最新美国发明专利第2013-07-09期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08481110B2	Methods of making inorganic membranes Methods of making inorganic membranes, for example, methods of making gamma-alumina inorganic membranes which can be useful for, for example, molecular level gas separations and/or liquid filtration are described.
US08481109B2	Dichroic filters formed using silicon carbide based layers The present invention provides a method of forming a flexible dichroic optical filter. The method comprises depositing a plurality of pairs of layers adjacent a substrate. Each of the plurality of pairs of layers includes a first layer formed of a silicon-and-carbon containing material having a first index of refraction and a second layer formed of a silicon-and-carbon containing material having a second index of refraction that is different than the first index of refraction.
US08481108B2	UV and thermal guard and a process of making and using thereof A process of making an image element having an imperceptible message that becomes readily apparent when the image element is exposed to an excessive amount of heat and/or UV radiation is provided. The process comprises providing a first thermally sensitive coating on at least a first portion of the image element; pre-printing a first mark on the first portion of the image element, wherein the first pre-printed mark comprises non-thermally sensitive ink. The image element may be associated with a material such that, upon becoming readily apparent, the imperceptible message provides a warning that the material has been exposed to excessive heat and/or UV radiation.
US08481107B2	Leather-surface repair-composition and the method for surface repair of leather surfaces Leather-surface repair set consisting at least of a degreaser and of a composition comprising an emulsion of polyurethane and at least one pigment component and further comprising at least one further component which allows to relatively increase or decrease the elasticity of the reacted composition. Particularly, a 2-ethylhexyl-, 2-isodecyladipate and/or triisodecylphosphate are used as the further component. A method for surface repair of leather surfaces with the steps of treating the surface area to be repaired with a degreasing agent, applying a repair composition at least consisting of an emulsion of polyurethane to the spots to be repaired by filling the surface spots to be repaired with said emulsion and allowing the emulsion to polymerize.
US08481106B2	High-dielectric constant thin film metal oxides on silicon wafers for capacitor applications and methods of manufacture A method of fabrication of high-k paraelectric metal oxide films at low temperatures utilizing ordered mesoporous metal oxide thin films synthesized by organic templating methodology. The process consisting of (a) chemical solution deposition of periodic ordered mesoporous structures containing high-k metal oxide films, (b) removal of organic template additives, (c) infiltration of the pores with an appropriate second phase, and (d) low temperature thermal and/or annealing of infiltrated films.
US08481100B2	Boil kettle filtration system and process An improved system for filtering particulate matter from a liquid in a brewing pot. The improvement includes a filter assembly positioned about a drain tube. The filter assembly has a screen member surrounded by a shield member. The shield member is positioned between the drain tube and the particulate matter separated from the liquid. The bulk of the liquid, located in a top portion of a reservoir bypasses the screen member and drains through a drain reservoir and the drain tube. After removing the shield member, the remainder of the liquid drains through the screen member or filter and into the drain reservoir preventing the particulate matter from being carried through to a fermentor.
US08481097B2	Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08481095B2	Method for anti-oxidation, inhibiting activity and/or expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and/or inhibiting phosporylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase using flemingia macrophylla extract A method for inhibiting at least one selected from the group consisting of oxidation, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a Flemingia macrophylla extract.
US08481091B2	Pharmaceutical compositions The present invention relates to an improved mode of administration for cannabis and its natural and synthetic derivatives. A pharmaceutical composition suitable for sublingual aerosol or spray delivery of cannabis is provided. The formulation may be dispensed using a pump spray or the formulation may include a propellant, such as butane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227). The term cannabis is used herein to refer to all physiologically active substances derived from the cannabis family of plants and synthetic cannabis analogues and derivatives, precursors, metabolites etc., or related substances having cannabis-like physiological effects.
US08481090B2	Botanical formulations Disclosed is a method of reducing melanogenesis in a skin cell, comprising topically applying to skin in need of treatment a composition comprising navy bean extract, wherein topical application of the composition to skin reduces melanogenesis in said skin cell.
US08481076B2	Bariatric magnetic apparatus and method of manufacturing thereof A bariatric procedure or delivery apparatus is configured in such a way to deter premature passing of magnetic members through the pylorus. In other exemplary embodiments, the magnetic apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic members, having one of a variety of configurations, wherein plural magnetic poles are disposed on a surface of the apparatus.
US08481073B2	Compositions and systems for forming crosslinked biomaterials and associated methods of preparation and use Methods of preventing adhesion between issues are provided that utilizes in situ crosslinked biomaterials. The biomaterial contains at least the crosslinked product of two biocompatible, non-immunogenic components having reactive groups thereon, with the functional groups selected so as to enable inter-reaction between the components, i.e., crosslinking. Exemplary uses for the crosslinked compositions include preventing adhesions following surgery or injury, and preventing scar tissue formation.
US08481071B2	Hydrogel compositions with an erodible backing member A composition is provided, wherein the composition comprises a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a blend of a hydrophilic polymer with a complementary oligomer capable of hydrogen or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer. The composition also includes a backing member. Active ingredients, such as a whitening agent, may be included. The composition finds utility as an oral dressing, for example, a tooth whitening composition that is applied to the teeth in need of whitening. The composition can be designed to be removed when the degree of whitening has been achieved or left in place and allowed to erode entirely. In certain embodiments, the composition is translucent. Methods for preparing and using the compositions are also disclosed.
US08481070B2	Pharmaceutical formulations for intranasal administration of protein comprising a chitosan or a derivative thereof There is provided a powder formulation for nasal delivery including a protein having a molecular weight of 10 kDa or greater and chitosan or a derivative thereof or a salt of chitosan or a salt of a derivative of chitosan. Preferably the protein is human growth hormone.
US08481065B2	Post irradiation shelf-stable dual paste direct injectable bone cement precursor systems and methods of making same The present invention relates to a bone cement precursor system that is presented in the form of two shelf-stable pastes which have been terminally sterilized and are held in separate containers during product transport and storage. When the product is used during surgery, these pastes inject to a site of application through a static mixing device by the action of applied injection force. When the two pastes are mixed, they start to react to each other while injecting out. The resulting composition is highly biocompatible, osteoconductive, injectable, rapid setting and bioresorbable, and is useful in connection with bone repair procedures, for example, in the craniomaxillofacial, trauma and orthopedic areas.
US08481063B2	Insect repellent The present invention relates to a hydrated compound of an unsaturated monoterpenoid as well as its use as insect repellent.
US08481056B2	Pro-apoptotic bacterial vaccines to enhance cellular immune responses Whole-cell vaccines and methods for their use in producing protective immune responses in vertebrate hosts subsequently exposed to pathogenic bacteria. The present invention involves a method of enhancing antigen presentation by intracellular bacteria in a manner that improves vaccine efficacy. After identifying an enzyme that has an anti-apoptotic effect upon host cells infected by an intracellular microbe, the activity of the enzyme is reduced, thereby modifying the microbe so that it increases immunogenicity. Also, the present invention provides a method of incrementally modifying enzyme activity to produce incrementally attenuated mutants of the microbe from which an effective vaccine candidate can be selected.
US08481055B2	Method of preventing infections from bioterrorism agents with immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides The present disclosure relates to a method of preventing or treating an infection caused by a bioterrorism agent, specifically to a method of increasing an immune response to a bioterrorism agent using an oligodeoxynucleotide including a CpG motif, and a method of enhancing the immunogenicity of a vaccine against a bioterrorism agent using an oligodeoxynucleotide including a CpG motif.
US08481054B2	Pneumococcal serotypes Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6C, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit {→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→3) ribitol (5→phosphate}. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.
US08481052B2	Avirulent Salmonella gallinarum variants and pharmaceutical composition using the same The present invention relates to avirulent Salmonella gallinarum variants by inactivating virulence gene clusters of Salmonella gallinarum (SG), a main pathogen of avian salmonellosis, and various uses thereof notably in the production of Salmonella-specific lytic bacteriophages, pharmaceutical compositions and feed additives.
US08481049B2	Methods for treating a wound using epidermal growth factor formulation A composition for treating a wound, wherein the composition can comprise therapeutically effective amount of an epidermal growth factor and a physiologically acceptable agent, wherein the physiologically acceptable agent comprises at least one of a stabilizer, a preservative, a thickening agent, carrier/diluent, and optionally pH regulating agent and humectant.
US08481048B2	Methods for preparing immunogenic conjugates Methods for making an immunogenic conjugate that includes a hapten or an antigen covalently linked to a carrier. The methods include reacting a first agent with a dihydrazide resulting in a hydrazine-modified first agent, wherein the first agent is a hapten, an antigen or a carrier; reacting a second agent with a benzaldehyde compound resulting in a benzaldehyde-modified second agent, wherein the second agent is a hapten, an antigen or a carrier, provided that the first agent or the second agent is a carrier; and reacting the hydrazine-modified first agent with the benzaldehyde-modified second agent resulting in an immunogenic conjugate comprising a hapten or an antigen covalently linked to a carrier via a hydrazone linkage.
US08481045B2	Immunogenic protein constructs Bacterial immunity proteins are utilized to increase immune response to an antigen of interest.
US08481043B2	Nasal immunization Compositions and methods for intranasal delivery of antigens for immunization of a mammal are disclosed. Antigens include peptides, proteins, peptidomimetics, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates and phospholipids. The compositions contain at least one antigen and a permeation enhancer. The permeation enhancer can be a macrocyclic permeation enhancer, such as a Hsieh enhancer.
US08481041B2	Dock-and-lock (DNL) constructs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of HIV infection in a subject, utilizing a DNL complex comprising at least one anti-HIV therapeutic agent, attached to an antibody, antibody fragment or PEG. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody or fragment binds to an antigen selected from gp120, gp41, CD4 and CCR5. In a more preferred embodiment the antibody is P4/D10 or 2G12, although other anti-HIV antibodies are known and may be utilized. In a most preferred embodiment, the anti-HIV therapeutic agent is a fusion inhibitor, such as T20, T61, T651, T1249, T2635, CP32M or T-1444, although other anti-HIV therapeutic agents are known and may be utilized. The DNL complex may be administered alone or may be co-administered with one or more additional anti-HIV therapeutic agents.
US08481038B2	Treatment of cancer with elevated dosages of soluble FGFR1 fusion proteins The present invention provides methods of treating a patient having a cancer comprising administering to the patient a soluble Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1) fusion protein such as an extracellular domain of an FGFR1 polypeptide linked to an Fc polypeptide or another fusion partner. The fusion protein may be administered at a dose of at least about 2 mg/kg body weight. In some embodiments, the patient has a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) plasma concentration of at least 6 pg/ml. In some embodiments, the cancer is characterized by a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) having a ligand-dependent activating mutation.
US08481030B2	Optimized monoclonal antibodies against tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) Isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) are provided. Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding monoclonal antibodies that bind TFPI are also contemplated. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-TFPI monoclonal antibodies and methods of treating deficiencies or defects in coagulation by administration of the antibodies are also provided. Methods of producing the antibodies are also provided.
US08481028B2	Compositions for preparing a coffee beverage comprising hydrolysed chlorogenic acid The invention relates to compositions for preparing a beverage, the compositions comprise a microorganism and/or an enzyme capable of hydrolysing chlorogenic acids of a coffee extract to phenolic acids. When a beverage prepared with the compositions of the invention is consumed chlorogenic acids present in coffee extract is hydrolysed to improve antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties compared to a similar conventional beverage.
US08481027B2	Frozen lactic acid bacterial culture of individual pellet A stable, pellet-frozen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture comprises at least one additive compound in a commercial relevant package. The pellet-frozen culture has at least 50 g frozen material and a content of viable bacteria of at least 109 colony forming units per gram of frozen material. The individual pellets of the frozen culture do not stick together and remain as individual pellets, when stored at about −46° C., for at least 7 to 14 days.
US08481024B2	Vaccines against tularemia The disclosure relates generally to an antigenic composition useful for immunization against tularemia. The disclosure is a method for producing a vaccine for preventing tularemia in humans and animals, a new vaccine against tularemia in humans and animals, and a new approach to producing vaccines against tularemia.
US08481023B2	Oncolytic rhabdovirus Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to non-VSV rhabdoviruses and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.
US08481021B2	IL-1F5 polypeptides The present invention provides compositions and methods relating to IL-1Rrp2 requiring proteins.
US08481014B2	Polyorganosiloxane with a piperidine function, devoid of toxicity upon contact with the skin, and use thereof in cosmetic compositions The invention relates to polyorganosiloxanes containing, per molecule, at least one siloxyl unit substituted with at least one group having one or more sterically hindered piperidinyl functional groups, devoid of toxicity upon contact with the skin. The invention also relates to an improved cosmetic composition comprising the polyorganosiloxanes according to the invention and the use of these compositions for the treatment of keratin materials, in particular the skin and the hair.
US08481012B2	Antiperspirant emulsion products and processes for making antiperspirant emulsion products Antiperspirant emulsion products and processes for forming antiperspirant emulsion products are provided. One process for making an antiperspirant emulsion product comprises the steps of heating and mixing water and an active antiperspirant compound to a first temperature to form a water phase. A hydrophobic carrier, a structurant, and cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone are heated and mixed to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature to melt the structurant and form an oil phase. The oil phase is cooled and mixed to a third temperature. The water phase is gradually added to the oil phase to form an antiperspirant emulsion so that the water phase is present in an amount of from about 54 to about 89 wt. % and the oil phase is present in an amount of from about 11 to about 46 wt. % of the antiperspirant emulsion.
US08481009B2	Protection against sunburn and skin problems with orally-ingested high-dosage zeaxanthin A carotenoid substance called zeaxanthin, when ingested orally at suitable dosages such as 30 to 100 mg/day for a span of 1 to 2 weeks, can provide effective protection against sunburns, and can give skin a darker tint that emulates a healthy suntan. In tests involving adults, it was found that zeaxanthin dosages of 30 to about 80 mg per day were sufficient to induce: (i) a mild but noticeable tinting, shading, or darkening of skin color, comparable to a mild suntan; (ii) a substantial increase in the person's ability to withstand elevated levels of sun or UV exposure; and, (iii) an increased ability of reddened and sunburned skin to convert into intact skin that looks browned and healthily tanned. Oral ingestion of dosages of zeaxanthin after a noticeable darkening of the skin has been achieved further enhances a tanned appearance and/or protects against sun damage.
US08481006B2	Melt formula A topical composition comprises a vehicle, said vehicle including an emulsion or dispersion of water in an amount of from 50% by weight to 93% by weight; and a non-aqueous discontinuous phase in an amount of from 50% by weight to 7% by weight; at least one of a bronzer, a tanning accelerator, or a mixture thereof; and from 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight of a warming agent, based on the total weight of the composition. The warming agent comprises at least one alkyl ether of vanillyl alcohol at least one N-alkyl amide of vanillic acid; and is present in an amount effective to produce a prolonged warming sensation when applied to a user's skin. The composition is transparent to UV radiation. The composition is used for indoor tanning.
US08481005B2	Methods to prevent cytotoxicity using N-acetyl-cysteine Compositions and methods to inhibit adverse physiological effects caused by resin-based and resin-containing materials are disclosed. More specifically, the use of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) to inhibit hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-mediated cell death and cytotoxicity.
US08481004B2	Stannous salt and sodium tripolyphosphate oral care compositions and methods Oral care compositions containing a stannous salt and sodium tripolyphosphate are provided where stannous tripolyphosphate ionic intermediates comprise less than about 1% of the compositions Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, a methylvinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer and/or a silica oral polishing agent may be added for further efficacy. In a single phase blend, the oral care composition may be effectively limited to comprise less than about 10% water. In a dual-phase blend a mixture having the stannous salt in a first phase and the sodium tripolyphosphate in a second phase may be generated from a dual chamber storage tube (with each phase provided from a separate chamber) immediately prior to dental care usage.
US08481002B2	Method of preparation of uranium nitride Method for producing terminal uranium nitride complexes comprising providing a suitable starting material comprising uranium; oxidizing the starting material with a suitable oxidant to produce one or more uranium(IV)-azide complexes; and, sufficiently irradiating the uranium(IV)-azide complexes to produce the terminal uranium nitride complexes.
US08481000B2	Thickened beverages for dysphagia The present invention relates to thickened beverage compositions. More particularly the invention relates to beverage compositions thickened for the management of dysphagia. More particularly this invention relates to the production of thickened beverages by a dispensing machine that is also capable of dispensing non-thickened beverages.
US08480998B2	Method for the production of nanocrystalline bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide A method for the production of a nanocrystalline bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide, the use of the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide as catalyst for chemical conversions, in particular for a conversion of propylene to acrolein and/or acrylic acid or of isobutylene to methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid, as well as a catalyst that contains the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide.
US08480994B2	Method of modifying carbon nanotube using radical initiator, and dispersion liquid and electrode comprising the carbon nanotube modified by using the method Provided is a method of modifying carbon nanotubes, the method including: preparing a mixed solution in which a radical initiator and a carbon nanotube are dispersed; applying energy to the mixed solution to decompose the radical initiator into a radical; and reacting the decomposed radical with a surface of the carbon nanotube, wherein the radical which has reacted with the carbon nanotube is detached from the carbon nanotube after the reaction with the carbon nanotube. In the method of modifying carbon nanotube, a radical is reacted with a carbon nanotube and then separated from the carbon nanotube to thus modify the surface of the carbon nanotube without chemical bonding. Accordingly, the conductivity of the carbon nanotube can be increased.
US08480993B2	Multi-element diamond reference standard A diamond reference standard contains a diamond composite of 60-90% diamond crystals and 10-40% silicon carbide binding agent doped with a plurality of elements. The standard is prepared by doping a diamond composite containing a silicon carbide binder with a plurality of elements, the presence of which can readily be detected using a variety of instruments, e.g. a mass spectrometer.
US08480991B2	Use of acid washing to provide purified silicon crystals A method for purifying silicon wherein silicon is crystallized from a solvent metal. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten liquid containing silicon, a solvent metal and impurities, cooling the molten liquid to form first silicon crystals and a first mother liquor, separating the first silicon crystals from the first mother liquor, contacting the first silicon crystals with compound which will dissolve the first mother liquor and separating the washed crystals from the wash solution.
US08480988B2	Synthesis of a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate The present invention is a method for synthesizing non-zeolitic molecular sieves which have a three dimensional microporous framework comprising [AlO2] and [PO2] units. In preparing the reaction mixture, a surfactant is used, coupled with non-aqueous impregnation to prevent acid sites from being destroyed by water during Pt impregnation. The superior SAPO exhibits higher activity and selectivity especially in catalytic hydroisomerization of waxy feeds, due to the presence of medium-sized silica islands distributed throughout the SAPO.
US08480980B2	Thin film bio valve device and its controlling apparatus A thin film bio valve device and an apparatus for controlling the thin film bio valve device are effectively applied in a valve structure of a thin film device, such as a lab-on-a-chip, a protein chip, or a DNA chip, for diagnosing and/or detecting a small amount of material in a fluid.
US08480979B2	Control scheme for enhanced filtered water systems An enhancement water system to produce a serving of enhanced filtered water is described. The present system describes a faucet mount water enhancement system that includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a source of water at the inlet, and a filter component within the housing. Source water is converted into treated water as it flows through the filter component under the influence of pressure. The housing further includes an outlet for outflow of treated water. A first enhancement module is disposed outside the housing adjacent the outlet and the first enhancement module is effective to dispense a desired amount of a first enhancement for use in combining with treated water dispensed from the outlet.
US08480972B2	Shaft for a sampling pipette A shaft for a sampling pipette includes a first cylindrical portion, a first annular shoulder, and a second annular shoulder. A first cross section of the first cylindrical portion has a first diameter. The first annular shoulder includes a first transition end adjacent the first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. A second cross section of the second cylindrical portion has a second diameter. The second annular shoulder includes a second transition end adjacent the first annular shoulder and a third cylindrical portion. A third cross section of the third cylindrical portion has a third diameter. The third diameter is greater than the second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. The second diameter and the third diameter are selected so that a pipette tip contacts the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion when the pipette tip is mounted on the shaft.
US08480969B2	Medical device and cover structure A medical device includes a casing, a cover member that covers a portion on one-direction side of the same, and a sheet member interposed therebetween. The cover member includes on its periphery a hook part having a hook-like portion and a protrusion. The casing includes a latch part configured to engage with the hook part and a fitted portion for the protrusion to fit in. The sheet member includes an alignment part for aligning itself with the cover member. The cover member preferably has optical transparency. The casing preferably includes a recess shaped to fit with an outer shape of the cover member at a portion to be covered by the cover member.
US08480966B2	Apparatus for producing regenerative water for a water softener Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of producing regenerative water. The apparatus includes a main body, a basket, a regenerative substance block and an on/off valve. The main body has a water inlet port through which raw water is supplied into the main body, a water outlet port through which regenerative water is discharged out of the main body, and a drain port which drains an excess of raw water or regenerative water. The basket is provided in the main body. The regenerative substance block is contained in the basket and dissolved by the raw water. The on/off valve is provided on the water outlet port. The raw water dissolves the regenerative substance block for a predetermined duration. When the on/off valve is opened, the produced regenerative water is supplied through the water outlet port into a soft water tank.
US08480964B2	Plate reactor The plate reactor includes a rotatable plate coated with a thin film containing an active photocatalytic nanocomposite. In use, the plate is partially submerged in polluted water so that a portion thereof is exposed to air and light. The exposed areas of the plate gains oxygen from the air, which reacts with the photo-promoted electrons from the coating. This results in the formation of very reactive superoxide radical ions (O2−) and/or the generation of hydroxyl radicals (.OH), either of which can oxidize targeted organic matter and pollutants in wastewater when the exposed area is submerged during rotation of the plate, thus purifying the water. A plurality of paddles radially extend from the edge of the plate to mix the water during rotation.
US08480958B2	Nanoantenna and uses thereof for biosensing A metal nanoantenna for use in a biosensing device is disclosed. The metal nanoantenna is arranged to exhibit at least two particle plasmon resonances or surface plasmon resonances (SPRs). The nanoantenna is for use in a sensor and allows detection at low concentration of biological components. In one aspect, the nanoantenna can have an asymmetric structural configuration and spectrally separated resonances. In one aspect, there is a location in its structure providing local electromagnetic field enhancement at all of the SPRs. The metal nanoantenna can be used for background free measuring of a quantity of a biological component.
US08480957B2	System for visual and electronic reading of colorimetric tubes Gas detector tubes may be used to determine a concentration of target gases in air. The gas detector tubes described may be read either by and optical reader or visually by the user. A gas detector tube reader having an optical reader capable of reading a length of stain, a color change and color density of a reagent in a gas detector tube. The gas detector tube may further comprise sensors for measuring the environmental conditions during sampling.
US08480950B2	Device and method for obtaining non-ferrous metals Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.
US08480949B2	Gas-jet cooling apparatus for continuous annealing furnace A gas-jet cooling apparatus for a continuous annealing furnace apparatus includes a plurality of tubular pressure headers extending in a width direction of a steel strip and having a length that is larger than a width of the steel strip, wherein the pressure headers are arranged to face each of front and back surfaces of the steel strip along a longitudinal direction of the steel strip at a pitch L; and a plurality of nozzles protruding from the pressure headers, wherein the nozzles are arranged along the width direction of the steel strip at a pitch W and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the steel strip in a staggered manner.
US08480948B2	Sinter processing system An apparatus and method for processing iron sinter is provided. A cooling system is arranged downstream of a furnace for cooling the iron sinter. The cooling system includes a convective cooling system for forcing air into the iron sinter and an evaporative cooling system for directing fluid into the hot sinter.
US08480940B2	Device for injection a strand of a paste-like mass into the intermediate space between glass panes of an insulated glass pane A device for injecting a strand of a paste-like mass, which is formed from a plurality of constituents, into the intermediate space between two glass plates of an insulated glass pane. The device includes a nozzle having a storage unit for each of the constituents of the paste-like mass, which is connected to the nozzle by means of a supply path, in which provision is made for a dynamic mixer.
US08480939B2	Methods for applying images to resin materials A process for printing an image on a surface of a resin member includes (a) providing a transfer medium with an image on one side of the transfer medium, (b) providing a liquid resin, (c) placing the one side of the transfer medium with the image and the liquid resin in contact with each other, and (d) partially curing the liquid resin to form the resin member while maintaining the image on the transfer medium in contact with an image side of the resin member. The process may include placing the liquid resin and/or the transfer medium in a mold for shaping the liquid resin into the resin member during curing of the liquid resin.
US08480936B2	Method of fabricating a mold A method for fabricating a mold includes the steps of forming a photo-polymerizable resin layer between a master substrate and a transparent mold substrate, wherein a first pattern is formed on the master substrate; solidifying the resin layer by exposing the resin layer to a UV light through the transparent mold substrate; and forming a mold having a second pattern by separating the resin layer from the master substrate, wherein the second pattern is in a form of a recess on the resin layer at a portion corresponding to the first pattern and the resin layer being engaged with the mold substrate.
US08480928B2	Inorganic-organic composite luminophore The present invention relates to a composite luminophore comprising an inorganic matrix and an organic fluorescent dye, wherein the inorganic matrix is formed from an inorganic compound, and wherein the organic fluorescent dye has one or more functional groups by means of which the fluorescent dye is incorporated into the inorganic matrix, or is bound chemically thereto. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing such a composite luminophore and to the use thereof.
US08480927B2	Light emitting material A composition can include a first moiety capable of being excited to an excited state, and a second moiety capable of accepting excited state energy from the first moiety. The second moiety is capable of emitting light with a FWHM of 15 nm or less when excited. The second moiety can be a J-aggregate and the first moiety can be a semiconductor nanocrystal.
US08480925B2	Depolarizing film, method for production thereof, optical film, and liquid crystal display A depolarizing film of the present invention comprises a film containing at least one liquid crystal compound, wherein the liquid crystal compound comprises a liquid crystal compound (1) that satisfies the relation: 0.05≦Δn≦0.5, with the proviso that Δn=ne−no, ne represents an extraordinary-ray refractive index, and no represents an ordinary-ray refractive index, and the film has a haze value of 15% or less and a thickness of 1 μm to 10 μm.
US08480923B2	Thermochemical synthesis of fuels for storing thermal energy The present invention provides a method for storing thermal energy, such as solar energy, as a fuel, by heating a reactive oxide substrate to a first temperature, such that the reactive oxide substrate is reduced, wherein the reactive oxide substrate includes a cerium oxide. The method also includes contacting the reduced reactive oxide substrate at a second temperature with a gas mixture including carbon dioxide, wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature, thereby preparing the fuel. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the reactive oxide substrates by heating a mixture including a doped cerium oxide and a pore-forming agent, such that pores are formed in the doped cerium oxide, thereby forming the reactive oxide substrate.
US08480922B2	Solid solution lithium alloy cermet anodes A metal-ceramic composite (“cermet”) has been produced by a chemical reaction between a lithium compound and another metal. The cermet has advantageous physical properties, high surface area relative to lithium metal or its alloys, and is easily formed into a desired shape. An example is the formation of a lithium-magnesium nitride cermet by reaction of lithium nitride with magnesium. The reaction results in magnesium nitride grains coated with a layer of lithium. The nitride is inert when used in a battery. It supports the metal in a high surface area form, while stabilizing the electrode with respect to dendrite formation. By using an excess of magnesium metal in the reaction process, a cermet of magnesium nitride is produced, coated with a lithium-magnesium alloy of any desired composition. This alloy inhibits dendrite formation by causing lithium deposited on its surface to diffuse under a chemical potential into the bulk of the alloy.
US08480905B2	Method and system for recycling and treating dyeing wastewater A method and system for recycling and treating dyeing wastewater are provided. To begin with, the dyeing wastewater is added with an adsorbent for assisted decolorization and filtration. Then, the wastewater is filtered with a first filtration device having hydrophilic membranes. The liquid having passed through the hydrophilic membranes undergoes an RO membrane-base filtration process to produce recycled water and concentrated wastewater. The concentrated wastewater is delivered into a second filtration device having hydrophobic membranes, before a micro-bubbling process is performed on the concentrated wastewater in the second filtration device to turn the concentrated wastewater into a creamy-white nebulized working liquid of high gas content. The steam in the working liquid can readily pass through the hydrophobic membranes to produce an effluent that meets effluent standards.
US08480904B2	Extraction and winterization of lipids from oilseed and microbial sources A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.
US08480903B1	Systems and methods for in-situ contaminant remediation The present invention provides systems and methods for in-situ remediation of soil and groundwater having contaminants such as but not limited to organic compounds perhaps providing adsorption, chemical oxidation, and even biodegradation of contaminants with novel treatments such as but not limited to mixtures of granular activated carbon, calcium peroxide, sodium persulfate, and nitrate perhaps in various concentrations.
US08480902B2	Biofilm remediation of acid mine drainage A method of prevention of acid rock drainage excludes oxygen from waste rocks that contain ferrous sulfides by building an oxygen bio-barrier over exposed surfaces of the waste rock. The bio-barrier may be formed by applying a slurry to the rock. The slurry may contain several components such as microbial material, one or more nutrients, water or another fluid, and optionally water-absorbent material. The microbial material may include bacteria, algae, fungi or a combination thereof. Additionally, the slurry may contain one or more acid-neutralizing compounds, one or more cellulose-containing substances, and one or more UV protecting agents.
US08480899B2	Means for removing protein-bound substances The present invention relates to a means of dialysis for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid, especially blood or blood plasma, which contains at least one means for solubilizing protein-binding substances to be removed into the biological fluid and/or dialysis fluid, and to a process for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid.
US08480896B2	Scavenging filter A scavenging filter includes a volume containing activated beads or fiber particles of a scavenging material housed in a removable housing in a cartridge filter body having an axial inlet extending to a space below a permeable false bottom, the fluid permeating upwards through the material, and cleaned liquor leaving via an annular space surrounding the chamber.
US08480889B2	Chromatographic stationary phase A novel chromatographic stationary phase for reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is provided. By using mono and dimethyl silanes as endcapping reagents as compared with the use of traditional trimethyl silanes, an improved blocking of unreacted surface silanols is achieved. The improved blocking of surface silanols results in at least better peak shape and more reproducible retention times in reversed-phase HPLC analyses.
US08480887B2	Stormwater gully A stormwater gully comprises a chamber in which an outlet assembly is installed. The outlet assembly comprises filter units connected to an outlet housing. In use, stormwater can flow from the chamber in an upwards direction through filter units into the outlet housing. The outlet housing has an outlet, which extends from the gully. At high rates of flow, the water level in the chamber will rise until water can flow into the outlet housing through bypass inlets. The bypass inlets are connected to the interior of the housing by siphons defined by arched regions of a top cover. The siphons allow rapid discharge of water until the water level returns below the level of the bypass inlets. A slow drain down feature is provided which enables the chamber and outlet assembly to be drained below the level of the primary inlet.
US08480880B2	Process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils A process for making a lubricating base oil having a viscosity index of at least 110, comprising the steps of: combining a waxy light neutral base oil and a wax derived from pyrolyzing a plastics feed comprising polyethylene to form a blend; hydroisomerization dewaxing the blend; and recovering the lubricating base oil from an effluent from the hydroisomerization dewaxing step.
US08480879B2	Process for improving lubricating qualities of lower quality base oil A process for producing an API Group I base oil, comprising: blending a lower quality base oil that does not meet API Group I specifications with a Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fraction having defined pour point, viscosity index and Oxidator B, and isolating an API Group I base oil that has improved defined properties. A process for producing an API Group I base oil, consisting essentially of: (a) selecting a lower quality base oil not meeting API Group I specifications, having defined saturates, viscosity index and Oxidator BN; and (b) blending the lower quality base oil with a Group II base oil and a Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil. A process for improving the lubricating properties of a lower quality base oil. Also, a process for operating a base oil plant.
US08480878B2	Biosensor, thin film electrode forming method, quantification apparatus, and quantification method A biosensor is disclosed comprising a support; a conductive layer composed of an electrical conductive material such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon; slits parallel to and perpendicular to the side of the support; working, counter, and detecting electrodes; a spacer which covers the working, counter, and detecting electrodes on the support; a rectangular cutout in the spacer forming a specimen supply path; an inlet to the specimen supply path; a reagent layer formed by applying a reagent containing an enzyme to the working, counter, and detecting electrodes, which are exposed through the cutout in the spacer; and a cover over the spacer. The biosensor can be formed by a simple method, and provides a uniform reagent layer on the electrodes regardless of the reagent composition.
US08480876B2	Aluminum production cell Low temperature cell for electrolytic production of aluminum.
US08480866B2	Biosensor, thin film electrode forming method, quantification apparatus, and quantification method A biosensor is disclosed comprising a support; a conductive layer composed of an electrical conductive material such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon; slits parallel to and perpendicular to the side of the support; working, counter, and detecting electrodes; a spacer which covers the working, counter, and detecting electrodes on the support; a rectangular cutout in the spacer forming a specimen supply path; an inlet to the specimen supply path; a reagent layer formed by applying a reagent containing an enzyme to the working, counter, and detecting electrodes, which are exposed through the cutout in the spacer; and a cover over the spacer. The biosensor can be formed by a simple method, and provides a uniform reagent layer on the electrodes regardless of the reagent composition.
US08480864B2	Compositions of corrosion-resistant Fe-based amorphous metals suitable for producing thermal spray coatings A method of coating a surface comprising providing a source of amorphous metal that contains manganese (1 to 3 atomic %), yttrium (0.1 to 10 atomic %), and silicon (0.3 to 3.1 atomic %) in the range of composition given in parentheses; and that contains the following elements in the specified range of composition given in parentheses: chromium (15 to 20 atomic %), molybdenum (2 to 15 atomic %), tungsten (1 to 3 atomic %), boron (5 to 16 atomic %), carbon (3 to 16 atomic %), and the balance iron; and applying said amorphous metal to the surface by a spray.
US08480863B2	Cathode for electrolytic processes The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic applications, optionally an oxygen-evolving anode, obtained on a titanium substrate and having a highly compact dual barrier layer comprising titanium and tantalum oxides and a catalytic layer. A method for forming the dual barrier layer comprises the thermal decomposition of a precursor solution applied to the substrate optionally followed by a quenching step and a lengthy thermal treatment at elevated temperature.
US08480858B2	Board or paper produced in an arrangement in connection with the press section of a web-forming machine The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with the press section of a web-forming machine. The arrangement includes at least one press nip for dewatering the web manufactured on a web-forming machine. The arrangement also includes a smoothing press including a smoothing roll arranged after the press nip. The smoothing press includes smooth heat carrying devices arranged as a loop around at least two guide rolls. The smoothing roll is arranged into contact with the devices between two guide rolls. The smoothing roll and/or at least one of the guide rolls is a steam heated drying cylinder or a steam heated roll modified thereof. The invention also relates to a board or paper produced in such arrangement.
US08480854B2	Method for crystallizing a filler in connection with a fiber web process, and an approach system for a fiber web machine The method of the present invention for crystallizing a filler, especially in order to precipitate calcium carbonate on the surfaces of solids in the short circulation of a fiber web machine by feeding carbon dioxide and lime milk to the liquid flow of the short circulation and allowing them to react with one another, is characterized in that the feed system, the mixing method and/or mixing rate of the chemicals are selected such that a size distribution of the calcium carbonate crystals suitable for the purpose is obtained. Moreover, the invention relates to an approach system for a fiber web machine applying this method, characterized in that it is provided with devices for feeding and mixing carbon dioxide and lime milk into the liquid flow at such a rate that the applicable size distribution of the calcium carbonate crystals is obtained.
US08480853B2	Papermaking and products made thereby with ionic crosslinked polymeric microparticle Enhancement of papermaking drainage and retention properties of aqueous cellulosic suspensions used for production of paper or paper board with a retention/drainage additive system including ionic crosslinked acrylic acid-acrylate copolymer microparticles is described. Paper and paperboard products made with these copolymer microparticles are also described.
US08480848B2	Plasma processing apparatus The present invention relates to a plasma processing apparatus including: a processing chamber whose ceiling portion is opened and the inside thereof can be evacuated to vacuum; a ceiling plate which is made of dielectric material and is airtightly mounted to an opening of the ceiling portion; a planar antenna member which is installed on a top surface of the ceiling plate, for introducing a microwave into the processing chamber; and a coaxial waveguide, which has a central conductor connected to the planar antenna member, for supplying the microwave, wherein a gas passage is formed to pass through the central conductor, the planar antenna member, and the ceiling plate, and an electric field attenuating recess for attenuating an electric field intensity of the center portion of the ceiling plate is installed on a top surface of a center area of the ceiling plate.
US08480847B2	Processing system A processing system adapted for processing an object to be processed, including a processing vessel configured for containing the object to be processed and for receiving a processing fluid, a processing fluid generating unit configured for generating a processing fluid, a processing-side fluid passage configured for supplying the processing fluid into the processing vessel, and a discharge fluid passage configured for discharging the processing fluid from the processing vessel. The processing system further includes a bypass-side fluid passage configured for discharging the processing fluid generated in the processing fluid generating unit without passing it through the processing vessel, a pressure control mechanism provided to the discharge fluid passage downstream from a position at which the bypass-side fluid passage is connected with the discharge fluid passage, and a switch valve configured to selectively switch a fluid passage of the processing fluid between the processing-side fluid passage and the bypass-side fluid passage.
US08480844B2	Composition for structural adhesive The invention relates to a composition for a structural acrylic adhesive that comprises an adhesion promoter including a phosphate ester and a high molecular-weight polyamine as a polymerisation accelerator.
US08480841B2	Powder overlay A method is disclosed of manufacturing a transparent wear resistant surface layer (1). The method may include the steps of, applying a decorative material on a carrier, applying a dry powder layer comprising a mix of processed wood fibers, binder and wear resistant particles above the decorative layer, curing the mix to a decorative surface, including the transparent wear resistant layer, by applying heat and pressure on the mix. In a preferred embodiment the method includes the step of pressing the mix against an embossed matrix to create an embossed decorative surface with high wear resistance.
US08480834B2	Automatic labeling and packaging system label folding and application The method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing a size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.
US08480828B1	Method for repairing and/or strengthening pipes A method for effecting a repair and/or strengthening of a pipe. The method comprises cleaning an affected area of a surface of the pipe to provide a cleaned surface of the pipe surface for an area requiring repair; applying a continuous strip around the pipe from a portion prior to the affected area and allowing the continuous strip to extend to a portion after the affected area. The continuous strip forms a spiral sleeve spaced from the pipe surface to provide an annular chamber between the pipe surface and the spiral sleeve.
US08480825B1	Remediation of fluorine and chlorine by-products in energetic formulations A method of in-situ remediation of chlorinated and fluorinated reaction by-products resulting from energetic detonations and/or burning of energetic mixtures comprising adding a quantity of Calcium disilicide (CaSi2), Calcium silicide (CaSi), Magnesium disilicide (MgSi2), Magnesium silicide, or Aluminum Calcium (Al2Ca) compounds to the energetic mixture prior to its detonation and/or burning. Advantageously, the in-situ production of more inert by-products results from this addition thereby preventing the formation of any less-desirable by-products.
US08480817B2	Thermal mechanical processing of stainless steel One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for thermal mechanical processing of a martensitic stainless steel. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for thermal mechanical processing of a martensitic stainless steel and forged objects resulting therefrom. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US08480813B2	Method of cleaning returned beverage bottles in a bottle filling plant, a method of introducing treatment fluid into containers to remove contaminants therefrom in a container filling plant, and an arrangement therefor A method of introducing treatment fluid into containers to remove contaminants therefrom in a container filling plant, and an arrangement therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08480803B2	Method of making an article of semiconducting material A method of making an article of a semiconducting material involves withdrawing from a melt of molten semiconducting material a solid mold having already formed on an external surface of the mold a solid layer of the semiconducting material. During the act of withdrawal, one or more of a temperature, a force, and a relative rate of withdrawal are controlled in order to achieve one or more desired attributes in a solid overlayer of semiconductor material that is formed over the solid layer during the withdrawal.
US08480801B2	Solidification method of ceramic powder and solidified ceramics [Object] Providing a solidified ceramic body with an improved mechanical strength, wherein the solidified ceramic body is fabricated by activating ceramic powder through mechanochemical treatment and solidifying the activated ceramic powder through alkali treatment.[Method of Solution] Activated ceramic powder having mechanochemically amorphized surfaces is obtained by grinding ceramic powder which is composed of silicic acid and/or silicate at least at surfaces thereof (grinding process). Inorganic fibers and/or plastic fibers are added to the activated ceramic powder and are mixed with the activated ceramic powder (mixing process), and a solidified ceramic body is obtained by adding alkali water solution containing alkaline metal hydroxide and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the powder (alkali treatment process).
US08480799B2	Inkjet-recording non-aqueous ink composition, inkjet recording method, and recorded matter An inkjet-recording non-aqueous ink composition including a metallic pigment, an organic solvent, and a cellulose acetate butyrate resin having a butyl content of 16.5 to 48%.
US08480798B1	Vehicle system to separate and store carbon dioxide from engine exhaust A system for separating and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaust produced by an internal combustion engine. The system uses a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid to capture CO2 in the exhaust. The system also includes a carbon dioxide storage means configured to temporarily store the captured CO2, and a CO2 recovery facility to refine the captured CO2 for future use or prepare the CO2 for permanent storage. The system is intended for installation on vehicles such as automobiles to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by automobiles into the environment, but could also be used for other applications such as stationary power generators.
US08480796B2	Methods and formulations using carbonic anhydrase and reaction compound combinations Disclosed is a formulation for the absorption of CO2, which comprises water, at least one CO2 absorption compound and a carbonic anhydrase as an activator to enhance the absorption capacity of the CO2 absorption compound. The invention also concerns the use of carbonic anhydrase, in a CO2 absorption solution to increase the CO2 absorption rate of such solution.
US08480794B2	Adsorption of volatile organic compounds derived from organic matter A method for adsorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from organic matter comprises adsorbing the VOCs onto palladium doped ZSM-5, optionally at ambient temperature. The organic matter can be perishable organic goods such as food, including fruit and/or vegetables, horticultural produce, including plants and/or cut flowers, or refuse. The palladium doped ZSM-5 has a Si:Al ratio of less than or equal to 100:1 and preferably has a palladium content of from 0.1 wt % to 10.0 wt % based on the total weight of the doped ZSM-5.
US08480793B2	Method and apparatus for removing contaminant from fluid Methods, apparatus, and systems for removing contaminant in a fluid (e.g., chemical and petrochemical gas streams) using nanostructures of a sorbent material coated on plates such as a silicon wafer. A plurality of such coated plates can be assembled to form a sorption structure having channels between the plates. When a fluid containing the contaminant is directed through the channels, the contaminant is adsorbed by the nanostructures of the sorbent material.
US08480790B2	Methods of recycling carbon dioxide to the gasification system Method of producing syngas in an IGCC system, comprising compressing and heating carbon dioxide-rich gas to produce heated compressed carbon dioxide-rich gas, mixing the heated compressed carbon dioxide-rich gas with oxygen and feedstock to form a feedstock mixture, subjecting the feedstock mixture to gasification to produce syngas, cooling the syngas in a radiant syngas cooler, contacting syngas cooled in the radiant syngas cooler with compressed carbon dioxide-rich gas to further cool the syngas, and removing an amount of carbon dioxide-rich gas from the product mixture and compressing the removed carbon dioxide-rich gas prior to mixing with oxygen and feedstock.
US08480786B2	Method of measuring information for adsorption isostere creation, adsorption isostere creation method, adsorption heat calculation method, computer program, and measurement system Information used for creating an adsorption isostere of a substance to be measured in a measuring system (container) is obtained by repeating alternately a first control step of changing temperature or pressure of the measuring system by a fixed amount by adjusting a gas amount supplied to/discharged from the measuring system, and a second control step of changing pressure or temperature of the measuring system by adjusting the gas amount supplied to/discharged from the measuring system until a gas adsorption amount of the substance to be measured becomes the same as before execution of the first control step.
US08480781B2	Cement containing multi-modal fibers for making thermal shock resistant ceramic honeycomb structures A ceramic honeycomb structure comprised of at least two separate smaller ceramic honeycombs that have been adhered together by a cement comprised of inorganic fibers and a binding phase wherein the smaller honey-combs and fibers are bonded together by the binding phase which is comprised of an silicate, aluminate or alumino-silicate. The fibers have a multi-modal size distribution in which some fibers have lengths of up to 1000 micons and other fibers have lengths in excess of 1 mm. The cement composition may be made in the absence of other inorganic and organic additives while achieving a shear thinning cement, for example, by mixing oppositely charged inorganic binders in water together so as to make a useful cement composition for applying to the smaller honeycombs to be cemented.
US08480776B2	Air filtration device for compressor An air filtration device for a compressor is disclosed. A sealing head is fixed onto an opening of the compressor and has a first-end opening, a second-end opening and a screw hole; the first-end opening has a first thread; a sealing cap is coupled to the second-end opening and includes a cover plate, a screw and a first positioning portion; the screw is screwed into the screw hole; an air filter is coupled to the first-end opening and includes a filter core and a filter cover; the filter cover has a second thread and a second positioning portion, and the second threads are engaged with the first threads, and the second positioning portion is positioned on the first positioning portion. When the air filter is rotated, the cover plate is moved with the filter cover to seal or leave the second-end opening.
US08480774B2	Filter device, particularly reflux vacuum filter, and filter element for such a filter device A filter device, in particular a reflux vacuum filter, has at least one filter housing (7) in which at least one filter element (3) can be accommodated. The filter element defines a longitudinal axis (25), and has at least two valve units in the form of a bypass valve (V2) and of a pre-pressurizing valve (V1). The valve units are arranged concentric to and along the longitudinal axis (25) of each filter element (3).
US08480766B2	Gasification equipment Gasification equipment with a gasification furnace which maintains a. high cold gas efficiency, and suppresses a temperature rise of the gasification gas to minimize ash deposition is disclosed. A part of a CO2 gas separated from an exhaust of a power generation plant is compressed by a. recovered CO2 compressor 25. The compressed CO2 gas is used for transport of coal (pulverized coal). The CO2 gas is supplied, together with the pulverized coal, into a gasification furnace to accelerate the formation of CO by an endothermic reaction between C and CO2 and suppress a temperature raise within a coal gasification furnace 15, thereby producing a gasification gas.
US08480763B2	Sealed battery and method for manufacturing the same A sealed battery includes a sealing plate 13 sealing a mouth of an outer can, an external terminal 16 attached to the sealing plate 13 and having a connecting terminal 23, and a current interruption mechanism 18 interrupting current in response to pressure increase in the outer can that is installed in a conductive pathway electrically connecting the connecting terminal 23 and an electrode assembly. In the connecting terminal 23, a through-hole 23b continuing to the space on the current interruption mechanism 18 at the side corresponding to the outside of the battery is formed. The through-hole 23b is sealed with a terminal stopper 30 made of an elastic member so as to form a closed space between the terminal stopper 30 and current interruption mechanism 18. An electrolyte or washing solution hardly enters the current interruption mechanism during the manufacture can be provided.
US08480762B2	Solid electrolytic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same A solid electrolytic capacitor excellent in adhesion to a solid electrolyte with excellent ESR and heat resistance can be provided without reducing the material characteristics of a separator. This solid electrolytic capacitor comprises a capacitor element formed by winding an anodic foil prepared from a chemical conversion foil obtained by anodizing a metal having a valve action and a counter cathodic foil through a separator and a solid electrolyte employed as an electrolyte, while the separator is prepared from aramid fiber, and a silane coupling agent adheres to voids of the aramid fiber.
US08480759B2	Adjustable prosthesis A prosthesis system includes a reconfigurable socket. The socket changes configurations to adjust the socket fit. The socket includes a socket main body with a window and a panel positioned in the window. The panel and the socket main body cooperate to define a cavity for receiving a residual limb. A lacing system is coupled to both the socket main body and the panel and moves the panel with respect to the socket main body to adjust a volume of the cavity. A tensioning mechanism holds the lacing system to position the adjustment panel. The prosthesis system also allows for the escape of moisture from within the cavity.
US08480758B2	Prosthesis fixation with mechanically compacted biocompatible granules An assembly for fixating a prosthesis in body tissue such as bone of a mammal, comprising a mechanical compacting device and a mass comprising at least granules of a biocompatible material having a sponge-like structure, wherein the mechanical compacting device is designed for compacting the granules during use by insertion of the device in a hole in bone and subsequently inducing relative movement of at least a first part of the compacting device relative to a second part thereof, such that the volume of at least one space between at least part of an outer surface of the device and the adjacent inner surface of said hole is reduced.
US08480751B2	Knee joint prosthesis system and method for implantation A prosthesis system for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a first femoral component including a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall extending superiorly from the first condylar portion and a second sidewall offset from the first sidewall a first distance and extending superiorly from the second condylar portion. A tibial component can have a bone engaging inferior surface and a bearing engaging superior surface. A bearing can have an inferior surface that engages the bearing engaging surface and a superior femoral engaging surface. The bearing can define an opening and a bearing keyway. A first yoke and a second yoke can each have an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a yoke keyway extending therethrough.
US08480750B2	Modular glenoid prosthesis A modular glenoid assembly. The modular glenoid assembly includes a base having a first side and an opposing second side, the first side including a plurality of connection features arranged in an array. At least one glenoid attachment member is included. The glenoid attachment member has a locking mechanism sized and shaped to lock the glenoid attachment member in at least one of the plurality of connection features on the base.
US08480747B2	Interbody spinal implants with extravertebral support plates An implant assembly for a spinal column includes at least a plate and an interbody implant attached to the plate. The interbody implant is positioned in the spinal disc space and the plate extends extradiscally for attachment to the first and second vertebrae outside the disc space. The assembly may include recesses in the bottom surface of the plate, spacers, and spacing portions extending from the bottom surface of the plate that allow the plate to be secured to the interbody implant when the trailing end of the interbody implant is positioned in a recessed, flush or overhanging position relative to the laterally facing surfaces of the vertebrae.
US08480746B2	Transforaminal prosthetic spinal disc replacement An intervertebral implant includes a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. The implant further includes a second endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having first and second side rails positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second arcuate slots on opposing sides of the second surface. A plate connecting the first and second endplates is also provided.
US08480743B2	Universal disc prosthesis A disc prosthesis designed to effectively replace a damaged intervertebral disc, enabling the various normal movements between two adjacent vertebral bodies and controlling these movements and their extent within the same physiological limits that determine the relative motions of two adjacent vertebrae separated by a healthy intervertebral disc.
US08480739B2	C1-C2 implant and methods of use An implant for positioning between the C1 and C2 vertebral members. The implants may include a blade sized to be inserted between the C1 and C2 members. The blade may include a length measured between an insertion tip and a second side, and a height measured between a superior side that contacts against the C1 vertebral member and an inferior side that contacts against the C2 vertebral member. A leg may be positioned at the second side of the blade. The leg may extend outward below the inferior side of the blade and away from second side of the blade to extend across an exterior of the C2 vertebral member. An aperture is positioned to extend through the implant. The implant may extend through the blade or may extend through a flange that extends from the blade.
US08480736B2	Silicone artificial breast prosthesis which minimizes stress concentration, and production method therefor The present invention relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which minimizes stress concentration and to a production method therefore, and more specifically relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which has excellent mechanical properties, superior tactile texture, and excellent safety and efficacy as a breast prosthesis, and also relates to a production method therefore. The artificial breast prosthesis made with the production method of the present invention, comprises a silicone shell which is of the same thickness as the connecting portion and has the same or similar physical properties thereof, and which minimizes the concentration of the stresses sustained after insertion into the body and maximizes resistance to fatigue failure such that durability is improved while at the same time the thinness of the connecting portion provides an outstanding texture to the prosthesis as a whole, and safety and efficiency are improved as stress concentration is minimized.
US08480734B2	Intraocular lens with accommodation An accommodating intraocular implant apparatus is disclosed for implantation in the human eye. The apparatus includes an optic portion having a periphery and an optic axis, said optic portion lying substantially within an optic plane transverse to said optic axis; at least one flexible haptic extending from a point on or near the periphery of the optic portion; at least one flexible haptic having a fixation anchor portion distal to the periphery of the optic portion; and at least one flexible haptic having a centering anchor portion. The fixation anchor portion and the centering anchor portion are adapted to couple to a portion of the eye.
US08480733B2	Apparatus and methods for repair of a cardiac valve An apparatus for repairing a cardiac valve includes an annuloplasty ring having an expandable support member with oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion includes a plurality of wing members extending from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and a valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring therein. The apparatus also includes an energy delivery mechanism for selectively contracting the annuloplasty ring to restrict the valve annulus and correct valvular insufficiency. The energy delivery mechanism includes a detachable electrical lead having distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion has a securing member for operably attaching the distal end portion to a portion of the expandable support member. The proximal end portion is operably connected to an energy delivery source.
US08480720B2	Scalar laser therapy apparatus There is disclosed a new low-level laser therapy apparatus and method of treating tissue. The invention includes a laser system that uses laser diodes and/or alternatively light emitting diodes (LED's), or both, and a digital interface that gives the operator the ability to generate sine waves or scalar waves as opposed to the simple on/off square waves. The invention also enables the operator to modulate not only the frequency, but also other wave characteristics such as the amplitude and phase. In one aspect, the invention involves modulating the phase relationship between multiple waves by taking one channel or wave which is pulsed through the laser system and then running a second channel or wave in relationship to the first channel, thereby creating a phased relationship, which has been discovered to provide a therapeutic and quantum healing effect on tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, the laser system of the invention may have a phase relationship of approximately 180 degrees which provides a beneficial therapeutic and quantum healing effect and, in particular, neutralizes or deletes cellular memory.
US08480712B1	System and method for performing spinal fixation A spinal fixation system suitable for effecting fixation between adjacent vertebral levels within the spine. The spinal fixation system of the present invention includes a pair single axis or “fixed” pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of poly-axial pedicle screw assemblies, a pair of cannulated rod members, and a transverse connector spanning between the pair of cannulated rod members.
US08480707B2	Closure device and method for occluding a bodily passageway A device for occluding septal defects or other bodily passageways includes two anchors connected to an occluding body. The occluding body may be formed as a plug or tube of biocompatible material configured to occlude a bodily passageway. At least one of the anchors includes a grasping member in the form of a loop or suitably shaped structure, which is configured for releasable attachment to an anchor engaging member, such as a biopsy forceps. In a further aspect a closure device assembly includes a closure device linked to the biopsy forceps and collapsibly disposed in a catheter. By positioning the catheter near a bodily passageway, such as a PFO, and disengaging the forceps from the grasping member, the closure device may be released so as to facilitate stable closure of a septal opening, such as a PFO.
US08480699B2	Fluid absorbent surgical device for trocars A system for absorbing fluid material on trocar surfaces is provided. The system comprises a trocar and a cleaning instrument having at least two ends with an absorbent area at one end of the cleaning instrument. The absorbent area has a first outer diameter at a first part of the absorbent area and a second smaller outer diameter at a second part of the absorbent area, such that at least a portion of the absorbent area has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the trocar. When the absorbent area is inserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area comes into contact with an inner wall of the trocar and absorbs fluid along the inner wall. Furthermore, when a part of the absorbent area is passed through a tip at the distal end of the trocar, the absorbent area absorbs fluid along an outer wall of the tip.
US08480698B2	Waste control apparatus Liquid jet surgical cutting apparatus (10) and a method of use thereof are described, the apparatus including a fluid reservoir (12) containing a supply of cutting fluid (14), a pump (16) to supply the cutting fluid to a liquid jet surgical cutting instrument, a liquid jet surgical cutting instrument (20), and a drain conduit (22) to receive and drain waste cutting fluid (14) and entrained debris wherein the drain conduit is operably connected to a waste canister (24), the waste canister having a vacuum generator (26) operably connected thereto to apply a vacuum to an interior of the waste canister and to the drain conduit.
US08480696B2	Minimally invasive coring vein harvester The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises a vessel support member, a handle, and a tubular cutting device. The vessel support member is introduced into the vessel section to be harvested. The tubular cutting device may comprise an outer tubular member or an outer and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member carries at least one cutting element. The tubular member or members are advanced over the vessel section and vessel support member to core out the vessel section and tissue adjoining the vessel section.
US08480695B2	Device and method for anastomosis A device for forming an anastomosis of blood vessels or ducts includes a first inner cylindrical element for engaging a corresponding first blood vessel/prosthesis end portion and a first middle cylindrical element into which the first inner cylindrical element is inserted to bend the legs of the first inner cylindrical element inwards to a predetermined extent so that deformable legs thereof engage the vessel/prosthesis wall. The device includes a second inner cylindrical element for engaging a corresponding second blood vessel/prosthesis end portion and a second middle cylindrical element into which the second inner cylindrical element can be inserted to bend the legs of the second inner cylindrical element inwards to a predetermined extent so that deformable legs thereof engage the vessel/prosthesis wall. The device also includes an outer element for reciprocally connecting the first and second middle cylindrical elements.
US08480693B2	Method and device for temporary emergency vessel anastomoses A device and method for achieving hemostasis and leakage control in vascular structures and other body ducts or vessels in an emergency room or trauma situation. The device has at least one shunt that contains an obturator on an end of the shunt. The shunt is inserted into a damaged vessel or lumen for sealing the leak or hemorrhage. Two shunts that both contain obturators on one of their ends can be inserted into two different vessels or lumens when the vessel or lumen has been severed. The obturators allow for the improved ease of insertion into the vessel or lumen. The two shunts are then releasably attached to restore fluid communication through the vessel or lumen. The shunt is placed temporarily within the patient and then removed when definitive repair can be achieved by a qualified physician.
US08480690B2	Suture organizer A suture organizer to maintain a plurality of sutures attached to a patient during a surgical procedure or operation in position relative to each other during the surgical procedure or operation comprising a hemostat retainer including a hemostat retainer member to receive and retain the finger hole or thumb hole of a corresponding hemostat connected to a corresponding suture and a clasp including a pair of clasp members to cooperatively clamp a surgical drape or the like therebetween to hold the suture organizer in position during the surgical procedure or operation.
US08480685B2	Endo-therapy product system and cartridge including treatment device An endo-therapy product system includes an introduction device led into a body cavity, a treatment device and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a treatment device accommodating portion in which the treatment device is accommodated. The treatment device accommodating portion includes a coupling member accommodating portion which accommodates a coupling member of the treatment device and a treatment device main body accommodating portion which accommodates a treatment device main body. The coupling member accommodating portion prevents a connecting portion of the introduction device from being engaged with an engagement portion at a proximal end of the coupling member. The treatment device main body accommodating portion is provided on a distal end side of the coupling member accommodating portion, has the treatment device main body arranged therein, and includes an engagement allowing portion which allows engagement when engaging the connecting portion of the introduction device with the engagement portion of the coupling member.
US08480682B2	Device for limiting the drilling depth of a drill A stop is used for limiting the drill depth of an osteotomy drill bit within a bore in bone. This stop may have a generally tubular body for being releasably mounted on the drill bit and have a cam slot disposed at the body and used for defining a plurality of axial positions. The cam slot is configured for releasably securing a cam follower associated with a drill assembly that extends radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the drill bit assembly to axially secure the stop to the drill bit assembly. Additionally, the stop includes an apical end section that is configured to engage bone adjacent to the bore and limit the apical motion of the drill bit.
US08480673B2	Cavity creation device and methods of use A cavity drill is provided, which is configured for use with a bone drill. The cavity drill includes a body. The bone drill has a first portion movably connected to a second portion. A third portion is movably connected to the second portion. The body is mounted with the third portion of the bone drill. A sheath extends from the third portion to a distal end. A curette is connected with the distal end of the bone drill. The curette is composed of retractable cutting tines/blades which are turned/powered by the bone drill motor. The curette tines can be used in a partially or fully deployed state and at low or high speed. The curette is designed to create cavities of varying size in a bone. The cavity drill and the bone drill may include a radiation protection guard and radiolucent portions. Methods of use are also provided.
US08480670B2	Bipolar high-frequency treatment tool for endoscope A bipolar high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope comprising a flexible sheath having a multi-lumen tube which is rotatable about an axis of the flexible sheath and is formed to have a pair of guide lumens, a pair of high-frequency electrodes which are arranged to be movable at a tip end of the flexible sheath and are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, a pair of operating wires which are made of an electrically conductive material but are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, wherein each of the pair of operating wires is respectively arranged in each of the guide lumens, and wherein the pair of high-frequency electrodes is rotated as the pair of operating wires is rotated and as the multi-lumen tube is rotated about the axis of the flexible sheath accordingly, is provided.
US08480668B2	Devices for use in transluminal and endoluminal surgery The present invention is a device and method of using a variety of laparoscopic or NOTES surgical tools at a confined or inaccessible space e.g., an intra-abdominal surgical and NOTES tool inserted through a single incision through the skin or hollow viscus. Generally, the laparoscopic or NOTES surgical devices include a device body having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a positioning mechanism and the second side includes one or more of a variety of laparoscopic or NOTES tool.
US08480667B2	Medical device with procedure improvement features This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device under conditions in which an access path and the subject anatomy are not aligned.
US08480666B2	Thermal feedback systems and methods of using the same A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.
US08480664B2	Controlling depth of cryoablation A method of performing cryotherapy on a patient can include positioning an outer surface of a distal portion of a cryotherapy catheter in contact with body tissue to be treated; performing a treatment phase, including regulating a temperature of the outer surface at a treatment value for a first period of time; performing a recovery phase comprising allowing the temperature of the outer surface to warm up to a recovery value that is higher than treatment value but substantially lower than a normal body temperature of the patient; and performing one or more additional treatment phases for a second period of time. Each of the first and second periods of time can be selected to allow a cold front having a cold front temperature to propagate from the outer surface and through a therapeutic portion of a thickness of the body tissue, but not substantially beyond the thickness.
US08480662B2	Systems and devices for photoablation The invention provides a catheter for optical ablation of tissue in a living body, the catheter including: a distal end; a proximal end; an elongate catheter body coupled between the distal end and the proximal end; a light emission device at the distal end and configured to emit an ablation light having characteristics selected to regulate an optically regulatable transcription control element operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence for a gene product, the expression of which gene product in cells directly or indirectly kills cells; and a projection control mechanism coupled to the light emission device and configured to control an effectively illuminated area where the optically regulatable transcription control element is effectively regulatable by the ablation light projected from the light emission device. Also provided is a system which includes the catheter, and methods to prevent, inhibit or treat AF which employ an expression cassette and/or one or more selected wavelengths of light.
US08480655B2	Drug infusion system programmable in flex mode A drug infusion system capable of delivering a fluid medication to a patient under direction of a medical professional continually at a basal rate and at an interval rate in each of a plurality of time slots over a specified period of time. The total dose of the fluid medication to be delivered to the patient over the period of time based on the basal rate and the interval rate for each of the plurality of time slots is determined, compared the total dose against a maximum dose. The basal rate is adjusted, if necessary, so that the total dose does not exceed the maximum dose.
US08480653B2	Magnetically guided catheter with concentric needle port A catheter adapted for ablation, mapping, injection, and directional control by an external magnetic system has a catheter body, an intermediate section, and a tip section having a tip electrode configured with an omnidirectional distal end and a concentric needle port. The tip electrode houses a magnetic device and a position sensor arranged in an integrated configuration, wherein the configuration facilitates a path in the tip section for a component, including an injection needle, to extend through the tip section for extension and retraction with reduced stress and friction. The integrated configuration is an efficient use of space in the tip electrode that allows the tip section to carry both the position sensor for determining location and orientation of the tip section and the necessary volume of magnetic or magnetizable material to accomplish magnetic navigation. The catheter also includes a very soft and flexible intermediate section and an even softer and more flexible distal transitional section carrying additional magnetic members to facilitate remote magnetic navigation.
US08480649B2	Method for selecting bolus doses and bolus delivery patterns in a drug delivery device Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems and devices for selecting a bolus configuration and may include one or more of providing a user interface for selection of one or more user interface elements, where each element corresponds to a bolus configuration of a drug, each element is spatially positioned within a multi-dimensional space corresponding to at least three dimensions and the element's position corresponding to each dimension.
US08480645B1	Multi-dose device for insertion into a vial and method of using the same The present invention is a multi-dose device for insertion into a vial containing a fluid. The device has a double-nested needle inserter for insertion into the vial. Opposite the double-nested needle inserter is an air opening stack and a Luer lock port.
US08480639B2	Eye dropper with mirror A container containing a fluid for depositing the fluid drop-by-drop into a user's eye, includes a mirror element for reflecting the eye to assist in accurately dispensing the eye drops into the eye. The mirror element may be hingedly attached and rotatable from a closed position to a predetermined open position. Alternatively, the mirror may be detachably attached at a first position adjacent the container and relocatable to a second angularly displaced position to provide a reflection of the eye receiving the eye drops.
US08480638B2	Intraocular iontophoretic device and associated methods The present invention includes methods and devices for non-invasively delivering an active agent to the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, a device for delivering an active agent to an eye of a subject may include an ocular lens-shaped housing configured to contact a surface of the eye, and a reservoir coupled to the housing and configured to deliver an active agent to the eye, wherein the reservoir is located entirely within a 180 degree section of the housing. In another aspect, the reservoir is located entirely within a 150 degree section of the housing.
US08480629B2	Universal utility board for use with medical devices and methods of use A utility fixture secured to a proximal portion of an elongate medical device and methods of use. The utility fixture may have one or more receptacles for receiving and retaining additional medical instruments. The utility fixture may provide the operator a means to free a hand during a medical procedure. Therefore, the operator may operate a plurality of medical instruments simultaneously and/or sequentially during a medical procedure without assistance.
US08480628B2	Introducer apparatus An apparatus for providing percutaneous access to a vessel of a patient over a wire guide. An outer sleeve of the apparatus has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner sleeve has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The inner sleeve is sized to be received within the lumen of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a main body portion having a distal portion that tapers toward its distal open end. The tapered distal portion extends distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve to provide a generally smooth diametrical transition between the outer sleeve and the wire guide. A more rigid stiffening cannula has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The lumen of the stiffening cannula is sized to receive the wire guide therethrough. The stiffening cannula is sized to be received within the lumen of the inner sleeve, and extends along the main body portion of the inner sleeve to a terminal point proximal to the inner sleeve distal end. The stiffening cannula and the inner sleeve are engaged such that relative axial movement between them is substantially inhibited. As a result, the inner sleeve distal portion acts as a shield for the distal end of the stiffening cannula distal end when the apparatus is percutaneously introduced into the vessel.
US08480627B2	Introducer and deployment handle for splittable sheath having flushing chamber An introducer assembly is provided with a handle assembly (10) which enables automatic retraction and splitting of a sheath (12) of the assembly. The handle includes a drum (22) onto which the sheath (12) can be wound, as well as a cutting blade (30) and a locking assembly (34). The locking assembly (34) provides for flushing of the space between the sheath (12) and inner catheter or other element (14), in a manner in which the handle assembly (10) is not filled with flushing fluid. The locking assembly (34) also provides for clamping of the sheath (12) during transportation and initial insertion of the introducer assembly into a patient and for release of the sheath (12) after flushing and when it is desired to retract the sheath (12). Once so released, the sheath (12) can be retracted and automatically split by means of the cutting blade (30).
US08480625B2	Grooved aspiration pump roller-head assembly An ophthalmic aspiration pump roller-head assembly 10, includes a plurality of rollers 12, a base 16 attached to a first end of the rollers 12, and a face-plate 18 attached to a second end of the rollers 12. The face-plate 18 has at least one groove formed in the face-plate 18 for drawing a tube onto the rollers 12.
US08480623B2	Method for dispensing fluid from an infusion pump system Some embodiments of an infusion pump device may include a drive system that accurately and incrementally dispenses fluid from the pump device in a controlled manner. Particular embodiments of the drive system may include a rotational motor that is coupled to a string member, which is used to adjust a pawl relative to a ratchet body. In such circumstances, the drive system can provide a reliable and compact infusion pump device that accurately dispenses the desired volume of fluid.
US08480622B2	Infusion pump Infusion pumps according to the present invention maximize fluid throughput while minimizing vaporization of gas by employing specific flow path architecture, flow path dimensional ranges, and voltage and frequency ranges for activation of piezoelectric bodies.
US08480621B2	Device and method for injecting fluids or gels A device for successively injecting material at predetermined distances between successive injections to body tissue along a desired path of skin surface includes an injector sub-assembly having a needle configured for injecting the material into body tissue, and a displacement sub-assembly configured to facilitate precise displacement of the needle or of the device along the path between successive injections.
US08480619B2	Balloon catheter A balloon catheter includes a balloon support member having a hollow axial lumen and open distal end for allowing passage of a guidewire therethrough, a balloon disposed around the balloon support member, and an annular balloon seal disposed proximate to a distal end of the balloon catheter. The seal defines a central passageway for allowing passage therethrough of a guidewire extending out the distal end of the balloon support member, and is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around each of a plurality of guidewires having different outer diameters.
US08480617B2	Injection device and ampoule unit The invention relates to an injection device for the needle-free injection of a medium. Said injection device comprises an injector device and an ampoule unit, said ampoule unit comprising a base (4) holding the medium to be injected. Said base comprises a jacket (5) which exerts pressure on the base, and jacket completely enveloping the base in the longitudinal axial direction.
US08480616B2	Probablistic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling The subject matter disclosed herein provides a response to a dose of a substance and/or controls the administration of the dose. In one aspect, there is provided a system. The system may include a processor and at least one memory configured to provide a response determinator. The response determinator may receive therapeutic and wellness data. Moreover, the response determinator may determine a response based on the received therapeutic and wellness data. The response may represent a reaction to a substance integrated with an ingestible event marker. The determined response may be provided to, for example, a therapy controller. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
US08480615B2	Device for delivering medicinal implants A device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen sized to contain the medicament, a stationary member disposed within the lumen and having a sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber while maintaining the stationary member in a stationary position. The device further includes means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber. The device further includes an actuator, the actuator including a handle case having a proximal portion for gripping and a distal portion including means for attaching the actuator to a cartridge.
US08480614B2	Contrast medium injection management apparatus, image diagnostic apparatus, and contrast medium injection apparatus A contrast medium injection management apparatus includes a measuring unit which repeatedly measures the injection amount of contrast medium injected from at least one contrast medium injection device into a subject to be examined, a cumulative injection amount calculating unit which repeatedly calculates a cumulative injection amount at the start of examination or after an arbitrary point of time from the injection amount, and a display unit which displays the cumulative injection amount.
US08480613B2	Gas mist pressure bath system The invention is to provide a gas mist pressure bath system, which is possible to control the amount of gas and liquid, pressure and others, and cause a gas mist to be absorbed through a skin and mucous membrane of a human living-body under an optimum condition, in which a mist is prepared by pulverizing and dissolving carbon dioxide or oxygen or a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and oxygen and a liquid at a density of not less than a predetermined value, and the thus prepared gas mist is directly contacted to the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body, the gas mist pressure bath system comprises a gas supply means 11, a liquid supply means 21, a gas mist supply means 31 for generating and supplying the gas mist prepared by blowing off gas supplied from the gas supply means into the liquid supplied from the liquid supply means 21, and the living body cover member 41 of covering the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body and forming a space of sealing the gas mist inside thereof, and the gas mist pressure bath system causes the gas mist within the living body cover member 41 to contact the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body at pressure of not less than a predetermined value.
US08480611B1	Middle ear ventilation tube The middle ear ventilation tube is a drainage tube for placement through an opening formed through the tympanic membrane to drain fluid from the middle ear to the ear canal or outer ear. The middle ear ventilation tube includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical tube having axially opposed first and second open ends and a pair of diametrically opposed lateral drainage openings adjacent the first open end, thereby providing the tube with three drainage openings (the axial open first end and the two lateral openings). An annular flange is formed about the second open end and extends outwardly therefrom. In use, the tube is inserted through an opening formed through the tympanic membrane of a patient's ear so that the annular flange is positioned against the tympanic membrane within the middle ear, and the first open end and the pair of diametrically-opposed openings are positioned within the patient's car canal.
US08480605B2	Reduced-pressure, compression systems and apparatuses for use on breast tissue A system uses reduced pressure to provide a therapeutic force to a person's breast area. The system includes a dressing assembly shaped and configured to be placed on the breast area, a releaseable circumferential connector for holding the dressing assembly against at least a portion of the breast area, and a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the dressing assembly against a person's epidermis. The system may further include a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing reduced pressure to the dressing assembly. When reduced pressure is supplied, the system generates a force against at least a portion of the breast area of the person. The dressing assembly may be formed as a brassiere having a first cup and a second cup formed from a bolster material.
US08480595B2	Biopsy device with motorized needle cocking A needle may be fired into tissue by a needle firing mechanism, which may include a fork for holding the needle and a firing rod coupled with the fork. A spring urges the fork to a distal, fired position. A screw gear is coupled with the rod. A sled is positioned at the proximal end of the rod. A catch is configured to engage the sled when the sled is moved to a proximal position. The screw gear is operable to convert rotational motion from a motor and gear set into linear motion to move the rod proximally to engage the sled with the catch, thereby cocking the needle firing mechanism. The motor may also be used to translate the screw gear distally relative to the rod after the sled has engaged with the catch. A trigger is used to fire the cocked needle firing mechanism.
US08480594B2	System for detecting, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular disease The invention provides improved apparatus and methods for treating congestive heart failure in a medical patient. The apparatus includes a pressure transducer permanently implantable within the left atrium of the patient's heart and operable to generate electrical signals indicative of fluid pressures within the patient's left atrium. The pressure transducer is connected to a flexible electrical lead, which is connected in turn to electrical circuitry, which in the preferred embodiment includes digital circuitry for processing electrical signals. The electrical circuitry processes the electrical signals from the pressure transducer and, based at least in part on those signals, generates a signal that indicates a desired therapeutic treatment for treating the patient's condition. That signal is then communicated to the patient via a patient signaling device, following which the patient administers to him or herself the prescribed therapeutic treatment indicated by the signal.
US08480592B2	Biopsy probe mechanism having multiple echogenic features A biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. An elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis between a first relative position and a second relative position. A first echogenic feature is established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature is established on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first relative position. The first echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the second relative position.
US08480591B2	Multi-headed imaging probe and imaging system using same A diagnostic imaging system is provided that includes an image acquisition component, a transmitter operatively coupled to the image acquisition component to transmit a signal therefrom, and a beamformer operatively coupled to the image acquisition component to receive image data therefrom. Also included is a processor configured to assemble images from the acquired image data and a display configured to display the images. The image acquisition component includes a multi-headed probe that has a plurality of transducers configured to permit a change of active transducers during an imaging session without a change of the image acquisition component.
US08480590B2	Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging Some embodiments include acquisition of color Doppler data, and detection of one or more transitions of the color Doppler data, each of the one or more transitions being between a first area representing flow velocity in a first direction and a second area representing flow velocity not in the first direction. A normalized energy function across one or more of the one or more transitions is calculated, a configuration of flow areas within the color Doppler data is determined, and aliasing corrections for the color Doppler data are determined based on the normalized energy functions and the configuration of flow areas.
US08480583B2	Methods and apparatus for 4D data acquisition and analysis in an ultrasound protocol examination Methods and apparatus for 4D data acquisition and analysis in an ultrasound protocol examination are provided. The method includes acquiring 4D ultrasound scan data during a protocol based examination. The method further includes aligning images formed from the 4D ultrasound scan data while the 4D ultrasound scan data is being acquired to allow the automatic extraction of standard imaging projections.
US08480580B2	Analyte monitoring device and methods of use An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08480578B2	Skin moisture content measuring apparatus for reducing power consumption An apparatus to measure skin moisture content, the apparatus including: an electrode unit comprising a reference (R) electrode, a current (C) electrode, and a measuring (M) electrode; an operational amplifier having an inverting input terminal connect with the R electrode, and having an output terminal connect with the C electrode; a first switch connecting the R electrode and the C electrode, and releasing a connection between the R electrode and the C electrode when the electrode unit contacts with the skin of a user; and a microcontroller controlling the connection between the R electrode and the C electrode via the first switch is provided.
US08480573B2	Self-service surgical retractor A new self-service surgical retractor with the characteristics comprising: main post (1), lock sleeve (7), lock operating lever (11), take-up device lock sleeve (15), take-up device (17) and hook plate (22). The lock sleeve (7) is covered on the lower part of the main post (1) to form a dovetail groove; the lock operating lever (11) is spun on the main post (1) through the thread; the take-up device lock sleeve (15) is spun on the upper part of the main post (1) and locks and fixes the inserted link (18) of the take-up device (17) on the upper end of the main post (1); the take-up device (17) is connected with the hook plate (22) through the retraction tape or rope (21). With simple structure and low cost, the present invention is easy to manufacture and use.
US08480572B2	Adapter-type endoscope and method of closely contacting electrical connection portion main body of adapter-type endoscope and electrode, and adapter main body and distal end portion main body An adapter-type endoscope includes a distal end adapter and an insertion portion. The distal end adapter includes a light-emitting device substrate and an adapter-side electrical connection portion. The insertion portion includes a distal end portion to which the distal end adapter is detachably mounted, and has an insertion portion-side electrical connection portion connected to an adapter-side electrical connection portion, and a dual-purpose wire for power supply and heat release serving as both a heat releasing wire and a power source wire. The adapter-side electrical connection portion includes an electrical connection portion main body serving as both an electrical connection portion and a heat conducting portion and whose distal end surface closely contacts the light-emitting device substrate. The insertion portion-side electrical connection portion includes an electrode serving as both an electrical connection portion and a heat conducting portion and having a close-contact surface closely contacting the electrical connection portion main body.
US08480566B2	Solid state illumination for endoscopy Various embodiments for providing solid state illumination for endoscopy or borescopy are provided. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating devices located thereon. The solid state or compact electro-optic illuminating device can include, but is not limited to, a light emitting diode (LED), laser diode (LD), or other Infrared (IR) or Ultraviolet (UV) source. Solid state sources of various wavelengths may be used to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or otherwise conditioning purpose. The solid state illuminating device may be placed on the exterior surface of the device, inside the device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.
US08480563B2	Endoscope apparatus and method An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope that generates an image of an object; a display portion that displays the image and a cursor that designates a position on an image based on the image; a characteristic quantity calculating portion that calculates, based on the image, a characteristic quantity of the image on the basis of the position designated by the cursor; and a control portion that controls movement of the cursor in accordance with the characteristic quantity.
US08480559B2	Urethral support system A urethral support system is described, including an introducer device and tissue implant. The introducer device may include a needle with multiple curves, some of the curves having multiple radii. A sheath assembly may be utilized to assist the passing of the tissue implant through a patient's tissue. The sheath assembly may include connectors configured to connect the sheath assembly to an end of the needle and a tab configured to detachably couple sheath sides over the tissue implant.
US08480558B2	Implants and procedures for treatment of pelvic floor disorders Implants for the treatment of pelvic support conditions and methods of implementing the same. The implants comprise relatively soft, flexible bodies and relatively strong arms extending in predetermined orientation therefrom. Methods and devices for placing the implants minimize trauma to the pelvic floor and provide well-anchored support to pelvic organs without interfering with sexual or other bodily functions.
US08480556B2	Method and apparatus for treating pelvic organ prolapses in female patients An anterior implant adapted to treat central and lateral cystoceles present in a female patient includes laterally extending stabilizing straps for supporting the implant between the patient's bladder and vagina independently of the patient's arcus tendineous fascia pelvis. Rectocele and hysterocele repairs can be carried out using a single posterior implant which, like the anterior implant, is provided with laterally extending stabilizing straps for supporting the implant between the patient's rectum and vagina.
US08480554B2	Systems and methods for depression treatment using neuro-EEG synchronization therapy Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for treatment of depression. Described are methods and devices to treat depression that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect symptoms of depression.
US08480552B2	Apparatus and a method for folding and unfolding a foldable transport container This invention provides an apparatus and a method for folding and unfolding a foldable transport container automatically. The apparatus comprises plurality of moving parts (P1, P2) and arms (A1, A2, A3, A4) to fold the sides (FS1, FS2) of the container and to fold the top (T) and bottom (B) of the container. Said moving parts and arms are operated by plurality of actuators (H1, H2, H3, H4).
US08480550B2	Nonconforming product removing apparatus for use with box making machine, and box making machine A nonconforming product removing unit is disposed between a folding unit and a counter ejector of a box making machine, and includes a sort-out unit that conveys a corrugated board box whose joint is judged to be good by a judging unit to the counter ejector, and on the other hand discharges a corrugated board box whose joint is judged to be bad by the judging unit. Accordingly, only the conforming corrugated board box can be conveyed to the counter ejector. Therefore, the nonconforming board box can be removed easily, without requiring complicated work of taking out the nonconforming corrugated board box from among corrugated board boxes sorted into a predetermined number of batches by the counter ejector, and re-sorting only the conforming corrugated board boxes into a predetermined number of batches.
US08480549B1	Versatile exercise bars and handles An exercise bar is configured to removably receive elastic lines, allowing its use in elastic resistance exercises, and/or inelastic lines, allowing its use in suspended bodyweight exercises. Separate grips, each being engageable by a hand or a foot, are also provided, and may be removably connected to the bar or to each other via one or more lines. Bar supports may also be provided to support the bar above the ground, allowing easy use of the bar to perform push-ups and other exercises.
US08480548B2	Exercise apparatus and method An exerciser including a movable body support mounted on an exerciser frame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A movable foot support extends from the exerciser frame. The movable foot support is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction. The movable foot support may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers, and, in some embodiments, may comprise independently movable foot supports for each foot. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body support and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise.
US08480545B2	Bicycling exercise apparatus with multiple element load dispersion An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise is provided. The design includes a horizontal base, a lower front pivoting point, and user supporting hardware collectively adjoining pedals, a seat configured to support the user, and handlebars, the user supporting hardware provided above the horizontal base and interfacing with the lower front mounting point. The lower front pivoting point and the user supporting hardware include a multiple component resistive element arrangement and collectively define an axis of rotation forming an angle with the horizontal base of 30 to 45 degrees, sloping upward in a rearward direction from the front pivoting point to the user supporting hardware. When the user is seated on the seat and leans in one direction, such leaning causes the user supporting hardware, seat, and handlebars to rotate in the one direction about the axis of rotation.
US08480544B2	Stackable exercise chair An exercise chair of the type wherein a user can sit on a seating platform and extend and retract his legs while his feet are resting on a spring-resisted foot rod includes a movable bar for pivotally supporting the foot rod and which is positionable in an operative position or a storage position. In the operative position, the foot bar is positioned for desired use in pre-determined exercises while in the storage position it is positioned so as to permit nestable stacking of a plurality of the chairs.
US08480539B2	Hydraulic pressure control apparatus for automatic transmission and control method thereof A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a first hydraulic pump connected with an oil tank to receive oil from the oil tank, having a first motor, and adapted to generate a low pressure through an operation of the first motor, a second hydraulic pump connected with the first hydraulic pump to receive the low pressure, having a second motor, and adapted to generate a high pressure through an operation of the second motor, a first regulating valve adapted to receive the low pressure from the first hydraulic pump and to regulate a first operating pressure to supply to the torque converter, and a second regulating valve adapted to receive the high pressure from the second hydraulic pump and to regulate a second operating pressure to supply to the powertrain.
US08480535B2	Control device for electric rotating machine in hybrid-type power transmission A hybrid-type power transmission in which an internal combustion engine and an electric rotating machine are used as a source of power for driving an output shaft through a change-speed mechanism. In the hybrid power transmission, the operation of the electric rotating machine is controlled in such a manner that the rotation speed of a rotor-side rotary member is synchronized with the rotation speed of an input-side or output-side rotary member when the rotation speed of the rotor-side rotary member becomes higher in a predetermined difference than the rotation speed of the input-side or output-side rotary member in shifting operation of a sleeve coupled with the rotor-side rotary member.
US08480534B2	Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include an input shaft; an output gear; a first compound planetary gear set having four rotation elements by combining first and second planetary gear sets; a second compound planetary gear set having four rotation elements by combing third and fourth planetary gear sets; eight rotational members including two rotation elements connected to each other or one rotation element among the rotation elements of the first and second compound planetary gear sets; and seven friction members including three clutches interposed between a selected rotational member among the rotational members and the input shaft and adapted to selectively transmit the torque and four brakes interposed between a rotational member among the rotational members and a transmission housing.
US08480532B2	Spur gear differential A spur gear differential (1) having a first sun (3) and a second sun (5), wherein the first sun (3) is associated with a first set of planetary gears (7) and the second sun (5) is associated with a second set of planetary gears (9), and the first set of planetary gears (7) engages with the second set of planetary gears (9). The number of teeth (11) of the first sun (3) are equal to the number of teeth (12) of the second sun (5), and the teeth (11) of the first sun (3) are disposed by a profile shift on a crown circle (2) having a crown circle diameter (DK1) that differs from the crown circle diameter (DK2) of a crown circle on which the teeth (12) of the second sun (5) are disposed. The first set of planetary gears (7) engages only with the first sun (3) and the second set of planetary gears (9) engages only with the second sun (5).
US08480530B2	Eight and nine speed automatic transmissions An automatic transmission includes four planetary gear sets, a plurality of friction and synchronizing clutches and two chain drive assemblies. Input torque is provided to four clutches which selectively provide torque to one element of a compound assembly comprising first and second planetary assemblies. The second planetary assembly includes only a sun gear and a planet carrier including elongate, stepped pinion gears which extend into the planet carrier of the adjacent first planetary assembly. The sun and ring gears of the first planetary assembly drive respective chain drive sprockets. A pair of chains transfer torque to respective driven chain sprockets. The chain driven by the first planetary assembly sun gear drives a third planetary assembly sun gear. The chain driven by the first planetary assembly ring gear drives a fourth planetary assembly sun gear. The transmission output is connected to the planet carriers of the third and fourth planetary assemblies.
US08480526B2	Method and apparatus for operating a movable barrier The movable barrier operator 10 is a shaft-mounted movable barrier operator that operates a garage door 20. Such an operator includes a motor 22 operably connected to shaft 26 such that motor 22 may move door 20 between the open and closed position. Shaft 26 may include axle 36 and wheels 38. The movable barrier 10 further includes a rotational drive unit 46 with a sun gear 52 having an open center 49 into which the axle 36 extends. Further, the rotational drive unit may have an annularly shaped portion 47 and a removable portion 48 such that the operator 10 may be installed onto a previously mounted garage door. The movable barrier operator may also include protection plates or a finger guard 90.
US08480520B2	Adjustable arrow insert assembly and method of use An insert assembly for an arrow that includes a sleeve and a nut which can selectively secure an arrowhead in a desired rotational position on an arrowshaft wherein the arrowhead has a threaded stem that is fixed relative to the arrowhead. The sleeve is secured at the fore end of the arrowshaft and the nut is positioned at the aft end of the sleeve. The threaded stem is inserted through the sleeve and secured to the nut. In one embodiment, the nut is engaged with a tool inserted through the aft end of the arrowshaft to secure the nut with the arrowhead. In another embodiment, the sleeve includes axially extending crimp arms extending rearwardly from the sleeve to axially capture the nut.
US08480516B2	Methods for encouraging use of greenhouse gas reducing golf balls This disclosure provides methods for encouraging golfers and other users to use greenhouse gas reducing golf balls. Greenhouse gas reducing golf balls may include carbon dioxide absorbents, in order that the golf ball may reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to aid in alleviating global warming. The methods may include determining a degree of usage of a used greenhouse gas reducing golf ball, and awarding a reward to a user based on the degree of usage. The methods thereby promote the use of certain greenhouse gas reducing golf balls instead of conventional golf balls, and encourages the reuse of those greenhouse gas reducing golf balls.
US08480511B2	Methods for marking golf club ferrule Described herein are methods of creating markings on a golf club ferrule, some of which comprising providing a polymeric ferrule body having a first color; painting at least a portion of the ferrule body with a paint material, the paint material having a second color that is different than the first color, such as with a high contrast; and removing one or more portions of the paint material from the ferrule body, such as by laser engraving, to reveal respective portions of the first color, thereby forming one or more markings on the ferrule.
US08480506B2	Golf club head with top line insert A golf club head having a recess located in a top portion thereof is described and claimed. The recess is located between the heel and the toe and extends toward the sole. The recess may be in the top line of the club head. An insert may be placed within the recess. The insert has a density that is less than the density of the club head body, and the insert preferably is a light-weight insert. The insert may include one or more damping materials. The recess removes material from the club head, which in turn may do one or more of the following: increase the overall size of the club head, expand the size of the club head sweet spot, lower the club head center of gravity, and/or produce a greater club head moment of inertia. Thus, the recess and insert produce a more forgiving and playable golf club. As an alternative to a recess, a thin protrusion may be provided at the top line of the club head and the insert provided with a corresponding groove to facilitate attachment.
US08480505B2	Golf trainer A golf swing monitoring and feedback system uses an adjustable support and foam ball that are variably positionable in contact with or closely spaced from a body part whose proper positioning is important in developing a proper swing. The support apparatus includes a main vertically adjustable tubular body, the lower end of which can be supported in a stand-up golf bag or can be pressed into the ground by the use of a spike on the lower end of the body.
US08480504B2	Golf club head with alignment markings A golf club putter having an alignment pattern is disclosed herein. The alignment pattern has first and second long lines that approach each other as they extend from an aft region of the putter to a front region of the putter and, when the putter is properly aligned with a golf ball, create an optical illusion of convergence of said lines at or near a center of the golf ball without actually intersecting.
US08480495B2	Social rewards for online game playing Useful information is acquired from a community of individuals by way of a game that rewards participants with social information about other participants. Points can be awarded to participants simply for participation and/or as a function of game performance. Such points can subsequently be exchanged to reveal information about game partners or other community members. Among other things, such a reward system can motivate individuals to perform tasks that might not otherwise be compelling and/or enjoyable.
US08480492B2	Game device, game control method, and game control program for controlling game in which player's character located in game field is manipulated A game device includes: a character control unit configured to move a player's character in a game field in accordance with a control command from a player; a group control unit configured to move a character belonging to a group including the player's character along with the player's character; and an enemy character control unit configured to move an enemy character located in the game field so as to follow the player's character or a character belonging to the group. The group control unit includes a function of causing at least one of the characters belonging to the group to leave the group. The enemy character control unit includes a function of allowing the enemy character to attack the player's character or the character that left the group when the enemy character catches up with the player's character or the character that left the group.
US08480490B2	Sensing ball game machine A sensing baseball game apparatus (10) has a game machine (12) connected to a television monitor (18). A bat input device (32) is provided with an acceleration sensor. An acceleration signal is transmitted by an infrared-ray LED (34) to an infrared-ray receiving part of the game machine (12) whereby the game machine (12) determines a moving speed of the bat input device (32) to calculate a moving parameter of a ball to be batted. Accordingly, a batted ball is moved in the game scene according to the parameter.
US08480485B2	Wagering game with multi-level progressive game A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.
US08480483B2	Device for monitoring a validator A device (1) monitors a validator (2) used by a terminal, this terminal taking the form of an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (3) having a central control unit (CCU) (4). Device (1) includes a first interface (5) for connection to validator (2), and a second interface (6) for connection to CCU (4). Device (1) also includes a processor (7) for passing signals (not shown) between interface (5) and interface (6), and compiling information (not shown) in response to the passed signals. Device (1) further includes a port (8) for communicating the information to a server (9) external of EGM (3).
US08480480B2	Bonus game for a gaming machine A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.
US08480478B2	Gaming console with transparent sprites The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on the display means 41 and, if a winning combination results, the console 40 pays a prize. The console 40 is characterised in that the displayed images include a first image component 31 which displays basic game features and a second image component 50 which displays image features which appear superimposed on the first image component 31. The second image component 50 is transparent, whereby the first image component 31 is visible through the second image component 50 under the control of the control means 100.
US08480477B2	Gaming machine producing effect when awarding benefit and control method thereof When a wild symbol 311a is fixedly displayed, a gaming machine of the present invention preferentially displays a fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a over a symbol 311 rearranged behind the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a until rearrangement is completed. When the plurality of symbols 311 rearranged including the symbol 311 rearranged behind the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a satisfy a predetermined relation, the symbol 311 rearranged behind the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a is preferentially displayed over the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a. When the predetermined relation is not satisfied, the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a is preferentially displayed over the symbol 311 rearranged behind the fixedly displayed wild symbol 311a.
US08480475B2	Wagering game with multiple episode-based bonus games A gaming machine for playing an episodic wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of an episodic wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display further displays creative material content in one or more episodes of the episodic wagering game. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to provide an award based on the randomly selected outcome and, in response to collecting a predetermined number of game items in one or more of the game episodes, cause the display of new creative material content of the wagering game without affecting the expected value of the episodic wagering game.
US08480472B2	System and method for conducting a wagering game having a multi-spot template A device includes a data processor executing program instructions for a wagering game. The program instructions include receiving a wager and a selection set from a player. A selection is received from the player, or randomly chosen, to locate a multi-spot template comprising a pattern of multiple spots on a matrix. An outcome set is selected and the player is rewarded in accordance with a pay table for matches between the selection set and the outcome set. The multi-spot templates are examined for a bonus trigger condition such as all the spots in the multi-spot template containing members of the outcome set. If a bonus trigger condition is fulfilled, a bonus feature is conducted.
US08480471B2	Game of chance systems and methods In various embodiments, players may compete in a gaming context.
US08480466B2	Method and apparatus for previewing a game A portable sample play device, such as a player tracking card or other player-carried device, allows players or users of a gaming machine to view, and/or participate in, sample or preview play of a game. The portable sample play device can be a smart card that stores all necessary information itself, or a known magnetic stripe card that simply stores rudimentary information. Additionally, such a sample or preview can include many different modes of play. For instance, the gaming machine can display a preview of link progressive play, along with the progressive jackpot. It can also display the special bonus modes of various games, demonstrating to the player various special prizes than can be won. Such preview play can be interactive, allowing player participation, or passive, simply illustrating sample play without allowing user interaction. Preview play can also include full, nominal, zero, or other payouts if so desired.
US08480458B2	Grinding wheel dressing system A grinding wheel dressing assembly includes a driving gear rotatable about a central axis and a dressing ring engaged with the driving gear. Rotation of the driving gear about the central axis results in rotation of the dressing ring about an offset axis, which is offset from the central axis. The dressing ring includes a contact surface generally normal to the offset axis and adapted to remove dull CBN particles from a substantially planar grinding surface of a grinding wheel that comes into contact with the contact surface.
US08480456B1	Ultra-flat, high throughput wafer lapping process The present invention comprises of a process for lapping a high-throughput of ultra-flat wafers by utilizing a lapping apparatus containing a rotary flat, grooved polishing platen, at least two rotating pressurized heads each having a polishing wafer carrier that is adapted to receive a plurality of mounted wafers, and a plurality of concentric conditioning rings surrounding each pressurized head. The rotating pressurized heads are counterbalanced throughout the inventive process, and the lapping platen is continuously conditioned by simultaneously rotating the concentric conditioning rings over the lapping platen. This process allows continuous and controllable planarization thus allowing for a high throughput of wafers, while at the same time it prevents distortions in the lapping platen which reduces maintenance by providing continuous conditioning of the lapping platen. Further this inventive process allows substantially the entire surface of each wafer carrier to be utilized while maintaining a high quality planarized wafer product, highly desired in the semiconductor industry.
US08480447B2	Powered surfboard for preserving energy of a surfer during paddling An improvement to a conventional surfboard includes an impeller and an electric motor contained primarily within the body of the surfboard, whereby performance of the surfboard is substantially unaffected by the presence of the impeller and the electric motor. The electric motor is operatively connected to the impeller for providing a forward thrust of the surfboard. The improvement to the conventional surfboard also includes a throttle for selective control of the electric motor for operating the impeller to provide a forward thrust of the surfboard, the throttle being configured for use by a surfer lying in a prone position on the smooth top surface of the body of the surfboard. An extent of the surfer's energy that otherwise would be expended during paddling can be preserved for riding waves by using the impeller to provide the forward thrust during paddling.
US08480446B2	High efficiency swim fin using multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiters Apparatus, devices and methods of operating multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal ladder oriented vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting flexible webs attached between flexible support beams on swim fins. The fins can have a foot pocket. A pair of parallel support beams can be secured to the foot pocket and support a plurality of hydrofoil vanes in a resisted pivotal arrangement. Pivotal rotation of the vanes can be restricted by flexible membranes, between vanes and beams, to provide an optimum angle of attack for the during swimming. The fins can have at least one pivoting vane region connected to the fin with a flexible hinge member.
US08480444B2	Rotary engine jet boat A boat includes a hull, an inboard rotary engine, and a jet propulsion unit connected to the engine via a direct drive connection. The hull may be a stepped hull with one or more aft steps. A large, low, substantially flat aft fishing/swim deck is disposed above the engine and an exhaust system of the engine. The exhaust system may vent into the step of the stepped hull and include a check valve that discourages water from backflowing into the engine.
US08480442B2	Clamp for electrical connections Clamp for electrical connections comprising a metal body (1) in which more seats are provided for the electrical connection with a cable or carrier wire (2) and for the electrical connection of one or more cables or derivation wires (3) and means for locking said cables or carrier wires (2, 3) to said metal body (1). The metal body (1) exhibits a channel (10) which is open laterally thus forming a mouth where a bare portion (2N) of the carrier wire (2), which can pass through the same open channel (10) without being interrupted. The channel (10) has a circle arc cross section, with an angular extension greater than 180°, and the ends of said circle arc are joined to two rectilinear edges (11) which frontally delimit the channel (10).
US08480441B2	Connection member and lead terminal seat structure with the connection member A connection member and a lead terminal seat structure with the connection member including a terminal seat and a connection member. The connection member has a first edge and a second edge, which are formed with alternately arranged depression sections and protrusion sections. The terminal seat has a recess formed with ridge sections and through sections in adjacency to the ridge sections. The ridge sections and the through sections are arranged corresponding to the depression sections and protrusion sections of the connection member with the connection member received in the recess of the terminal seat with the depression sections and the protrusion sections insert-connected with the ridge sections and the through sections.
US08480438B2	Contact set arrangement for right angle jack A connector system includes a jack module mounted to a circuit board, which is connected to at least one processor. The jack module is configured to receive a plug connector having a first set of contacts spaced from a second set of contacts. The jack module includes a first contact arrangement configured to engage the first set of contacts of the plug and a second contact arrangement configured to engage the second set of contacts of the plug. The second contact arrangement is provided on a media reading interface, which may provide presence sensing. The first and second contact arrangements engage landings on the circuit board. One example jack module defines a right-angle jack.
US08480435B2	USB connector The present invention relates to a USB connector, comprises: a substrate on which a plurality of first contact pads and a plurality of second contact pads are installed and exposed outside the substrate; and a connector main body on which a plurality of opening slots and a plurality of terminals are installed, wherein one end of each of the terminals is respectively installed in the plural opening slots and exposed outside the opening slots, the other end thereof is respectively in contact with the second contact pads for forming a USB connector.
US08480434B2	Terminal for electrical connection and connector using same An electrical connection terminal arranged such that when the amount of displacement of one of a first contact portion and a second contact portion increases, a decrease in the contact pressure of the other contact portion is effectively suppressed, and a connector in which the electrical connection terminal is used. Between first and second elastic pieces and a fixed piece, a third elastic piece is provided such that when one of a first contact portion and a second contact portion is displaced in the direction of contact with a mating terminal, the amount of displacement of the other contact portion in the direction of contact with the mating terminal becomes smaller than the amount of displacement of the other contact portion in the insertion and removal direction of the mating terminal. Connection reliability by two-point contact may be improved.
US08480432B2	Electrical connector assembly having two spaced internal printed circuit boards and an external metallic gasket An electrical connector assembly (100) comprises: a housing (1) having a front mating portion (13) and a rear body portion (12). The rear body portion is greater in cross-section than the mating portion. An insulative spacer (3) is positioned in the housing. Two printed circuit boards (2) sandwich the insulative spacer. The two printed circuit boards and the insulative spacer are supported by the housing. And a metallic gasket (9) is assembled to an outer surface of the front mating portion and having an inserting portion (915, 925) extending into the housing and attached to the insulative spacer.
US08480430B2	Continuity maintaining biasing member A post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a connector body attached to the post, a coupling element attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end a second end, and a biasing member disposed within a cavity formed between the first end of the coupling element and the connector body to bias the coupling element against the post is provided. Moreover, a connector body having a biasing element, wherein the biasing element biases the coupling element against the post, is further provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.
US08480428B1	Waterproof BNC connector A pH meter and probe with a screw-down connector that converts a standard BNC pH probe connector into an IP67 waterproof connection.
US08480423B2	Contact region of an electrically conductive member A contact region of an electrically conductive member includes a contact area, a shroud and at least one projection. The contact area is provided to electrically engage a mating connector. The shroud is positioned proximate the contact area and is dimensioned to cooperate with a portion of the mating connector to align the mating connector in the contact area. The at least one projection is provided proximate the contact area, such that the at least one projection cooperates with a mating connector to limit the rotation of the mating connector relative to the contact area.
US08480421B2	Method of integrally molding connector, and object connector There is provided a method of integrally molding a connector in which the number of components can be reduced, and productivity can be enhanced.The method of integrally molding a connector according to the invention includes a first step of injection molding elastic resin 15 around a connection part 9 and an end part of a cover part 5 of an electric wire which is positioned adjacent to the connection part 9 thereby to bond the cover part 5 and the elastic resin 15 to each other, and a second step of injection molding resin 17 around the elastic resin 15 so as to compress the elastic resin 15 thereby to press-fit the elastic resin 15 to a terminal 11, and at the same time, to bond the elastic resin 15 and the resin 17 to each other.
US08480415B2	Waterproof simplex receptacle with additional watershedding A waterproof simplex receptacle (300) includes a main body (302) and a front portion (308). The front portion (308) includes a front surface (304) and rear surface (306). Terminals (310) extend outwardly from the front surface (304), and are connected to wires (318) extending rearwardly from the main body (302). The front surface (304) is angled. Further, ridges (224) can be positioned around the terminals (310) so as to prevent water or other liquids from entering apertures associated with the terminals (310).
US08480407B2	Tissue-mimicking phantom for prostate cancer brachytherapy A phantom for prostate cancer brachytherapy has a prostate tissue phantom shaped like a real prostate gland, a perineal tissue phantom surrounding the prostate tissue phantom, a skin tissue phantom separating the perineal tissue phantom from an outside environment, and an enclosure. The prostate tissue phantom is a polyvinyl alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) having undergone 3-5 freeze-thaw cycles and having 10-20% w/w PVA in a solvent (e.g. water), 4-8% w/w oil and an amount of acoustic scattering particles to ultrasonically distinguish the prostate-tissue phantom from its surroundings. The perineal tissue phantom is a PVA-C having undergone 1-2 freeze-thaw cycles and having 10-20% w/w PVA in a solvent, 4-8% w/w oil and an amount of acoustic scattering particles to ultrasonically distinguish the perineal tissue phantom from its surroundings. The skin tissue phantom is a PVA-C having undergone at least 6 freeze-thaw cycles and having 15-25% w/w PVA in a solvent. The phantom mimics the imaging and mechanical properties of the prostate and surrounding tissues, providing a realistic phantom for prostate cancer brachytherapy.
US08480406B2	Interface device and method for interfacing instruments to medical procedure simulation systems An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g., sheath, catheter and wire), whereby the interface device individually grasps, measures manipulation of and provides force feedback to the nested instruments. In addition, the interface device may be configured to simultaneously accommodate a plurality of independently inserted instruments.
US08480405B2	Surgical simulation device and assembly A system for simulating a surgical procedure that includes a housing covering an anatomical model. The model is made up of simulated tissue supported on a base assembly that allows pivoting and rotation of the simulated tissue. The simulated tissue includes a portion that represents soft tissue, such as dermal tissue, muscle, connective tissue and the like, and a portion that represents hard tissue, such as osseous tissue. The housing includes apertures through which a surgical instrument may be inserted for simulating a procedure on the simulated tissue. Cannulas may be set within the apertures.
US08480402B2	Educational game In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an educational game comprising: a structure rotating around a vertical axis; a plurality of frames, each connected to the structure, each of the frames having a geometrical form, each of the frames having a basket suspended therefrom; and a plurality of bricks, each having a form corresponding to the geometrical form of one of the frames. According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the bricks has a prism form. According to one embodiment of the invention, the bricks are of polyhedron form. The structure may comprise a central pole on which the baskets hang, each via a rod. A base may be employed for holding the central pole upright.
US08480399B2	Game for teaching financial skills to players A game is disclosed which teaches a comprehensive understanding of fundamental aspects of personal (family) finances—including insurance, working with debt, investing and securing financial objectives, and which enables players to understand principles upon which significant wealth may be accumulated, and also teaches financial advisors how to organize finances of their clients. The game teaches skills concerning personal finances, including insurance, working with debt and investing, and securing financial objectives. The game also teaches the fundamental aspects of working with the cash flow one has, and it teaches players to understand principles upon which significant wealth may be accumulated.
US08480395B2	Screw-type dental implant A dental implant apparatus consisting of an auger-like lower threaded portion that is screwed into the bone. It includes a divergent intermediate collar with mini-threads for engaging the cortical bone, and a tapered abutment for fixed tooth replacement or a ball-like snap attachment to secure removable dentures. The apical end of the device has a tapered portion with a blunt tip that condenses the medullar bone, which in combination with the divergent collar engaging and wedging into the cortical bone, provides a dual stabilization structure that can be immediately loaded or placed in light function by cementing on a temporary crown or bridge or by lightly attaching a removable full or partial denture.
US08480392B2	Level adjustment device for injection molding machine A level adjustment device includes a main body, four shaft seats, two adjusting elements, two actuating gears, and a supporting plate. The main body has a side surface and an upper surface connected to the side surface. The main body defines two slots in the side surface. Each two shaft seats are positioned at two opposite sides of a corresponding one of the slots and extend outwards from the side surface. Each of the adjusting elements includes a toothed portion and a supporting portion, the toothed portion movably received in the slot and the supporting portion protruding out of the upper surface. Each of two actuating gears is rotatably sleeved between two corresponding shaft seats and meshes with the toothed portion. The supporting plate is supported on the two adjustment elements above the upper surface.
US08480389B2	Spacer mold and methods therefor A hip spacer mold forming a spacer with a spacer stem connected to a spacer head has a stem portion for forming a spacer stem. The hip spacer mold also has a plurality of interchangeable head modules configured for alternatively forming spacer heads of a plurality of different predetermined sizes. The head modules are configured to be disposed adjacent the stem portion.
US08480384B2	Quick attach and safe release arrangement for a port of a water pump A quick attach and safe release arrangement for a pump of the type in which a pump chamber has at least one chimney and at least one separable port locatable in the at least one chimney. The quick attach and safe release arrangement is provided with a cooperating retaining elements integrally formed with the at least one chimney and integrally formed with the at least one separable port respectively, for retaining the at least one separable port in within the at least one chimney. The at least one separable port and the at least one chimney are rotatable relative to one another and the cooperating retaining elements have a single port release position at a predetermined angular position of the at least one separable port relative to the at least one chimney.
US08480380B2	Washer pump having washer fluid heating function A washer pump apparatus having a washer fluid heating function, may include a housing having an inlet provided at a first end thereof to permit a washer fluid to flow thereinto, and an outlet provided at a second end thereof to permit the washer fluid to flow out therefrom, a heater unit disposed in the housing on a course extending from the inlet substantially to the outlet to heat the washer fluid passing through the heater unit, and having a hollow portion therein, a path member inserted into the hollow portion, and having on an inner circumference thereof a passage through which the washer fluid passes, an impeller unit provided in the housing and supplying the washer fluid from the inlet to the outlet, a check valve provided at a portion of the outlet, and being open when a discharge pressure of the washer fluid is a preset value or more, and a control unit selectively operating the impeller unit and the heater unit.
US08480379B2	Vacuum pump A condensation sensor is provided within a power supply device that is provided integratedly with a vacuum pump main unit. When the condensation sensor detects condensation within the power supply device, a CPU closes a cooling water valve. This stops the flow of cooling water that flows through the interior of the power supply device, through a cooling water duct.
US08480378B2	Method and device for controlling a hydraulic drive system In a method and device for controlling a hydraulic drive system, in particular in a crane or construction machine, a closed hydraulic circuit has a hydraulic pump and motor in which depending upon a desired value (ndes) of an output parameter of the hydraulic circuit, an actuating signal (I) is generated for adjusting the hydraulic pump and/or motor. The actuating signal (I) is limited and/or reduced by a superordinate control module (6) depending on matching of a specified power value (P+; P−) with a current power value (PPu; PM) of the hydraulic pump and/or motor.
US08480377B2	Integrated electro-magnetohydrodynamic micropumps and methods for pumping fluids An integrated electro-magnetohydrodynamic pump may include a flow channel adapted to contain a fluid to be pumped and a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of electrodes applies a voltage potential on the plurality of electrodes. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of magnets changes magnetic fields produced by the plurality of magnets with respect to the flow channel. The voltage controller and the magnet controller are operable to pump fluid contained in the flow channel by an electro-osmotic flow process and by a magnetohydrodynamic flow process.
US08480374B2	Method and auto-control system on improving pumping system performance The present invention discloses a method and auto-control system on improving pumping system performance. The system contains a pump, a pool, pipelines, a parameter setting module, a water level measuring module and a system control module. The parameter setting module is configured to preset a characteristic parameter and a control parameter of the pump and the pipelines. The water level measuring module is configured to measure, determine and compute a high level pool water level, a flow demand trend and a system instantaneous flow at regular intervals. The system control module is configured to receive the data sent by the water level measuring module that is measured and computed, and controls the operation of the system based on the data. Compared to existing pumping control system, the system in the present invention can save energy for 10%-30%.
US08480370B2	Efficient wind turbine blades, wind turbine blade structures, and associated systems and methods of manufacture, assembly and use Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
US08480369B2	Rotor head of wind power generator and wind power generator A pitch drive device of a wind power generator capable of preventing the loss of reliability of the pitch drive device with a simple structure and a wind power generator are provided. A rotor head of a wind power generator in which a plurality of wind turbine blades are radially attached around a rotation axis is formed by joining a plurality of separately formed front rotor head and rear rotor head, and joint portions of the front rotor head and the rear rotor head are formed in a plane intersecting the rotation axis.
US08480366B2	Recessed metering standoffs for airfoil baffle An internally cooled airfoil comprises an airfoil body, a baffle and a plurality of standoffs. The airfoil body is shaped to form leading and trailing edges, and pressure and suction sides surrounding an internal cooling channel. The baffle is disposed within the internal cooling channel and comprises a liner body having a perimeter shaped to correspond to the shape of the internal cooling channel and to form a cooling air supply duct. The baffle includes a plurality of cooling holes extending through the liner body to direct cooling air from the supply duct into the internal cooling channel. The standoffs are recessed into a surface of either the baffle or the airfoil body such that a height of the standoffs is greater than the spacing.
US08480364B2	Computer system and program product for controlling vibrations The computer programmable system and program product include first program instructions for actively driving a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a vibration canceling rotation frequency while controlling the rotational position of the first imbalance mass concentration and the second imbalance mass concentration to produce a rotating net force vector to inhibit periodic vibrations. The program product includes second program instructions to opposingly orient the first imbalance mass concentration relative to the second imbalance mass concentration during a starting stopping rotation speed less than the vibration canceling rotation frequency. The system includes a fault mode control protocol for controlling a rotation of the rotors during a sensed failure of the rotating assembly vibration control system.
US08480357B2	Variable geometry turbocharger with guide pins A variable geometry turbocharger assembly comprises a unison ring which rotates about a longitudinal axis defined by a shaft on which a turbine wheel and compressor wheel are attached in order to pivot a plurality of vanes and thereby control a flow of exhaust gas to the turbine wheel. The unison ring rotates on at least one guide pin which is secured to the turbocharger. The guide pins may be press-fit into apertures in a center housing at an outer pilot surface. In other embodiments the guide pins may be press-fit into a different part of the turbocharger such as a nozzle ring. The guide pins may each have a wear surface which defines a circumferential radius of curvature which is substantially equal to a circumferential radius of curvature of a radially inner surface of the unison ring.
US08480352B2	System for controlling thrust in steam turbine A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.
US08480345B2	Composite continuous feeder A composite continuous feeder is arranged above a growth furnace and comprises a primary feeder and a secondary feeder. The primary feeder includes a feeding chamber, a first material holder holding a plurality of material bits and an elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is coupled to the feeding chamber and first material holder, and used to lift or lower the first material holder in the feeding chamber. The secondary feeder includes a second material holder also holding a plurality of material bits, a buffering discharger and a material discharging guide tube. The buffering discharger is arranged at the outlet of the second material holder to receive the material bits output therefrom. The material discharging guide tube discharges the material bits into the growth furnace. By using the primary and secondary feeders, the invention can apply to mono-crystal and poly-crystal growth furnaces and effectively control material feeding amount and speed.
US08480337B2	Drill with cutting inserts A drill has inner and outer inserts. The drill includes a drill body having a rotational axis; an inner insert mounted adjacent to the axis at a proximal end of the drill body having an axis-symmetrical contour having four cutting edges and four rounded corners; and an outer insert identical to the inner insert being mounted farther away from the axis than the inner insert. Loci of the inner and the outer insert partially overlap. At the overlapping region, the cutting edge of the inner insert and the cutting edge of the outer insert extend toward the axis in a direction to a workpiece and the locus of the cutting edge of the inner insert protrudes in a direction to the workpiece along the axis of the drill body compared to the locus of the cutting edge of the outer insert.
US08480336B2	Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily The present invention relates to a process for pneumatically conveying a bulk material which does not flow readily in which an input device variably meters the bulk material into a lateral conveyor until it is partially filled, and then a mechanical conveyor, in combination with the simultaneous introduction of compressed gas into the lateral conveyor, empties the bulk material partially filling the lateral conveyor, rendering the bulk material conveyable.
US08480332B2	Laying and protecting cable into existing covering surfaces To construct an underground cable line in-situ, cut and immediately evacuate a void in the existing covering surface. Next, lay or apply cable(s) into the void. Then, flow a non-shrinking composition into a portion of the void around the cable to fill a portion of the void. Upon rigidification the cable is encased in the void by the non-shrinking composition. Last, apply a topping material to the exposed surface of the composition in such volume as to fill any remaining portion of the void.
US08480328B2	Fixing device for expansion cards A fixing device for fixing an expansion card mounted with a cover plate, includes a frame and a fixing member. The frame includes a board defining an elongated slot, a plate extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from an end of the board and perpendicular to the slot, and a fixing portion extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from a side of the plate opposite to the board. A fastener is mounted to the frame adjacent to the slot of the board. The fixing member includes a sliding portion slidably mounted to the fixing portion and an operation portion extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from the sliding portion. The sliding portion defines an engaging hole to receive the fastener. The fastener is to be engaged with the cover plate. The fixing member is operable to sandwich the cover plate with the plate.
US08480325B2	Paint trimmer The paint trimmer includes a rigid base and a handle removably attachable to the base. The handle includes a bladder for storing paint. A paint applicator is associated with the base and fluidly coupled to the bladder via a manifold. Accordingly, a user may selectively dispense paint from the bladder to the paint applicator via the manifold for application to a surface to be painted. A paint mask associated with the base and offset from the paint applicator prevents paint from dispensing to undesired locations of the surface.
US08480324B2	Writing implement with hinged clip A writing implement that includes a tubular body that extends longitudinally along a central axis and has an outer surface, and a clip that includes an arm that extends parallel to the central axis, between a front end and a back end near which a first and a second flange extend towards the body element. The flanges are mounted on a pivot shaft in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, and around which the clip pivots between a closed position in which the arm comes in contact with the implement, and an open position. The outer surface of the body element has a first and a second sunken region, one on each side of a first longitudinal plane passing through the central axis, and from which protrude a first and a second pin both extending collinearly to the pivot shaft.
US08480322B2	Side knock type mechanical pencil A side knock type mechanical pencil includes a knock button, a barrel, an intermediate lead tube, and a clip. A fixed hole is formed in the side wall of the front end of the barrel, and a rib groove is formed in the inner front side of the fixed hole. At least one button groove is formed in the front end of the knock button, and at least one protrusion or bump with an inclined plane is formed at the lower side of the rear end of the side button. A shaft is formed by the engagement of the button groove of the front end of the button with the rib groove of the fixed hole. At least one circular bulge which is adapted to engage with the protrusion or bump with the inclined plane is disposed on the side of the intermediate lead tube.
US08480321B2	Recording media transporting apparatus and a printer A printer has a substantially linear transport path P1 in which a card C is transported, roller 41 provided on the transport path P1 to transport the card C, roller 42 spaced apart from the roller 41 on the transport path P1 to transport the card C to the opposite side to the roller 41, cleaning roller 31 that is disposed opposite to the roller 41 on the transport path P1 and that has an adhesive portion for cleaning the surface of the card C, and control section 95 for controlling the rotation velocity of the roller 31 to rotate the roller 31 at least at rotation velocity V1 and at rotation velocity V2 lower than the rotation velocity V1, where the control section 95 controls the rotation velocity of the roller 31 from the rotation velocity V1 to the rotation velocity V2 for a period during which the front end of the card C reaches the roller 41 from the cleaning roller 31.
US08480320B2	Adjustable stenographic keyboard device and method for electronically adjusting key depth sensitivity A device and method for determining key registration settings in a stenographic device, includes a plurality of keys making up a standard stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position, a depressed position, and a range of depression positions between the resting position and the depressed position, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and to the plurality of keys. The processor is operable to store in the memory, for at least one of the keys, a depression indicator corresponding to a current depression position of the key selected from the resting position, the depressed position, and one of the depression positions within the range of depression positions.
US08480313B2	Optical subassembly having sleeve and optical device assembled with sleeve by ribs and hollow An optical subassembly is disclosed, in which an optical device is assembled with an optical receptacle using an anchor effect for the ultraviolet curable resin. The optical receptacle includes a sleeve portion that receives an external optical fiber and a sheath portion that receives the optical device. A bore formed in the sheath portion circumferentially provides a plurality of ribs; while the pillar portion of the optical device that encloses a semiconductor optical device provides a plurality of hollows in positions corresponding to the ribs. The rib shows the anchor effect for the resin filled within the hollow.
US08480311B2	Optical connector, method of attaching the optical connector to coated optical fiber, and optical connection member An optical connector in which works of attaching an incorporated optical fiber to a ferrule, removing a coating of the tip end side of a coated optical fiber, and attaching an optical connector to the coated optical fiber can be made more efficient, and the transmission characteristics can be prevented from being lowered in the optical connector, and a method of attaching the optical connector to a coated optical fiber are provided.An optical connector 101 includes: a ferrule 140 into which a glass fiber 121 that is obtained by peeling a coating 124 of a coated optical fiber 120 is to be inserted; a fixing portion 130 which fixes the coated optical fiber 120 inserted into the ferrule 140; and a coating-removing portion 110 which removes the coating 124 from an end portion of the coated optical fiber 120, by means of a force of inserting the coated optical fiber 120 into the optical connector 101.
US08480309B2	Bearing cage durability improvement The bearing cage for roller bearings has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of cage bars extending between the inner ring and the outer ring so as to form a plurality of pockets. At least one of the inner ring and the outer ring has a formed ring flange protruding inwardly into the pockets. The pockets have of least one curved end with a radius or a straight end with large radii so that the pockets extend under the ring flange. The formed ring flange provides radial guidance to the ends of the rolling elements, which also aids in reducing the possibilities of stress risers from forming, causing fatigue and ultimately failure of the bearing cage.
US08480308B2	Tapered roller bearing, tapered roller bearing apparatus, and automotive pinion shaft supporting apparatus utilizing same tapered roller bearing apparatus A tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a cage for the tapered rollers. Ra is smaller than Rb where Ra represents a radius of curvature of a large end face of the tapered roller and Rb represents a radius of curvature of an end face of a large rib portion of the inner ring.
US08480305B2	Resin cage for angular contact ball bearing A cage has a ring portion, and a plurality of column portions that protrude from the ring portion, that are arranged in the circumference direction. Each column portion has a column portion radially inward section that forms a bearing-radial-direction inward side portion, and a column portion radially outward section that is connected to the radially inward section at its radially outer end position, so as to protrude on both sides in the circumferential direction from the radially inward section. A connection position at which the radially outward section is connected to the radially inward section is adjusted to a position radially outward of a pitch circle position of the plurality of the balls that are held in the respective pockets. Thus, the thickness of the radially inward section at the connection position is larger than the thickness of the radially inward section at the pitch circle position.
US08480299B2	Multi-stage temperature indicating device A multi-stage temperature indicating device having a housing having a bore formed therein having a closed end and an open end, the housing having a first neck region spaced from the closed end, a first internal cavity between the first neck region and the closed end, a second internal cavity between the first neck region and the open end; an indicator rod comprising a first stem stretch and a second stem stretch; an extension segment having a first extension stretch and a second extension stretch, the second extension stretch slidably cooperating with the first stem stretch; the indicator rod and the extension segment slidably positioned in the bore; and a fusible material retaining the indicator rod and the extension segment in the housing, wherein different portions of the fusible material soften at different predetermined temperatures, whereby upon the softening of a first portion of the fusible material allows a spring to urge the indicator rod a first distance out of the housing indicating that a first temperature has been reached and upon the softening of a second portion of the fusible material allows the spring to urge the indicator rod a second distance out of the housing indicating that a second temperature has been reached.
US08480298B2	Device for positioning and contacting test contacts A device for positioning and contacting test contacts on a contact carrier for producing a test contact arrangement includes at least one contact head having at least one transmission channel for transmitting thermal energy. The contact head being equipped with a equipped with a test contact receptacle. The test contact receptacle includes a positioning device with at least two positioning faces for the positioned abutment against a test contact and the positioning of the test contact with an absorption region for absorbing the thermal energy in the channel mouth.
US08480293B2	Timepiece This timepiece is furnished with a direct impulse escapement comprising a locking lever (2) for locking the escapement wheel furnished with two locking pallets (2a, 2b), with a fork (2c) and with a guard pin (2d). The guard pin is mounted so as to pivot on the fork about an axis parallel to the pivoting axis of the locking lever (2). It comprises displacement means (2d1, 2d2, 2d3), designed to engage with drive means secured to said frame, so as to amplify the angular displacement of the guard pin (2d), caused by the locking lever (2) passing from one to the other of its two positions. This invention also applies to the guard pin of a pallet assembly of an indirect impulse escapement.
US08480289B2	Bone cement mixing cartridge and method of use A container for bone cement includes a first member defining a chamber, which contains a first ingredient. The chamber also includes a second member movably coupled to the first member. The second member includes a mixing device that is movably disposed within the first chamber, and the second member defines a second chamber containing a second ingredient. The container additional includes an opening device that selectively opens the second chamber and allows the second ingredient to enter from the second chamber into the first chamber. The mixing device is movable within the first chamber to promote mixing of the first ingredient and the second ingredient to prepare the bone cement. A corresponding method of preparing bone cement is also disclosed.
US08480285B2	Light guide plate assembly for portable electronic device A light guide plate includes a light source, a first light guide area and a second light guide area. The first light guide area and the second light guide area are formed by a single light guide plate. The first light guide area defines a notch, and the light source is positioned in the notch. A plurality of microdots are provided on one side of the second light guide area, and the microdots uniformly guiding light from the light source to the second light guide area.
US08480284B2	Light guide unit and light source module having scattering reflective unit A light guide unit including a light guide plate and a scattering reflective unit is provided. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The light incident surface includes a first recess and a second recess arranged in a sequence from the first surface to the second surface. An average radius of curvature of the first recess is less than an average radius of curvature of the second recess. The scattering reflective unit is disposed on the second surface. A light source module is also provided.
US08480282B2	Reflective plate and method for manufacturing the same and backlight unit for liquid crystal display device using the same A reflective plate includes a high heat conductivity material having a first heat conductivity and a reflective material having a second heat conductivity on the high heat conductivity material, wherein the first heat conductivity of the high heat conductivity material is greater than the second heat conductivity of the reflective material.
US08480278B2	Decorative lighting strand and method of assembling and installing same A decorative lighting strand for decorating a surface having a limb with a branch extending from the limb, where the strand has a length of wire connecting a plurality of decorative bulbs and midway the strand there is a hub which can be secured on the limb so that the strand can be extended from the hub along the branch from each side of the limb, and the invention includes multiple such strands electrically connected together each of which can be arranged in a horizontal plane of the surface. The invention also includes the method of decorating a surface with one or more such lighting strands which includes the steps of attaching the hub midway the length of the strand to the limb and extending the strand along one or more branches from each side of the hub.
US08480273B2	Positioning structure of turn lamp assembly in outer mirror with turn lamp In an outer mirror with turn lamp having a structure in which a turn lamp assembly is mounted to a mirror housing, then a housing cover is placed over and mounted to the mirror housing, and a lens of the turn lamp assembly is exposed through an opening in the housing cover, misalignment between the lens of the turn lamp assembly and the opening in the housing cover is prevented. A protrusion is formed on a back surface near the innermost part of an opening in a housing cover. A hole is formed in the turn lamp assembly in a position facing the protrusion with the housing cover being placed over the mirror housing. When the housing cover is placed over the mirror housing, the protrusion is inserted into and engaged with the hole. This prevents misalignment between the lens of the turn lamp assembly and the opening in the housing cover.
US08480270B2	Headlamp aiming system A headlamp aiming system is configured to include: a lamp unit; an actuator configured to displace the light axis of the lamp unit; an imaging apparatus configured to acquire the information necessary for adjustment of the light axis; and an ECU configured to control the actuator. By imaging a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the lamp unit with the imaging apparatus, and by controlling the actuator by the ECU such that the deviation between the position of an attention point in a light distribution pattern, obtained from the imaged image information, and the position of a reference point that has been set beforehand becomes the minimum or zero, an attitude of the lamp unit is adjusted such that aiming of the lamp unit can be automatically performed in a self-contained manner.
US08480267B2	LED lighting apparatus, systems and methods of manufacture A light emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus including an array of first optic elements overlying an array of LED chips, wherein each of the LED chips is configured to emit light of a first wavelength range through a light emitting surface of the overlying first optic element. The array of first optic elements are also underlying an array of second optic elements, wherein each of the second optic elements is configured to convert light of the first wavelength range to be emitted through the light emitting surface of the underlying first optic element to light of a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range.
US08480263B1	Heat dissipation structure of lighting device A heat dissipation structure includes a base, a light emission module, a heat dissipation module, and a control circuit module. The base has two ends respectively forming an electrical connector section and an open cavity. The light emission module includes a substrate mounted in the open cavity and a plurality of light emission elements mounted on the substrate. The heat dissipation module includes a plurality of heat dissipation plates stacked on the substrate to form a concentrated heat dissipation zone. Each heat dissipation plate has a circumference forming a plurality of included side wing sections. The side wing sections of different heat dissipation plates have different inclination angle and form an expanded heat dissipation zone. The control circuit module is received in the base and is electrically connected to the substrate and the electrical connector section.
US08480256B2	Xtree systems A wall-mounted Christmas tree device serving as a festive holiday decoration that takes up minimal space. This pine tree-shaped invention may be temporarily removably mounted to at least one wall and/or door or other suitable vertical surface thereby making it easy for occupants of virtually any size residence to display a beautiful, realistic festive decoration. The wall-mounted Christmas tree device disclosed herein preferably comprises the following components: at least two flat tree half outlines; a spine having a plurality of sockets; a base having electrical powering means; and a plurality of insertable branches. The Styrofoam or fiberglass flat tree half outlines may include double-sided tape or a plurality of suction cups to removably attach the wall-mounted Christmas tree device on a vertical surface. A kit for the present invention and method of use is also described herein.
US08480255B2	Light emitting diode (LED) lamp A light emitting diode (LED) lamp and socket system is disclosed. The lamp comprises a first pair of side connecting pins adapted to provide electrical input to at least one LED, the first pair of side connecting pins positioned at an angle from one another such that the angle between the first pair of side connecting pins is defined from the horizontal cross-sectional center of the lamp and the first pair of side connecting pins protrudes outwards from the lamp. The socket is adapted for receiving a LED lamp partially therein, it comprises a base portion adapted to secure at least one pair of side connecting pins of the LED lamp and a top portion adapted for receiving at least one pair of electrical wires, such that when the base portion and top portion are connected, each of the at least one pair of side connecting pins electrically contacts an electrical wire and thereby provides electrical input to the LED lamp.
US08480251B2	Backlight assembly having LEDs and side reflectors and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly includes: a light emitting unit having a plurality of unit LEDs formed in a matrix, each of the unit LEDs having a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED; a plurality of bottom reflectors disposed under the respective unit LEDs; and a plurality of side reflectors disposed around the respective unit LEDs.
US08480247B2	Interchangeable decoration system A decoration system having a base object, receiving rings, decorative objects, and means for releasably coupling the decorative objects to the receiving rings. One or more of the receiving rings may rotate relative to the base object for a specified duration of time.
US08480242B2	Method for producing optical sheet, optical sheet and video display device The present invention provides a method for manufacturing optical sheet having an improved appearance, optical sheet, and an image display device having the optical sheet. The method for manufacturing optical sheet having a plurality of layers in which at least one layer is an optical functional sheet layer comprises: light-transmissive portions configured to be arranged in a row along the surface of a base material layer; and light-absorbing portions arranged between the light-transmissive portions, the method comprising the steps of: forming the light-transmissive portions on one side of the base material layer; and forming the light-absorbing portions repeatedly by filling a binder made of a resin in which light-absorbing particles are dispersed in the gaps between the light-transmissive portions and curing the binder, wherein at least the last step of the repeating step for forming the light-absorbing portions is carried out so that the density of the light-absorbing particles contained in the binder is lower than the density of the same at the first step for forming the light-absorbing portion. The optical sheet is produced by the method; and the image display device is provided with the optical sheet.
US08480240B2	Image capturing apparatus An image capturing apparatus with an image sensor converting the image of a subject and an optical member in front of the image sensor. First and second piezoelectric elements at respective ends of the optical member are independently driven by respective first and second driving units. A detection unit has first and second detecting piezoelectric elements adjacent to the respective first and second piezoelectric elements for detecting vibration of the optical member. A first control unit controls the first and second driving units and the detection unit to vibrate the optical member by vibrating the first piezoelectric element and detect vibration of the optical member using the second detecting piezoelectric element, or vibrate the optical member by vibrating the second piezoelectric element and detect vibration of the optical member using the first detecting piezoelectric element.
US08480236B2	Having a light control unit A projector includes: an illumination system which has a light source, and a light control unit opened and closed to shield a part of light emitted from the light source; a light modulation device illuminated by illumination light received from the illumination system; an air supply device which supplies air to the light control unit and the light modulation device; and an air supply control unit which decreases an air supply amount to the light modulation device when increasing an air supply amount to the light control unit in accordance with a relatively closed condition of the light control unit.
US08480234B2	Method and apparatus for light recapture and sequential channel illumination A filter wheel having spirally shaped left and right channel 3D filters. The 3D filters are, for example, spectral separation filters. The filter is mounted, for example, close to an integrating rod output of a projector. The left and right channel filtered light scrolls across a modulation device which is energized with correspondingly scrolling left and right image data. In one embodiment, the integrating rod comprises mirrored surfaces to facilitate recycling of light reflected off the filter wheel. The filter wheel may be placed in a single or dual projector configuration. In one embodiment, the filters are fixed at the end of an integrating rod using “re-cycled” light to illuminate different channels of a projection system.
US08480231B2	Ophthalmological measuring device and measurement method An ophthalmological measuring device for determining geometric structures in an eye includes an optical, triangulating measurement system for determining at least one geometric reference in the eye by triangulation, and an optical, interferometric measurement system for determining geometric detailed structures in the eye by optical interferometry. The measuring device is designed to position the geometric detailed structures determined by the interferometric measurement system on the basis of the at least one geometric reference in the eye determined by the triangulating measurement system. This firstly allows the interferometric measurement system to register geometric detailed structures in the eye with a high optical resolution and at places that are not visible to the triangulating measurement system, and secondly allows the positioning of said geometric detailed structures in the eye on the basis of geometric references that are determined by the triangulating measurement system without significant movement artifacts.
US08480228B2	Limited echelette lens, systems and methods Systems and methods for providing enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci encompass vision treatment techniques and ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs). Exemplary IOL optics can include a circular surface structure with limited adjacent echelettes which act as a diffractive or phase shifting profile.
US08480225B2	Inkjet recording medium An inkjet recording medium including: a coated paper substrate; and an inkjet-receptive coating applied to at least one side of the coated paper wherein the inkjet-receptive coating includes inorganic oxide particles, a multivalent metal salt and a binder; wherein said inorganic oxide particles includes a cationic porous silica having an average particle size less than 0.5 microns and a pore volume of at least 0.70 ml/g and a surface area less than 200 m2/g, and said inkjet recording medium has a 75° gloss of at least 60.
US08480223B2	Ink for inkjet recording and image forming method There is provided is an ink for inkjet recording, including: a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin including a structural unit represented by the following formula (1) and a structural unit having an ionic group; a nitrogen-containing organic solvent; resin particles; and water, wherein a mass ratio [nitrogen-containing organic solvent/resin particles] is from 2.0 to 6.0: wherein, in formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a halogen atom; L1 represents —COO—, —OCO—, —CONR2—, —O—, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group, wherein “—” represents a bond linking to the main chain; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and L2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and an image forming method.
US08480215B2	Image forming apparatus and atmospheric air opening method An image forming apparatus includes a sub tank that supplies a liquid to a head that ejects liquid droplets, the sub tank including a generating unit that generates a negative pressure inside the sub tank by expanding and contracting as the liquid is supplied to and ejected from the sub tank, and an opening mechanism that performs an opening operation of opening the sub tank to atmospheric air; a supply mechanism that supplies the liquid in a main tank to the sub tank; a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction above a sheet, the head being disposed in the carriage; a moving mechanism that changes a distance between the sheet and the head; and a control unit that causes the opening mechanism to perform the opening operation in conjunction with the moving mechanism changing the distance between the sheet and the ejecting head.
US08480213B2	Liquid containing tank, liquid-jet head unit, and image forming apparatus A liquid containing tank for containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid-jet head. The liquid containing tank includes a containing part containing the liquid supplied from the outside; and a supply channel separated from the containing part by a partition wall rising from the bottom surface of the containing part and supplying the liquid from the containing part to the liquid-jet head. The containing part includes a first region and a second region, the flow speed of the liquid in the first region of the containing part is lower than the flow speed of the liquid in the second region of the containing part, and the horizontal cross sectional area of the first region of the containing part is less than the horizontal cross sectional area of the second region of the containing part.
US08480212B2	Printing apparatus A fail-safe capability is realized that not only forestalls the execution by the user of the head replacement operation in an erroneous sequence while the printing apparatus is in operation but also prevents the splashing of ink even if the user attempts to inadvertently replace the print head. For this purpose, the ink supply and the opening and closing of the print head replacement cover are performed by a predetermined rotation of one drive source.
US08480207B2	Overlap printing Methods and means for imaging are provided. A sequential application hierarchy of two or more colors is defined. A page-wide print array forms images on a moving media using colored inks. Shingling is performed in accordance with the sequential application hierarchy within the overlap print zones of the page-wide print array. Images formed on the media are visually seamless and of proper hue and color saturation throughout as a result of the present teachings.
US08480201B2	Recording device A recording device has a medium-supporting part that supports a long recording medium, a recording processing part that performs recording process on the recording medium supported by the medium-supporting part, a recording processing part conveyance system that moves the recording processing part, a medium conveyance system that includes a first drive roller, a first drive motor, a second drive roller and a second drive motor, and a control unit that controls the recording device. The control unit retracts the recording processing part to an area outside of the medium-supporting part while maintaining the movement direction of the recording processing part at a time at which an abnormality has occurred in an interval in which the recording processing is carried out on the recording medium while the recording processing part scans above the recording medium by the recording processing part conveyance system.
US08480197B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus which prints by discharging ink droplets from a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array based on print data using a printhead including the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array for discharging ink droplets of the same color and different discharge amounts, the apparatus comprising: a specifying unit configured to specify a discharge failure nozzle in the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array; and a controller configured to assign print data corresponding to the discharge failure nozzle specified by the specifying unit to a nozzle of a nozzle array different from a nozzle array to which the discharge failure nozzle belongs, out of the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array.
US08480196B2	Method and apparatus to eject drops having straight trajectories Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce drops having straight trajectories. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes building a drop of a fluid with at least one drive pulse by applying a multi-pulse waveform having the at least one drive pulse and a straightening pulse to the actuator. Next, the method includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop with a straight trajectory in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The straightening pulse is designed to ensure that the drop is ejected without a drop trajectory error.
US08480195B2	Printing device and printing method A printing device that forms a background by a first ink and images on the background by a second ink includes a head having first and second nozzle lines that eject, respectively, the first and second inks. The inks are ejected as the head moves, with respect to a medium, in a main scanning direction intersecting the first and second nozzle lines. A transport section transports the medium in a sub-scanning direction along the first and second nozzle lines. In an ejecting operation, the first and second inks are ejected in the relative movement in the main scanning direction and the relative transportation in the sub-scanning direction is performed. In the sub-scanning direction, first and second nozzle line used areas are set where the first and second inks, respectively, are ejected from the first and second nozzle lines. A nozzle unused area is defined therebetween.
US08480194B2	Shelf, in particular for refrigerated installations A shelf for an item of furniture, especially for a refrigerator or the like, includes a panel for supporting articles and a frame capable of enclosing the panel by its actual surrounding part, the frame configured to allow the shelf to be fitted into the body of the furniture. The shelf further includes at least one retaining member for retaining the panel at its lower part, which retaining member can be inserted laterally into a hole made in a rib of the frame, which rib runs along the panel, being offset internally relative to the external peripheral edge of the frame, and extends beyond the panel, and then can be fastened onto or behind the border wall of the hole, the retaining member bearing, in the fastened position, against the panel.
US08480186B2	Shell assembling device and shell having the same A shell assembling device for assembling a shell having a first cover and a second cover is provided, the shell assembling device comprising: a plurality of rigid fitting structures provided on the first cover and second cover, and a plurality of elastic interference fitting structures provided on the first cover and second cover.
US08480182B2	Rear hub assembly for bicycle A rear hub assembly for bicycle includes a ratchet wheel and a hub body assembled with the ratchet wheel. The hub body has a first hub plate disposed on one end thereof. The first hub plate has a plurality of protrusions formed on an outer lateral surface thereof. A dodging portion is formed between every two adjacent protrusions. A plurality of recesses are defined in an inner lateral surface of the first hub plate. A plane portion is formed between every two adjacent recesses. The first hub plate has a plurality of bores defined therein and located on each protrusion and dodging portion. A first and a second stepped level difference are respectively defined between every recess and plane portion; and between every protrusion and dodging portion. A plurality of spokes engaged with the bores respectively and buckled the first hub plate.
US08480178B2	Assembly chair assembled by plastic board The present invention relates to an assembly chair assembled by plastic board, having a plurality of openings, a plurality of locking tabs, and a plurality of bending lines, and being capable of being bent and locked by hand and manpower for being formed into the assembly chair without any tools, or being capable of disassembling by hand and manpower for being formed into the plastic board without any tools, therefore, the assembly and the disassembly procedure can be easy; besides, the plastic board according to the present invention is flat before assembly, and being able to be stacked up for storage, therefore, the storage capacity of the plastic board is small, and the plastic board would not fall down when being stacked up for storage.
US08480177B2	Armrest device An arm-rest device is constituted by including the following: an armrest body to be installed to a seat rotatably upward/downward; a ratchet mechanism including stationary-side first ratchet teeth, and movable-side second ratchet teeth rotating integrally with the armrest body; coiled springs for urging those in such a direction that they press one another; releasing cam units for releasing the ratchet mechanism from the meshing; elastic claws and a flanged portion for retaining that release; cut-offs for returning the ratchet mechanism to the meshing. And, the armrest body is made of resin, thereby integrally molding the second ratchet teeth at the time of its molding. It thus becomes an armrest device that is lightweight as a whole, whose assembly can also be done with less man-hour requirements, whose feeling of use is also satisfactory, and which is inexpensive and small in size.
US08480176B2	Headrest for dental treatment chair and dental treatment chair The invention provides a headrest for a dental treatment chair and a dental treatment chair wherein discomfort due to noise generated from dental treatment instruments can be reduced and communication between a dentist and a patient can be ensured.The headrest for the dental treatment chair and the dental treatment chair comprise a back head supporting member 91 for supporting a back of the head of the patient during dental treatment and ear supporting members 92 and 92 which can be bent in directions to cover ears of the patient at both ends of the back head supporting member 91. The ear supporting members 92 and 92 or the back head supporting member 91 has sound output sections 93 and 93 each for outputting a sound from a sound source, and the ear supporting members 92 and 92 have a sound collecting section 94 for collecting sounds in a surrounding environment. Acoustic filters 95 and 95 cut off frequencies higher than 8 kHz from a sound signal collected by the sound collecting section 94.
US08480169B2	Adjustable nose width bicycle seat assembly A bicycle seat assembly having an adjustable width nose portion includes an H-shaped base that supports a lateral left side pad and a lateral right side pad. A rail extends under the base and between the left and right side nose portions of the seat assembly. A front rail mount includes a housing, a shuttle, an actuator, and left and right mount supports. Operation of the actuator alters the position of the left and right mount supports relative to the housing and thereby alters a distance between the respective left and right side nose portions of the seat base.
US08480165B2	Vehicle body rear structure A vehicle (1) includes first and second rear-floor cross members (4, 5) provided between right and left rear-floor side members (2, 2) in a vehicle body rear part and a pair of right and left rear-floor cross member braces (6, 6) provided therebetween. The second rear-floor cross member is formed by a three-member connected body consisting of right and left extension parts (52, 52) connected to the right and left rear-floor side members and a body part (51) arranged therebetween. The rear-floor cross member braces are connected to the body part (51) of the second rear-floor cross member. Shock energy of a shock load applied to the vehicle body rear part from the rear can be absorbed efficiently while the deformation of a rectangular region surrounded by the first and second rear-floor cross members and the right and left rear-floor cross member braces is restrained.
US08480157B2	Vehicle back door A vehicle window panel mounted in a window opening formed in a vehicle to close the opening includes a panel body obtained by molding a resin material. A light-transmitting window is integrally connected to the panel body, and a protrusion is integrally connected to the panel body to protrude toward at least one of an inside or outside of the vehicle.
US08480156B2	Vehicle interior trim assembly and corresponding vehicle door The interior trim assembly, comprising: a trim panel (16) comprising a panel screen (20) having a front surface (20A) and a rear surface (20B), the panel comprising a screen opening (24) extending through the panel screen (20); an insert (18) assembled to the rear surface (20A) of the panel screen (20), said insert (18) comprising an insert screen (26) covering at least partially the screen opening (24) and at least one support flange (28) extending from the insert screen (26) and resting on the rear surface (20B) of the panel screen (20), the insert (18) comprising a hooking flange (30) fitted into a groove (42) of the panel (16) in such a manner as to prevent the insert (18) from translating with respect to the panel (16) such that a support flange (28) moves away from the rear surface (20B) of the panel screen (20).
US08480150B2	Armor system An armor panel assembly may comprise a set of bolts for attaching to a vehicle hull, an inner panel demountably attached to the bolts, and at least one outer panel demountably attached to the inner panel. The assembly may include a support panel for attaching the bolts to the hull and may further include brackets for mounting the support panel to the hull. Further, a kit of parts for forming a vehicle armor panel assembly may comprise a set of bolts for attaching to a vehicle hull, an inner panel demountably attachable to the bolts, and at least one outer panel demountably attachable to the inner panel.
US08480144B2	Holding aid for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device and methods of use A securement device to make it much easier for a user to securely hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader, a tablet computing device, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, and a common clipboard—while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands: A typical device solves this problem by providing a system of one or more finger holds formed with a fabric or pliable material that are disposed on the back side of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In many devices, the position and fit of the finger holds are easily adjustable by a user via hook-and-loop schemes.
US08480142B2	Screening panel for a sensor unit of a motor vehicle An adaptive cruise control device in a front part of a motor vehicle has a sensor unit fixedly connected to a crossmember of the vehicle body. The sensor unit has a sensor eye. A screening panel assembly is arranged at the front in a manner adjusted to fit a passage opening in the front part of the vehicle. The screening panel assembly has a holding frame mounted behind the passage opening. The holding frame has an opening exposing the sensor eye. An outer panel frame is mounted to the holding frame at the opening of the holding frame to partly surround and expose the sensor eye. An inner sensor panel is between the outer panel frame and the sensor unit and has an opening surrounding and exposing the sensor eye.
US08480140B2	Sealing fastener A plastic sealing fastener includes a fixing member, a locking member defining a locking slot, a latching strip formed on the fixing member and a cover fixed on the fixing member. The locking member forms a locking portion in the locking slot. The cover defines a covering hole communicating with the locking slot, and a size of the covering hole is less than that of the locking slot. The locking portion comprises, for example, three locking teeth.
US08480139B2	Drum band assembly A drum band assembly for securing a lid to a drum. The drum band assembly includes a band having a first free end and a second free end and an attachment device connected to the band, wherein the attachment device is adapted for removably attaching the band to the drum. The drum band assembly further includes a lid mounting device attached to the lid and the band, wherein the lid mounting device is adapted to allow the lid to open and close on the drum.
US08480130B2	Engine cradle with deflector device An engine cradle mounting an engine in a vehicle has left and right side members spaced laterally apart on opposite sides of the engine, a rear cross member having right and left ends attached respectively to the left and right side members, and a front cross member having left and right ends attached respectively to the left and right side members. Body mounts are provided on the left and right ends of the front cross member for bolting the cradle to the vehicle body. Left and right deflector devices are mounted on the cradle, and each includes an impact receiving member that projects outwardly from the cradle to receive an impact load, and a brace member that extends between the cradle and the impact receiving member to brace the impact receiving member and provide a load path transferring the impact load into the cradle.
US08480127B2	Restraint system with adjustable airbag A restraint system for occupants of a vehicle, comprising a belt; an airbag unit arranged on the belt, wherein the positions of the belt and the airbag unit can be shifted with respect to each other; an airbag in the airbag unit; and means for securing the position of the airbag on the belt, i.e., means by which the airbag and the belt can be fastened together upon deployment of the airbag without the possibility of a shift in their relative positions.
US08480126B2	Airbag An airbag including first and second sheets joined along outer peripheral parts. The second sheet includes a plurality of base cloths. The plurality of base cloths are arrayed around the circumferential direction, and include overlapping parts where adjacent ends are overlapping. At least one of the overlapping parts includes unjoined sections that are not joined together, and the gas inside the airbag can be ejected through the unjoined sections.
US08480124B2	Seat bolster chamber A side impact system for protection of an occupant of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat bolster forming a seat bolster cavity and an inflatable side airbag. The airbag includes a side panel having an outer portion defining an outer chamber. A tube panel is disposed within the side panel and joined to a seat bolster portion of the side panel. The tube panel defines a seat bolster chamber and has an opening to allow gas to flow from the seat bolster chamber to the outer chamber. The tube panel, the seat bolster portion of the side panel, and the seat bolster chamber remain within the seat bolster cavity when inflated. The seat bolster portion of the side panel contacts an inner side of the seat bolster cavity when the airbag is inflated. An inflator is operable to provide gas to the seat bolster chamber and the outer chamber.
US08480122B2	Airbag device An airbag device equipped with an airbag having a reduced volume. An airbag inflated and expanded, by supplied gas, from a state folded in the rear of an instrument panel with respect to the vehicle's front-rear direction has an outer bag for restraining the upper body of a vehicle occupant from the front side in the vehicle's front-rear direction and also has a reaction force support tube inflated and expanded, by supplied gas, at the front on the inner side of the outer airbag. An inflator supplies gas to each of the outer bag and the reaction force support tube. When the outer bag restrains the upper body of the vehicle occupant, gas discharge from the reaction force support tube is suppressed by a one-way valve and the pressure in the reaction force support tube is maintained at a pressure higher than the pressure in the outer bag.
US08480118B2	Airbag with a flexible fastening tab The invention relates to an airbag comprising a flexible fastening tab (3) having a fastening opening (4) for attachment to a motor vehicle by means of a form-locking element (2), whereby a fastening region (14) and a folding region (15) are constructed in the tab (3), the fastening opening (4) is constructed in the fastening region (14) and a folding opening (5) is constructed in the folding region (15), and whereby the folding opening (5) is dimensioned such that the folding region (15) can fold at least partially over the form-locking element (2).
US08480111B1	Enclosed motorcycle An improved enclosed motorcycle (310) is taught, having an electric motor (324) and an improved handlebar assembly (326) employing a torque arm (358) with spherical rod ends (360). The foot brake pedal (328) is improved by attached rigidly to the frame (320) and the bench seat (330) is now slideably attached and the back portion of the bench seat capable of tilting providing the requisite adjustment. The landing wheels (332) are now individually mounted on a support arm (372) hinged on the frame retained by a spring loaded take-up rod assembly (374) allowing stabilizing on uneven surfaces. The entrance doors upper half windows each have vent window (386) hinged independently on a front edge with the hinge including a locking head (392) secured to the window frame for ventilation. The leg doors (340) are hinged horizontally onto the entrance doors (338) and open at a predetermined speed before the motorcycle has stopped.
US08480109B1	Belt drive system A pulley and drive belt system comprising a drive belt and at least one pulley configured to engage a surface of the drive belt, the at least one pulley comprising, a frame configured to rotate about a rotation axis, the frame having a circular outer rim with opposing sides, a plurality of circumferential teeth extending radially and axially of the rim, each tooth having a tooth width and each tooth being configured to be received between adjacent lugs of the drive belt, and an alignment member having a wire form and extending between adjacent circumferential teeth tops, and the alignment member extending no further radially from the rotation axis than the circumferential teeth, a debris ejecting opening disposed radially inward of the alignment member between the circumferential teeth.
US08480107B2	Wheel suspension for a motor vehicle A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a suspension arm having a base body and support elements formed on the base body. Pivotally mounted on the suspension arm for rotation about a rotation axis is a wheel carrier which defines a wheel axis. An adjustment screw is arranged in substantial orthogonal relationship to the wheel axis and received at least one installation opening of the wheel carrier for securing the wheel carrier to the suspension arm.
US08480104B2	Hardening of flexible trailing arms The invention relates to a method for manufacturing of a flexible trailing arm for a wheel axle suspension of a vehicle such as a lorry or a trailer. In the method a steel blank is heated. Next, the blank is formed into the desired shape of the trailing arm by means of a suitable forming process. Following that the trailing arm is austempered by cooling it in a warm fluid medium.
US08480098B2	Golf bag cart A golf bag cart comprises a lower frame including a connecting plate pivotally coupled to a rear wheel stand, a slide element installed at the top of the connecting plate, and an upper carrying base and a lower carrying base for placing and fixing a golf bag; an upper frame coupled to a lower frame and pivotally coupled to the upper carrying base; two front wheel stands coupled to the lower frame and pivotally coupled to the lower carrying base; a link rod module composed of link rod modules and coupled between the upper frame, a slide element and front and rear wheel stands for driving the front and the rear wheel stands or the front and rear wheels to fold or unfold; and a lift switch installed between the upper and lower frames and latched for fixing at a position when the golf bag cart is unfolded.
US08480097B1	Creeper A creeper is formed of a sheet-like material in a tubular configuration, wherein the material is formed of one or more layers joined to one another. The creeper has an inner side defining a coefficient of friction of not more than about 0.35. The material in bulk falls within an acceptable range of specified flexural rigidity, crease resistance and/or puncture resistance.
US08480096B2	Structure of inline skates A structure of inline skates is provided, the structure of inline skates includes a cushion device, a wheel with an annular ratchet wheel on its side, and a pawl assembly. By using the user's weight to press down the structure of present invention, the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side engages the pawl assembly, which stops the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side from rolling in one direction, and the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side can roll in another direction. Thereby, the structure of inline skates is more ergonomic and exercise injuries can be prevented. In addition, a brake is provided for providing shock absorption and as a fulcrum to make more powerful acceleration. Besides, automatic support upright is also provided for avoiding tumbles.
US08480095B2	Heeling apparatus wheel assembly A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.
US08480091B1	Gaming table with interchangeable layouts A casino gaming table having interchangeable layouts includes a table base and a planar tabletop supported on the base. The tabletop has an upper surface and a peripheral edge, at least a portion of which is arcuately shaped. An arcuately shaped rail is mounted to the tabletop adjacent the arcuately shaped peripheral edge but is spaced from the upper surface of the table. A plurality of game layout pads are provided with arcuate peripheral edges. The pads are adapted to rest on the tabletop with their arcuate peripheral edges fitting under the rail in the space between the rail and the table surface. The game layout pads are rigid enough to substantially maintain their planar shape when being moved into and out of position but can be flexed in order to insert their arcuate peripheral edges into the space between said lower surface of the rail and the upper surface of the tabletop. Three pads with a different game on each can be accommodated on the table with their peripheral edges fitting within the space between the rail and the tabletop.
US08480089B2	Multi-stage poker game A multi-stage poker game or tournament and a method for conducting the same comprising a first stage in which a first plurality of players buy in at a first amount and a second stage in which a second plurality of players buy in at a second, greater amount. The second stage is a continuation of the game, such that non-eliminated players from the first stage may continue playing the game, along with the second plurality of players. The latter group may start the second stage with substantially equal chip counts, but the chip counts for the former group may be unevenly distributed, e.g., in proportion or substantially equal to their chip counts at the end of the first stage. The end of the first stage or beginning of the second stage may be marked by the occurrence of a predetermined trigger, such as a predetermined average chip count being reached or percentage or number of first stage players being eliminated.
US08480082B2	Image forming apparatus A sheet is fed to a registration roller pair by a separation-feeding unit formed by a sheet feeding roller and a separation portion, and is caused to abut a nip portion of the registration roller pair at rest to form a loop in the sheet. Then, when the registration roller pair rotates at a predetermined timing to convey the sheet, a pressurization plate is raised again to bring the sheet into press contact with the sheet feeding roller to thereby impart a conveyance force to the sheet, making it possible to feed the sheet reliably to the registration roller pair.
US08480081B2	Sheet conveying apparatus, image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus The skew feeding amount of a sheet front end is calculated according to the difference between timings when activation sensors detect the sheet front end, and the skew feeding amount of the sheet side edge is calculated according to the difference between side edge positions of the sheet detected by the first side registration detection sensor or the second side registration detection sensor. Further, whether a sheet is a rectangular sheet or a non-rectangular sheet is determined before skew feeding of the sheet is corrected, and, when the sheet is determined to be a rectangular sheet, the skew feeding correcting portion is controlled based on one of the sheet side edge skew feeding amount and sheet front end skew feeding amount and the skew feeding correcting portion is controlled based on the sheet side edge skew feeding amount when the sheet is determined to be a non-rectangular sheet.
US08480077B2	Document processing apparatus and method of operating a document processing apparatus A document processing apparatus comprises a document transport path which extends from an upstream end to a downstream end, a low speed drive disposed at the upstream end of the document transport path and for transporting a document along the document transport path from the upstream end towards the downstream end, a high speed drive disposed at the downstream end of the document transport path and for receiving a document being transported along the document transport path from the low speed drive, an actuatable document processing device disposed at the downstream end of the document transport path and for, when actuated, performing a downstream processing operation on a document being transported along the document transport path, a sensor for (i) sensing speed of movement of a document which is being transported along the document transport path from the upstream end to the downstream end, and (ii) providing a first electrical signal which is indicative of speed of movement of the document, and a controller for (i) monitoring the first electrical signal to thereby monitor speed of movement of the document along the document transport path, (ii) detecting when speed of movement of the document has increased from a first speed to a second speed which is greater than the first speed, (iii) providing a second electrical signal to actuate the document processing device to perform the downstream processing operation in response to detection of speed of movement of the document having increased from the first speed to the second speed.
US08480075B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus having a pickup roller rotated to pick up a printing medium. The image forming apparatus includes support members operated in connection with the rotation of the pickup roller, and the pickup of the printing medium is carried out under the condition that both sides of the printing medium are supported by the support members. The image forming apparatus thereby prevents jams generated in the process of picking up a deformed printing medium.
US08480073B1	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus incorporating same A sheet feeder includes: an attracting and separating device disposed above a leading end portion in a sheet-feeding direction of a sheet stack, attracting and holding an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack with electrostatic force and separating the uppermost sheet from the sheet stack, a sheet loading device carrying the sheet stack, and including a first bottom plate carrying a rear-side portion of the sheet stack and a second bottom plate separated from the first bottom plate and carrying the leading end portion of the sheet stack below the attracting and separating device; and a lifting device lifting and lowering the sheet loading device, and including a first lifting device lifting and lowering the first bottom plate and a second lifting device lifting and lowering the second bottom plate to move the leading end portion of the sheet stack toward and away from the attracting and separating device.
US08480072B2	Flat-article feed device and a postal sorting machine A flat-article feed device comprising a supply magazine in which flat articles are moved in a stack on edge in a first transfer direction, a separator for separating the leading flat article of the stack from the remainder of the stack and for driving it in a second transfer direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first transfer direction, an unstacker that takes a flat article that is being unstacked and brings it in the second transfer direction to the inlet of a conveyor, and a retainer that exerts a retaining force that opposes movement of the flat article towards the conveyor, the unstacker being offset from the separator by a distance not less than the maximum length of a flat article, and the retainer being provided facing the unstacker. A postal sorting machine including such a feed device.
US08480071B2	Recording device A recording device that includes a feed roller for feeding a first and a second sheets sequentially, a first and a second conveying devices that convey the sheets in synchronization, a recording device that records image on the sheets, and a controller, that, after image recording on the first sheet is complete, stops the first and second conveying devices when a trailing end of the first sheet reaches a particular position between the first and the second conveying devices. The controller further controls the feed roller to feed the second sheet, such that a leading end of the second sheet contacts a nip of the first conveying device. After the leading end of the second sheet contacts the nip, the controller rotates the first conveying device in a reverse direction.
US08480068B2	Newspaper production apparatus Provided is a newspaper production apparatus which can make the processing mechanisms after digital printing small-scaled and which can quite easily obtain a favorably stacked state of sheets. The newspaper production apparatus includes: a paper feeding unit which feeds a continuous paper; ink jet printing units; and a folding unit which cuts and folds the continuous paper after being printed. The folding unit is configured as a rotary folding unit provided with a folding cylinder including: a retaining mechanism which retains a sheet on an outer circumferential surface of the folding cylinder; and a folding blade mechanism which projects the retained sheet radially outward. The rotary folding unit is capable of collect run by which sheets retained by the retaining mechanism are folded at each plural number of turns of the folding cylinder.
US08480066B2	Head gimbal assembly alignment with compliant alignment pin This disclosure includes a system for aligning an unmounted head gimbal assembly (HGA) comprising a platform for a base plate of the HGA. The platform defines an X-Y plane. The system further comprises a compliant alignment pin extending beyond the platform in a Z-dimension perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The compliant alignment pin includes a tapered portion having a maximum diameter larger than a diameter of a boss hole in the base plate of the HGA. The compliant alignment pin is deflectable in the Z-dimension to allow the base plate of the HGA to register with the platform. The system further comprises a second alignment pin extending beyond the platform in the Z-dimension. The second alignment pin is configured to register with an HGA reference feature of the HGA when the boss hole of the HGA registers with the compliant alignment pin to precisely align the HGA relative to the compliant alignment pin and the second alignment pin.
US08480063B2	Wetted wall venturi scrubber with a 2-stage venturi throat A venturi scrubber which avoids clogging in the throat by dust particles is developed. The scrubber includes a venturi tube, two scrubbing fluid conduits and a storage tank. The venturi tube has a converging section, a diverging section and a throat section which is connected between the converging section and the diverging section. The scrubbing fluid conduit has a top end connected with the bottom end of the converging section of the venturi tube, and a bottom end extending into the storage tank. Thereby, scrubbing fluid can be guided directly into the storage tank without passing through the throat section. As a result, the clogging of dust particles on the converging section of the venturi throat can be minimized and the abnormal increase in the pressure drop of the air flow through the throat can also be avoided.
US08480051B2	Vehicle seat, especially motor vehicle seat A vehicle seat (1) is provided with a base (3), which is connected to a vehicle structure (7). The vehicle seat (1) is adjustable at least between a use position and an easy-entry position. The vehicle seat (1) is guided displaceably in at least one track (5) with at least one first, straight area (15a) and at least one additional, curved area (15c). At least three rollers (17, 23, 23″) or link blocks are provided each per track (5). The three rollers (17, 23, 23″) support the vehicle seat (1) in the use position in the same at the track (5) and only two of the rollers (17, 23) or link blocks are arranged within the same track (5) in the easy-entry position.
US08480048B2	Fascia attachment system A fascia mounting system for a window covering includes a bracket having a front flange with a removable spring clip at the bottom of the front flange. A fascia member of the system includes structure engaging the upper end of the flange and the spring clip at the bottom of the flange.
US08480047B2	Flexible adjustable storage system for Sea-Land shipping containers A flexible and adjustable storage system for inside a Sea-Land shipping container provides at least two hangers, each hanger having a releasable anchor for attachment to a lashing ring, a flexible member of a vertical support depending from the releasable anchor, at least one rigid horizontal support member having a first end portion and a spaced apart second end portion, each end portion carrying an adjustable fastener for adjustable attachments to the flexible member for vertical support.
US08480046B2	Bracket for mounting expansion card to different slots A bracket for mounting an expansion card to different slots of enclosures is disclosed. The bracket includes a base for attaching the expansion card thereon, a pair of rails attached on the base, a sliding element being slidably connected between the rails, a connecting element fixed to the sliding element and a locking element slidably connected to the sliding element. The sliding element is movable on the base between at a first position where the connecting element is received in the base and a second position where the connecting element is spaced from the base. The locking element is movable relative to the sliding element to fix the sliding element to the base or release the sliding element from the base.
US08480045B2	Slotted suction cup with transverse bore and holding device A suction cup has a generally cylindrical neck integral with and extending outwardly from the cup portion outer surface. The neck is formed of a pair of legs separated by a slot opening to an exposed end of the neck. The neck also has a transverse bore passing through the legs along an axis that intersects the slot. Preferably the axis is normal to the slot. The suction cup may have a support or hook having a curved portion. The hook or support has a straight portion and a cross member attached to the straight portion. At least part of the straight portion is within the slot of the suction cup and at least part of the cross member is within the bore.
US08480042B2	Infant item holder An infant item holder for holding one or more infant items. The infant item holder may include a base with a passage. The infant item holder may also include an elongated member that is longer than the passage and includes first and second ends. The elongated member may be positioned in the passage with the first end extending from a first side of the passage and the second end extending from a second side of the passage. The elongated member may be movably positioned within the passage and adjustable between a first orientation with the first end in closer proximity to the base than the second end, and a second orientation with the second end in closer proximity to the base than the first end. Infant items may be positioned at the ends of the elongated member. A first infant item may be positioned in proximity to an infant in the first orientation, and a second infant item may be positioned in proximity to the infant in the second orientation.
US08480039B2	Bracket of electronic device A bracket is provided for fixing an electronic device therein. The bracket includes a main frame and a fixing member. The main frame has a connecting portion and two sideboards. The two sideboards are disposed to two ends of the connecting portion respectively and the two sideboards are disposed in parallel. A distance is kept between the two sideboards to accommodate the electronic device therein, and one of the two sideboards has a plurality of assembling holes. The fixing member is detachably mounted to the sideboard having the assembling holes. A plurality of connecting members are disposed to one side of the fixing member, for passing through the assembling holes respectively and being fixed on the electronic device, so as to fix the electronic device between the two sideboards.
US08480037B2	Device for determining the position of a throttle lever in an aircraft A device for determining a position of a throttle lever includes position sensors each connected to a primary flight control computer, position sensors each connected to an engine management computer, the position sensors being split into at least three groups of sensors with no common simple failure mode, and at least one interface computer, that includes at least one input to receive measurement information emitted by the computers connected to the position sensors and outputs leading to the engine management computer.
US08480032B2	Aircraft de-icing device and engine nacelle of an aircraft gas turbine with de-icing device An aircraft de-icing device and an engine nacelle of an aircraft gas turbine is provided with a de-icing device, with the engine nacelle 1 in the inflow area being provided with an annular air duct 2, into which heated air is introduced. At least one oil cooler 3 is arranged in the engine nacelle 1, to which engine oil is fed and which is supplied with ambient air, with the heated airflow leaving the oil cooler 3 being passed through the air duct 2.
US08480027B2	Movable storage unit for an accommodation module of an aircraft According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a storage module is stated that is positioned in a region between two frame elements of an aircraft and that can be moved to a folded-out state. The storage unit forms part of a crew rest compartment in an aircraft.
US08480025B2	Rear part of an aircraft including an engine support structure assembled so as to oscillate on the fuselage A rear part of an aircraft including two connecting rods positioned symmetrically on either side of a median vertical plane, wherein each connecting rod has an end mounted on a support structure of the engines and another end mounted on the fuselage, wherein this part is configured to allow, by rotation of the connecting rods around their axes of rotation, an oscillating movement of limited amplitude of the assembly formed by the support structure and the engines, relative to the fuselage, through the first and second fuselage openings.
US08480024B2	Corrugated paper reel A collapsible reel having a high strength to weight ratio is provided. The collapsible reel comprises a core, around which a flexible media is wound, and flanges which prevent the wound flexible media from migrating axially off of the core. The core is formed of first and second blanks having hub portions and a plurality of spaced apart tabs projecting from the hub portions. To form the core, the tabs of each blank are folded and the tabs of the first blank are secured to the corresponding tabs of the second blank. The flanges are then adhered to the outer surface of the hub portions.
US08480019B1	Rolls for use with crop processor, system and method for processing crops A roll for use in processing crop materials in a crop processor apparatus is disclosed. The roll has a generally cylindrical cross-section and a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges and longitudinal grooves on a surface of the roll. The longitudinal ridges having outer edges interrupted by gaps between the ends of the roll, forming tooth segments between the ends of the roll.
US08480016B2	Device for processing feedstock A device for mixing, grinding, drying, deagglomeration, crushing, or coating of feedstock with a rotor is provided, rotating around an axis within a housing, and a stator, fixed relative to the housing, encompassing the rotor with maintenance of a radial working gap. The rotor has rotor tools, which are distributed over its outer surface and whose active edges for crushing the feedstock work together with the stator tools on the inner circumference of the stator. In this regard, the feedstock is supplied in the carrier gas stream to the working gap. For effective processing of the feedstock, it is proposed according to the invention that in the outer surface of the rotor a plurality of indentations is introduced, whereby areas between two adjacent indentations form webs, which form the active edges of the rotor tools.
US08480010B2	Surface acoustic wave atomizer A surface acoustic wave atomizer includes a piezoelectric substrate which has a pattern electrode on a surface and a liquid supply member for supplying a liquid to the surface and atomizes the liquid supplied to the surface by surface acoustic wave, and between the liquid supply member and the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a small gap is provided in an area which is designed to hold and guide the liquid and a large gap is provided in an area which is not designed to supply the liquid, so that the liquid is supplied to an atomizing area in an area away from the pattern electrode in the surface of the piezoelectric substrate by using a difference in surface tension due to sizes of the gaps. The liquid can be supplied stably by the small gap and a distribution of the liquid can be limited by the large gap.
US08480008B1	Rail controller mounting apparatus An apparatus for supporting a switch controller to a rail tie utilizing a frame. The frame extends along the rail tie and includes a platform which is spaced from one rail and cantilevered relative to the tie. A mount positions the switch controller to the platform and a clamp connects the frame relative to the rail tie to permit the proper positioning of the platform relative to the one rail.
US08480005B2	Cabin heating control system A system described is for providing improved cabin heating. The system may include a vehicle cabin heating system having a first and second heating system receiving coolant flow from the engine; and a control system for operating the engine at a first engine idle speed upon entering idle speed control operation from previous drive operation, maintaining said first idle speed for a duration, and then increasing engine speed to increase coolant flow to the second heating system during cold ambient conditions when the second heater system is in operation.
US08480000B2	Packing bag with radio frequency identification function and manufacturing method thereof The present invention is to provide a packing bag with a RFID function, which comprises a bag body, two conductive films and a RFID chip. The metal layer includes a first slot formed at a position proximate to an edge of the bag body and is used as a slot antenna. A second slot is formed between the two conductive films, and has a size capable for fixing the pins on two corresponding sides of the RFID chip onto the two conductive films respectively. The two conductive films are fixed on an external surface of an insulating layer of the bag body at a position corresponding to the first slot, such that the two conductive films can be coupled to two feed-in points of the slot antenna respectively, and the RFID chip can receive and transmit electromagnetic signals through the slot antenna (or the metal layer) accordingly.
US08479990B2	Portable data collection apparatus A portable data collection apparatus includes an apparatus body and a retaining element arranged for connecting said apparatus body to a hand of a user, the retaining element being so shaped as to enable said apparatus body to rotate between a position in which the apparatus body is in contact with the palm of the hand and a further position in which the palm is free of the apparatus body, in the further position the apparatus body being supported by the hand by means of the retaining element.
US08479988B2	System for pharmacy tracking and customer id verification A method of distributing a filled prescription order from a worker of a pharmacy to a customer includes providing a computer-readable memory device having saved thereon a first identifier of the customer and a second identifier of the customer. The method also includes requesting the first identifier from the customer and requesting the second identifier from the customer. Also, the method includes inputting the first and second identifiers into an input device by at least one of the worker and the customer. Moreover, the method includes confirming an identity of the customer by confirming that the first and second identifiers input correspond satisfactorily with the first and second identifiers saved on the memory device. Still further, the method includes limiting transfer of the filled prescription order from the worker to the customer until confirming the identity of the customer.
US08479985B1	Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine may also include a portal device that is operative to cause the display, card reader and other devices in the machine to operate in response to communications through the portal device.
US08479977B2	Method of receiving and paying out bills A method of receiving and paying out bills including the steps of providing a bill passage in about the central portion of an elongate casing that extends along one side of a bill receiving chamber having a bill payback: outlet; providing a bill conveying apparatus for conveying a bill delivered to said bill passage to a predetermined position for receiving it; utilizing a bill pushing member being capable of moving in a reciprocating motion across said passage to bill receiving chamber when the bill located at said predetermined position in said passage to be received, effects receiving of the bill by pushing it with a surface of said bill pushing member across from said passage; disengaging the rearmost bill from said bill receiving chamber by operating bill extracting apparatus in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount while said bill pushing member is activated causing it to extract away and pull out from a rearmost bill leading edge retainer which holds the remaining bills in position; and, operating the extracting apparatus in the forward direction to transport said extracted rearmost bill through said bill payback outlet to said bill conveying apparatus which is operated in reverse to direct it to the customer.
US08479967B2	Surgical stapling apparatus with powered retraction A surgical stapling apparatus comprises a handle assembly, an actuation shaft having a connector, and a retraction mechanism positioned within the handle assembly. The retraction mechanism includes a motor coupled to a transmission shaft, a first gear rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, the first gear configured to engage a second gear, a clutch operatively attached to the second gear, a main shaft rotatably connected to the clutch, and a pulley coupled to the main shaft, the pulley being operatively attached to the connector. The connector and the pulley may be attached via a cable. The retraction mechanism may include a spring motor for maintaining the cable in tension. The spring motor may have a spring element wrapped around and interconnecting at least two arbors.
US08479965B2	Auto hammer An auto hammer has a housing, a grip portion and a striking device. The striking device has a striking rod that can strike a fastening element using a liner reciprocating motion. The striking device also has an associated clamping mechanism for clamping the fastening element. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping member, a driving part and a sliding member, wherein the clamping member is pivotally arranged in the sliding member and is connected to the driving part, and the driving part can rotate relative to the sliding member so as to cause the clamping member to rotate pivotally in the sliding member. The clamping mechanism may thus firmly clamp the fastening element in a manner that is convenient for users.
US08479963B2	Pneumatic driving machine The nailing machine (1) comprises an air passage (510) allowing communication between a cylinder (200) and a return air chamber (500) in which compressed air for returning a piston (300) to the initial position is accumulated. The air passage (510) is provided with a control valve (520) controlling entry of compressed air into the return air chamber (500) from the cylinder (200). The control valve (520) opens the air passage 510 and allows entry of compressed air into the return air chamber (500) in the case wherein the nailed object produces a small reaction force upon driving the nail, namely when the upward moving distance of the body (100) relative to the push lever (700) is smaller than a predetermined distance. The compressed air that has entered the return air chamber (500) further enters a below-the-piston chamber and serves as air damper, reducing excess energy absorbed by a piston bumper (360).
US08479960B2	Portable telephone holder for sun visor The present invention may be used for positioning portable telephones on sun visors in vehicles. The holder may be in the general form of a rectangular box structure with a back side wall with a hanger attached, a right and a left side wall attached to the back side wall, a front side wall attached to the two side walls, and a bottom wall to form an open top interior chamber. The front side wall may have at least one opening therein.
US08479959B2	Device for lifting, supporting, transporting and unloading a kayak or canoe A device for lifting, supporting, transporting and unloading a kayak, comprising, engagement means for releasably and securely engaging the coaming of the kayak support means for stably supporting the engagement means and engaged kayak on an individual's shoulders and rotation means in engagement with the support means and the engagement means adapted to rotate the engagement means relative to the support means.
US08479958B1	Carrying bag A carrying bag including an adjustable shoulder strap as well as an adjustable secondary strap that fits across a wearer's back and around an arm opposite the shoulder strap and that has a pouch integrally attached to a carrier body thereof, the pouch accessible by both a zipper and through an opening having a flap thereover. A waist belt is also provided as an additional way to secure the carrying bag to a wearer.
US08479954B2	System for identifying fluid pathways through a fluid carrying device A beverage dispensing system is disclosed, typical of prior art beverage dispensing systems, in that it is designed to dispense fluids, such as syrup and/or soda and water, from a bar gun. The bar gun is connected by a multiplicity of lines to a manifold and flow control assembly. The manifold and flow control assembly, in turn, receives a number of different fluids, typically syrup, water and soda, under pressure from a number of different pressurized containers. Applicants' novel system includes schematics, typically in the form of adhesive labels, applied to the dispensing system, typically on the manifold and flow control assembly, which schematics illustrate the button arrangement on the handle, and the inlet port layout on the handle, and relate the same, using words, symbols or a combination, to indicia identified ports on the manifold and flow control assembly.
US08479952B2	Closure unit with cap and pour spout for container neck finish A package includes a pour spout and a closure cap. The pour spout is adapted to fit into a neck finish associated with a container.
US08479951B2	Pressure activated automatic source switching dispenser system A dispenser includes a housing that holds first and second refill units, each including a product container and a valve assembly that receives product from the product container. An actuator mechanism associates with the first refill unit and is actuated to force air into the associated valve assembly and dispense product from the valve assembly until such time as the product container associated with that valve assembly is empty. When empty, a float valve of the valve assembly prevents the actuation of the actuator mechanism and forces the actuator mechanism to associate with the second refill unit. While so associated, the first refill unit can be replaced, thus, helping to ensure that the dispenser does not run out of product.
US08479946B2	Portable drip containment device apparatus and method A portable drip containment device comprises a tray formed of fuel and chemical resistant fabric. Side walls of the tray are supported by removable bolster segments formed of resilient open cell foam members enclosed within sleeves. The bolster segments are wrapped within a flap of material extending from under the side wall of the tray and around the bolster segments to secure them to the side walls. The outer edge or end of the flap is secured to the side wall. The bolstered side walls may be repeatedly driven across by industrial vehicles without harming the bolster or side wall. The modular bolster segments may be removed and easily stacked, and the tray folded and rolled into a compact modular form, for transport, storage, and reuse of the portable containment tray.
US08479939B1	Transportable storage device A transportable storage device having three compartments wherein a main compartment is configured to maintain a temperature dissimilar to that of its environment. The transportable storage device includes two opposedly mounted storage compartments that are hingedly attached so as to have a first position and a second position. The two opposedly mounted storage compartments are secured utilizing a pair of support arms. A first container is disposed within the main compartment and is superposed a plurality of support brackets. An access hatch is further included being mounted within the main compartment and operable to cover a second opening in the wall of the main compartment. A second container is included and is rotatably mounted within one of the two opposedly mounted storage compartments. A sliding transport member is further included and is configured to slidably traverse the storage device across a terrain.
US08479933B2	Removable truck-mounted crane A truck-mounted crane is disclosed. The truck-mounted crane may include an elongated pole member, a pivoting arm pivotally attached to the elongated pole member, a support member secured to the elongated pole member, an extension member secured to the support member, an elongated securing member, and an anchoring member. When secured to a truck, the support member may rest on the rim of a truck bed with the secured extension member being positioned within a socket of the truck bed rim. In such configuration, one end of elongated pole member may be pivotally attached to the pivoting arm and the other end of the elongated pole member may be secured to a cargo loop of a truck using the elongated securing member and an anchoring member.
US08479931B1	Multi-purpose drapery rod system Multi-purpose drapery rod system uses unique rod and bracket construction to provide superior platform for single and layered drapery. A single-drapery rod cooperates with bracket to attach to surfaces at nearly any angle to the rod. The single-drapery rod is easily converted to a Type 1 dual-drapery rod which layers accent drapery to the side and in front of primary drapery without a view-obstructing front rod, or to a Type 2 rod which layers fully-drawable primary drapery in front and to the sides of secondary drapery. Both types are easily converted to the other due to their modular construction, and both display drapery from the back, front, and along the sides by connecting the back and front with curved sections between them. System also includes a unique motorized assembly which easily mounts to a wall, connects to an existing traverse rod, and converts to a dual-drapery rod when desired.
US08479925B2	Display system A display for a shelving unit of the type having a bay defined in part by lower and upper horizontal supports that comprises a first rail mounted on the lower horizontal support and a second rail mounted on the upper horizontal support. A body is disposed between the first and second rails. The body is in free moving contact with the first rail and the second rail such that the body is freely movable along the length of the rails. The body supports a user interface device. The display of the invention may be used where the user interface controls the functions of a co-located machine.
US08479923B2	Process for selective separation and for the simultaneous increase in purity, of spent, fragmented, organic materials by means of aqueous media having chosen densities Process for the selective separation, and for the simultaneous increase in purity, of two spent, fragmented, synthetic organic materials having different densities, mixed together or mixed with various contaminating materials to be eliminated, by means of dense aqueous media, each aqueous medium of which has a chosen density “ds” as threshold for separating said organic materials and contaminants, characterized in that the process comprises: a) a step of separating the mixture into two streams, a supernatant stream (a1) and a settled stream (a2); b) a step of separating the components of the supernatant stream (a1), by eliminating the supernatant fraction and collecting the settled fraction formed from the fragments of the first recyclable spent synthetic organic material; c) a step of separating the components of the settled stream (a2) by collecting the supernatant fraction and eliminating the settled fraction; and d) a step of separating the components of the supernatant stream by eliminating the supernatant fraction and collecting the settled fraction formed from the fragments of the second recyclable spent synthetic organic material.
US08479922B2	Shieldable bag system and devices One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a shielding apparatus including a double-lined container having an outer pocket and an inner pocket mounted within the outer pocket. The inner and outer pockets each form an enclosure having a continuous closed edge interrupted by an opening. The continuous closed edge of the outer pocket is adjacent the continuous closed edge of the inner pocket, and the opening of the outer pocket is adjacent the opening of the inner pocket. The adjacent openings are interconnected and include a device for simultaneously opening and closing the interconnected adjacent openings. A first plurality of stitches and folds are included in the continuous closed edge of the inner pocket and a second plurality of stitches and folds are included in the continuous closed edge of the outer pocket.
US08479921B2	Child resistant blister package A child and bite resistant package having a tray and a plurality of spaced apart cavities that are formed therein is provided. A sheet material overlies the tray such that a product disposed in a cavity is enclosed and sealed therein. The sheet material includes a plurality of zones of weakening that are each disposed above a corresponding cavity. Each of the zones of weakening is formed by a plurality of microperforations that are formed in the sheet material. The plurality of microperforations, and hence, each zone of weakening covers from about 5 to 90% of the surface area of the sheet material that overlies each of the individual compartments. To access a product, the product is pushed against the lidding in the zone of weakness with sufficient force to rupture the lidding. Since the majority of the surface area above each compartment is non-rupturable, the compartments are difficult to access by a child by either hand manipulation or biting.
US08479919B2	Injectable fluid vial housing A container for housing an injectable fluid vial. The container includes a calculation aid formed specific to the injectable fluid vial. The container is formed from a bottom, a top, and an inset side wall therebetween with a resealable lid. The top includes an opening constructed and arranged to receive the fluid vial housing. Alternatively, the container is formed from two half sections that are hinged together for holding the fluid vial housing therebetween. An inner label is permanently attached to the sidewall having at least one row of dosing indicia coordinated with a base line indicia selected from the group of weight, age, fluid volume or area. An outer label is rotatably secured over said inner label with at least one transparent window allowing selective viewing of the dosing and base line indicia and predetermined dosing rate.
US08479915B2	Adjustable protective cover for electronic device The present invention relates to an adjustable protective cover for electronic device that is consists of a front cover and a back cover; wherein the front cover and the back cover are connected and are capable of folding to cover and contain an electronic device. The inner surface of the back cover is a surface capable of being stuck and fixed that allows at least two independent corner covers to be fixed thereon. The independent corner cover has a base seat, whereon a fixing strip is disposed to fit with a corner of electronic device body. The independent corner cover is capable of adjusting the sticking position according to the size of electronic device in order to contain and protect electronic device bodies of different sizes.
US08479914B2	System and method for dispensing additives to a container A method and system for liquid dispensing provides an additive to a base liquid in a container. The additive may be enclosed by an additive bladder that is contained in a container cap and supported by a retaining element having an additive dispensing hole. When the cap is screwed down, a concave element in the cap may press the additive bladder and dispense the additive.
US08479904B2	Torque setting device A device for setting the torque transferred from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft by a friction clutch comprises a supporting element and an axially displaceable adjusting element which is rotatable with respect to the supporting element and which is operatively connected to the friction clutch for the actuation of the latter, the adjusting element comprising a toothed ring, and the supporting element and adjusting element cooperating via coupling elements in such a way that a rotation of the adjusting element in relation to the supporting element brings about an axial displacement of the adjusting element in relation to the supporting element. The device comprises a linearly displaceable rack element which is in engagement with the toothed ring of the adjusting element, and an electrically activatable linear drive arrangement for the controlled displacement of the rack element.
US08479901B2	Hydrodynamic torque converter A hydrodynamic torque converter with an impeller connected on the drive side arranged in housing and a turbine driven by the latter, connected with the driven side of the torque converter, with a turbine damper actively disposed between the turbine and driven side. To improve the vibration damping on the driven side of the torque converter, the turbine damper with a first damper part is formed out of an input part connected with the turbine and an intermediate flange, limited and rotatable opposite and against the action of at least a first energy accumulator and a second damper part with the intermediate flange and an output part limited and rotatable oppositely and against the action of at least a second energy accumulator. An adaptive-speed vibration absorber is arranged on the intermediate flange.
US08479896B2	Hydrodynamic retarder A hydrodynamic retarder having a first blade wheel and a second blade wheel concentric thereto, forming a hydrodynamic circuit grouped about a common rotary axis. Each blade wheel includes a base body and a blade arrangement fixed thereto including a plurality of blades each connected to receptacles in the base body. A first ring segment of at least one blade wheel includes at least one first blade having a flow edge facing the other blade wheel in each case, said edge having at least one extension running in a substantially straight line between the radial outer end thereof and the radial inner end thereof, and at least one second blade is provided in a second ring segment of the blade wheel, the blade having a retraction both opposite the flow edge facing the other blade wheel in each case, and opposite a protrusion protruding in the direction of the other blade wheel.
US08479895B2	Vibration damper with stroke-dependent damping force A vibration damper with stroke-dependent damping force includes a cylinder in which a piston rod with a piston is axially movable. The piston divides the cylinder into two work spaces filled with damping medium. A bypass between the work spaces is opened or closed depending on the piston position. The piston has a damping valve for at least one through-flow direction formed by a valve body that partially covers a through-flow channel in the damping valve. The valve body has first and second pressure-actuated surfaces on opposite sides of the valve body. The action of the second pressure-actuated surface depends on the position of the piston in relation to the bypass. The first pressure-actuated surface exerts a lifting force and the second pressure-actuated surface exerts a closing force on the valve disk. The second pressure-actuated surface is connected to a control space and a connection channel that overlaps with the bypass depending on the stroke position of the piston.
US08479892B2	Aircraft braking actuator An aircraft wheel brake assembly has a housing for attachment to the landing gear of an aircraft, a friction plate in non-rotational sliding engagement with the housing, an actuated plate for non-rotational sliding engagement with an aircraft wheel, an aircraft brake actuator comprising, a first shaft for connection to a drive source, the first shaft defining a first axis, and, a second shaft for connection to, and actuation of, the brake assembly, the second shaft defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, in which the first shaft and second shaft are connected in driving engagement by a ball-worm gear.
US08479884B2	Automatic locking device for track mounted gangway A locking device and apparatus is disclosed. The locking device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a device such as a track mounted gangway and safety cage to reduce the ability to reposition the gangway and safety cage along a track surface while in the lowered access position. The locking device preferably includes a lever assembly and a pivot assembly having a friction pad connected to the lever assembly. When the lever assembly and/or gangway device is adjusted in a first direction, the friction pad applies pressure on the track surface and moveability between the gangway and the track surface is reduced.
US08479878B2	Channeling gas flow tube A tube for moving gas between an entry end into which gas is introduced and an exit end through which gas exits the tube, the tube comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent□ guides, each guide comprising an outer half of a smoothly-curved, modified torus, and an outer rigid tube wall. Each guide forms an internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into an inner portion of the tube, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the tube, and the flow of fluid in the tube is unidirectional and axial from the entry end to the exit end.
US08479875B2	Acoustic isolation mechanism A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.
US08479874B2	Acoustic enclosure for loudspeakers Acoustic enclosure for mounting loudspeakers (1) that contains a certain number of curved-profile guides (8) arranged radially beside one another at a specific distance and forming a ring (7), between which the sound from the loudspeaker is propagated from the central space (6) to the outer ring (9), which it enters obliquely as a result of the curvature of the guides. Since said ring (9) contains no elements against which the sound can be reflected back into the conduits, it works like a closed circuit or track that the sound passes through until it is exhausted, keeping the inner face of the membrane of the loudspeaker free of disturbances that, in conventional enclosures, are caused by the reflected sound when it hits the membrane during the lifetime of the sound, thereby eliminating the distortion and alterations of the natural response linearity of the loudspeaker from this source.
US08479873B2	Loudspeaker A loudspeaker comprising a horn waveguide having a throat and a waveguide surface; an acoustic radiator assembly, located at the throat of the waveguide, comprising a diaphragm having a rigid acoustically radiating surface shaped as a section from a toroidal surface for generating acoustic wavefronts, the waveguide surface being adapted to match the shape of the wavefronts coming from the assembly.
US08479870B2	Power steering system Disclosed is a power steering system comprising: a control valve disposed in the steering mechanism to selectably supply a working liquid supplied from a first pump or a second pump to a pair of pressure chambers of a power cylinder providing a steering force for at least one steered wheel in accordance with a rotational steering operation of a steering wheel; a first switching valve disposed between the first pump and the control valve to switch a communication and an interruption of the working liquid between the first pump and the control valve; and a second switching valve disposed between the second pump and the control valve to switch the communication and the interruption of the working liquid between the second pump and the control valve, a communication state and an interruption state being selectably formed in the second switching valve when the first switching valve is in the communication state.
US08479862B2	Motorcycle exhaust device A branch joint is provided at the rear portion of an exhaust pipe. Second exhaust pipes with a small diameter arranged one above the other are branched at a position forward of an intersecting position P with a pivot plate. The second exhaust pipes are made to intersect the inside of the pivot plate. The gap between the pivot plate and the engine can be narrowed while ensuring a smooth exhaust. The exhaust path lengths of the second exhaust pipes are made to be offset from each other so as not to be the integral multiple of the wavelength of the exhaust sound in the operating area. This allows exhaust gases to interfere with each other in the muffler. Thus, the exhaust sound can be reduced and the muffler can be downsized. This allows for the slimming of the vehicle body without lowering the output of the engine.
US08479859B1	Energy regeneration device for either hybrid vehicle or electric automobile The motive power of a hybrid vehicle is the driving power of a gasoline engine, the electric power produced by a generator coupled to the engine, and the electric power obtained by conversion from kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration. Also, an electric vehicle uses the electric power of a battery as its motive power by converting kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration and storing the electric energy. However, the regenerated energy is little. While keeping intact the damping effect of shock absorbers conventionally mounted on the suspension of a vehicle, an oil pump function is added. The electric power produced by storing, in an accumulator, oil pressure-fed from the shock absorbers, driving a hydraulic motor under increased oil pressure, driving a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor is used as part of the motive power.
US08479856B2	Arrangement for attaching a first cooling device on a second cooling device in an internal combustion engine An arrangement for attaching a first cooling group for cooling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, the group including a first device for cooling an engine coolant and a second device for cooling supercharging air. The first device is capable of interacting with the second device through shape cooperation so that the second cooling device assumes an intermediate retaining position on the first cooling device, and the first device can be automatically locked onto the second device by elastic fitting so that the second device assumes a final locked position on the first device.
US08479855B2	Cooling apparatus for vehicle A cooling apparatus for a vehicle includes a cooling module connected to the cooling apparatus through a cooling line to cool a driving system. The cooling module includes, according to the amount of heat transfer and operation temperature, an aircon condenser disposed behind of a radiator grill. A radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel under the aircon condenser behind of a bumper hole through which a large amount of outside air is introduced. A radiator for a stack is disposed behind of the aircon condenser, and a radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel. A cooling fan is disposed behind of the radiator for a stack. The cooling apparatus includes an air guide unit mounted in front of the aircon condenser and the radiator for an electromotive device, the air guide unit preventing the bypassing of outside air introduced during operation of a vehicle while distributing and introducing the outside air. Accordingly, to improve the cooling performance of the cooling module, the aircon condenser and the radiator for an electromotive device are configured in parallel, and the radiator for a stack is disposed behind, according to the amount of heat transfer and operation temperature, so that outside air introduced from the outside of the vehicle is efficiently distributed and supplied and is then cooled, thus improving cooling efficiency and ensuring the cooling performance.
US08479853B2	Control of an airstream flow rate through a covered compartment by an adjustable shutter A system for controlling a flow rate of an airstream through a compartment includes a panel configured to cover the compartment. The system also includes a first opening defined by the compartment and configured to permit the airstream to enter the covered compartment from the ambient when the compartment is covered by the panel. The system also includes a second opening defined by the panel and configured to permit at least a portion of the airstream to exit the covered compartment to the ambient. The system additionally includes a selectable position shutter assembly configured to control the size of the second opening and adjust a flow rate of the airstream through the covered compartment. A vehicle employing the shutter assembly to vary a flow rate of at least a portion of an airstream through the vehicle's under-hood area is also disclosed.
US08479852B2	Vehicle component air flow ducting system A vehicle transmission fluid cooler system includes a transmission fluid cooler and an airflow ducting assembly engaged therewith. The airflow ducting assembly is provided to increase the amount of airflow directed toward the transmission fluid cooler so as to improve the cooling performance thereof, and includes a dam member, a duct member, and air guides. The duct member forms a passage communicating an airflow inlet opening with an airflow outlet opening. The dam member operates to scoop and direct airflow into the airflow inlet opening, and the air guides cooperate with the dam member to increase the amount of airflow scooped by the dam member which is directed into the airflow inlet opening. The airflow outlet opening is positioned to direct the airflow which has passed through the duct member to the transmission fluid cooler.
US08479849B2	Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle A vehicle propulsion system and a method of its operation are described. As one example, the vehicle propulsion system includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method may include starting the engine responsive to different criteria, including criteria related to potential degradation effects that may occur due to excessive durations of engine off vehicle operation.
US08479843B2	System for drilling a wellbore A system for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation comprises an expandable tubular element extending into the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section whereby said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A drill string extends through the remaining tubular section into the wellbore, such that a space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section, and the system further comprises sealing means arranged to seal said space from an open-hole lower section of the wellbore.
US08479837B2	Weed stomping tool The invention is a method and apparatus for weed elimination using a manually operable weed stomping tool that is comprised of a handle, an elongated shaft, a footrest, and a weed stomping bit that has a cutting edge. When the weed stomping bit is positioned on the ground over the center of a weed and downward pressure is applied, either by pushing on the handle or stepping on the footrest, the weed stomping bit is forced into the ground while simultaneously the cutting edge of the weed stomping bit severs the weed's foliage from the stem and the weed stomping bit crushes the weed stalk and attendant root structure to a depth below grade.
US08479831B2	Flow path control based on fluid characteristics to thereby variably resist flow in a subterranean well A system for variably resisting flow of a fluid composition can include a flow passage and a set of one or more branch passages which intersect the flow passage, whereby a proportion of the composition diverted from the passage to the set of branch passages varies based on at least one of a) viscosity of the fluid composition, and b) velocity of the fluid composition in the flow passage. Another variable flow resistance system can include a flow path selection device that selects which of multiple flow paths a majority of fluid flows through from the device, based on a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid in the composition. Yet another variable flow resistance system can include a flow chamber, with a majority of the composition entering the chamber in a direction which changes based on a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid in the composition.
US08479830B2	Deployment of a wireline tool Apparatus and a method for deploying a wireline tool in a borehole. The apparatus comprises a wireline cable which is connected at a first end at the surface and is releasably connected at a second end to a first end of an umbilical cable via a first connection means. A second end of the umbilical cable is releasably connected to the logging head of a wireline tool via a first latching means, wherein the logging head provides for mechanical and electrical connection between the wireline tool and the wireline cable via the umbilical cable. The umbilical cable is surrounded by umbilical pipe downhole, and the logging head also provides for mechanical and hydraulic connection between the umbilical pipe and the wireline tool. The wireline tool is releasable from connection with the umbilical cable by a release means in the first latching means, and is capable of being pulled through the first latching means and through the umbilical pipe so that it is retrievable from the borehole.
US08479829B2	Alignment of BOP stack to facilitate use of a rotating control device An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device, and the alignment device having circumferential slots through which the two flanges are coupled. A method of producing a relative angular offset between two flanges can include positioning at least one alignment device in a desired azimuthal orientation between the flanges, the alignment device including pre-formed circumferential slots which permit the alignment device to align with a bolt hole pattern of the flanges, and securing the alignment device between the flanges, thereby producing the angular offset.
US08479828B2	Wellhead control line deployment Wellhead control line deployment involves replacing the seat/retainer plate of a master valve of the wellhead with a modified retainer plate. The retainer plate defines a first port communicating from a central opening of the plate to outside the plate. A modified bonnet installs on the master valve, and the bonnet has two ports, one communicating with the first port in the retainer plate and the second communicating with a needle valve port. The communication ports are linked by a tube with outside diameter seals that inserts between the retainer plate and the bonnet. A control line hanger can be retained by locking into an adapter sleeve or directly in the back-pressure valve threads of a tubing hanger. The adapter sleeve can be attached to the retainer plate or have a collet to snap into the back-pressure valve threads of the tubing hanger.
US08479825B2	Crane device and method Method, crane system and crane for moving a component of a device. The crane includes a supporting mechanism configured to be fixedly attached to the device, an arm mechanism connected to the supporting mechanism and configured to move in a horizontal plane, a sliding mechanism connected to the arm mechanism and configured to move substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a grabbing mechanism configured to be removably attached to the sliding mechanism and configured to grab the component of the device.
US08479824B2	Power slip assembly for wellhead casing and wellbore tubing A power slip extends a joint from tubing disposed in casing at a well so that a casing head can install on the casing and the tubing can be packed-off from the casing. The joint attaches to an inner sleeve having collet members that fit onto the inner tubing so that the joint extends thereabove. An outer sleeve and interlocking collet assemble together and install onto the inner sleeve. The collet threads onto the inner sleeve and forces the outer sleeve downward onto the inner sleeve. Being forced, the outer sleeve causes the collet members to engage around the inner tubing. The casing head then installs on the casing with the joint extending up through the head's bowl. An H-plate installs in the open bowl around the extended joint, and another pack-off installs on the joint to pack it off from a spool attaching to the casing head.
US08479823B2	Plug counter and method A plug counter including a j-slot sleeve; a helix sleeve in operable communication with the j-slot sleeve such that axial movement of the j-slot sleeve causes rotational movement of the helix sleeve; an anti-rotation sleeve disposed about the helix sleeve and having a keyway therein; and a key disposed in the keyway and responsive to movement of the helix sleeve and method.
US08479822B2	Downhole tool with expandable seat A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.
US08479820B2	Dissipating heat from a downhole heat generating device In one embodiment, a heat dissipating apparatus includes a chassis positionable within a housing of a downhole tool. The heat dissipating apparatus also includes a heat sink coupled to the chassis and a displacement mechanism coupled to the heat sink. The displacement mechanism is actuatable to move the heat sink, with respect to the chassis, between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the heat sink is radially retracted toward the chassis to form a gap between the heat sink and the housing and such that in the second position the heat sink is radially extended from the chassis to contact the housing.
US08479818B2	Method and apparatus to cement a perforated casing The invention discloses an apparatus (40) comprising: a setting section (1) surrounded by a first sleeve (2), said first sleeve being expandable and impermeable to a material; an inflating means (1a, 3a) for inflating said first sleeve, said inflating means ensuring that the first sleeve can be in contact with a first zone (60a) of a tube (10) which is permeable to said material, so that said first zone of said tube becomes impermeable to said material; and further comprising a second sleeve portion (4) partially permeable to said material on a second zone (60A′) and attached to said first sleeve so that: a path (2a) is provided between said first sleeve and said second sleeve portion and so that, when the first sleeve is inflated the second zone can be in contact with said tube allowing the material to flow in the path and through the second zone. Also, the invention discloses the associated method for treatment of a near zone and/or a far zone of a well with the disclosed apparatus.
US08479814B2	Zero emission liquid fuel production by oxygen injection An enhanced oil recovery method is provided. This method includes; introducing a first essentially pure oxygen stream into a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation traversed by at least one injection well and at least one production well, and initiating and sustaining in-situ combustion in the vicinity of the injection well. This method also includes introducing a second essentially pure oxygen stream and a hydrocarbon-containing fuel gas stream into the combustion device of a power generation system, wherein the combustion device produces an exhaust gas stream comprising water and carbon dioxide. This method also includes separating the exhaust gas stream into a stream of essentially pure water, and a stream of essentially pure carbon dioxide, and introducing at least a portion of the essentially pure carbon dioxide stream into the subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation prior to initiating the in-situ combustion.
US08479812B2	Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.
US08479809B2	Anti-extrusion backup system, packing element system having backup system, and method An antiextrusion backup system includes an inner expandable backup ring having a first set of slots. An outer expandable backup ring having a second set of slots wherein the outer expandable back up ring is rotationally locked to the inner expandable backup ring to prevent an extrusion gap in an expanded condition of the backup rings. A method for operating within a tubular is also included.
US08479807B2	Well fluid leak detection and response apparatus and method Embodiments of the inventive technology may provide a leaked fluid detection and response system in one aspect, and in another aspect, an environmental enclosure for at least a component of such leaked fluid detection system. Various embodiments of the leaked fluid detection and response system may provide wireless communication of detected leaks and a PLC that automates response and provides information regarding the presence of a leak. Enclosures may, in various embodiments, comprehensively surround enclosed components, thermally insulate enclosed components, include a leaked fluid capture basin, be aerodynamically streamlined, and/or be vermin-tight.
US08479806B2	Two-phase cross-connected micro-channel heat sink An improved two-phase micro-channel heat sink has a plurality of flow micro-channels extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction for accommodating a flow of liquid coolant therein, and a plurality of cross-connected micro-channels extending in parallel in a transverse direction formed at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction for cross-connecting with the flow micro-channels. The cross-connected micro-channels enable a uniform pressure field to be maintained for two-phase flow boiling of liquid coolant in the heat sink. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sink contains flow micro-channels with width of 100 μm, wall thickness of 100 μm, and height of 600 μm, and cross-connected micro-channels of similar width and height cut at 1 mm intervals along the flow direction.
US08479802B1	Apparatus for casting aluminum lithium alloys Direct chill casting that allows for the continuous or serial introduction of an inert fluid into the coolant stream during casting while allowing for stoppage of the coolant flow and introduction of only inert fluid as the coolant in the event of a “bleed out” or “run out”.
US08479800B2	Systems and methods for deployment of curtains A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
US08479799B2	Louver blind having magnetic mount The invention relates to a louver blind having louvers (1) that can be pivoted about a vertical axis, displaceably held at both ends thereof by louver holders (2) extending beyond the louver width between an upper and a lower guide track (3). The louver holders (2) are hereby connected to each other by carriages (4) displaceable in the guide tracks (3) and aligned in parallel to each other, and can be pivoted by synchronously driven drive device disposed in the carriages (4). In order to make the installation of the louver blind—or optionally the removal thereof—easier, according to the invention, decoupleable permanent magnets (16, 18) are provided for connecting between the louver mounts (2) and the carriages (4). Said arrangement has the further advantage that the connections can automatically release when critical tension or rotational forces are exceeded, so that damage can be prevented in the connecting parts.
US08479795B2	System and method for rapid fabrication of arbitrary three-dimensional objects A three-dimensional object fabrication apparatus is disclosed. A housing encloses a work area having at least two distinct zones including a fabrication zone and an assembly zone. Digital data defining geometry for a three-dimensional object to be fabricated is passed via an interface to a processor within the housing. A fabrication mechanism in the fabrication zone to fabricates sub-elements where each sub-element corresponds to a portion of the object substantially consistent with the digital data. An assembly mechanism in the assembly zone joins the sub-elements in relative alignment to form the object defined by the geometry.
US08479794B2	Locking tape dispenser A tape dispenser adapted to dispense lengths of adhesive tape from a roll of adhesive tape wound upon a cylindrical tape core having a first sidewall, a second sidewall generally parallel to the first sidewall, a hub structure and a tape retaining tab extending inwardly from at least one of the first and second sidewalls. A rearwardly extending tongue is supported between the sidewall front portions, the tongue includes a rear edge approaching the tape retaining tab and defining therewith a gap. An unwound portion of the tape passes through the gap between the retaining tab and the tongue, and the tongue is movable between a first position for holding the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab and a second position allowing the unwound portion of the tape to separate from the retaining tab.
US08479790B2	Hub bore mounted central tire inflation valve system A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.
US08479787B1	Motor vehicle snow and ice cover with hand grips A vehicle cover having a plurality of handles with tethers disposed along its longitudinal meridian for easy manipulation of said handles and attached cover so as to lift the cover and dislodge accumulated snow and/or ice. Additionally the present invention has a plurality of fastening clips for increased sustainment of the covers positioning against wind and environmental elements.
US08479779B2	Method and a device for filling a reservoir of variable working volume A filling method for filling a reservoir (10) of variable working volume with a fluid, the method being characterized in that the reservoir (10) is firstly emptied of any content, such that its working volume is substantially zero, and the fluid is then injected into the reservoir, thereby increasing the working volume of the reservoir (10).
US08479778B2	Weaving machine and method for three-dimensional weaving A weaving machine and a weaving method for direct three-dimensional weaving, wherein the weft thread (32) is imparted with its desired two-dimensional course already when the weft thread is being input. The position of the warp threads (12) is adapted to the weft thread path (23). The weft thread path (23) is defined by the lamellae (44) that extend into the shed (21) in between the warp threads (12). The lamellae (44) are arranged on a common bar (45) so that they can be individually adjusted, thus enabling the adjustment of the desired weft thread path (23) by positioning the lamellae (44). The lamellae (44) and the bar (45), at the same time, form the reed (43) that is used for casting on the weft thread (32) at the fabric edge (16).
US08479777B2	Low temperature, high pressure rubber hose Flexible reinforced rubber hose adapted for conveying fluids under low temperatures and high pressures. The hose includes a inner tube formed of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) or other low temperature rubber compound having an elastic modulus of not greater than about 8.4 MPa (1200 psi), and an outer jacket formed of a chloroprene rubber (CR) or other low temperature rubber compound having a durometer of not greater than about 75 Shore A.
US08479774B2	Accumulator with single direction seal A depth compensated subsea accumulator with a cylinder with a cylinder end, a first larger bore, a cylinder shoulder and a second smaller bore, a piston sealingly and slidably engaging the first large bore with a single direction seal and having a rod attached to a first side, the rod sealingly and slidably engaging the second smaller bore, the piston having a working fluid on the first side and a compressed gas on the second side, the working fluid on the first side of the piston having a higher pressure than the gas on the second side of the piston while the piston is moving between the cylinder end and the cylinder shoulder, when the piston sealingly engages the cylinder shoulder, a portion of the working fluid on the first side of the piston within a seal diameter having a lower pressure than the gas on the second side of the piston and a portion of the working fluid on the first side of the piston outside the seal diameter having a higher pressure than the gas on the second side of the piston, such that the single direction seal always encounters pressure from the same direction.
US08479773B2	Hydraulic unit A hydraulic unit comprises a solenoid valve group with at least two solenoid valves having each a valve cartridge and a solenoid subassembly arranged around the valve cartridge. According to the invention, a positioning unit is arranged between at least two adjacent solenoid valves and applies a force to at least two adjacent solenoid valves in such a way that the corresponding solenoid subassembly of the solenoid valve takes a defined radial position relative to the corresponding valve cartridge of the solenoid valve.
US08479772B2	Rotary three-way diverter valve A diverter valve receives fluid from an inlet port. A camshaft is rotated within a housing to slide a cam follower along an axis to regulate fluid flow to an outlet port when the camshaft is rotated. The housing provides an inlet port and first and second outlet ports. The camshaft includes a cam lobe that is offset relative to a rotational axis of the camshaft. The cam follower is supported on the cam lobe and is movable along a longitudinal axis to selectively block at least one of the first and second ports. In one embodiment, first and second cam followers are used to selectively block outlet ports that are arranged approximately 90 degrees from one another. The first and second cam followers move in first and second directions transverse to one another. In another embodiment, a single cam follower is used to regulate flow through two outlet ports that are arranged approximately 180 degrees from one another.
US08479770B2	4-way valve system The invention relates to valve system made up of multiple three way valves mechanically coupled together to produce the functionality of a four way valve.
US08479767B2	Combined fill and safety vent plug A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.
US08479763B2	Electronic venting and mechanical roll over valve A valve including a mechanical part, e.g. a float, for performing a ROV function (Roll Over Valve) and an electronic part, e.g. an electronically controlled solenoid valve, for performing a venting function.
US08479756B1	Canopy assembly A canopy assembly is provided for shading a person while riding a bicycle. The assembly includes a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end members. The end members are coupled to and extend between the side members defining an open frame. A cover is coupled to the frame. A connecting bar has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the connecting bar is coupled to the frame. A clamp is coupled to the lower end of the connecting bar frictionally engaging a bicycle whereby the frame is coupled to the bicycle.
US08479749B2	Hair debraider This invention is a cylindrical device placed on your finger or thumb and contains a 3 piece apparatus that can be detached coming out of the cylinder wither vertically at the apex, or on the sides. There is a pick sticking directly upwards from the finger and a mini comb and a brush between 90 to 180 degrees on each end of the pick (alternative manufacturing methods). The pick is pushed into the center of the braid and will break the braid apart. The comb or brush is used to straighten the hair as the pick breaks the braid apart.The entire process, while usually performed with two hands, can be accomplished with one hand thus making the device easier, less tiring and less expensive than alternative devices currently on the market.
US08479748B1	Hair styling accessory Accessory for use in hair styling includes two rectangular panels, attachment structure that enables each panel to be brought into and maintained in a tubular form, a connecting part that connects the panels together and at least one hair styling implement or attachment, each arranged in connection with one of the panels. For use, the panels are brought into and maintained in their tubular form and arranged around a respective one of a pair of adjacent fingers of a user. The user can then pass hair between the panels while the implement interacts with the hair. If the accessory is used in conjunction with ironing hair, then the panels include thermally insulative material to prevent heat transfer from the hot hair to the user's fingers.
US08479747B2	Method for preparing tobacco extract for electronic smoking devices A method and a system for preparing a tobacco extract for use in an electronic smoking device are provided. A tobacco extract and an electronic smoking device are also provided. The method includes grinding tobacco into granulated particles, and heating purified water. The method further includes injecting the heated purified water through the granulated particles of the tobacco for a predetermined period of time to produce an aqueous solution, and adding purified water to the aqueous solution. Further, the method includes heating the aqueous solution, and injecting the heated aqueous solution through ground tobacco for the predetermined period of time to produce a tobacco extract for use in the electronic smoking device.
US08479745B2	Methods and devices for treating presbyopia Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US08479744B2	Fin earplug An earplug with a stem (22) and with fins (31-34) extending at rearward and radially-outward inclines from the stem, is constructed for comfort and for high noise blocking. The stem has a multiplicity of air pockets (60) lying in an imaginary band (62) that lies on the earplug axis (20). The band has opposite band sides (64, 66) spaced radially inward of the periphery (40) of the stem, the air pockets helping to block the passage of noise. A plurality of the fins are of constant thickness with parallel front and rear surfaces (50, 52), and with the fins being stubby with a fin thickness (T) at least 20% of the fin length (E), and with the front surface (50) of each fin being at least 20% longer than the fin length (E), all as seen in a sectional view taken along the earplug axis (20). Stem peripheral parts (80) that lie between adjacent fins, extend continuously at rearward and radially inward inclines of more than 15°.
US08479742B2	Constant rate delivery device Medical devices and related methods are disclosed for delivering an implant into the body of a patient. The devices include a damping assembly having an internal chamber with a varying inner diameter, and a piston slideably disposed therein. The piston is operably connected with a catheter portion such that movement of the piston is associated with concurrent movement of the catheter for implant delivery. The varying inner diameter of the damping assembly results in a decrease in damping force during implant delivery, thus providing a substantially constant velocity of implant delivery.
US08479741B2	Breathing assistance apparatus Headgear for use with a respiratory mask is described. The headgear includes a continuous and substantially curved elongate member extending in use below a user's nose and at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of the elongate member. A mask attachment on the elongate member is disposed to sit below or on one of said user's nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask. The attachment is capable of receiving the mask.
US08479739B2	System and method for managing difficult airways A system and method for endotracheal intubation of airways are disclosed. A malleable stylet having a distal end and a proximal end, a charged coupled device (CCD) at the distal end and a transmitter, at or near the proximal end or connected to the proximal end of the stylet with connectors, transmits video to a visualization device comprising a receiver means, a display means, and a display support adapted to be worn on an operator in a position so that the operator can view the display with one eye while simultaneously viewing the airway directly. The display support is typically worn on the head of a physician. A second display can be worn by a student or observer. In some instances, the transmitter means and receiver means are wireless.
US08479738B2	Breathing mask arrangement as well as an application device and a forehead support device for same A forehead support device for a breathing mask includes a forehead support portion adapted to contact a forehead region of a user, a conduit element adapted to couple a respiratory gas conduit to the breathing mask, and a coupling structure provided between the forehead support portion and the conduit element and structured to support the conduit element at a predetermined spacing from the forehead support portion. The forehead support portion is displaceably engaged with the coupling structure such that the forehead portion can be selectively displaced relative to the coupling structure.
US08479736B2	Respiratory mask assembly A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body. Each side frame member includes an integrally formed first connector portion. A headgear assembly is removably attachable to the frame. The headgear assembly has a second connector portion adapted to be removably coupled with the first connector portion provided on the frame. The second connector portion is manually movable to a releasing position to detach the headgear assembly from the frame. The headgear assembly is rotationally adjustable with respect to the frame.
US08479730B2	Inhaler device An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage (70) that communicates with the recess (50) of the body (5). The body (5) has a pair of opposed spring (105) biased push-buttons (40) that each include at least one piercing element (95) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess (50). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) (90) into the recess (50) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece (30) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body (5) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler (1).
US08479729B2	Device and method for deaggregating powder A device for inhalation of at least one air stream carrying a dose of medicament powder is provided. The device includes a flow passage passing a powder-containing cavity. A part of said flow passage propagates along a generally flat surface region. The flat surface region includes a cavity opening into said powder-containing cavity. The passing of an air stream along said flat surface region and outside said cavity generates an eddy in the cavity and the generated eddy contributes to deaggregation of the powder in said cavity and emptying of the powder from said cavity. Furthermore, a shear driven cavity principle is used in conjunction with such a device and a method of releasing medicament powder.
US08479726B2	Breathing assistance apparatus The breathing assistance apparatus has a patient interface with a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of the patient. The apparatus includes a sealing interface, including at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member has a periphery that is attached to the body section in a sealing manner. The periphery is substantially rigid compared to the remainder of the outer sealing member. The outer sealing member is adapted to substantially seal around the facial contours of the patient to provide a sealed fluid communication to the respiratory tract of the patient. The sealing interface may also include an inner sealing member.
US08479723B2	Low-emission fireplace assembly A fireplace assembly is disclosed and includes a smoke chamber, a firebox, a throat in fluid communication with and linking the smoke chamber and the insulated firebox and a divider positioned within said throat and defining a front air channel and a rear air channel within the throat. The fireplace assembly of the present invention offers reductions in particulate emissions when compared to traditional open-burning fireplaces and has comparable particulate emissions to wood stoves and built-in wood stoves.
US08479720B1	Heating device and method A new and useful heating device is provided, that is particularly characterized by the efficient way it provides combustion of a carbon based fuel (e.g. wood). A vertically oriented combustion chamber is configured with a relatively narrow, lower portion, a relatively wider upper portion, and a vertically oriented wall structure defining the combustion chamber.
US08479719B2	Narrow crossbow with large power stroke A crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
US08479716B2	Exhaust gas re-circulation control unit for a diesel engine An EGR control unit for enhancing the performance as to the EGR rate and the engine acceleration, the unit being configured so as to control the EGR valve and the intake air valve with a simple control command signal that makes both the valves be operated in a coupled mode, whereby the response performance as to the engine speed during acceleration as well as the EGR gas flow rate is enhanced by means of compensation regarding the dead zones inherent in the intake air throttle valve and the EGR valve. An EGR control unit including; a dead zone evaluating means 64 that calculates the estimation excess air ratio λ in consideration of the residual air in the EGR gas; thereby, it is judged that at least one of the EGR valve 27 and the intake air throttle valve 29 is operated in the dead zone based on the rate of change of the calculated estimation excess air ratio λ when the rate of change of the ratio λ is smaller than a prescribed level; and a dead zone compensating means 66 that makes the revisions regarding the opening command signals as to the EGR valve and the intake air throttle valve so that the dead zones do not hinder the coupled operation between the valves when the dead zone evaluating means judges that at least one of the EGR valve and the air throttle valve is operated in the dead zone, and the engine is under a transient response condition.
US08479715B2	Internal combustion engine with a first and second cooling system A cooling structure for cooling a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine is provided where the engine includes an EGR passage interposed between an exhaust manifold structure and an inlet manifold structure of the engine. The cooling structure includes a first cooling system and a second cooling system. The first cooling system includes at least one radiator and a liquid coolant circulatable through the radiator and the internal combustion engine for cooling the internal combustion engine. A flywheel housing for the internal combustion engine is provided with at least a portion of the second cooling system.
US08479713B2	Method for avoiding and/or reducing pollutant percentages in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine The present application is directed to a method and an apparatus for avoiding and/or reducing pollutant percentages in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Before fuel passes into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, it is exposed to electromagnetic signals. The electromagnetic signals including at least two signals at two preset frequencies, and are above 20 kHz. The electromagnetic signals are delivered by way of a transmission member that is disposed in a fuel treatment unit, which has a fuel feed line to a fuel tank and a fuel discharge line to the internal combustion engine.
US08479711B2	Piezoelectric direct acting fuel injector with hydraulic link A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within a nozzle cavity formed in a nozzle housing containing a nozzle valve element. The hydraulic link assembly is positioned close to the injector orifices to minimize needle valve element length and mass, thereby reducing seat impact forces and enhance response time. A refill valve operates to move into an open position to refill a hydraulic link chamber. An actuator power source operates to vary voltage to cause multiple injection pulses and to selectively maintain the voltage above a predetermined lower level between injection pulses to maintain the refill valve in a closed position to prevent refilling of the hydraulic link chamber.
US08479710B2	Injector to fuel rail coupling structure for high pressure direct injection engines Coupling structure (10) for coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail (16) includes a fuel injector receiving cup (14) having an outer wall (22) and an interior space (24). The cup includes slot structure (26, 28) through the outer wall. Clip structure (30, 32) has a base (31) and a wall (40) extending transversely from the base. The base is received in the slot structure and extends into the interior space so that a portion of the base engages the fuel injector to limit movement thereof both axially and radially with respect to the receiving cup, with the wall being disposed adjacent to a portion of the outer wall of the receiving cup. A retainer (41) engages the wall of the clip structure to secure the clip structure to the receiving cup.
US08479709B2	Automotive line bundling system A system of alternate hose line bundling allows for exclusion of a higher pressure hose line from fasteners directly attached to a vehicle body. Alternatively to mounting to the vehicle body, the higher pressure hose line is coupled to a lower pressure hose line via fasteners which lack mounting features. Eliminating attachment of higher pressure hose lines to the vehicle body reduces noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) experienced by passengers in the vehicle.
US08479697B2	Glow plug having coking-optimized design Glow plug, particularly for operation in a combustion engine, comprising at least one heating rod (1) and at least one body (2) and at least one annular gap (3) between the heating rod (1) and the body (2) and at least one chamber (4) primarily arranged between the heating rod (1) and the body (2).
US08479693B2	Flexible rotary disc actuator for inlet and exhaust-valve arrangement for an internal-combustion engine An inlet and exhaust valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine with a valve disk has at least one passage opening and is arranged in a cylinder head drivable by a shaft in a rotating manner and having a valve seat assigned to a top of the valve disk and at least a port that during rotation of the valve disk is cyclically exposed and closed again by at least one passage opening. The valve disk and the assigned valve seat starting from the shaft run in curve or taper at an angle toward a bottom of the valve disk. The valve disk is elastically bendable such that during rotation the valve disk is deflected and an edge of the valve disk is moved toward the valve seat to define therewith a self-sealing valve arrangement.
US08479692B2	Valve cooling device of internal combustion engine A valve cooling device of an internal combustion engine in which engine oil is circulated in a valve that faces a combustion chamber, the valve includes a valve umbrella portion and a valve stem. An inside of the valve stem is formed with an oil introduction channel and an oil lead-out channel, a jet portion that includes a jet oil passage coaxially disposed with the oil introduction channel is provided in the extended direction of the valve stem, and the engine oil is injected from an orifice provided on a tip portion of the jet oil passage to an inner portion of the oil introduction channel.
US08479691B1	Method for cooling a four stroke marine engine with multiple path coolant flow through its cylinder head A cooling system for a marine engine is provided with various cooling channels which allow the advantageous removal of heat at different rates from different portions of the engine. A split flow of water is conducted through the cylinder head, in opposite directions, to individually cool the exhaust port and intake ports at different rates. This increases the velocity of coolant flow in the downward direction through the cylinder head to avoid the accumulation of air bubbles and the formation of air pockets that could otherwise cause hot spots within the cylinder head. A parallel coolant path is provided so that a certain quantity of water can bypass the engine block and avoid overcooling the cylinder walls.
US08479690B2	Advanced internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine power cycle wherein a combustion chamber is fitted with an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and movable piston coupled to perform work, includes an generator to form a stream of greater than about 95% molecular oxygen from atmospheric air and a nitrogen waste gas stream; a source of fuel; and a source of liquid water. The power cycle includes admission of the molecular oxygen into the chamber, injection of the fuel into the chamber with combustion, and injection of atomized water into the chamber for generation of steam.
US08479688B2	Brake mechanism for a rope pulley of a leash that can be mechanically wound and unwound for leading animals A brake mechanism for a rope pulley of a leash. A rope is unwound from a pulley against the force of a spring and wound onto the pulley due to the force. The brake mechanism includes a brake button movable from an idle position, in which the pulley is freely rotatable, into a functional position, in which the brake button blocks unwinding of the rope. The brake button has an actuatable upper part protruding from the leash housing and a lower part cooperating with the pulley. The lower part is pivotable in the winding direction such that unwinding of the rope from the pulley is prevented, but can be wound onto the pulley in the functional position. The lower part engages brush bristles in the functional position to pivot the lower part due to pulley rotational movement in the winding direction.
US08479685B2	Magnetically coupled wall attachment device A magnetically coupled device for an aquarium wall. The device may include an inner member and an outer member. The inner member may include a main body portion and an inner magnetic or magnetically attractable element coupled to or disposed within the main body portion. The outer member may include an outer magnetic or magnetically attractable element and a polymer static cling layer. The outer magnetic or magnetically attractable element may be magnetically attracted to the inner magnetic or magnetically attractable element. The polymer static cling layer may be configured to allow the outer member to be removably attached to an outer surface of the aquarium wall. The inner member may be removably attached to an inner surface of the aquarium wall by magnetic attraction with the outer member. The device may provide, for example, a feeding point for aquatic life contained in the aquarium.
US08479684B2	Substance-distribution system for an egg injection device A distribution system for distributing dosed amounts of a treatment substance to a plurality of injectors of an egg injection device, and to an injection device equipped with such a distribution system. The distribution system comprises at least one syringe pump comprising an actuator for actuating the piston of a syringe, a discharge tube connected to the outlet orifice of the syringe, feed tubes connected in parallel to the discharge tube via a valve system, each feed tube being intended to be connected to an injector, and a controller capable of controlling the actuator and the valve system for distributing dosed amount of substance contained in the chamber through the feed tubes, to injectors.
US08479683B2	Apparatus including a plasma chamber and controller including instructions for forming a boron nitride layer A method of forming a boron nitride or boron carbon nitride dielectric produces a conformal layer without loading effect. The dielectric layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a boron-containing film on a substrate, at least a portion of the deposition being conducted without plasma, and then exposing the deposited boron-containing film to a plasma. The CVD component dominates the deposition process, producing a conformal film without loading effect. The dielectric is ashable, and can be removed with a hydrogen plasma without impacting surrounding materials. The dielectric has a much lower wet etch rate compared to other front end spacer or hard mask materials such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, and has a relatively low dielectric constant, much lower then silicon nitride.
US08479682B2	Apparatus for applying adhesive to the surface of expanded resin panels superimposable to form layered mattresses An apparatus for applying adhesive to the surface of expanded resin panels by means of a gluing roller, comprising a conveyor for feeding a panel, which is arranged upstream of the gluing roller, and a conveyor for receiving the panel, which is arranged downstream of the gluing roller, the conveyors being mutually aligned on a supporting framework so as to have adjacent ends, and means for moving the conveyors between a lowered position and a raised position, the means being controlled by an element for detecting a panel conveyed by the feeding conveyor so as to lift or lower the conveyors to a level at which the surface of the gluing roller is substantially in tangent contact with the panel in order to apply thereon a layer of adhesive.
US08479677B2	Lift mechanism for lifting a swim platform above and over a rear deck of a boat A swim platform lift mechanism is disclosed, the mechanism mounted between the transom of a boat and a bottom surface of a swim platform. The lift mechanism provides a powered lifting/lowering of the swim platform from a retracted position that is level with the deck of the boat to a deployed position in which the swim platform is below the surface of the water surrounding the boat and from the retracted position to an up-and-over position in which the swim platform and its contents are positioned above and forward of the rear edge of the deck. The up-and-over position provides for an improved center of gravity when transporting a dingy on the swim platform.
US08479672B2	Sewing machine A sewing machine includes a needle thread tension control device including a fixed portion, a shaft having an external thread portion, a thread tension dial, first and second thread tension discs, and a spiral movement member. The spiral movement member includes an internal thread portion meshed with the external thread portion while being movable relative to the external thread portion in a spiral direction relative to the axis, and a scale including marks arranged serially and side by side in the spiral direction. The spiral movement member adjusts the needle thread tension by moving towards or away from the second thread tension disc while rotating in a circumferential direction by meshing between the external thread portion and the internal thread portion. The needle thread tension control device also includes a thread tension spring applying respective biasing forces to the spiral movement member and the second thread tension disc.
US08479665B2	Rear seat table assembly for vehicle An rear seat table assembly for a vehicle, the rear seat table assembly may include a rear seat table placed in front of a rear seat console, wherein the rear seat table includes an upper table and a lower table which may be selectively foldable around a table hinge portion pivotally connecting the upper table and the lower table, a locking unit arranged in the rear seat console and selectively lock the rear seat table to the rear seat console so as to maintain or release a locking state of the rear seat table, a rotation unit rotatably connecting the rear seat table and the rear seat console for allowing the rear seat table to be fixed after the rear seat table may be rotated upward centering around a rotation axis (axis X) which may be fixed to an upper side of the rear seat console, and a swiveling unit connected between the rotation unit and the rear seat table for allowing the rear seat table to swivel centering around a swiveling axis (axis Z).
US08479664B2	Barricade attachable activity surface An apparatus attachable to a barricading structure and method for providing an activity surface are provided. The barricading structure may be, for example, a railing. The apparatus comprises a mountable backsplash attached to the barricading structure, a foldable support platform attached to the mountable backsplash via multiple connectors, and a locking system for locking the mountable backsplash to the barricading structure. The foldable support platform comprises a first inlay fitted into a support structure for providing an activity surface to hold objects. The connectors are accommodated in slots provided on the mountable backsplash. The accommodated connectors are hinged to the mountable backsplash using a hinge pin to facilitate pivotal connection of the foldable support platform to the mountable backsplash. The apparatus may comprise leg supports for supporting weight of the foldable support platform. The apparatus is made of a weather resistant material and a heat resistant material.
US08479661B2	Railroad car center sill structure A rail road car such as a double tub coal gondola car has a center sill that is narrow in the middle between the two tubs, and wider at the draft arms. The center sill has a transition section that provides a smooth, gradual transition between the respective bottom flange portions of the two without sharp changes in direction in the stress fields in tension and compression, and with little or no out of plane eccentricities in load path, and with a tendency to minimize or avoid local stress concentrations. The center sill includes a set of access apertures and corresponding bridges or ties that maintain the lateral halves of the center sill flange main portion in appropriate relationship to each other with respect to resistance to buckling. The tubs fasten mechanically to the sides of the center sill.
US08479658B2	Covering for a bogie of a rail vehicle and rail vehicle having a covered bogie A covering for a bogie of a rail vehicle lends the entire rail vehicle a low aerodynamic tractive resistance in the region of the bogie. The novel covering has a peripheral wall for surrounding the bogie and a fastening device for rotationally guiding the peripheral wall at the upper edge thereof on a superstructure of the rail vehicle. The covering is covered at the lower edge of the peripheral wall by an underbody-like end member that has fastening means for attaching the same to the bogie.
US08479649B2	Imprinter including a roller with an elastic member being radially deformed during an imprinting operation An imprinter includes a printing base for mounting a card and a print paper to be imprinted on a predetermined area thereof, a carriage that is movable above the printing base, a roller shaft arranged at a position of a predetermined height from the card mounting surface of the printing base, a roller including an outer periphery of hard material a center boss that is in rotational engagement with the roller shaft and elastic members provided between the outer periphery and the center boss of the roller. The elastic members are radially deformed during imprinting operation to cause the outer periphery of the roller to radially move relative to the center axis of the roller shaft into a state of eccentric circle in vertical section, so that the embossed information of the card may be transcribed onto the print paper.
US08479646B2	Drawer-type cooking device and method for controlling door thereof A drawer-type cooking device and a method for controlling opening and closing of a door thereof, in which an opening/closing direction and an absolute position of a door by a manual opening/closing operation by a user can be detected with a simple structure even when the door is in a door-open state in an intermediate position, is provided. A rotation sensor 26 is disposed in relation to an output shaft of a motor 25 for driving a door capable of opening and closing an opening of a cooking device body in an opening/closing direction. A microcomputer 20 controls drive of the motor 25 including a rotation direction by receiving an input of a detection signal of the rotation sensor 26,which is a sensor for generating two rotation pulses having different phases (for example, pulse train signals with a 120-degree difference) from the motor. A control device can determine the rotation direction of the motor 25 based on the two rotation pulses therefrom.
US08479644B2	Assembly structure of rigid body and elastic body An assembly structure of a rigid body and an elastic body is provided. The rigid body made of glass or ceramics has a chamber and an opening exposing the chamber. The elastic body made of plastics has an indentation and a through hole inside the indentation. The assembly structure further contains an interface element attached to a bottom side of the chamber and has an extension element corresponding to the opening of the chamber. The interconnection between the rigid and elastic bodies is achieved by joining the extension element with the indentation so that the rigid and elastic bodies could be easily put together and separated. The advantages of the rigid body such as robust to deformation and fine surface finish are thereby combined with the advantages of the elastic body such as easy shaping and assembly.
US08479638B2	Tamping device A tamping device for applying a tamping force to ground coffee in a portafilter. The tamping device has a tamper and a guard. The tamper has a reciprocating tamping base. The guard defines a passageway through which the tamping base reciprocates. The passageway fits closely around the tamping base.
US08479636B2	Valve arrangement A valve arrangement has an adjustable control valve (10) including a control slide (12) for actuating at least one consumer connection (A, B) and an LS control line. The differential pressure of two actuating pressures (xa, xb) serves for the actuation of the control slide (12). Since the actuating pressures (xa, xb) also actuate a logic valve, which in turn influences an additional valve, and/or actuates a pressure compensator connected upstream to the control valve (10), the difference of the two actuating pressures (xa, xb) initially displaces the control slide of the control valve. The higher or the lower of the two actuating pressures (xa, xb) either actuate the further valve in the form of the additional valve, and/or influences the pressure compensator.
US08479630B2	Saw guide A saw guide for guiding the blade of a saw during cutting of a workpiece comprises a housing having a basal surface and a guide surface adapted to be positioned on a workpiece to be cut, such that with the basal surface engaging a surface of the workpiece, the guide surface extends across the surface to be cut at a forward position of the housing, such that a cutting member in face to face contact with the guide surface may be guided during cutting of the workpiece, and measuring means for measuring a position of the guide surface with respect to the workpiece such that, in use, the position of the guide surface may be monitored by reference to said measuring means, during a cutting operation of the workpiece. The saw guide enables a cut to be made with continual reference to the measuring means.
US08479624B2	Skin-heating shaving apparatus and method A shaver that includes a cartridge with one or more razor blades and a source of RF energy operative to apply RF energy to one or more of the blades. The cartridge can be attached to a handle for moving the cartridge along the surface of the skin. The cartridge may include a variety of configurations including one or more electrodes and one or more blades with the RF current conducting through any subset of the electrodes and blades, through the skin, thereby heating the skin to help facilitate the engagement of the blade with the hair on the skin surface.
US08479620B2	Torque-setting device A torque-setting device includes a shank, a handle provided on the shank, a driving unit attached to the shank, a strain gauge connected to the driving unit, a spring abutted against the strain gauge, a pusher abutted against the spring, an axle engaged with the pusher, a restraining element connected to the axle, a C-clip provided on the restraining element, and a knob. The knob is operable to rotate the axle relative to the pusher, thus moving the pusher relative to the spring to set a value of torque. The knob is movable between a position where teeth thereof are in grooves of the handle to avoid rotation of the axle and another position where the tooth are out of the grooves to allow rotation of the knob and the axle. The C-clip is located against an annular rib formed on an internal face of the knob.
US08479611B2	Corkscrew with unidirectional clutch drive An improved corkscrew includes a unidirectional clutch mechanism that enables the user to grasp the corkscrew handle, place the screw tip impinging on the cork, and to rotate the handle reciprocally to advance the screw unidirectionally and embed it in the cork. The mechanism features a clutch spring that transfers rotation of the handle to the screw in one direction only, and rotates freely in the opposite direction.
US08479610B2	Right crank arm assembly for a bicycle and crank arm and front sprocket A right crank arm assembly for a bicycle, comprises a right crank arm and at least one front sprocket coupled with the crank arm at least one coupling portion of the crank arm. The front sprocket has an inner side adapted, in use, to face towards the frame of the bicycle and an outer side opposite the inner side. The assembly comprises at least one first crank arm element which acts in contact with the front sprocket on one of said sides and at least one second crank arm element which acts in contact with the front sprocket on the other of said sides. The contact action of the crank arm elements on the two opposite sides of the front sprocket prevents the twisting deformation of the front sprocket during pedaling. Such a deformation would cause a reduction in the transmission efficiency of the right crank arm assembly.
US08479608B2	Servo brake A brake booster for a motor vehicle brake system of the brake-by-wire type, which can be activated both by means of a brake pedal and as a function of a driver's request, as well as independently of the driver's wish by means of an electronic control unit, wherein the coupling of the brake pedal, or of a force transmitting part which is permanently connected to the brake pedal, to an input member of the brake booster is embodied in such a way that the brake pedal or the force transmitting part can carry out a limited relative movement with respect to the input member. In order to minimize the friction which occurs between the force transmitting part and the input member when the brake booster is activated, the force transmitting part, and/or the input member of the brake booster are/is provided in the region of the relative movement of the two parts with respect to one another with means which reduce friction which occurs during the relative movement of the parts with respect to one another.
US08479606B2	Self-locking gear The present invention pertains generally to a self-locking gear that includes an input shaft, a collar, a locking mechanism, and an output member. The collar is positioned eccentrically about the input shaft, and the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating. As a result, rotation of the input shaft causes the collar to gyrate about the input shaft, and the gyrating collar engages with the output member to turn the output member in the same direction as the input shaft. Torque applied to the output member with cause the output member to attempt to rotate the collar. However, the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating, thus locking the output member from rotation.
US08479604B2	Powertrain for an automotive vehicle with multiple-ratio gearing and a dual power input clutch A multiple-ratio transmission with countershaft gearing with dual power input clutches. Ratio changes are made from each of several ratios to a preselected ratio by alternately engaging and disengaging the power input clutches. A robust bearing arrangement provides high torque transmitting capacity. An optimum number of transmission ratios are available with a minimum number of gear meshes.
US08479601B2	Gearless transmission mechanism A gearless transmission mechanism includes a plurality of identical linkages, each having an off-center center of rotation, an input end and an output end. The linkages being connected to each other such that the input end of one linkage is connected to the output end of another linkage. When force is applied to the input end of one linkage an output force results in the output end of the other linkage, which is not connected thereby resulting in force reduction.
US08479600B2	Bi-directional rotary actuator A bi-directional rotary actuator causing the output shaft thereof to output two or more kinds of bi-directional and rotational driving forces. A bi-directional rotary actuator includes a rotary solenoid (101) serving as a driving source, a link body (104) engaged with a shaft (132) such that a rotational force can be transmitted to the shaft, an output element (105) connected to the link body, and switching operation means (106) for selecting connection between the link body and the output element. Transmission of a rotational force between the link body and the output element can be appropriately switched to either gear drive performed by meshing of gears or link drive based on a link ratio, and this allows the actuator to output bi-directional rotary driving forces having two or three rotational angles. The switching described above is performed by movement, in the direction of the axis of the shaft, of the link body by utilizing the repulsive or attractive action of an electromagnetic force. The movement of the link body is performed by direct application of the electromagnetic force, or alternatively, by utilizing the principle of leverage through an arm.
US08479592B2	Field strength test devices and methods for installed engineered material arresting systems Embodiments of the present invention provide field test devices and methods for testing the compressive gradient strength of installed vehicle arresting systems, such as those installed on airport runways. Current methods of testing such arresting systems are conducted on sample materials in-house, and these methods are not applicable or useful when tests need to be conducted on currently-installed systems in the field.
US08479591B2	Apparatus for testing fuselage panels Gripping claws and pairs of arched angular profiles are arranged along the perimeter of a cylindrical surface segment so as to grip the edges of a fuselage panel, closing the opening of a pressurizable chamber.
US08479588B1	Method for crack and fracture modeling in directed surfaces A method for three-dimensional crack propagation, morphology, and initiation suited to directed surfaces, or stacks of directed surfaces. An external damage measure and failure criteria can be incorporated, as well as a rule-based crack direction and morphology capability. This method is ideal for laminated composites. Further, the use of external damage and failure, and rule-based crack propagation, this method is ideal for multi-scale modeling and use in applications where knowledge and rules are necessary or desirable for guiding, driving, or influencing failure modes, directions, or other situations that are not directly incorporated into the governing mechanical equations.
US08479580B2	Pressure transducer arrangement A pressure transducer arrangement and method of operation is provided. The pressure transducer and methods of operation reduce error in determining an offset value by eliminating error relating to fluid flow through the transducer arrangement when the offset value is determined. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a lockout valve that prevents fluid flow between first and second fluid pressure sources when the offset value is determined.
US08479576B2	MEMS device and deformation protection structure therefor and method for making same The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System, MEMS) device with a deformation protection structure. The MEMS device is located on a substrate, and it includes: a movable part; and a deformation protection structure, which has: a fixed plug, which is fixed on the substrate; multiple metal layers, including a top metal layer; and multiple plugs connecting the multiple metal layers. From top view, the top metal layer overlaps a portion of the movable part, and from cross section view, the bottom surface of the top metal layer is higher than the top surface of the movable part by a predetermined distance.
US08479575B2	Microgyroscope for determining rotational movements about an X and/or Y and Z axis The invention relates to a microgyroscope for determining rotational movements about an x-axis and/or a y-axis and a z-axis. Oscillating masses are fastened to a substrate by springs. Drive elements vibrate individual masses in an oscillatory manner in the x-y plane in order to produce Coriolis forces when the substrate is rotated, and sensor elements detect deflections of the masses on account of the Coriolis forces produced. The Individual masses are arranged in two groups that are jointly induced by the drive elements to carry out an oscillating primary movement in the plane of the x-y axis. The masses of the first group allow movements starting from the x-y plane, and the masses of the second group allow movements perpendicular to the oscillating primary movement in the plane of the x-y axis.
US08479571B2	Christmas tree with internally positioned flowmeter A measurement device is disclosed which includes a structure adapted to be removably coupled to a Christmas tree, a sleeve operatively coupled to the structure and a flowmeter positioned at least partially within the sleeve.
US08479568B1	Apparatus for measuring variations in flatness An apparatus for measuring variations in the flatness of an Almen strip holding surface includes a gaging block having opposing parallel surfaces defining an aperture extending between said parallel surfaces and substantially conforming to the size of the holding surface. A plunger is mounted in a cross member which extends across the aperture and is moved along opposite sides thereof. A dial indicator responds to displacement of the aperture to permit detection of any variation in flatness as the plunger is moved over the holding surface and along and between the side and end edges thereof. Placement of the Almen strip holding screws is verified to be in tolerance by the gaging block in that the gaging block cannot be mounted on the holding surface if the distance between the openings is out of tolerance.
US08479567B2	Device and method of particle focusing A method of focusing a plurality of discrete particles. The method comprises establishing a flow of a fluid medium carrying a plurality of discrete particles within a capillary having a plurality of separate walls and a longitudinal axis. The method further includes vibrating the plurality of separate walls to apply an acoustic field having a central axis substantially along the longitudinal axis to focus the plurality of discrete particles substantially along the longitudinal axis.
US08479564B2	Air-micrometer calibration device The present invention aims to provide an air-micrometer calibration device capable of securely causing an axis of a measuring-head tip portion and an axis of a master hole to coincide with each other. To this end, the air-micrometer calibration device (91) includes a small-diameter master hole (95); a large-diameter master hole (96); and positioning means for causing an axis of the measuring-head tip portion and an axis of the small-diameter master hole to coincide with each other when a measuring-head tip portion (43) is inserted in the small-diameter master hole (95), and for causing the axis of the measuring-head tip portion and an axis of the large-diameter master hole to coincide with each other when the measuring-head tip portion is inserted in the large-diameter master hole, where the positioning means includes: a pressure oil supply passage (98); a clamping sleeve (93); and a hydraulic pressure chamber (97) surrounding a periphery of the clamping sleeve, and the clamping sleeve clamps a measuring-head body portion (42) (a case (46)) in association with a pressure of a pressure oil supplied from the pressure oil supply passage to the hydraulic pressure chamber.
US08479563B2	System and method for measuring permeability of materials Systems and methods are provided for measuring the permeance of a material. The permeability of the material may also be derived. Systems typically provide a liquid or high concentration fluid bath on one side of a material test sample, and a gas flow across the opposing side of the material test sample. The mass flow rate of permeated fluid as a fraction of the combined mass flow rate of gas and permeated fluid is used to calculate the permeance of the material. The material test sample may be a sheet, a tube, or a solid shape. Operational test conditions may be varied, including concentration of the fluid, temperature of the fluid, strain profile of the material test sample, and differential pressure across the material test sample.
US08479560B2	Differential resonant sensor apparatus and method for detecting relative humidity A differential resonant sensor apparatus and method for detecting relative humidity in an ambient air. The apparatus generally includes a sensing loop, a reference loop and a mixer. A hydrophilic sensing layer can be deposited on a sensing resonant beam and a corresponding hydrophobic reference layer can be deposited on a reference resonant beam for detecting water vapor concentration in the ambient air. The hydrophobic reference layer possesses similar visco-elastic properties as the hydrophilic sensing layer with no water absorption properties. A differential reading electronic circuit may be interconnected with each resonant beam for signal processing. The absorbed humidity with respect to the sensing resonant beam changes the mechanical resonance frequency, which can be detected as a change in the electric resonance frequency of the associated electronic circuit.
US08479557B2	Shock simulation method and apparatus A shock simulation test apparatus and method utilize a test plate and formed explosive charges to sever or penetrate one or more portions of a suspended test plate in order to subject any attached test item(s) to a realistic pyroshock stimulus. One or more shock measurement sensors, such as accelerometers, may be attached to the test plate or the test item(s) to measure the response to this shock stimulus. The apparatus and method is flexible in that many different scenarios can be simulated from different test plate materials, charge sizes and types. This method replicates actual end-use source shock environments typical in aerospace applications, but can be extended to any industry having a pyroshock environment and test requirement.
US08479555B2	Method for compensating for quadrature A method for compensating for the quadrature of a micromechanical structure, the micromechanical structure having a substrate having a main extension plane, a seismic mass that is attached by spring elements to the substrate, and first and second compensation electrodes anchored to the substrate; in response to application of a first quadrature voltage between the first compensation electrode and the seismic mass, a first compensation force being produced on the seismic mass and, in response to application of a second quadrature voltage between the second compensation electrode and the seismic mass, a second compensation force being produced on the seismic mass and, in addition, the second quadrature voltage being adjusted as a function of the first quadrature voltage.
US08479553B2	Method for fabricating wings of bicycle pedals A method for fabricating wings of bicycle pedals includes, first, stamping a plate to form a preformed body which includes an opening and a body with a preset working surface. The working surface has a preset force receiving zone. The body has a first expanded portion and a second expanded portion and two arched portions bridging two sides of the first and second expanded portions; then applying a punching force to the force receiving zone to bend the first expanded portion, second expanded portion and arched portions to become a product; finally performing a bending process and a hole forming process on the product to obtain the wings.
US08479540B2	Method and apparatus for heating glass Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass.
US08479535B2	Method and apparatus for producing high purity oxygen A method and apparatus of producing high purity oxygen in connection with low purity liquid oxygen produced by a plurality of cryogenic air separation plants. The low purity liquid oxygen from the air separation plants is introduced into a distillation column of an auxiliary cryogenic rectification plant that is reboiled by nitrogen also produced by the air separation plants. Nitrogen is separated from the low purity liquid oxygen to produce high purity liquid oxygen from residual liquid located in a bottom region of the distillation column that can be taken as a product. Optionally, an argon column can be connected to the distillation column to produce a liquid argon product stream.
US08479534B2	Beverage dispenser To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage.[Solving Means] The present invention provides a beverage dispenser 1 which supplies a beverage brought into a supercooled state at a solidifying point or less and which releases the supercooled state in the outside, and the beverage dispenser includes a primary cooling device 13 which cools the beverage to an ice point or so, a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies the beverage cooled by the primary cooling device 13 to the outside, a brine circuit 31 through which an antifreezing liquid cooled to the solidifying point or less of the beverage is circulated, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling the beverage, which performs heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 and the antifreezing liquid flowing through the brine circuit 31.
US08479521B2	Gas turbine combustor with liner air admission holes associated with interspersed main and pilot swirler assemblies A combustor for a gas turbine engine having an annular combustion chamber includes a plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and a plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies disposed in a circumferential ring extending about the circumferential expanse of a forward bulkhead. The plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies are interspersed amongst and disposed in the circumferential ring of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies. Fuel being supplied to the combustor is selectively distributed between the plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and the plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies in response to the level of power demand on the gas turbine engine.
US08479520B2	Gas turbine combustor A low cost gas turbine combustor has main nozzles having a cylindrical central tube using an interior as an oil fuel path, a cylindrical outer tube disposed on an outermost periphery of the main nozzle, and a support tube disposed between the central tube and the outer tube, the central tube, the outer tube and the support tube each being formed independently. The support tube has such an internal diameter as to form a clearance becoming an insulating air layer between the support tube and an outer periphery of the central tube, and includes supporting portions formed on an axially upstream side and radially contacting an inner periphery of the outer tube groove portions formed along an axial direction between the supporting portions, and a cylindrical portion formed on an axially downstream side and having an external diameter equal to or smaller than an external diameter of the groove portions.
US08479519B2	Method and apparatus to facilitate cooling of a diffusion tip within a gas turbine engine A method and apparatus for a diffusion tip for use with a fuel nozzle is described. The diffusion tip has a substantially circular body including an outer surface and an opposite inner surface. The diffusion tip body extends from a discharge end to an inlet end. The diffusion tip includes an inlet surface adjacent to the discharge end and defined within the body. A discharge surface is defined opposite the inlet surface. A plurality of diffusion apertures each extend between the discharge surface and the inlet surface, each aperture is oriented relative to the body to discharge a diffusion flow outward therefrom at an angle γ (gamma) measured in an X-Z plane between a centerline of the aperture and an X-axis extending tangentially to the outer surface, and at an angle θ (theta) measured in a Y-Z plane between the centerline of the aperture and a Y-axis extending radially outward from the centerline.
US08479513B2	Control device for drive unit of rotary motor for electrically assisted turbocharger A driver (41) for driving a rotary motor (20) directly connected to a rotating shaft member of a supercharger is mounted on a board (39) together with a control device (51) and a heat sink (39a) and is housed in an engine room. Even when a temperature (ambient temperature) in the engine room detected by a temperature sensor (47b) rises up to an upper limit temperature (upper limit ambient temperature) of the ambient temperature, if a temperature (driver temperature) of a portion of the driver (41) that has a highest temperature detected by a temperature sensor (47a) is yet to rise to an upper limit temperature (upper limit internal temperature) of the driver temperature, the control device (51) causes the rotary motor (20) to continue to drive as the motor while lowering an upper limit of an output current.
US08479512B2	Internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas recirculation system An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders, an air intake line and an exhaust line collecting exhaust gas. The engine also includes an EGR line for rerouting a part of the exhaust gas from the exhaust line towards the air intake line and at least a first turbocharger comprising a first turbine driven by the exhaust gas flowing towards the atmosphere, linked to a first compressor located on the air intake line. The engine further includes a variable geometry EGR turbine located on the EGR line, driven by the EGR gas flowing in the EGR line. Thus, thanks to the pressure reduction occurring in the turbine, the EGR gas temperature is lowered, and less cooling power from the engine cooling system is required to cool down the EGR.
US08479506B2	Piston engine A Stirling engine is provided with a fluid passage that connects a low temperature-side actuating fluid space and a crankcase inner space, and a passage opening/closing valve that is provided in the fluid passage and that opens and closes the fluid passage. Upon stopping of the Stirling engine, the passage opening/closing valve enables communication through the fluid passage, at a region at which the piston floats in the cylinder. This region is determined based on the pressure of an actuating fluid in the actuating fluid space and the rotational speed of a crankshaft of the Stirling engine.
US08479505B2	Systems and methods for reducing dead volume in compressed-gas energy storage systems In various embodiments, dead space and associated coupling losses are reduced in energy storage and recovery systems employing compressed air.
US08479501B2	Exhaust cooling module for SCR catalysts An exhaust aftertreatment system having a NOX absorber-catalyst and an ammonia-SCR reactor. During regenerations, the NOX absorber-catalyst generates ammonia. The ammonia-SCR reactor captures this ammonia and later uses it to reduce NOX. A Venturi is provided in an exhaust conduit connecting the NOX absorber-catalyst to the ammonia-SCR reactor. The Venturi draws sufficient air to keep the ammonia-SCR reactor under lean conditions throughout the NOX absorber-catalyst regenerations. Maintaining lean conditions for the ammonia-SCR reactor in this manner mitigates poisoning of the ammonia-SCR reactor by hydrocarbons slipping from the NOX absorber-catalyst during the regenerations. Mitigating this poisoning improves the performance of the exhaust aftertreatment system and reduce the loss of useful ammonia to oxidation.
US08479496B2	Selective catalytic reduction system using electrically heated catalyst An exhaust system includes N heating elements and a particulate matter (PM) filter. The N heating elements heat N portions of an exhaust gas. At least one of the N heating elements is coated with a first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The PM filter has an inlet that receives the N portions of the exhaust gas heated by the N heating elements. Each of the N portions of the exhaust gas heats a corresponding region of the inlet. N is an integer greater than 1.

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