Document Document Title
US08493282B2 Handheld device with secondary screen for soft key descriptors
A handheld electronic device, including a first device including a keypad including at least one soft key, the functionalities of the at least one soft key being indicated by corresponding at least one soft key descriptor, and a second device, insertable within the first device, including a processor for operating in cooperation with the keypad, when the second device is fully inserted within the first device, and a soft key screen for displaying the at least one soft key descriptor, wherein each of the at least one soft key descriptor is displayed proximate the location of its corresponding soft key on the keypad, when the second device is fully inserted within the first device.
US08493279B2 Antenna feed system
A microwave system comprises an antenna, antenna feed, a radio transceiver, and appropriate cabling among the aforementioned. Cost, performance and reliability improvements are achieved with further integration of these elements and with design improvements in the antenna feed. One improvement is the integration of the radio transceiver with the antenna feed. This improvement has many benefits including the to elimination of RF cables and connectors. Another improvement is the incorporation of parasitic radiators and sub-reflectors as part to of the antenna feed. The entire antenna, including the feed design is optimized with 3D finite element method (FEM) software and numerical optimization software. Another improvement is the utilization of the digital cable to power the integrated radio transceiver and a center fed parabolic reflector.
US08493277B2 Leaky cavity resonator for waveguide band-pass filter applications
A leaky cavity resonator that includes a waveguide, the waveguide being filled with a dielectric material, and at least two complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs), the CSRRs residing inside the waveguide parallel to each other placed symmetrically both radially and in height, a leaky resonant cavity being formed between the at least two CSRRs and a wall of the waveguide. A frequency band of the leaky cavity resonator is adjustable by varying a distance w between at least one outside perimeter of at least one CSRR and an interior wall of the waveguide. A frequency band of the leaky cavity resonator is also adjustable by varying a size of the leaky resonant cavity. The at least two CSRRs each have at least one stub connecting to a wall of the waveguide. A frequency band of the leaky cavity resonator is also adjustable by varying a size of the stubs.
US08493276B2 Metamaterial band stop filter for waveguides
A method and apparatus comprising a dielectric structure and a plurality of conductive segments. The dielectric structure is configured for placement in a waveguide. The plurality of conductive segments is located within the dielectric structure. Each of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to reduce a passing of a number of frequencies of electromagnetic signals traveling through the dielectric structure.
US08493274B2 Slot antenna and portable wireless terminal
A slot antenna is provided with at least two conductive plates arranged to face each other. A slot is arranged on one of or both of the facing conductive plates and has a long and narrow opening shape. A power feeding unit is arranged between the facing conductive plates and is electrically and physically connected with the facing conductive plates, respectively. When power is fed to the power feeding unit, the power is fed between the facing conductive plates by the power feeding unit. Thus, excitation with a frequency dependent on the electrical length of the slot is induced at the slot, and a current excited at the slot is distributed entirely over one conductive plate, the current becomes a radiation source, and an electromagnetic wave is radiated from the one conductive plate. At this time, the other conductive plate operates as the reflecting plate of the electromagnetic wave.
US08493270B2 Wireless device
A wireless device, including an antenna different from another antenna included in one of two casings, in a joint part where the two casings are joined together, is capable of reducing deterioration in properties of the antenna included in the joint part. The wireless device (1) of the present invention includes: an upper casing (10), housing a casing antenna (11) that resonates with a first frequency; a lower casing (20), housing a matching circuit (23) of the casing antenna (11); a hinge part (31), joining the upper casing (10) with the lower casing (20), including a built-in antenna (32) that resonates with a second frequency different from the first frequency, and including feeding sections (33) and (34) for coupling the matching circuit (23) to the casing antenna (11); and transmission elements (12) and (22), being disposed on at least any one of a signal path that connects the casing antenna (11) and the feeding section (33) and a signal path that connects the matching circuit (23) and the feeding section (34), the transmission elements (12) and (22) (i) giving passage to a signal having the first frequency and (ii) blocking a signal having the second frequency.
US08493269B2 Magnetodielectric substrate and antenna apparatus using the same
A magnetodielectric substrate includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, conductive patterns, and a plurality of air vias. The first dielectric layer has a predetermined height, and the second dielectric layer is stacked on the first dielectric layer. Conductive patterns are coated on an upper surface and a lower surface of one of the first and second dielectric layers. A plurality of air vias is formed with a predetermined diameter and a predetermined interval such that they pass through up to the conductive patterns of the upper and lower surfaces from the dielectric layer on which the conductive patterns are coated.
US08493267B2 Method and apparatus for position determination with extended SPS orbit information
A method and system for assisting mobile stations to locate a satellite use an efficient messaging format. A server computes a correction between coarse orbit data of a satellite and precise orbit data of the satellite. A coordinate system is chosen such that variation of the correction is substantially smooth over time. The server further approximates the correction with mathematical functions to reduce the number of bits necessary for transmission to a mobile station. The mobile station, upon receiving the coefficients, evaluates the mathematical functions using the coefficients and a time of applicability (e.g., the current time), converts the evaluated result to a standard coordinate system, and applies the conversion result to the coarse orbit data to obtain the precise orbit data.
US08493265B2 Radar detection method, notably for airborne radars implementing an obstacle detection and avoidance function
A method includes: generating a frequency-modulated continuous signal, an emission sequence being formed of successive ramps centered on a carrier frequency; fixing a modulation band ΔF and the duration Tr of a recurrence in such a way that at the range limit, a reception ramp appears shifted by at least one given frequency with respect to the corresponding emission ramp, on account of the propagation delay for the outward-return journey to a target kTr+θ, k being an integer and θ a duration less than Tr; demodulating the signal received by the signal emitted, the resulting signal including a first sinusoid at the frequency δFdim=(1−(θ/Tr)·ΔF and a second sinusoid at the frequency δFd=(θ/Tr)·ΔF; sampling the resulting signal and performing a first fast Fourier transformation on this resulting signal over the duration of each emission ramp; detecting in the resulting spectrum the spectral lines appearing at the frequencies δFd and δFdim, and performing the vector sum of these two spectral lines after resetting them into phase with respect to one another; and performing a detection by comparing the modulus of the vector sum with a predetermined threshold.
US08493264B2 Terrestrial object information judging image producing method and program
In the case where radar image data obtained from a radar device equipped in a flying body and optical image data of a district taken by the radar device are synthesized to produce a terrestrial object information judging image, the radar image data are approximated to a black and white panchromatic image character. The radar image data approximated to the black and white panchromatic character and the optical image data are aligned in position and then synthesized. As a suitable embodiment, in an approximation processing of the radar image data to the black and white panchromatic image character, histogram conversion processing is carried out in accordance with a histogram characteristic of the radar image data.
US08493258B1 Digital-to-analog converter image suppression with hilbert transform
A method and apparatus for suppressing a first replica of an image spectra and reinforcing a second replica of the image spectra are disclosed. A Hilbert transformer is applied to a first digital signal in a first path. The Hilbert-transformed signal in the first path is converted to an analog signal in the first path. The analog signal in the first path is delayed by an additional 90 degrees to produce a first phase-shifted analog signal. A phase delay is applied to the first digital signal in the second path and the phase-delayed signal in the second path is converted to analog to produce a second phase-shifted analog signal. A combiner combines the first and second phase-delayed analog signals to produce an analog output signal with at least one replica of the image spectra that is substantially suppressed.
US08493252B2 Logarithmic analog/digital conversion method for an analog input signal, and corresponding device
A logarithmic analog to digital conversion method for an analog input signal includes a logarithmic amplification with progressive compression of the input signal delivering a sequence of several secondary analog signals. The trend of the values of at least some of the secondary signals is a function of the values of the analog input signal including regions corresponding to a linear trend of the secondary signals as a function of that of the input signal expressed in a logarithmic scale. The method also includes a comparison of at least some of the secondary signals of the sequence with a common reference signal whose value lies within each of regions, supplying a thermometric code information item, and a generation of a first digital word from the thermometric code information item.
US08493250B2 Comparator offset cancellation in a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter
A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes an adjustable voltage source that applies an adjustable voltage to an input of a comparator of the ADC to cancel an offset of the ADC. The ADC also includes a control that suspends adjustments of the adjustable voltage when the adjustable voltage converges on the offset. The adjustable voltage source is a digital-to-analog converter.
US08493248B2 Transforming circuit and system between parallel data and serial data
A transforming circuit between parallel data and serial data includes a current source, a clock input sub-circuit, and a parallel data input sub-circuit. The clock input sub-circuit includes a first clock signal terminal and a second clock signal terminal. The transforming circuit between parallel data and serial data also includes a clock control sub-circuit and a serial data output control sub-circuit. The clock control sub-circuit includes four switching elements. A first and a third switching elements are controlled by the second clock signal terminal, and a second and a fourth switching elements are controlled by the first clock signal terminal. The serial data output control sub-circuit includes a fifth switching element and a sixth switching element to speed up the falling edge of the output signal flip, a seventh switching element and an eighth switching element to limit the output signal amplitude. A transforming system thereof is also provided.
US08493246B2 Methods and systems for decoding data
A method of decoding is presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a coded bit stream that is encoded using a Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) code and a 17 Parity Preserve/Prohibit (17PP) code, determining a 17PP modulated bit stream based upon the coded bit stream using a first selected decoding method, and generating a plurality of decisions by processing the 17PP modulated bit stream using a second selected decoding method, wherein the received coded bit stream comprises a plurality of coded bits, and the plurality of decisions are estimates of a plurality of source bits in a source information.
US08493245B2 Determination of long binary sequences having low autocorrelation functions
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining long binary sequences having low autocorrelation functions using evolutionary processes are disclosed. Biphase sequences are found with low peak sidelobe values meeting a predetermined criterion, e.g., threshold low auto-correlation function, including application of semidefinite programming in connection with determining an initial population, and evolving the population with an evolutionary algorithm to bits of the biphase sequences including bit flipping. The found biphase sequences can be communicated to a variety of applications, including wireless communications technologies.
US08493241B2 Systems, methods and computer readable media for displaying multiple overlaid images to a pilot of an aircraft during flight
Embodiments for displaying first and second images to a pilot of an aircraft are presented. The embodiments include, but are not limited to, obtaining a first image signal and a second image signal, commanding a display unit to display a first image on a display screen corresponding to the first signal, and computing an image moving velocity of the first image. The method further comprises estimating an image flow velocity for the second image based on the second image signal and comparing the image moving velocity of the first image to the image flow velocity of the second image. After the comparison, the display unit is commanded to display the second image overlaid on the first image, and commanding the display unit to establish an intensity of the second image within a predefined range based upon the comparison.
US08493238B2 Device and method for detecting wheel axles
The invention relates to the detection of wheel axles of a vehicle on a roadway by means of a sensor, which operates according to the light-section procedure and emits at least one fan of light from a first location along the roadway to project a line of light onto the roadway and a vehicle possibly located thereon, and records this line of light from a second location along the same side of the roadway and detects a wheel axle as soon as the recorded line of light exhibits, in its course emanating from the said side of the roadway, a shift-free change in direction differing from its course when the roadway is empty.
US08493235B2 Geobroadcast hazard warning device via a server
A hazard warning for a driver of a vehicle is provided which involves measured values captured by different vehicles or corresponding advance analysis results being evaluated centrally by a server. The server then decides who needs to receive a corresponding warning. In this way, the main computation power can be provided in the server, which relieves the load on the individual vehicle systems. In addition, the data transfer can be minimized, since the messages are sent only to selected receivers.
US08493232B2 Gas shut-off valve with feedback
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing a feedback mechanism to a system operator that provides a positive indication of the position of a valve which controls gas flow to a consumer. Rotation of a stepper motor controlling a valve mechanism is optically monitored and a feedback signal is sent to the system operator indicating positive operation of the valve only when a selected number of rotations of the stepper motor is reported. The stepper motor may be operated in different modes, each associated with different nominal current consumption levels. In a higher current consumption mode, such as a torque-oriented mode, the stepper motor may be stepped a few additional steps after valve closure to ensure seating of the valve.
US08493229B2 Verbal warning systems and other audible warning systems for use with various types of devices, containers, products and other things
Verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems for use with different devices, containers, products and other things in various environments are disclosed herein. An audible warning system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a device having a standardized textual warning associated therewith, and a sound playback system operably coupled to the device. The sound playback device can be configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning. The verbal warning can be provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, and the verbal warning can supplement or replace the standardized textual warning.
US08493227B2 System and method for optimizing the position of a mobile device
A system and method for providing a visual indicator for optimizing the position of a mobile device when the mobile device is being used in a hands free mode. One or more position components in the mobile device can determine the position of the mobile device. The position of the mobile device can be compared to ideal or predetermined positions for improved performance quality. A visual indicator can be provided to provide an indication on whether the mobile device is in an optimal position. The visual indicator can take several forms including an illustration showing how the mobile device should be moved, an animation showing how the mobile device should be moved, colors providing an indication whether the position is acceptable, or any combination thereof.
US08493224B2 Bowden cable wear detection in a tube clamp system for medical fluids
A system for clamping a flexible tube containing medical fluids includes a cable assembly coupled to a remote driver and a slidable clamp that imparts a clamping force to the flexible tube. An electrical continuity detector is included to measure the wear of an internal insulating layer of the cable between a sliding inner wire and a cable casing member. An indication of the wear to the cable is generated in response to a comparison of the electrical integrity of the insulating layer with a threshold. The wear indication enables the cable to be repaired or replaced prior to a malfunction of the overall tube clamp system.
US08493222B2 Liquid injection device
A liquid injection device includes: a chamber which supply of the liquid and connects with the injection nozzle; a chamber volume varying unit to which driving voltage is applied to reduce the volume of the chamber to a volume smaller than the volume of the chamber before the driving voltage is applied; a driving voltage applying unit which applies the driving voltage to the chamber volume varying unit with the liquid supplied to the chamber; a pseudo noise data memory unit which stores sound data of pseudo noise having audible frequency components contained in driving noise generated when the driving voltage is applied to the chamber volume varying unit; and a pseudo noise outputting unit which outputs the pseudo noise by using the sound data of the pseudo noise such that the sound pressure of the driving noise decreases within the audible frequency range when the driving voltage is applied.
US08493221B2 Filter fouling detection using comparative temperature rise analysis
One embodiment involves detecting the fouling of an air filter used to filter airflow entering a computer system. An expected airflow rate is obtained from a current fan speed. An expected temperature rise between two positions is computed as a function of the expected airflow rate and the power consumption of heat-generating components, such as servers. An actual temperature rise is obtained from temperature sensors. An electronic alert is automatically generated in response to the actual temperature rise exceeding the expected temperature rise by a setpoint. Different setpoints may be used to trigger distinct electronic alerts.
US08493216B2 Generating deportment and comportment cohorts
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating deportment and comportment cohorts. Digital sensor data associated with an individual is received. The digital sensor data comprises event metadata describing a set of events associated with the individual. The set of events comprises at least one of body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, and social interactions of the individual. In response to determining description data for the individual is available, the description data is retrieved. The description data comprises at least one of identification information, past history information, and current status information for the individual. A set of conduct analysis models based on the event metadata and the available description data is selected. The set of conduct analysis models process the event metadata describing the set of events associated with the individual to identify and interpret the set of events. The event metadata and the description data is analyzed in the set of conduct analysis models to form a deportment and comportment cohort. The deportment and comportment cohort comprises attributes identifying a demeanor and manner of the individual.
US08493214B2 Method and apparatus for wireless management of articles
The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for wireless management of articles. The method is implemented by a master REID tag. The method includes transmitting at least one first RFID read signal to a plurality of REID tags local to the master RFID tag and receiving a first RFID response signal from each of the plurality of RFID tags in response to the at least one first RFID read signal. Each of the first RFID response signals comprises an identifier associated with an article. The method further includes maintaining an article record indicating at least one expected article that is to be managed by the master RFID tag and comparing each of the identifiers with the article record in an attempt to compile contextual information associated with the article record. The method further includes transmitting a master signal comprising the contextual information associated with the article record.
US08493213B2 System and methods for locating mobile devices using location and presence information
A location based service and method configured to provide recovery assistance for a misplaced or stolen mobile device. The location based system and method is configured to locate (recover) high value mobile devices using location, presence and other IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) based telecommunications network assets. The method includes leveraging location dips performed for other services to drive a recovery process for a mobile device to thereby reduce resource overhead on a location platform; locating the mobile device using the location dips performed for other services; and sending a notification to a subscriber of the location of the mobile device for recovery of the mobile device.
US08493212B2 Passive microwave system and method for protecting a structure from fire threats
An automatic fire suppression system used to provide protection of window glass and other structural elements in aircraft terminals which are exposed to exterior fires caused by natural, accidental, or intentional events comprises a directional passive microwave receiver, a central processor for processing received microwave signals over time and comparing the received signals over time with thermal event signatures stored in memory to selectively actuate a sprinkler system for protecting the window glass in the vicinity of an identified fire event. The memory may further store a model of the aircraft terminal, and the processor utilizes a fire dynamics simulator to simulate a thermal event at the terminal. A related fire suppression process involves the detection of incipient fires through an array of exterior passive microwave heat sensor fire detectors connected to an electronic control processor which identify zones such as 30 to 100 linear foot zones of exterior glass surface and automatically initiates an array of quenching sprinkler heads applying water to the exposed surfaces of glass and other structural elements in response to detection of an identified fire event by its signature.
US08493208B2 Devices and methods for detecting environmental circumstances and responding with designated communication actions
Provided are a wireless communication device and a communication device control method that include a set of templates corresponding to a plurality of potential environmental circumstances. The templates may be stored in a database in the computer readable memory of the communication device. At predetermined intervals, a suite of environmental sensors integral to the communication device may periodically sample the user's environment. The user's environmental circumstances may be derived or inferred by an analysis module based on the output of the suite of environmental sensors and then may be compared to the templates to determine a matching template. An action script is then executed based at least partially on the matching template which may include the contacting of a responding party.
US08493196B2 ACB following distance alert and warning adjustment as a function of forward vehicle size and host vehicle mass
When employing an adaptive cruise-with-braking (ACB) system to control host vehicle following distance, a forward vehicle is detected using one or both of a radar sensor (14) and a camera sensor (82). The radar sensor classifies the forward vehicle as a motorcycle, passenger car, or heavy vehicle by comparing a detected radar signature to reference radar signatures for different vehicles. The camera sensor classifies the forward vehicle as a motorcycle, passenger car, or heavy vehicle by comparing a captured vehicle image to reference pixel and contrast profiles (PCPs) for different vehicles. An adaptive cruise control (ACC) module (12) selects and implements a following distance alert (FDA) protocol for the classified vehicle, where the FDA protocol prescribes following distance limits that inversely proportional to the size of the forward vehicle. Following distance limits can be further adjusted as a function of host vehicle mass.
US08493192B2 Immobilizer circuit
An immobilizer device is configured for communicating with a base station. The immobilizer device includes an antenna circuit including three orthogonally-oriented antennas configured to receive a signal from a field generated by a base station. A power circuit is configured to draw power via the field on each of the antennas, and a communications circuit is configured to communicate with the base station via any of the antennas. The strength of the signals received via the antennas is evaluated and used to select one of the antennas for use in data communications and, if appropriate, as a power supply.
US08493191B2 Vehicle security notification device and related methods
A vehicle security device to be installed in a vehicle of a type including a vehicle audio entertainment system being configurable via a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include an audio entertainment system content interface. The audio interface may be selectively operable to communicate audio content relating to a vehicle security breach condition to the vehicle audio entertainment system. The device may also include a controller coupled to the audio entertainment system content interface for detecting a vehicle security breach condition. The controller may also be for configuring the vehicle audio entertainment system, via the vehicle data communications bus, so that the audio content related to the vehicle security breach condition plays through the vehicle audio entertainment system based upon detecting the vehicle security breach condition.
US08493189B2 Haptic feedback controller
A haptic feedback controller of the present invention includes: a pointing position detecting sensor which is arranged along a fingertip pointing path and detects a pointing position of a fingertip when a pointing operation is performed along the fingertip pointing path; a haptic feedback imparting device which has a piezoelectric element arranged along the fingertip pointing path and generates vibrations depending on a high frequency voltage when the voltage is applied thereto and an elastic body which is fixed to the piezoelectric element, and imparts predetermined haptic feedback to the fingertip due to vibrations generated by the piezoelectric element; and a piezoelectric element control device which controls the piezoelectric element based on feedback information outputted from controlled equipment. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a haptic feedback controller which is suitable for controlling controlled equipment in response to a pointing operation performed by a user with his/her fingertip and, at the same time, is suitable for equipment such as portable equipment deemed necessary to satisfy demand for reduction of thickness and miniaturization.
US08493187B2 Wireless sensor reader
A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits a narrowband, fixed frequency excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The ring signal corresponds to the value of the physical parameter being sensed. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. The low power, simple circuitry required to generate the excitation pulse allows the reader to be a small, battery operated unit. Alternative methods of frequency determination are also disclosed.
US08493186B2 Reading device, computer program product and reading system
The reader/writer repeatedly reads data, which is stored in an IC tag existing in an area where communication with the reader/writer can be established, from the IC tag in a noncontact method. The reader/writer transmits the read data to the administrative device. The administrative device generates read data which shows the result of reading in chronologic order and generates feature data indicative of the feature of the result of reading on the basis of the generated time series data. An IC tag is sorted as a target tag or an unnecessary tag by sorting the read data as necessary data or unnecessary data on the basis of the generated feature data.
US08493184B2 Method for remote measuring of a physical variable
System for remote measuring a physical variable comprising an RF transceiver arranged for transmitting an RF signal and for receiving a reflection signal derived from the transmitted signal. An RF transponder comprises a dielectric material having a dielectric property which is dependent on the physical variable according to a first function. The dielectric material is exposed to the physical variable to be measured. The transponder is arranged to receive the signal transmitted by the transceiver and to reflect a reflection signal, or the second and/or higher harmonics of it, which is dependent on the actual dielectric property. Processing means are provided for comparing the signal transmitted by the transceiver and the reflection signal received from the transponder and for converting the comparison result, e.g. the phase shift, into a value which is representative for the physical variable to be measured. The transponder may be e.g. a patch antenna.
US08493183B2 Wireless tag and method for producing wireless tag
The wireless tag includes an antenna conductor; a first power-supply conductor which is electromagnetic-inductively coupled with the antenna conductor; and a second power-supply conductor which is loop-shaped and which is electrically coupled with the first power-supply conductor.
US08493182B2 Phase ranging RFID location system
A method and apparatus for phase ranging the distance an RFID tag is from an RFID location system antenna along the interrogation signal beam, based upon the phase readings included in data sets obtained from monitoring reply signals corresponding to interrogation signals at multiple frequencies and a common interrogation signal beam direction; by comparison of measured phase and frequency data sets with theoretical phases calculated with respect to the same frequencies over a range of positions corresponding to a beam extent of the interrogation signal.
US08493179B2 Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus for performing a communication with other communication apparatus by using identification information, includes a housing, a plurality of grounding terminals which are respectively connected to one ends of internal grounding lines provided within the housing for connecting to an external grounding line outside the housing, a grounding line connection detection section which detects a grounding terminal connected to the external grounding line among the plurality of grounding terminals, and an identification information setting section which sets the identification information based on a detection result of the grounding line connection detection section.
US08493176B2 Image data management system
There is provided an image data management system that restricts a user's exit depending on the use of image data containing confidential information. An image data management system includes a management server 1, printers 2, gates 3 and 4, and an IC card 6. The printers 2 generate processing information when the user processes the image data, and store the processing information in the IC card 6. When the user is going to exit a managed area A or B, the gate 3 reads user information and the processing information from the IC card 6. The management server 1 determines whether feature information is present in the processing information. If feature information is present, the user's exit is prohibited. A manager's PC 5 is informed of the prohibition.
US08493174B2 Apparatus for instantaneous translation of sign language
An apparatus for instantaneously translating sign language in to voice and video is introduced. The present invention uses accelerometer sensors to compute the position and movement of each finger, thereby instantaneously determining the posture of the hand. The location of fingers with respect to body is accurately determined by placing RFID tags at different parts of the body while a single RFID reader is placed on the index finger. Data from accelerometer sensors and RFID reader are multiplexed and sent wirelessly via a controller to a laptop processor where ultimate conversion of sign language to text/voice is achieved. Further, various characteristics of sign language comprising hand position, hand posture, hand orientation and hand movement are detected based on the accelerometer data and RFID data.
US08493173B2 Method of cavity forming on a buried resistor layer using a fusion bonding process
A method of forming a buried resistor within a cavity for use in electronic packages using two glass impregnated dielectric layers, one with a clearance hole, the second with a resistor core, the clearance hole being placed over the resistor core and the assembly fusion bonded. The space remaining around the resistor core is filled with a soldermask material and the assembly is coated with metal. Thru-holes are drilled, cleaned, and plated and then the metal coating is etched and partially removed. The soldermask is then removed and a layer of gold plating is applied to the exposed metal surfaces. The use of glass impregnated dielectric layers and fusion bonding eliminates the fluorinated ethylene propylene resin (FEP) bleed problem associated with previous buried resistor cavity assemblies.
US08493172B2 Variable speed toggle trigger
A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.
US08493168B2 Asymmetric differential inductor
An asymmetric differential inductor includes first and second conductive wirings spirally disposed on a substrate having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a ground terminal, and a central conductive wiring. The central conductive wiring has a central contact connecting the ground terminal and a central end away from the ground terminal. The first conductive wiring extends across the central conductive wiring and has a first contact connecting the first input terminal and a first end connecting the central end. The second conductive wiring extends across the central conductive wiring and interlaces with the first conductive wiring and has a second contact connecting the second input terminal and a second end connecting the central end. Corresponding portions of wiring sections of the first and second conductive wirings at opposite sides of the central conductive wiring are asymmetrical to one another to thereby save substrate space and facilitate circuit layout.
US08493164B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic relay body having an electromagnet and a contact part, the contact part opening and closing along with movement of the electromagnet, a terminal member supporting the electromagnetic relay body, and a base member supporting the terminal member. The terminal member has a connecting part electrically connected to the electromagnetic relay body, the electromagnetic relay body is supported by the connecting part while providing a clearance between the base member and the electromagnetic relay body.
US08493162B1 Combiner/divider with coupled transmission line
A combiner/divider circuit may include a plurality of transmission lines forming a junction, a sum port, a first component port, a second component port, and a difference port. A transmission line may be associated with the difference port and may be formed by inductively coupling a portion of each of two other transmission lines. The difference port may be terminated by a terminating impedance element at a location spaced apart from the junction, with the inductively coupled portions being between the junction and the terminating impedance element.
US08493161B2 Compact excitation assembly for generating a circular polarization in an antenna and method of fashioning such a compact excitation assembly
A compact excitation assembly for generating a circular polarization in an antenna in particular transmit and/or receive antennas such as multibeam antennas comprises a diplexing orthomode transducer and a branched coupler and is characterized in that the orthomode transducer (21), or OMT, is asymmetric and comprises a main waveguide (22) with square or circular cross section and longitudinal axis ZZ′ and two branches coupled to the main waveguide (22) by respectively two parallel coupling slots (25, 26), the two coupling slots (25, 26) being made in two orthogonal walls of the waveguide, the two branches of the OMT being respectively linked to two waveguides (35, 36) of an unbalanced branched coupler (40), the branched coupler (40) having two different splitting coefficients (α, β) that are optimized in such a way as to compensate for the electric field orthogonal spurious components (δy, δx) produced by the asymmetry of the OMT (21).
US08493160B2 Electromagnetic signal power limiter and method of designing the power limiter
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic signal power limiter and its design method. The power limiter for an electromagnetic signal includes at least one transmission line for the signal. The transmission line is made up of a number of passive micro-diodes with ballistic electron transport. The micro-diodes are distributed on the transmission line, and are implemented in a controlled atmosphere. The invention applies notably to radiofrequency or hyperfrequency waves received by detection and communication devices.
US08493158B2 Polar feedback architecture
Polar feedback architecture. A polar modulator, as may be implemented within a transmitter module, of a communication device includes feedback. This feedback involves monitoring of phase information and magnitude/amplitude information of an output signal generated by the polar modulator. The output signal can be a radio frequency (RF) signal such as may be transmitted via a communication channel within a communication system. A baseband processing module processes the monitored phase information and magnitude/amplitude information to perform adjustment of a phase modulator and/or other components within the polar modulator.
US08493157B2 MEMS resonator for filtering and mixing
A method of operating a micro-electromechanical system, comprising a resonator; an actuation electrode; and a first detection electrode, to filter and mix a plurality of signals. The method comprises applying a first alternating voltage signal to the actuation electrode, wherein an actuation force is generated having a frequency bandwidth that is greater than and includes a resonant bandwidth of a mechanical frequency response of the resonator, and wherein a displacement of the resonator is produced which is filtered by the mechanical frequency response and varies a value of an electrical characteristic of the first detection electrode. The method also comprises applying a second alternating voltage signal to the first detection electrode, wherein the second voltage signal is mixed with the varying value to produce a first alternating current signal. The first alternating current signal is detected at the first detection electrode.
US08493155B2 Multiband voltage controlled oscillator without switched capacitor
A controlled oscillator includes, connected in parallel, a capacitor configured to be tuneable based upon a first signal, an inductor, and an active impedance. The active impedance is formed by a pair of cross-coupled transistors connected so as to produce a negative resistive component at the terminals of the active impedance. Circuitry produces a degeneracy tuneable by a second signal in the cross-coupled pair, such that the cross-coupled pair produces a capacitive component tuneable based upon the second signal at the terminals of the active impedance.
US08493151B2 Method and apparatus for programmable gain control useful with digital to analog converter
A programmable gain controller (PGC) useful with a digital to analog converter is coupled to an input node providing a current source that is variable with a level of an input signal such as time sampled audio data, and multiple switches controlled to function as a digital gain control. Each switch is configured to selectively steer a variable fraction of the current provided by a current source to either a current sink node or to an output node of the PGC to provide at least one scaled current. An amplifier is coupled to an output of the PGC. The amplifier is configured to convert scaled current(s) to at least one output signal having an amplitude that is a function of both the input signal level and the digital gain input signal. Controlling the gain by steering current at the analog portion of the apparatus conserves circuit space and reduces noise.
US08493149B2 Amplifier circuit with variable tuning precision
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating variable precision tuning of an amplifier circuit. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes an amplifier having multiple tuning stages to set the gain of the amplifier to discrete gain levels. In particular embodiments, the tuning stages are connected in series and each of the tuning stages includes a resistor connected in parallel to a switch, which can be disengaged to cause the amplifier to set the gain to an adjacent gain level. In certain embodiments, the difference in gain between each adjacent one of the plurality of gain levels is more at higher gain levels than at lower gain levels.
US08493148B2 Gain enhancement for cascode structure
Aspects of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods to provide significant gain enhancement for a cascode structure for a differential amplifier. The cascode structure of the differential amplifier can include first and second pairs of output transistors. The second pair of output transistors can be configured to approximately cancel modulation effects of the first pair of output transistors induced by changes in a differential output of differential amplifier, thereby resulting in conditions for providing enhanced gain.
US08493136B2 Driver circuit and a mixer circuit receiving a signal from the driver circuit
A driver circuit for supplying a drive signal to a mixer circuit comprising a first and second circuit branch and an operational amplifier. The first circuit branch receives an input signal and a bias signal. The second circuit branch receives the input signal. The operational amplifier has a first input connected to a junction node of the first circuit branch and a second input connected to a junction node of the second circuit branch. The operational amplifier is arranged to provide an operational amplifier output signal a second component of the second circuit branch so that a voltage at the junction node of the second circuit branch is equal to a voltage at the junction node of the first circuit branch. The voltage is dependent on the input signal and providing the drive signal.
US08493135B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a pre-charge signal generator configured to pre-charge a plurality of oscillation signals to a certain voltage level in a pre-charge mode, wherein the pre-charge signal generator includes: a first storage unit for storing a first pre-charge oscillation signal in response to a reference oscillation signal, a feedback unit for feeding back a second pre-charge oscillation signal, a second storage unit for storing the second pre-charge oscillation signal corresponding to an output signal of the first storage unit in response to the reference oscillation signal, and a pre-charge signal output unit for outputting a pre-charge signal in response to the first pre-charge oscillation signal and the second pre-charge oscillation signal.
US08493130B2 Reference voltage generating circuit
A reference voltage generating circuit that accurately corrects temperature characteristics of a BGR (bandgap reference) circuit and a regulator. A voltage dividing circuit outputs first and second voltages obtained by dividing a BGR voltage. The regulator includes a differential amplifier, first and second resisters coupled in series between the output terminal of the differential amplifier and the ground. The positive input terminal of the differential amplifier receives the BGR voltage, and the negative input terminal is coupled to a coupled node between third and fourth resistors. The BGR circuit outputs a third voltage varying with a temperature determined by a predetermined amount of current flowing in the BGR circuit and a predetermined resistor. A temperature-characteristics correcting circuit controls a correcting current flowing through the coupled node so that its magnitude varies with the difference between the first and third voltages, and the difference between the second and third voltages.
US08493124B2 Low minimum power supply voltage level shifter
A level shifter includes one PMOS and two NMOS transistors. A source of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a low power supply voltage. An input signal is coupled to a gate of the first NMOS transistor and a source of the second NMOS transistor. The input signal has a voltage level up to a first power supply voltage. A source of the PMOS transistor is coupled to a second power supply voltage, higher than the first power supply voltage. An output signal is coupled between the PMOS and the first NMOS transistors. The first NMOS transistor is arranged to pull down the output signal when the input signal is a logical 1, and the second NMOS transistor is arranged to enable the PMOS transistor to pull up the output signal to a logical 1 at the second power supply voltage when the input signal is a logical 0.
US08493123B2 Synchronization of remote clocks
A system for synchronizing a first clock and a second clock includes a receiver associated with the first clock, configured to receive a remote pulse from the second clock. The remote pulse has a pulse repetition frequency and spectral characteristics that are known to the local clock. The system also includes a local pulse emitter configured to create a local pulse at the first clock, and optics configured to align the local pulse and the remote pulse. The system further includes an interferometer configured to create an interference pattern between the local pulse and the remote pulse. A controller is provided that is configured to calculate a time delay between the first clock and the second clock based on the interference pattern between the local pulse and the remote pulse.
US08493119B2 Scannable flip-flop with hold time improvements
Embodiments of a scannable flip-flop are disclosed that may reduce data hold time, which may in turn improve the performance of circuits incorporating the scannable flip-flop. The scannable flip-flop may include a slave latch and a master latch including an input multiplexer. The multiplexer may include a number of input ports, for example to receive normal operating mode data as well as scan operating mode data, and the multiplexer may be operable to controllably select one of the input ports and pass the value of the selected port to an output of the multiplexer. For example, the multiplexer may generate individual control signals for the various ports dependent upon both the clock signal and a select signal, such that each of the ports is qualified with the select signal and the clock signal before the multiplexer presents the input data of the selected port as the output of the multiplexer.
US08493117B2 Leakage tolerant delay locked loop circuit device
Leakage tolerant delay locked loop (DLL) circuit devices and methods of locking phases of output phase signals to a phase of a reference signal using a leakage tolerant DLL circuit device are provided. Embodiments include a DLL circuit device comprising: a primary loop and a secondary correction circuit. The primary loop includes a phase detector, an error controller, and a voltage controlled buffer (VCB). The secondary correction circuit is configured to generate and provide secondary error-delay signals to the error controller. The secondary correction circuit includes multiple error generators. Each error generator is configured to generate a secondary error-delay signal in response to detecting a particular edge of an output phase signal from the VCB. The primary loop is configured to control a phase adjustment based on at least one of a first error-delay-increase signal, a first error-delay-decrease signal, and the secondary error-delay signals.
US08493114B2 Temperature compensation circuit and synthesizer using the temperature compensation circuit
A temperature compensation circuit includes: a sensing circuit arranged to sense a temperature to generate a sensing signal; an operational circuit arranged to sample the sensing signal to generate a sample signal during a first phase, and arranged to generate an output signal according to the sensing signal and the sample signal during a second phase; and a capacitive circuit arranged to provide a capacitance adjusted by the output signal.
US08493113B2 PLL bandwidth correction with offset compensation
A method and system for compensating for offsets when measuring parameters of a phase-locked loop (PLL). In one embodiment, a proportional path in the PLL is temporarily shut off, a measurement is made of a real time-to-zero crossing in the PLL to measure a defined parameter of the PLL, the proportional path is switched on, and the defined loop parameter is adjusted based on this measurement. In one embodiment, the real time-to-zero crossing is measured after introducing a phase step into the PLL between a reference signal and an output signal of the PLL. In an embodiment, two phase steps, having opposite polarities, are successively introduced into the PLL, and the time-to-crossing measurements resulting from these two phase steps may be averaged, and this average is used to determine a loop parameter.
US08493106B2 Semiconductor device and method for controlling flip-flop
A semiconductor device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a flip-flop; a clock control circuit that controls a clock signal supplied to the flip-flop; and a controller that supplies a data retention signal to the flip-flop and controls the clock control circuit. When the flip-flop is driven by a negative edge of the clock signal and retains data when the clock signal is at a high level, the controller controls the clock control circuit so as to supply a high-level clock signal to the flip-flop after the input clock signal is fixed and before the flip-flop retains data. This prevents the occurrence of unintended latching of data when the flip-flop having a retention function retains data.
US08493105B2 Injection-locked frequency divider
An injection-locked frequency divider (ILFD) including a signal injector, an oscillator (OSC), and a buffer stage is provided. The signal injector is configured for receiving an injection signal. The OSC is configured for dividing the frequency of the injection signal, so as to generate a first divided frequency signal, where there is an integral-multiple relation between the frequency of the first divided frequency signal and that of the injection signal. The buffer stage is configured for receiving and boosting the first divided frequency signal, and performing a push-push process on the first divided frequency signal, so as to output a second divided frequency signal, where there is a fractional-multiple relation between the frequency of the second divided frequency signal and that of the injection signal.
US08493101B2 Drive circuit with a transmission circuit for capacitively transmitting a signal and associated method
A drive circuit with a circuit for transmitting a signal from a primary side having a first ground to a secondary side having a second ground. The transformer has capacitive coupling between the primary and secondary sides. The transformer has an ON transmission branch and an OFF transmission branch, which each have a first partial branch and a second partial branch. Capacitive coupling between the primary and secondary sides is effected in each partial branch by high-voltage capacitors. In the inventive method, in each transmission branch, the signal generates a current flow through a first HV capacitor of a first partial branch and an inverse current flow through a second HV capacitor of a second partial branch. This respective current flow is detected on the secondary side and is supplied to an evaluation circuit common to the two partial branches and reconstructs the primary-side input signal on the secondary side.
US08493098B1 Systems and methods for compensating the input offset voltage of a comparator
Systems and methods of actively compensating for the input offset voltage of a comparator are provided. A compensation circuit may include a compensation comparator for comparing the comparison signal generated using the output signal of a comparator, to a reference voltage. A first voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator and produces a first voltage that is related to a first amount of time that the comparison signal spends above the reference voltage. A second voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator, and produces a second voltage that is related to the second amount of time that the comparison signal spends below the reference voltage. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be used to provide one or more compensation signals to one or more of the two input terminals of the comparator.
US08493097B2 Current-sensing circuit
In one embodiment, a circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low-ohmic circuit and a a power supply node configured and arranged for providing a supply voltage across the low-ohmic circuit to a load from which current can be drawn. The circuit also includes a current reference circuit, configured and arranged for setting a current reference level that is based on a portion of the current from the power supply node, and a current-sensing circuit. The current-sensing circuit senses and is responsive to current passing through the low-ohmic circuit. The current-sensing circuit operates in a normal mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is less than the current threshold level, and in an over-current mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is greater than the current threshold level.
US08493094B2 Trigger signal detection apparatus
A trigger signal detection apparatus includes: a clock gating circuit which is supplied with a trigger signal and a clock signal and outputs the clock signal; a trigger signal processing circuit which outputs a first signal only for a predetermined time when the clock signal is supplied from the clock gating circuit; a counter which operates in response to the trigger signal, thus outputting a count value of the clock signal; and a time set-up circuit which outputs a second signal to the trigger signal processing circuit when count value supplied from the counter reaches a preset value, and the trigger signal processing circuit stops outputting the first signal when the trigger signal processing circuit receives the second signal.
US08493088B2 Dynamic voltage and frequency management
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a self calibration unit configured to iterate a test on a logic circuit in the integrated circuit at respectively lower supply voltage magnitudes until the test fails. A lowest supply voltage magnitude at which the test passes is used to generate a requested supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a series connection of logic gates physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit, and a measurement unit configured to launch a logical transition into the series and detect a corresponding transition at the output of the series. The amount of time between the launch and the detection is used to request a supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit.
US08493084B2 Apparatus and method for active voltage compensation of electrostatic discharge of a substrate
A voltage compensation assembly adapted for apparatus having a prober for contacting the electronic elements on a substrate is described. The voltage compensation assembly includes a controller connected to the prober and adapted for active voltage compensation, and a voltage measuring unit connected to the controller and for measuring a voltage on the substrate.
US08493082B2 Seating sensing device and method of the same
A seating sensing device embedded in a seat includes: a variable resistance unit generating resistance values corresponding to the circumference of the seat through a plurality of conductive threads installed in the seat; and a signal analysis unit analyzing variable quantities of the resistance values to acquire activity information on one or more of whether a user is seated or not, a seating posture, and a seating posture change.
US08493079B2 Vehicle seat with capacitive occupant detection system
A vehicle seat is provided in combination with a seat heater and a capacitive occupant detection system. The seat heater comprises a seat heating element disposed in the vehicle seat while the capacitive occupant detection system comprises a measurement circuit and an electrode arrangement, which is also disposed in the vehicle seat. The electrode arrangement includes a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode. The measurement circuit is operatively connected to the sensing electrode and to the shielding electrode and configured to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at substantially the same electric potential during the capacitive measurement. Of the seat heating element, the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode, the seat heating element is closest to a seating region of the vehicle seat and the sensing electrode is arranged between the seat heating element and the shielding electrode.
US08493077B2 Electronic device and method for inductor current measurement
An electronic device includes a circuit for measuring a current in an inductor, wherein the current in the inductor is controlled by alternately switching a first power transistor and a second power transistor each having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate. The measuring circuit includes a first sense transistor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate, the first sense transistor having the control gate coupled to the control gate of the first power transistor. A second electrode is coupled to the second electrode of the first power transistor. A second sense transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate, the second sense transistor having the control gate coupled to the control gate of the second power transistor and having the second electrode coupled to the second electrode of the second power transistor. An amplifier is operable in a first configuration for providing an output current that is a function of a first current though the first sense transistor during a first period of time or in a second configuration for providing the output current as a function of a second current through the second sense transistor during a second period of time, so as to alternately sense a current through the first power transistor with the first sense transistor and through the second power transistor with the second sense transistor.
US08493076B2 Measuring device
The invention relates to a measuring device comprising a signal unit (20) for emitting a measuring signal (22.1, 22.2) in a measuring frequency range (60, 62, 68, 70) adapted for measurement and an evaluation unit (36) for the spectral evaluation of an evaluation signal (34.1, 34.2) induced by the measuring signal (22.1, 22.2) to a measuring result. According to the invention, the measuring device comprises a signal processing unit (30) adapted to displace a generation signal (26) for generating a measuring signal (22.1, 22.2) in a generation frequency range (48) from the generation frequency range (48) to the measuring frequency range (60, 62, 68, 70).
US08493071B1 Shorted test structure
A shorted test structure and methods for making it are disclosed. A conductive layer is applied over a first surface of a blank substrate. The blank substrate has a plurality of conductive vias that electrically connect solder lands on the first surface of the blank substrate to corresponding solder contacts on a second surface of the substrate. The conductive layer electrically couples the solder lands.
US08493066B2 Magnetic field detection using faraday effect
A magnetometer is provided for detecting a magnetic field of strength B using the Faraday effect. The magnetometer includes a photon emitter, a first polarizer, a prism, a second polarizer, a detector and an analyzer. The emitter projects an emitted light beam substantially parallel to the magnetic field and having wavelength λ. The prism has an interface surface and is composed of a Faraday medium having Verdet value V. The emitted light beam passes through the first polarizer and then the prism, exiting from the interface surface making an incident angle θ0 to normal of the surface and then refracting into a secondary medium as first and second circularly polarized light beams that are separated by a small angular divergence δ. These polarized light beams have average refraction angle θ to the normal and pass through a post-selection polarizer before the detector measures a weak value Aw of a photon having “which path” operator  associated with the polarized light beams. The magnetic field strength is determined as B ≈ - 2 ⁢ ɛ ⁢ ⁢ A w ⁢ π ⁢ ⁢ n 0 ⁢ cos ⁢ ⁢ θ V ⁢ ⁢ λsin ⁢ ⁢ θ 0 . The parameters include n0 as index of refraction of the secondary medium, and ε as amplification factor. The pointer rotation angle Aw can be expressed as A w = ( θ + - θ - ) ⁢ cos ⁢ ⁢ ɛ + [ ( θ + + θ - ) - 2 ⁢ θ 0 ] ⁢ sin ⁢ ⁢ ɛ 2 ⁢ ⁢ sin ⁢ ⁢ ɛ in which θ+ and θ− are respectively right- and left-polarized refraction angles with the average refraction angle such that θ = 1 2 ⁢ ( θ + + θ - ) . The pointer rotation angle Aw can be approximated as Aw≈δ/2ε when 0<ε<<1. A method is provided incorporating operations described for the magnetometer.
US08493065B2 Device and method for inductive measurements—signal reconstruction
Method and device for nondestructive and noncontact detection of faults in a test piece, or electrically conductive particles in a liquid flow, moving past the device, using eddy currents. The test piece or flow is exposed to periodic alternating electromagnetic fields. A periodic electrical signal is detected by a receiver coil. The receiver coil signal has a carrier oscillation whose amplitude and/or phase is modulated by defects in the test piece or by electrically conducting particles and is digitized. A useful signal is produced from the digitized receiver coil signal, and the useful signal is evaluated with an evaluation unit to detect faults in the test piece or electrically conductive particles. When overdriving of the A/D converter stage by the receiver coil signal is ascertained, a part of the receiver coil signal truncated by the A/D converter stage is reconstructed using a mathematical approximation in the digitized receiver coil signal.
US08493064B2 Apparatus, system, and method for maintaining normalcy of a sensor with respect to a structure
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for scanning metallic surfaces. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a shaft and a rotating member. The rotating member may comprise a sensing end and a featuring engaging element. The shaft further comprises a first coupling element and the rotating member further comprises a second coupling element. The first coupling element may be coupleable with the second coupling element such that the rotating member is pivotable at any three-dimensional angle with respect to the shaft to orient the sensing surface parallel to the scanned surface.
US08493063B2 Gearbox position sensor and corresponding gearbox
A motor vehicle gearbox position sensor includes a magnet and a probe for measuring a magnetic field at a sensitive end. The magnet and the probe may be placed facing a moving target connected to an actuating element, which is used to select the gear ratios of a gearbox in order to determine the position of the target in space and, from this, deduce the position. The position sensor also includes at least one ferromagnetic element positioned at the periphery of the sensitive end to trap metallic contaminants. A motor vehicle gearbox includes an actuating element that selects gear ratios, a moving target connected to the actuating element, and a position sensor.
US08493059B2 Shunt sensor and shunt sensor assembly
The present disclosure describes configurations for current shunt sensors and current shunt sensor assemblies having improved electromagnetic cross-talk rejection that can be used in single-phase/split-phase and poly-phase power metering applications. Some embodiments of the current shunt sensors and current shunt sensor assemblies reduce the need for a shielding material around current shunt sensors in single-phase/split-phase and poly-phase power metering applications. Some embodiments of the current shunt sensors achieve improved electromagnetic cross-talk rejection through a substantially symmetrical arrangement of component parts along the primary path of current flow. Some embodiments of the current shunt sensors achieve improved electromagnetic cross-talk rejection by symmetrical configurations that, in operation, induce complementary parasitic currents or voltages that substantially cancel each other out and do not substantially affect primary current flow through the current shunt sensor.
US08493057B2 Electromagnetic wave measuring apparatus, measuring method, program, and recording medium
A detector detects an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 0.01 THz≦f≦100 THz and transmitted through a device under test (DUT). A changer changes a relative position of an intersection of an optical path of the electromagnetic wave and the DUT, with respect to the DUT. A deriver derives a characteristic value of the electromagnetic wave based on a detection result of the detector, while the characteristic value is associated with an assumed relative position, which is the relative position if the electromagnetic wave is not refracted by the DUT. A corrector changes the assumed relative position to an actual relative position, which is the relative position if the refraction of the electromagnetic wave by the DUT is considered. A corrected deriver derives the characteristic value associated with a predetermined relative position based on an output from the corrector.
US08493054B2 Calibration of non-contact voltage sensors
Calibration of a non-contact voltage sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring voltage on a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined voltage is imposed on a first voltage sensing conductor integrated in the non-contact voltage sensor, while a voltage on a second voltage sensing conductor is measured using a circuit of predetermined input impedance. The capacitance between the wire and each of the voltage sensing conductors may be the same, so that in measurement mode, when the first and second voltage sensing conductors are coupled together, the effective series capacitance provided in combination with the predetermined input impedance is four times as great. The results of the voltage measurement made in the calibration mode can thereby be used to adjust subsequent voltage measurements made in measurement mode with the first and second voltage sensing conductors combined in parallel.
US08493049B2 Converter with crossover frequency responsive to switching frequency
A power converter constituted of: a reference source; a clock generator exhibiting a variable frequency output, the value of the frequency of the variable frequency output responsive to an external resistor value; and an error amplifier in communication with the reference source, the error amplifier exhibiting a gain whose value is responsive to the external resistor value. Preferably the error amplifier is a transconductance amplifier. In one embodiment the power converter further exhibits a current squarer, arranged to produce a squared value of a current whose value is responsive to the external resistor and provide the squared value to the transconductance amplifier.
US08493048B2 Constant on-time switching regulator implementing light load control
A control circuit for a switching regulator implements constant on-time control scheme with synchronous rectification and applies an integrated standard and light load control loop to improve light load efficiency and enhance transient response. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a reference voltage selection circuit configured to select, based on a low-side current signal, a first reference voltage for standard load condition and a second reference voltage for light load condition as a selected reference voltage. The second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. The control circuit further includes a control loop configured to generate a control signal to turn on the main switch when the feedback voltage is below the selected reference voltage and the minimum off-time duration has expired.
US08493047B2 Constant on-time switching regulator implementing dual control loops
A control circuit for a switching regulator implements constant on-time control scheme with synchronous rectification and applies dual control loops to improve light load efficiency and enhance transient response. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a first control loop configured to control a one-shot timer to generate a control signal to turn on the main switch when the feedback voltage is below a first reference voltage and a minimum off-time duration has expired. The control circuit further includes a second control loop configured to control the one-shot timer to generate the control signal to turn on the main switch when the feedback voltage is below a second reference voltage and the minimum off-time duration has expired and a low-side current signal has a first state indicative of a light load condition at the output node.
US08493045B2 Voltage regulator configuration
A voltage regulator is configurable to operate in a linear regulator mode or a buck regulator mode. To operate in the buck regulator mode, the voltage regulator is coupled to an inductor. To determine whether an inductor is coupled to voltage regulator, and thus whether the voltage regulator can be configured in the buck regulator mode, a detection circuit determines whether a regulator output of the voltage regulator resists a change in current driven to the regulator output.
US08493044B2 Multi-phase DC-to-DC converter with daisy chained pulse width modulation generators
A multi-phase DC-DC converter is disclosed. The DC-DC converter has a plurality of phases, each with a separate PWM generator for driving a totem pole of transistors. A master PWM generator operates off of a master clock signal. The remainder of the phases are slaved to the master PWM generator.
US08493043B2 Voltage regulator circuitry with adaptive compensation
Voltage regulator circuitry is provided. The voltage regulator circuitry may contain a drive transistor that is controlled by the output of an operational amplifier. The drive transistor may supply a regulated voltage to a load. The operational amplifier may compare a reference voltage and a feedback signal at its inputs. The operational amplifier may include first and second stages. An adjustable resistor may be provided between the first and second stages. Control circuitry may control the resistance of the adjustable resistor based on the amount of current flowing through the load to ensure stable operation of the voltage regulator circuitry. Overshoot and undershoot detection and compensation circuitry may compensate for overshoot and undershoot in the regulated voltage. Voltage ramp control circuitry may be used to control the ramp rate of the regulated voltage.
US08493034B2 Charge control circuit and battery charger including a charge control circuit
A charge control circuit for a battery charger that quickly detects an attachment state of a battery pack. The battery charger starts charging a battery pack and performs first and second temperature estimation processes. Then, the battery charger performs a first attachment detection process and when determining whether a battery is connected performs a third temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a second attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected performs a fourth temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a third attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected ends a single temperature scan and then repeats the routine starting from the first temperature estimation process.
US08493031B2 Equalization device, battery system and electric vehicle including the same, equalization processing program, and equalization processing method
An SOC of each battery cell is periodically detected, and an SOCmin and an SOCmax are determined. Battery cells having the SOCs larger than SOCmin+α are selectively discharged. After an elapse of a preset equalization processing time period, discharge of all the battery cells is stopped. The equalization processing time period is set based on a rate of change in the SOC of the battery cell subjected to discharge and a rate of change in the SOC of the battery cell not subjected to discharge such that a magnitude relationship between the SOC of the battery cell having the SOCmin and the SOC of another battery cell is not reversed.
US08493029B2 System and method for dynamic power management of a mobile device
A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.
US08493026B2 System and method for ad-hoc energy exchange network
A method for facilitating an operation of an ad-hoc energy exchange network is disclosed. The network includes a set of nomadic charging stations (NCSs) and an energy consumer (EC). Upon receiving a request from the EC for an energy exchange, wherein the request includes a current location and a destination location of the EC, an exchange location for performing the energy exchange between a nomadic charging station (NCS) and the EC is determined based on the current location of the EC, the destination location of the EC, and a current location of the NCS. The exchange location is transmitted to the NCS and the EC.
US08493023B2 Charge apparatus and method using the same
A charge apparatus used to regulate the power outputted by a power supply to charge a battery includes a voltage regulating module, a protection circuit, a timing module and a switch control module. The voltage regulating module is configured to connect the power supply to the battery and regulate electrical energy outputted from the power supply to charge the battery. The protection circuit detects a voltage of the battery and generates a triggering signal when the voltage of the battery reaches a preset voltage. The timing module receives the triggering signal to begin a timing process. The switch control module controls the voltage regulating module to stop charging the battery when the timing process ends.
US08493022B2 Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
US08493021B2 Method and apparatus for providing supplemental power to an engine
A method and apparatus provides supplemental power to an engine. The method and apparatus includes a pair of conductive leads for connecting the supplemental power to an engine electrical system, a battery, a relay connected to the conductive leads, a shunt cable connecting the battery to the relay and a processor for controlling the relay to selectively apply electrical power to the engine electrical system. The method and apparatus includes safety features to reduce the risk of injury to the operator and damage to the apparatus and/or engine electrical system.
US08493020B2 Apparatus and method for charging and discharging photovoltaic PCS integrated battery
There are provided an apparatus and method for charging and discharging a photovoltaic PCS integrated battery applied to a system that includes a first DC/DC converter 110 connected to a solar cell 10, a DC/AC inverter 120, a DC link unit 130 connected in common to output terminals of the first DC/DC converter 110 and the DC/AC inverter 120, and a second DC/DC converter 140 having a bidirectional DC/DC conversion function connected between the DC rink unit 130 and the battery 30. The present invention calculates the amount of photovoltaic power produced by the solar cell 10 based on voltage and current detected in the voltage/current detector 200, determines one of predetermined control modes according to the amount of photovoltaic power and the connection or not of the battery, and controls the first DC/DC converter 110, the second DC/DC converter, and the DC/AC inverter according to the determined control mode.
US08493018B2 Fast switching for power inverter
An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.
US08493009B2 Surgical motor control device, surgical drive system and method for controlling a surgical drive unit
A surgical motor control device for controlling a surgical drive unit comprises a sensorless electric motor with M motor windings. The motor control device is configured to perform a method for controlling the drive unit. The motor control device be configured to control the drive unit using a multiphase PWM method.An improved method for controlling a surgical drive unit and an improved surgical drive system are also proposed.
US08493008B2 HVAC adjustment module
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes an integrated motor including a plurality of operating speeds and an input for selecting one of the plurality of operating speeds. The system further includes a system controller and an adjustment module. The adjustment module includes a plurality of operating modes each associated with one of the plurality of operating speeds and the ability to manually vary associations between the plurality of operating modes and the plurality of operating speeds. The adjustment module selects one of the plurality of operating modes on the basis of control commands received from the system controller and setting programmed or manually entered into and stored in the adjustment module and controls the integrated motor according to the operating speed associated with the selected operating mode.
US08493005B2 Luminaire system and method
A device comprising a solid state or mechanical switch coupled to a first connector and a second connector and at least one lighting device such as an LED light source wherein when power is applied to the first connector, the switch is operable to direct power to the lighting device and to a portion of the pins of the second connector. By constructing the connectors as similar, but with opposite genders, the connectors can be disposed on a circuit assembly to allow for daisy chaining a series of luminaire assemblies together. The connectors may be Ethernet connectors and the switch may be operable through control signals coupled to the Ethernet connector such that a smart power controller operating using power over Ethernet (POE) can operate to control the light sources.
US08493004B2 Ilumination device comprising multiple LEDs
A light generating device (20) comprises: —a rectifier (23) rectifying an AC input voltage and providing a rectified AC output voltage (Vin); —a controllable current source (40); —a switch matrix (30) comprising a plurality of controllable switches (S1-SN); —a plurality of n LEDs (D1, D2, . . . Dn) connected to output terminals of the switch matrix (30); —a controller (50) controlling said switches and controlling the current generated by the current source dependent on the momentary value of the rectified voltage (Vin). The controller is capable of operating in at least three different control states. In a first control state all LEDs are connected in parallel. In a second control state all LEDs are connected in series. In a third control state at least two of said LEDs are connected in parallel while also at least two of said LEDs are connected in series.
US08493001B2 Control circuit and light emitting diode driver and method using thereof
A control circuit applied in a light emitting diode (LED) driver includes a counter, a sample circuit, and a signal source. The counter counts a parameter indicating the duty cycle width of a dimming signal in response to a front edge of the dimming signal. The sample circuit obtains a sample signal by means of sampling the most significant bit (MSB) of the parameter in response to the rear edge of the dimming signal. The duty cycle width is determined to be greater than a threshold value and smaller than that when the sample signal corresponds with a terminal value and an initial value, respectively. The signal source provides a reference voltage corresponding to first level and that corresponding to second level, higher than the first level, to drive a boost converter of the LED driver in response to the terminal value and the initial value, respectively.
US08492999B2 System and method for controlling electrical power of LED and LED projector having the same
A method for controlling electrical power of light emission diodes (LED) is provided. The above method comprises steps of providing a supply voltage to the LED driver; providing a driving current to the LED by the LED driver; obtaining an operating voltage of the LED; and adjusting the supply voltage according to the operating voltage of the LED.
US08492997B2 Driving circuit of light-emitting element and method of generating driving signal therefor
A driving circuit includes a first delay circuit, a rise-detection circuit, a fall-detection circuit, a first filter, a second filter, and an adder. The first delay circuit delays an input signal. The rise-detection circuit detects a rise of the input signal. The fall-detection circuit detects a fall of the input signal. The first filter gives a first gain-frequency response to an output signal of the rise-detection circuit. The second filter gives a second gain-frequency response to an output signal of the fall-detection circuit. The adder adds an output signal of the first filter and an output signal of the second filter to an output signal of the first delay circuit.
US08492989B2 Switched-mode power supply, LED lighting system and driver comprising the same, and method for electrically driving a load
The present invention is related to a switched-mode power supply. It is also related to a LED lighting system and driver which comprise such a switched-mode power supply. In addition, the present invention is related to a method for electrically driving a load. According to the present invention, the switched-mode power supply is switched from a charging state, in which an energy storage is charged, to a discharging state, in which the energy storage feeds a load, when a current limit has been exceeded. This current limit is set proportional to an instantaneous voltage outputted by the rectifier.
US08492982B2 Current drive circuit for light emitting diode
A pulse width modulated dimming pulse signal PWM is input to a control input terminal P5. A standby terminal P6 receives a standby signal STB that indicates switching between a standby state and an operating state of a current drive circuit 8. A burst dimming terminal BS is provided to each of eight respective channels. Each burst dimming terminal BS receives a voltage at one terminal (cathode) of a corresponding LED string 6. When the voltage level of the standby signal STB is included in a first voltage range, a burst controller 9 is set to an all channel common mode, and when it is included in a second voltage range, the mode is set to a phase shift mode φSHIFT. The burst controller 9 set to the phase shift mode φSHIFT automatically sets the phase shift angle according to the number of connected LED strings 6.
US08492980B2 Methods for calibrating RF power applied to a plurality of RF coils in a plasma processing system
Methods for calibrating RF power applied to a plurality of RF coils are provided. In some embodiments, a method of calibrating RF power applied to a first and second RF coil of a process chamber having a power divider to control a first ratio equal to a first magnitude of RF power provided to the first RF coil divided by a second magnitude of RF power provided to the second RF coil, may include measuring a plurality of first ratios over a range of setpoint values of the power divider, comparing the plurality of measured first ratios to a plurality of reference first ratios, and adjusting an actual value of the power divider at a given setpoint value such that the first ratio of the power divider at the given setpoint matches the corresponding reference first ratio to within a first tolerance level.
US08492979B2 Plasma generation apparatus
Provided is an apparatus, such as an arc mitigating device, which can include a first plasma generation device and a second plasma generation device. The second plasma generation device can include a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes and a low voltage, high current energy source connected therebetween. A conduit can be configured to direct plasma between the first and second plasma generation devices, such that the second plasma generation device receives plasma generated by the first plasma generation. The plasma from the first plasma generation device can act to reduce the impedance of an area between the pair of opposing electrodes sufficiently to allow an arc to be established therebetween due to the low voltage, high current energy source.
US08492978B2 Dual element switched electron gun
The invention provides an apparatus and method of switching more than one bias voltage within an electron beam tube in order to achieve electron beam cutoff. The invention is particularly useful for high-perveance electron tubes in which a large change in focus-electrode-to-cathode or anode-cathode voltage might otherwise be needed to achieve cutoff. In one embodiment of the invention, the cathode and anode bias voltages are both switched by magnitudes well within the capabilities of standard high-voltage switches to achieve beam cutoff.
US08492975B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An OLED display includes a pixel substrate including a pixel area at which an organic light emitting member is located, and a peripheral area surrounding the pixel area, a pixel protective layer located in the pixel area, a peripheral protective layer separated from the pixel protective layer and located in the peripheral area, a sealing substrate opposite to the pixel substrate, a moisture absorbent between the pixel substrate and the sealing substrate, and on and overlapping the peripheral protective layer, and a sealing member between the pixel substrate and the sealing substrate, and located at an outer side of the moisture absorbent.
US08492971B2 Electronic appliance and light-emitting device
An EL element having a novel structure is provided, which is suitable for AC drive. A light-emitting element of the invention is provided with material layers (material layers each having approximately symmetric I-V characteristics with respect to the zero point in a graph having the abscissa axis showing current values and the ordinate axis showing voltage values) between a first electrode and a layer including an organic compound and between the layer including the organic compound and a second electrode respectively. Specifically, each of the material layers is a composite layer including a metal oxide and an organic compound.
US08492969B2 Organic light emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The OLED display includes: a display panel assembly including a first substrate having a display area and a mounting area, a second substrate coupled to the display area of the first substrate, and an integrated circuit chip mounted in the mounting area of the first substrate; a cover window disposed opposite the second substrate and the integrated circuit chip and covering the display panel assembly; and an adhesive layer which fills up a space between the second substrate and the cover window, and a space between the mounting area of the first substrate and the cover window.
US08492967B2 Light emitting device and display panel
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a patterned light-scattering layer, and an electroluminescent device. The patterned light-scattering layer is disposed on a portion of the substrate. The patterned light-scattering layer has a bottom surface in contact with the substrate, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls connecting the bottom surface and the top surface. The electroluminescent device is at least disposed on the sidewalls.
US08492966B2 Symmetric field emission devices using distributed capacitive ballasting with multiple emitters to obtain large emitted currents at high frequencies
Field emission devices utilizing capacitive ballasting are described with possible uses in industry. The preferred device utilizes opposing electrodes, each with a dielectric layer and a plurality of conductive islands which serve to exchange electrons, generating an oscillatory current. Ideally these islands are dome-shaped and made of a refractory metal such as tungsten of molybdenum. Through proper use and selection of materials, electrical fields with densities of 1014 A/m2 are capable of being generated.
US08492961B2 Heat sink assembly
A heat sink assembly (216) includes a heat sink (218) having an upper surface (220), a lower surface (222), a non-metal-core circuit board (224) disposed in register with the upper surface (220), and at least one solid state electronic component (SSEC) (226) electrically coupled to the circuit board (224) such that an underside (228) of each SSEC (226) is not in confronting relationship with the circuit board (224). A first thermal interface material (232) is disposed between and thermally coupled to the underside (228) of the SSEC (226) and the upper surface (220), the first thermal interface material (232) being electrically and thermally conductive. A second thermal interface material (236) is disposed in thermal communication with the lower surface (222) and spreads heat to the second heat sink (104), the second thermal interface material (236) being electrically insulating and thermally conductive.
US08492960B2 Lamp with heat sink and lamp cover mounted on the heat sink
A lamp includes a heat sink and a lamp cover mounted on the heat sink. The lamp cover includes a connecting portion. The heat sink includes a plurality of clamping portions. The plurality of clamping portions surrounds the lamp cover and is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction. The plurality of clamping portions each defines a recess facing the lamp cover. The recesses communicate with each other along the circumferential direction whereby an annular engaging groove is defined in the heat sink by the recesses. The connecting portion is engaged in the engaging groove whereby the lamp cover is connected with the heat sink.
US08492958B2 Device for converting thermal power into electricity
A device for converting thermal power into electric power including a plurality of bimetallic strips disposed between a rigid support and a plate of a resilient plastic material; and on the side of the plate of a resilient plastic material opposite to the strips, a layer of a piezoelectric material connected to output terminals, wherein the rigid support is capable of being in contact with a hot source, and the plate of a resilient plastic material is capable of transmitting to the piezoelectric layer the mechanical stress due to the deformations of the bimetallic strips.
US08492957B2 Apparatus for generating electric energy
An apparatus for generating electric energy comprises a vibration plate, a supporting board, at least one side-wall unit and at least one piezoelectric substrate having a first- and a second end surfaces covered with a first- and a second electrodes, respectively. They all together form at least one cavity resonator. If a sound pressure from the outside arrives at the vibration plate, an acoustic vibration is excited in the vibration plate, and thereby a resonance vibration is induced in the cavity resonator. In this time, the piezoelectric substrate responds collectively to the resonance vibration. Thus, a resonance energy occurred in the cavity resonator is converted into an electric energy, which is delivered through the first- and second electrodes.
US08492954B2 Ultrasonic sensor
Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic sensor including: an epoxy molding part: a piezoelectric ceramic stacked on an upper portion of the epoxy molding part; a sound absorbing material contacting sides of the piezoelectric ceramic and spaced apart from an upper portion of the piezoelectric ceramic to thereby enclose the piezoelectric ceramic and absorbing vibration; a case spaced apart from sides and a lower surface of the sound absorbing material to thereby enclose the sound absorbing material and having a shape in which a bottom surface including the epoxy molding part stacked thereon protrudes upwardly; and a molding material filled on an upper surface of the sound absorbing material and between the sides and the lower surface of the sound absorbing material and the case.
US08492951B2 Segmented stator assembly
A stator assembly includes a segmented stator having stator portions. Each stator portion includes a support structure and dovetails, each coupled to the support structure by adjustable elements. The stator portion also includes stator laminations, where each of the laminations has openings to engage with the dovetails. Connectors are provided to connect the stator portions of the segmented stator together.
US08492950B2 Rotor assembly for traction motor
In one embodiment, a rotor for an induction motor comprises a punching assembly, a plurality of conductive bars, and an end-ring. The plurality of conductive bars may be substantially parallel to an axis of the rotor and connected to the punching assembly at a periphery of the punching assembly. Each conductive bar includes an end connected to the end-ring. The end-ring comprises a punching side having a surface facing the punching assembly and a housing side having a surface opposite the punching surface. The end-ring may be thicker on the punching side than the housing side. In this manner, the peak end ring stresses may be reduced at higher speeds and the mean time between failures of the rotor may be increased. Alternatively, the threshold speed may be increased and the top-speed of the off-highway vehicle may be increased for a given expected mean time between failures of the rotor.
US08492945B2 Starter-generator
A starter-generator is provided for a motor vehicle that has a drive train (1) with a drive machine (4), a torque-transmission device (8) and a transmission. The starter-generator (20) has an external rotor (22) and a stator (21). To simplify the manufacture of the motor vehicle, the starter-generator has a rotor flange (28) connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to an input component (16) of the torque-transmission device (8) and extends from the rotor (22).
US08492944B2 Step motor
Provided is a step motor including a rotor in which a lead screw is coupled with a magnet; a stator in which the rotor is rotatably inserted and which applies a magnetic field to the rotor; a thrust bearing which supports an end of the lead screw; a housing in which the stator is received, and a guide part opened at one side thereof is protruded, and the thrust bearing is inserted into the guide part; a plate spring which is provided at an opened portion of the guide part so as to apply elastic force to the thrust bearing and thus inhibit deviation of the lead screw and the thrust bearing; and a plate spring guide which is fixed to an outside of the guide part of the housing so that the plate spring is inserted therein.
US08492938B2 Linear vibration device
Disclosed herein is a linear vibration device. The linear vibration device includes a stator including magnets, a bracket, and a case having an inner space formed therein and coupled with the bracket; and a vibrator including coils facing the magnets, a weight body coupled with the coil, an FPC coupled with a top portion of the weight body, and an elastic member of which the one end is coupled with the case and the other end is coupled with the coil, the vibrator being accommodated in the case, wherein the magnets include a first magnet and a second magnet facing the first magnet, coupled with a top surface of the bracket, and including a magnetic fluid applied to a bottom portion and a side portion thereof.
US08492935B2 Lithographic apparatus having a Lorentz actuator with a composite carrier
An actuator is configured to produce a displacement force between a first and a second part to displace the first and second parts relative to each other. The Actuator includes a first magnet subassembly, attached to one of a first and a second part, and an electrically conductive element, attached to the other one of the first and second part and placed near the first magnet subassembly. The first magnet subassembly includes at least one set of at least two adjacently placed magnets oriented such that their magnetic polarizations are substantially mutually opposite, and a back mass made out of a magnetic flux guiding material and connecting the magnets to guide a magnetic flux there between. The first magnet subassembly includes a carrier made of a non-magnetic-flux-guiding material, the carrier including at least one recess in which the at least one set of back mass and magnets is embedded.
US08492934B2 Coil variations for an oval coil planar motor
Methods and apparatus for providing an efficient oval coil planar motor are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an electromagnetic actuator includes at least a first coil group, at least a second coil group, and a magnet array. The first coil group includes at least a first coil that is of an elongated toroidal shape. The first coil has a first coil length and a first coil width that is approximately equal to a multiple of three times the first coil width. The second coil group includes at least a second coil that is of an elongated toroidal shape. The second coil has a second coil width and a second coil length that is approximately equal to a multiple of three times the second coil width. The second coil group is approximately adjacent to the first coil group. The magnet array is configured to cooperate with the first and second coil groups, and includes a plurality of magnets. The magnets have an associated magnet pitch, and the first coil width and the second coil width are a function of the magnet pitch.
US08492929B2 Device, system and method for directly generating alternating current electricity from photovoltaic cells
A method utilizing a device and/or system presented herein for generating alternating current (a/c) electricity directly from photovoltaic cells utilize an array of photovoltaic cell pairs that are each connected in anti-parallel to form an a/c junction. The system, device and method mechanically gradually exposes and shades photovoltaic cell pairs to sunlight to generate alternating current electricity at an a/c junction of the solar cell pairs. Gradually and alternately exposing and shading the two anti-parallel connected solar cells of each solar cell pair causes the amplitude and polarity of the electricity at the a/c junction to gradually rise and fall to produce alternating current electricity. The gradual, alternating exposure and shading of the two anti-parallel solar cells is accomplished by mechanically covering and exposing the solar cell pairs. This is efficiently accomplished by a rotating segmented disc positioned over an array of solar cell pairs.
US08492922B2 Power supply apparatus activating method
The two ends of a battery circuit (18), in which a first power supply (11) is connected in series to a second power supply (12), are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3), while a junction (18a) between the first power supply (11) and the second power supply (12) is connected to a second line (L2). The two ends of a switching circuit (33) are connected to the respective first and third lines (L1 and L3). An end of a reactor (34) is connected to a junction between first and second switching elements (31 and 32), while the other end of the reactor (34) is connected to the second line (L2).The power supply apparatus (10), when activated, executes an operation in which, while the ON state of the first switching element (31) is inhibited, only the second switching element (32) is alternately turned ON and OFF with the ON state duration changed such that the ON state duration has a tendency to become longer. Thereafter, the power supply apparatus (10) executes an operation in which the switching elements (31 and 32) are alternately turned ON.
US08492921B2 Rotary magnus energy harvester
An energy harvester capable of providing motion from fluid flow, which comprises at least one Magnus cylinder driven to rotate by the movement of the fluid past a fin device. This causes the Magnus cylinder to rotate, and further interactions between the rotating Magnus cylinder and the moving fluid generate a Magnus lifting force. A channel or system may be also provided to direct the fluid flow to the Magnus cylinder. This rotating Magnus cylinder configuration is integrated into a mechanical device that is designed to transfer the Magnus lifting forces into a rotary mechanical motion to drive an electric generator. The device can be utilized in either air or hydraulic environments. A modification of the energy harvester can also be configured to utilize the generated electricity to produce hydrogen for use in fuel cells, or for combustion.
US08492919B2 Wind power generator equipped with a cooling system
A wind power generator has a nacelle; a hub rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the nacelle; at least two blades fitted to the hub; an electric machine which is fitted to the nacelle, is bounded by an inner surface extending about the axis of rotation, and has a rotor and a stator; and a cooling system for airflow cooling the electric machine, and which has a deflector body for defining a gap between the deflector body and the electric machine and guiding the airflow into the gap.
US08492910B2 Underfill method and chip package
A method of fabricating a chip package is provided. The chip package includes a laminate, a chip and conductive elements interposed between the chip and the laminate by which signals are transmitted among the chip and the laminate. The method includes dispensing a first underfill in a space defined between opposing faces of the chip and the laminate and dispensing a second underfill at least at a portion of an edge of the chip, the second underfill including a high aspect ratio material.
US08492906B2 Lead frame ball grid array with traces under die
A package includes a first plated area, a second plated area, a die attached to the first plated area, and a bond coupling the die to the second plated area. The package further includes a molding encapsulating the die, the bond, and the top surfaces of the first and second plated areas, such that the bottom surfaces of the first and second plated areas are exposed exterior to the package. Additional embodiments include a method of making the package.
US08492898B2 Printed circuit boards
A printed circuit board to which a localised solder connection is to be made, the surface of said printed circuit board having a continuous or non-continuous coating of a composition comprising a halo-hydrocarbon polymer at a thickness of from 1 nm to 10 μm.
US08492897B2 Microstructure modification in copper interconnect structures
A metal interconnect structure and a method of manufacturing the metal interconnect structure. Manganese (Mn) is incorporated into a copper (Cu) interconnect structure in order to modify the microstructure to achieve bamboo-style grain boundaries in sub-90 nm technologies. Preferably, bamboo grains are separated at distances less than the “Blech” length so that copper (Cu) diffusion through grain boundaries is avoided. The added Mn also triggers the growth of Cu grains down to the bottom surface of the metal line so that a true bamboo microstructure reaching to the bottom surface is formed and the Cu diffusion mechanism along grain boundaries oriented along the length of the metal line is eliminated.
US08492896B2 Semiconductor apparatus and semiconductor apparatus unit
A semiconductor apparatus including: a substrate 12; a plurality of electrode pads 20 formed on a surface of the substrate 12; and a protection film 14 having a plurality of through holes 16 formed in one-to-one correspondence with the electrode pads 20, and covering circumferential edge portions of the electrode pads 20 and the surface of the substrate 12 except for areas under the electrode pads 20. An inner wall of each through hole 16 is a slant surface 22 slanted toward outside of the through hole 16. A plurality of metal layers 24 have been formed, each covering an exposed part of each electrode pad 20 not covered by the protection film 14 and an area of each slant surface extending from the exposed part up to a middle of the slant surface. A plurality of bumps 18 have been connected one-to-one with the metal layers 24.
US08492895B2 Semiconductor device with grounding conductor film formed on upper surface of dielectric film formed above integrated circuit
A semiconductor chip such as an MMIC is provided. The semiconductor chip has: a Si semiconductor as a substrate; and a low-loss transmission line, and can be easily connected to a circuit board on which the semiconductor chip is to be mounted and can ensure a stable GND potential. The semiconductor chip is a flip-chip semiconductor chip, and includes: a Si substrate; an integrated circuit manufactured on a main surface of the substrate; a dielectric film formed above the integrated circuit; and a conductor film for grounding formed on an upper surface of the dielectric film. The integrated circuit includes a wiring layer including a signal line which transmits signals for the integrated circuit. The signal line, the dielectric film, and the conductor film constitute a microstrip line.
US08492891B2 Cu pillar bump with electrolytic metal sidewall protection
A copper pillar bump has a sidewall protection layer formed of an electrolytic metal layer. The electrolytic metal layer is an electrolytic nickel layer, an electrolytic gold layer, and electrolytic copper layer, or an electrolytic silver layer.
US08492890B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device which includes a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip flip-chip bonded to the first semiconductor chip, a resin portion for sealing the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip such that a lower surface of the first semiconductor chip and an upper surface of the second semiconductor chip are exposed and a side surface of the first semiconductor chip is covered, and a post electrode which pierces the resin portion and is connected to the first semiconductor chip, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.
US08492889B2 Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a substrate, a first semiconductor chip module attached to the substrate, a conductive connection member attached to the first semiconductor chip module, and a second semiconductor chip module attached to the conductive connection member. The first and second semiconductor chip modules are formed to have step like shapes to and extend laterally in opposite directions so as to define a zigzag arrangement together.
US08492887B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with leadframe and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a leadframe strip system, having a stress relief slot and a leadframe unit, the stress relief slot is at a frame corner of the leadframe strip system and spans adjacent sides of the leadframe unit, the leadframe unit includes a paddle, a tie bar therefrom, and a lead finger; connecting an integrated circuit and the lead finger; forming an encapsulation covering the integrated circuit; and singulating the integrated circuit in the encapsulation from the leadframe strip system with a package corner of the encapsulation free of micro-cracks with an inspection of the package corner at least 50× view.
US08492886B2 3D integrated circuit with logic
An integrated circuit including a first layer of logic circuits, and a second layer of logic circuits overlaying the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a multiplicity of flip-flops wherein each of the flip-flops has at least one connection to the second layer, and wherein the second layer includes at least one logic circuit with inputs including the connection and with at least one output connected to the first layer.
US08492884B2 Stacked interposer leadframes
A stacked leadframe assembly is disclosed. The stacked leadframe assembly includes a first die having a surface that defines a mounting plane, a first leadframe stacked over and attached to the first die, a second die stacked over and attached to the first leadframe; and a second leadframe stacked over and attached to the second die. The leadframes have die paddles with extended side panels that have attachment surfaces in the mounting plane.
US08492874B2 High density metal-insulator-metal trench capacitor
Higher capacitance density is achieved by increasing a surface area of a capacitor. A larger surface area may be obtained by forming isotropic ball shapes (a concave surface) in the trenches on the semiconductor die. The concave surfaces are fabricated by depositing bilayers of amorphous-silicon and silicon oxide. Openings are patterned in the silicon oxide hard mask for trenches. The openings are transferred to the amorphous-silicon layers through isotropic etching to form concave surfaces. Conducting, insulating, and conducting layers are deposited on the concave surfaces of the trenches by atomic layer deposition.
US08492873B1 Integrated circuit guard ring structures
An integrated circuit is provided with guard rings that form ring-like reverse-biased p-n junctions around circuitry. Capacitors may be integrated into the guard rings. Power supply lines may be connected to the guard rings and the capacitors. The capacitors may stabilize power supply voltages on the power supply lines. The power supply lines may be arranged such that they are parallel to each other. The power supply lines can form one or more parallel plate capacitors that stabilize the power supply voltages on the power supply lines.
US08492871B2 Electrical fuse and method of making
A semiconductor fuse and methods of making the same. The fuse includes a fuse element and a compressive stress liner that reduces the electro-migration resistance of the fuse element. The method includes forming a substrate, forming a trench feature in the substrate, depositing fuse material in the trench feature, depositing compressive stress liner material over the fuse material, and patterning the compressive stress liner material.
US08492866B1 Isolated Zener diode
Disclosed is a Zener diode having a scalable reverse-bias breakdown voltage (Vb) as a function of the position of a cathode contact region relative to the interface between adjacent cathode and anode well regions. Specifically, cathode and anode contact regions are positioned adjacent to corresponding cathode and anode well regions and are further separated by an isolation region. However, while the anode contact region is contained entirely within the anode well region, one end of the cathode contact region extends laterally into the anode well region. The length of this end can be predetermined in order to selectively adjust the Vb of the diode (e.g., increasing the length reduces Vb of the diode and vice versa). Also disclosed are an integrated circuit, incorporating multiple instances of the diode with different reverse-bias breakdown voltages, a method of forming the diode and a design structure for the diode.
US08492864B2 Solid-state imaging device and electronic equipment
A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a wiring layer formed on a front side of the substrate in which pixels are formed; a surface electrode pad section formed in the wiring layer; a light-shielding film formed on a rear side of the substrate; a pad section base layer formed in the same layer as the light-shielding film; an on-chip lens layer formed over the light-shielding film and the pad section base layer in a side opposite from the substrate side; a back electrode pad section formed above the on-chip lens layer; a through-hole formed to penetrate the on-chip lens layer, the pad section base layer, and the substrate so as to expose the surface electrode pad section; and a through-electrode layer which is formed in the through-hole and connects the surface electrode pad section and the back electrode pad section.
US08492861B1 Beta voltaic semiconductor diode fabricated from a radioisotope
In one preferred embodiment, a semiconductor diode includes a first layer formed with a p-type semiconductor, a second layer formed with an n-type semiconductor, and a third active depletion layer contained between the first and second layers. The third layer is formed with a radioisotope of the p-type and n-type semiconductors (preferably Si 32) such that initial emission of beta particles begins in the active depletion region and substantially all of the emitted beta particles are contained within the first, second and third layers during operation. The p-type and n-type layers each have sufficient depth to contain substantially all of beta particles emitted from the depletion layer. The depth of each of the p-type and n-type layers is substantially equal to or greater than the maximum beta emission depth of the radioisotope.
US08492859B2 Magnetic tunnel junction with spacer layer for spin torque switched MRAM
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) includes first and second magnetic layers; a tunnel barrier located between the first and second magnetic layers; a first spacer layer located between the first magnetic layer and the tunnel barrier, the first spacer layer comprising a non-magnetic material; and a first interfacial layer located between the first spacer layer and the tunnel barrier.
US08492858B2 Magnetic tunnel junction device and fabrication
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes forming an MTJ cap layer on an MTJ structure and forming a top electrode layer over the MTJ cap layer. The top electrode layer includes a first nitrified metal.
US08492857B2 MEMS diaphragm
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) diaphragm is provided. The MEMS diaphragm includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a first dielectric layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and having a plurality of openings. The openings have the same dimension, and the distance between the adjacent openings is gradually increased toward the edge of the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the substrate. The first dielectric layer is partially disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, so that a portion of the first conductive layer is suspended.
US08492854B1 Integrated circuit having raised source drains devices with reduced silicide contact resistance and methods to fabricate same
A structure has at least one field effect transistor having a gate stack disposed between raised source drain structures that are adjacent to the gate stack. The gate stack and raised source drain structures are disposed on a surface of a semiconductor material. The structure further includes a layer of field dielectric overlying the gate stack and raised source drain structures and first contact metal and second contact metal extending through the layer of field dielectric. The first contact metal terminates in a first trench formed through a top surface of a first raised source drain structure, and the second contact metal terminates in a second trench formed through a top surface of a second raised source drain structure. Each trench has silicide formed on sidewalls and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the trench. Methods to fabricate the structure are also disclosed.
US08492852B2 Interface structure for channel mobility improvement in high-k metal gate stack
A gate stack structure for field effect transistor (FET) devices includes a nitrogen rich first dielectric layer formed over a semiconductor substrate surface; a nitrogen deficient, oxygen rich second dielectric layer formed on the nitrogen rich first dielectric layer, the first and second dielectric layers forming, in combination, a bi-layer interfacial layer; a high-k dielectric layer formed over the bi-layer interfacial layer; a metal gate conductor layer formed over the high-k dielectric layer; and a work function adjusting dopant species diffused within the high-k dielectric layer and within the nitrogen deficient, oxygen rich second dielectric layer, and wherein the nitrogen rich first dielectric layer serves to separate the work function adjusting dopant species from the semiconductor substrate surface.
US08492844B2 Fully depleted SOI device with buried doped layer
The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a semiconductor device by providing a first substrate; providing a doped layer in a surface region of the first substrate; providing a buried oxide layer on the doped layer; providing a semiconductor layer on the buried oxide layer to obtain a semiconductor-on-insulator (SeOI) wafer; removing the buried oxide layer and the semiconductor layer from a first region of the SeOI wafer while maintaining the buried oxide layer and the semiconductor layer in a second region of the SeOI water; providing an upper transistor in the second region by forming a back gate in or by the doped layer; and providing a lower transistor in the first region by forming source and drain regions in or by the doped layer.
US08492840B2 Semiconductor device having an oxide semiconductor layer
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which maintains favorable characteristics and achieves miniaturization. The semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulating layer provided between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, in which the source electrode and the drain electrode each include a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer having a region which extends in a channel length direction from an end portion of the first conductive layer.
US08492836B2 Power semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device according to the present invention, a p-type well region disposed in an outer peripheral portion of the power semiconductor device is divided into two parts, that is, an inside and an outside, and a field oxide film having a greater film thickness than the gate insulating film is provided on a well region at the outside to an inside of an inner periphery of the well region. Therefore, it is possible to prevent, in the gate insulating film, a dielectric breakdown due to the voltage generated by the flow of the displacement current in switching.
US08492832B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region defined by a device isolation layer, a trench extending across the active region, a buried gate filling a part of the trench and including a base portion, a first extension portion, and a second extension portion extending along an inner wall of the trench, and having different heights at sides of the base portion, and a capping layer formed on the buried gate and filling the trench.
US08492831B2 Vertical non-volatile memory device and method of fabricating the same
A vertical non-volatile memory device is structured/fabricated to include a substrate, groups of memory cell strings each having a plurality of memory transistors distributed vertically so that the memory throughout multiple layers on the substrate, integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, and stacks of word select lines. The memory transistors of each set are those transistors, of one group of the memory cell strings, which are disposed in the same layer above the substrate. The word select lines are respectively connected to the integrated word lines.
US08492830B2 Multiple channel fin-FET and its manufacturing method
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a gate groove and first to third grooves, the first to third grooves being formed on a bottom surface of the gate groove and the third groove being formed between the first and second grooves, and a gate electrode having a first gate portion formed in the first groove, a second gate portion formed in the second groove, a third gate portion formed in the third groove, and a fourth gate portion formed in the gate groove. A cell transistor having the gate electrode has a first channel region formed in the semiconductor substrate between the first and third gate portions and a second channel region formed in the semiconductor substrate between the second and third gate portions.
US08492828B2 Vertical-type non-volatile memory devices
In a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing thereof, the device includes a substrate of single-crystal semiconductor material extending in a horizontal direction and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers on the substrate. A plurality of gate patterns are provided, each gate pattern being between a neighboring lower interlayer dielectric layer and a neighboring upper interlayer dielectric layer. A vertical channel of single-crystal semiconductor material extends in a vertical direction through the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of gate patterns, a gate insulating layer being between each gate pattern and the vertical channel that insulates the gate pattern from the vertical channel.
US08492826B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A non-volatile semiconductor device includes an n type well formed in a semiconductor substrate having a surface, the surface having a plurality of stripe shaped grooves and a plurality of stripe shaped ribs, a plurality of stripe shaped p type diffusion regions formed in upper parts of each of the plurality of ribs, the plurality of stripe shaped p type diffusion regions being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ribs, a tunneling insulation film formed on the grooves and the ribs, a charge storage layer formed on the tunneling insulating film, a gate insulation film formed on the charge storage layer, and a plurality of stripe shaped conductors formed on the gate insulating film, the plurality of stripe shaped conductors arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the ribs with a predetermined interval wherein an impurity diffusion structure in the ribs are asymmetric.
US08492824B2 Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes: forming a stacked body including insulating films stacked alternately with electrode films, a memory hole is made in one portion of the stacked body to extend in a stacking direction, a charge storage layer is provided on an inner surface of the memory hole, a semiconductor member is provided in the memory hole; forming a hard mask on the stacked body, the hard mask has a plurality of holes of mutually different sizes; plugging the smallest of the holes while shrinking the other holes by depositing a mask material; making contact holes by removing a prescribed number of the insulating films and a prescribed number of the electrode films in regions directly under the other holes by performing etching using the mask material and the hard mask as a mask; and filling conductive material into the contact holes.
US08492819B2 FET eDRAM trench self-aligned to buried strap
A structure and method of making a field effect transistor (FET) embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) cell array, which includes: a buried silicon strap extending into a buried oxide (BOX) layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate; a recessed trench capacitor extending down into the substrate layer of the SOI substrate; a lateral surface of a conductive top plate formed on the recessed trench capacitor that contacts a first lateral surface of the buried silicon strap; a dielectric cap disposed above the conductive top plate; a first FET formed from the silicon layer of the SOI substrate, in which a source/drain region of the first FET contacts a second lateral surface of the buried silicon strap; and a passing wordline disposed on a portion of the dielectric cap opposite to and separate from the buried silicon strap and connected to a gate of a second FET in an adjacent row of the FET eDRAM cell array.
US08492817B2 Highly scalable trench capacitor
An improved trench structure, and method for its fabrication are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide a trench in which the collar portion has an air gap instead of a solid oxide collar. The air gap provides a lower dielectric constant. Embodiments of the present invention can therefore be used to make higher-performance devices (due to reduced parasitic leakage), or smaller devices, due to the ability to use a thinner collar to achieve the same performance as a thicker collar comprised only of oxide (with no air gap). Alternatively, a design choice can be made to achieve a combination of improved performance and reduced size, depending on the application.
US08492815B2 Semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory includes a DRAM having, as seen in planar view, a first bit line and a second bit line formed on a first active area, a first cell contact formed on the first active area, and a first capacitor contact formed on the first cell contact and which is connected to a capacitor. As seen in planar view, the first cell contact is positioned closer to the second bit line than to the first bit line, and the first capacitor contact is formed offset in a direction approaching the first bit line with respect to the first cell contact.
US08492814B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following processes. A pillar is formed which stands on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating film is formed which covers a side surface of the pillar. An upper portion of the first insulating film is removed to expose a side surface of an upper portion of the pillar. A contact plug is formed, which contacts the side surface of the upper portion of the pillar and a top surface of the pillar.
US08492812B2 Semiconductor device having dummy pattern and method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprising dummy pattern
A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, and an active region defined by a device isolation film, at least one dummy gate formed over the active region to expose a center part and both ends of the active region, a bit line contact plug formed between the dummy gates so as to be coupled to the center part of the active region, and a storage node contact plug that is spaced apart from the bit line contact plug by the dummy gate and is coupled to both ends of the active region. As a result, the problem that the storage node contact hole is not open in the semiconductor device can be solved, resulting in improved semiconductor device characteristics.
US08492811B2 Self-aligned strap for embedded capacitor and replacement gate devices
After forming a planarization dielectric layer in a replacement gate integration scheme, disposable gate structures are removed and a stack of a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer is formed within recessed gate regions. Each gate electrode structure is then recessed below a topmost surface of the gate dielectric layer. A dielectric metal oxide portion is formed above each gate electrode by planarization. The dielectric metal oxide portions and gate spacers are employed as a self-aligning etch mask in combination with a patterned photoresist to expose and metalize semiconductor surfaces of a source region and an inner electrode in each embedded memory cell structure. The metalized semiconductor portions form metal semiconductor alloy straps that provide a conductive path between the inner electrode of a capacitor and the source of an access transistor.
US08492810B2 Method of fabricating an integrated electronic circuit with programmable resistance cells
Method of fabricating an integrated electronic circuit with programmable resistance cells, which comprises providing a substrate; forming an inert electrode; forming a solid electrolyte on the inert electrode; forming an interlayer on the solid electrolyte, the interlayer comprising an active electrode material and nitrogen; and forming an active electrode on the interlayer, the active electrode comprising the active electrode material.
US08492809B2 Spin injection electrode structure, spin transport element, and spin transport device
The present invention provides a spin injection electrode structure, a spin transport element, and a spin transport device which enable effective spin injection in a silicon channel layer at room temperature. A spin injection electrode structure IE comprises a silicon channel layer 12, a first magnesium oxide film 13A disposed on a first part of the silicon channel layer 12, and a first ferromagnetic layer 14A disposed on the first magnesium oxide film 13A. The first magnesium oxide film 13A partly includes a first lattice-matched part P lattice-matched with both of the silicon channel layer 12 and the first ferromagnetic layer 14A.
US08492804B2 Solid-state imaging device, method for producing same, and camera
A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, light being incident on the second surface side; a wiring layer disposed on the first surface side; a photodetector formed in the substrate and including a first region of a first conductivity type; a transfer gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and adjacent to the photodetector, the transfer gate transferring a signal charge accumulated in the photodetector; and at least one control gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and superposed on the photodetector, the control gate controlling the potential of the photodetector in the vicinity of the first surface.
US08492803B2 Field effect device with reduced thickness gate
A semiconductor structure is fabricated with reduced gate capacitance by thinning of a gate electrode to provide a reduced thickness gate electrode. The gate electrode is thinned after forming a spacer layer adjoining the gate electrode. In addition, the height of the spacer layer may also be reduced. The spacer layer thus has an enhanced horizontal width desired for locating an intrinsic source/drain with respect to an extension region and in particular, an enhanced horizontal width relative to the spacer height. The reduced thickness gate electrode may be fully silicided to provide decreased gate resistance. A raised source/drain layer may be located upon the intrinsic source/drain region. The raised source/drain layer may have a top surface higher than the reduced thickness gate electrode. In addition, the raised source/drain layer may have a top surface higher than the reduced height spacer layer.
US08492801B2 Semiconductor structure with high breakdown voltage and resistance
A semiconductor structure with high breakdown voltage and high resistance and method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor structure at least comprises a substrate having a first conductive type; a deep well having a second conductive type formed in the substrate; two first wells having the first conductive type and formed within the deep well; a second well having the first conductive type and formed between the two first wells within the deep well, and an implant dosage of the second well lighter than an implant dosage of each of the two first wells; and two first doping regions having the first conductive type and respectively formed within the two first wells.
US08492797B2 Vertical structure semiconductor memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor region extending vertically from a first region of a substrate; a plurality of gate electrodes disposed on the first region of the substrate in a vertical direction, but separated from each other along a sidewall of the semiconductor region; a gate dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor region and the plurality of gate electrodes; a substrate contact electrode extending vertically from the impurity-doped second region of the substrate; and an insulating region formed as an air gap between the substrate contact electrode and at least one of the plurality of gate electrodes.
US08492793B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device including a tunnel FET, includes a gate electrode, which is formed on a first semiconductor layer formed of Si1−XGeX (0
US08492790B2 LED package with bounding dam surrounding LED chip and thermoset encapsulation enclosing LED chip and method for manufacturing the same
An LED package includes a substrate, an LED chip, a bounding dam, and a first encapsulation. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The LED chip is mounted on the first surface of the substrate. The bounding dam is formed on the first surface of the substrate and surrounds the LED chip. The bounding dam and the substrate cooperatively define a receiving space. The bounding dam is made of thermoset resin. The first encapsulation is formed in the receiving space and encloses the LED chip.
US08492788B2 Insulating glass (IG) or vacuum insulating glass (VIG) unit including light source, and/or methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for improving the performance of Lambertian and non-Lambertian light sources. In certain example embodiments, this is accomplished by (1) providing an organic-inorganic hybrid material on LEDs (which in certain example embodiments may be a high index of refraction material), (2) enhancing the light scattering ability of the LEDs (e.g., by fractal embossing, patterning, or the like, and/or by providing randomly dispersed elements thereon), and/or (3) improving performance through advanced cooling techniques. In certain example instances, performance enhancements may include, for example, better color production (e.g., in terms of a high CRI), better light production (e.g., in terms of lumens and non-Lambertian lighting), higher internal and/or external efficiency, etc.
US08492786B2 Light emitting device package and lighting system
A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a light emitting device disposed on a first lead frame, the light emitting device having an electrode pad on an upper surface thereof, a first wire to electrically interconnect a second lead frame spaced apart from the first lead frame and the electrode pad, and a first bonding ball disposed on the second lead frame, the first bonding ball spaced apart from a first contact point, which is in contact with the first wire and the second lead frame, wherein the first bonding ball is disposed between the first wire and the second lead frame to electrically interconnect the first wire and the second lead frame.
US08492782B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device, including a reflective electrode layer; a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on a portion of a top surface of the reflective electrode layer; an active layer formed on the second conductive semiconductor layer; a first conductive semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; a first electrode formed under one portion of the first conductive semiconductor layer; and an insulating layer having a lower portion, a first upwardly directed side wall portion at a first side of the first electrode and a second upwardly directed side wall portion at a second side of the first electrode that is opposite to the first side. At least one portion of the lower portion is between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the reflective electrode layer.
US08492779B2 Nitride semiconductor LED and fabrication method thereof
Disclosed a nitride semiconductor LED including: a substrate; a GaN-based buffer layer formed on the substrate; AlyGa1-yN/GaN short period superlattice (SPS) layers formed on the GaN-based buffer layer in a sandwich structure of upper and lower parts having an undoped GaN layer or an indium-doped GaN layer interposed therebetween (Here, 0≦y≦1); a first electrode layer of an n-GaN layer formed on the upper AlyGa1-yN/GaN SPS layer; an active layer formed on the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer of a p-GaN layer formed on the active layer.
US08492777B2 Light emitting diode package, lighting device and light emitting diode package substrate
A light emitting diode (LED) package includes a LED package substrate, first LED chips and second LED chips. The LED package substrate includes a substrate, a first bonding pad, second bonding pads and a third bonding pad. The first, second and third bonding pads are disposed on the substrate. The second bonding pads are arranged in an array. The first and third bonding pads are located adjacent respectively to first and last column of the array. The first LED chips are die-bonded on the first bonding pad and wire-bonded respectively to the second bonding pads arranged in first column of the array. The second LED chips are die-bonded on the second bonding pads respectively. In each row except last column, each second LED chip is wire-bonded to the second bonding pad arranged in next column. The second LED chips located in last column are wire-bonded to the third bonding pad.
US08492772B2 Homoepitaxial growth of SiC on low off-axis SiC wafers
A wafer including a SiC substrate having a surface that is inclined relative to a (0001) basal plane at an angle higher than 0.1 degree but less than 1 degree, a SiC homoepitaxial device layer, and a SiC homoepitaxial boundary layer having a thickness up to 1 μm arranged between the substrate and the device layer. The boundary layer has been grown on the substrate under an atmosphere of lower supersaturation than when forming the device layer and at a C/Si ratio above 1.
US08492771B2 Heterojunction semiconductor device and method
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor substrate of a first band-gap material and a second semiconductor substrate of a second band-gap material. The second band-gap material has a lower band-gap than the first band-gap material. A heterojunction is formed between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate substantially in a first plane. The semiconductor device further includes, in a cross-section which is perpendicular to the first plane, a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type both of which extend from the second semiconductor substrate at least partially into the first semiconductor substrate. The first and second semiconductor regions are spaced in the first semiconductor substrate from each other in a direction parallel to the first plane by a first distance which is arranged in an area proximate to the heterojunction and which is larger than a second distance which is arranged in an area distal to the heterojunction.
US08492768B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a reliable semiconductor device comprising TFTs having a large area integrated circuit with low wiring resistance. One of the features of the present invention is that an LDD region including a region which overlaps with a gate electrode and a region which does not overlap with the gate electrode is provided in one TFT. Another feature of the present invention is that gate electrode comprises a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer and portion of the gate wiring has a clad structure comprising the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer with a low resistance layer interposed therebetween.
US08492766B2 Information device
Problems exist in areas such as image visibility, endurance of the device, precision, miniaturization, and electric power consumption in an information device having a conventional resistive film method or optical method pen input function. Both EL elements and photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in each pixel of a display device in an information device of the present invention having a pen input function. Information input is performed by the input of light to the photoelectric conversion elements in accordance with a pen that reflects light by a pen tip. An information device with a pen input function, capable of displaying a clear image without loss of brightness in the displayed image, having superior endurance, capable of being miniaturized, and having good precision can thus be obtained.
US08492762B2 Electrical interface for a sensor array
An interface circuit for a sensor array is provided. The interface circuit may be made up of an integrated circuit package that provides a first region and a second region. The first region may be spaced apart and opposite to the second region of the package. The first region of the package may provide a plurality of interfaces for interconnecting to an integrated circuit in the package a plurality of signals from the sensor array and having a first electrical characteristic, such as analog and test signals. The second region of the package may provide a plurality of interfaces for interconnecting to the integrated circuit a plurality of signals having at least one electrical characteristic different than the first characteristic, such as power and operational digital signals.
US08492761B2 Field-effect transistor and method for fabricating field-effect transistor
A method for fabricating a field-effect transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and an active layer forming a channel region, the active layer having an oxide semiconductor mainly containing magnesium and indium is disclosed. The method includes a deposition step of depositing an oxide film, a patterning step of patterning the oxide film by processes including etching to obtain the active layer, and a heat-treatment step of heat-treating the obtained active layer subsequent to the patterning step.
US08492760B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film containing indium (In), gallium (Ga), and zinc (Zn), in which the contact resistance between the oxide semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrodes is reduced, and to provide a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor. An ohmic contact is formed by intentionally providing a buffer layer having a higher carrier concentration than the IGZO semiconductor layer between the IGZO semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers.
US08492759B2 Field effect transistor
It is an object to provide a low-cost oxide semiconductor material which is excellent in controllability of the carrier concentration and stability, and to provide a field effect transistor including the oxide semiconductor material. An oxide including indium, silicon, and zinc is used as the oxide semiconductor material. Here, the content of silicon in the oxide semiconductor film is greater than or equal to 4 mol % and less than or equal to 8 mol %. The field effect transistor including such an In—Si—Zn—O film can withstand heat treatment at a high temperature and is effective against −BT stress.
US08492758B2 Oxide semiconductor film and semiconductor device
It is an object to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device with good electrical characteristics and a display device including the semiconductor device as a switching element. In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a needle crystal group provided on at least one surface side of the oxide semiconductor layer grows in a c-axis direction perpendicular to the surface and includes an a-b plane parallel to the surface, and a portion except for the needle crystal group is an amorphous region or a region in which amorphousness and microcrystals are mixed. Accordingly, a highly reliable semiconductor device with good electrical characteristics can be formed.
US08492757B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with stable electric characteristics. In a semiconductor device including an inverted staggered thin film transistor whose semiconductor layer is an oxide semiconductor layer, a buffer layer is provided over the oxide semiconductor layer. The buffer layer is in contact with a channel formation region of the semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers. A film of the buffer layer has resistance distribution. A region provided over the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer has lower electrical conductivity than the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer, and a region in contact with the source and drain electrode layers has higher electrical conductivity than the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer.
US08492751B2 Organic EL device and process for manufacturing same
Provided is an organic EL device capable of maintaining an excellent luminous efficiency over an extended period of time, particularly in a top emission-type EL device. The organic EL device of the invention includes a substrate and an organic EL element formed on the substrate. The organic EL element is composed of a bottom electrode, an organic EL layer, a top electrode and a protective layer. The protective layer is composed of one or a plurality of inorganic films, and at least one of the one or plurality of inorganic films is an SiON:H film having stretching-mode peak area ratios, as determined by infrared absorption spectroscopy, that include an absorption area ratio of N—H bonds to Si—N bonds in the SiON:H film which is not less than 0.04 but not more than 0.07 and an absorption area ratio of Si—H bonds to Si—N bonds which is not more than 0.15.
US08492749B2 Electroluminescent metal complexes with nucleophilic carbene ligands
This invention relates to electroluminescent metal complexes of the formula (I), wherein the ring A, formula (II), represents an optionally substituted aryl group which can optionally contain heteroatoms, the ring B, formula (III), represents an optionally substituted nitrogen containing aryl group, which can optionally contain further heteroatoms, or the ring A may be taken with the ring B binding to the ring A to form a ring; the group C, formula (IV), represents an acyclic carbene, or a cyclic carbene (ring C), which can optionally contain heteroatoms, the ring D, formula (V), represents an optionally substituted aryl group which can optionally contain heteroatoms, n1 is an integer of 1 to 3, m1 is an integer of 0, 1, or 2, m2 is an integer 0, or 1, M1 is a metal with an atomic weight of greater than 40, L3 is a monodentate ligand, or a bidentate ligand, Y is —C(═O)—, or —C(X1)2-, wherein X1 is hydrogen, or C1-4alkyl, especially hydrogen, and y is 0, or 1, especially 0; a process for their preparation, electronic devices comprising the metal complexes and their use in electronic devices, especially organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), as oxygen sensitive indicators, as phosphorescent indicators in bioassays, and as catalysts.
US08492742B2 Variable resistive element, method for producing the same, and nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including the variable resistive element
A variable resistive element configured to reduce a forming voltage while reducing a variation in forming voltage among elements, a method for producing it, and a highly integrated nonvolatile semiconductor memory device provided with the variable resistive element are provided. The variable resistive element includes a resistance change layer (first metal oxide film) and a control layer (second metal oxide film) having contact with a first electrode sandwiched between the first electrode and a second electrode. The control layer includes a metal oxide film having a low work function (4.5 eV or less) and capable of extracting oxygen from the resistance change layer. The first electrode includes a metal having a low work function similar to the above metal, and a material having oxide formation free energy higher than that of an element included in the control layer, to prevent oxygen from being thermally diffused from the control layer.
US08492740B2 Memory element and memory device
The capability of retaining a resistance value of a stored state and an erased state is improved in a resistance variation-type memory device. A memory layer 5 including a high-resistance layer 2 and an ion source layer 3 is provided between a lower electrode 1 and an upper electrode 4. The ion source layer 3 contains Al (aluminum) as an additive element together with an ion conductive material such as S (sulfur), Se (selenium), and Te (tellurium) (chalcogenide element) and a metal element to be ionized such as Zr (zirconium). Since Al is included in the ion source layer 3, the high-resistance layer which includes Al (Al oxide) is formed on an anode in erasing operation. Thus, a retaining property in a high-resistance state improves, and at the same time, an operating speed is improved.
US08492739B2 Probe inspection apparatus for testing flat panel display
This document relates to a probe inspection apparatus for testing a flat panel display. The probe inspection apparatus comprises a base plate, a stage placed over the base plate and configured to comprise a plurality of back light modules for supplying a rear surface of a substrate with light or heat or both, the substrate being seated in the stage, a probe pin configured to electrically come into contact with circuit patterns formed in the substrate and measure electrical properties of the circuit patterns, a probe head configured to support the probe pin and move in an X or Y axis, and an upper light source unit mounted on one side of the probe head and configured to irradiate light to the circuit patterns.
US08492738B2 Apparatus for and method of withdrawing ions in EUV light production apparatus
An ion withdrawal apparatus that withdraws ions emitted from a plasma in an EUV light production apparatus in which a target at an EUV light production point is irradiated with laser light to be made in a plasma state and the target emits EUV light, the ion withdrawal apparatus which includes: a collector mirror that is disposed in a direction opposite to a laser light incidence direction to collect the EUV light and has a hole for the ions to pass therethrough; magnetic line of force production means that produces a magnetic line of force that is parallel or approximately parallel to the laser light incidence direction at or in the vicinity of the EUV light production point; and ion withdrawal means that is disposed on the opposite side of the collector mirror from the EUV light production point and withdraws the ions.
US08492734B2 Imaging systems featuring waveguiding compensation
In certain embodiments, the invention relates to systems and methods for altering an image to compensate for variation in one or more physical and/or supervenient properties (e.g., optical absorption and/or scattering) in heterogeneous, diffuse tissue, thereby attenuating the effects of tissue waveguiding. The methods enable the proper identification of emission image regions that evidence waveguiding of electromagnetic radiation, and enables compensation of emission images for such waveguiding. The methods preserve the depth localization accuracy of the FMT approach and improve optical reconstruction in the targeted areas while eliminating spurious components of fluorescence from the acquired data set. Calibration methods for probe concentration mapping are also presented.
US08492731B2 Charged particle multi-beamlet lithography system with modulation device
A charged particle lithography system for transferring a pattern onto the surface of a target. The system comprises a beam generator for generating a plurality of charged particle beamlets, the plurality of beamlets defining a column, a beam stop array having a surface for blocking beamlets from reaching the target surface and an array of apertures in the surface for allowing the beamlets to reach the target surface, and a modulation device for modulating the beamlets to prevent one or more of the beamlets from reaching the target surface or allow one or more of the beamlets to reach the target surface, by deflecting or not deflecting the beamlets so that the beamlets are blocked or not blocked by the beam stop array.
US08492724B2 Scintillating material and related spectral filter
A host lattice modified GOS scintillating material and a method for using a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material is provided. The host lattice modified GOS scintillating material has a shorter afterglow than conventional GOS scintillating material. In addition, a radiation detector and an imaging device incorporating a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material are provided.
US08492722B2 Volatile organic compound sensor
A volatile organic compound sensor includes a source of infrared (IR) light, a detector for detecting the IR light, and a space defined between the IR light source and the IR light detector. The space includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The IR light detector measures an amount of IR light transmitted through the space, the measured IR light transmitted being attenuated by VOC light absorption when in the space. An amount of the IR light attenuation is related to a concentration of the VOCs present in the space.
US08492719B2 Optical position detection device and equipment with position detection function
An optical position detection device includes a first detection light source unit that outputs a detection light from one side to the other side in a first direction, a second detection light source unit that is separated from the first detection light source unit along a second direction crossing the first direction, and outputs a detection light from the one side to the other side in the first direction, a light detection unit having sensitivity toward the other side in the first direction, and a position detection unit that detects the position of the object based on the light reception in the light detection unit.
US08492718B2 Measurement apparatus and measurement method
There is provided a measuring apparatus including a space arrangement structure that includes space regions surrounded by conductors in a plane, an electromagnetic wave emitter that emits electromagnetic waves towards an object held by the space arrangement structure, and an electromagnetic wave detector that measures the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure. Here, characteristics of the object are measured by measuring the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure. The electromagnetic waves emitted from the electromagnetic wave emitter towards the space arrangement structure are incident on the plane containing the space regions at an angle, and the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure are measured.
US08492715B2 Method of protecting a radiation detector in a charged particle instrument
The invention relates to a Method of protecting a direct electron detector (151) in a TEM. The invention involves predicting the current density on the detector before setting new beam parameters, such as changes to the excitation of condenser lenses (104), projector lenses (106) and/or beam energy. The prediction is made using an optical model or a Look-Up-Table. When the predicted exposure of the detector is less than a predetermined value, the desired changes are made, otherwise a warning message is generated and changes to the settings are postponed.
US08492714B2 System and method for trapping and measuring a charged particle in a liquid
A system and method for trapping a charged particle is disclosed. A time-varying periodic multipole electric potential is generated in a trapping volume. A charged particle under the influence of the multipole electric field is confined to the trapping volume. A three electrode configuration giving rise to a 3D Paul trap and a four planar electrode configuration giving rise to a 2D Paul trap are disclosed.
US08492712B2 Multi-dimensional ion mobility spectrometry methods and apparatus
Various embodiments of a multi-dimensional ion mobility analyzer are disclosed that have more than one drift chamber and can acquire multi-dimensional ion mobility profiles of substances. The drift chambers of this device can, for example, be operated under independent operational conditions to separate charged particles based on their distinguishable chemical/physical properties. The first dimension drift chamber of this device can be used either as a storage device, a reaction chamber, and/or a drift chamber according to the operational mode of the analyzer. Also presented are various methods of operating an ion mobility spectrometer including, but not limited to, a continuous first dimension ionization methods that can enable ionization of all chemical components in the sample regardless their charge affinity.
US08492706B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for measuring the density of material including an electromagnetic moisture property detector
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for measuring the density of a material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge includes a nuclear density gauge for measuring the density of a material. A radiation source adapted to emit radiation into a material and a radiation detector operable to produce a signal representing the detected radiation. A first material property calculation function may calculate a value associated with the density of the material based upon the signal produced by the radiation detector. The material property gauge includes an electromagnetic moisture property gauge that determines a moisture property of the material. An electromagnetic field generator may generate an electromagnetic field where the electromagnetic field sweeps through one or more frequencies and penetrates into the material. An electromagnetic sensor may determine a frequency response of the material to the electromagnetic field across the several frequencies.
US08492705B2 Radiation detector and method of using a radiation detector
A radiation detector can include a photosensor to receive light via an input and to send an electrical pulse via an output in response to receiving the light. The radiation detector can also include a pulse analyzer to send an indicator to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse and to not send the indicator to the pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a noise pulse. The pulse analyzer can be coupled to the output of the photosensor. A method can include receiving an electrical pulse at a pulse analyzer from an output of a photosensor and determining whether the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse or a noise pulse, based on a pulse shape of the electrical pulse. The method can also include sending the electrical pulse to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse.
US08492704B2 Encoder and method of precisely indicating positions of one member relative to a second member
An encoder and method for precisely indicating the position of a first member with respect to a second member by utilizing a pattern of machine-sensible elements carried on a single track of the first member; the machine-sensible elements being located at successive incremental rotations on the track of the first member and each representing one of the binary values “0” and “1”; and a plurality of “n” sensors, wherein “n” is greater than “3”, carried by the second member at a plurality of spaced locations thereon in proximity to the track of the first member and alignable with the machine-sensible elements of the first member. Each sensor thus senses the binary value of each machine-sensible element with which it is aligned to produce an output corresponding to the binary value of the machine-sensible element with which it is aligned, whereby the outputs of all the sensors constitute a binary code, preferably a Gray code, of “n” bits identifying the position of the first member with respect to the second member.
US08492698B2 Driver assistance system for a vehicle
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle and a housing mounted to the bracket and an imager disposed in the housing. The imager may include (i) a two-dimensional CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements and/or (ii) a lens. With the housing mounted to the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield, the imager views to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield at a region of the windshield that may be swept by a windshield wiper of the vehicle. The photosensor array is operable to capture image data. A control includes an image processor disposed in the housing. The image processor includes a digital signal processor. The driver assistance system identifies objects viewed by the imager via processing by the image processor of captured image data. A spectral filter may be disposed between the photosensor array and the lens.
US08492693B2 Autofocus apparatus
An autofocus apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a light source; a splitter; a fiber optic circulator; an optical collimator; a balance detector; and a microprocessor. The fiber optic circulator couples one of the split light signals at a first port, to the optical collimator at a second port, and to the balance detector at the third port. The optical collimator directs the light beam from the fiber optic circulator onto a sample through a Dichroic mirror and a microscope objective. The balance detector uses another one of the split light signals as an input, and converts a light signal, reflected off of a substrate the sample is placed on, into an analog voltage signal. The microprocessor processes the output of the balance detector and position feedbacks from an adjustable microscopy stage to generate a command for moving the position of the adjustable microscopy stage to achieve a desired focus.
US08492692B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle based sonar buoy
A sonar buoy includes a fuselage having a tube-like shape, one or more wings coupled to the fuselage, an engine coupled to the fuselage and operable to propel the sonar buoy through flight, and a guidance computer operable to direct the sonar buoy to a predetermined location. The sonar buoy further includes a sonar detachably coupled to the fuselage and forming at least a part of the fuselage, and a rocket motor detachably coupled to the fuselage. The one or more wings are operable to be folded into a position to allow the sonar buoy to be disposed within a launch tube coupled to a vehicle and to automatically deploy to an appropriate position for flight after the sonar buoy is launched from the launch tube. The rocket motor propels the sonar buoy from the launch tube and detaches from the fuselage after launch.
US08492686B2 Device and method for heating using RF energy
A method of heating and/or thawing using an RF heater is described. In some cases the heating differentially heats portions according to their dissipation ratios. Optionally, this avoids dissipating large amounts of energy into thawed portions while frozen portions are still extant and heat slowly. Optionally, this prevents overheating of thawed portions.
US08492684B2 Method for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel on an induction cooking hob and hob using such method
A method for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel on an induction heating element is disclosed. The induction element is placed below a glass surface and a conductive electrode placed below the glass surface to detect if a cooking utensil is placed on the induction heating element. The electrode measures capacitance, which indicates to the user whether the cooking utensil is present on one or more induction heating elements. After activation by a user, a second detection of the cooking utensil is accomplished by feeding power to the induction heating element and by assessing at least an electrical parameter of a power circuit thereof.
US08492683B2 Stand-up membrane roofing induction heating tool
A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.
US08492682B2 Micro heater
A micro heater includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first carbon nanotube, and a second carbon nanotube. The first carbon nanotube extends from the first electrode. The second carbon nanotube branches from the second electrode. The first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube intersect with each other to define a node therebetween.
US08492679B2 Flux-cored wire for stainless steel arc welding
A flux-cored wire for stainless steel arc welding including an outer sheath made of stainless steel and flux filled up in the outer sheath contains, as percentage to the total mass of the wire, Cr: 22.0-30.0 mass %, Ni: 6.0-12.0 mass %, Mo: 2.0-5.0 mass %, N: 0.20-0.35 mass %, TiO2: 4.0-9.0 mass %, SiO2: 0.1-2.0 mass %, ZrO2: 0.5-4.0 mass %, total of Li2O, Na2O and K2O: 0.50-1.50 mass %, metal fluoride in terms of fluorine amount: 0.10-0.90 mass %, and rare earth element component: 0.10-1.00 mass %, limits C to 0.04 mass % or below, W to 4.0 mass % or below, Cu to 2.0 mass % or below, Bi2O3 to 0.01 mass % or below, and limits oxides other than the above to 3.0 mass % or below. With such a composition, it is possible to obtain a weld bead which is excellent in the weldability in welding in all attitudes and is more excellent in the low temperature toughness while keeping excellent pitting corrosion resistance in arc welding of duplex stainless steel and the like.
US08492676B2 Laser dicing device
There is provided a laser dicing apparatus comprising: a first position detecting device detecting a position of the surface of a wafer at an incident point of laser light; second position detecting device detecting in advance a position of the surface of the wafer; and a control section controlling the position in the thickness direction of a condensing point inside the wafer, wherein the control section, when scanning the laser light from the outside of a periphery of the wafer to the inside of the periphery of the wafer, performs control based on data obtained with the second position detecting device detecting the position of the condensing point at the periphery of the wafer, and after scanning a predetermined distance, switches to perform control based on data obtained by the first position detecting device. Thereby, when the laser light is made incident through the surface of the wafer and scanned, the position control of the condensing point of the laser light can be performed even at the periphery of the wafer, and a modified region by multi-photon absorption can be formed at a predetermined position inside the wafer.
US08492675B2 Laser welding Al and Fe members with Zn filler
In joining an Fe-based metallic member comprising an Fe-based material and an Al-based metallic member comprising an Al-based material by a Zn-based filler metal, a joined part of the Fe-based metallic member is heated at a temperature higher than a melting point of the Fe-based material.
US08492674B2 Methods and apparatus for ex situ seasoning of electronic device manufacturing process components
In one aspect, a method of improving the performance of an electronic device manufacturing facility is provided, including the step of reducing the number of electronic device manufacturing component seasoning steps which are performed using production equipment, whereby the amount of electronic device manufacturing system downtime is reduced. Several other aspects are provided.
US08492673B2 Reducing a generation of contaminants during a solder reflow process
Avoiding contaminant generation within a hard disk drive due to increased temperatures during a solder reflow process is described. Energy from a beam of energy that is directed toward a plurality of polyimide regions is received. Each of the plurality of polyimide regions are disposed adjacent to at least one solder pad. The plurality of polyimide regions and the at least one solder pad comprises a first component of a hard disk drive. Then, a portion of the energy is reflected away from the plurality of polyimide regions to prevent an absorption of the portion by the plurality of polyimide regions and a burning of the plurality of polyimide regions.
US08492671B2 Production of [18F]-F2 from [18F]-fluoride using a plasma induced scrambling procedure
A method of producing [18F]F2 from [18F] fluoride through a plasma induced scrambling procedure is provided. The present invention also provides an apparatus for preparing [18F]F2 from [18F] fluoride in a plasma induced scrambling procedure. Kit claims for preparing [18F]F2 from [18F] fluoride in a plasma induced scrambling procedure as well as method of use and use of claims for preparing [18F]F2 from [18F] fluoride through a plasma induced scrambling procedure are also provided.
US08492670B2 Rocker switch
A rocker switch including a switching unit made up of a housing and including a spring-action switching element that moves back and forth with an actuating rocker that is connected to the switching element, whereby the switching element has a rotating axle rotatably supported within the housing and is surrounded by a spring. The spring is double wound and held in a prestressed state within the housing, one of the spring end shanks of the spring being fixedly supported within the housing, the other spring end shank being supported on a first arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and an extended central spring leg being both fixedly supported within the housing as well as being supported on a second arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and with an electrical switching unit.
US08492669B2 Key device
A key device includes a plate body, a positioning seat having a through hole, a circuit unit mounted on the plate body, a keycap disposed above the circuit unit, and an elastic member disposed between the circuit unit and the keycap. The circuit unit includes a multi-layered structure, and a resilient tongue provided on one layer of the multi-layered structure and having a free end proximate to the through hole. A support rod is connected to and supports the keycap on the substrate, and has a lower end extending through the through hole. The free end of the resilient tongue extends beneath and abuts against the lower end of the support rod, and pushes upwardly the lower end of the support rod to abut against an edge confining the through hole.
US08492666B2 Key assembly for a mobile device
A key assembly for an electronic device comprises at least one key including a body having a first external contact portion and a second external contact portion. The first external contact portion is movable to thereby actuate a first switch of a pair of switches. The second external contact portion is movable to thereby actuate a second switch of the pair of switches. The body of the at least one key pivots about the first external contact portion when the second external contact portion moves to thereby actuate the second switch. The body of the at least one key also pivots about the second external contact portion when the first external contact portion moves to thereby actuate the first switch.
US08492665B1 Apparatus and methods for capacitive sensing and capacitance measuring
One embodiment of an apparatus for capacitive sensing and capacitive measuring having a digital circuitry (16) which has a digital input port P1 communicating with a capacitive sensing element (10). A resistance element (12) forms an electrical pathway between the sensing element and a signal generator (18) by electrically communicating with both. The signal generator outputs adjustable singles to charge and discharge the sensing element. The voltage Vc of the sensing element at the input port P1 will cause logic level change between “1” and “0” inside the digital circuitry when passing through the logic threshold of the digital circuit. The digital circuitry measures the time between the logic level changes and the reference points of the signals, and then calculates the capacitance or the capacitance change. The digital circuitry can be a microcontroller and the signal source can be the microcontroller's output port. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08492664B2 Collar for maintaining electric cables
A collar for maintaining electric cables is disclosed. The maintaining collar includes an annular sleeve which may be crossed by the electric cables and having two axial ends around which protective sheaths of the electric cables are intended to be mounted; an annular attachment flange capable of being attached on a fixed support, the attachment flange being maintained axially around the sleeve and capable of pivoting around the sleeve; and a seal between the maintaining collar and the support on which the seal is intended to be attached.
US08492655B2 Shielded electrical ribbon cable with dielectric spacing
An electrical ribbon cable includes at least one conductor set having at least two elongated conductors extending from end-to-end of the cable. Each of the conductors are encompassed along a length of the cable by respective first dielectrics. A first and second film extend from end-to-end of the cable and are disposed on opposite sides of the cable The conductors are fixably coupled to the first and second films such that a consistent spacing is maintained between the first dielectrics of the conductors of each conductor set along the length of the cable. A second dielectric disposed within the spacing between the first dielectrics of the wires of each conductor set.
US08492652B2 Apparatus and method to attach probe to junction box
A junction box for a probe is disclosed for connecting to a sensor assembly of the probe, wherein the sensor assembly has a housing and a plate. The junction box comprises stopper walls, retaining flanges, and a retainer spring to secure the plate junction box. The probe can be assembled by inserting the sensor assembly through the opening, pressing the plate onto the at least one retainer spring and elastically deforming the at least one retainer spring, and rotating the sensor assembly into an assembled position.
US08492648B2 Communication cable comprising electrically discontinuous shield having nonmetallic appearance
A tape can comprise a dielectric film that has a pattern of electrically conductive areas adhering thereto. The conductive areas can be electrically isolated from one another. The tape can utilize means to obscure the metallic finish and can contain indicators to deter installers from grounding the tape at either end. The tape can be wrapped around one or more conductors, such as wires that transmit data, to provide electrical or electromagnetic shielding for the conductors. The resulting cable can have a shield that is electrically discontinuous between opposite ends of the cable.
US08492644B2 Solar cell module and method of manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a solar cell module capable of reducing warping of each solar cell due to a linear expansion coefficient difference between the solar cell and a wiring line member to prevent damages effectively without raising any cost increase. A solar cell module comprises a plurality of solar cells and is constituted by electrically connecting adjacent solar cells to one another by wiring line members, a base material of the wiring line member has a plastic strain of 2% or less in a drawing direction, and the solar cell is constituted of a crystalline wafer having a thickness of 200 microns or less.
US08492642B2 System for controlling temperature of a secondary battery module
A system which can efficiently control the temperature of the battery module, and also can easily control the temperature in the intense environment by actively adapting the exterior environment. The system for controlling temperature of a secondary battery module includes a housing receiving a plurality of unit batteries. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A heat transfer member is in contact with the unit batteries. The heat transfer member has a portion exposed to a heat transfer medium duct formed inside the housing, and a temperature controller is mounted in the heat transfer member to control temperature of the unit batteries.
US08492640B2 Interactive sound-and-light art device with wireless transmission and sensing functions
The present invention relates to an interactive sound-and-light art device with wireless transmission and sensing functions, which is primarily composed of a plurality of acoustic sensor nodes in artistic shapes, whereas each of the plural acoustic sensor nodes is designed to interact with people through the detection of multi-track music playing or voice-based exhibition of twitter conversations. Substantially, each acoustic sensor node is an artistically-shaped frame having a plurality of sensors embedded therein, which includes sensors for detecting environmental information, and sensors for detection human motion. Moreover, each artistically-shaped frame can further be embedded with interactive components, using which each acoustic sensor node is able to interact with people through multi-track music playing or exhibition of LED light variations, according to the detection of its environment sensors and human motion sensors.
US08492638B2 Personalized entertainment system
A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including accessing a remote electronic collection of audio/video recordings. The collection is associated with a user of the entertainment system. The recordings in the collection are analyzed to thereby determine an audio/video preference profile of the user. Electronic audio/video options of the entertainment system that conform to the user's preference profile are selected and offered to the user.
US08492627B2 Automatic string musical instrument pick system
A string musical instrument comprising an instrument body having a fretboard and a plurality of electrically common and electrically conductive frets spaced along the fretboard. One or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings are laterally disposed on the instrument body and held in tension over and in close proximity to the frets and a picking means for each of the strings. The picking means is an actuating assembly with a power supply. The actuating assembly is electrically connected to the one or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings.
US08492622B1 Hybrid corn variety 980003
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 980003. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 980003, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 980003 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 980003.
US08492618B2 Cotton cultivar UA-48
A cotton cultivar, designated UA-48, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar UA-48, to the plants of cotton UA-48 and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar UA-48 with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar UA-48 with another cotton cultivar.
US08492615B2 Brassica oleracea plants with a resistance to mycosphaerella brassicicola
On embodiment of the present invention discloses Brassica oleracea plants with a resistance gene to Mycosphaerella brassicicola. An embodiment of the invention also discloses a method for providing a Brassica oleracea plant with a resistance to Mycosphaerella brassicicola, including providing a first B. oleracea plant, which plant includes a resistance gene to M. brassicicola; crossing the resistant plant with a susceptible second B. oleracea plant; isolating from the progeny genomic DNA for detecting the presence of an introgression with the resistance gene using one or more specific DNA markers linked to the resistance gene; and selecting from the progeny a B. oleracea plant in which the presence of the introgression with the resistance gene has been demonstrated.
US08492614B2 Plant biochemical systems and uses thereof
Compositions including phenylalanine, analogues, and phenylalanine precursors protect plants against environmental stressors. Delivery systems and methods of treating are provided. A method of protecting plants against environmental and/or biological stressors includes administering a composition including phenylalanine, a phenylalanine precursor or other skikimate pathway or phenylpropanoid pathway compound, or an amino acid that can be converted to phenylalanine to at least one root, at least one germinating seed, or at least one epidermal surface of a plant. Administration of the composition to the root, seed, or plant improves or restores at least one growth characteristic of the plant when the plant is exposed to an environmental stressor such as ultra-violet radiation, cold, drought, salt, heat, fungus, beetles (e.g., Japanese beetles), hormones, bacteria, arthropods, and worms (e.g., soybean cyst nematode) or products of biotic organisms. Another method of protecting plants against environmental and/or biological stressors includes coating a plant (e.g., soybean) seed with a composition including phenylalanine, a phenylalanine precursor or other skikimate pathway or phenylpropanoid pathway compound, or an amino acid that can be converted to phenylalanine such that the composition protects the seed and a plant that grows from the seed from ultra-violet radiation, cold, drought, salt, heat, fungus, beetles (e.g., Japanese beetles), hormones, bacteria, arthropods, and worms (e.g., soybean cyst nematode) or products of biotic organisms. Plants and plant cells including an isolated nucleic acid encoding at least one prephenate dehydratase operably linked to a promoter are described herein.
US08492613B2 GNTIII expression in plants
The invention relates to the field of glycoprotein processing in transgenic plants used as cost efficient and contamination safe factories for the production of recombinant biopharmaceutical proteins or pharmaceutical compositions comprising these glycoproteins. The invention provides a plant comprising a functional mammalian enzyme providing mammalian GnTIII that is normally not present in plants, said plant additionally comprising at least a second mammalian protein or functional fragment thereof that is normally not present in plants.
US08492606B2 Method for separation of constituents from matrices
The present invention provides an apparatus useful for the separation of hazardous and non-hazardous organic and inorganic constituents from various matrices. A method of separating such constituents is also provided.
US08492605B2 Microbial derived isoprene and methods for making the same
A method for producing isoprene comprising an aqueous medium including genetically modified host cells capable of producing isoprene, where the resulting isoprene composition is processed through at least one separation and/or purification process to provide an isoprene enriched composition and a system for doing the same.
US08492604B2 Method for preparing linear alpha-olefins with removal of aromatic by-products and reactor system therefor
The present invention relates to a method and a reactor system for preparing linear alpha-olefins by oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of an organic solvent and an oligomerization catalyst, wherein a product fraction of C10+ alpha-olefins contaminated with aromatic C9+ compounds is separated from a product main stream and transferred into a conversion reactor, where C10+ alpha-olefins and aromatic C9+ components are reacted in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts alkylation catalyst to produce aromatic C19+ compound.
US08492601B1 Methods for converting used oil into fuel
Methods for converting used oil into fuel generally include forming a conversion mixture of an alcohol and a base, and adding the conversion mixture to used oil, such as used motor oil, to form a reaction mixture. The methods can also include adding a high nitrate compound and an amino acid to the reaction mixture and ozonizing the reaction mixture. The result of the methods can include a three phase system in which the bottom phase is asphalt oil, the middle phase is diesel fuel or jet fuel, and the top phase is sulfuric acid. The three phases can be separated to obtain the final diesel fuel or jet fuel product.
US08492600B2 Hydropyrolysis of biomass for producing high quality fuels
A self-sustaining process for producing high quality liquid fuels from biomass in which the biomass is hydropyrolyzed in a reactor vessel containing molecular hydrogen and a deoxygenating catalyst, producing a partially deoxygenated hydropyrolysis liquid, which is hydrogenated using a hydroconversion catalyst, producing a substantially fully deoxygenated hydrocarbon liquid and a gaseous mixture comprising CO and light hydrocarbon gases (C1-C3). The gaseous mixture is reformed in a steam reformer, producing reformed molecular hydrogen, which is then introduced into the reactor vessel for hydropyrolizing the biomass. The deoxygenated hydrocarbon liquid product is further separated to produce diesel fuel, gasoline, or blending components for gasoline and diesel fuel.
US08492596B2 Process for production of ditrimethylolpropane
The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane including reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a base catalyst to thereby produce trimethylolpropane and ditrimethylolpropane, wherein the method includes (I) a step of reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde (1) in the presence of a base catalyst (1), to thereby produce a reaction mixture containing trimethylolpropane, ditrimethylolpropane, and 2-ethyl-2-propenal; (II) a step of recovering 2-ethyl-2-propenal through distillation of the produced reaction mixture; and (III) a step of adding, to a distillation residue obtained through recovery of 2-ethyl-2-propenal, the recovered 2-ethyl-2-propenal and formaldehyde (2), and optionally a base catalyst (2), to thereby allow reaction for production of ditrimethylolpropane to proceed, wherein the amounts of formaldehyde (I) and the base catalyst (1) supplied in step I and formaldehyde (2) and the base catalyst (2) supplied in step II are controlled to specific amounts, to thereby effectively produce ditrimethylolpropane. According to the present invention, the yield of di-TMP is considerably increased, and the amount of bis-TMP by-produced can be considerably reduced with respect to the amount of di-TMP (i.e., a product of interest) produced; that is, di-TMP can be effectively produced in an industrially advantageous manner.
US08492586B2 Process for preparation of formate salt
Processes for the recovery of formate salt from biomass and the product obtained thereof generally include subjecting an aqueous liquid mixture containing levulinic acid, formic acid and possibly furfural to a liquid-liquid extraction process, followed by the recovery of the furfural, the formate salt and the levulinic acid or the levulinate salt.
US08492584B2 Process and apparatus for oxidizing organic compounds
The invention relates to a process for oxidizing at least one organic substance with oxygen, which comprises the following steps: (a) adding the at least one organic substance as a liquid and an oxygenous gas stream to a first reaction stage to form a reaction mixture, at least some of the oxygen reacting with the organic compound to form a reaction product, (b) adding the reaction mixture from the first reaction stage to an adiabatically operated reaction stage in which the unconverted organic substance reacts further at least partly to give the product. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the process.
US08492583B2 Process for purification of aromatic carboxylic acids
Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area silicon carbide.
US08492582B2 N-acyl anthranilic acid derivative or salt thereof
The invention relates to an N-acyl anthranilic acid derivative or it's salt having collagen production inhibitory action.
US08492577B2 Process for preparation of valsartan intermediate
The present invention provides a process for preparation of a key intermediate of valsartan in a pure form and use of this intermediate for the preparation of valsartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt in pure form.
US08492573B2 Borohydride metallocene complex of a lanthanide, catalytic system including said complex, polymerization method using same and ethylene/butadiene copolymer obtained using said method
Borohydride metallocene complex of lanthanide, preparation process, catalytic system incorporating borohydride metallocene complex, process for copolymerization of olefins employing catalytic system. The complex corresponds to one or other of formulae A and B: where, in A, two ligands Cp1, Cp2, each composed of a cyclopentadienyl group, are connected to the lanthanide Ln, such as Nd, and where, in B, a ligand molecule, composed of two cyclopentadienyl groups Cp1, Cp2 connected to one another via a bridge P of formula MR1R2, M is an element from group IVa, and R1 and R2, which are identical or different, represent an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, is connected to the lanthanide Ln, L is alkali metal, N is molecule of a complexing solvent, x is integral or non-integral number≧0, p is integer≧than 1 and y is integer≧0.
US08492568B2 Chromane derivatives as TRPV3 modulators
The present invention provides chromane derivatives as transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) modulators. In particular, the compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. Also provided herein are processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3.
US08492565B2 Biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and process for producing the same, and polyimide formed from the same and process for producing the same
To provide a process for producing BPDA whereby high productivity is attained while high purity is maintained.A process for producing biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, which comprises heating biphenyltetracarboxylic acid to produce biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, characterized in that the heating is carried out at a pressure of from 1×102 Pa to 1.1×105 Pa to a maximum temperature in a range of from 210° C. to 250° C. in such a manner that the temperature rising rate is higher than 50° C./hr for a period of at least ¼ of the time for the temperature rise from 60° C. to 210° C., and the temperature is maintained to be from 150° C. to 250° C. for from 0.5 to 10 hours.
US08492562B2 (Meth)acrylate derivative, intermediate thereof, and polymer compound
Provided are a polymerizable compound shown below which is useful as a raw material for a polymer having less swelling in developing, a polymer obtained by polymerizing a raw material containing the above polymerizable compound, a photoresist composition which contains the above polymer and which is improved in LWR and an efficient production process for the polymerizable compound described above: wherein n represents an integer of 0 to 2; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, methyl or trifluoromethyl; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the like; W represents an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or the like; and Y1 and Y2 represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
US08492561B2 Azetidine derivatives as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators
The present invention relates to novel azetidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08492559B2 Substituted indole compounds
Substituted indole compounds corresponding to the formula I: In which R8, R9a, R9b, R10, R11, R200, R210, A, D, T, q, s and t have defined meanings, processes for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and the use of substituted indole compounds for the treatment or inhibition of pain and other conditions which are at least partly mediated by Bradykinin 1 receptors (B1R).
US08492557B2 Ester pro-drugs of [3-(1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl)-2-methylphenyl] methanol
The present invention relates to novel compounds, ester pro-drugs of [3-(1-1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl)-2-methylphenyl]methanol, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals in the treatment of conditions mediated by adrenergic receptors.
US08492556B2 2,5-Dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl-3-phenylurea derivatives as formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor modulators
The present invention relates to novel 2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl-3-phenylurea derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor.
US08492554B2 Chemical compounds
Disclosed are compounds of Formula III. Also disclosed are salts of the compounds, pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds or salts, and methods for treating HCV infection by administration of the compounds or salts.
US08492542B2 Method for producing bicyclic guanidines by use of a cyclic thiourea
The present invention is directed to a method producing bicyclic guanidine comprising heating a cyclic thiourea to a temperature ranging from ≧140° C. in a substantially non-hydrocarbon solvent to form the bicyclic guanidine.
US08492536B2 Method for modifying nucleic acid bases, and nucleic acid base-modified product
A method for modifying nucleic acid bases by a chemical means, which enables the discrimination of every base species in plural species of bases in a nucleic acid comprising plural nucleotide units, while retaining the base sequence information of the nucleic acid. A nucleic acid base-modified product provided by the method. The nucleic acid base-modified product is essentially a single strand. In accordance with the invention, a novel means for sequencing a nucleic acid by a microscopic means is provided.
US08492534B1 Compositions and methods for treatment of prostate and other cancers
Therapeutic agents which target heat shock protein (hsp) 27 in vivo are used to provide treatment to individuals, particularly human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer and other cancers that overexpress hsp27. A therapeutic agent, for example an antisense oligonucleotide or RNAi nucleotide inhibitor with sequence specificity for hsp27 mRNA, for example human hsp27 mRNA, is administered to an individual suffering from prostate cancer or some other cancer expressing elevated levels of hsp 27 in a therapeutically effective amount. The therapeutic agent is suitably formulated into a pharmaceutical composition which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and packaged in dosage unit form. A preferred dosage unit form is an injectable dosage unit form.
US08492530B2 Unstructured recombinant polymers and compositions comprising same
The present invention provides unstructured recombinant polymers (URPs) and proteins containing one or more of the URPs. The present invention also provides microproteins, toxins and other related proteinaceous entities, as well as genetic packages displaying these entities. The present invention also provides recombinant polypeptides including vectors encoding the subject proteinaceous entities, as well as host cells comprising the vectors. The subject compositions have a variety of utilities including a range of pharmaceutical applications.
US08492529B2 Monoclonal antibody capable of binding to specific discontinuous epitope occurring in AD1 region of human cytomegalovirus GB glycoprotein, and antigen-binding fragment thereof
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for human cytomegalovirus HCMV causative of various disease states, the composition comprising a monoclonal antibody and an antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to the AD1 region of glycoprotein gB and that has excellent neutralizing capacity. The present invention provides: a monoclonal antibody and an antigen-binding fragment thereof having an excellent neutralizing capacity and cell-to-cell infection blocking capacity and specifically binding to a discontinuous sequence occurring in the HCMV AD1 region; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or the fragment thereof; and the like.
US08492526B2 Effector function enhanced recombinant antibody composition
Disclosed are a recombinant antibody composition which is a human IgG1 antibody, comprises a CH2 domain in which amino acids at positions 276 and 339 indicated by the EU index as in Kabat, et al. are replaced by other amino acids and has more improved complement-dependent cytotoxic activity than an antibody comprising a CH2 domain before the amino acids are replaced; a DNA encoding the antibody molecule or a heavy chain constant region of the antibody molecule contained in the recombinant antibody composition; a transformant obtainable by introducing the DNA into a host cell; a process for producing the recombinant antibody composition using the transformant; and a medicament comprising the recombinant antibody composition as an active ingredient.
US08492523B2 Dragline protein
To provide a new natural fiber material with excellent physical properties. Any one of the following nucleic acids (a) to (d): (a) a nucleic acid having a base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 19; (b) a nucleic acid encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 20; (c) a nucleic acid encoding a dragline protein and having a sequence identity of 90% or more with the nucleic acid (a); (d) a nucleic acid which encodes a dragline protein and hybridizes with a complementary chain of the nucleic acid (a) under stringent conditions.
US08492520B2 Binding epitopes for G250 antibody
The invention relates to specific amino acid sequences which have been determined to be target epitope for antibodies, in particular, for a G250 antibody.
US08492517B2 Melanocortin-1 receptor-specific cyclic peptides
Melanocortin receptor-specific cyclic peptides of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined in the specification, compositions and formulations including the peptides of the foregoing formula or salts thereof, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin-1 receptor-mediated or responsive diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes.
US08492516B2 Zona pellucida binding peptides for species specific immunocontraception of animals
Disclosed are methods, compositions, zona pellucida binding peptides and polypeptides, and expression vectors for use in species-specific immunocontraception of animals. The disclosed compositions may include immunogenic compositions or vaccines.
US08492512B2 Process for reducing moisture in a biodegradable implant device
The disclosed process comprises freeze-drying a biodegradable implant device comprised or one or more polyesters to thereby reduce moisture content in the device.
US08492506B2 Polyimide resin composition, polyimide precursor resin composition for the same, production method thereof, and polyimide film and production method thereof
An object of the present invention, which was made to solve the problems above, is to provide a polyimide precursor resin composition superior in transparency allowing reduction of the residual volatile material rate during molding and giving a polyimide resin composition (e.g., polyimide film) superior in mechanical properties and transparency even when a cheaper polyamide-imide is used. The present invention relates to a polyimide precursor resin composition, comprising a polyamide-imide (A) containing a diamine monomer unit represented by the following formula (1) and a polyamic acid (B) containing at least one kind of monomer unit selected tetracarboxylic acid monomer units represented by the following formulae (2p) to (2r), wherein the haze of the film having a thickness of 40 μm obtained by imidation of the polyimide precursor resin composition is 4% or less: (wherein, R represents an alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms);
US08492505B2 Branched biodegradable polymers, a macromonomer, processes for the preparation of same, and their use
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of branched biodegradable polymers comprising of the steps of: (a) preparing a macromonomer by ring-opening polymerization of at least one cyclic ester, cyclic carbonate, and/or cyclic carboxyanhydride in the presence of a branching agent and optionally a catalyst; and (b) subsequent polycondensation of the macromonomer, to a process for the preparation of a macromonomer by ring-opening polymerization of at least one cyclic ester, carbonate and/or N-carboxyanhydride in the presence of a defined branching agent and optionally a catalyst, according to step (a), and to the prepared macromonomer and branched biodegradable polymer and their uses.
US08492504B2 Catalytic depolymerization of polymers containing electrophilic linkages using nucleophilic reagents
The disclosure relates to methods and materials useful for depolymerizing a polymer. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for depolymerizing a polymer containing electrophilic linkages, wherein the method comprises contacting the polymer with a nucleophilic reagent in the presence of a guanidine-containing compound. The methods and materials of the disclosure find utility, for example, in the field of waste reclamation and recycling.
US08492497B2 Copolymers, their use as thickeners, and methods for their preparation
The present invention relates to copolymers comprising as comonomers in copolymerized form (A) at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, (B) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound which has at least one structural unit of the general formula (I) per molecule: where the variables are defined as follows: R1 is different or identical and selected from hydrogen, C1-C30-alkyl, C6-C30-aryl and C7-C30-aralkyl, A1 is different or identical and selected from C2-C10-alkylene, C6-C10-arylene and C7-C10-aralkylene, n is different or identical and selected from zero to 200, m is different or identical and selected from 1 to 6, (C) at least one further comonomer.
US08492492B2 System and method for processing reactor polymerization effluent
A method of treating a polymerization reactor effluent stream comprising recovering the reactor effluent stream from the polymerization reactor, flashing the reactor effluent stream to form a flash gas stream, separating the flash gas stream into a first top stream, a first bottom stream, and a side stream, wherein the side stream substantially comprises hexane, separating the first top stream into a second top stream and a second bottom stream, wherein the second bottom stream substantially comprises isobutane, and separating the second top stream into a third top stream and a third bottom stream; wherein the third top stream substantially comprises ethylene, and wherein the third bottom stream is substantially free of olefins.
US08492489B2 Double loop technology
A method for the copolymerization of ethylene and a C3+ olefin copolymer in a loop reactor system and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The method generally includes introducing an ethylene monomer, a C3+ alpha olefin comonomer and a diluent carrier liquid into a reactor system comprising at least one loop reactor; supplying at least one polymerization catalyst system to said reactor system; circulating said diluent liquid, ethylene monomer, and alpha olefin copolymer through said loop reactor while copolymerizing said ethylene and said alpha olefin monomer in the presence of said catalyst system to produce a slurry of polymer fluff particles in said diluent carrier liquid; diverting the flow of said slurry through said loop reactor into at least one settling leg connected to the loop reactor and sequentially discharging the settled polymer slurry from said at least one settling leg to withdraw said polymer slurry from said reactor system; and introducing an ethylene monomer co-feed into said loop reactor at least two spaced locations downstream of the point of introduction of ethylene comonomer and diluent in subparagraph a), said ethylene co-feed being introduced in an amount effective to reduce the variation in the ratio of ethylene monomer and comonomer within said loop reactor.
US08492486B2 Adhesive compositions
Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a polydiorganosiloxane precursor having oxalylamino groups. The polydioroganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.
US08492483B2 ABA triblock copolymer and process for producing the same
To provide a novel ABA-type triblock copolymer of vinyl ether series, comprising polyvinyl ether and an oxystyrene-series unit, and a process of producing the ABA-type copolymer at a series of steps. The invention relates to a novel ABA-type triblock copolymer comprising Segment A comprising an oxystyrene-series repeat unit (a) and Segment B comprising a vinyl ether-series repeat unit (b), in which the Segment A and the Segment B are bonded together with a single bond, and to a simple process of producing the same. The triblock copolymer can be produced at a series of steps in a simple manner, comprising living cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether-series monomer such as ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of a bifunctional initiator and a Lewis acid, and subsequently adding an oxystyrene-series monomer such as p-hydroxystyrene for living cationic polymerization.
US08492476B2 Polycarbonate resin composition and formed product thereof
In a polycarbonate resin composition containing a polycarbonate resin and a polycarbosilane compound, the use of the polycarbosilane compound modifies the surface properties of the polycarbonate resin composition without adversely affecting the intrinsic characteristics of the polycarbonate resin, such as transparency, heat resistance, and mechanical properties, e.g., impact resistance. A polycarbonate resin composition containing 100 parts by mass of a polycarbonate resin, 0.001 to 1 part by mass of a metal salt compound, and 0.005 to 5 parts by mass of a polycarbosilane compound has significantly improved flame resistance and high transparency and causes markedly reduced outgassing and mold fouling, without losing impact resistance and heat resistance.
US08492473B2 Compound for purging residual polyamides from an extruder
A purging compound for purging an extruder of polyamides or other polar thermoplastic resins for transitioning to the extrusion of a non-polar thermoplastic resin, includes a non-polar base polymer compounded with an ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, up to 15% of a mineral, and about 1% of a suitable antioxidant.
US08492472B2 Polymer dispersions for corrosion control
The present invention relates to coating compositions which comprise dispersions of polymers obtained by a multistage procedure, to processes for preparing them, and to their use in corrosion protection.
US08492471B2 Heat resistant and fire retardant materials and methods for preparing same
A silica cement blend is provided having insulating, fire retarding and high temperature characteristics that is capable of withstanding temperatures greater than 4000° F. without degradation of the concrete structure. In addition to its high temperature capabilities, the blend can be produced as ultra light weight to heavy weight concrete. Also provided are methods for reducing fire damage by coating interior/exterior walls, ceiling, and roofs of a building with a water based latex coating containing a fire retardant material and low heat conductivity silicas.
US08492470B1 Golf balls with cores or intermediate layers prepared from highly-neutralized ethylene copolymers and organic acids
Disclosed are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compressions greater than 100. Also disclosed is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 α,β ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.
US08492469B2 Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, cured film, protective film, insulating film, and semiconductor device and display device including the cured film
A positive-type photosensitive resin composition includes (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) a photosensitizer, and (C) a silicon compound shown by the following general formula (1). (R2O)3—Si—R1—Si—(OR2)3  (1) wherein R1 represents an alkylene group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms or an organic group that includes at least one aromatic ring, and R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The positive-type photosensitive resin composition exhibits excellent storage stability, produces a film that exhibits excellent adhesion to a substrate during development, and produces a cured film that exhibits excellent adhesion to a substrate after humidification.
US08492468B2 Polypropylene resin composition
A polypropylene resin composition, comprising (A) 51 to 99% by weight of a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate of 10 to 200 g/10 minutes, and containing 0.1 to 40% by weight of an ethylene unit and/or α-olefin unit having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and 60 to 99.9% by weight of a propylene unit, (B) 1 to 49% by weight of an ethylene polymer having density of 0.85 to 0.93 g/cm3, and (C) 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of an amide compound as a nucleating agent.
US08492459B2 Ink composition and method of forming a pattern using the same
There are provided an ink composition for imprint lithography and roll-printing, which is applied to the formation of a pattern using imprint lithography and roll-printing to play the role of a pattern support, can increase the accuracy of pattern formation by minimizing the occurrence of a swelling phenomenon caused by the ink composition, and can improve yield and the efficiency of the process by increasing the transfer rate of a pattern, and a method of forming a pattern of a display or semiconductor by using the same.
US08492456B2 Ink compositions for ink-jet printing
The present invention provides ink compositions for ink-jet printing. The ink compositions comprise by weight from about 0.1 to 5% by weight of a water-soluble polyurethane; from about 0.1 to 15% by weight of a 1,2-alkyldiol having 5-9 carbon atoms; and from about 0.5 to 6% by weight of a pigment. The present invention also provides a process for printing an image on a print medium that comprises applying an inventive ink composition thereto by means of an ink-jet printer. The present invention further provides ink-jet cartridges containing inventive ink compositions.
US08492454B2 Removable color layer for artificial nail coatings and methods therefore
The present disclosure relates to a nail coating system comprising a basecoat, a color layer, and a topcoat. The system of the present disclosure may be applied to natural and/or pre-existing artificial nail coatings. The present disclosure relates generally to compositions for natural and artificial nail coatings, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to polymerizable compositions and color layers polymerized therefrom. The disclosure further relates to methods of making a polymerized color layer.
US08492450B2 Siloxane resin composition and protective film for touch panel using the same
A siloxane resin composition is provided which is superior in pattern processability and yields a cured film with high hardness and excellent abrasion resistance by means of UV curing and thermal curing. The siloxane resin composition includes (A) polysiloxane having a carboxyl group and a radical polymerizable group, (B) a photo-radical polymerization initiator and (C) a compound having a radical polymerizable group and not having a Si—O—Si bond.
US08492448B2 Systems and methods for performing photoreactions using light-diffusing optical fiber
Systems and methods for performing photoreactions in a photoreactive material using scattered actinic light from at least one light-diffusing optical fiber are disclosed. The systems and methods include disposing a light-diffusing optical fiber relative to the photoreactive material. The light-diffusing optical fiber has a glass core, a surrounding cladding, and nano-sized structures situated either within the glass core or at the core-cladding boundary. The nano-sized structures are configured to scatter guided actinic light that travels in the light-diffusing optical fiber from an actinic light source. The scattered actinic light is provided throughout the photoreactive material and causes a photoreaction throughout the photoreactive material.
US08492441B2 Dosage regimen of an S1P receptor agonist
S1P receptor modulators or agonists are administered following a dosage regimen whereby during the initial days of treatment the daily dosage is lower than the standard daily dosage.
US08492438B2 Treatment skin disorders
Disclosed are a composition and a method for treating skin disorders, including rosacea, pityriasis rosea, erythema, rhinophyma, and rosacea-associated disorders including pimples, papules, pustules, and telangiectasia.
US08492436B2 Inhibitors of yeast filamentous growth and method of their manufacture
The invention broadly relates to the use of α,β-unsaturated fatty acids to inhibit the filamentous growth of fungi and yeasts and to a method for producing same. In particular the invention relates to the use of optionally substituted C8 to CI5 α,β-unsaturated fatty acids or salts, esters or amides thereof for inhibiting or retarding the yeast-to-mycelium transition of organisms having a dimorphic life cycle.
US08492434B2 Antiviral drugs for treatment of arenavirus infection
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, and Pichinde), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever).
US08492432B2 Methods for the treatment of kidney disease
The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney function comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.
US08492422B2 Ester pro-drugs of [3-(1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl)-2-methylphenyl] methanol for treating skin diseases and conditions
The present invention relates to method for treating skin diseases and skin conditions in a subject in need of such treatment, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising ester pro-drugs of [3-(1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl)-2-methylphenyl]methanol, or enantiomers thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US08492414B2 Antibacterial agents
Compounds of formula (IA) or (IB) have antibacterial activity: wherein W is ═CH— or ═N—; Ri and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro and chloro, provided that Ri and R2 are not each hydrogen when W is ═CH—; n is 0 or 1; X is —O—, —S—, or —CH2—; and Q is (i) a phenyl radical, a naphthyl radical, a monocyclic carbocyclic or heteroaryl radical having 3 to 6 ring atoms, or a bicyclic heteroaryl radical having 5 to 10 ring atoms, any of which radicals being optionally substituted; or (ii) an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, or C2-C6 alkynyl radical, which may optionally be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O2)—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —N(CH2CH3)—, —C—K═Oh or —C(═O)—O—.
US08492413B2 Pharmaceutical combination of 5-fluorouracil and derivate of 1,4-dihydropyridine and its use in the treatment of cancer
New compounds of 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid ester type having general formula I wherein R is a lower alkyl group, which is methyl or ethyl R1 and R2 is sodium carboxylate-methyl ester, having synergistic cytotoxic effect combined with 5-fluorouracil.
US08492407B2 Quaternary ammonium compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
The invention provides compounds of the formula: in salt or zwitterionic form or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-6, a, Z and Q are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08492403B2 Bicyclic derivatives as modulators of voltage gated ion channels
Bicyclic derivatives useful as ion channel antagonists are disclosed herein. The compositions thereof are useful for treating or relieving pain-related conditions.
US08492401B2 Thiazolopyridine sirtuin modulating compounds
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds of Structural Formula (Ia) and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent.
US08492399B2 3-carboxypropyl-aminotetralin derivatives and related compounds as mu opioid receptor antagonists
The invention provides 3-carboxypropyl-aminotetralin compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08492389B2 Inhibitors of human phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta
Methods of inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta isoform (PI3Kδ) activity, and methods of treating diseases, such as disorders of immunity and inflammation, in which PI3Kδ plays a role in leukocyte function are disclosed. Preferably, the methods employ active agents that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ, while not significantly inhibiting activity of other PI3K isoforms. Compounds are provided that inhibit PI3Kδ activity, including compounds that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ activity. Methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit cancer cell growth or proliferation are also provided. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit PI3Kδ-mediated processes in vitro and in vivo.
US08492388B2 Fungicide hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives
The present invention relates to hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives of formula (I), their process of preparation, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions. wherein A represents a tetrazoyl group, Het represents a pyridyl group or a thiazolyl group and X represents various substituents.
US08492385B2 Crystalline modifications of N-alpha-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino- (L)- phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide and/or salts thereof
The present invention relates to novel crystalline modifications of N-α-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl-sulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxy-carbonylpiperazide and/or salts thereof, which can be used as pharmaceutical agents, and to pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical uses comprising these novel crystalline modifications.
US08492373B2 Bicyclic aryl and bicyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles useful as Axl inhibitors
Bicyclic aryl substituted triazoles or heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US08492372B2 Modulators of dopamine neurotransmission
The present invention relates to novel 1-(4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-yl)methanamine derivatives, useful as modulators of dopamine neurotransmission, and more specifically asdopaminergic stabilizers. In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08492371B2 Compounds as cannabinoid receptor ligands
Disclosed herein are compounds of formula (I) wherein Ring A and R1 are as defined in the specification. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.
US08492370B2 Compounds and methods for their production
The present invention relates to ansamycin analogues that are useful, e.g. in the treatment of cancer, B-cell malignancies, malaria, fungal infection, diseases of the central nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases, diseases dependent on angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases or a prophylactic pretreatment for cancer. The present invention also provides methods for the production of these compounds and their use in medicine.
US08492366B2 Enhancedly-solubilized beta-hydroxy acids and higher potency skin peels formulated therefrom
The solubility in solvent media, notably alcoholic media, of the beta-hydroxy acids (“BHAs”), notably the chemical skin peeling agent salicylic acid, is markedly enhanced by solubilizing same in the presence of at least one alpha-hydroxy acid (“AHA”); higher potency, more concentrated BHA skin peel products are thus formulated.
US08492364B2 Methods and compositions relating to synthetic β-1,6 glucosamine oligosaccharides
The invention relates to the compositions of synthetic oligo-β-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosides conjugated to carriers, and methods for making and use same.
US08492362B1 5-(E)-Bromovinyl uracil analogues and related pyrimidine nucleosides as anti-varicella zoster virus agents and methods of use
The present invention relates to prodrug forms of β-L-1-[5-(E-2-Bromovinyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)]uracil (L-BHDU) and their use to treat viral infections of Varicella Zoster Virus, including recurrent VZV (shingles), especially including drug resistant Varicella Zoster Virus and related complications of this viral infection such as rash or post-herpetic neuralgia.
US08492357B2 Micro-RNA mediated modulation of colony stimulating factors
The present invention relates to the modulation of immunoregulatory proteins, including cytokines, such as colony stimulatory factors (CSF) via the use of microRNA-155 modulators.
US08492356B2 Methods of inhibiting tumor growth using TTK antagonists
The present invention relates to methods for treating TTK positive breast cancers or soft-tissue sarcomas in a mammalian subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a TTK antagonist. The invention also provides compositions comprising a TTK antagonist and a HER-2 antagonist, as well as methods of diagnosing a basal-like breast cancer and methods of determining the prognosis of a subject having a cancer by assessing expression of TTK in a tumor sample from a subject.
US08492346B2 Methods of use of epsilon inhibitor compounds for the attenuation of pain
The disclosure herein relates to modified εPKC inhibitory peptides, methods of generating such peptides, and method for using εPKC inhibitory peptides for the treatment of pain.
US08492345B2 Cyclic peptide antitumor agents
Cyclic peptide compounds and derivatives thereof having antitumor activity as shown by treatment of human melanoma, pancreatic, breast, prostate cancer cells.
US08492344B2 PDK inhibitor compounds and methods of use thereof
The invention relates to methods of treating or preventing acquired or congenital mitochondrial diseases or disorders, including treating cell proliferation related disorders or diseases, such as cancer. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating such disorders or diseases.
US08492343B2 Protein scaffold library based on kringle domain structure and uses thereof
There are provided a Kringle domain structure, comprising: inducing artificial mutations at amino acid residues except for conserved amino acid residues that are important to maintain the structural scaffold of a Kringle domain; and protein scaffold variants, based on the Kringle domain structure, which modulate the biological activities of a variety of target molecules derived from the protein scaffold library by specifically binding to the target molecules. Also, there is provided a method for constructing homo-/hetero-oligomers which allow multi-specificity binding to multiple targets by the tandem assembly monomeric Kringle domain variants using a linker. Additionally, there is provided a method for preparing multispecific monomers and multivalent monomers by grafting target-binding loops of a Kringle domain variant into non-binding loops of another Kringle domain variant with the same or different target binding specificity. Furthermore, a protein scaffold variant based on the Kringle domain structure that specifically binds to target molecules, DNA encoding the protein scaffold variant, or a method and composition for prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment or relieving diseases or disorders, particularly cancers and other immune-related diseases, comprising: administering an effective amount of the related molecule to animals, preferably human.
US08492336B2 Methods of treating neuropathic pain with an environ polypeptide
There is disclosed an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human neurotrophic growth factor designated enovin and having the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, 21, 23 or 24 or encoding a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor of said growth factor. The growth factor preferably comprises the amino acid sequence from position 27 to 139 of the sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, or a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor thereof. The nucleic acid molecule encoding enovin can be used to transform a host cell, tissue or organism by including it in an appropriate vector. The host cell, tissue or organism and the vector also form part of the invention.
US08492332B2 Oriented collagen-based materials, films and methods of making same
In general, the present invention is related to collagen compositions and thin films, and to methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to “uniaxial pattern” or “linear pattern” collagen materials, compositions and thin films, and methods of making.
US08492330B2 Formulation comprising GLP-1
The invention relates to formulations that demonstrate the feasibility of oral absorption comprising glucose-like peptide-1 compounds and specified delivery agents, and to methods of stimulating GLP-1 receptor in a subject in need of such stimulation, by administration of the formulation of the present invention.
US08492326B2 Alkoxylates and use thereof
The present invention relates to the use of an alkoxylate based on 2-propylheptylamine which has been alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentylene oxide, styrene oxide, cyclohexylene oxide and/or decylene oxide, and/or its quaternized derivative in cleaning compositions, as emulsifier, in the manufacture of fibers, for leather treatment, in printing inks, in formulations for construction chemistry or in formulations for flotation. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a mixture comprising at least one of the specified alkoxylates and also at least one surface-active substance and use thereof.
US08492324B2 Use of metal hydrazide complex compounds as oxidation catalysts
The present invention relates to the use of selected metal complex compounds and ligands as oxidation catalysts as well as to a process for removing stains and soil on textiles and hard surfaces. The metal complex compounds have hydrazide ligands, preferably with electron withdrawing groups in the phenyl ring adjacent to the acyl group. Further aspects of the invention are formulations comprising such metal complex compounds, novel metal complex compounds and novel ligands.
US08492322B2 Viscosity index improver for lubricant compositions
A lubricant composition comprises a base oil and a viscosity modifier including an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block copolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Such block copolymers offer the possibility of improved low temperature performance and flexibility in formulating motor oil, gear lubricants and greases, etc.
US08492319B2 Nanoparticle compositions and methods for making and using the same
A composition that includes solid lubricant nanoparticles and an organic medium is disclosed. Also disclosed are nanoparticles that include layered materials. A method of producing a nanoparticle by milling layered materials is provided. Also disclosed is a method of making a lubricant, the method including milling layered materials to form nanoparticles and incorporating the nanoparticles into a base to form a lubricant.
US08492306B2 Method and apparatus for preparing a catalyst
A method for preparing a catalyst includes preparing a first solution including a gold precursor and a palladium precursor, preparing an alumina suspension, heating the alumina suspension to a preferred temperature range, introducing the first solution to the alumina suspension and coincidently maintaining the pH of a resulting solution at a preferred pH level, separating solids in the resulting solution, and calcining the separated solids to form a catalyst including gold and palladium co-deposited onto alumina.
US08492305B2 Catalyst for hydrocarbon steam cracking, method of preparing the same and method of preparing olefin by using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst for hydrocarbon steam cracking for the production of light olefin, a preparation method of the catalyst and a preparation method of olefin by using the same. More precisely, the present invention relates to a composite catalyst prepared by mixing the oxide catalyst powder represented by CrZrjAkOx (0.5≦j≦120, 0≦k≦50, A is a transition metal, x is the number satisfying the condition according to valences of Cr, Zr and A, and values of j and k) and carrier powder and sintering thereof, a composite catalyst wherein the oxide catalyst is impregnated on a carrier, and a method of preparing light olefin such as ethylene and propylene by hydrocarbon steam cracking in the presence of the composite catalyst. The composite catalyst of the present invention has excellent thermal/mechanical stability in the cracking process, and has less inactivation rate by coke and significantly increases light olefin yield.
US08492303B2 Electrode and electrode coating
The invention describes an electrode and an electrode coating which are based on a catalyst containing finely divided carbon modifications and noble metal (oxide)s.
US08492299B2 Optical glass
A high-refractivity low-dispersion optical glass that can be stably supplied and has excellent glass stability and that has coloring reduced, composed of in mass %, 5 to 32% of total of SiO2 and B2O3, 45 to 65% of total of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3, 0.5 to 10% of ZnO, 1 to 20% of total of TiO2 and Nb2O5, and optionally other components. The optical glass has a refractive index nd of 1.89 to 2.0, an Abbe's number νd of 32 to 38 and a coloring degree λ70 of 430 nm or less.
US08492298B2 Optical material and optical element
Provided is an optical glass having homogeneous optical characteristics such that striae and devitrification hardly occur at the time of producing a gob. The optical glass includes cationic components having the following composition, provided that a total of the cationic components is 95 cat %, and has a refractive index (nd) of 1.6 or more and less than 1.7 and an Abbe number (vd) of 50 or more and 56 or less,Si4+ 3 cat % or more and 13 cat % or lessB3+ 40 cat % or more and 55 cat % or lessLa3+ 4 cat % or more and 9 cat % or lessCa2+ 6 cat % or more and 12 cat % or lessLi+ 11 cat % or more and 18 cat % or lessZn2+ 6 cat % or more and 12 cat % or lessZr4+ 1 cat % or more and 4 cat % or lessprovided that Si4+/B3+ is 0.05 or more and 0.3 or less, and Li+/Zn2+ is 1.3 or more and 2.0 or less.
US08492297B2 Silica soda lime glass composition and use thereof
A device including a glass substrate made of a soda lime silica glass composition of: SiO2 (50˜75 wt %); Na2O (1˜8 wt %); K2O (1˜12 wt %); CaO (1˜12 wt %); ZrO2 (0˜8 wt %); SrO (0˜15 wt %); BaO (0˜12 wt %); MgO (0˜10 wt %); Al2O3 (0˜12 wt %); B2O3 (0˜3 wt %), wherein the total amount of Na2O and K2O is in the range of 5˜15 wt %, the total amount of CaO, MgO, SrO and BaO is in the range of 10˜25 wt %.
US08492293B1 High density selective deposition of carbon nanotubes onto a substrate
Methods for selectively placing carbon nanotubes on a substrate surface by using functionalized carbon nanotubes having an organic compound that is covalently bonded to such carbon nanotubes. The organic compound comprises at least two functional groups, the first of which is capable of forming covalent bonds with carbon nanotubes, and the second of which is capable of selectively bonding metal oxides. Such functionalized carbon nanotubes are contacted with a substrate surface that has at least one portion containing a metal oxide. The second functional group of the organic compound selectively bonds to the metal oxide, so as to selectively place the functionalized carbon nanotubes on the at least one portion of the substrate surface that comprises the metal oxide.
US08492290B2 Fabrication of silicon oxide and oxynitride having sub-nanometer thickness
A method of fabricating a silicon-containing oxide layer that includes providing a chemical oxide layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, removing the chemical oxide layer in an oxygen-free environment at a temperature of 1000° C. or greater to provide a bare surface of the semiconductor substrate, and introducing an oxygen-containing gas at a flow rate to the bare surface of the semiconductor substrate for a first time period at the temperature of 1000° C. The temperature is then reduced to room temperature during a second time period while maintaining the flow rate of the oxygen containing gas to provide a silicon-containing oxide layer having a thickness ranging from 0.5 Å to 10 Å.
US08492287B2 Substrate processing method
A silicon-containing film on a substrate is subjected to a plasma process using a process gas containing fluorine and carbon, and is thereafter subjected to plasma process using an ammonia gas, whereby ammonium silicofluoride having toxicity and hygroscopic property is adhered to the substrate. The harmful ammonium silicofluoride is removed by the inventive method. After conducting the plasma process using an ammonia gas, the substrate is heated to a temperature not lower than the decomposition temperature of the ammonium silicofluoride to decompose the ammonium silicofluoride in a process container in which the plasma process was conducted, or in a process container connected with the processing vessel which the plasma process was conducted therein and is isolated from a clean room atmosphere.
US08492286B2 Method of forming E-fuse in replacement metal gate manufacturing process
Embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming electronic fuse or commonly known as e-fuse. The method includes forming a polysilicon structure and a field-effect-transistor (FET) structure together on top of a common semiconductor substrate, the FET structure having a sacrificial gate electrode; implanting at least one dopant into the polysilicon structure to create a doped polysilicon layer in at least a top portion of the polysilicon structure; subjecting the polysilicon structure and the FET structure to a reactive-ion-etching (RIE) process, the RIE process selectively removing the sacrificial gate electrode of the FET structure while the doped polysilicon layer being substantially unaffected by the RIE process; and converting the polysilicon structure including the doped polysilicon layer into a silicide to form the electronic fuse.
US08492282B2 Methods of forming a masking pattern for integrated circuits
In some embodiments, methods for forming a masking pattern for an integrated circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, mandrels defining a first pattern are formed in a first masking layer over a target layer. A second masking layer is deposited to at least partially fill spaces of the first pattern. Sacrificial structures are formed between the mandrels and the second masking layer. After depositing the second masking layer and forming the sacrificial structures, the sacrificial structures are removed to define gaps between the mandrels and the second masking layer, thereby defining a second pattern. The second pattern includes at least parts of the mandrels and intervening mask features alternating with the mandrels. The second pattern may be transferred into the target layer. In some embodiments, the method allows the formation of features having a high density and a small pitch while also allowing the formation of features having various shapes and sizes.
US08492277B2 Method of polishing a substrate comprising polysilicon and at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride
A method for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate is provided, comprising: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises polysilicon and at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride; providing a chemical mechanical polishing composition, comprising, as initial components: water; an abrasive; and an acyclic organosulfonic acid compound, wherein the acyclic organosulfonic acid compound has an acyclic hydrophobic portion having 6 to 30 carbon atoms and a nonionic acyclic hydrophilic portion having 10 to 300 carbon atoms; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad with a polishing surface; moving the polishing surface relative to the substrate; dispensing the chemical mechanical polishing composition onto the polishing surface; and, abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate; wherein at least some of the polysilicon is removed from the substrate; and, wherein at least some of the at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride is removed from the substrate.
US08492273B2 Method for selective deposition of a semiconductor material
A method is disclosed comprising providing a substrate comprising an insulating material and a second semiconductor material and pre-treating the substrate with a plasma produced from a gas selected from the group consisting of a carbon-containing gas, a halogen-containing gas, and a carbon-and-halogen containing gas. The method further comprises depositing a first semiconductor material on the pre-treated substrate by chemical vapor deposition, where the first semiconductor material is selectively deposited on the second semiconductor material. The method may be used to manufacture a semiconducting device, such as a microelectromechanical system device, or to manufacture a semiconducting device feature, such as an interconnect.
US08492272B2 Passivated through wafer vias in low-doped semiconductor substrates
A method for forming passivated through wafer vias, passivated through wafer via structures, and passivated through wafer via design structures. The method includes: forming a through wafer via in a semiconductor substrate, the through wafer via comprising an electrical conductor extending from a top of the semiconductor substrate to a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a doped layer abutting all sidewalls of the electrical conductor, the doped layer of a same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the concentration of dopant in the doped layer greater than the concentration of dopant in the semiconductor substrate, the doped layer intervening between the electrical conductor and the semiconductor substrate.
US08492266B2 Semiconductor device having insulating film with surface modification layer and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor device, which includes an interlayer insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a wiring layer filled in a recess formed in the interlayer insulating film, and a cap insulating film. The interlayer insulating film includes a first SiOCH film and a surface modification layer including an SiOCH film formed by modifying a surface layer of the first SiOCH film, the SiOCH film having a lower carbon concentration and a higher oxygen concentration than the first SiOCH film has. The cap insulating film contacts with surfaces of the metal wiring and the surface modification layer.
US08492258B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes the step of forming an insulating film on a substrate, and the step of forming a high dielectric constant insulating film on the insulating film, and the step of forming a titanium aluminum nitride film on the high dielectric constant insulating film, wherein in the step of forming the titanium aluminum nitride film, formation of an aluminum nitride film and formation of a titanium nitride film are alternately repeated, and at that time, the aluminum nitride film is formed firstly and/or lastly.
US08492255B2 Trenched Schottky diode and method of forming a trenched Schottky diode
A Schottky diode with a small footprint and a high-current carrying ability is fabricated by forming an opening that extends into an n-type semiconductor material. The opening is then lined with a metallic material such as platinum. The metallic material is then heated to form a salicide region where the metallic material touches the n-type semiconductor material.
US08492252B2 Three dimensional integration and methods of through silicon via creation
A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a substrate layer, forming doped portions of the substrate layer in the first planar area, removing a portion of the photoresist to form a second opening defining a second planar area on the substrate layer, and etching to form a first cavity having a first depth defined by the first opening to expose a first contact in the structure and to form a second cavity defined by the second opening to expose a second contact in the structure.
US08492249B2 Methods of forming catalytic nanopads
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based devices and technology for their fabrication are disclosed. The planar, multiple layer deposition technique and simple methods of change of the nanotube conductivity type during the device processing are utilized to provide a simple and cost effective technology for large scale circuit integration. Such devices as p-n diode, CMOS-like circuit, bipolar transistor, light emitting diode and laser are disclosed, all of them are expected to have superior performance then their semiconductor-based counterparts due to excellent CNT electrical and optical properties. When fabricated on semiconductor wafers, the CNT-based devices can be combined with the conventional semiconductor circuit elements, thus producing hybrid devices and circuits.
US08492246B2 Method of manufacturing integrated circuit device
It is an object of the present invention to improve a factor which influences productivity such as variation caused by a characteristic defect of a circuit by thinning or production yield when an integrated circuit device in which a substrate is thinned is manufactured. A stopper layer is formed over one surface of a substrate, and an element is formed over the stopper layer, and then, the substrate is thinned from the other surface thereof. A method in which a substrate is ground or polished or a method in which the substrate is etched by chemical reaction is used as a method for thinning or removing the substrate.
US08492243B2 Method for the production of a semiconductor structure
Semiconductor structures are produced by providing a 3C—SiC semiconductor layer containing a monocrystalline 3C—SiC layer by implantation of carbon in silicon on a first silicon substrate and applying an epitaxial layer of nitride compound semiconductor suitable for the generation of optoelectronic components onto the 3C—SiC semiconductor layer structure, wherein the epitaxial layer of nitride semiconductor is transferred onto a second substrate by bonding the nitride layer onto the second substrate surface and mechanically or chemically removing silicon and layers containing SiC, the second substrate being a metal with a reflectivity ≧80% or being substantially transparent.
US08492242B2 Dry flux bonding device and method
Methods of forming devices, including LED devices, are described. The devices may include fluorinated compound layers. The methods described may utilize a plasma treatment to form the fluorinated compound layers. The methods described may operate to produce an intermetallic layer that bonds two substrates such as semiconductor wafers together in a relatively efficient and inexpensive manner.
US08492241B2 Method for simultaneously forming a through silicon via and a deep trench structure
A through silicon via (TSV) and a deep trench capacitor (DTCap) or a deep trench isolation (DTI) are simultaneously formed on the same substrate by a single mask and a single reactive ion etching (RIE). The TSV trench is wider and deeper that the DTCap or DTI trench. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are formed with different dielectric materials on the trench sidewalls. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are perfectly aligned.
US08492240B2 Solar-cell marking method and solar cell
The invention relates to a solar-cell marking method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate with a substrate surface for producing a solar cell (1) that comprises an active zone (5); and producing at least one indentation (21, 31) in the substrate surface with the use of laser irradiation, wherein the at least one indentation (21, 31) forms a marking (2, 3) for marking the solar cell (1), and producing the indentation (21, 31) is carried out prior to carrying out a solar-cell manufacturing process or during carrying out a solar-cell manufacturing process. According to the invention the substrate is designed as a semiconductor wafer with a wafer surface, and the marking (2, 3) is positioned on the wafer surface such that the marking (2, 3) is in the active zone (5) of the solar cell (1) formed by the semiconductor wafer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a semiconductor-wafer solar cell (1) whose marking is easily recognizable and thus positioned so as to be reliably readable, without this impeding the functionality of the solar cell (1).
US08492237B2 Methods of fabricating a bipolar junction transistor with a self-aligned emitter and base
Methods for fabricating bipolar junction transistors with self-aligned emitter and extrinsic base, bipolar junction transistors made by the methods, and design structures for a BiCMOS integrated circuit. The bipolar junction transistor is fabricated using a sacrificial emitter pedestal that provides a sacrificial mandrel promoting self-alignment between the emitter and the extrinsic base. The sacrificial emitter pedestal is subsequently removed to open an emitter window extending to the intrinsic base. An emitter is formed in the emitter window that lands on the intrinsic base.
US08492231B2 Nanoscale variable resistor/electromechanical transistor
A nanoscale variable resistor including a metal nanowire as an active element, a dielectric, and a gate. By selective application of a gate voltage, stochastic transitions between different conducting states, and even length, of the nanowire can be induced and with a switching time as fast as picoseconds. With an appropriate choice of dielectric, the transconductance of the device, which may also be considered an “electromechanical transistor,” is shown to significantly exceed the conductance quantum G0=2e2/h.
US08492230B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To provide a technique capable of achieving improvement of the parasitic resistance in FINFETs. In the FINFET in the present invention, a sidewall is formed of a laminated film. Specifically, the sidewall is composed of a first silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film formed over the first silicon oxide film, and a second silicon oxide film formed over the silicon nitride film. The sidewall is not formed on the side wall of a fin. Thus, in the present invention, the sidewall is formed on the side wall of a gate electrode and the sidewall is not formed on the side wall of the fin.
US08492229B2 Method and layout of semiconductor device with reduced parasitics
An semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a semiconductor body, a layer of insulating material disposed over the semiconductor body, and a region of gate electrode material disposed over the layer of insulating material. Also included are a source region adjacent to gate region and a drain region adjacent to the gate region. A gate connection is disposed over the semiconductor body, wherein the gate connection includes a region of gate electrode material electrically coupling a contact region to the gate electrode. An insulating region is disposed on the semiconductor body beneath the gate connection.
US08492228B1 Field effect transistor devices having thick gate dielectric layers and thin gate dielectric layers
A method includes forming a first gate stack over a portion of a fin, forming a dummy gate stack over the fin, growing an epitaxial material from exposed portions of the fin, forming a layer of dielectric material over the epitaxial material, the first gate stack, and the dummy gate stack, performing a planarizing process that removes portions of the layer of dielectric material, the first gate stack, and the dummy gate stack, pattering a first mask over portions of the layer of dielectric material and the dummy gate stack, forming a silicide material on exposed portions of the first gate stack, removing the first mask, pattering a second mask over portions of the layer of dielectric material and the first gate stack, removing a polysilicon portion of the dummy gate stack to define a cavity, removing the second mask, and forming a second gate stack in the cavity.
US08492227B2 Method of forming side wall spacers for a semiconductor device
An etching stopper film is formed over a first insulating film. Then, a second insulating film is formed with a thickness that allows concave and convex portions formed due to a first gate electrode to remain. Then, anisotropic etching is performed using the etching stopper film as a stopper to remove the second insulating film over a second gate electrode and form a first side wall spacer of the first gate electrode. Then, the etching stopper film is removed. Then, anisotropic etching is performed on the first insulating film to form a second side wall spacer over the second gate electrode and form a third side wall spacer which is disposed inside the first side wall spacer over the first gate electrode.
US08492226B2 Trench transistor
A method of forming a device is disclosed. A substrate defined with a device region is provided. A buried doped region is formed in the substrate in the device region. A gate is formed in a trench in the substrate in the device region. A channel of the device is disposed on a sidewall of the trench. The buried doped region is disposed below the gate. A distance from the buried doped region to the channel is a drift length LD of the device. A surface doped region is formed adjacent to the gate.
US08492222B2 Method for forming a pixel of an organic electroluminescence device having stacked storage capacitors connecting between power supply and gate electrode
A method is provided for forming a pixel of an electroluminescence device. The method provides a substrate; defines at least a first area for capacitors, a second area for a transistor on the substrate and a third area for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) on the substrate; forms first conductive, first dielectric, second conductive, second dielectric, and third conductive layers over the first area; forming a third conductive layer over the second dielectric layer over the first area; wherein the first conductive layer over the first area is directly connected to a power supply voltage, wherein the second conductive layer is electrically connected to a fourth conductive layer and wherein the first conductive layer, the first dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer over the first area collectively form a first one of the capacitors over the first area, the second conductive layer, the second dielectric layer.
US08492221B2 Method for fabricating power semiconductor device with super junction structure
A method for fabricating a power semiconductor device is provided. A substrate with a first conductivity type is prepared. A semiconductor layer with a second conductivity type is formed on the substrate. A hard mask pattern having at least an opening is formed on the semiconductor layer. A first trench etching is performed to form a first recess in the semiconductor layer via the opening. A first ion implantation is performed to vertically implant dopants into the bottom of the first recess via the opening, thereby forming a first doping region. A second trench etching is performed to etch through the first doping region, thereby forming a second recess.
US08492220B2 Vertically stacked FETs with series bipolar junction transistor
Vertically stacked Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are created on a vertical structure formed on a semiconductor substrate where a first FET and a second FET are controllable independently. A bipolar junction transistor is connected between and in series with the first FET and the second FET, the bipolar junction transistor may be controllable independently of the first and second FET.
US08492217B2 Methods of forming conductive contacts with reduced dimensions
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming conductive contacts with reduced dimensions and various semiconductor devices incorporating such conductive contacts. In one example, one method disclosed herein includes forming a layer of insulating material above a semiconducting substrate, wherein the layer of material has a first thickness, forming a plurality of contact openings in the layer of material having the first thickness and forming an organic material in at least a portion of each of the contact openings. This illustrative method further includes the steps of, after forming the organic material, performing an etching process to reduce the first thickness of the layer of insulating material to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, after performing the etching process, removing the organic material from the contact openings and forming a conductive contact in each of the contact openings.
US08492208B1 Compressive (PFET) and tensile (NFET) channel strain in nanowire FETs fabricated with a replacement gate process
A method of fabricating a FET device is provided which includes the following steps. Nanowires/pads are formed in a SOI layer over a BOX layer, wherein the nanowires are suspended over the BOX. A HSQ layer is deposited that surrounds the nanowires. A portion(s) of the HSQ layer that surround the nanowires are cross-linked, wherein the cross-linking causes the portion(s) of the HSQ layer to shrink thereby inducing strain in the nanowires. One or more gates are formed that retain the strain induced in the nanowires. A FET device is also provided wherein each of the nanowires has a first region(s) that is deformed such that a lattice constant in the first region(s) is less than a relaxed lattice constant of the nanowires and a second region(s) that is deformed such that a lattice constant in the second region(s) is greater than the relaxed lattice constant of the nanowires.
US08492206B2 Semiconductor device structure and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming a fin in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate line in a second direction crossing the first direction on the semiconductor substrate, the gate line intersecting the fin via a gate dielectric layer; forming a dielectric spacer surrounding the gate line; forming a conductive spacer surrounding the dielectric spacer; and performing inter-device electrical isolation at a predetermined region, wherein isolated portions of the gate line form gate electrodes of respective unit devices, and isolated portions of the conductive spacer form contacts of the respective unit devices.
US08492204B2 Integrated circuit package-in-package system with wire-in-film encapsulant and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing a multiple encapsulation integrated circuit package-in-package system includes: dicing a top integrated circuit wafer having a bottom encapsulant thereon to form a top integrated circuit die with the bottom encapsulant; positioning internal leadfingers adjacent and connected to a bottom integrated circuit die; pressing the bottom encapsulant on to the bottom integrated circuit die; connecting the top integrated circuit die to external leadfingers adjacent the internal leadfingers; and forming a top encapsulant over the top integrated circuit die.
US08492203B2 Semiconductor device and method for forming semiconductor package having build-up interconnect structure over semiconductor die with different CTE insulating layers
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and encapsulant deposited over the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over the die and encapsulant. The first insulating layer is cured with multiple dwell cycles to enhance adhesion to the die and encapsulant. A first conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. The second insulating layer is cured with multiple dwell cycles to enhance adhesion to the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. The first, second, and third insulating layers have different CTE. The second insulating layer or third insulating layer is cured to a dense state to block moisture.
US08492201B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming through vias with reflowed conductive material
A semiconductor device is made by providing a first semiconductor wafer having semiconductor die. A gap is made between the semiconductor die. An insulating material is deposited in the gap. A portion of the insulating material is removed to form a first through hole via (THV). A conductive lining is conformally deposited in the first THV. A solder material is disposed above the conductive lining of the first THV. A second semiconductor wafer having semiconductor die is disposed over the first wafer. A second THV is formed in a gap between the die of the second wafer. A conductive lining is conformally deposited in the second THV. A solder material is disposed above the second THV. The second THV is aligned to the first THV. The solder material is reflowed to form the conductive vias within the gap. The gap is singulated to separate the semiconductor die.
US08492199B2 Reworkable underfills for ceramic MCM C4 protection
The present invention provides chip containing electronic devices such as Multichip Ceramic Modules (MCM's) containing a plurality of chips on a substrate which chips are underfilled with a reworkable composition which allows one or more chips to be removed from the device and replaced. The reworkable compositions contain a base resin which is not cross-linkable and which forms a matrix with a linear curable component or preferably a combination of linear curable components which curable components are cross-linkable and when cured form a cross-linked domain in the base resin matrix. A suitable cross-linking catalyst such as Pt is used and optionally a filler preferably silane surface treated silica. The preferred base resin is linear polydimethylsiloxane and the preferred curable components are vinyl terminated linear poly dimethyl siloxane and hydrogen terminated linear poly dimethyl siloxane.
US08492196B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming prefabricated EMI shielding frame with cavities containing penetrable material over semiconductor die
A semiconductor device has a plurality of semiconductor die mounted to a temporary carrier. A prefabricated shielding frame has a plate and integrated bodies extending from the plate. The bodies define a plurality of cavities in the shielding frame. A penetrable material is deposited in the cavities of the shielding frame. The shielding frame is mounted over the semiconductor die such that the penetrable material encapsulates the die. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the die, shielding frame, and penetrable material. The bodies of the shielding frame are electrically connected through the interconnect structure to a ground point. The shielding frame is singulated through the bodies or through the plate and penetrable material to separate the die. TIM is formed over the die adjacent to the plate of the shielding frame. A heat sink is mounted over the plate of the shielding frame.
US08492191B2 Method for manufacturing see-through solar battery module
A method for manufacturing a see-through solar battery module includes disposing a first mask above a transparent substrate, forming a plurality of metal electrode layers alternately arranged on the transparent substrate, disposing a second mask above the transparent substrate, forming a photoelectric transducing layer on each metal electrode layer by the second mask, removing a part of each photoelectric transducing layer along a first direction to expose a part of each metal electrode layer, forming a transparent electrode layer on each photoelectric transducing layer and each metal electrode layer, and removing a part of each transparent electrode layer and a part of each photoelectric transducing layer to expose a part of each metal electrode layer so as to make the plurality of metal electrode layers and the transparent electrode layer in series connection along a second direction respectively.
US08492184B2 Organic EL display panel, display device, and method of manufacturing organic EL display panel
A device and method improving luminous efficiency and luminescent color in an organic EL display panel used in electronic devices such as televisions or the like by making it easy to adjust the difference in film thickness between layers of different luminescent colors, such as intermediate layers, when the intermediate layers and light-emitting layers are formed by a wet method. By varying by color the volume of a contact hole formed in an interlayer insulation film, which is a lower layer of an organic EL element, the volume of a concavity in each anode plate is adjusted. When ink that includes material for the intermediate layer or the like is sprayed by an inkjet method, the film thickness of the intermediate layer or the like changes in accordance with the amount of ink filing the concavity.
US08492183B2 Manufacturing method of film pattern of micro-structure and manufacturing method of TFT-LCD array substrate
A method of forming a film pattern with micro-pattern and a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate are provided. The method of manufacturing the film pattern with micro-pattern comprises: depositing a thin film on a substrate; jetting or dropping etchant on the thin film with a predetermined etching pattern by an inkjet print device; etching the thin film by the etchant; and cleaning the thin film to form a film pattern on the substrate.
US08492182B2 Method for the producing of a light-emitting semiconductor chip, method for the production of a conversion die and light-emitting semiconductor chip
A light-emitting semiconductor chip is provided, the semiconductor chip comprising a semiconductor body having a pixel region with at least two electrically isolated sub-regions, each sub-region comprising an active layer, which generates electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range during operation, a separately manufactured ceramic conversion die over a radiation emission area of at least one sub-region, said conversion die being configured to convert radiation of the first wavelength range into electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength range, wherein a width of the conversion die does not exceed 100 μm. Further, a method for the production of a light-emitting semiconductor chip and method for the production of a conversion die are provided.
US08492180B2 LED and method for manufacturing the same
An LED includes a base, a pair of leads fixed on the base, a housing fixed on the leads, a chip mounted on one lead and an encapsulant sealing the chip. The housing defines a cavity in a central area thereof and a chamber adjacent to a circumferential periphery thereof. Top faces of the leads are exposed in the chamber. A blocking wall is formed in the chamber to contact the exposed top faces of the leads. A bonding force between the blocking wall and the leads is larger than that between the leads and the housing. A method for manufacturing the LED is also disclosed.
US08492178B2 Method of monitoring fabrication processing including edge bead removal processing
Systems and method for monitoring semiconductor wafer fabrication processing, for example based upon EBR line inspection, including capturing at least one image of a wafer at an intermediate stage of fabrication. The captured image(s) are compressed to generate a composite representation of at least an edge zone of the wafer. An edge bead removal area is identified in the representation, and at least one feature attribute is extracted from the identified area. The extracted feature attribute is automatically assessed, and information relating to a status of the fabrication processing in generated based upon the assessment. For example, recommended modifications to the fabrication processing, either upstream or downstream of the current stage of fabrication (or both) can be generated and implemented.
US08492177B2 Methods for quantitative measurement of a plasma immersion process
Methods for quantitatively measuring the performance of a plasma immersion process are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of quantitatively measuring the performance of a plasma immersion process, using a first substrate comprising an oxide layer deposited atop a silicon layer, may include subjecting the first substrate to a plasma immersion process in a first plasma immersion chamber to form a doped oxide layer atop the first substrate; and determining a thickness of the doped oxide layer by shining a beam of light upon a reflective surface of the doped oxide layer; detecting reflected beams of light off of the reflective surface of the doped oxide layer; and analyzing the reflected beams of light to determine the thickness of the doped oxide layer on the first substrate.
US08492174B2 Etch tool process indicator method and apparatus
A method for providing a process indicator for an etching chamber is provided. A wafer with a blanket etch layer is provided into the etching chamber. A blanket etch is performed on the blanket etch layer. A blanket deposition layer is deposited over the blanket etch layer after performing the blanket etch has been completed. A thickness of the blanket etch layer and a thickness of the blanket deposition layer is measured. The measured thicknesses are used to determine a process indicator.
US08492169B2 Magnetic tunnel junction for MRAM applications
Reading margin is improved in a MTJ designed for MRAM applications by employing a pinned layer with an AP2/Ru/AP1 configuration wherein the AP1 layer is a CoFeB/CoFe composite and by forming a MgO tunnel barrier adjacent to the CoFe AP1 layer by a sequence that involves depositing and oxidizing a first Mg layer with a radical oxidation (ROX) process, depositing and oxidizing a second Mg layer with a ROX method, and depositing a third Mg layer on the oxidized second Mg layer. The third Mg layer becomes oxidized during a subsequent anneal. MTJ performance may be further improved by selecting a composite free layer having a Fe/NiFeHf or CoFe/Fe/NiFeHf configuration where the NiFeHf layer adjoins a capping layer in a bottom spin valve configuration. As a result, read margin is optimized simultaneously with improved MR ratio, a reduction in bit line switching current, and a lower number of shorted bits.
US08492166B2 Particle suspension and reagent kit for use in immunoassay
A particle suspension for use in immunoassay, comprising: particles for use in immunoassay; and a silicone antifoam agent, is disclosed. And a reagent kit for use in immunoassay, comprising: a reagent containing particles and a silicone antifoam agent; another reagent containing an antigen or antibody capable of binding to a target substance and particles; and a further reagent containing a labeled antigen or antibody capable of binding to the target substance, is disclosed.
US08492161B2 Quantitative analysis of a function group on the surface of a solid material
Disclosed is a method for quantitatively analyzing a functional group on the surface of a solid material. The functional group is carboxylic group while the solid material is carbon nano-tubes. The carboxylic group reacts with sodium hydrogen carbonate, thus turning the carboxylic groups into sodium carboxylate while consuming the sodium ions in the solution. The carbon nano-tubes are separated from the sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The number of the sodium ions before and after the reaction is analyzed. Moreover, the sodium carboxylate carried on the reacted carbon nano-tubes with reacts with hydrochloric acid solution, thus dissolving the sodium ions in the hydrochloric acid solution. The carbon nanotubes are separated from from the hydrochloric acid solution. The amount of the sodium ions is analyzed before and after the reaction in the hydrochloric acid solution.
US08492159B2 Methods and compositions for treating conditions
The invention relates to compositions comprising of SEQ NO: 1-244, 248-249, and any homologs, analogs, and fragments thereof. Such compositions can be used to treat, prevent, and modulate pain, inflammation, and metabolic processes in various organisms including plants and animals. Such compositions can be formulated with an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient for administration to a human or a plant. The compositions can be administered topically or for systemic use.
US08492156B2 Methods of chromogen separation-based image analysis
Methods for chromogen separation-based image analysis are provided, with such methods being directed to quantitative video-microscopy techniques in cellular biology and pathology applications.
US08492153B2 Method for determining volume of organic matter in reservoir rock
A method for calculating the volume of various predetermined organic end-members in samples of rock at various depths in oil reservoir rock is utilized to produce one or more graphic displays that are use to interpret the data to identify, e.g., tar mats, in order to improve the efficient production of hydrocarbons from the well. Data is collected from the samples by known pyrolysis and compositional modeling methods; additional data is obtained by elemental analysis to determine weight percentages of C, H, N, S and O in the selected end-members and characterization of physical properties of representative samples of the reservoir rock, e.g., from core samples; the data is then processed in accordance with the method to provide a series of data points used to produce the graphic displays for visual interpretation.
US08492151B1 Processes and compositions for transfecting chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells
The present invention generally relates to processes and compositions for the transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to processes for the transfection of CHO cells suspended in an aqueous medium using a transfection composition containing nucleic acid and linear polyethyleneimine.
US08492146B2 Process for producing a human T-cell population having both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities
A human T cell population which has both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities, is efficiently produced by first fractionating CD2-positive CD14-negative cells from mononuclear cells collected from a human umbilical cord blood, and then co-culturing them with stromal cells. The resulting blast cells, which have the desired activity, are proliferated by further culture.
US08492142B2 Freeze-dried product for introducing nucleic acid, oligonucleic acid or derivative thereof
A freeze-dried product of a complex containing (i) a nucleic acid, an oligonucleic acid or a derivative thereof, (ii) polyethyleneimine and (iii) hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate. The freeze-dried product can be used to introduce a nucleic acid or an oligonucleotide into a cell.
US08492139B2 Detection system for high sensitivity fluorescent assays
This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (≦5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (≧1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLL® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.
US08492137B2 Cover for sample with homogenous pressure application
The present invention relates to a cover for covering one or more sample(s) that are suitable to avoid or minimize evaporation and/or condensation of any vaporizable substance that may be present in the sample(s) or reaction mixture(s), in particular evaporation of substance at the fringes of a vessel or an array of vessels or condensation of a substance on the lid of a reaction vessel or a plate/block containing the sample(s) and/or a cover. This is achieved by providing a device comprising, among others, a force distribution unit that comprises at least one medium or material that is unable to withstand a static shear stress and deforms continuously under the action of a shear force.
US08492133B2 MIR-21 promoter driven targeted cancer therapy
The invention provides a nucleic acid construct comprising a promoter sequence derived from microRNA-21 (miR-21) linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an anti-cancer agent, an example of which is a toxin. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for treating tumors expressing miR-21.
US08492130B2 FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase gene
An object of the present invention is to provide: a novel gene (polynucleotide) encoding an FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase having excellent properties that it has excellent reactivity to glucose, excellent thermal stability, and excellent substrate-recognition performance and also has a low activity for maltose; a process for the production of the enzyme using a transformant cell transfected with the gene; and a method for the determination of glucose, a reagent composition for use in the determination of glucose, a biosensor for use in the determination of glucose and others, each characterized by using the enzyme obtained. The invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase, comprising a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence: X1-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6 (wherein X1 and X2 independently represent an aliphatic amino acid residue; X3 and X6 independently represent a branched amino acid residue; and X4 and X5 independently represent a heterocyclic amino acid residue or an aromatic amino acid residue); and others.
US08492124B2 Prebiotic formulations and methods of use
The invention provides methods and compositions for treating symptoms associated with lactose intolerance and for overall improvement in gastrointestinal health. Described herein are methods and compositions for improving overall gastrointestinal health or for decreasing symptoms of lactose intolerance by administering to subject in need thereof a prebiotic composition, optionally in combination with effective amount of a probiotic microbe or microbes.
US08492118B2 Fusion molecules and IL-15 variants
The instant invention provides soluble fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants that have therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making the such proteins. The instant invention additionally provides methods of stimulating or suppressing immune responses in a mammal using the fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants of the invention.
US08492117B2 Expression of toxic genes in vivo in a non-natural host
Compositions and methods are provided for expression of a toxic protein in a host cell preferably a bacterial host cell where at least one T7 RNA polymerase gene Is contained on the host cell chromosome and one or more genes encoding a T7 RNA polymerase inhibitor is located on an F′ plasmid or on the chromosome.
US08492114B2 Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleic acids encoding said enzymes
A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product. Further provided are methods of converting biomass into products comprising: placing the genetically modified organism and/or enzymatic extracts thereof in fluid contact with polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, and/or xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups.
US08492113B2 Measurement of protein using inclusion body dry weight
The present invention is directed to improved methods for efficiently producing recombinant proteins. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for calculating the protein in inclusion bodies before the refolding step in large scale recombinant protein production, thereby improving the efficiency of the refolding step and overall yield and quality of the sample protein.
US08492112B2 Method for the manufacture of microtissues for inducing the growth of a hair follicle
Disclosed is a method for the manufacture of microtissues, comprising the steps of: providing a biomaterial substrate; simultaneously seeding a plurality of dermal papilla (DP) cells and keratinocytes on the substrate surface with a predetermined ratio and cellular density; co-culturing for a predetermined period; and carrying the keratinocytes to the substrate surface by the dermal papilla cells, aggregating and finally form a plurality of keratinocyte-dermal papilla cell microtissues, wherein the dermal papilla cells are located in a center of the microtissue and the keratinocytes are sorted to a surface of the microtissue, and the keratinocytes are adult keratinocytes. The method can help to simply and economize the procedures for production of folliculoid microtissues with high-throughput. Once microtissues are transplanted to skin of subject, hair follicles can be regenerated.
US08492111B2 Arylalkylamine compound and process for preparing the same
The present invention relates to an arylalkylamine compound represented by the following formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a process for preparing the same, and use of the above-mentioned compound as an activating compound (CaSR agonist) of a Ca sensing receptor, a pharmaceutical composition containing the above-mentioned compound as an effective ingredient, etc.
US08492110B2 Anti aging agents and methods to identify them
The present invention discloses novel mechanisms in the aging process and describes novel methods for high-throughput screening to identify, detect, and purify agents to be used for improving mitochondrial function, maintaining the cell cycle-arrested state in senescent and post mitotic cells, and thus preventing or treating age-related diseases or disorders associated with accelerated mitochondrial function loss, telomere dysfunction, and/or deterioration of the growth-arrested state. The present invention also discloses a number of compounds or compositions identified from this method. The present invention further provides the use of low doses of rapamycin or its analogs as a mimic of caloric restriction in preventing age-related diseases or disorders.
US08492105B2 Screening method for an insulin resistance improving agent or a therapeutic agent for diabetes
A new compound inhibiting phosphorylation of Ser727 of STAT3, a phosphorylation inhibitor containing the new compound, an insulin resistance improving agent and a preventive or therapeutic agent for diabetes; and a screening method for at least one of the insulin resistance improving agent and the preventive or therapeutic agent for diabetes.
US08492104B2 Methods and kits to detect and monitor ovarian cancer and preeclampsia
The present invention provides methods and kits related to a prognostic, and, in certain embodiments, diagnostic indicator for ovarian cancer which comprises measuring the level of MUC16 bound to immune cells. The level of MUC16 bound to immune cells can by itself be an indicator of disease regression or recurrence, or this indicator can be used in conjunction with assays for serum CA125 and other diagnostic markers. The invention further provides methods and kits related to the detection of ovarian cancer by measuring levels of Siglec-9 expression on immune cells. As well, related methodologies are provided for the detection of preeclampsia in pregnant human subjects.
US08492099B2 Method of measuring enzymatic activity of adsorbed allergenic enzyme
The invention relates to a method of measuring the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of one or more allergenic enzyme(s) and an oxygen-containing metal salt adjuvant, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and wherein at least a part of the allergenic enzyme(s) is adsorbed to the solid phase, the method comprising the steps of measuring the enzymatic activity of the mixture in an enzyme activity assay, and using the measurement obtained as an indication of the immunological activity of the vaccine preparation, or using the measurement obtained for quantifying the amount of allergenic enzyme.
US08492096B2 TGFBR1 expression modifies risk for colorectal cancer
The present invention provides methods for assessing a genetic susceptibility to cancer in a subject which includes measuring allele specific expression or presence of at-risk haplotypes of TGFBR1, where a difference in expression or the presence of at-risk haplotypes is indicative of a cancer or susceptibility to a cancer. Methods to screen for agents that modify expression of TGRBR1 are also provided.
US08492094B2 Methods for detection and quantification of analytes in complex mixtures
The invention provides a method of detecting a nucleic acid analyte. The method consists of (a) contacting a mixture of nucleic acid analytes under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a plurality of target specific nucleic acid probes each having a different specifier; (b) contacting the mixture under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a corresponding plurality of antigenedigits each having a unique label, the plurality of anti-genedigits having a diversity sufficient to uniquely hybridize to genedigits within the specifiers, and (c) uniquely detecting a hybridized complex between one or more analytes in the mixture, a target specific probe, and an anti-genedigit.
US08492090B2 Gene expression profiling in primary ovarian serous papillary tumors and normal ovarian epithelium
Provided herein are methods for treating ovarian serous papillary carcinoma by delivering Clostridium perfringens enterotoxins to ovarian tumor cells overexpressing claudin 3 or claudin 4 protein or by inhibiting the expression and function of tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1 (TROP-1/Ep-CAM) gene or gene product. Also provided is a method of detecting ovarian serous papillary carcinoma by examining a tumor sample from the individual for gene or gene product expression levels within a group of genes and performing statistical analysis to determine those genes or gene products which are down-regulated compared to those in a normal individual.
US08492088B2 Engineering enzymes through genetic selection
The disclosure provide a system for the selection of variant nuclear receptor ligand binding domains, or for the selection of variant enzymes that have an enhanced ability to synthesize a nuclear receptor ligand or a precursor thereof. The disclosure provides yeast cells comprising: a yeast transcription modulating system comprising a nucleic acid expression system encoding a nuclear receptor ligand-binding domain linked to a DNA-binding domain, a nucleic acid expression system encoding a coactivator domain linked to a yeast transcriptional activator, a heterologous enzyme system for generating a nuclear receptor ligand, and a selective genetic locus expressed in the presence of the recombinant nuclear receptor polypeptide and a nuclear receptor ligand specifically bound to the recombinant nuclear receptor polypeptide. The disclosure also provides methods of using the yeast cell system for identifying variant nuclear receptor ligand binding domains or variant enzymes synthesizing a nuclear receptor ligand.
US08492087B2 Method of judging risk for onset of drug-induced granulocytopenia
Means for determining the presence of the risk of drug-induced granulocytopenia in a human is provided.A method for assessing the risk of drug-induced granulocytopenia, including detecting a polymorphism of the human insulin receptor substrate-2 gene of a subject, and determining the presence of the risk of drug-induced granulocytopenia of the subject by use of the genetic polymorphism as an index.
US08492086B2 Method for determining DNA fragmentation in microorganisms
The invention relates to a method for determining DNA integrity in microorganisms and to a kit for evaluating DNA integrity in same. Since cell death results in DNA fragmentation, the inventive method can be used to determine DNA fragmentation levels in microorganisms clearly, simply, quickly and precisely.
US08492079B2 Method of forming a pattern of an array of shapes including a blocked region
A second photoresist having a second photosensitivity is formed on a substrate. A first photoresist having a first photosensitivity, which is greater than second photosensitivity, is formed on the second photoresist. Preferably, the first photoresist is a gray resist that becomes transparent upon exposure. At least one portion of the first photoresist is lithographically exposed employing a first reticle having a first pattern to form at least one transparent lithographically exposed resist portion, while the second photoresist remains intact. The second photoresist is lithographically exposed employing a second reticle including a second pattern to form a plurality of lithographically exposed shapes in the second photoresist. The plurality of lithographically exposed shapes have a composite pattern which is the derived from the second pattern by limiting the second pattern only within the area of the at least one transparent lithographically exposed resist pattern.
US08492076B2 Method of manufacturing carbon nanotube device array
Provided is a method of manufacturing carbon nanotube (CNT) device arrays. In the method of manufacturing CNT device arrays, catalyst patterns may be formed using a photolithography process, CNTs may be grown from the catalyst patterns, and electrodes may be formed on the grown CNTs.
US08492075B2 Methods of forming electronic devices
Methods of forming electronic devices are provided. The methods involve alkaline treatment of photoresist patterns and allow for the formation of high density resist patterns. The methods find particular applicability in semiconductor device manufacture.
US08492072B2 Method for marking objects
A description is given of methods and devices for product marking of objects using a light-sensitive layer applied to the objects and a light source. The invention may be used, for example, to simultaneously mark or label a first plurality of objects at a first time with individual marks or labels, and to mark or label a second plurality of objects at a second time with individual marks or labels.
US08492070B2 Photocurable and thermosetting resin composition and printed circuit boards made by using the same
A photocurable and thermosetting composition comprises (A) a carboxyl group-containing resin having at least one carboxyl group in its molecule, (B) a photopolymerization initiator having an oxime linkage represented by the following general formula (I), (C) a reactive diluent, and (D) an epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups in its molecule. The above-mentioned photopolymerization initiator (B) is incorporated into a formulation which is different from at least a formulation into which the above-mentioned carboxyl group-containing resin (A) and the above-mentioned reactive diluent (C) are incorporated to formulate a system comprising at least two parts.
US08492068B2 Methods of forming electronic devices
Methods of forming electronic devices are provided. The methods involve alkaline treatment of photoresist patterns and allow for the formation of high density resist patterns. The methods find particular applicability in semiconductor device manufacture.
US08492065B2 Latex processes
Processes for continuously forming latex emulsions useful in preparing toners are provided which do not require the use of solvents.
US08492064B2 Magnetic toner compositions
The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing a polyester based magnetic toner composition. The toner composition includes one or more polyester amorphous binder resins, optionally a cystalline polyester resin, and spherical ferromagnetic particles. In embodiments, the toner is prepared from ferromagentic particles that have been previously encapsulated in an amorphous resin, a crystalline resin or a wax. In yet other embodiments, the process may be conducted under an inert gas such as argon to avoid oxidation of the ferromagnetic particles during toner preparation.
US08492059B2 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor, includes: a conductive support; and a photosensitive layer provided on or above the conductive support, the photosensitive layer including an outermost surface layer at the farthest location from the conductive support, wherein the outermost surface layer contains: coated insulating inorganic particles obtained by subjecting insulating inorganic particles having a specific surface area of not more than about 300 m2/g to a coating treatment with an aromatic functional group-containing compound; and fluorine-containing organic particles.
US08492053B2 Surface treated carbon coatings for flow field plates
A flow field plate having a low resistance coating for fuel cell applications is described. In one embodiment, the flow field plate includes a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of channels for directing flow of a first gaseous composition; and an activated carbon coating disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the plate, the activated carbon coating having a surface resistance of less than about 20 mΩ·cm2, the surface resistance being stable. Fuel cells incorporating the flow field plates and methods of making the flow field plates are also described.
US08492052B2 Electrochemical cell with spacers for flow management system
An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. An electrode holder includes a cavity for holding the fuel electrode, at least one inlet connected to the cavity on one side of the cavity and configured to supply an ionically conductive medium to the cavity, and at least one outlet connected to the cavity on an opposite side of the cavity and configured to allow the ionically conductive medium to flow out of the cavity. A plurality of spacers extend across the fuel electrode and the cavity in a spaced relation from each other to define a plurality of flow lanes in the cavity.
US08492046B2 Method of mitigating fuel cell degradation due to startup and shutdown via hydrogen/nitrogen storage
A method of operating the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side by flowing hydrogen into the anode side and flowing air into the cathode side. The fuel cell produces electricity that is used to operate a primary electrical device. To shut down the stack in one embodiment, the primary electrical device is disconnected from the stack. The flow of air into the cathode side is stopped and positive hydrogen pressure is maintained on the anode side. The fuel cell stack is shorted and oxygen in the cathode side is allowed to be consumed by hydrogen. The inlet and outlet valves of the anode and the cathode sides are closed. Thereafter, the flow of hydrogen into the anode side is stopped and the flow of exhaust from the cathode side is stopped.
US08492043B2 Fuel cell, fuel cell system, and method for operating fuel cell
A fuel cell of the present invention includes cell blocks (101, 102) each formed by stacking cells (51, 52) and a cooling medium connecting channel (103) connecting a cell block internal cooling medium channel (153A) of the cell block (101) and a cell block internal cooling medium channel (153B) of the cell block (102) in series. A catalyst layer includes a catalyst support and polymer electrolyte adhered to the catalyst support, the catalyst support containing an electrode catalyst and carbon powder supporting the electrode catalyst. The catalyst layer in the cell 52 of the cell block (102) located downstream of the cooling medium connecting channel (103) is higher or larger in at least one selected from the group consisting of a density of an ion exchange group per unit volume of the catalyst layer, an electrode catalyst supporting amount of the catalyst support of the catalyst layer, and a catalyst supporting rate of the catalyst layer, than the catalyst layer of the cell 51 of the cell block 101 located upstream of the cooling medium connecting channel 103.
US08492031B2 Composite particles for an electrode, production process thereof and electrochemical device
Composite particles for an electrode comprising LiVOPO4 particles and carbon, wherein the carbon is supported on at least a portion of the surface of the LiVOPO4 particles to form a carbon coating layer.
US08492026B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery including a battery cell, and a battery case housing the battery cell, the battery case including a silane-based compound.
US08492023B2 Electric vehicle propulsion system and method utilizing solid-state rechargeable electrochemical cells
A vehicle propulsion system comprising a plurality of solid state rechargeable battery cells configured to power a drivetrain. In accordance with once aspect of the invention, a transportation system that is powered at least in part by electricity stored in the form of rechargeable electrochemical cells. According to an embodiment of the present invention, these cells are combined in series and in parallel to form a pack that is regulated by charge and discharge control circuits that are programmed with algorithms to monitor state of charge, battery lifetime, and battery health.
US08492018B2 Chargeable battery module of electric car
A chargeable battery module installed in an electric car for driving the electric car includes a compartment for containing a plurality of chargeable batteries, and circuits of each chargeable battery are connected in series or in parallel and installed between each chargeable battery and an upper casing or a lower casing of the compartment, and each chargeable battery is combined for use, and the chargeable batteries including a single chargeable battery or a module of parallelly connected chargeable batteries can be charged easily without requiring a charging protection plate, and all single batteries can be fully charged with a constant voltage to provide the best cycle life of the chargeable batteries and maintain the best battery life for the electric car.
US08492016B2 Middle and large-sized battery pack having improved cooling efficiency
Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack including a module assembly constructed in a structure in which a plurality of battery modules, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells or unit modules mounted in a module case while the battery cells or unit modules are connected in series to each other, are arranged such that the battery modules are disposed in contact with each other in the lateral direction, and a coolant flow channel is vertically formed, a plurality of support members for supporting opposite sides and the bottom of the module assembly and maintaining the arrangement state of the module assembly, and a pack housing for surrounding the module assembly and the support members, wherein the battery pack is constructed in a cooling structure in which a coolant is introduced through one side upper end (or lower end) of the module assembly along a hermetically sealed space defined by the support members, flows vertically through the module assembly, and is discharged through the other side lower end (or upper end) of the battery assembly.
US08492014B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly and including an opening, an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly and protruding outwardly from the case; a cap assembly including a cap plate in sealing engagement with the opening of the case, and a switch plate connected to the electrode terminal.
US08492012B2 Secondary battery having discrete circuit modules
Disclosed is a secondary battery that includes a bare cell, a first circuit module, and a second circuit module. The bare cell includes an electrode terminal connected to one type of polarity of the battery and a plate terminal connected to another type of polarity of the battery. The first and second circuit modules are disposed on an upper surface of the plate terminal, and are disposed at opposite sides of the electrode terminal. External terminals, which are mounted on the second circuit module and are electrically coupled to an external device, are positioned higher than the electrode terminal. This structure of the battery minimizes the size of the battery.
US08492008B2 Cutting tool and also a method for the manufacture of a cutting tool
The invention relates to a cutting tool for the machining of wood or a wood-based material, in particular a wood composite material, or a plastic, wherein a layer system for the formation of a surface coating is present on a surface of a cutting edge of the cutting tool. An outermost surface layer of the layer system is formed from a composition of the form [Cr1-xOx]zXaCbNc with 0.05
US08492005B2 Joining method and joint structure of dissimilar metal
In joining a magnesium alloy material 1 (first material) and a steel material (second material), a zinc-plated steel plate 2 plated with zinc (metal C) is used as a steel material, Al (metal D) is added to the magnesium alloy material 1. Next, eutectic melting of Mg and Zn is caused so as to remove a product produced by the eutectic melting with an oxide film 1f and impurities from a joint interface. Moreover, an Al—Mg system intermetallic compound such as Al3Mg2 and an Fe—Al system intermetallic compound such as FeAl3 are produced, whereby regenerated surfaces of both materials 1 and 2 are joined via a compound layer 3 containing those intermetallic compounds.
US08492004B2 Friction-joining structure
The invention provides a friction joining structure comprising steel products, a friction joining steel plate inserted there between, and a fastening device, which are mutually friction joined by a compressive force derived from the fastening device. A portion of projected streaks on the friction joining steel plate is designed to have a Vickers hardness at least 3 times greater than the surface of the steel products, which allows the projected streaks to more easily enter the steel products thereby increasing the friction coefficient between the steel products. The friction joining structure is constituted by a slip resistance mechanism which can be easily validated from a theoretical or an experimental point of view and is also small in variance of the friction coefficient. Therefore, a friction coefficient used in design can be set at a high value with high accuracy to realize a rational design.
US08491998B2 Composite nanometal paste of two-metallic-component type, bonding method, and electronic part
Provided is a composite nanometal paste, whose layer, when sintered in an inert gas under no load, gives a metal layer that is equal or superior in electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity to conventional lead-rich solders. The composite nanometal paste contains, as metal components, composite metal nanoparticles comprising metal cores with an average particle diameter of d (nm) and an organic coating layer formed around the circumference, and metal filler particles having an average particle diameter of D (nm), and satisfies the first relation d
US08491993B2 Polymeric dyes, overcoat compositions and thermal lithographic printing plates
A thermal lithographic printing plate overcoat composition comprising (a) a water-soluble polymeric dye having an absorption band between about 300 and about 600 nm; and (b) micro-particles or nano-particles is provided. A negative-working thermal lithographic printing plate comprising (a) a hydrophilic substrate; (b) a near infrared imaging layer disposed on the hydrophilic substrate; and (c) an overcoat layer disposed on the imaging layer, said overcoat layer comprising a water-soluble polymeric dye having an absorption band between about 300 and about 600 nm; and micro-particles or nano-particles is also provided. Finally, a water-soluble polymeric dye having an absorption band between about 300 and about 600 nm is provided.
US08491990B2 Fiber modified layer and methods of making and using same
A composition for use in a fiber modified layer, comprising an aggregate material, a binder, and a plurality of fibers, wherein each fiber has a length of greater than 0.25 inches. Also provided is a method of selecting a fiber modified layer for applying on an existing surface, comprising the steps of: providing a binder mixture having an effective amount of an aggregate material, a binder, and a plurality of fibers, wherein each of the plurality of fibers has a length greater than 0.25 inches; applying the binder mixture to a selected surface to form a fiber modified proposed layer; testing the fiber modified proposed layer for fatigue or crack resistant properties; and selecting the binder mixture for application on the existing surface for performance if the fiber modified proposed layer has fatigue or crack resistant properties.
US08491984B2 Structure resulting from chemical shrink process over BARC (bottom anti-reflective coating)
A structure. The structure includes: a hole layer; a hole layer including a top hole layer surface, wherein the hole layer has a thickness in a first direction that is perpendicular to the hole layer surface; a bottom antireflective coating (BARC) layer on and in direct physical contact with the hole layer at the top hole layer surface; a photoresist layer on and in direct physical contact with the BARC layer, wherein a continuous hole in the first direction extends completely through the photoresist layer, the BARC layer, and the hole layer; and a polymerized hole shrinking region in direct physical contact with the photoresist layer at a lateral surface of the photoresist layer and with the hole layer at the top hole layer surface, wherein the hole shrinking region does not extend below the hole layer surface in a direction from the BARC layer to the hole layer.
US08491983B2 Glass substrate for semiconductor device component and process for producing glass substrate for semiconductor device component
It is an object of the present invention to provide a glass substrate having plural through-holes which is not likely to peel from a silicon wafer, even though laminated on and jointed to a the silicon wafer and then subjected to heat treatment. The above object is accomplished by a glass substrate having an average thermal expansion coefficient of from 10×10−7 to 50×10−7/K within a range of from 50° C. to 300° C., having plural through-holes with a taper angle of from 0.1 to 20° and having a thickness of from 0.01 to 5 mm.
US08491982B2 Apparatus for manufacturing bonding structure, bonding structure and method of fabricating the same
Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a bonding structure, a bonding structure, and a method of fabricating the same. The bonding structure includes a pad including an upper surface with a first area, a ball adhered to the upper surface of the pad, and a wire extending from the ball. An adhesion surface of the ball adhered to the pad may have substantially the same shape as that of the upper surface of the pad.
US08491981B2 Composite laminated product
Composite laminated product (1) that forms a deformable cellular structure includes an upper band (2) and a lower band (3) both oriented in the same main direction (X) between the two bands (2, 3) and connecting the latter, a series extends in the direction X, of cylinders (4) referred to as connection cylinders. The connection cylinders (4) are non-touching in the direction X and having their generatrix oriented along an axis Y perpendicular to the direction X. The connection cylinders are composite cylinders including fibers embedded in a resin matrix. Such a laminated product can be used as an elastic beam having a high resistance to flexural/compressive stresses and having a high endurance to such repeated or alternated stresses, in particular as a shear band in a non-pneumatic resilient wheel.
US08491980B1 Matched rail and stile router bit set
A matched rail and stile router bit set is constructed and arranged with cutting edge geometries which create radiused edges for the stile workpiece and at least one corresponding radiused recess in the rail workpiece.
US08491979B2 Flexlock with headed pintle and conical buttressing
Flexlock non-textile fabrics use intimately linked elements that are formed from formable, preferably solid phase forgeable materials into generally triangular shapes with hinging connection features along edges of a generally triangular overall shape. These hinging connection portions permit other elements to rotate about axes that intersect at intersections. Buttressing portions are located near these intersections and include cylindrical or conical shapes that abut the buttressing portions of adjacent formed elements. This abutting can occur even when adjacent elements are rotated or twisted out of a common plane. Connection portions include direct formed engagements with knuckles of the other elements. These connection portions and the engaged knuckles can include headed pintles, axles, or oppositely facing conical protrusions, and may be configured to permit the non-textile fabric to bend on itself within its own thickness without undue strain on the connection features.
US08491978B2 Multilayer article
There is provided a multilayer article suitable for use as a fuel hose in an automotive fuel system and the like, which has an inner rubber layer, an outer rubber layer and an inter-mediate resin layer formed of polyamine-based resin between the inner and outer rubber layers.
US08491976B2 Laminate, package, packaging sheet, packaging material, label and container
A laminate and the like capable of improving the barcode reading accuracy with a configuration having a smaller number of layers is provided. Further, a laminate and the like capable of further improving the barcode reading accuracy and further reducing the size of a barcode portion even when applied to a conventional layer configuration is provided. The laminate includes a colored barcode print layer 5, a base material layer 1, and a bead-containing coating layer 7 having beads 7b dispersed in a resin 7a.
US08491970B2 Vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays from liquid dispersions
A method and device for producing an aligned carbon nanotube array. The arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be formed by drying liquid dispersions of CNTs on a nanoporous substrate under an applied electrostatic field. The array may be used in a number of applications including electronics, optics, and filtration, including desalination.
US08491966B2 Method for introducing a catalytic coating into the pores of a ceramic honeycomb flow body
Disclosed herein is a process for coating ceramic honeycomb bodies with a catalyst suspension comprising catalyst components as solids and/or in dissolved form in a carrier liquid. Parallel flow channels run through the honeycomb bodies. The walls of the flow channels have an open pore structure. To coat the channel walls and in particular also the interior surfaces of the pores with the catalyst suspension, the entry and exit end faces of the vertically aligned honeycomb bodies are each brought into contact with a perforated mask, with the perforated masks being arranged so that the open regions of the perforated mask on the one end face are opposite the closed regions of the perforated mask on the other end face and vice versa. The catalyst suspension is then pumped or sucked from below into the honeycomb bodies until it exits at the upper end face. Excess suspension is then removed by blowing-out or sucking-out, the contact with the perforated masks is released and the honeycomb body is calcined to fix the coating.
US08491965B2 Method of controlling orientation of domains in block copolymer films
A method of orienting microphase-separated domains is disclosed, comprising applying a composition comprising an orientation control component, and a block copolymer assembly component comprising a block copolymer having at least two microphase-separated domains in which the orientation control component is substantially immiscible with the block copolymer assembly component upon forming a film; and forming a compositionally vertically segregated film on the surface of the substrate from the composition. The orientation control component and block copolymer segregate during film forming to form the compositionally vertically-segregated film on the surface of a substrate, where the orientation control component is enriched adjacent to the surface of the compositionally segregated film adjacent to the surface of the substrate, and the block copolymer assembly is enriched at an air-surface interface.
US08491963B2 Method of densifying thin porous substrates by chemical vapor infiltration, and a loading device for such substrates
To densify thin porous substrates (1) by chemical vapor infiltration, the invention proposes using loading tooling (10) comprising a tubular duct (10) disposed between first and second plates (12, 13) and around which the thin substrates for densification are disposed radially. The tooling as loaded in this way is then placed inside a reaction chamber (20) in an infiltration oven having a reactive gas admission inlet (21) connected to the tubular duct (11) to enable a reactive gas to be admitted into the duct which distributes the gas along the main faces on the substrates (1) in a flow direction that is essentially radial. The reactive gas can also flow in the opposite direction, i.e. it can be admitted into the tooling (10) from its outer envelope (16) and can be removed via the duct (11).
US08491962B2 Method for manufacturing a low-k layer
Discloses herein is a method of forming a low-k layer. The method includes the following steps. Tetraalkoxysilane, ethanol, tetraalkylammonium hydroxide and water are mixed in a molar ratio between 1:0.1:0.1:5 and 1:10:0.5:36 to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated for a period of less than about 36 hours to form a second mixture containing a plurality of non-crystalline silicon-containing particles, wherein each of the non-crystalline silicon-containing particles has a particle size of smaller than about 10 nm. Subsequently, a surfactant is added to the second mixture to form a colloid solution, in which the surfactant has a concentration of about 1-20% by weight of the colloid solution. The colloid solution is coated on a substrate and thereby forming a colloid layer thereon. Then, the colloid layer is heated at a condition sufficient to transform the colloid layer into the low-k layer.
US08491957B2 Method for producing a polycrystalline ceramic film on a substrate using a shutter
In a method for production of a polycrystalline ceramic film on a substrate: a) the substrate is prepared with the substrate surface and preparation of at least one source for the ceramic particles of the ceramic film and b) a particle stream of the ceramic particles is generated from the source of ceramic particles in the direction of the substrate surface on the substrate, with deposition of the ceramic particles on the substrate surface on the substrate with formation of the ceramic film. At least one screen is arranged within the gap, for adjusting an average incidence angle of the ceramic particles relative to a plane normal of the substrate surface, such that the ceramic particles are deposited on the substrate surface at a preferred direction and a relative position of the substrate surface and the screen is altered while the gap remains essentially the same.
US08491944B2 Process for extraction of glucosinolates from broccoli seeds
A new process for extracting and purifying glucosinolates from plant material, preferably broccoli sprouts or seeds is described. An alcoholic extract is adsorbed onto a basic resin and eluted with ammonia. Optionally, the alcoholic extract is passed through an ion-exchange column containing acidic resin prior to the adsorption/elution step.
US08491943B2 Method and composition for improved anabolism
Nutritional compositions are provided containing at least one PPAR agonist, at least one PGC-1alpha agonist, and at least one creatine derivative. Methods of promoting anabolism and improving or enhancing physical performance using the compositions are provided. The compositions and methods can be combined with physical training or exercise.
US08491940B2 Petroleum-free compositions for skin care and other applications, and methods of making same
A substantially non-aqueous, aerated composition is free of petroleum-based components and is suitable for skin applications. The composition primarily includes wax and oil, and can further include vitamin E oil and an essential oil. The composition can be a semi-solid at room temperature. A method of making the composition includes melting together component ingredients to form a mixture, which is then cooled to form hardened matter. The hardened matter is blended to form a flowable mixture, which is then forced through a sieve to form the aerated composition.
US08491939B2 Antioxidant dietary supplement compositions
This document provides dietary supplements. For example, compositions having a combination of ingredients useful in providing a broad scope of antioxidant protection for human or animal consumption are provided.
US08491937B2 Stability in vitamin and mineral supplements
The invention provides a multivitamin and mineral nutritional supplement composition comprising at least one polyvalent metal and at least one oxidizable vitamin with substantially improved resistance to reactions that lead to darkening and/or spotting and reactions that may reduce the potency of oxidizable vitamins. The composition is a multivitamin and mineral composition comprising at least one polyvalent metal and at least one oxidizable vitamin wherein the composition is substantially free of mobile bound water. The invention also includes methods for making such a composition and methods of preventing or reducing oxidation, improving the stability of oxidizable vitamins, and stabilizing the disintegration time of a multi-vitamin and mineral nutritional supplement composition.
US08491935B2 Modified release formulations containing drug-ion exchange resin complexes
A coated drug-ion exchange resin complex comprising a core composed of a drug complexed with a pharmaceutically acceptable ion-exchange resin is provided. The drug-ion exchange resin complex is in admixture with a release retardant. The coating is a polyvinyl acetate polymer and a plasticizer. Methods of making and products containing this coated complex are described.
US08491927B2 Pharmaceutical composition containing a hypomethylating agent and a histone deacetylase inhibitor
A pharmaceutical composition for induction therapy which has a hypomethylating agent and a histone deacetylase inhibitor (“HDAC inhibitor”); wherein the hypomethylating agent is a DNA and histone methylation inhibitor such as cladribine and the HDAC inhibitor is, for example, entinostat, panobinostat, vorinostat, and/or romedepsin; further wherein the hypomethylating agent and the HDAC inhibitor are combined in formulations for various administrations including e.g., a continuous delivery system such as a transdermal patch of at least one reservoir or a plurality of reservoirs, oral, a fixed-dose oral combination, intravenous, and combinations thereof. This pharmaceutical composition for induction therapy is used with a monoclonal antibody in the treatment of various cancers, sarcomas, and other malignancies.
US08491926B2 Method and system for automatic or manual evaluation to provide targeted and individualized delivery of cosmetic actives in a mask or patch form
A system and method are provided for targeted and individualized delivery of multiple skin benefit agents to the skin of a user. The image of a predetermined treatment area of the user's skin is first captured by an imaging device. Selective data input from analysis tools and the end user is then analyzed by a computing device to generate a unique skin profile for the user, which is indicative of the skin conditions at the predetermined treatment area. Based on such skin profile, a printing device prints out one or more cosmetic delivery sheets that can be applied to the predetermined treatment area. Each of the cosmetic delivery sheets contains a substrate with multiple isolate, discrete regions, while at least two of the regions are imprinted with different skin benefit agents for treating different skin conditions of the predetermined treatment area according to the unique skin profile of the user.
US08491925B2 Local delivery of water-soluble or water-insoluble therapeutic agents to the surface of body lumens
A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which comprises poly(HEMA) complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.
US08491921B2 Compositions and methods for tinting keratin material
A cosmetic composition comprising at least one volatile solvent, at least one crosslinked silicone film former, at least one silicone gum, and at least one pigment composition present in an amount sufficient to provide the cosmetic composition with a pigment contrast ratio of greater than 35 and a method for maximizing the intensity and opacity of a color cosmetic composition.
US08491916B2 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome vaccine based on isolate JA-142
Substantially avirulent forms of atypical porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and corresponding vaccines are provided which result from cell culture passaging of virulent forms of PRRS. The resultant avirulent atypical PRRS virus is useful as a vaccine in that PRRS specific antibody response is elicited by inoculation of host animals, thereby conferring effective immunity against both previously known strains of PRRS virus and newly isolated atypical PRRS virus strains. The preferred passaging technique ensures that the virus remains in a logarithmic growth phase substantially throughout the process, which minimizes the time required to achieve attenuation. The present invention also provides diagnostic testing methods which can differentiate between animals infected with field strains and attenuated strains of PRRSV.
US08491911B2 Pharmaceutical product for up-dosing of allergy vaccine
This invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutical product comprising allergen and optionally an adjuvant for fast up-dosing in connection with allergy vaccination wherein a reduced number of injections are used. The invention also relates to the pharmaceutical product as such.
US08491894B2 Method for inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using CD13 receptor
The present invention discloses a method for inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising: administering at least one selective binding agent such as an anti-CD13 antibody or a CD13 antagonist which can bind a CD13 receptor of a cell to inhibit infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Administration of anti-CD13 antibody can reduce an expression level of the CD13 receptor, inhibit entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into monocytes, reduce survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in monocytes, and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis effectively.
US08491891B2 Human beta-glucuronidase mutants with elevated enzymatic activity under physiological conditions and method for identifying such
A number of human beta-glucuronidase variants having higher enzymatic activity at physiological pH as compared with wild-type beta-glucuronidase and uses thereof in prodrug therapy. Also disclosed herein is a method for identifying enzyme variants having elevated enzymatic activity using a mammalian surface display system.
US08491889B1 Method for reducing micronutrient competitions
Methods are described for increasing the absorption of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals by an organism's digestive system. Multiple competitions and multiple synergies between micronutrients are identified and micronutrient formulations are created so that synergistic micronutrients are included in the same formulation while competitive or interfering micronutrients are included in different formulations. At least two micronutrient formulations can be created with each formulation being ingested by the organism at a different time within a single twenty-four hour period or longer. By ingesting each micronutrient formulation at different and remote times, advantage is obtained from absorption synergies existing between some micronutrients while absorption interferences between competitive micronutrients are avoided or eliminated so as to increase the efficiency of absorption of micronutrients by the digestive system. In another embodiment, the micronutrient formulations can be introduced through skin pores or directly into blood capillaries (arteries or veins) through some kind of delivery system including but not limited to a skin patch or a surgically implanted device.
US08491884B2 Virus clearance of neoplastic cells from mixed cellular compositions
The present invention relates to a method for removing neoplastic cells from a mixed cellular composition, which is outside of a living organism, by using a virus which selectively infect and kill neoplastic cell. A variety of viruses can be used in this method to remove neoplastic cells for different purposes, for example, to purge hematopoietic stem cells prior to transplantation. Also provided are compositions prepared according to this method, and kits comprising a combination of viruses which are useful in this invention.
US08491883B2 Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using umbilical derived cells
This invention relates to methods of treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In particular, the invention provides for methods of treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by administering umbilical cord tissue-derived cells, an effective amount of a substantially homogenous population of umbilical cord tissue-derived cells or a pharmaceutical composition comprising umbilical cord tissue-derived cells to a patient.
US08491881B2 Conformable solvent-based bandage and coating material
A biological coating material that includes a polymerizable polyacrylate monomer; a volatile liquid; a polymer selected from a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, and a thermoplastic elastomer. The biological liquid coating material forms a coating or bandage in the form of a film that when applied and adhered to a surface or to the skin of a user inhibits the application surface from adhering to another surface.
US08491878B2 Sanitizing formulation
A sanitizing formulation comprising a solution of an acidic polymer and an anionic surfactant in a liquid vehicle. Suitable acidic polymers are those which include adjacent —[—CR1.COOH—]— units where R1 is defined in their structure, for example polymers based on maleic acid moieties which typically include —[—CH.COOH—CH.COOH—]— units, such as known Gantrez™ polymers. A suitable anionic surfact is sodium lauryl sulphate.
US08491877B2 Composition comprising zinc-containing layered material with a high relative zinc lability
The present invention relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of zinc-containing layered material, an effective amount of a surfactant including a surfactant with an anionic functional group, wherein the zinc-containing layered material has a relative zinc lability of greater than about 15%. The present invention further relates to a composition according to Claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises an effective amount of a pyrithione or a polyvalent metal salt of a pyrithione.
US08491876B2 Cosmetic compositions comprising hydrolysis resistant organomodified disiloxane surfactants
Compositions comprising disiloxane surfactant compositions comprising a silicone composition comprising a silicone having the formula: MM′ where M=R1R2R3SiO1/2; M′=R4R5R6SiO1/2; with R1 selected from the group consisting of branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and R7, where R7 has the formula: R8R9R10SiR12 with R8, R9, and R10 each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and monovalent aryl or alkaryl hydrocarbon radicals having from 6 to 13 carbon atoms and R12 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group of from 1 to 6 carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals or R1, with R4 an alkylpolyalkyleneoxide of the general formula: R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14 where R13 is a divalent linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having the structure: —CH2—CH(R15)(R16)dO— where R15 is H or methyl; R16 is a divalent alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbons where the subscript d may be 0 or 1; R14 is selected from the group consisting of H, monovalent hydrocarbon radicals of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and acetyl where the subscripts a, b and c are zero or positive and satisfy the following relationships: 2≦a+b+c≦20 with a≧2, and R5 and R6 are each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or R4 that exhibit resistance to hydrolysis over a wide pH range.
US08491875B2 Hair volumizing compositions
Volumizing compositions, including shampoos, which provide volume, body, fullness, movement and/or stylability benefits to the hair are disclosed. The compositions contain a waxy material selected from natural waxes of animal or plant origin, alkyl-modified dimethicones, copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and long chain alpha-olefins, synthetic wax/highly branched polyalpha olefin polymers and mixtures thereof. The compositions are substantially free of materials which form an oily coating on the hair, such as dimethicone gums, oils, triglycerides, petrolatums, unsaturated fatty acids, oils, C18-C28 mono-long chain alkyl quaternary ammonium materials, and combinations of those materials. Shampoo compositions and the method of providing volume to the hair, utilizing the defined waxy materials, are also disclosed.
US08491866B2 Process for preparation of silver oxide
The present invention relates to a process for preparation of silver oxide with various shape and size using a silver complex compound having a special structure. The present invention includes 1) step of preparing a precursor solution including a silver complex compound obtained by reacting a silver compound with one or more mixture selected from the group consisting of an ammonium carbamate-based compound, an ammonium carbonate-based compound or an ammonium bicarbonate-based compound in the presence of a solvent; and 2) step of preparing silver oxide by reacting the precursor solution including the silver complex compound of step 1) with an oxidant. The shape and particle size of the silver oxide prepared according to the preparation process of the present invention can be changed.
US08491860B2 Methods and systems for an engine emission control system
Systems and methods are provided for a layered emission control device coupled to an exhaust manifold. Various formulations may be incorporated in a plurality of layers of the device to enable various emission control functions to be grouped within spatial constraints. For example, a first layer may include a first, oxidizing catalyst, a second layer may include a HC trap, and a third layer may include a second, different oxidizing catalyst, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers. The layers may be organized to reduce functional interference and improve functional synergy between the various emission control functions.
US08491856B2 System and process for production of fatty acids and wax alternatives from triglycerides
A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system including a reactor; a heating apparatus whereby a contents of the reactor may be heated to a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C.; and a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor.
US08491852B2 Marker of wound infection
An indicator device adapted give a detectable signal when the antioxidant capacity of a sample of a mammalian wound fluid exceeds a predetermined minimum level which is characteristic of an infected wound. Also provided system for use in the diagnosis and treatment of wounds comprising the inventive diagnostic device and a wound dressing comprising at least one antimicrobial agent for selective application to infected wounds. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment by means of the inventive device and system.
US08491847B2 Apparatus of catalyst for purifying exhaust gas and method for purifying exhaust gas
An apparatus for purifying exhaust gas exhausted from an internal combustion engine, using two or more honeycomb structure-type catalysts (X) and (Y). The catalyst (X) contains the support material of the zirconium oxide as a main component which loads a Rh component on the support material of zirconium oxide and substantially does not contain a cerium component, and a cerium-containing oxide which substantially does not load the Rh component, and the catalyst (X) does not substantially contain Pt component and Pd component. The catalyst (Y) contains the support material of the cerium-zirconium composite oxide as a main component which loads a Rh component on the support material of cerium-zirconium composite oxide and which contains cerium of 1 to 20% by weight, in an oxide equivalent, and zirconium of 99 to 80% by weight, in an oxide equivalent, and the catalyst (Y) does not substantially contain Pt component and Pd component.
US08491846B2 Honeycomb body formed of metallic foils, method for the production thereof and motor vehicle
A honeycomb body is formed of smooth and structured metallic foils. The smooth foils have different average roughnesses or different oxide layer thicknesses than the textured foils. A method for producing the honeycomb body and a motor vehicle having the honeycomb body, are also provided.
US08491843B2 Scent nebulizer for air handling systems
A jet nebulizer capable of producing a small particle mist for injection into any existing whole room/house/building air distribution system. The device pumps liquid scent from a bulk container through a supply line. The unit is turned on, a flow switch is closed, power is applied to a timer and a solenoid, opening the solenoid and starting the timer. Pressure in the supply line drops and closes the pressure switch which turns the pump on, forcing the liquid scent through a nebulizer nozzle into the air handling system. The pump runs according to the timer, and will continue to run until the timer shuts the solenoid valve. Once the timer shuts the solenoid off pressure builds in the supply line. The pressure opens the water pressure switch which turns the pump off.
US08491842B2 Release of stored ammonia at start-up
A system for storage and dosing of ammonia, including a solid ammonia storage material capable of binding and releasing ammonia reversibly by adsorption/absorption. The system is able to release ammonia gradually according to a demand that can vary over time with intermediate periods of no ammonia demand. A main storage unit and a start-up storage unit are provided. The storage units hold ammonia storage material. At least one one-way valve is provided via which the one main storage unit is in communication with the start-up storage unit. The one-way valve prevents any back-flow of ammonia from the start-up storage unit to the main storage unit. Heating devices are arranged to heat the main storage unit and the start-up storage unit separately to generate gaseous ammonia by thermal desorption from the solid storage material. A controller controls the heating power of the main storage unit and the start-up storage unit, thereby enabling ammonia release from at least one of the start-up and/or the main storage unit. A dosing valve controls ammonia flow from the storage units according to a demand.
US08491841B2 Pressurized gas purge seal for combustion furnace
An analytical combustion furnace has an input port for receiving a holder for an analytical sample. A purge block is coupled to the input port of the combustion furnace and has an input end for receiving the holder and a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A door selectively closes the input end of the purge block, and a pressurized seal is coupled between the purge block and the door. A source of purging gas is coupled to the gas inlet of the purge block for pressurizing the seal. The gas outlet of the purge block communicates with the seal to allow purging gas to escape the area of the seal. In one embodiment, a pressurized seal surrounds a push rod, which seal is pressurized by a purging gas to continuously purge the entry of the push rod into the purge block, thereby eliminating atmospheric contamination.
US08491830B2 Boundary configurations for multi-material print-forming
A print-forming method is disclosed which provides a method to engineer and design boundaries between the materials used in devices. The boundary includes primarily a first material on one side and primarily a second material on the other side. At least some of the second material is located on the first material side of the boundary and at least some of the first material is located on the second material side of the boundary in a precise pattern that achieve the objectives of the design. This approach is then extended to 3-dimensional shapes with any number of materials. Material properties that differ from each other thus do not exhibit an abrupt transition within the overall structure, but rather are accommodated within the boundary region. Various different exemplary boundary region configurations are disclosed, as well as techniques for optimizing this print-forming manufacturing within boundary regions.
US08491829B2 Method of producing a structural part made from a thermosetting resin by drawing
A process for the production of a structural part of an aircraft, whereby the part is made of composite material that includes a thermosetting resin and that has a section profile that can be stamped, whereby the process includes: producing a flat blank by draping layers of supports that are preimpregnated with thermosetting resin, partially cross-linking the flat blank, and stamping the flat blank between a matrix (14) and a punch (16) that are called the equipment, each including an impression that is adapted to the shape of the surface that is in contact with the part that is to be produced and whose air gap is sized based on the part that is to be produced, wherein the equipment is heated to modulate the progress of the cross-linking at the end of the forming operation.
US08491828B2 Device and method for producing a fiber composite product
The invention relates to a device for producing a toroid-shaped fiber composite product. The device comprises at least two fiber or fiber composite material dispensing units (2, 3), the dispensing units being adapted to place a fiber (4) or a fiber composite material onto the surface of a toroid-shaped mandrel (5); positioning means to effectuate relative movement of the mandrel and the dispensing units during placement of the fiber or fiber composite material. The invention further relates to a method for producing a toroid-shaped fiber composite product, preferably with a concave cross-section, in particular the rim of a bicycle wheel. The method comprises providing a toroid-shaped mandrel, dispensing fibers or fiber composite material from at least two dispensing units, placing the fibers or fiber composite material onto the mandrel while effectuating a relative movement of the mandrel and the dispensing units, and reshaping at least part of the mandrel, preferably by thermoforming.
US08491827B2 Operating element and method for the production thereof
A method for producing a flexible, three-dimensional coating structure with a surface curvature on the front side and an impression on the rear side for a flexible switch or a flexible user interface. The method is essentially characterized by the following steps: introducing an uncured, transparent casting compound into a compression mold with an impression that forms the shaping of a surface curvature; introducing a counterpunch that penetrates at least partially into the impression, so that the casting compound is distributed in the gap between the shaping of the surface curvature of the compression mold and the surface of the counterpunch and fills this gap; introducing energy into the casting compound, so that the casting compound cures to form a substantially self-supporting, flexible, transparent surface layer with a surface curvature on the front side and an impression on the rear side.
US08491826B2 Method of manufacturing a sucker
A method of manufacturing a sucker is provided in this invention. The method includes steps as forming a sucker by an injection molding; heating the sucker; and cooling the sucker down to a room temperature so that an attaching surface of the sucker is substantially flat.
US08491824B2 Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing same
Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.
US08491818B2 Synthesis of water soluble non-toxic nanocrystalline quantum dots and uses thereof
An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble ZnS QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous ZnS QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. The aqueous ZnS QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, non-toxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties.
US08491813B2 Thermoplastic polymeric ovenware
Ovenware made from thermoplastic polymeric compositions which have relatively high thermal conductivities has advantages in cooking food. Such compositions can be made by mixing a thermoplastic polymer with a particulate material which has a relatively high thermal conductivity. This composition usually allows to faster heating of the food and/or improved browning of the food in contact with the ovenware surface.
US08491808B2 Method of polishing a substrate comprising polysilicon, silicon oxide and silicon nitride
A method for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate is provided, comprising: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises polysilicon, silicon oxide and silicon nitride; providing a chemical mechanical polishing composition, comprising, as initial components: water; an abrasive; an alkyl aryl polyether sulfonate compound, wherein the alkyl aryl polyether sulfonate compound has a hydrophobic portion having an alkyl group bound to an aryl ring and a nonionic acyclic hydrophilic portion having 4 to 100 carbon atoms; and a substance according to formula I wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is a bridging group having a formula —(CH2)n—, wherein n is an integer selected from 1 to 10; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad with a polishing surface; moving the polishing surface relative to the substrate; dispensing the chemical mechanical polishing composition onto the polishing surface; and, abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate; wherein at least some of the polysilicon is removed from the substrate; and, wherein at least some of the silicon oxide and silicon nitride is removed from the substrate.
US08491805B2 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and plasma etching apparatus
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes a plasma etching step for etching an etching target film formed on a substrate accommodated in a processing chamber. In the plasma etching step, a processing gas including a gaseous mixture containing predetermined gases is supplied into the processing chamber, and a cycle including a first step in which a flow rate of at least one of the predetermined gases is set to a first value during a first time period and a second step in which the flow rate thereof is set to a second value that is different from the first value during a second time period is repeated consecutively at least three times without removing a plasma. The first time period and the second time period are set to about 1 to 15 seconds.
US08491802B1 Method of forming a dielectric slope for EAMR and magnetic writer
A method of forming an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) writer is disclosed. A structure comprising a bottom cladding layer and a near field transducer (NFT) is provided. A patterned sacrificial layer is formed over the structure. A top cladding layer is deposited over the patterned sacrificial layer and a remaining region of the structure not covered by the patterned sacrificial layer. A patterned resist is formed over the top cladding layer. A first etching operation is performed on the top cladding layer via the patterned resist, whereby a top cladding having a sloped region is formed. The patterned sacrificial layer provides an etch stop for the first etching operation.
US08491797B1 Pivoting panel, pylon and inflow gap for stormwater screen system
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for preventing backflow current problems which often have caused debris and litter to pass out of screen type baskets used in storm water treatment systems. A half size or full size pivoting panel at the input end of a basket screen system placed in a storm water treatment chamber can downwardly divert incoming storm water so as to prevent back flow currents from being formed. The pivoting panel can work well during high flow conditions. A half size or full size pylon located in the input end of the basket screen can split and divert incoming storm water to also prevent back flow currents from also being formed. The pylon can work well during low flow conditions. Also, both the half pivoting panel and the half pylon can both be used at the input end of the screen basket. Still furthermore a gap in the floor before the input end of the screen basket can allow for sediment coming to pass down and collect beneath the screen basket.
US08491792B2 Non-dispersive process for insoluble oil recovery from aqueous slurries
The development and application of a novel non-polar oil recovery process utilizing a non-dispersive solvent extraction method to coalesce and recover oil from a lysed or non-lysed Yeast slurry using a microporous hollow fiber (MHF) membrane contactor.
US08491789B2 Water treatment process for the reduction of THM and HAA formation
Disclosed herein are systems and process integrating the chemical-free oxidation of a photocatalytic decontamination process with a biological decontamination system to eliminate the THM and HAA precursors in drinking water. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a source providing fluid media contaminated with toxic natural organic matter, and a photocatalytic decontamination subsystem configured to oxidize the toxic natural organic matter via a photocatalytic process into non-toxic natural organic matter having a molecular weight low enough for biodegrading said non-toxic matter. The system may include a biological decontamination subsystem configured to immediately receive the contaminated fluid output from the photocatalytic decontamination subsystem, and employing a biological agent to biologically degrade the low-molecular weight non-toxic natural organic matter in the contaminated fluid to a concentration sufficient to prevent the formation of trihalomethanes or haloacetic acids. Also, such a system may include a disinfectant sub-system configured to disinfect the fluid output from the biological decontamination subsystem.
US08491786B2 Circulation type water purifier
A circulation type water purifier prevents production of bacteria and microbes by periodically circulating water and also increases pump life and reduces pump costs by varying circulation times depending on an amount of water used. The purifier includes a filter 100; a purified water storage tank 200; a cold/hot water supply tank 300 having respective outlets for hot and cold water and drain outlets; a sterilizer 900; and a pump 400. Under control of a microcomputer, the pump periodically circulates water through various circulation piping.
US08491777B2 High shear hydrogenation of wax and oil mixtures
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system for producing enhanced wax alternatives. The system comprises a reactor with at least one inlet and one outlet and at least one high shear mixing device with at least one inlet and one outlet. The at least one outlet of said high shear mixing device is in fluid communication with at least one inlet of said reactor. The high shear mixing device may comprise counter rotating rotors. The high shear mixing device may also comprise at least one catalytic surface. Embodiments disclosed herein also describe a method of producing enhanced wax alternatives. The method comprises (1) providing petroleum wax and base oil; (2) mixing said petroleum wax and base oil with a hydrogen-containing gas in a high shear device to form a feedstock; and (3) hydrogenating said feedstock for a time sufficient to produce enhanced hydrogenated products.
US08491775B1 Combined chlorine and ozone generator sterilization system
Water sanitizing apparatus is provided for pools, spas hot tubs and other similar bathing facilities that integrates an ozone generator and a chlorine generator in one unit, in addition to exposing a flow of water to be purified to ultraviolet radiation from the ozone generator for advanced oxidation reactions. In one embodiment, a mixing venturi allows for mixing various substances together prior to insertion into the motive flow. In another embodiment the venturi is constructed as inserts that allow tuning of the venturi for individual systems. In other embodiments, salt is added to a portion of the water flow as a concentrated brine from which chlorine is generated, or the salt may be simply be added to the water of the facility at a much lower concentration and chlorine generated from the flow of water through the apparatus.
US08491771B2 Electrolyzer cell for producing acidic or alkaline electrolyzed water
A three-electrode electrolyzer cell is described that can produce either alkaline water or acid water, by selecting polarity and ion exchange membrane type. The cell has a middle chamber and two side electrolysis chambers bordering the middle chamber. Each of the side electrolysis chambers is separated from the middle chambers by a membrane, which is the same on both sides. Porous electrodes are placed on the electrolysis side of each membrane. The electrolysis chamber electrodes are placed next to the membranes, and they are both charged with either positive or negative polarity at the same time. The electrode in the middle chamber is charged with the opposite polarity to the electrolysis chamber electrodes. Each of the electrolysis chambers has inlets and outlets for flowing a solution to be electrolyzed through the cells. The electrolyte solution is in the middle chamber. It is not circulated, or is only circulated to replenish electrolytes or remove gases. The electrolyzer of the invention is significantly more efficient than prior art electrolyzers, when only one type of water (acid or alkaline) is required.
US08491767B2 Electrophoretic cell and method employing differential mobility
An electrophoretic cell and methods of switching an electrophoretic cell and moving charged species in an electrophoretic cell employ differential electrophoretic mobilities and a time-varying electric field. The methods include providing first and second charged species that are oppositely charged and have different mobilities. The method of switching further includes inducing a net motion of both of the charged species using the time-varying applied electric field. The induced net motion results in either the first charged species being moved toward the electrode and the second charged species remaining essentially motionless or both of the charged species being moved toward the same electrode. The electrophoretic cell includes the first and second charged species with opposite charge and different mobilities, and further includes the time-varying applied electric field that provides the net motion of the charged species.
US08491764B2 Multi-port chlorine generator
A chlorine treatment apparatus includes a housing with a cavity containing a chlorine generator for chlorinating a liquid such as water and at least three openings to the cavity. The chlorine generator may be an electrolytic cell. Some embodiments may include one or more plugs for closing the openings. The plugs may be keyed to operate with only certain of the openings. Yet other embodiments may include sensors for monitoring various aspects of the liquid such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and chlorine concentration.
US08491761B2 Use of a sacrificial anode for corrosion protection of a portable device, e.g. a hearing aid
A portable device includes a substrate, a number of electronic components, and a battery having an anode and a cathode for energizing at least some of the components. The application further relates to a method of protection a portable device against corrosion and to the use of a portable device. An object of the present application is to protect selected metallic parts of a bodyworn electronic device against corrosion in a flexible and controlled manner. The problem is solved in that the portable device includes a sacrificial anode in the form of a component adapted to be surface mounted on the substrate. This has the advantage that corrosion can be contained at a specific location. The device may e.g. be used for portable listening devices, e.g. hearing aids or headsets or earphones including a part adapted for being worn at or in an ear of a user.