unmanned aircraft may include at least one airfoil profile, a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, wing tips, and at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the surfaces and edges follow an arched bow shape across a span of the wing. In some embodiments, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft may include at least one lightweight solar wing as described above, at least one fuselage, and at least one propeller, wherein the fuselage is placed below the solar wing and contains an electric motor, battery, and electronics.
US08448895B2	Gas turbine engine compressor arrangement A gas turbine engine includes a fan section and a low spool that includes a low pressure compressor section. The low pressure compressor section includes eight (8) or less stages. A high spool includes a high pressure compressor section that has between eight to fifteen (8-15) stages. An overall compressor pressure ratio is provided by the combination of the low pressure compressor section and the high pressure compressor. A gear train is defined along an engine centerline axis. The low spool is operable to drive the fan section through the gear train.
US08448892B2	Aircraft generating a lift from an interior thereof The invention discloses an aircraft generating a larger lift from its interior. The fluid channel inside the aircraft communicates with the engine and the ports on the upper surface of the outer shell. With the powerful suction of the engine, the fluid on the upper surface of the outer shell is quickly sucked into the fluid channel via respective ports under conditions of long path, large area, high speed and low air pressure, which results in large lift from the interior of the aircraft. In the course of generating the lift, the fluid resistances of the fluid wall and the fluid hole are sucked into the fluid channel through the ports at the front and the surrounding area of the aircraft, then high-speed fluid is emitted from the rear port. This approach contributes greatly to the transformation of the existing aircraft. The unified big wing significantly improves the lift, the speed and the carrying capacity of the existing aircraft with lowered energy consumption.
US08448889B2	Webbing take-up device In a V-sensor of a webbing take-up device, concave portions are formed in supporting walls of a supporting member having a spring property, and peak ends of a rotating shaft of a sensor pawl gets into the concave portions, and the rotating shaft is thereby supported by the supporting walls. Cone-shaped concave portions come into contact by pressure with the cone-shaped peak ends of the rotating shaft due to the elasticity of the supporting walls, and therefore, when the rotating shaft attempts to be displaced in the axis direction thereof and in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction of the rotating shaft, the elasticity of the supporting walls withstand displacement of the rotating shaft. As a result, occurrence of a rattle of the rotating shaft, that is, the sensor pawl can be prevented or restrained.
US08448887B2	Food grater The present matter provides an improved grating surface and graters having an improved grating surface. The grating surface includes one or more cutting blades extending outwardly from the grating surface each including a cutting edge, and at least one groove located on the grating surface and extending towards the cutting edge of the at least one cutting blade. The at least one groove can be located on the cutting blade surface and extend towards and into the cutting edge. The at least one grove can be formed by chemical etching techniques (e.g. in a grating surface of metal such as stainless steel). Grooves and cutting blades can be simultaneously formed in a grating surface by chemical etching.
US08448886B2	Apparatus and method for grinding kitchen waste Apparatus for grinding waste material, such as kitchen waste, includes a section for loading the waste material, a section for grinding the waste material, a collector for the ground waste, and a dispenser of controlled quantities of sanitizing or cleaning powder directly onto the waste material before or after grinding, or onto internal surfaces of the apparatus, to avoid formation of hazardous substances or unpleasant odors. The powder can be dispensed directly or by a flow of air, which could be generated for example by a rotor or piston mechanism. The flow of air could fluidize the powder for dispensing. The apparatus can be sized for location under a sink.
US08448880B2	Apparatus and process for formation of laterally directed fluid jets A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.
US08448873B2	Systems and methods for parsing prescription information for a wirelessly programmable prescription bottle cap Embodiments of the present invention enable parsing of prescription information for a wirelessly programmable prescription bottle cap. In an embodiment, scanned information from a prescription label is received, and an identifier from the scanned information is extracted. A request for a prescription message is sent, and timing information from the prescription message is parsed and wirelessly transmitted to a prescription bottle cap using, for example, a Hall Effect data transfer method.
US08448869B2	Microcircuit card in several parts A card comprises a body with a precut microcircuit card, characterized in that a token is also precut in the body of the card, adjacent to the microcircuit card.
US08448868B2	Smart card module with flip-chip-mounted semiconductor chip A smart card module and a method for producing a smart card module are provided. The smart card module comprises a semiconductor chip having a contact side with a plurality of contacts, and a base material with at least one metal layer. The contact side of the semiconductor chip faces the base material and the plurality of contacts of the semiconductor chip are electrically connected to the metal layer. The semiconductor chip and at least a portion of the base material are covered with an encapsulation layer.
US08448866B2	Analyte disposable means and device for reading information An arrangement is provided for reading information from a disposable with an information carrier which comprises a code formed by graphic symbols for the machine-readable provision of information and an optical reading device for the code which has a light source and a sensor. Generally according to the embodiments of the present invention, the information carrier comprises a code applied to a transparent or translucent substrate which can be read under stationary transillumination by means of the light source as a shadow image projected onto the sensor.
US08448865B2	Method and device for geometric code authentication The method for authenticating a code with geometric areas whose shapes and/or colors vary according to a message includes: a step (115) in which the code with variable geometric areas is generated, according to a message, to provide geometric areas; a step (120 to 130) in which a digital authentication code is generated to provide numeric values and a step (135) in which an image of the geometric code areas is formed, including a part of the digital authentication code in at least some of its geometric areas and/or in at least one space between geometric areas.
US08448863B2	Bar code symbol reading system supporting visual or/and audible display of product scan speed for throughput optimization in point of sale (POS) environments A POS-based bar code symbol reading system that reads bar code symbols on objects being passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume supported by the system, and employs one or more object motion sensors (e.g. imaging based, IR Pulse-Doppler LIDAR-based, ultra-sonic energy based, etc.) to (i) measure or estimate the speed of objects being manually passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume by the system operator, and (ii) visually and/or audibly display object scanning speed measures or estimates to provide the system operator with feedback for optimizing system throughput. The POS-based bar code symbol reading system has a performance advantage that leads to quicker customer checkout times and productivity gain that cannot be matched by the conventional bar code symbol scanning technology.
US08448861B2	Code reading apparatus and control method According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes: an image capturing section configured to capture an image picked up by an image pickup section; a code reading section configured to detect a Code symbol included in the captured image and read code information corresponding to the code symbol; and a display output section configured to output an image captured when the code information is read to a display device provided to face a customer.
US08448852B2	Open system account remote validation for access At each of a plurality of point of sale terminals (POS) of a transit system, for each of a plurality of riders, each seeking access to a facility of the transit system by using a payment device issued by an issuer in a payment system, data is read from the payment device, where the data includes an identifier for an account issued by an issuer. For each such access, a communication including the identifier is addressed to a network address of a system remote from the payment processing system and each of POS terminals. A response to the communication is received including information regarding whether access is granted based upon the identifier being on a list keep by the remote system. If access is granted, the rider is permitted access to the facility and the payment device is unchanged for the fare.
US08448847B2	Host apparatus and method for linking with network image capture apparatus In a method for linking with a network image capture apparatus provided by the present invention, a tag having a tag information equipped on the network image capture apparatus is provided. The tag information contains a plurality of identification data of the network image capture apparatus. Then, the network image capture apparatus is attempted to link with a network. When the network image capture apparatus is linked with the network and broadcasts a beacon packet on the network, an image transmission link is established according to the beacon packet and the tag information.
US08448841B2	Method for manufacturing a rotor A method for manufacturing a rotor by welding a plurality of elements together is described. The elements have a body with cavities and surfaces to be welded to surfaces of adjacent elements. According to the method, the elements are vertically stacked one above the other to form a pile with facing surfaces to be welded together defining slots. The cavities of adjacent elements define bores that extend within the pile. Then, adjacent elements are welded together within the slots. The bore is purged with an inert gas or mixture during welding. The slots are welded at an upper part of the bore before the slots at a lower part of the bore, and a slot at the upper part of the bore is welded last.
US08448838B2	Solder ball loading mask, apparatus and associated methodology A solder ball loading method capable of securely loading solder balls on connection pads includes applying flux on each connection pad group of a printed wiring board flux is not applied to a contact portion between a spacer and the printed wiring board to keep the flux from attaching to the spacer. Because the flux is not attached to the spacer, when the mask is detached from the printed wiring board, the printed wiring board need not be inverted, and damage to the solder resist layer 70 is minimized. Further, the heights of the solder balls and the upper surface of the mask are made equal by using the spacer, making it possible to securely load the solder balls on the electrode pads, one solder ball for each connection pad, and to reduce a probability that solder balls are not loaded or that a plurality of the solder balls are loaded onto a single connection pad.
US08448835B2	Device for welding A welding crane (1) for welding large structures is described. The welding crane (1) comprises a base part (2) which is arranged to be positioned on a ground (3), a mast (4) with a longitudinal axis (5). The mast (4) can be arranged in at least a first position in which the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4) extends substantially vertically from the base part (2). A boom (6) with a longitudinal axis (7) is arranged on the mast. The boom (6) can be arranged in at least a first position in which the longitudinal axis (7) of the boom (6) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4). The boom (6) is arranged for receiving a welding head (13). The boom (6) is rotatable in relation to the mast (4) such that the boom (6) can be arranged in a second position in which the longitudinal axis (7) of the boom (6) is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4).
US08448834B2	Board printing system A board printing system is provided with a printing apparatus for printing solder paste on each board, a printing inspection apparatus for inspecting a printed state of solder paste on each board, a transfer device for transferring each board in a forward direction from an unloading portion of the printing apparatus to a loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus, a reversible feed holding device configured to be able to hold a failure board which was taken out from the loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus as a result of being judged by the printing inspection apparatus to be rejected, after feeding the failure board in a reverse direction and then, to load the failure board to the loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus by feeding the failure board in the forward direction, and a selection device for enabling the transfer device and the reversible feed holding device to be used selectively.
US08448833B2	Stapling apparatus for performing anastomosis on hollow organs A stapling apparatus for performing anastomosis on hollow organs which includes an adjacent aligned pair of stapling jaws for respectively retaining hollow organ ends together in aligned registration for stapling the ends together to form an anastomosis. Each of the stapling jaws has opposing hinged hemostat jaws operable for clamping respective hollow organ ends therebetween prior to stapling. The hemostat jaws include a stapling mechanism for stapling the retained hollow organ ends together.
US08448832B2	Variable compression surgical fastener cartridge A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.
US08448831B2	Stapling and cutting in resectioning for full thickness resection devices A stapling unit for use with an endoscopic stapling system adapted to be advanced along an endoscope to a predetermined location within a body lumen to staple the portion of tissue, as part of an occlusal or full thickness resectioning procedure. The stapling unit comprises a first casing having a distal end, a proximal end and a stapling device mounted thereto adjacent to a first window extending through a periphery of the first casing. The invention includes methods for the stapling, severing and removal of tissue by using the device.
US08448830B2	Method of opening an ampoule Disclosed is a disposable ampoule opener, comprising a first plastic housing section; and a second plastic housing section that is directly or indirectly coupled to the first plastic housing section, wherein: the first and second plastic housing sections each has a concave inner surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of a glass ampoule but not the entire glass ampoule; the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are capable of coming together to form a plastic housing having a longitudinal housing axis; and the first plastic housing section or the second plastic housing section, or both, are capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal housing axis to enclose a portion of the glass ampoule but are not capable of enclosing the entire glass ampoule.
US08448829B2	Casing attachment structure A receiving member is provided on a face of a casing and includes an insertion port and first and second abutment portions. An insertion portion of each of the brackets is inserted through the insertion port. The insertion port is shaped to have at least one step varying in a width of the insertion port such that the width is narrower as the at least one step is farther away from the face of the casing. Each of the first and second abutment portions has such an inner shape that, when the insertion portion is inserted through the insertion port, the abutment portion abuts against the leading end of the insertion portion in the insertion direction to restrict a movement of the leading end in association with the corresponding one of different widths of the insertion portions.
US08448825B2	Dispensing device The invention relates to a dispensing device (11) for containers (33) containing a compound, comprising a compartment (12) for the container, with a piston rod (13) that can be moved relative to the compartment (12), with an extruding device (16) that comprises a drive wheel (21) for advancing the piston rod (13), a motor (22) for driving the drive wheel (21) as well as a planetary gear (23) that is interposed between the drive wheel (21) and the motor (22) and that has a gear rotational axis (24) and a ring gear (25). The ring gear (25) is provided with multiple recesses that are located along its circumference at intervals from each other. Moreover, the dispensing device (11) has an actuating switch (31) for actuating the motor (22) and a blocking element (36) that can be moved from a blocking position that blocks the ring gear (25) into a releasing position that releases this ring gear (25). A separate unlocking switch (41) is provided for actuating the blocking element (36), and the blocking element (36) can be pivoted around a pivot axis (37) in order to be moved from the blocking position into the releasing position.
US08448824B2	Slideable flow metering devices and related methods A novel enhanced flow metering device is disclosed, as well as related methods, that safely controls and meters the flow of a flow material. A pump fills a flow metering device with a flow material, which then dispenses the flow material to a target. The flow material charges the device by moving into at least one chamber when an actuation shaft is in a charging position. Flow materials are dispensed from the chambers of the flow metering device when the actuation shaft is moved into at least one dispensing positions.
US08448823B2	Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids with removable actuator module An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, includes a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for holding a fluid and mounted on the support, pumps and valves connected to respective containers, at least one common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and valves to dispense fluid and a drive mechanism for moving the support, and thus the containers, pumps, and valves on the one hand and the actuator on the other relative to each other. The common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and valves and the drive mechanism for relative motion of the support are integrated in a module, the module is releasably mounted in the apparatus.
US08448821B2	Sanitary collection device for use with a beverage dispenser A sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device such that the dispensing nozzle is prevented from contacting a possibly contaminated surface of the sanitary collection device. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement.
US08448819B2	Dispenser system A dispenser system comprising a reservoir, a closure device for controlling the flow of liquid from the reservoir, and a housing to which the reservoir is attached is disclosed. The reservoir is movable relative to the housing from a storage position in which the closure device prevents liquid flowing from the reservoir to a dispensing position in which the closure device allows liquid to flow from the reservoir. The housing comprises an activation device which on movement of the reservoir from the storage position to the dispensing position causes the closure device to allow the liquid to flow from the reservoir.
US08448817B2	Method of optimizing dosage-dispensing processes, and dosage-dispensing device In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module. As a prerequisite for performing the method according to the invention, a dosage-dispensing device is required which comprises a drive device with a control- and regulation unit operable to execute a dosage-dispensing program, wherein a dosage-dispensing unit can be set in place in, and removed from, the drive device and wherein the dosage-dispensing unit is equipped with at least one memory module.
US08448815B2	Product dispenser with low product indicator A product dispenser including a frame configured to support a plurality of products and flag element connected to the frame, the flag element being moveable relative to the frame from a first, un-deployed configuration when the flag element is engaged with at least one of the products, to a second, deployed configuration when the flag element is not engaged with the products.
US08448814B2	Fit structure of a housing Fit structure of a housing formed of first and second halves is provided. The first half has a fit projection piece having a fit tongue at the tip. The second half has a presser part and an engaging piece constituting a fit groove. The fit projection piece, presser part and engaging piece are formed so that the fit tongue is positioned in the inner part of the fit groove along the root of the presser part. The housing further has a nail stuck out in an inward or outward direction of the housing and a nail holder engaged with the nail. The nail and nail holder are located at one and the other of a part of the fit projection piece and a corresponding part of the engaging piece. The part of the fit projection piece is nearer to the root of the fit projection piece than the fit tongue.
US08448811B2	Preparation tray A durable preparation tray for preparing and serving food items. The preparation tray, which is constructed from a microwaveable plastic material, includes a bottom wall provided with an upstanding food support structure, a catch basin for catching liquids associated with the food and a pour channel for pouring liquid from the catch basin.
US08448810B2	Double walled beverage container and method of making same A double walled container is provided for insulating a beverage. An outer insulating shell or container is secured to the inner container that holds the beverage. A gap exists between the outer container and inner container and the air in the gap acts as an insulating barrier. The inner container is preferably a standard aluminum container. The outer container is preferably made from aluminum or a plastic polymer. The outer container may have annular or longitudinal grooves that assist in securing the outer container to the inner container, and the grooves may also provide an enhanced gripping surface as well as a visually pleasing aesthetic design. The outer container may include a base, or the base may be eliminated in favor of a sleeve configuration for the outer container.
US08448806B2	Low depth crate A crate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns each having a side flange partially defining a bottle receiving pocket and a lower rib projecting upwardly from the base between the side flanges. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall.
US08448803B2	Foot actuated door opener for waste receptacle A foot actuated door opener for a waste receptacle includes a foot pedal, a door position adjustment device, and a force transfer device. The foot pedal is coupled to the waste receptacle. The door position adjustment device is coupled to a pivoting door of the waste receptacle to move the door between a closed position and an open position. The force transfer device is connected to an exterior of the waste receptacle to transfer a force applied to the foot pedal to the door position adjustment device to move the door from the closed position to the open position. A foot actuated door opener kit, a waste receptacle, and methods of installing and using the same are also disclosed.
US08448802B2	Fuel tank structure A fuel tank structure including a fuel tank, a fuel filler port device formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged in the fuel tank, and a flame arrester arranged in the fuel filler port device and disposed inside the fuel tank. A fuel bleeding opening is formed in a peripheral wall part of the fuel filler port device and an arrester peripheral wall part. A cylindrical ring disposed so as to urge itself against the peripheral wall part and block the fuel bleeding opening.
US08448800B2	Method for the assembly of a cap with a receptacle The invention relates to a method of assembling a cap (20) of a closure device (9) with an open end (6, 7) of a housing container (5) for forming a container system (1) for body fluids, tissue parts or tissue cultures, whereby a relative rotating or pivoting movement is effected between the cap (20) and the housing container (5) about a common longitudinal axis (14). In order to generate the relative movement, a pressing force (F) is applied to at least one of the components to be assembled directed more or less in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14). The invention further relates to a cap (20) for forming the closure device (9), a housing container (5) and a container system (1) obtained as a result, comprising at least the cap (20), a sealing device (21) device retained in it and the housing container (5).
US08448797B2	Bottle containing two kinds of materials separately in two spaces The present invention relates to a bottle, which contains two kinds of materials separately in two spaces in a bottle body and communicates the separated spaces with each other as necessary so that the two materials can be mixed together. This bottle has a bottle body having a mouth; an additive storage container including an insertion part inserted into the mouth, an exposed part exposed outside the mouth; an additive storage container including an insertion part inserted into the mouth, an exposed part exposed outside the mouth and an additive storage space defined therein; an opening unit tightened to the mouth; and separation means for separating the additive storage container from the bottle body.
US08448796B2	Artificial nipple with reinforcement The invention is directed to an improved feeding nipple, including a substantially solid nipple portion. The nipple includes one or more ducts formed therethrough for conveying fluids through the nipple. The nipple is radially compressible and a reinforcing member is disposed in the nipple adjacent the one or more ducts.
US08448795B2	Articulating pilots on model trains A system and method is provided for pivoting a pilot on a model train, thereby allowing the model train to maneuver around a section of a model train track having a relatively small radius. In one embodiment of the present invention, the model train includes a frame, a shell connected to the frame, at least one truck assembly, at least one pilot and at least one coupler, wherein the coupler includes a coupler assembly and a coupler arm. The pilot is connected to a pilot arm, and the pilot arm, the coupler arm and the truck assembly are pivotally attached to the frame (e.g., via common or different pivots). In another embodiment of the present invention, the model train shell includes an aperture configured to receive a pilot arm. The pilot arm is connected to the pilot, which includes an aperture adapted to receive a coupler arm. The shell aperture is sized to allow the pilot arm to pivot from side to side, and the pilot aperture is sized to allow the coupler arm to pivot from side to side. By allowing the pilot to horizontally pivot, a model train track can be constructed using tighter curves, or curves with smaller radii.
US08448794B1	Suspension closet A suspension closet includes a closet body that is made of a flexible sheet of fabric and has a top end opening. Two opposite side walls of the top opening of the closet body are respectively provided with fastening elements and form opposing cutouts. To assemble the closet, the opposing cutouts of the closet body are fit with a suspension bar first and a frame is disposed in the closet body to be coupled to the fastening elements. A top cover is then set to cover the top end opening of the closet body. In this way, the closet body can be efficiently and effectively suspended on the suspension bar.
US08448793B2	Framed jewelry wall organizer A framed jewelry wall organizer for storing and displaying jewelry is disclosed. This organizer is encased in a decorative frame. The central opening of the frame holds a fabricated clear, hard, plastic sheet with clear, hard, open top, rounded plastic cups on the front side of the sheet. Vacuum forming or injection molding creates this clear plastic sheet with clear cups and makes it one plastic unit. This clear plastic unit is then placed in the frame. A mat or mirror is then sandwiched behind the clear plastic sheet to add design. The mat or mirror can be clearly seen behind the transparent plastic sheet. Finally, a cardboard backing fits behind the mat or mirror and picture frame points are inserted to hold all of the components in the frame. The framed unit will be hung on a wall with picture frame hardware.
US08448792B2	Product dispensing system with biasing assembly A product dispensing system including a container that defines an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, the container housing a plurality of products within the internal volume, and a push member extending through the opening, the push member being biased into engagement with the products in the container.
US08448791B2	Server assembly A server assembly includes a server rack, and a bracket configured to mount a server to the server rack. The server rack includes a plurality of first supports located on the server rack. Two brackets are configured to secure the server between two of the plurality of first supports, and each bracket includes a first securing arm and a second securing arm connected to the first securing arm, wherein the first securing arm is secured to the server, and the second securing arm is secured to one of the plurality of first supports.
US08448788B2	Nested bowl retention mechanism for food processors A bowl assembly 1 includes a first bowl 2, a second bowl 3, and a third bowl 4. The first bowl 2 has the largest inner diameter of the three. The second bowl 3 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the first bowl 2. The third bowl 4 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the second bowl 3. Each bowl has at least one frictional detent mechanism to engage the adjacently placed bowl.
US08448779B2	Elevating conveyor In one aspect, an elevating conveyor includes a vertical elevating member having a helical flight and a tubular barrel surrounding the elevating member. The tubular barrel is rotatable relative to the elevating member and is directed toward a centered position with respect to the elevating member by a centering assembly. In one embodiment, the centering assembly includes a plurality of rollers spaced circumferentially around the barrel and being movable in directions toward or away from the barrel. In another aspect, the conveyor has a modular construction that facilitates storage, transportation, and assembly of the conveyor in various heights. The elevating conveyor may further include a dust tube surrounding the barrel and defining a chamber therebetween. An end cap extends over and is spaced from the second end of the dust tube to define a gap through which dust generated by operation of the conveyor is drawn into the chamber.
US08448776B2	Apparatus for diverting products and methods of handling products A product handling system includes a product conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of products. An overhead diverter assembly includes a flighted conveyor situated substantially orthogonal to the product conveyor that includes a flight. A transport containment device is located at least partially below the flighted conveyor. A control system operates the overhead diverter such that the flighted conveyor has a diverting mode and a cassette filling mode. When the flighted conveyor is in the diverting mode, the flight moves in a profiled motion to acquire the product from the product conveyor at a location beneath the overhead diverter and transports the product along the transport containment device.
US08448775B2	Rotatory slug loader A product transfer system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a rotatable transporter. The first conveyor conveys a series of products along a first axis. The second conveyor is oriented along a second axis. The second axis is spaced below the first axis. The rotatable transporter has a plurality of open compartments. The open compartments are positioned around the rotatable transporter. The rotatable transporter is adapted to move each of the open compartments along a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein an open compartment of the plurality of open compartments is substantially aligned with the first axis to receive products from the first conveyor when located at the first position, and continues to move after the receiving the products to the second position, wherein the products are dropped on the second conveyor when said open compartment of the plurality of open compartments moves from the second position to the third position.
US08448771B2	Dog clutch gear A dog clutch gear is provided that can prevent stress concentration due to a machined edge from occurring in the dog clutch gear and that can prevent a cutting load from being intermittently applied to a cutting tool to lengthen the lifetime of the cutting tool. The dog clutch gear includes a rim portion formed with power transmission teeth on the outer circumference; a boss portion fitted to a rotating shaft; an annular connecting portion connecting the rim portion with the boss portion; and a dog member formed on a lateral surface of the annular connecting portion. A machined surface is formed on an axial end surface of the boss portion. A runout groove axially continuing from the dog member toward the axial end surface of the boss portion is formed at a joint portion between the boss portion and the dog member.
US08448769B2	Drive engagement apparatus Drive engagement apparatus for engaging a driven gear with a shaft connected to a load by engaging an axially movable sleeve with a dog. One of the sleeve or dog is drivably connected to the gear and the other to the shaft. Compressed air acts to effect axial movement of the sleeve. Axial movement is delayed by a friction drive, which prevents engagement between the sleeve and dog until their rotational speeds equalise. The friction drive comprises a plurality of friction plates pushed together by the compressed air. The dog comprises an engagement unit that engages the sleeve and a base unit that is axially movable to activate and deactivate the friction drive. The base unit and engagement unit are rotatable relative to one another within a predetermined angle to adjust for misalignment between the sleeve and dog during engagement.
US08448768B2	Clutch tooth index and step for multiple cast clutches in one housing A housing for a multi-stage clutch assembly is formed to include a shoulder upon which a backing plate of a first stage clutch pack may be positioned to transfer a load from the first stage clutch pack to the housing.
US08448767B2	One-way clutch of roller type The present invention provides a one-way clutch of roller type comprising an outer race having at least one pocket provided at its inner periphery with a cam surface, an inner race spaced apart from the outer race radially inside of the outer race and coaxially arranged for a relative rotational movement, a roller disposed in the pocket and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race when engaged by the cam surface, a cage having a cylindrical portion with a window for holding the roller and a flange portion extending outwardly from the cylindrical portion in the outer diameter direction and rotatable relative to the outer race, the window having a circumferential window width smaller than a diameter of the roller, and a spring disposed in the pocket and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surface, and wherein an inclined surface portion inclined in the axial direction is provided on the inner periphery of the pocket.
US08448766B2	Bi-directional clutch with staggered roller elements A coupling having at least two concentric rings, each having a circumferential surface and a recess, and at least two roller elements. The roller elements are each disposed in a channel formed by the circumferential surface of one of the rings and the recess of another of the rings. In some example embodiments of the invention, the coupling includes a coupling member with a bearing surface, at least one of the rings includes a split and the split ring is urged against the bearing surface when there is relative rotation between the rings. The coupling member is, for example, a shaft or a gear.
US08448765B2	Bi-directional coupling with axial disengagement Example aspects of the present invention comprise two concentric rings, the rings movable relative to each other and defining a clearance between them for receiving at least one ball. The first ring is a coupling member, the second ring is a tubular slipper with a friction surface on the far side of the clearance, and the ball contacts the coupling member to the tubular slipper. At least one ring has a first recess with side walls for receiving the least one ball, and the friction surface is configured to displace in a radial direction when the at least one ball is axially aligned with the first recess and forced to run up the side walls by rotating the rings relative to one another. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first recess is a calotte.
US08448764B2	Rotation transmission device A rotation transmission device includes an outer ring having an inner periphery and an inner ring mounted inside the outer ring and having an outer periphery. A control retainer and a rotary retainer are disposed between opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the inner ring, and each of the retainers has a flange and bridges provided at the radially outer side of the respective flange and arranged circumferentially alternately with the bridges of the other retainer thereby defining pockets between the adjacent bridges. The control retainer is axially slidably and rotatably supported and the rotary retainer is axially immovably and rotatably supported. An electromagnetic clutch is mounted on a torque transmission shaft and includes an electromagnet having an electromagnetic coil, the electromagnetic clutch being configured to axially move the control retainer when the electromagnetic coil is energized and deenergized.
US08448763B2	Housing-piston assembly for a coupling device and assembly method A housing-piston assembly for a coupling device, especially a wet-running, multi-plate clutch or a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic coupling device, wherein the piston (4) is attached to a housing (2) by means of connecting elements (8) in such a way that it has a certain freedom of movement, and rivets (10, 12) are provided as fastening elements between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2), and wherein at least one support element (20, 36, 70, 86) can be positioned in a riveting position between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2) in such a way that anvil sections (18, 44, 74, 92) of the support element (20, 36, 70, 86) lie behind the set heads (14) of their associated rivets (10, 12). A method of assembling a housing-piston assembly is also provided.
US08448761B2	Valve mechanism for a gas suspension system A valve mechanism for a gas spring suspension system that equalizes the gas between positive and negative gas chambers when the pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the pressure in the positive gas chamber. The suspension system includes a tube, a piston assembly slidably displaceable along the tube and a valve mechanism. The piston assembly separates the tube into the positive gas chamber and the negative gas chamber. The valve mechanism is configured to permit gas flow between the positive and negative gas chambers when the gas pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the gas pressure in the positive gas chamber.
US08448755B2	Disk brake The invention relates to a disk brake with an electromechanical actuator which, for example, has a piezo-element, and with a hydraulic self-energizing device. In order to control the self-energizing effect, the invention provides a valve hydraulically between an auxiliary piston of the self-energizing device and a brake piston of the disk brake with which the brake piston can be hydraulically isolated from the auxiliary piston. This means that the self-energizing effect of the disk brake can be switched off. Using a modulated valve control and/or use of a proportional valve, the level of the self-energizing effect can be controlled or regulated. In order to avoid a blockage, the invention additionally provides a blockage protection valve with which the auxiliary piston or the brake piston can be connected to a hydraulic accumulator at ambient pressure.
US08448754B2	Disc brake Disc brake comprising an hydraulic actuator for clamping shoes guided by a caliper (14) and an annular seal (10) lodged with axial clearance (J) in a groove (28) of the actuator for ensuring fluid-tightness between the piston (16) and the cylinder of the actuator, characterized in that the groove (28) comprises a rib (40) for the axial locking of the seal (10).
US08448753B2	Disc brake caliper with cooling pipes A disk brake caliper (4) which is provided with a disc (2) integral with a hub of a wheel and is rotatable about a central rotation axis (3); the caliper (4) presents: a hub-wheel supporting element (7a) and a wheel-side supporting element (7b), which are reciprocally counterpoised on the opposite sides of the disc (2); at least one connection bridge (8) which straddles the disc (2) and forms a single part with the supporting elements (7) for rigidly connecting the two supporting elements (7) themselves together; a plurality of pistons (6), each of which is accommodated in a corresponding supporting element (7) and presses a pad (5) against a side surface of the disc (2); and a cooling circuit (9), which makes a flow of cooling air circulate through supporting elements (7) and comprises a plurality of cooking pipes (10) obtained through the supporting elements (7) themselves.
US08448752B2	Hydraulic brake device A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.
US08448748B2	Ultra lightweight segmented ladder/bridge system A dual-use ladder and bridge modular system preferably includes tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints are made of carbon fiber. A method connects and disconnects modular carbon fiber ladder segments. Another method creates a lightweight carbon-fiber beam with exceptionally high stiffness and strength using a combination of carbon-fiber braid material, uni-directional cloth, and pultruded carbon-fiber strips. A carbon fiber ladder segment and tube connectors are also disclosed.
US08448746B2	Roofer's cushion bridge combination using same A roofer's cushion comprising a tapered block of compliant material, such as closed-cell expanded polystyrene, polyurethane of polyethylene. The block is tapered to compensate to at least some degree to the slope of a roof. A pair of shallow elongate and parallel depressions are formed in the top surface of the block and to accommodate a roofer's knees and lower legs comfortably therein. Additional receptacles of various sizes and locations are provided for tools and materials. A hold-down strap between the depressions uses hook and loop fastener technology to permit a board to be secured to and between two such roofer's cushions to form a ridge structure.
US08448745B2	Sheathing edge protector and roof safety anchor assembly incorporating the same A roof safety anchor assembly for securing a safety lanyard to a roof truss. The assembly includes an anchor plate secured to the roof truss, an edge protector secured to an edge of a sheet of sheathing attached to the roof truss; and a choke cable secured to the anchor plate at a first end and to the lanyard and passing over the protector therebetween. The protector includes a cylindrical member having a bore therethrough and a longitudinal slot extending between the first and second ends of the protector. The slot is expandable to receive the edge of the sheathing therein. The protector includes a recess configured to receive a truss member therein when the sheathing is engaged to the truss member. In the event of a fall, the forces applied to the lanyard are redirected by the protector vertically into the anchor plate.
US08448744B2	Soundproofing device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular of an automobile The invention relates to a soundproofing device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle (10), to be positioned between a sheet métal panel of the vehicle bodywork (12) and an inner trimming panel (14). The device comprises a polymer foam plate (20) impregnated with a mixture of an inorganic filler and an organic binder, the foam plate (20) being shaped so as to be in close contact with the sheet métal panel of the bodywork (12) and with the inner trimming panel (14). The invention further relates to an inner trimming System for the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising an inner trimming panel (14) for covering a sheet métal panel of the vehicle bodywork (12) and such a device. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a System. The invention can be used in automobiles.
US08448740B2	Transmission mechanism permitting both automatic and manual transmission gear change A transmission driving mechanism of a transmission in an internal combustion engine is provided in which where a separate transmission driving mechanism for manual operation is not required in addition to an automatic transmission driving mechanism, whereby the number of parts is reduced, the structure is simple, no maintenance is required and the cost is reduced. The transmission transmits the rotation of a crankshaft to an output shaft at a modified speed, and includes a transmission driving mechanism which rotates a shift spindle using a shift actuator in order to automatically shift gears within the transmission and change the outputted speed of the engine. One end of the shift spindle extends through an engine case cover, and protrudes outside, and a turning tool is fitted onto a fitting portion formed at the protruding end of the shift spindle, whereby manual shifting of the transmission gears can also be achieved.
US08448730B2	Multi-axle hybrid drive system for a vehicle A multi-axle hybrid drive system for a vehicle which comprises a first unit (4) with an internal combustion engine (5), a separator clutch and a semi-automatic gearshift transmission (6) that is associated with a first, mechanically driven axle (7) of the vehicle. At least one further unit (10), with either wheel-hub motors (8) or with a conventional electric axle drive in combination with an electric machine, such that, in each case, a unit (10) is associated with a respective electrically driven axle (9) of the vehicle. During a gearshift, the vehicle (1) can be driven by the unit (10) associated with the electrically driven axle (9) such that the traction force interruption, occurring in the semi-automatic gearshift transmission (6) during a gearshift, is compensated.
US08448727B1	Rotary drill bit employing polycrystalline diamond cutting elements Embodiments of the present invention relate to superabrasive materials, superabrasive compacts employing such superabrasive materials, and methods of fabricating such superabrasive materials and compacts. In one embodiment, a superabrasive material includes a matrix comprising a plurality of coarse-sized superabrasive grains, with the coarse-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a coarse-sized average grain size. The superabrasive material further includes a plurality of superabrasive regions dispersed within the matrix, with each superabrasive region including a plurality of fine-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a fine-sized average grain size less than the coarse-sized average grain size. In another embodiment, the superabrasive materials may be employed in a superabrasive compact. The superabrasive compact comprises a substrate including a superabrasive table comprising any of the disclosed superabrasive materials. Further embodiments are directed to applications utilizing the disclosed superabrasive articles in applications, such as rotary drill bits.
US08448725B2	Impact resistant PDC drill bit A drill bit includes at least two different sets of cutting elements, each being the primary cutting set corresponding to a different formation. Upon encountering a significant change in formation characteristics, the first set of cutting elements may be sacrificed so that the second set of cutting elements becomes exposed, preventing the need to replace the drill bit immediately. The sets of cutting elements differ from one another, with each adapted to cut a different formation. The differences may include material toughness (impact resistance), bevel size, abrasion resistance, or backrake angle. Additional sets of cutting elements may be added to correspond to other formations or to otherwise improve performance.
US08448723B2	Seal assembly for drill bit A drill bit includes a floating journal bushing, a seal, a cutter having a seal gland for the seal and a cutter bearing surface proximate to the journal bearing, wherein the cutter bearing surface has a first inner diameter, and a journal, wherein the cutter is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal bearing is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal has a seal boss having a first diameter, and a journal bearing surface having a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is less than the first inner diameter.
US08448722B2	Drilling stabilizer A downhole, hydraulically actuated drilling stabilizer that provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The drilling stabilizer can be used in a directional drilling application to help control the inclination in an extended reach or horizontal well. The drilling stabilizer has stabilizer blade members with an angular design portion that provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The stabilizer could also be used in a conventional rotary bottom-hole assembly, or positioned below a steerable motor.
US08448714B2	Fuse type sprinkler A fuse type sprinkler has a body which is fastened to a drain pipe for spraying water through a drain formed inside, a valve of which an upper end is inserted into the drain of the body and to which a sealing unit is mounted along an upper end circumference to press and seal an inner surface of the drain, a frame which is fastened to the body to surround the valve and is provided with a hook on a lower end inner peripheral surface, a heat sensing unit which supports a lower end of the valve to allow an upper end of the valve to be inserted into the drain while being hooked by the hook of the frame, and is provided with a fuse which is separated from the frame to fall off when the fuse is fused by heat, and a deflector which is positioned inside the frame and falls off and is hung on the hook when the heat sensing unit is separated to distribute water sprayed through the drain.
US08448711B2	Pressure balanced drilling system and method using the same A well drilling system including: an annular valve; a well casing in fluid communication with the annular valve; a first check valve in fluid communication with the annular valve; a hydraulic cylinder including a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first check valve; and a transfer unit including an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the transfer unit is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first chamber, the outlet of the transfer unit is in fluid communication with an inlet of a second check valve, and an outlet of the second check valve is in fluid communication with the annular valve.
US08448710B1	Plunger lift mechanism An apparatus for a plunger lift mechanism with a main channel disposed between a first and second valve. The first valve is closed by engaging a sealing member to a first seat at a proximal end of the main channel and the second valve consequently closes to with a sealing member engaging a second seat at a distal end of the main channel. An amount of pressure accumulates on a first side of the plunger lift to overcome a pressure on a second side of the plunger lift to force the plunger lift to traverse a well bore and evacuate any fluids present above the plunger lift.
US08448709B1	Method of killing an uncontrolled oil-gas fountain appeared after an explosion of an offshore oil platform A method for killing an uncontrolled fountain in an oil well following a blowout includes a serial lowering into the well of narrow flow restricting rods, each rod being sufficiently small in diameter to allow its insertion against a high well pressure urging the rods out of the well. Each subsequent rod reduces the cross-sectional area of the well and gradually reduces the flow of fluid discharge out of the well. Once the fountain is sufficiently reduced, the well may be killed using traditional sealing techniques such as pumping cement down the well.
US08448708B2	Method and apparatus for freeze-thaw well stimulation using orificed refrigeration tubing A method and apparatus for introducing refrigerant into a wellbore, for freeze-fracturing a selected region of a subsurface formation, uses refrigerant diffuser pipe having multiple orifices in a selected pattern along a designated section of its length. The orificed supply tubing is disposed within a refrigerant return conduit, thereby forming a tubing annulus. A flow of liquid refrigerant is introduced into the diffuser pipe and flows through the orifices into the tubing annulus, with the orifices acting as expander means creating a pressure drop and causing vaporization of the refrigerant as it passes into the annulus. To facilitate use of the same diffuser pipe in different wells having different requirements, a helical orifice-isolation wrap may be disposed around the diffuser pipe, with the orifice-isolation wrap having orifice-plugging elements arrayed to effectively block fluid flow through selected orifices, while leaving other orifices open as required. In this way, it is possible to design diffuser pipes with particular orifice arrangements that will accommodate two or more different isolation wraps, with each different wrap plugging different patterns of orifices.
US08448707B2	Non-conducting heater casings A system for heating a subsurface formation includes a heater wellbore located in a subsurface formation. A single conducting heater element includes a heated portion located in a part of the subsurface formation configured to be heated and a lead-in portion located in an overburden of the subsurface formation. The heated part is located below the overburden. A heater casing is located substantially in an overburden portion of the heater wellbore. The heater casing includes an electrically non-conducting portion and an electrically conducting portion. The non-conducting portion begins at the surface of the formation. The conducting portion is located between the non-conducting portion and the heated portion of the heater. The non-conducting portion extends to a depth that is at least about 30 m above the heated portion of the heater.
US08448705B2	Methods of preventing premature fracturing of a subterranean formation using a sheath A method of completing at least a portion of an open-hole wellbore comprises: positioning a sand control assembly in the portion of the open-hole wellbore, wherein the sand control assembly comprises a screen; positioning at least one conduit adjacent to the sand control assembly; positioning a sheath in the portion of the open-hole wellbore, wherein the sheath is a non-porous tubular, and wherein the sheath is positioned such that a sheath annulus exists between the inside wall of the sheath and the outside wall of at least a portion of both, the sand control assembly and the at least one conduit; and introducing a treatment fluid into the portion of the open-hole wellbore.
US08448700B2	Abrasive perforator with fluid bypass An abrasive perforator tool with a bypass flow channel. The tool comprises a tubular body or housing with perforating nozzles in the sidewall. A sleeve assembly inside the central bore of the tool provides for sequential deployment of first and second sleeves. Prior to deployment of the sleeve assembly, pressurized fluid can be passed through the tool to operate other tools beneath the perforator in the bottom hole assembly. Deployment of the first sleeve diverts pressurized fluid through the nozzles for perforating. Deployment of the second sleeve redirects the pressurized flow through the outlet of the tool to resume operation of other tools below the perforator.
US08448698B2	Tube for heat exchanger A tube for a heat exchanger includes a first and a second plate portions disposed opposite each other. At least the first plate portion includes a base plate portion bonded to the second plate portion by brazing and multiple protruding portions, which protrude from the base plate portion toward an opposite side from the second plate portion, having a first and a second protruding portions. A protruding dimension of the first protruding portion is larger than that of the second protruding portion. The base plate portion and the protruding portions extend straightly in a tube longitudinal direction. The second plate portion and the protruding portions have a clearance therebetween defining an internal fluid passage. The second protruding portion and the base plate portion are configured to define an external fluid passage extending in a tube width direction.
US08448697B2	Coating composition, heat exchanger, and air-conditioner A coating composition according to the present invention includes silica microparticles and fluorine resin particles. The coating film formed on a surface of an article includes a silica film composed of the silica microparticles, in which the fluorine resin particles are dotted so as to partially expose from a surface of the silica film, an exposed area of the silica film is larger than an exposed area of the fluorine resin particles, and amount of natrium contained in the coating composition is made equal to or less than 0.5% in a ratio by weight to contained amount of the silica microparticles.
US08448694B2	Heat dissipation assembly A heat dissipation assembly includes a fixing board defining a fixing groove, a heat sink device fixed to the fixing board, a fan housing assembly fixed to the heat sink device, and a heat dissipation pipe. The heat sink device defines a first receiving groove aligning with the fixing groove, and a second receiving groove opposite to the first receiving groove. The fan housing assembly includes a frame defining a slot aligning with the second receiving groove, and a fan received in the frame. The dissipation pipe includes a first pipe portion, a second pipe portion, and an arc-shaped connecting portion connecting the first and second pipe portions. The first pipe portion is accommodated in the fixing groove and the first receiving groove. The second pipe portion is accommodated in the second receiving groove and the slot.
US08448691B1	Bearing housing molding apparatus and method This invention teaches an improved apparatus and method to make metal alloy castings, such as subway car undercarriage bearing housings. One embodiment of the invention comprises a core mold assembly unit, wherein the mold unit is filled with molten metal. The core mold assembly units may be further formed of the same material, such as phenolic urethane impregnated sand, which is used to accurately replicate the desired shape of a final desired product.
US08448690B1	Method for producing ingot with variable composition using planar solidification Molten metal of a first composition flows out of a first chamber via an open first control apparatus into a mold cavity. The first control apparatus is closed. A second control apparatus is opened. Molten metal of a second composition, different from the first composition, flows out of a second feed chamber via the second control apparatus into the mold cavity. At least a portion of the first composition metal in the mold cavity is sufficiently molten that an initial feed of the second composition molten metal mixes with the first composition molten metal in the mold cavity. An ingot is removed from the mold cavity, the ingot having top, middle, and bottom sections, the bottom section composed of metal of the first composition, the top section composed of metal of the second composition, and the middle section composed of a mixture of metal of the first and second compositions.

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