| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08647474B2 |
Process for producing papermaker's and industrial fabric seam and seam produced by that method
The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or melt selected locations in papermachine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved seam for a papermaker or other industrial fabric that has properties such as strength, durability, openness, adequate number of support points, and fiber support index (FSI) essentially the same as the fabric body. The invention also relates to a fabric having a durable seam, wherein the seam width as measured in the MD is a fraction of the width of a normal seam or a seam that is formed using a conventional technique of equal strength. |
| US08647473B2 |
Continuous digester with a bottom scraper equipped with draining apertures
The continuous digester is for producing pulp from comminuted cellulosic material. The digester has a cone diverter on a bottom scraper arranged in the bottom of the digester for assisting in out feed of pulp produced. The cone diverter of the bottom scraper has an upper inclined surface of the cone diverter with an inclination angle in the range 30±10 degrees in relation to the vertical. In order to improve washing performance in the bottom of the digester, especially for overloaded digesters, the upper inclined surface is equipped with draining apertures in fluid communication with a liquid receiving chamber inside the cone diverter. The liquid receiving chamber is connected via a drainage channel to the exterior of the vessel. |
| US08647471B2 |
Process for the production of sized and/or wet-strength papers, paperboards and cardboards
The present invention relates to a process for the production of sized and/or wet-strength papers, paperboards or cardboards, wherein an aqueous radiation-curable dispersion containing water and at least one polymer, characterized in that the polymer contains cationic groups, is mixed with suspended wood pulp and/or chemical pulp and this mixture is sieved, pressed, thermally dried and then radiation-cured, characterized in that the dispersion is employed in amounts, based on its non-aqueous content in relation to the solid content of the wood pulp and/or chemical pulp, of from 0.001 to 10 wt. %, the papers, paperboards and cardboards produced by this process, and compositions comprising suspended wood pulp and/or chemical pulp and an aqueous radiation-curable dispersion containing at least one polymer, characterized in that the polymer contains cationic groups. |
| US08647463B2 |
Method for forming transparent conductive layer pattern
Provided is a low-cost method for easily forming a transparent conductive pattern that has a low electrical resistance and high transparency, and that is highly invisible to the eye. The method for forming a transparent conductive layer pattern includes the steps of (1) detachably forming a transparent conductive layer on a substrate; (2) then forming, on a support, a negative-patterned heat-sensitive adhesive image; (3) bonding the substrate to the support so that the transparent conductive layer and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer are in close contact with each other; (4) forming a pattern of the transparent conductive layer on the substrate by detaching the support from the substrate to transfer a portion of the transparent conductive layer, the portion being in close contact with the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, to the heat-sensitive adhesive layer; and (5) fixing the transparent conductive layer on the substrate by applying a coating material for a protective layer onto a front surface of the substrate on which the pattern of the transparent conductive layer is formed and impregnating the transparent conductive layer with the coating material. |
| US08647461B2 |
Method for manufacturing multilayer foam
A method for manufacturing multilayer foam where easy generation of dead air and improvement in foam magnification is offered. Multilayer resin that has non-foam layer outside foam layer is pushed out, the innermost side of the multilayer resin is bonded mutually, and multilayer resin laminating body is formed. Multilayer resin laminating body is clamped in the empty space between outermost side of multilayer resin laminating body and cavity side with metal mold. Multilayer resin laminating body is molded in the shape along cavity side, and the multilayer foam is molded. |
| US08647445B1 |
Process for cleaning semiconductor devices and/or tooling during manufacturing thereof
Cleaning processes for cleaning semiconductor devices or semiconductor tooling during manufacture thereof generally include contacting the semiconductor devices or semiconductor tooling with an antioxidant to form an insoluble adduct followed by solubilizing the adduct with a basic aqueous cleaning solution. |
| US08647441B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor cleaners
A method of manufacturing cleaning solvents is provided. The method includes selecting a small plurality of test solvents from a large plurality of perspective solvents. The equilibrium composition of a multi-component solution is preferably described by the Hansen solubility model. A small plurality of test solvents is applied to solute samples and the degree of dissolution or swelling recorded. Based on the degree of dissolution or swelling, at least one solvent is selected from the large plurality of perspective solvents based on the Hansen parameters. |
| US08647440B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
Disclosed is a substrate treatment method intended for a substrate having, on its surface, a composite product of an inorganic material containing silicon oxide and an organic material containing carbon and fluorine. The method comprises: an ultraviolet ray treatment step for irradiating the surface of the substrate with ultraviolet ray to remove a part of the organic material; a hydrogen fluoride processing step which is conducted after the ultraviolet ray processing step and which is for supplying a steam of hydrogen fluoride onto the surface of the substrate to remove at least a part of the inorganic material; and a heating processing step which is conducted after the ultraviolet ray processing step and which is for heating the substrate to cause the shrinkage of a part of the organic material that remains unremoved. |
| US08647432B2 |
Method of making large surface area filaments for the production of polysilicon in a CVD reactor
A method for making a large surface area silicon filament for production of bulk polysilicon by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) includes melting silicon and growing the filament from the melted silicon by an EFG method using a shaping die. The cross sectional shape of the silicon filament is constant over its axial length to within a tolerance of 10%. In embodiments, a plurality of identical and/or dissimilar filaments are grown simultaneously using a plurality of shaping dies. The filaments can be tubular. Filament cross sections can be annular and/or can include outwardly extending fins, with wall and/or fin thicknesses constant to within 10%. Filaments can be doped with at least one element from groups 3 and 5 of the Periodic Table. The filament can have a length equal to a length of a specified slim rod filament, and a total impedance not greater than the slim rod impedance. |
| US08647426B2 |
Dental filler and methods
A dental filler is disclosed. The filler is produced by admixing a metal oxide sol and a water-soluble organic binder; drying said mixed sol into a dried product; and calcining said dried product; wherein said filler is a substantially amorphous cluster. The filler can be mixed into a hardenable resin to provide radiopaque dental materials having desirable strength and aesthetic character. |
| US08647420B2 |
System and method for recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas
[Problem] To provide a system for recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas, in which a reboiler in a regenerator can be compactly installed, and a method therefor, in facilities where CO2 or the like contained in flue gas is recovered.[Solving Means] To include an absorber 1006 that absorbs CO2 contained in flue gas 1002, a regenerator 1008 that strips CO2 from CO2 absorbent (rich solution) 1007 to regenerate absorbent, internal shells 101 provided at a bottom of the regenerator 1008 with a predetermined interval therebetween, into which regenerated CO2 absorbent is introduced by a feeding unit 102 from a bottom side thereof so that the CO2 absorbent overflows from an upper end of the internal shell thereof toward the bottom of the regenerator, and a reboiler that is inserted into the internal shells 101 in a direction orthogonal to a vertical axis and includes a heat-transfer tube 103 that reboils absorbent. Steam separated from CO2 absorbent reboiled by the heat-transfer tube 103 is transferred to an upper part of a regenerator, condensed absorbent is caused to overflow from an upper end of the internal shell and to be discharged from a bottom side of a regenerator, and the absorbent is fed to the absorber 1006 as regenerated CO2 absorbent (lean solution) 1009. |
| US08647417B2 |
Vacuum insulation units comprising getter materials
A vacuum insulation unit having at least one thermally insulating, evacuatable porous core material which is sealed in an airtight manner and a sorption medium, wherein the sorption medium containing at least one porous metal-organic framework comprising at least one at least bidentate organic compound coordinated to at least one metal ion. |
| US08647415B1 |
Coke catcher
The present disclosure provides for processes including a coke catcher that may be emptied during normal operation or steam standby, thereby overcoming the deficiencies in the prior design as discussed above, the coke catchers and process flows disclosed herein protecting the secondary transfer line exchanger from foulant while not limiting the time between heater cold shutdowns. The designs consider the impact of decoking options, such as when decoking to a firebox as opposed to a decoking drum. Further, flow and cost considerations are addressed in various embodiments; for example, decoke valves are fairly expensive, and process flows disclosed herein may provide for relocation of the decoke valve to facilitate coke catcher operations while not adding an expensive valve to the overall operating flow scheme. |
| US08647412B2 |
Sorbent articles for CO2 capture
A sorbent article having a substrate having porous channel walls defining open channels, and an organic-inorganic hybrid sorbent material distributed on a surface of the porous channel walls, wherein the sorbent material is derived from an amino-functionalized alkoxysilane and a polyamine, wherein the sorbent material is present in an amount equal to or greater than 10 g/l, wherein at least some of the sorbent material resides in the porous channel walls and forms CO2 adsorption sites within the interior of the porous channel walls. The article may be useful, for example, for removing CO2 from a gas. |
| US08647410B2 |
Microfabricated artificial lung assist device, and methods of use and manufacture thereof
The invention provides systems and methods for exchanging gas in an oxygenator device, and methods for preparing and using such oxygenator devices. The systems and methods can be used to transfer oxygen to blood to assist lung function in a patient. |
| US08647409B2 |
Air compression system and method
An air compression system and method for an air separation plant in which air is compressed in a series of compression stages and a temperature swing adsorption unit adsorbs water vapor and carbon dioxide. The temperature swing adsorption unit is situated at a location of the compression stages such that air pressure upon entry into the adsorbent beds is between about 400 psia and about 600 psia. Each of the adsorbent beds of the unit have a minimum transverse cross-sectional flow area that will set the air velocity of the air to a level below that at which adsorbent bed fluidization would occur. Such operation allows fabrication costs of the adsorbent beds to be reduced because less adsorbent and smaller adsorbent beds are required while power consumption will be at a minimum. |
| US08647405B2 |
Filter housing for accommodating a plurality of filter sizes
A filter housing includes a duct having at least one registration flange and an access port sized to pass a plurality of seating rail assemblies. Each seating rail assembly is releasably engaged with the duct includes a seating flange. By locating the seating rail assembly at a particular distance from the registration flange, a channel of different sizes can be formed for receiving a filter having a corresponding dimension. |
| US08647402B2 |
Processes for gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock
The present invention relates to processes and continuous processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam. In one aspect of the invention, the processes comprise at least partially combusting a first carbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-rich gas stream in an oxygen-blown gasifier, under suitable temperature and pressure, to generate a first gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and superheated steam; and reacting a second carbonaceous feedstock and the first gas stream in a catalytic gasifier in the presence of a gasification catalyst under suitable temperature and pressure to form a second gas stream comprising a plurality of gaseous products comprising methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The processes can comprise using at least one catalytic methanator to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gaseous products to methane and in certain embodiments do not recycle carbon monoxide or hydrogen to the gasifier. |
| US08647400B2 |
Beneficiation process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coals
A beneficiation process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coals, including: preparing a coal slurry from fine coal and water and discharging it to a first reactor; preparing an alkali solution and discharging it to a first reactor; carrying-out a leaching reaction inside the first reactor; transferring the reaction mixture to a second reactor for filtration and washing to produce a filter cake; preparing a diluted acid solution and delivering it to a second reactor; preparing a diluted alkali solution and delivering it to a second reactor; feeding a coal slurry prepared from the filter cake into the second reactor for washing and transferring to a second filtration unit; transferring the product after filtration to a third reactor; carrying-out different leaching reaction sequences in the first, second, and third reactors; and transferring to a fifth tank the treated coal filter cake for drying. |
| US08647397B2 |
Lipid pathway modification in oil-bearing microorganisms
The invention provides methods of modifying the lipids produced by microbial organisms through genetic engineering. The invention also provides genetically engineered microbes and methods of fermenting microbes for oil production. Also provided are oils, fuels, oleochemicals, chemical precursors, and other compounds manufactured by such modified microorganisms. Exemplary oil-bearing organisms include organisms containing one or more exogenous genes encoding a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, fatty acyl-CoA reductase, fatty aldehyde reductase, fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein. |
| US08647396B2 |
Process and plant for producing biodiesel
When producing biodiesel from fats, oils or split fatty acids rich in steryl glycosides, the light phase rich in fatty acid alkyl esters, which is obtained from the transesterification or esterification, is washed with water in a washing column, wherein the suspension layer formed is treated by stirring. In this way, the steryl glycosides are transferred into the light phase of the wash. In a subsequent treatment of the light washer phase with water in an intensive mixer, compact steryl glycoside/fatty acid alkyl ester/water agglomerates are obtained, which can easily be separated by means of centrifugation. From the light phase of centrifugation, on-spec biodiesel is obtained upon further processing by drying and/or filtration.This process is suitable for processing fats, oils or split fatty acids with a high content of steryl glycosides and avoids the use of auxiliary substances foreign to the process. It is characterized by simplicity of equipment and a low demand for energy. |
| US08647394B2 |
Method of fabricating CIS or CIGS thin film
Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a CIS or CIGS thin film, comprising: forming, on a substrate, a seed particle layer comprising copper-indium-compound seed particles comprising copper (Cu); indium (In); and at least one selected from the group consisting of gallium (Ga), sulfur (S) and selenium (Se), applying, on the seed particle layer, a water-soluble precursor solution comprising: a water-soluble copper (Cu) precursor; a water-soluble indium (In) precursor; and at least one selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble gallium (Ga) precursor, a water-soluble sulfur (S) precursor and a water-soluble selenium (Se) precursor, and forming a thin film at high temperature. |
| US08647386B2 |
Expandable intervertebral implant system and method
An intervertebral implant system for a human spine including a first body having a first external surface to be disposed adjacent a first vertebrae during use and a first internal surface opposite the first external surface, a second body having a second external surface to be disposed adjacent a second vertebrae during use and a second internal surface opposite the second external surface, an elongated insertion instrument releasable coupleable to the first or second body during use, and a spacer linearly advanced between the first internal surface of the first body and the first internal surface of the second body during use. The elongated insertion instrument guides at least a portion of the linear advancement of the spacer, and wherein the linear advancement of the spacer results in expansion of the intervertebral implant such that the first external surface and the second external surface move away from one another to expand a height of the implant. |
| US08647385B2 |
Apparatus and method for tibial fixation of soft tissue
An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure. |
| US08647371B2 |
Locking bone screws and methods of use thereof
The invention encompasses a bone screw for use in the human body including a shaft having a threaded region along at least a portion of its length and a screw head including a locking mechanism to secure the screw, for example to a bone plate. In certain embodiments, the thread has an outer diameter dimensioned to pass through the screw hole in the implant. The screw head is configured to cooperatively engage at least a portion of the screw hole of the implant so as to prevent the screw from coming out of the implant and avoided soft tissue damage and other complications associated with unintended screw removal. |
| US08647369B2 |
Minimal profile anterior bracket for spinal fixation
A spinal fixation device for securing to a spine includes a body having one or more longitudinal members extending between a pair of wedge members. Each wedge member defines one or more openings therethrough for the reception of a bone screw. The wedge members are disposed on opposite ends of the one or more longitudinal members. One of the wedge members is positionable within a first intervertebral space and the other wedge member is positionable within a second intervertebral space. The one or more longitudinal members define a length that spans one or more vertebrae. The one or more longitudinal members are positionable within the one or more vertebrae when the wedge members are positioned within the respective first and second intervertebral spaces to maintain the body in a minimal profile orientation relative to the spine. |
| US08647367B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous trans-septal left atrial appendage occlusion
A device, system and method for occlusion of the left atrial appendage. A device is described with respect to non-surgically occluding the left atrial appendage with minimal invasiveness. Additionally, a system and method are described for using the device to perform the left atrial appendage occlusion procedure. |
| US08647356B2 |
Lancet system
A lancing system comprising a lancet with a handle portion and a needle bearing portion, the needle bearing portion retaining a thin needle protected by a safety cap. The safety cap includes first and second chambers, where the first chamber acts as a sheath and the second chamber having a surface positioned to compromise the structure of the needle when the needle bearing portion of the lancet body is inserted into the second chamber. |
| US08647354B2 |
Arthroscopic soft tissue plication systems and methods
A system and method for repairing soft tissue comprises introducing an instrument having a shaft into an operative site, such as a human shoulder. Then, a flexible grasper is advanced from the instrument to capture a portion of soft tissue. The flexible grasper is then retracted so that the captured tissue lies in a pathway for a needle in the instrument. The needle is advanced along the pathway through the captured tissue, and then a portion of suture is captured with the needle, distally of the captured tissue. The needle is retracted proximally through the captured tissue, to thereby pass the suture therethrough and plicate the tissue. The plicated tissue is then released from the grasper. |
| US08647351B2 |
Tissue fastening devices and related insertion tools and methods
The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophageal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments. |
| US08647349B2 |
Systems for performing gynecological procedures with mechanical distension
Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system and devices provide simplified use and reduced risk of adverse events. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic. An intrauterine access end procedure system includes a mechanical distension element, to eliminate the need for liquid distension media at pressure sufficient to create a risk of intravasation. |
| US08647343B2 |
Surgical forceps for sealing and dividing tissue
A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position. |
| US08647342B2 |
Surgical apparatus for tissue sealing and cutting
A surgical apparatus for coagulating and cutting tissue includes a handle assembly having a housing. A tool cartridge is receivable in the housing. The tool cartridge includes a first jaw and a second jaw for grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw is hingably movable between an open position and a closed position. A first jaw connection wire is operatively connected to the first jaw. A sheath encompasses at least part of the longitudinal portion of the jaw connection wire. A grip is disposed around at least part of the sheath. A piston is disposed within the sheath and operatively connected to the grip such that the grip and piston move in relation to one another. The jaw connection wire is operatively connected to the piston for moving the first jaw in response to movement of the grip. |
| US08647339B2 |
Balloon catheter system
It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter system capable of precisely predicting the surface temperature of a balloon which directly heats a target tissue without allowing a temperature sensor to directly contact with a balloon membrane. In the radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter system, a vibrational wave W is applied to an inside of the balloon 6 through a solution transport path 11 by means of a vibration generator 42. An in-balloon temperature sensor 8 is insulated from the electrode 7 for delivery of radiofrequency current to be fixed in the vicinity of a distal end of an inner tube 3 and then the temperature of the swirls S flowing along the inner surface of the balloon 6 is detected. In the present system, the surface temperature of the balloon 6 can be predicted by measuring the temperature of the swirls S approximate to the surface temperature of the balloon 6 by means of the in-balloon temperature sensor 8 while applying a radiofrequency current. |
| US08647338B2 |
Method of destroying tissue cells by electroporation
A method of treating a human body by destroying tissue cells is provided. The method involves positioning an electric field generating element near a target area containing tissue cells to be killed in the human body, and treating the human body by applying electrical pulses through the positioned electric field generating element in an amount above an upper limit of electroporation to irreversibly open pores in membranes of the tissue cells in the target area, thereby killing the tissue cells in the target area. |
| US08647337B2 |
Devices and methods for dispensing a cryogenic fluid
A dispensing head for dispensing a cryogenic fluid may comprise a flow passage configured to be placed in flow communication with a reservoir containing a cryogenic fluid, the flow passage defining a flow passage inlet opening configured to receive the cryogenic fluid from the reservoir, and a flow passage outlet opening opposite the flow passage inlet opening. The dispensing head may further comprise a dispensing member configured to dispense the cryogenic fluid, the dispensing member defining a lumen having a lumen inlet opening and a lumen outlet opening; and at least one porous member disposed in the flow passage, the at least one porous member being configured as a primary flow regulation mechanism to limit a flow rate of the cryogenic fluid as it flows from the reservoir to the lumen outlet opening. |
| US08647334B2 |
Apparatus and processes for preventing or delaying one or more symptoms of presbyopia
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and processes for preventing or delaying presbyopia. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes and apparatus for ablating epithelial cells in the germinative zone or the pregerminative zone of the crystalline lens of the eye so that onset or progression of presbyopia or one or more symptoms is delayed or prevented. |
| US08647332B2 |
Method and apparatus for quasi-fractional intense pulse light resurfacing
A system and method for treating a skin target area includes one or more RF electrodes adapted to provide RF energy for heating the skin target area. A quasi-fractional light unit is adapted to provide optical spots of energy having a wavelength not greater than 1200 nm for heating the skin target area. The RF electrodes and the quasi-fractional light unit are configured to provide energy essentially simultaneously to the skin target area to heat the entire target in non-uniform manner by way of a matrix of spots each having a predetermined diameter. |
| US08647329B2 |
System and method for correction of intracerebral chemical imbalances
An osmotic pump includes a plurality of agent reservoirs; first and second solute chambers; a semi-permeable membrane separating the first and second solute chambers from one another; a flexible membrane separating a first one of the agent reservoirs from the first solute chamber; and a plurality of valves. Each of the valves is moveable between an open position in which a corresponding one of the agent reservoirs is open to an outlet of the pump and a closed position in which the corresponding one of the agent reservoirs is sealed with respect to the pump outlet. |
| US08647325B2 |
Connection device for medical use
A connection device for medical use, suitable to connect together biological and/or artificial liquid conveying structures, e.g. a blood vessel and a syringe, where one of the structures is provided with a first end and a lumen. The device is provided with a tubular portion with an insertion end which end is intended to be inserted in said lumen, and a sleeve, which is slideable along the tubular portion, and arranged to keep the vessel at the connection device. |
| US08647322B2 |
Anti-extravasation catheter
The disclosed devices and methods provide for the minimization of fluid extravasation during use of infusion catheters such as peripherally inserted central catheters and central venous catheters. The anti-extravasation catheter allows a surgeon to drain fluids from soft tissue surrounding an infusion site while also providing fluid inflow to a patient. |
| US08647318B2 |
Underpants-type disposable diaper
An underpants-type disposable diaper is of a size and a water absorption capacity suitable for infants 3 to 6 years old, and is capable of preventing the protrusion of the groin portion of the diaper in use so that leakage does not occur. The leakage can be avoided by increasing the size and the water absorption capacity of the diaper main body to a level suitable for infants 3 to 6 year olds still using diaper and at the same time improving the tracks of a plurality of elastic members disposed along the peripheral edges of leg holes so as to reduce the elasticity in the vertical direction of the crotch section and prevent the protrusion of an infant's groin. |
| US08647316B2 |
Foldable ostomy bag for reducing collecting volume
An ostomy receiving bag includes front and rear walls sealed along a rim of the bag and a cover sheet attached to the bag. The bag has a lateral midline located between an upper end of the bag and a bottom end of the bag, with an inlet opening nearer to the upper end than to the bottom end of the bag. The cover sheet is attached to the upper end of the bag at the rim and covers at least part of one of the walls to form a pocket and an unattached edge between the upper end of the bag and the bottom end of the bag. A collecting volume of the bag is reduced by at least 25% when the bottom end of the bag is placed under the cover sheet to a position between the lateral midline and the upper end of the bag. |
| US08647308B2 |
Disinfecting caps for medical male luer connectors
Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect a male luer post of a medical connector. The caps are configured to engage threads of the connector. The caps contain a disinfecting agent within an absorbent pad disposed in a chamber of the cap. |
| US08647307B2 |
Needle protection device with a blocked protective position
A needle protection device including a needle holder for operable coupling to an injection device and from which an injection needle projects, a blocking device which projects from the needle holder and is radially distanced from the injection needle, a needle protection element which can be moved into a first position and, from the first position, to a protection position in which it surrounds the injection needle, and which can be blocked from leaving the protection position by the blocking device, and a safety member arranged between the injection needle and the needle protection element in such a way that it can be displaced in relation to the injection needle, wherein the needle protection element includes an engagement element and the safety member includes a counter-element, the engagement element and counter-element mutually engaging when the needle protection element is moved into the first position, the needle protection element thereby entraining the safety member during movement of the needle protection element into the protection position. |
| US08647305B2 |
Syringe drive device
A syringe drive device drives a syringe including a cylindrical cylinder and a piston. The cylinder includes a solution supply port at one end, and an opening at the other end. The piston is inserted into the cylinder through the opening. The syringe drive device includes a cylinder holder to rotatably hold the cylinder of the syringe, and a piston driver to drive the piston in its axial direction with respect to the cylinder held in the cylinder holder. |
| US08647304B2 |
Implant and method for its manufacture
An implant for percutaneous implantation through the abdominal wall for encircling and engaging an externalized length of a body duct of a human or animal patient. The implant has an exterior ring section protruding outwardly from the abdominal wall with a free end which serves for mounting of a detachable device, and an interior section extending through the abdominal wall and inside the patient for internal fixation of the implant. The exterior ring section and interior section have a common axis. The internal circumference of at least a part of the exterior ring section above the interior section is arranged with a biocompatible, integrated ingrowth means for the exterior surface of the body duct wall. |
| US08647300B2 |
Device for connecting a suction hose
The device according to the invention for connecting a suction hose has a connecting piece which is designed in such a way that the suction hose can be pushed over a region of the connecting piece in a sealing manner. The device also comprises a sleeve which can be pushed over the aforementioned region of the connecting piece, at least partially covering said piece and leaving room between the sleeve and the connecting piece for the suction hose. The connection between the sleeve and the connecting piece can only be separated by the destruction of at least one of said two parts. The design of the exterior of the sleeve prevents a second suction hose from lying in a sealing manner against the sleeve. A suction hose that is connected in a sealing manner to the claimed device can therefore not be removed without destroying the device. In addition, it is impossible to push a hose with a greater diameter onto the sleeve in a sealing manner. |
| US08647293B2 |
Therapeutic ultrasound system
An ultrasound system has a catheter including an elongate flexible catheter body having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The catheter further includes an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end coupled to the distal end of the catheter body. The distal end of the catheter body is deflectable. The ultrasound system also includes a sonic connector that connects the ultrasound transmission member to an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also provides a method for reverse irrigation and removal of particles. |
| US08647289B2 |
System and method for optimized apheresis draw and return
A blood processing device includes a venous-access device, a blood component separation device, a return line, a draw line, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a first pump. The first pressure sensor is located on the return line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is located on the draw line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a second pressure. The first pump is connected to at least one of the return line and the draw line and controls a flow rate within the connected line based on a subject access pressure determined based upon the first and second pressures. |
| US08647288B2 |
Moldable injury therapy device and method
A multi-phase orthopedic system including a moisture-impervious sleeve, a moldable splint including a covered resin-impregnated substrate, an elongate removable wrap for retaining the splint on the limb, and a removable cast for application to the limb during a subsequent treatment phase including a cast body having an interior side and exterior side, and a flap carried by the body and movable between an open position, and a closed position overlying a part of the cast body to be applied to a treatment area of the limb, the flap adapted to cover and retain between the cast body and the flap the splint worn by the patient during the initial treatment phase in the same position as the location of the splint during the initial treatment phase. A method of immobilizing a limb in multiple treatment phases utilizing the multi-phase orthopedic system. |
| US08647278B2 |
Method and system for non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring
Disclosed embodiments include a system and a method for determining intracranial pressure (ICP) of a subject that comprises: (a) applying transcranial Doppler (TCD) to determine the middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity of the subject and estimating changes in the ICP continuously based on a functional mapping that relates arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) to ICP, resulting in an estimated ICP trend; (b) generating a flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) on the subject, processing a detected FVEP signal and obtaining an estimated ICP; and (c) combining the estimated ICP trend from TCD CBFV and ABP with the estimated ICP obtained by signal processing of the detected FVEP signal to periodically correct the trend and obtain a non-invasive measure of ICP. |
| US08647275B2 |
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and program
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an image synthesizing unit for performing the following processings. That is, the image synthesizing unit performs a multiple resolution analysis for the respective images of a plurality of frames by a predetermined transform processing, performs a filter operation processing for each of the coefficients corresponding among the images of a plurality of frames, in each coefficient of each resolution obtained by the multiple resolution analysis, and performs an inverse transform processing of the predetermined transform processing for a result of the filter operation processing to generate an image of one frame. |
| US08647271B2 |
Hydrogel implant for sensing metabolites in body tissue
An implant (110) for detecting at least one analyte (126) in a body fluid, in particular an eye fluid, is proposed. The implant (110) is designed to be implanted in a tissue layer and/or a chamber of an eye of a patient, the implant (110) having a hydrogel matrix (110) with at least one hydrogel (114). The implant (110) also has sensor particles (116) dispersed in the hydrogel matrix (110), the sensor particles (116) having at least one sensor matrix (120) with a sensor matrix material (122) and at least one sensor material (124). |
| US08647264B1 |
Medical diagnostic system for detecting indicia of acute otitis media
A medical diagnostic system includes an otoscope, which is configured to generate at least a first image (e.g., digital photograph) of a tympanic membrane of a patient, and an apparatus for diagnosing acute otitis media within the patient. The apparatus includes a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. The computer-readable program code includes a first computer-readable program code that evaluates the at least a first image of the tympanic membrane of the patient relative to a database containing at least one image of a tympanic membrane of at least one archived patient, to thereby detect indicia of acute otitis media in the patient. |
| US08647263B2 |
Illumination optical system for endoscopes
The invention provides lenses at low cost, which form an illumination optical system for endoscopes that has high efficiency and achieves improved light distribution. The illumination optical system for endoscopes is used in opposition to a light beam exit end 1 of a transmission means F for light emitted from a light source, and comprises, as viewed from the light beam exit end 1, a lens group 10 having positive power and an optical member 20 subsequent thereto which has a spherical surface 20a that functions as a lens, has a radius of curvature R, and satisfies the following condition: 1.48≦S/πR2≦4 (1) where R is the radius of curvature of the spherical surface, in mm, and S is a surface area of the spherical surface, in mm2. |
| US08647260B2 |
Image apparatus for endoscopes
The invention relates to an image apparatus for endoscopes, which makes sure easier viewing especially at a peripheral portion of a screen while taking care of the observing angle of view and size of an optical system. The image apparatus comprises an optical system adapted to form an optical image of an object, an image pickup device adapted to convert the formed optical image into electric signals to obtain image data, and an image processing means adapted to move and transform a position of the optical image acquired by the image pickup device. A radiation direction magnification is transformable by the image processing means independently from a concentric direction magnification, and a magnification for a conformal object is higher at a peripheral portion than at a central portion of a screen. |
| US08647258B2 |
Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
The present disclosure provides for a surgical device. The surgical device includes a jaw assembly and a camera assembly coupled to the jaw assembly. The camera assembly includes a camera housing defining an interior space having at least one opening on a side thereof, first and second support arms pivotally coupled within the camera housing and deployable therefrom, and a camera body coupled to the first and second support arms and moveable between a first position, in which the camera body is positioned within the interior space of the camera housing, and a second position, in which the camera body extends from the at least one opening of the camera assembly. |
| US08647256B2 |
Guidewire locking device and method
A locking device for a maintaining an elongated member at a selected place within a body lumen includes a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical instrument. When in an operative position, the distal portion of the medical instrument is received within the body lumen and a head coupled to the substantially rigid body. The head is configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device in a predetermined configuration. A plurality of locking features extends from the head to immobilize a section of the elongated member relative to the medical device. |
| US08647252B2 |
Applying torque to paramagnetic structures in bodies using dual magnetic fields
Techniques for applying torque to microscopic paramagnetic structures in a body includes exposing a body simultaneously to a first magnetic field oscillating at a first frequency in a first direction and a different second magnetic field oscillating at a second frequency in a second direction. The body includes a plurality of microscopic paramagnetic structures for which magnetic susceptibility to the first magnetic field is different from magnetic susceptibility to the second magnetic field. Such techniques are effective for ameliorating a symptom of a disease in an animal in which disease agents or diseased cells selectively include microscopic paramagnetic structures, including malaria. |
| US08647251B2 |
Component fixturing method
An end-configuration of components to be moved or positioned is first obtained. This end-configuration determines the relative positioning and orientation of the components with respect to each other when in a final, desired configuration. A folding pattern is then obtained that is formed by interior vertices defining corresponding tessellation facets. The folding pattern can be induced to transition from a first folded configuration to a second folded configuration. When in the second folded configuration mounting facets, which are a subset of the tessellation facets, are arranged by the geometry of the folding pattern into positions and orientations with respect to each other that correspond to the end-configuration of the components. A foldable structure is then obtained that folds in accordance with the folding pattern, and the components are affixed to their respective mounting facets. |
| US08647250B2 |
Panel structure with scored and folded facing
A panel structure having a low-density core that can withstanding loads normal to a first primary surface, and a first facing of high-density sheet material that can extend along the first primary surface. The high-density sheet material can be laminated on the core such that the laminated core and facing cooperatively resist bending loads and loads along the primary surface. The first facing can extend from the first primary surface on a side of the core along a secondary surface, which can be non-parallel to the first primary surface. The first facing can bend along a score line between the first primary surface and the secondary surface. |
| US08647241B2 |
Supine cycling exercise machine with a user repositionable crankarm and method of use
A supine cycling exercise machine includes a frame attached to a horizontal base and a rotation driving assembly supported by the frame. The driving assembly includes a rotatable crankshaft and two crankarms with proximal ends thereof attached to opposite ends of the crankshaft, with two pedals attached to distal ends of the crankarms. One or more crankarm includes a redirection connection mechanism at the proximal end thereof, and such a crankarm is adapted to be repositioned by an exerciser between an opposing and a parallel orientation relative to the other crankarm. The exercise machine can be used for two different cycling exercises, with either a reciprocating motion or a parallel motion of the exerciser's feet. |
| US08647238B2 |
Impact absorbing exercise device
An impact absorbing exercise device includes a stepping platform having an upper surface and a lower surface. An impact absorbing panel is configured to be releasably coupled to the upper surface of the stepping platform. The impact absorbing panel includes a resilient wear surface and an impact absorbing material positioned between the resilient wear surface and the stepping platform. |
| US08647235B2 |
Temperature dependent minimum transmission input speed
A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm. |
| US08647234B2 |
Vehicle driving apparatus
A vehicle driving apparatus configured with a drive power source, a fluid coupling, a transmission apparatus; and a control apparatus. A rotation of a drive input member driven by the drive power source is transmitted to a shift input member via the fluid coupling and a rotation of the shift input member is shifted by the transmission apparatus and then transmitted to an output member. When a state shift command for shifting from a non-transmission state to a transmission state is input into a control apparatus in a state in which the drive power source does not generate a driving force, the control apparatus performs a shift input rotation operation before engaging a frictional engagement element and shifting to the transmission state by causing the drive power source to generate the driving force and rotating the shift input member via the fluid coupling while maintaining the non-transmission state. |
| US08647233B2 |
Accessory drive and engine restarting
A method for controlling a drive system includes driveably connecting an engine to a variator, using a pulley to transmit rotating power from an electric machine through a gearset that increases speed of an input of the variator relative to a speed of the pulley, controlling a speed ratio of the variator, and transmitting power through the gearset and variator to the engine. |
| US08647229B2 |
Load split mechanism for gear transmission
A method and apparatus for a transmission system selectively positioning sets of planet gear support bearings (50, 55, 80, 90) to achieve an optimized load distribution among a set of drive planet pinions (22) and a set of idler planet pinions (70) disposed in engagement between two reaction gears (30, 40) in the transmission system (A, A1), for splitting an applied load between at least two pathways between an input and an output. |
| US08647227B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first planetary gear set outputting a negative rotation speed by using a rotation speed input from the input shaft, a second planetary gear set converting the negative rotation speed into a positive rotation speed, a compound planetary gear set changing the rotation speed selectively input from the input shaft, the negative rotation speed and the positive rotation speed into nine forward speeds and one reverse speed, eight rotational members, and six friction members, and brakes interposed between a selected rotational member among the rotational members and a transmission housing. |
| US08647223B2 |
V-belt
A durable V-belt formed by fastening plate-like elements juxtaposed annularly using a ring. The element comprises a saddle face on which the ring is disposed, columns extending radially outwardly from lateral ends of a saddle face, and flank faces formed on lateral ends of the column to be contacted with a groove of a V-pulley to transmit power. An angle between outer circumferential portions of the flank faces is substantially identical to or smaller than an open angle of the groove of the V-pulley; and an angle between inner circumferential portions of the flank faces is larger than the angle between the outer circumferential portions. |
| US08647219B2 |
Golf ball
Based on a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. Preferably, the parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Based on a maximum value and a minimum value of the data constellation, a fluctuation range is calculated. By dividing the fluctuation range by a total volume of the dimples, an evaluation value is calculated. This value is calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation. |
| US08647215B2 |
Golf accessories for determining a gimme putt and method for using the same
A golf accessory for determining a gimme status of a golf putt in the form of a device that includes areas and/or indicia relating to at least two preselected conditions and by which a gimme status of a golf putt may be determined. A method of using the device is disclosed in which the device permits the user to determine whether or not a golf ball is close enough to a hole to warrant a concession of a golf putt under at least one of the at least two preselected conditions. |
| US08647213B2 |
Apparatus for a playground bouldering slide
An apparatus is disclosed for climbing and sliding, including a first wall having a first interior surface and a first exterior climbing surface. The apparatus includes a second wall having a second interior surface and a second exterior climbing surface. The apparatus includes a slide having an upper end, a lower end, and a sliding surface descending between the first wall and the second wall. The sliding surface connects to the first interior surface and to the second interior surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of climbing holds. The plurality of climbing holds is secured to the first exterior climbing surface and to the second exterior climbing surface. |
| US08647211B2 |
Torque limiter
The torque limiter includes a flywheel, a clutch plate, a spline hub, a clutch disc assembly and a transmission torque limiting part. The flywheel includes a friction coupling surface. The clutch plate includes plural axial through holes. Plural friction members are respectively attached to the through holes. The spline hub can be engaged with a transmission-side shaft. The clutch disc assembly circumferentially elastically couples the clutch plate and the spline hub. The transmission torque limiting part limits torque to be transmitted from the flywheel to the transmission-side shaft while the friction members are interposed and held between the transmission torque limiting part and the friction coupling surface of the flywheel. |
| US08647207B2 |
Information updating management in a gaming system
Updating information in a client-server based gaming system comprising a client gaming machine, a game application server and a central database, by: storing in said central database login information for gaming system units that are logged in to the gaming system; storing updated information in the central database; storing an information update control command comprising an indication of the updated information and an indication of a receiver gaming system unit in the central database; generating an update command message comprising an update command for execution of an update operation in the receiver gaming system unit; determining the communication route to the receiver gaming system unit dependent on the stored login information; communicating the update command message to the receiver gaming system unit dependent on the determined communication route; executing the update command comprised in the update command message in the receiver gaming system unit. |
| US08647206B1 |
Systems and methods for interfacing video games and user communications
Systems and methods for interfacing video games and user communications are provided. Communications amongst users can affect a video game provided to the users. For example, communications can be monitored to determine when a video game event occurs and then a video game event can be generated. Moreover, one or more aspects of the video game can affect communications amongst the users. For example, the active user of a video game may be used to adjust the prominence of communications amongst the users. |
| US08647201B1 |
Fantasy league aggregation system
One or more embodiments of the invention are related to a fantasy league aggregation system with a processor to bidirectionally communicate with a plurality of external servers, accept a first set of sports league data from a first user and accept a second set of sports league data from the plurality of external servers. The processor combines the first user selection and the second set of sports league data, displays an aggregate view of the combination with a player favorability view for one or more league players including a plurality of player strength categories associated with each player such as a list of players for the first user, a list of players favorable to the first user, a list of players neutral to the first user, a list of players that are unfavorable to the first user and a list of players that are against the first user. |
| US08647199B2 |
Bingo game system and method
Presented is a system and method for generating bingo game bonuses that are non-banked, for use with pooled bingo games. The system generates pools of money for use in bingo games by deducting a percentage of the amount used to purchase bingo cards (in the present invention, virtual bingo cards). Each bingo game automatically enrolls active players in one or more bonus games, exemplified by “4 corners,” where the amounts to be given away to players as bonuses are calculated to be equal, over time, to the amount taken in from players buying bingo cards. The house has no stake in the bonus awards. |
| US08647198B2 |
Image display system, illumination system, information processing device, and storage medium having control program stored therein
An illumination system includes an information processing device capable of communicating with a server via a network and an illumination device capable of receiving a signal from the information processing device. The information processing device includes a reception portion and a lighting control portion. The reception portion receives instruction data from the server, and the instruction data indicates an instruction to cause the illumination device to emit light in accordance with a television broadcast image and/or audio. The lighting control portion outputs a control signal to the illumination device, and the control signal controls lighting by the illumination device based on the received instruction data. The illumination device sheds visible light in accordance with the control signal. |
| US08647195B2 |
Systems, devices and methods for electronic sports book wagering with a wager sell back option
An electronic sports book wagering system provides a bettor with an opportunity to purchase a sports book ticket sell back option when placing a bet on the outcome of an event. An option may be purchased by a bettor to be exercised at will by the bettor during a break in play or during an indicated period of the event for the bettor to potentially receive compensation to cancel the wager (e.g., at half time during a football game on which the wager was placed). The amount of compensation or refund provided to the bettor upon exercise of the option may be determined based on a current probability at the break in play or indicated period of whether the bettor will win the bet for which the wager was made. The bettor may be guaranteed a minimum refund amount of the original wager upon exercising the option. |
| US08647193B2 |
Server, gaming system, gaming machine, and control method of the server capable of changing minimum bet unit in gaming machine
A server is provided with an input device with which an input for selecting a minimum bet unit out of a plurality of minimum bet units can be made. Minimum bet unit information indicative of the selected minimum bet information is transmitted to a gaming machine. On receiving the minimum bet unit information, the minimum bet unit in the gaming machine having received the minimum bet unit information is changed to the minimum bet unit selected in the server. |
| US08647191B2 |
Resonant gaming chip identification system and method
A system and method for a gaming chip identification system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises a plurality of gaming chips, each gaming chip operable to emit a respective unique electromagnetic signature in response to incident non-optical electromagnetic radiation, a computer-readable medium that stores information indicative of the electromagnetic signatures of at least a number of the plurality of gaming chips, and a processor-based system configured to verify that the electromagnetic signature from an interrogated gaming chip in an interrogation zone is a member of the plurality of gaming chips. |
| US08647190B2 |
Data converter for gaming machine and credit management system
A data converter for gaming machines includes a read out unit that reads out credit information of a gaming machine recorded on a ticket, a data conversion unit that converts the credit information that has been read out into a data format suitable for an electronic medium, and a writing unit that writes the credit information with the converted data format to the electronic medium. A credit management system includes the converter and a data management unit that manages credit information, including credit identifying data and credit data that represents value of credit. |
| US08647187B2 |
Variable payout wager games
A central gaming server communicates with a gaining workstation over a network, such as a local area network or wide area computer network. The gaming server makes an initial determination of payout percentage for an instance of a game engaged in by the workstation, and generates results of turns of the game in accordance with the initial payout percentage. In one embodiment, the payout percentage is dynamically changed by the gaming server, and it generates additional results of turns of the game using the new payout percentage. Triggers for determining a new payout percentage could be that a predetermined number of turns of play at the initial payout percentage have occurred, the elapsing of a certain amount of time, or the player logging off the game and then logging back on. In further embodiments, the gaming workstation includes a processor and instructions for locally determining an initial payout percentage, the results of play, and dynamically changing the payout percentage without requiring communication with a central gaming server. |
| US08647186B1 |
Slide poker
Multiple, sequential video poker games wherein a player is dealt a first standard poker hand of 5 cards face up from a deck of cards such as a standard 52 card deck after a pre-determined wager is placed. The player holds or discards selected cards to create a final first poker hand. The Slide Bonus is triggered to play continuing multiple games when any pair is held or drawn in positions 4, 5 of the five card hand. The card positions are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 left to right or right to left. |
| US08647184B2 |
Adjustable width vent baffle
An adaptable vent baffle mountable to an underside of a roof deck and to a wall plate of a building structure between a pair of roof rafters having a rafter spacing for permitting ventilation between a soffit and an attic space of the building structure. A main body portion has a longitudinal axis and is positioned generally on a main body place. A spacer extends from the main body portion and a tail portion is hingedly mounted to the main body portion. The main body portion and tail portion include first and second side edges and a baffle width is defined between the first and second side edges. At least one line of weakness extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for modifying the baffle width to adapt to the rafter spacing. |
| US08647183B2 |
Air curtain system for a refrigerated case
A refrigerated display case, an air curtain system, and a method of providing an air curtain are provided. The air curtain is suitable for use with a refrigerated display case of the type having an open front, including those with a door selectively covering the open-front. The air curtain includes a secondary layer formed of ambient air cooled by exposure to a refrigerated primary layer. |
| US08647182B2 |
Exhaust fan assembly
An exhaust fan assembly is provided for expelling contaminated air from a building. The assembly includes a plenum, a fan assembly attached to the plenum, and a windband mounted on top of the fan assembly. The fan assembly is constructed of cylindrical outer and inner walls which define a bearing chamber and surrounding annular space. A fan driven by a shaft extending downward from the bearing chamber draws exhaust air from the plenum and blows it up through the annular space to a nozzle at the top of the fan assembly. |
| US08647180B1 |
Method and system for opening shellfish using infrared energy
A method for shucking bi-valve shellfish, especially clams, includes imparting a wide array of infrared energy from at least one infrared heater from above to a first shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to detach an adductor muscle from the first shell. The bi-valve shellfish are inverted to expose a second shell. Infrared energy is imparted again from above to a second shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to release a shellfish meat from between the first and shell and the second shell. A system for carrying out this method includes a tank for washing the shellfish, a dryer, the infrared heaters, a device for inverting the shellfish, a tank for quenching the shellfish, and a conveyor for transporting the shellfish under the infrared heaters. |
| US08647177B2 |
Grinder for saw chain
A grinder capable of correctly grinding a cutting blade with a simple operation being provided. Two channels which can be replaced from above on a guide bar in alignment with right and left blades of a saw chain are provided in a base body, a grinding stone shaft is provided on the base separated from the channels by the predetermined same distance while inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a parallel direction to the channels, and a disk grinding stone attached to the grinding stone shaft grinds the side blade and the upper blade of the saw chain simultaneously. The grinder is characterized in that the outer wall of the channel is shorter than the inner wall and contact part contacting the guide bar are formed at lower ends of both walls to make the base horizontal. |
| US08647172B2 |
Wafer pads for fixed-spindle floating-platen lapping
Three rotary wafer abrasive lapping spindles having attached wafers are mounted on the flat surface of a granite lapping machine base. A flexible raised island abrasive disk is attached to the annular abrading surface of an abrading platen that is rotated at high speeds to flat lap, or polish, the exposed surfaces of the rotating wafers. Resilient wafer pads are used to minimize the effects of the abraded surfaces of the wafers not being precisely parallel to the platen abrading surface due to misalignment of the spindle tops. The resilient pads also compensate for two opposed flat surfaces of wafers not precisely parallel with each other. A mixture of the same types of chemicals that are used in the conventional CMP polishing of wafers with applied coolant water can be used with this abrasive lapping or polishing system to enhance abrading and to continually wash abrading debris from the wafers. |
| US08647171B2 |
Fixed-spindle floating-platen workpiece loader apparatus
A method and apparatus for robotic devices that can be used to load and remove workpieces and abrasive disks for an abrading system having a floating, rotatable abrading platen that is three-point supported by annular, flat abrading-surface of the floating platen. The rotary spindles are mounted on the flat horizontal surface of a machine base and the spindle-top flat surfaces are aligned to be precisely co-planar with each other where the rotational-centers of each of the spindles fixed-position rotary flat-surfaced spindles. The flexible abrasive disks are releasably attached to the are positioned at the center of the annular radial-width of the platen abrading-surface. Flat-surfaced workpieces are attached to the spindle-top flat surfaces and the abrasive surface of the abrasive disk that is attached to the rotating floating-platen abrading surface contacts the workpieces to perform single-sided abrading on the workpieces. Workpieces can be flat-lapped to provide precision-flat and smoothly-polished surfaces. |
| US08647170B2 |
Laser alignment apparatus for rotary spindles
There are three flat-surfaced rotary workpiece abrasive lapping spindles that are spaced apart from each other in a circle and are attached to the flat surface of a granite lapping machine base. Flat-surfaced workpieces are attached to the flat rotary surfaces of the workpiece spindles. Flexible abrasive disks are attached to the annular abrading surface of a rotary platen that is positioned to be concentric with the three spaced workpiece spindles. The platen is moved where the disk abrasive surface contacts the workpieces that are attached to the workpiece spindles. Both the platen and the workpieces spindles are rotated at high speeds to flat lap the exposed surfaces of the workpieces. Laser alignment devices are attached to an alignment rotary spindle that is positioned at the center of the workpiece spindle circle. These laser alignment distance sensors are used to co-planar align the top flat surfaces of the workpiece spindles. |
| US08647161B2 |
Method of controlling a personal watercraft
A personal watercraft comprises at least one seat including a driver seating portion and at least one passenger seating portion. At least one sensor is disposed on the watercraft for detecting at least one of a presence and an absence of a passenger on the watercraft. A control unit is electrically connected to the at least one sensor. The control unit enters a first control mode in response to a signal received from the at least one sensor indicative of the presence of a passenger on the watercraft. The control unit prevents at least one performance characteristic of the watercraft from exceeding a predetermined value when in the first control mode. |
| US08647156B2 |
Plug connector with external contacts
A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations. |
| US08647150B2 |
Water proof type electrical connector
A waterproof electrical connector for electrically connecting wiring to a mating connector having a concavity, the waterproof electrical connector having a contact connected to an end of a wire, a housing having a fitting section configured to at least partially house the contact and configured for insertion into the concavity, a seal integrally arranged on an outer periphery surface near a top end of the fitting section, which sealingly contacts an inner wall of the concavity when the fitting section is inserted into the concavity, and a lock which prevents the housing from exiting the concavity once the fitting section has been inserted into concavity to a predetermined depth is disclosed. |
| US08647148B2 |
High frequency interface and connecting device for connecting a high-frequency cable to the high frequency interface
A connecting device for connecting a high-frequency (HF) cable, in particular a coaxial cable, to an HF interface, in particular a coaxial plug-in connector or hollow conductor, wherein the connecting device has a sleeve, which is formed at a first axial end for plugging with a connection part of the HF interface and at a second end axially opposite the first end for connecting to the HF cable, wherein a surface of the sleeve, which faces the connection part of the HF interface in the plugged state of the sleeve and the connection part of the HF interface, is provided with at least one first groove in the axial direction, wherein at least one cylindrical pin is provided for engaging in at least one first groove. |
| US08647140B2 |
Electrical plug-in connector and electrical connection system
An electrical plug-in connector/an electrical connection system is used between a socket of an igniter module and an electronic control unit for a restraint system in motor vehicles. The plug-in connector comprises a housing with one or more locking arms for locking the housing to the socket. The locking arms reinforce the lock mechanism when a force is applied to pull the plug-in connector from the socket without actuating the locking arms. Alternatively, the plug-in connector/connection system comprises a housing with one or more locking arms that are selectable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The locking arms are at least partially elastic, and serve to lock the housing to the socket. When a force is applied to pull the plug-in connector from the socket, the locking arms are locking when in the locking position and releasably snapping when in the unlocking position. |
| US08647136B2 |
Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body; a post engageable with the connector body, wherein the post includes a flange; a nut, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip, and wherein a second end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the second end of the nut to the side of the lip of the nut facing the first end of the nut at a point nearest the second end of the nut, and a first end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the first end of the nut to the same point nearest the second end of the nut of the same side of the lip facing the first end of the nut; and a continuity member disposed within the second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided. |
| US08647130B2 |
Wiring duct connection device
A wiring duct connection device includes a connection body to be inserted into an end portion of a wiring duct having conductors arranged on side walls within an elongated grove-like core along a longitudinal direction; contactors held in the connection body in such a manner that the contactors can protrude from opposite side surfaces of the connection body; and elastic bodies which biases the contactors outward. The elastic bodies are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction at an inner side of each of the contactors, and each of the contactors includes convex contact portions that are one-piece formed at an outer end thereof, the contact portions being arranged along the longitudinal direction. |
| US08647121B1 |
Food item grading
Systems and methods of grading food items include a user customizable profile that allows a user to specify nutritional needs, dietary goals, or a medical state. The user profile is used to provide a user specific grade to one or more food items. This grade is configured for a user to compare food items and learn which provides better nutrition according to their profile. The user profile is optionally configured to take into account a medical state such as celiac disease, diabetes, or a nutritional deficiency. A grade can be provided for a single food item or to a list of food items. |
| US08647118B2 |
Deposition of discrete nanoparticles on a nanostructured surface of an implant
A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration. |
| US08647117B2 |
Bone-adaptive surface structure
The invention concerns bone-adaptive surface structures for lateral jaw implants. Micromechanical and/or macromechanical surface structures having various body forms are incorporated into selected segments of the surface of the base and of the bar that connects the threaded piece with the base to accelerate the healing process after the implant is inserted into the jaw bone and to make a critical improvement in holding the implant firmly in place without rotation. |
| US08647116B2 |
Rotary endodontic file with frictional grip
An endodontic file (10) has at least a central longitudinal cord (12), a helically wound wire (14) at least partially surrounding the cord and an elastomeric grip (16) partially covering the helically wound wire near a first end thereof and having an outer diameter that is slightly wider than an internal diameter of a barrel of a dental instrument whereby on insertion into the barrel it is supported therein only by friction. |
| US08647115B2 |
Syringes for dispensing multi-component material
A syringe for dispensing a multi-component material. The syringe can include a cartridge having a first end and a second end, and respective compartments for components of the multi-component material; a static mixer connected to the first end of the cartridge, the mixer having a dispensing outlet; and a plunger assembly that is movable into the syringe cartridge at the second end to dispense material from the first end. A connection between the static mixer and the first end of the syringe cartridge includes a flow-directing mechanism having a venting position in which the cartridge compartments are cut off from the static mixer and are in communication independently with respective venting outlets, and a dispensing position in which the cartridge compartments are in communication with the static mixer and are cut off from the venting outlets. |
| US08647114B2 |
Apparatus for applying a powdery or liquid material
An apparatus for applying a powdery or liquid substance includes a delivery device having a delivery pressurant connector and a substantially tubular applicator. The tubular applicator has an upstream portion for connecting to the delivery pressurant connector (16) and a downstream delivery orifice for delivering the powdery or liquid substance. The applicator is provided with at least one reservoir for the powdery or liquid substance and at least one valve permitting, when opened, delivery of the powdery or liquid substance by means of the pressurant via the delivery orifice. |
| US08647112B2 |
Combustor assembly of water heater
A combustor assembly of a water heater, which is provided between an air blower and a burner set to guide air from the air blower to the burner set, includes a first board, a second board and a third board stacked in sequence. Between the first board and the second board there is a first chamber and a first port, and between the second board and the first board there is a second chamber and a second port. The second board and the third board both have apertures. These boards restrict and divide an air flow of the air blower to flow along several paths to increase heat efficiency. |
| US08647111B2 |
Gas combustion apparatus
A method of combusting ammonia is described, in which an exhaust gas containing varying amounts of at least ammonia and hydrogen is conveyed from a chamber to a combustion nozzle (34) connected to a combustion chamber (36). A combustion gas for forming a combustion flame within the chamber is supplied to the chamber. Depending on the relative amounts of ammonia and hydrogen exhaust from the chamber, hydrogen is added to the exhaust gas so that, when the exhaust gas contains ammonia, the gas combusted by the flame contains at least a predetermined amount of hydrogen. |
| US08647110B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for fabricating semiconductor packages
An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor package may include a mold and a molding plate. The mold may define a mold cavity with the mold being configured to receive a circuit board in the mold cavity, and the circuit board may include a semiconductor chip mounted thereon. A molding plate may be moveable in the mold cavity with the molding plate being configured to adjust a volume of the mold cavity. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US08647109B2 |
Molded article transfer device
A molded article transfer device (150, 250) is described herein that is associated, in use, with an injection mold (100, 200). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a transfer structure (151, 251) that defines, amongst other things, a first aperture (154A) that is structured to receive a first molded article (102A) from a first mold stack (106A, 206A) of the injection mold (100). The transfer structure (151, 251) also defines a first branch channel (156A) and a first trunk channel (158A) through which the first molded article (102A) is passable. The first branch channel (156A) connects the first aperture (154A) with the first trunk channel (158A) for passing, in use, the first molded article (102A) thereto, whereafter it passes through the first trunk channel (158A) towards an exit (164A) thereof. |
| US08647102B2 |
Print head assembly and print head for use in fused deposition modeling system
A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage. The print heads each include a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly. |
| US08647095B2 |
Resin transfer molding device and resin transfer molding method
A resin transfer molding (RTM) molding device is designed to mold a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) molded body by injecting a resin composition into a mold and by impregnating the molded body therewith. The resin composition is a chain curing polymer (CCP). A CCP accommodating layer is disposed adjacent to an outer side of the molded body. The layer contains the CCP. The layer is provided with a Vf limit value, the value defined by the curing characteristics of the CCP and the characteristics of dissipation of heat from the CCP to the exterior. An element for separating the molded body is disposed between the body and the layer. |
| US08647094B1 |
Apparatus and methods for building or drywall tools
The present invention is directed to construction tools. The present invention includes tools used for applying mastic or mud to a work surface, for example, a flat box mastic applicator tool, blade assembly, and/or blade adjustment system, that have many improvements too numerous to mention all in the Abstract. The flat box mastic applicator may include unique walls. The blade assembly may have a non-uniform cross section, e.g., a blade holder with thinner areas and/or material removed at various locations along its lateral length. The blade holder may have a larger size outer end(s) to withstand bending or braking. The blade holder may have and arched shape, ribs or bumps for holding a blade more firmly, and a ridge or bump at its outer edge to act as a dam. The blade adjustment system may include symmetrical pins or posts and a tapered leaf spring. See further improvements herein. |
| US08647089B2 |
Dual rotor pump
A pump includes a pump body defining first and second cavities. First and second rotors are disposed in the first and second cavities between an inlet passage and an outlet passage and are in sealing relationship with each other during rotation of the rotors. A drive transmission mechanism is coupled to the first and second rotors for rotating the rotors in opposite directions. During a revolution of the first rotor, a vane projecting from the first rotor emerges from a recess of the second rotor, passes the inlet passage and the outlet passage, and enters a recess of the second rotor, while the inlet passage remains sealed from the outlet passage. |
| US08647084B2 |
Cylinder dividing mechanism of a pneumatic tool
In a cylinder dividing mechanism of a pneumatic tool, the first and second air pressure driving spaces are formed in the chamber, the first and second external channels are set externally on the circumferential wall, the first external channel is connected with the first air intake and air intake/exhaust dividing controller, and the second external channel is connected with the second air intake and air intake/exhaust dividing controller. As such, a single chamber is provided with two air pressure driving spaces for synchronous compression and driving of the rotor. The driving torsion for the pneumatic tool could be multiplied without need of increasing the volume of the chamber of the cylinder to cater for the need of the users with improved applicability. |
| US08647082B2 |
Fuel pump
A fuel pump may include a motor section comprising a rotor and a stator. One of the rotor and the stator may have at least a pair of permanent magnet parts disposed along a first circumferential surface at an interval in a circumferential direction, and at least two magnetic material parts disposed between ends of adjacent permanent magnet parts. The other one of the rotor and the stator may have a first yoke disposed so as to face the permanent magnet parts, wherein a plurality of slots are formed on the first yoke at an interval in the circumferential direction. A surface facing the slots of the magnetic material parts may be shifted, in at least a partial range in the circumferential direction including a permanent magnet part side end where a polarity of a first circumferential surface side is a north pole, from the first circumferential surface in a direction along which a distance to the slots increases. |
| US08647076B2 |
Multistage compressor installation
A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops. |
| US08647070B2 |
Reinforced composite aerofoil blade
The present invention relates to an aerofoil blade comprising a root, a tip, a leading edge and a trailing edge. At least part of the tip and at least a part of the trailing edge of the blade are reinforced by at least one portion of drapable reinforcing material wrapped around the tip and trailing edge. |
| US08647069B2 |
Optimized aerodynamic profile for a turbine blade, in particular for a rotary wheel of the fourth stage of a turbine
When cold and in the non-coated state, the aerodynamic profile is substantially identical to a nominal profile determined by the Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z′ given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z′ is the quotient D/H where D is the distance of the point under consideration from a first reference plane P0 situated at the base of the nominal profile, and H is the height of said profile measured from the first reference plane to a second reference plane P1. The measurements D and H are taken radially relative to the axis of the turbine, while the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine. |
| US08647066B2 |
Blade with non-axisymmetric platform: recess and boss on the extrados
A blade for a turbomachine impeller including an airfoil, and at least one platform at one of the ends of the airfoil, the blade configured to be arranged with a plurality of substantially identical blades so as to form a ring around a ring axis. In the blade, a suction surface profile at the surface of the platform and along the suction surface has a first recessed part located axially in an upstream half of the airfoil and a first boss-like part located axially downstream of the first recessed part. Due to this configuration, efficiency of the blade is improved. |
| US08647065B2 |
Service lift in wind turbines
An elevator system for a wind turbine is provided. The elevator system comprises a suspension device and an elevator car. The elevator car is suspended to the suspension device wherein the suspension device is mountable to a mounting section of a nacelle of the wind turbine. |
| US08647064B2 |
Bucket assembly cooling apparatus and method for forming the bucket assembly
A bucket assembly and a method for forming the bucket assembly are disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a platform, an airfoil, and a lower body portion. The platform defines a platform cooling circuit configured to flow cooling medium therethrough. The airfoil extends radially outward from the platform. The lower body portion extends radially inward from the platform. The lower body portion defines a root and a cooling passage extending from the root. The cooling passage is configured to flow cooling medium therethrough. The platform and lower body portion further include a ligament between the cooling passage and the platform cooling circuit. The ligament defines a bore hole extending through the ligament between the cooling passage and the platform cooling circuit. |
| US08647063B2 |
Multi-element blade with aerodynamic profiles
Provided is a multi-element rotor blade, including a primary element and at least one complimentary element, each having an aerodynamic profile. The primary element is joined by fastening elements to the at least one complimentary element such that the at least one complimentary element is adjacent to the primary element in a chordwise direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the blade and perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the blade. The at least one complimentary element is disposed closer to a blade root end of the primary element than to an opposite end of the primary element. |
| US08647060B2 |
Horizontal axis wind turbine
This horizontal axis wind turbine comprises a plurality of yaw motors that are provided on one of either a nacelle or a tower, and a gear 2 that is provided on the other of either the nacelle or the tower and that engages with the drive gears 4m, 4n of the plurality of yaw motors, such that when the plurality of yaw motors stop the rotation of the nacelle, some of the yaw motors are stopped and held by yaw motor brakes, then after a delay, the other yaw motors are stopped and held by yaw motor brakes. When the other yaw motors are stopped, the drive gears 4m of the some yaw motors and the drive gears 4n of the other yaw motors hold the gear 2 by pressing against the gear 2 in opposite directions of rotation. |
| US08647059B1 |
Pneumatic actuator system for a rotating blade
A pneumatic actuator system to provide for actuation of a device on a rotor blade. A high pressure volume unit mounted on the rotor blade, including an air inlet to allow entrance of air into the high pressure volume. At least one actuator on the rotor blade to actuate a device on the rotor blade, where the at least one actuator is connected to the high pressure volume to receive air from the high pressure volume for actuation. An air release unit connected to the at least one actuator to allow release of air from the at least one actuator. An air control unit connected to the high pressure volume unit to control air flow into the at least one actuator and is connected to the air release unit to control release of air from the at least one actuator. |
| US08647058B2 |
Cementless pump for pumping molten metal
In a cementless pump for pumping molten metal, support structure is suspended above the molten metal. A motor is supported by the support structure. A shaft is fastened to the motor. An impeller is mounted to a lower end of the shaft. A refractory base is supported in the molten metal and includes at least one impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated and at least one discharge passageway. The base includes through holes. Support posts are each fastened to the support structure and to the base. Refractory sleeves are each disposed in one of the through holes. Post fastening members fasten the lower ends of the posts to the base without cement. A portion of each of the post fastening members is located inside the refractory sleeve. Also featured is a method of replacing posts in a cementless pump for pumping molten metal. |
| US08647055B2 |
Ceramic matrix composite shroud attachment system
Shroud assembly for use in a turbine, having an outer shroud having a side proximate to flow of operative fluid of the turbine, the side having a boss and an outer shroud aperture extending through the boss. An inner shroud is located between the side of the outer shroud proximate to the flow of operative fluid and the operative fluid flow of the turbine, the inner shroud having an inner shroud aperture which is dimensioned to fit over the boss. |
| US08647050B2 |
Variable partial wind wall
A wind power system including a wind turbine affixed to a support tower, and a wind deflector deployable relative to a direction of air flow and configured to control the movement of at least a portion of air flow passing through rotor blades of the wind turbine to reduce wind loads on the components of the wind turbine while maintaining the air flow in an operating power production range. |
| US08647043B2 |
Hand truck
A hand truck has a frame, at least one wheel which is mounted to the frame at a lower part of the frame, at least one holding magnet for holding an object which, at least in part, has a magnetic or magnetizable outer surface, and a release mechanism mounted to the frame. The release mechanism has a release member movably mounted to the frame of the hand truck. The at least one holding magnet is attached to the release member. The release member is mounted to the frame of the hand truck such that the at least one holding magnet can be pulled backwards while the object rests against the frame, thereby providing a damage free release of the object. |
| US08647036B2 |
Retainer ring
A retainer ring including an outer ring having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a plurality of spring beam elements extending inwardly from the interior surface, and a central aperture. Each of the spring beam elements includes an elongated arm having a first end attached to the interior surface of the outer ring and a second, free end opposite the first end. Each of free ends of the arms includes a tab portion and a pressure pad that extends from the tab portion. The retainer ring captivates pin members, such as bolts, onto work pieces, such that the pressure pads engage and align with an annular groove of the bolt. When the bolt engages the retainer ring, each of the spring beam elements is displaced and expands radially from a free position to an expanded position in order to enable the bolt to travel through the aperture. The retainer ring captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt. |
| US08647032B2 |
Hole saw with depth stop
A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece. |
| US08647028B2 |
Cutting tool and double-ended cutting insert therefor
A cutting tool for grooving, parting and turning machining operations is capable of grooving to unlimited depths of cut. The cutting tool includes an indexable double-ended cutting insert having a downwardly extending insert clamping portion resiliently clamped in a self-retaining manner in an insert pocket so that chip formation is not hindered during such machining operations. |
| US08647024B2 |
Cutting edge-replaceable cutting tool and cutting insert for use therein
A cutting edge-replaceable cutting tool includes a tool body, and a cutting insert is removably installed on the tool body. The cutting tool-replaceable cutting tool includes an insert mounting seat formed on the tool body and on which the cutting insert is mounted, and a upper wall portion formed integrally with the tool body and overhanging the insert mounting seat. |
| US08647021B2 |
Method and system for sealing products in a pneumatic tube carrier
A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing. |
| US08647019B2 |
Facility having fanned seabed-to-surface connections
An installation of bottom-to-surface connections having a plurality of bottom-to-surface connections arranged in a fan from a common floating support. The installation having a first number k of first bottom-to-surface connections, with each first number of connections having a first riser connected to a first undersea pipe tensioned in substantially vertical manner by a first float, and a diving first flexible connection pipe connecting the floating support and first riser. The installation further having a second number m of second bottom-to-surface connection, with each second number of connections having a second rigid pipe connected to a second undersea pipe and tensioned by a second buoyancy element, and a second flexible connection pipe providing the connection between the floating support and the second rigid pipe. |
| US08647016B2 |
Submarine pipeline towing equipment, system and process
A submarine pipeline towing equipment including: a floater of prismatic shape with a horizontal or vertical axis, with a variable or partially variable buoyancy, whose lower base is at least partially open by an opening or hole to operate as an air chamber. The floater includes: at least one inlet including a valve through which air is supplied; at least one outlet including a valve through which air is discharged; an actuator to control the valve to supply air; an actuator to control the valve to discharge air; a mechanism connecting the equipment to the pipeline; a mechanism transferring air to the floater; a mechanism actuating the actuator to control the valve to supply air in function of a predefined level in the floater; and a mechanism actuating the actuator to control the valve to discharge air in function of the distance of the floater itself from the seabed. |
| US08647015B2 |
Artificial multi-barrier for a radioactive waste treatment facility
A concrete pit containing radioactive waste is surrounded by a low diffusion layer of cement-based material, which in turn, is surrounded by a low water permeability layer of sodium-type bentonite and the leaching out of calcium ions from the low water permeability layer is inhibited by mixing sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate with the sodium-type bentonite/sand mixture of the low water-permeability layer so that leached calcium ions form a barrier layer having calcium carbonate as the main component in the vicinity of the interface between the layers. |
| US08647006B2 |
Tube with resilient applicator and scraper for dispensing texture materials
A system for applying a coating to an untextured portion of a destination surface comprises a tube member defining a container opening, texture material within the tube member, a sponge member defining an applicator surface and a sponge opening. The texture material comprises a binder and visually perceivable discrete particles. The sponge member is secured to the tube member such that the texture material can flow out of the tube member through the sponge opening. The texture material is displaced out of the tube member and onto the applicator surface. The applicator surface of the sponge member is displaced substantially along a dispensing axis perpendicular to the applicator surface towards and away from the destination surface with the applicator surface substantially parallel to the destination surface to transfer the texture material to the destination surface. |
| US08647005B2 |
Paint trimmer
The paint trimmer includes a rigid base and a handle removably attachable to the base. The handle includes a bladder for storing paint. A paint applicator is associated with the base and fluidly coupled to the bladder via a manifold. Accordingly, a user may selectively dispense paint from the bladder to the paint applicator via the manifold for application to a surface to be painted. A paint mask associated with the base and offset from the paint applicator prevents paint from dispensing to undesired locations of the surface. |
| US08647004B2 |
Assembling structure of intermediate tube of lipstick
The present invention provides an improved assembling structure of intermediate tube of lipstick, which is an improvement of assembling positioning structure of intermediate tube of lipstick that realizes comfortable and smooth rotation control in out-feeding lipstick, generally including a plurality of equally divided and slightly convexly raised elastic flange plates that are formed on a circumferential surface of a rotary base to which an intermediate tube is assembled, whereby the intermediate tube, when assembled, shows a point elastic pushing positioning assembling with respect to the rotary base so that when the rotary base is rotated to control the internally received lipstick holder to raise or lower, an effect of safe use that is realized by positive engagement and shaking-free rotation control. As such, the assembling structure of lipstick is made stable and positive and comfort and safety of the use of the lipstick are ensured. |
| US08647000B2 |
Recording apparatus and driving control method thereof
Provided is a recording apparatus including: a holding tray which is inserted in a transportation path facing a recording head, and is capable of holding a recording medium on a front surface thereof, the holding tray having a plane area used to horizontally hold the recording medium and a sloped area provided in a rear end in a transportation direction and inclined toward a rear surface thereof as it becomes closer to a rear edge; a driving roller which comes into contact with the rear surface of the holding tray; a driven roller which comes into contact with the front surface of the holding tray and pinches the holding tray between the driving roller and the driven roller; and a control device which controls the driving roller in response to the case of transporting the plane area of the holding tray and the case of transporting the sloped area thereof. |
| US08646999B2 |
Pressure sensitive key normalization
Pressure sensitive key techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes at least one pressure sensitive key having a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex responsive to pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input, for a computing device, associated with the pressure sensitive key. At least one of the flexible contact layer or the sensor substrate are configured to at least partially normalize an output resulting from pressure applied at a first location of the flexible contact layer with an output resulting from pressure applied at a second location of the flexible contact layer that has lesser flexibility than the first location. |
| US08646990B2 |
Optoelectronic module and optoelectronic arrangement
An optoelectronic module comprising: at least one light-emitting diode chip arranged on a carrier, and a mounting attachment fastened to the carrier and at least partly covering the light-emitting diode chip, and having a structured top which allows positioning of an optical element. |
| US08646987B2 |
Pivot assembly bearing
A pivot assembly bearing having a bearing inner ring, a shaft, a bearing outer ring, a housing, and an UV curable anaerobic adhesive fixing the bearing inner ring to the shaft, and the bearing outer ring to the housing, wherein the adhesive includes 15 to 25% of urethane acrylate, 45 to 55% of acrylic acid diester, less than 3% of acrylic acid monomer, 15 to 30% of hydroxyalkylmethacrylate, less than 3% of anaerobic catalyst, and less than 3% of photopolymerization initiating agent, and in addition, a coloring agent, if necessary. The pivot assembly bearing reduces outgas, shortens adhesive curing time, and no tack at the adhesive surface is obtained. |
| US08646986B2 |
Pivot assembly bearing
A pivot assembly bearing capable to decrease the pressing force when it is pressed into a mounting hole of a swing arm and to prevent the formation of particles on the outer circumferential surface of a sleeve of pivot assembly bearing is provided. The pivot assembly bearing comprises a shaft, and a sleeve 13 rotatably supported around the shaft, a plurality of grooves extending along a circumferential direction are successively formed in an axial direction on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 13, and the surface roughness of the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 13 is 0.5 to 8 μm in terms of center line average roughness (Ra) and 5 to 30 μm in terms of maximum height (Rmax). |
| US08646979B2 |
Hybrid hydro (air) static multi-recess journal bearing
Multi-recess hydrostatic journal bearings support a rotating shaft and have inclined surfaces, each inclined surface forming a variable radial gap with the surface of the shaft, the variable gaps converging in the direction of rotation of the shaft to increase hydrodynamic forces, reduce a turbulent component of shear friction, and improve the thermal stability of the journal bearing. The inclined surfaces can be formed in one or more of portions of recess bottoms in recesses, portions of gap lands surrounding recesses, and portions of an inner surface of a bushing. |
| US08646978B2 |
Uncoupling system for an aircraft turbojet engine rotary shaft
A decoupling system for a rotary shaft of an aircraft turbojet, the decoupling system including: a rolling bearing including rolling elements inserted between a first ring fastened to a stationary bearing support and a second ring mounted in a mounting chamber fastened to a rotary shaft; a transmission mechanism transmitting rotary torque from the rotary shaft to the second ring; a mechanism allowing the second ring to move radially relative to the mounting chamber when a static force associated with an unbalance affecting the rotary shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold; and a plurality of leaktight flexible bags interposed between the second ring and the mounting chamber and each including a heterogeneous structure including a porous capillary solid matrix and an associated liquid relative to which the matrix is lyophobic. |
| US08646959B2 |
Laser light source
A laser light source includes a laser element that outputs a fundamental wave; a wavelength conversion element to which the fundamental wave is input and that wavelength-converts at least a portion of the input fundamental wave to a converted wave having a wavelength shorter than the fundamental wave; a first waveguide that guides an output wave from the wavelength conversion element; a second waveguide that attenuates and guides a component of the fundamental wave included in the output wave from the first waveguide; a diffraction grating that is formed in the first waveguide and locks a wavelength or a frequency of the fundamental wave output from the laser element by feeding back the fundamental wave output from the wavelength conversion element. |
| US08646955B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, an optical control member 6, and a driving member 7. The light control member 6 is made of a light transmission portion 61 and a mount portion 62 that has an opening portion 66. The driving member 7 is configured to position the light control member 6 in such a manner as to be changeably movable between a first location and a second location. As a result, the present invention is capable of obtaining a light distribution pattern for low beam LP and a light distribution pattern for high beam HP, and in particular, there can hardly occur a case in which the amount of light becomes insufficient in a part of the light distribution pattern for high beam HP. |
| US08646953B2 |
Light guiding body and light emitting device
A light guiding body of this invention comprises a light incident surface arranged on one end side of a light guide member, a light reflecting surface arranged on another end side of the light guide member opposite to the light incident surface across the light guide member, and a light emitting surface, arranged on a side surface of the light guide member between the light incident surface and the light reflecting surface, through which light input from the light incident surface into the light guide member passes to outside, in which the light guide member is formed as a solid body and at least a part of the light guide member is made from light scattering guide material which contains light scattering particles. |
| US08646947B2 |
Multicolor illumination device using multiple light sources and a moving plate with wavelength conversion materials
A multicolor illumination device uses a blue or UV light source to excite wavelength conversion materials and a red light source as a direct illumination light. The lights from the two light sources are combined onto a moving wavelength conversion element. The moving wavelength conversion element includes multiple segments alternatingly disposed in the paths of the incident lights, including a first segment with no wavelength conversion material, and other segments which may carry blue, green and/or yellow wavelength conversion materials. A control system controls the on/off of the two light sources so that when the first segment is in the light path, the red light source is on and the blue/UV light source is off, and vice versa when the other segments are in the light path. Alternatively, dichroic filters may be fixedly provided on the segments of the wavelength conversion element to block the blue/UV or red light. |
| US08646945B2 |
Waterproof outdoor lighting fixture
A waterproof outdoor lighting fixture includes a lamp holder having a front lamp bulb socket for receiving a lamp bulb, an outer shell molded on the periphery of the lamp holder and having locating holes located on an inner wall of a lampshade portion thereof, a waterproof gasket tightly press-fitted into the lampshade portion of the outer shell, and an annular locating member fastened to the lampshade portion of the outer shell to lock the waterproof gasket. |
| US08646943B2 |
Tower-shaped LED module
The present invention discloses a tower-shaped LED module that comprises a base, at least three LED panels mounted on the base and a bracket used to support the LED panels, wherein the LED panels are fixed on the bracket to form a pyramid. The present invention solves the traditional problem of the LED panels not secured firmly or shifting around easily. To fix the LED panels on the designed bracket, first slide each LED panel upward into sliding slots. Then insert each electrode pin of the LED panels into a corresponding pin hole in the base. Next put a screw though the base and fasten it to a supporting rod. At last solder the electrode pins of the LED panels to a printed circuit board on the bottom surface of the base. The whole assembly process is very simple and the assembled LED panels have good stability. |
| US08646942B2 |
LED luminaire
A luminaire includes an electrical base, an optic, and a heat sink disposed between the base and the optic. The lens has a first curved portion, a second curved portion and a third portion. An LED light source is coupled to the heat sink with LED modules arranged to direct light in the same direction. A frustoconical member having a reflective outer surface is disposed between the lens and the LED light source wherein the LED light source has LED modules disposed to emit at least a portion of light toward the reflective outer surface such that light is emitted with a substantially even luminous intensity in a 0°-135° zone. |
| US08646938B1 |
Distress marker system
A portable distress light including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) and a light mode switch to power the diodes so as to provide at least one of, and preferably at least two of, a flashing white light, a flashing infrared light, a flashing blue light, a flashing colored light, a steady colored light, and a steady white light. The LED's are segmented into two circuits, each circuit strobing the respective LED's, where the additive illumination of the LED's creates a single extended illumination period and a respective single dark period. The single extended illumination period can be generated by a series of quick illuminating cycles of the LED's of each of the two circuits, thus providing multiple illuminating pulses to create the single extended illumination period. |
| US08646936B2 |
In-wall occupancy sensor with dimmable night light
An electrical wiring device includes a dimmable night light therein. The night light includes one or more light sources for emitting light and an optional lens disposed over the light sources. The lens allows light from the light sources to be emitted therethrough. In some embodiments, the lens is used to turn on the night light, turn off the night light, and dim the night light. In some exemplary embodiments, manipulation of the lens selects an operating mode for the device. The device optionally includes an occupancy detection sensor to assist detecting occupancy within a monitored area. |
| US08646934B2 |
Aquarium light strip
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium. |
| US08646932B2 |
Backlight unit and the display device having the same
Provided are a backlight unit and a display device having the same. The backlight unit configured to emit light onto a display panel in which one screen is defined into a plurality of display areas includes a bottom frame having a bottom surface and a sidewall, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) defining a plurality of light emitting areas corresponding to the display areas of the display panel, and an integrated light guide plate covering the plurality of LEDs, the integrated light guide plate being disposed on the plurality of light emitting areas corresponding to one screen. The light guide plate has a plurality of grooves for receiving at least one LED in an under surface thereof. |
| US08646928B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention provides a backlight module including a plurality of illuminant units and two light guide plates respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the illuminant units. Each of the light guide plates has a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface adjacent to the light-incident surface. A portion of the illuminant units emit light toward the light-incident surface of one of the light guide plates, and the other portion of the illuminant units emit light toward the light-incident surface of the other light guide plate. The dimension of the light-emitting surface of each light guide plate is positive proportional to the amount of the illuminant units emitting light toward the light guide plate. In addition, the present invention also provides a liquid crystal displaying apparatus including the above-mentioned backlight module. |
| US08646926B2 |
LED module, LED lamp, and illuminating apparatus
To constrain reductions in luminous efficacy while enhancing the color rendition index, the LED module includes a blue LED, at least one variety of phosphor particles excited by the outgoing light from the blue LED, and neodymium glass particles that include neodymium ions absorbing the outgoing light from the phosphor particles in a predetermined wavelength band. |
| US08646925B2 |
Solar simulator
A solar simulator includes a light source, an optical reflection element positioned behind the light source to reflect light emitted from the light source in a form of pseudo parallel light, a low-angle light-diffusion optical element for diffusing the reflected light from the optical reflection element at a low diffusion angle, and a parallel light conversion optical element including a number of air holes arranged in parallel rows and provided with faculties for transmitting incident light parallel to the axis of the air holes to absorb or attenuate nonparallel incident light. The parallel light conversion optical element converts the incident light from the low-angle light-diffusion optical element to parallel light and emits the converted parallel light. |
| US08646923B2 |
Rear view mirror for a motor vehicle and method for the production of a rear view mirror
A rear view mirror (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a metal-coated substrate (2) which forms a main mirror surface (4) and is provided in a subarea with an additional blind spot mirror (6) is to provide a particularly high reproduction quality of the reflected image, while production costs are kept down. For this purpose, according to the invention, the additional blind spot mirror (6) is bonded onto the side of the substrate (2) remote from the direction of light incidence on the substrate (2) by a transparent, light-resistant adhesive. |
| US08646919B2 |
Light source unit utilizing laser for light source and projector
A light source unit includes a light emitting plate which has a plurality of segment areas and in which a luminescent material layer which emits light having a predetermined wavelength band by receiving excitation light and a transmissive portion which transmits light are formed on at least the plurality of segment areas, a primary light source for emitting excitation light on to the luminescent material, a secondary light source for emitting light having a wavelength band which differs from those of luminescent light emitted from the luminescent material layer and excitation light emitted from the primary light source, a light guiding optical system for guiding light emitted from the light emitting plate and light emitted from the secondary light source to the same optical path, and a light source control means for controlling the emission of light from the primary light source and the secondary light source. |
| US08646913B2 |
Optical image measuring device and control method thereof
A low-coherence light is split into a signal light and a reference light. The optical path length of the reference light is switched to optical path lengths that correspond to a first depth zone and a second depth zone. When forming a tomographic image of the second depth zone, in an optical system that condenses the signal light to the first depth zone when a measured object and an objective lens are located at a predetermined working distance, while being positioned at the working distance, a depth zone switching lens that transitions the depth at which the signal light is condensed to the second depth zone is inserted. |
| US08646910B1 |
Vision training method and apparatus
The present invention concerns a method and device for the training of human vision. In particular, the invention involves the use of multimodal stimulation and principles of biofeedback to aid in the detection of visual targets. The intended population to benefit from this device are those who have experienced stroke or compromise to areas of the visual system responsible for conscious sight. Such patients may show either visual inattention or partial to complete blindness in both eyes. Biofeedback is also used to assist in training of sight. |
| US08646908B2 |
Rotationally stabilized contact lenses and methods for their design
The invention provides dual stabilization zones that interact with an individual's eyelids so that at least the upper eyelid strikes both stabilization zones of a lens at the same time. The stabilized lenses of the invention maintain their on-eye orientation better as compared to conventionally stabilized lenses. |
| US08646907B2 |
Materials for use in ophthalmic applications and methods
A lens body comprising at least one form of boronic acid, boronic ester or boronic anhydride is provided. The lens body is contacted with a solution comprising at least one form of TRIS. A contact lens package including the contact lens, and methods of producing and using the contact lens, are also provided. |
| US08646906B2 |
Image recording device and image recording method
An image recording device includes a conveying part that conveys a portion of a medium to an image recording area, a recording part that records an image on the medium positioned in the image recording area, a medium support part that supports the medium positioned in the image recording area on a support surface provided with openings of suction holes and that heats the medium, a suction part that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part via the suction holes, and a control part that repeatedly performs a conveying action and a recording action, and that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part after the next conveying action and before the recording action when a period from the previous conveying action until the next conveying action is equal to or greater than a predetermined period that is longer than the period required by the recording action. |
| US08646905B2 |
Conveyor device and inkjet recording apparatus
A conveyor device includes a drive roller that conveys a tray or a sheet through a conveying path, a rotating shaft that rotates between a third position and a second position via a first position, a spur roller that moves between a fourth position and a fifth position, a first contacting portion that is disposed in the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the first position and that contacts one surface of the tray passing through the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the second position, and is separated from the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the third position, a second contacting portion that moves the spur roller, and a rotating unit configured to rotate the rotating shaft from the third position to the first position. |
| US08646904B2 |
Sheet feeding device and recording apparatus
A sheet feeding device, including: a sheet cassette configured to accommodate sheets; a conveyance path through which each of the sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette is conveyed; a rotation roller provided at one of a start point and a vicinity thereof in the conveyance path; a motor configured to rotatably drive the rotation roller; a pressure body configured to come into pressing contact with the rotation roller via the sheet; and a moving mechanism configured to separate the rotation roller and the pressure body, which are in pressing contact with each other, away from each other in dependence on drive stop of the motor. |
| US08646901B2 |
Single pass inkjet printing method
A single pass inkjet printing method includes the steps of: a) providing a radiation curable inkjet ink set containing at least a first and a second radiation curable inkjet ink having a dynamic surface tension of no more than 30 mN/m measured by maximum bubble pressure tensiometry at a surface age of 50 ms and at 25° C.; b) jetting a first radiation curable inkjet ink on an ink-jet ink-receiver moving at a printing speed of at least 35 m/min.; c) at least partially curing the first inkjet ink on the ink receiver within the range of 40 to 500 ms after the first inkjet ink landed on the ink receiver; d) jetting a second radiation curable inkjet ink on the at least partially cured first inkjet ink; and e) at least partially curing the second inkjet ink within the range of 40 to 500 ms after the second inkjet ink landed on the first inkjet ink. |
| US08646897B2 |
Image forming method
Provided is a method for forming an image using an ink-jet recording method which forms the image with a single pass printing method employing an ink comprising water in an amount of 20 to 90 weight % based on the total weight of the ink, a pigment and a water soluble resin containing an acidic group which is neutralized with ammonia or an amine compound, the method containing the steps of: applying a processing solution on a coated paper for printing; and ejecting droplets of the ink on the coated paper for printing, wherein the processing solution is capable of aggregating an ingredient of the ink or increasing a viscosity of the ink, and the coated paper for printing is heated from 40 to 60° C. during the step of ejecting the droplets of the ink. |
| US08646892B2 |
Solid ink stick delivery apparatus using a lead screw drive
A solid ink stick delivery apparatus uses a rotating member mounted within a plurality of hollow sleeves to transport solid ink sticks to a melting device. The interior surface of the hollow sleeves are configured with a surface that frictionally engages the rotating member, but enables the member to slip past the interior surface when the hollow sleeve is stopped from proceeding along the length of the member. |
| US08646889B2 |
Cartridge and printing device
A liquid container is adapted to be used in a printing apparatus having a mounting section provided with a lever. The liquid container includes a front surface disposed on a front side in an insertion direction to the mounting section, a rear surface facing the front surface, and an upper surface intersecting with the front surface and the rear surface. The upper surface includes a concave section configured and arranged to allow a regulating section of the lever to be inserted in the concave section when the liquid container is used in the printing apparatus. The concave section serves as a handle. |
| US08646886B2 |
Ink cartridge and an imaging apparatus
An ink cartridge attachable to and detachable from an imaging apparatus, and including an ink accommodating unit; and a cartridge casing having an opening, whereby the ink accommodating unit includes: an ink accommodating body; and an ink supplying portion including a nozzle insertion path and connected to the ink accommodating body, whereby the ink supplying portion is held by the cartridge casing so that the ink supplying portion is rotatable between a position where the nozzle insertion path faces the opening and a position where the nozzle insertion path faces an inner wall surface of the cartridge casing, and when the ink cartridge is attached to the imaging apparatus the ink supplying portion is rotated to direct the nozzle insertion path toward the opening, and when the ink cartridge is detached the ink supplying portion is rotated to direct the nozzle insertion path toward the inner wall surface. |
| US08646884B2 |
Liquid supply apparatus and image recording apparatus
A liquid supply apparatus configured to supply a liquid, including: a liquid container to store the liquid; an installing section which is formed with an opening and to which the liquid container is installable; and an urging member which urges the liquid container installed to the installing section toward the opening, and the installing section comprises a guide section extending from the opening in an insertion direction of the liquid container from the opening, a stopper which protrudes from the guide section in a direction perpendicular to an removal direction of the liquid container from the installing section; the liquid container comprises an guide objective section guided by the guide section, and a protrusion formed on the guide objective section and which abuts against the stopper to move the liquid container in the direction perpendicular to the removal direction when the liquid container is moved in the removal direction. |
| US08646876B2 |
Stream printing method
A printing method includes providing a print head. The print head includes a valve and at least one orifice. Fluid is ejected from the orifice in a generally continuous stream. The fluid includes a conductive material. The fluid is deposited in a pattern on a substrate to form an electrically conductive deposit. At least a portion of the pattern includes a generally straight line. |
| US08646871B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a recording head having an array of nozzles disposed in a surface of the recording head to eject liquid droplets vertically upward to form an image on a recording medium conveyed above the recording head, a suction cap to cover the surface of the recording head from above, and a waste liquid receiver provided to a periphery of the recording head to receive liquid streaming down the periphery of the recording head upon removal of the suction cap from the surface of the recording head. |
| US08646868B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus and density adjustment method thereof
An adjustment drop number setting section 335 sets a number of adjustment drops with which a change in print density in an image occurs remarkably when an ink drop amount of one ink drop is changed for each kind of a print medium (print sheet) input from an operation panel 340 or sets uniformly regardless of the kind of print medium. When a density difference that requires adjustment is recognized visually between images by two neighboring ink heads on a density measurement chart printed by a chart printing execution section 333c, the ink drop amount of one drop in the set number of adjustment drops is adjusted by adjusting a drive voltage of the ink head of a head unit 110 according to an input from the operation panel 340. |
| US08646867B2 |
Liquid-discharging device, inspection method of liquid-discharging device, and program
A first discharge inspection part is configured to inspect and judge a first target nozzle regarding whether or not the first target nozzle discharges the liquid, and is configured to again inspect the first target nozzle if noise is detected. A second discharge inspection part is configured to inspect and judge a second target nozzle regarding whether or not the second target nozzle discharges the liquid, and is configured to again inspect the second target nozzle if noise is detected. The first discharge inspection part and the second discharge inspection part inspect the first target nozzle and the second target nozzle in parallel. The first target nozzle and the second target nozzle shift, if the first target nozzle has been judged, regardless of or not the noise is detected during the first target nozzle being again inspected. |
| US08646866B2 |
Recording apparatus, recording method, program, and computer system
A recording apparatus can be prevented from becoming dirty, for example, due to incorrectly loading a recording medium. If a width of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is shorter than a width, in the direction that intersects the carrying direction of the recording medium, over which the recording information is to be recorded, then a portion of the recording information, of the entire recording information, corresponding to the width, or to less than the width, of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is recorded onto the recording medium by the recording head. A notice is made when the width of the recording medium that has been detected by the detection means is different from a width of the size of the recording medium that has been set with the setting means. The ON/OFF of an operation through which the detection means detects the width of the recording medium is settable. |
| US08646865B2 |
Printing apparatus, and computer readable storage media for storing printing instructions
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit printing an image on a print sheet with a print agent; a discharging unit; a conveying unit including a conveying path; a measuring unit provided on the conveying path of the conveying unit to measure each colored area formed by the printing unit that deposits the print agent on the print sheet from at least one of a first face and a second face; and a conveyance control unit performing a first conveying process in which the colored area passes through a measurement point after a certain time from the formation of the colored area in the measurement of the colored area and a second conveying process in which the colored area passes through the measurement point before the certain time from the formation of the colored area in non-measurement of the colored area. |
| US08646864B2 |
Wide format printer with input roller and movable media engagement output for simultaneously engaging media
A wide format printer that has a drive roller configured to engage and push media into a print zone and a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media and pull the media while the drive roller remains engaged with the media wherein the print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. |
| US08646858B2 |
Printer for groups of products supported on a table structure
A printer (10) for groups of products (101) supported on a table structure (100) comprising at least one opening (11) for supplying the tables (100) and a plane (14) for advancing a single table (100) towards a printing head (15), in which the printing head (15) is mobile only in a direction parallel to the advancing plane (14) and that, at the printing head (15), means are provided for moving the table (100) with respect to the printing head (15) mobile between a first position, in which the table (100) is at a distal position with respect to the printing head (15), and a second position in which the table (100) is at a proximal position with respect to the printing head (15), in the second position the table (100) being at contact with an abutment (41) arranged at a predetermined distance with respect to the printing head (15). |
| US08646853B2 |
Train braking device
To provide a train braking device including a controller that controls a brake cylinder pressure acting on a brake cylinder based on a service brake command or an emergency brake command, the train braking device includes a supply valve for supplying compressed air to the brake cylinder and an exhaust valve for adjusting a pressure of the supplied compressed air. The controller includes an electromagnetic-valve drive circuit, which includes a first switch circuit that a first switch for slide control is connected in parallel to ends of a serially connected circuit of a first switch for emergency brake and a first switch for service brake control with its one end being connected to a circuit power supply and the other end being connected to the supply valve, and a second switch circuit that a second switch for slide control is connected in parallel to ends of a serially connected circuit of a second switch for emergency brake and a second switch for service brake control with its one end being connected to the first switch circuit and the other end being connected to the exhaust valve. |
| US08646844B2 |
Seat width adjustment mechanism
A seat width adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment element and a second adjustment element, and an actuator for adjusting the distance between the two adjustment elements. A guiding element is connected to each of the adjustment elements. A piece of material extends over and between the two adjustment elements and is held under tension so that the guiding elements slide under the material to change the amount of seat forming material by changing the distance between the two adjustment elements. |
| US08646837B2 |
Seat with a seat element, seat arrangement and method for monitoring a seat
An aircraft passenger seat has at least one seat element characterized by at least one monitoring apparatus for monitoring the seat element. The seat arrangement has a plurality of seats, wherein at least one seat includes at least one sensor module for monitoring a seat element and a control unit for checking and controlling the monitoring, wherein the at least one sensor module is in a data exchange relationship with the control unit. |
| US08646832B2 |
Front structure for vehicle
A lower wall portion of a bracket is attached to a motor compartment cross member via a charger. The bracket has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration when viewed from a side of the vehicle, and includes a vertical wall portion which is bent from a vehicle-rear side end of the lower wall portion and extends toward the top of the vehicle. A DC/DC converter is attached to an upper portion of the vertical wall portion of the bracket. The DC/DC converter is located in such a position that an upper portion of the DC/DC converter overlaps with a cowling when viewed from a front of the vehicle. |
| US08646827B2 |
Vehicle interior assembly
A vehicle interior assembly includes a vehicle interior part and a trim panel. The vehicle interior part includes at least two mounting sections defining at least two mounting openings extending therethrough. The trim panel includes at least two projections extending through the at least two mounting openings of the vehicle interior part from a backside surface of the trim panel, respectively, one of the projections having an attachment portion that retains the trim panel on the vehicle interior part in an installed position. One of the projections includes a restricting portion spaced from the mounting section of the vehicle interior part by a first prescribed deployment distance with the trim panel in the installed position. The restricting portion is configured to contact a corresponding one of the mounting sections of the vehicle interior part and retain the trim panel from being completely detached from the vehicle interior part. |
| US08646825B2 |
Overhead console with storage unit insert
The present disclosure provides an overhead console for a motor vehicle that can firmly hold, store and allow viewing of a portable electronic device. The overhead console can include a sunglass storage bin that is pivotally attached to an overhead console storage structure, the sunglass storage bin having a closed position and an open position. The console can also include a storage unit insert that is attached to and located at least partially within the sunglass storage bin. The storage unit insert can be dimensioned to hold a portable electronic device within the sunglass storage bin and allow the device to be stored out of view when the sunglass storage bin is in the closed position and allow viewing of the electronic device when the sunglass storage bin is in the open position. |
| US08646824B2 |
Automobile trim element including a holder for a portable electronic device
A trim element is provided. The trim element includes an upper surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, a holder is arranged on the upper surface and a flap. The flap is rotatably movable around an axis (A) of rotation between a retracted position, in which the flap extends substantially parallel to the upper surface, and an upright position, in which the flap forms a non-zero angle with the upper surface. The flap includes a front edge and a rear edge. The axis of rotation (A) of the flap extends near the rear edge of the flap. The flap pivots towards the rear edge of the upper surface between its retracted position and its upright position. A motor vehicle dashboard is also provided. |
| US08646823B2 |
Cover features for vehicle-mounted devices
A cover assembly is provided for a vehicle-mounted device having an alignment feature on a face of the device. The cover assembly includes a rod portion, a securing arrangement coupled to the rod portion to secure the cover assembly to the device, and a cover portion coupled to the rod portion and configured to cover the alignment feature on the face of the device. |
| US08646822B2 |
Apparatus and method for manipulating the wire-ends of wires
An apparatus and method for insertion of wire-ends into connector housings includes a wire gripper with two wire-end gripping jaws. The wire gripper has a slider apparatus with a guide element and a slider coupled to the first gripping jaw wherein the first gripping jaw and the slider are borne displaceably relative to the second gripping jaw along the guide element. A pressured actuator acts through a movement converter on the wire gripper to initiate a coarse movement of the first gripping jaw relative to the second gripping jaw and rotating movement of a motor is converted by the movement converter into a fine movement of the first gripping jaw relative to the second gripping jaw. |
| US08646819B2 |
Rotary-handle latch
A latch includes a base, a drive shaft and cam, and a handle attached pivotally to the drive shaft. The handle is moveable between a closed position, a pop-up position, and an open position. A slide plate is attached slidably to the base and engaged with the cam. A swivel arm is attached pivotally to the base and the slide plate. A bolt assembly is attached to the swivel arm, and a plunger is mounted within the base. In its closed position, the handle engages the plunger to engage a switch and the bolt assembly engages a structure. In the handle's pop-up position, the plunger moves to a retracted position and disengages the switch. When the handle is moved to the open position, the drive shaft and cam are rotated so that the slide plate slides and the swivel arm pivots to swing the bolt assembly away from the structure. |
| US08646815B2 |
Gate latch
A gate latch system including a button assembly, a latch assembly, and a keeper assembly. The gate latch assembly can be opened from the side of the gate opposite the latch through the use of a spindle extending from a button assembly on one side of the gate to a latch assembly located on the opposite side of the gate and which includes a latch retention member. The latch assembly and button assembly are configured so that the spindle extends from the button assembly to the latch assembly through the gate opening such that there is no need to make a hole through the gate and/or covering to accommodate the spindle. |
| US08646814B2 |
Coupling gaskets and associated methods
Coupling devices for joining pipe ends include annular gaskets. Example gaskets include pipe interface profiles for sealing performance and manufacturability. |
| US08646812B2 |
Connector assembly
A connector assembly has a hollow first connector and a hollow second connector. The first connector has an engaging block. The second connector has an opened connecting end, a guiding groove, a resilient tab cavity, an escaping segment and a resilient tab. The resilient tab cavity is defined in the second connector at a side of the guiding groove opposite to the connecting end and communicates with the guiding groove. The escaping segment is formed on and protrudes from an outer surface of the second connector at a position between the guiding groove and the connecting end of the second connector and is hollow to define an escaping space communicating with the guiding groove. The resilient tab is formed on and protrudes from an inner surface of the resilient tab space and has a free end extending into the guiding groove. |
| US08646799B2 |
Hitch guide assembly with displaceable guide member
Hitch guide assemblies having a displaceable guide member are described. In certain embodiments, the hitch guide assembly comprises a guide a guide member and a guide mechanism that is adapted to displace the guide member upon the application of an external force to at least a portion of the guide mechanism. |
| US08646798B2 |
Drawn agricultural machine
A drawn agricultural machine comprising a carrier frame for carrying processing members, the carrier frame supportable on the ground, at least during transport, by means of a wheel set comprising at least a wheel, a coupling frame for coupling the agricultural machine 1 to the three-point suspension of a tractor, the coupling frame comprising two lower coupling points and an upper coupling point and the coupling frame being rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the carrier frame. The machine also comprises a drawing element for exerting a force on the coupling frame, wherein the coupling frame, the carrier frame and the drawing element are interconnected in such a manner that a downward force component is exerted on the lower coupling points when the drawing element exerts a force on the coupling frame. |
| US08646797B2 |
Rear suspension system for bicycles
A rear suspension system for bicycles, such as freeride, downhill and trail-style mountain bikes. The suspension system includes a rear suspension for coupling the rear wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle frame, a rear shock absorber disposed entirely in front of the seat tube of the frame and a linkage for operatively coupling the rear suspension to the rear shock absorber. The linkage intersects the longitudinal axis of the seat tube for transmitting rear suspension forces around the seat tube to the rear shock absorber. The seat tube is preferably continuous and is disposed so that the bicycle seat is adjustable over a full range of seat positions. Additionally, the seat tube and rear suspension system are configured so that the rear wheel and rear suspension will not contact the seat tube, seat, or bicycle rider even when the rear suspension system is in a fully compressed, forward position. |
| US08646794B2 |
Three-wheeled motorized vehicle
A three-wheeled motorized vehicle with a reverse trike or tadpole configuration is described. The vehicle includes a rear frame coupled to a single rear wheel and a front frame that is operatively coupled to a pair of front wheels mounted on opposite sides of the front frame. The rear frame is pivotably coupled to the front frame by a first coupling located along a top portion of the front frame and a second coupling located along a bottom portion of the front frame. The first coupling is located forward of the second coupling to provide a negative rake angle. Handlebars affixed to the front frame pivot the front frame, an engine mounted therein, and the front wheels about the first and second couplings. The location of the first and second couplings also causes the rear frame to lean out of a vertical plane when the front frame is pivoted. |
| US08646790B2 |
Sub-frame intrusion control by ramping during frontal impact for electric vehicle battery protection
A frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and at least one ramp connected to the pair of side frame under-members for directing rearward sliding movement of the rear sub-frame and attached structures downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface engages a steering gear to improve energy absorption during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attached to the pair of side frame under-members defines a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame providing an energy absorption path before releasing the rear sub-frame to slide past. A tether is connected between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for holding the rear sub-frame against the ramp to increase energy absorption. |
| US08646785B2 |
Mobile storage unit
A mobile storage unit is disclosed. The mobile storage unit includes a rigid exo-skeletal frame and a flexible storage bag that couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame while within an open storage region framed by the exo-skeletal frame. The mobile storage unit also includes a top seat portion and stabilizing features that extend and retract from the rigid exo-skeletal frame to support the mobile storage unit in the upright position. The mobile storage unit can also include a monitoring device for transmitting signals that are used to determine the location of the mobile storage unit. |
| US08646784B2 |
Ice skate blades and method for improving performances thereof
A method and a system for improving performances of an ice skate blade on ice, comprising selecting a substrate for the blade and controlling wettability of the surface of the substrate, by selecting a surface finish for the surface of the substrate and depositing a thin film coating on the surface of the substrate. The method allows autolubrication of the ice skate blade. The autolubricating ice skating blade comprises a substrate and a thin film coating deposited on the substrate, the substrate having a first friction coefficient on ice, and the blade having a second friction coefficient on ice, the second friction coefficient being decreased compared to the first friction coefficient. |
| US08646783B2 |
Flat gasket
In order to provide a flat gasket comprising at least one gasket sheet, which comprises at least one through-opening and at least one sealing bead, which extends around the through-opening and is delimited at the side facing the through-opening by an inner bead foot, and at the side remote from the through-opening by an outer bead foot, and at least one deformation-limiting device, which comprises at least one stopper element disposed on a stopper-supporting surface of the gasket sheet, in which flat gasket the effective stopper height of the stopper element may easily be set to a value that differs from the thickness of the stopper element, the stopper-supporting surface is shifted in a direction extending at right angles to the stopper-supporting surface by an offset. |
| US08646782B2 |
Sealing arrangement and radial shaft seal made therefrom
A sealing arrangement, comprising a shaft (1) to be sealed, which is enclosed by a radial shaft seal (2), wherein the radial shaft seal (2) comprises two sealing lips (7, 8) for mutually sealing two spaces (5, 6) to be sealed and filled with a medium (3, 4) to be sealed, said sealing lips being disposed axially adjacent to each other at a distance from each other and delimiting a lubricant reservoir (18) with the shaft (1) to be sealed, wherein the first sealing lip (7) is axially curved in the direction of the first space (5) to be sealed in order to seal the first medium (3) to be sealed, and wherein the second sealing lip (8) is axially curved in the direction of the second space (6) to be sealed in order to seal the second medium (4) to be sealed, wherein both sealing lips (7, 8) each have at least one sealing rib (9, 10), which are delimited by mutually intersecting conical surfaces (11, 12; 13, 14), wherein on both sealing ribs (9, 10) the first conical surface (11, 13) facing the first space (5) to be sealed together with the surface (15) of the shaft (1) to be sealed encloses an angle (16, 17) that is larger than the second conical surface (12, 14) facing the second space (6) to be sealed. |
| US08646781B2 |
Heat-assisted hermetic spring seal
A hermetic seal includes a spring seal compressed with a limited sealing force between sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces surround a gas-filled cavity that houses heat sensitive components. The hermetic seal includes a film that joins the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The film includes a material that is softenable by heat to hermetically seal the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The hermetic seal includes an externally accessible surface for selectively application of the heat to the film, without overheating the heat sensitive components. |
| US08646775B2 |
Sheet detecting apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet detecting apparatus includes a turning portion, a sensor outputting a detection signal in response to turning of the turning portion to the detecting position, a first sliding contact portion sliding in contact with the protruded portion so as to move relatively to the protruded portion in an axial direction of the turning portion when the turning portion returns from the detecting position to the home position, and a second sliding contact portion sliding in contact with the protruded portion so as to move relatively to the protruded portion in the axial direction of the turning portion when the turning portion turns from the home position to the detecting position. |
| US08646774B2 |
Sheet transport device having guide member, and image forming apparatus including the same
A sheet transport device includes a registration section, a first sheet transport path and a second sheet transport path the two transport directions of which are substantially perpendicular to the sheet transport direction of the registration section, a confluence transport path, and a first guide member. The confluence transport path merges the first sheet transport path and the second sheet transport path. The first guide member may rotate toward the first sheet transport path when the sheet is fed from the first sheet transport path to the confluence transport path. The first guide member may rotate toward the second sheet transport path when the sheet is fed from the second sheet transport path to the confluence transport path. |
| US08646772B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming system
A sheet feeder is disclosed for feeding sheets from a stack by one sheet in a sheet feeding direction, the one sheet being an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack. The sheet feeder includes: a sheet stacker for accommodating the sheet stack therein; a side fence to regulate side ends of the sheets and movable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction; a slide shaft arranged in the side fence and extending in a vertical direction; a link member that swings as the side fence moves, a first end of the link member configured to be slidable along the slide shaft, and a second end of the link member configured to be pivotable about a pivot point, which is arranged on a side wall of the sheet stacker at a position lower than the first end; and a swing stopper unit that stops swing of the link member. |
| US08646769B2 |
Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, program, and storage medium
A printing apparatus performs printing with the use of sheets of paper set in any of a plurality of paper-feeding units. The print apparatus is controlled by a method including: determining whether the amount of sheets of paper remaining in a first paper-feeding unit has reached a predetermined amount; and if so switching from the first paper-feeding unit to a second paper-feeding unit. If it is determined that the amount of sheets of paper that remain in the first paper-feeding unit has reached the predetermined amount, control is performed so that the paper-feeding unit that is used for printing should be changed after the ejection of the last one of a plurality of sheets of paper that are included in one set thereof set in the first paper-feeding unit. |
| US08646762B2 |
Extension spring installation mechanism
A spring installation mechanism includes a bracket fixed against displacement, a spring that extends along an axis and includes first and second ends, the second end being fixed against displacement, a retainer secured to the first end and including helical threads, and a screw including a shank having helical threads engaged with the threads of the retainer, axial displacement of the screw toward the retainer limited by contact with the bracket, said contact permitting rotary displacement of the screw relative to the retainer and the spring. |
| US08646760B2 |
Chassis mounting system
An assembly includes a chassis coupled to a mounting surface via a mounting system. The mounting system includes a bolt, a dashpot, and a spring. The dashpot and the spring are configured to reduce vibration forces transferred from the mounting surface to the chassis. Techniques for forming the assembly are also described. |
| US08646759B2 |
Microbubble therapy method and generating apparatus
A micro bubble generating system includes a shell having a well for retaining a first liquid to immerse an object. A micro bubble apparatus is provide to the shell for providing a pressurized mixture of a second liquid and a dissolved gas into the well so as to create a plurality of micro bubbles within the first liquid for engaging the object. One method of using micro bubbles includes providing a fluid mixture, including a saturated gas, to a fluid chamber connected a fitting; and producing a plurality of micro bubbles into a fluid. Another method of using micro bubbles includes providing a fluid mixture, including a saturated gas, into an air entrapment chamber; and producing a plurality of micro bubbles into a fluid. |
| US08646753B2 |
System for transporting shipping containers
A system for transporting shipping containers using a tractor with a first support assembly attached to its fifth wheel, and a wheeled, second support assembly. Both the front and rear assemblies include cargo-container-engaging vertical frames that are raised and lowered by pivoting main cylinders. As the main cylinders raise the vertical frames and the container to which the vertical frames are secured to, two locking arms telescope with the vertical arm to hold the raised container in position. The second support assembly may be self-propelled for maneuvering into position with respect to the container or may be manually pulling short distances with by hand. |
| US08646747B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with optical lift mechanism
An apparatus includes a light foil device configured to move based on radiation pressure associated with light received by the light foil device. The apparatus includes a mechanism configured to transition between operational states in response to the movement of the light foil device, or includes a valve configured to control a flow of material through a conduit based, at least in part, on the movement of the light foil device. |
| US08646746B2 |
Concrete form brace having article securing mechanism
A brace for concrete forms employing first and second form elements includes at least one attachment member adapted and constructed to secure the brace to at least one of the form elements. A span member is connected to the at least one attachment member, and has a length sufficient to hold the first and second form elements apart. At least one article securing mechanism secures the article associated with the concrete form to the brace. |
| US08646739B2 |
Mount for personal electronic device
A mount assembly for a personal electronic device includes first and second separate mounts, each mount having a generally planar back face having a rear, wall mount surface and a forward surface. A planar front face extends parallel to the back face. A side face extends between the back face and the front face. A bottom face extends between the back face and the front face. The bottom face has an upper surface and an under surface. The back face, the front face, the side face, and the bottom face of each of the first and second mounts form a receiver having an opening disposed away from each side face, such that, when the first mount and the second mount are mounted on a wall, the opening in the first mount receiver is proximate the opening in the second mount receiver. |
| US08646738B2 |
Device for adjusting the height of an assembly without the use of tools
The invention relates to a device comprising a base plate and a support for adjusting the height of an assembly, in particular of a galley module in an aircraft, without using tools.According to the invention, two opposing wedge bodies are arranged such that they can be displaced horizontally between the base plate and the support, the oppositely directed manual displacement of the two wedge bodies, when the lock levers have been raised, causes in the “adjusting position” a raising or lowering of the support for the height adjustment. The assembly is connected to the support, for example by a conventional screw connection through the attachment hole in the support.The device according to the invention allows a user to perform a simple and rapid height adjustment of an assembly arranged thereon, thereby greatly reducing the assembly effort required for prefabricated assemblies or modules in aircraft. |
| US08646733B2 |
Universal tube clamp
A universal tube clamp, having a head portion with an aperture formed therein with set screws to retain another object thereto, and a clamping portion. The clamping portion has an outer perimeter sidewall defining an opening with knurls formed on inside walls, a generally T-shaped slot with a vertical portion that extends from a bottom of the sidewall upwardly towards the head portion with ears formed on both sides of the slot, and a horizontal slot portion that extends horizontally through the sidewall above the two ears, and a bolt which forces the two ears together to reduce a diameter of the opening. The ear that the bolt head impinges on is narrower than the threaded ear, and the vertical portion of the T-shaped slot is wider at the bottom of the sidewall than at its top where it joins the horizontal slot portion. |
| US08646731B2 |
Workpiece support assembly
A workpiece support assembly includes workpiece supporting roller assemblies each including a roller rotatably attached to an end of a swing arm. The roller assemblies are mounted to a frame forming a space between the rollers. A workpiece is positioned within the space and is supported in rolling contact by the rollers for rotation about its long axis. The space between the rollers is increased or decreased to support workpieces of various diameters by rotating the swing arms. The position of the rollers, and thus the distance therebetween are maintained or held by a swing arm lock that engages each swing arm and restrains the swing arms against rotation. |
| US08646725B2 |
Engine assembly for an aircraft the engine attachment strut of which includes a structural case forming an internal radial delimitation of the secondary flow
An engine assembly for an aircraft including a dual-flow turbomachine and an attachment strut. The turbomachine includes a structural case extending downstream of the hub of an intermediate casing, the case contributing to the internal radial delimitation of a passage for a secondary flow of the turbomachine. Also, the primary structure includes a structural case, assembled on the structural case and positioned directly downstream of the structural case such that it also contributes to the internal radial delimitation of the passage for the secondary flow. The primary structure also includes an offset structure positioned in the passage, and configured to connect the case to an element of the aircraft. The structural case also includes a thrust reversal system. |
| US08646724B2 |
System for attaching two components together, such as an aircraft engine and the mounting pylon thereof
An attaching system for attaching two components together, such as an aircraft engine and a mounting pylon, includes front trunnions and rear trunnions for supporting the aircraft engine. In this attaching system, at least two of the front or rear trunnions are vibration damping type trunnions that include a suspension assembly with an elastic element and resonant mass. The suspension assembly is shaped as a bent arm carrying the resonant mass on a free end and associated with the elastic element on another end. The vibration damping type trunnions also include a shackle attached between the engine and the suspension assembly so that the vibration damping type trunnions minimize any vibrations and efforts that would otherwise be applied to aircraft structure via the pylon. |
| US08646722B2 |
Aircraft taxiing actuator
An aircraft wheel assembly comprising a wheel and an aircraft taxiing actuator comprising, a first shaft for connection to a drive source, the first shaft defining a first axis and a second shaft for connection to the wheel to rotate the wheel, the second shaft defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, in which the first shaft and second shaft are connected in driving engagement by a ball-worm gear. |
| US08646719B2 |
Marine vessel-towable aerovehicle system with automated tow line release
An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example. |
| US08646717B2 |
Seat belt retractor
Provided is a seat belt retractor capable of having its assembly readily performed to increase assembly efficiency, simplifying shapes of components to readily manufacture the retractor and reduce manufacturing cost, and preventing a webbing from being hooked when the webbing is rewound. The seat belt retractor includes a housing constituting a main body of the seat belt retractor, a guide drum rotatably installed in the housing, a connector inserted into one side of the guide drum, a base member surrounding the connector, a gear member inserted into the base member, a cylinder for operating the gear member, a torsion bar inserted into the guide drum, a locking member fixedly inserted between the torsion bar and the guide drum, a locking clutch installed at one surface of the locking member, a mechanism cover installed at one surface of the locking clutch, and a friction spring installed in the mechanism cover to stop operation of a lock arm fixed to the locking clutch.Therefore, an operator can assemble the base member and the gear member while viewing them. In addition, the clutch rollers rotate while moving outwardly along the slant surfaces of the slant gear to rotate the connector and rewind the webbing. Thus, shock applied to a passenger is lessened. |
| US08646709B2 |
Jaw set with serrated cutting blades
A jaw set utilizes blade inserts having serrated surfaces which draw in to capture and cut material prior to the material becoming trapped in the apex of the blade arrangement, thereby maximizing efficiency of the cutting operation. The subject invention is also directed to an individual blade insert having grooves that are longitudinally offset from bolt holes used to retain the blade insert within a jaw set. |
| US08646704B2 |
Injector
An injector includes a housing, a fixed core, a movable core, a valve member, and a resilient member pressing the valve member toward a nozzle hole. An inner peripheral surface of the housing axially guides an outer peripheral surface of the movable core. The inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface define an outer clearance therebetween. The valve member includes a shaft-shaped portion and a stopper portion, which contacts the movable core and has a stopper inclined surface. An outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped portion and an inner peripheral surface of an insertion hole of the movable core define an inner clearance therebetween. The stopper inclined surface inclines radially inward of the shaft-shaped portion axially toward the nozzle hole. An axial clearance is formed between the stopper inclined surface and the movable core radially outward of a contact portion between the stopper inclined surface and the movable core. |
| US08646702B2 |
Boom fold structure
A fold structure for a boom. The boom includes an inner boom portion having an inner boom portion top surface and an outer boom portion having an outer boom portion top surface. In a working position the inner boom portion and the outer boom portion are aligned lengthwise. The fold structure includes a bracket, a first hinge coupled to the bracket and configured to be pivotally coupled to the inner boom portion, and a second hinge coupled to the bracket and configured to be pivotally coupled to the outer boom portion. The first hinge is configured to allow the outer boom portion to rotate approximately 180 degrees in a first direction placing the boom in a first folded position. The second hinge is configured to allow the outer boom portion to rotate approximately 180 degrees in a second direction placing the boom in a second folded position. |
| US08646698B2 |
Protective cover of mobile electronic product
A protective cover of a mobile electronic product capable of adding a backup battery to the exterior of the mobile electronic product, and the mobile electronic product is connected to the backup battery. In the protective cover of the mobile electronic product, a RFID module is installed for applying the mobile electronic product in a non-contact access identification device or a secured transaction device. The backup battery can supply electric power to the mobile electronic product to overcome the difficulty of accessing backup power. |
| US08646696B2 |
Chip card comprising a display
A chip card (1) comprises a chip card controller (3), a display (6), a display driver (5) operatively coupled to the chip card controller (3) and to the display (6), a user input device (12), and a user input interface (13) operatively coupled to the user input device (12). The user input device (12) is configured to turn on and/or turn off at least parts of the chip card (1) and is an integral part of the display driver (5). |
| US08646695B2 |
Combined HF and UHF RFID device
A wearable RFID device is configured with a geometry and materials that allow an HF RFID system and a UHF RFID system to operate in close proximity to a human body and to each other with minimal impact on performance. An RFID device may have a three-dimensional, multi-planar UHF antenna incorporated into a dielectric core with an HF antenna, or a single-plane UHF antenna separated from an HF antenna by a rigid spacer. A conductive metal backplane is disposed adjacent the wearable RFID device to improve antenna performance when disposed in close proximity to an absorbing body, such as a human being. |
| US08646693B2 |
Application control based on flexible electronic device conformation sequence status
A system includes, but is not limited to: obtaining and one or more coordination modules configured to direct coordinating the one or more sequences of two or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of the flexible electronic device with one or more commands. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08646690B2 |
System and method for expansion of field of view in a vision system
This invention provides a system and method for expanding the field of view of a vision system camera assembly such that the field of view is generally free of loss of normal resolution across the entire expanded field. A field of view expander includes outer mirrors that receive light from different portions of a scene. The outer mirrors direct light to tilted inner mirrors of a beam splitter that directs the light aligned with a camera axis to avoid image distortion. The inner mirrors each direct the light from each outer mirror into a strip on the sensor, and the system searches features. The adjacent fields of view include overlap regions sized and arranged to ensure a centralized feature appears fully in at least one strip. Alternatively, a moving mirror changes position between acquired image frames so that a full width of the scene is imaged in successive frames. |
| US08646688B2 |
Security element with spatially resolved magnetic coding, method and device for the production of the same and its use
A security element or film materials for data carriers, valuable documents, packing and the like. The security element includes a magnetic coding that is produced in situ. The invention also relates to a method and a device for producing the magnetic coding in situ. |
| US08646680B2 |
Sheet and folding method for self-latching clamshell folded box
Suitably configured sheets of material and related folding methods provide self-latching clamshell folded boxes that may be used, for example, to securely package consumer goods such as shoes or other clothing items. |
| US08646672B2 |
Nail positioning member of nail slot of nail gun
A nail positioning member of a nail slot of a nail gun includes a magazine including a horizontal nail slot connected with a perforation for nailing; a nail pushing piece slidably assembled to the nail slot; a plurality of horizontal slot channels parallel to the nail slot; and a plurality of positioning pieces, respectively pivotally assembled to the slot channels to block the head of the nails. The positioning piece forms a protruding portion in a movement path of the nail pushing piece, to be pushed by the nail pushing piece and to drive the positioning piece to oscillate in the direction of the slot channel in order to open the nail slot for placing the nails. |
| US08646671B2 |
Combustion chamber and cooling system for fastener-driving tools
A new and improved combustion chamber and cooling system for a fastener-driving tool wherein a new and improved tangentially oriented, vortex induced fuel-injection system is operatively associated with the tool's combustion chamber. In addition, a new and improved trigger-controlled valve actuating system, such as, for example, a switch-operated, solenoid-actuated valve-controlling system, is incorporated within the tool so as to ensure the rapid operation of the intake and outlet valve structures. Still further, a sealed, liquid evaporative or liquid recirculating cooling system is integrally incorporated within the tool housing. |
| US08646670B2 |
Glovebox cover for a motorcycle
A lockable glovebox cover unit is configured for mating engagement with a frame mounted on a motorcycle. The unit includes a rigid cover element presenting a front and back. Portions of the back extend outward. A locking apparatus is received through the cover and includes a rotatable latch on the back of the cover element. When the latch is placed in the locked position access to the interior of the glovebox is not possible. A keyhole is formed on the front of the cover element for access to the interior of the glovebox. Additionally, the cover unit may also be removed from the frame when unlocked. The cover element is preferably made of a synthetic resin. In particularly preferred embodiments the cover unit includes a metal flange affixed to lower portions on the back of the cover. The flange is adapted for mating, gripping engagement to the frame. |
| US08646668B2 |
Storage container for a vehicle
A storage container for a vehicle is provided and includes a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the outer wall together define a storage compartment. The storage container is configured to be removably secured to a rack of a vehicle. |
| US08646665B2 |
Self-loading holster for semi-automatic or automatic pistols
A pistol holster is disclosed that permits a pistol to be loaded while within the holster. To effect this, the holster body containing the lower portion of a pistol, slides downward relative to a slide bar component that holds the breach block of the pistol, allowing a live round of ammunition to be loaded into the pistol's firing chamber with a single hand action, to make the pistol ready for firing. The holster also contains one or more locks to prevent unintentional removal of the pistol from the holster. |
| US08646664B2 |
Method and device for the metered removal of a fine to coarse-grained solid matter or solid matter mixture from a storage container
The invention relates to a method and a device for the metered removal of a fine to coarse-grained solid matter or a solid matter mixture from a storage container, comprising a device for forming a fluidized bed in the discharge region or in a metering chamber of the metering container, wherein fluidization that is as optimal as possible is to be created in the lower region of such a receiving or metering container while avoiding any additional systems, mechanical elements, or extensive installations. This is achieved according to the method in that a gas is additionally introduced in the region of the metering chamber bottom for forming a fluidized bed that loosens the solid matter, and a gas is introduced via swirl nozzles for bringing about the rotation of the fluidized bed. |
| US08646663B2 |
Fluid container closure mechanism with detachable valve assembly
A fluid container is disclosed. The container includes an enclosure for containing liquid and a first closure member. The first closure member is in the form of a fluid discharge assembly which includes a selectively removable valve body mounted for movement between an open position to permit flow of liquid from the enclosure and a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through the fluid discharge assembly. In addition, the closure includes a cap member mountable to a container, and the cap member defines a product outlet passage. The valve body is disposed for movement within the outlet passage between an open position to permit flow of product through the passage from said container and a closed position to prevent flow of product through the passage. The valve body is selectively removable from the outlet passage. |
| US08646659B2 |
Dispensing container for dispensing predetermined amounts of product
A vessel having a dispensing closure; a container engaged with the dispensing closure and having a pair of opposed walls defining a bore for receiving the product and having a relaxed state, the container being repeatedly squeezable to inwardly deflect from its relaxed state to cause the opposed walls to deflect inwardly to displace some of the product from the container into the dispensing closure for dispensing one of the predetermined amounts of product and being flexible to return its relaxed state after squeezing, and a limiting member disposed within the bore for limiting inward deflection of the opposed walls during each squeezing of the container to limit the amount of product displaced from the container into the dispensing closure. The limiting member has an H-shaped cross section substantially along its length. |
| US08646658B2 |
Cosmetic receptacle
A cosmetic receptacle includes a storage container having a storage container body and a pipe-shaped neck, an inner cap having a pair of operation protrusion exposure openings, a discharge operation part for discharging cosmetics stored in the storage and having a nozzle, a nozzle opening/closing valve having a pair of opening/closing operation protrusions and a pair of press plates, an outer cap coupled to the inner cap such that the pair of opening/closing operation protrusions protruding through the operation protrusion exposure openings is pressurized in a direction in which they approach each other, a shoulder part having a support plate and a skirt part, and a concave auxiliary container having a pair of button openings. |
| US08646657B2 |
Electric caulking gun
An electric caulking gun has a body and an actuating assembly. The body has a pushing shaft, a motor, a gearbox, a transmission device, a circuit board and a switch. The gearbox has a sun gear with multiple mounting slots. The actuating assembly is mounted in the body, is connected to the switch and engages the sun gear and has a connecting arm, a linking arm, an actuating element, an oscillating arm and a pressing button. The connecting arm is pivotally connected to the switch. The linking arm is connected to the connecting arm. The actuating element is mounted in the body, selectively engages one of the mounting slots and has a wedge mount and an engaging block. The oscillating arm is connected to the body and is connected to the connecting arm. The pressing button is movably mounted in the body and is connected to the oscillating arm. |
| US08646653B2 |
Dispensing assembly and package of articles
A dispensing assembly for dispensing articles such as disposable gloves. The assembly includes a container having a plurality of panels. The panels define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container. The assembly also includes a removable section in the dispensing region. The removable section has a first portion outlining a first orifice and at least a second portion outlining a second orifice that subtends the first portion. The dispensing assembly also includes a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section and at least a second component to simultaneously remove both the first portion and at least the second portion of the removable section such that removal of the first component forms the first orifice and removal of the second component forms a second orifice into the chamber that incorporates the first orifice. |
| US08646651B2 |
Automated Braille inserter
An automated Braille inserter for inserting a Braille element into a surface including a container for containing a plurality of Braille elements; a drive pin in operative juxtaposition with respect to said container and adapted for movement along a drive axis between a receiving position and a driving position, and having a driving face for driving a Braille element from said Braille inserter; a Braille element passage operatively associated with said drive pin and providing operative passage of a Braille element from said container to a deployment position in operative alignment with said driving face of said drive pin; the drive pin being arranged in operative juxtaposition in respect of the container such that the Braille element passage is closed to receiving Braille elements from the container when the drive pin is the driving position, but may receive a predetermined number of Braille elements into said Braille element passage when the drive pin is in the receiving position. |
| US08646650B2 |
Product dispensing system
Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products. |
| US08646648B2 |
Container system
A container that may be used for retaining and dispensing matter is provided. The container includes a closure. The closure includes a top portion having an outer edge, a skirt downwardly depending from the outer edge and having an inside surface and a lower edge, and a plurality of spaced apart projections supported at the inside surface of the skirt. The projections are dimensioned such that a height of the projections in a vertical direction is greater than a width of the projection in a horizontal direction. The projections are configured to releasably engage an open end of the container for securing the closure to the container. |
| US08646646B2 |
Reinforced retortable plastic containers
A reinforced retortable plastic container includes a bottom portion and a main body portion having a plastic sidewall that is connected to the bottom portion. The main body portion has a reinforced sidewall area that includes a plurality of first sidewall portions and a plurality of second sidewall portions that are respectively interposed between the first sidewall portions. Each of the second sidewall portions is shaped to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced structures that are selected from the group consisting of indentations and projections. Each of the circumferentially spaced structures is interposed between adjacent vertical columns, and adjacent second sidewall portions are rotationally staggered with respect to each other so that the vertical columns on one second sidewall portion are not aligned with the vertical columns of an adjacent second sidewall portion. |
| US08646645B1 |
Precision pour drink shaker
A precision pour drink shaker is disclosed herein. The precision pour drink shaker includes a first means for containing one or more liquids, and a second means for measuring an amount of matter placed into the first means. In one aspect, the first means may include a shaker and the second means may include a post extending from the first means, for example, from an interior surface of a base of the first means. |
| US08646644B2 |
Dual recyclables and non-recyclable waste collection device and method therefor
A device for commercial waste collection has a first container and a second container. A lid covers the first container. A first pair of lifting sleeves is attached to side surfaces of the first container for lifting the first container. A second pair of lifting sleeves is attached to side surfaces of the second container and positioned below the first pair of lifting sleeves. A third pair of lifting sleeves is attached to the side surfaces of the first container and aligned with the second pair of lifting sleeves. The second pair of lifting sleeves and the third pair of lifting sleeves are used together to lift both the first container and the second container together. A latching mechanism is provided for preventing opening of the lid when lifting both the first container and the second container together. |
| US08646643B2 |
Reliable opening beverage can end
A can end for a beverage container has a center panel about which a circumferential strengthening member extends. The center panel has a rivet attaching a tab to a public side of the center panel. The tab has a cleat formed at a nose end. The cleat intersects a diametrical line of the can end drawn through a lift end of the tab, the nose end, and the rivet. The cleat extends downwardly towards the public side of a tear panel such that a distance from a lowermost portion of the cleat to the tear panel is less than a distance of an uppermost portion of the cleat to the tear panel. The cleat has a compressed portion of the curled portion forming a substantially V-shaped crevice on an upper surface of the tab. |
| US08646641B2 |
Storage tank for fluids
The invention relates to a tank for storing fluid. In one embodiment, a tank (10) for storing fluids is disclosed, the tank comprising a vessel (12) for receiving and storing fluid, and a reinforcing structure (14) for the vessel. The reinforcing structure is located externally of the vessel. The vessel has a generally quadrilateral shape in plan view, and a base (16) which is generally dish-shaped, with an outlet (18) located in a position which facilitates discharge of the fluid from the vessel. In providing a tank having a vessel which is generally quadrilateral shape in plan view, the tank offers benefits over prior cylindrical tanks in terms of maximizing the use of available storage space on a ship, or on a vehicle used to transport the tank. Additionally, in providing a tank having a vessel which has a base that is generally dish-shaped, the tank offers improvements over prior quadrilateral shape tanks. In particular, the tank may be cheaper and easier to construct; may be capable of supporting higher pressures; and/or makes better use of available storage space, due to the curved nature of the base. |
| US08646639B2 |
Device for unlocking swing-action side walls of boxes and/or containers
The invention relates to a device for unlocking swing-action side walls (2 to 5) which are hinged on the base (6) of boxes and/or containers (1), of which the two opposite end walls (4, 5) can be locked to the two adjacent side walls (2, 3) and unlocking takes place by virtue of a lifting movement of a bracket-like actuator (13), which interacts with a movement-deflecting means (16, 17), and wherein unlocking crosspieces (19) act on spring-tongue-like locking means (10) of the side walls (4, 5), these locking means being latched into the end walls (2, 3), and force them out of their latching seat, in which they clamp the end walls (2, 3). According to the invention, the actuator (13) is arranged in a sliding wall element (26) which can be displaced vertically parallel to the end wall (4, 5) in an upwardly open wall cutout of the end wall (4, 5), in lateral guides (25a, 25b) of the wall cutout, these guides continuing the end wall (4, 5), into a position in which it closes the wall cutout or releases the same, and wherein, during displacement movements of the sliding wall element (26), the movement-deflecting means (17, 18, 19), which interact with the ends of the actuator (13), remain in their installation position in the end wall (4, 5) laterally adjacent to the wall cutout. |
| US08646630B2 |
Bridge crane or gantry crane comprising a cable length-adjusting element fastened to the load accepting means
A bridge crane or gantry crane is provided for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between roads and railways. The crane includes a crane trolley that can be moved along a crane carrier in the direction of travel of the crane trolley, and on which a rigid mast is guided that extends in a raising and lowering direction. The mast can be moved in the raising and lowering direction using at least one lifting gear and cables, the lifting gear being disposed on the crane trolley. A load accepting means for standard cargo holders is rigidly fastened to the lower end of the mast. At least two cables are provided which are in contact with opposite ends of a double arm that is mounted on the load accepting means about a substantially horizontal swivel pin. |
| US08646629B2 |
Crane jib construction comprising biased tensile elements
A jib part (10) for a crane, in particular a mobile crane, a includes an inner shaping shell (15), tensile elements (11) within hollow profiles (12) and a sheathing, made from a layer of transverse fibers (13) covered by a protective or slide layer (14). The tensile elements (11) are biased and fitted with sensors and/or actuators. |
| US08646617B2 |
Reverse osmosis membrane having good antifouling properties and method of manufacturing the same
A reverse osmosis membrane includes a porous support, a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support, and a coating layer including a copolymer including an amphoteric ionic compound and glycidyl (meth)acrylate. The coating layer makes a chemical bond with the polyamide active layer. A method of manufacturing the reverse osmosis membrane also is disclosed. |
| US08646616B2 |
Composite membrane with coating comprising polyalkylene oxide and imidazol compounds
Composite membranes including a coating comprising a combination of polyalkylene oxide and imidazol compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an imidazol compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more imidazol functional groups. |
| US08646614B2 |
Classifying kits
Classifying kits useful in separating gold, other precious metals, gems, collectable rocks, fossils, and archaeological artifacts from earth material. Classifying sieves and other parts of the classifying kits herein are configured to be used within a bucket and can readily be removable therefrom. Depending on the parts used and the goals of a user, the kits herein can be used with dry sifting methods or with water. |
| US08646612B2 |
Method of forming metal oxide nano-powders
Monodisperse metal oxide nanopowders are prepared by treating a dispersion of crude metal oxide nanopowder with ultrasonication, allowing the dispersion to settle, and subjecting the remaining suspended portion to centrifugation to obtain a supernatant comprising metal oxide nanopowder. |
| US08646610B2 |
Personalized cover for electronic devices
Kits, components, and methods for personalizing covers for electronic devices are provided. Device-specific cases are dimensioned and configured to releasably affix to specific devices and to define substrate spaces when affixed to the devices. Device-specific templates are provided with the cases. The templates aid in appropriately shaping user-desired image substrates to fit between the cases and the devices when the devices are affixed to the cases. The templates include specifically placed apertures so that any substrates generated therewith do not occlude or disrupt the functionality of any functional component on the devices when the substrates are interposed between the cases and devices. Instructions for using the templates to generate appropriately configured substrates for use with the cases and devices are included. |
| US08646609B1 |
Oil collection tray
An oil collection tray includes a flange and a tray body which is inclined inward. The tray body has an inner wall which is inclined inward. The tray body has a plurality of spaced vertical recesses formed on an outer wall thereof and a plurality of protruding ribs formed on the inner wall thereof corresponding in position to the vertical recesses. When a number of oil collection trays are piled up, the tray body of the upper oil collection tray is placed into the tray body of the lower oil collection tray. The tray body of the upper oil collection tray extrudes the air O inside the tray body of the lower oil collection tray. |
| US08646599B2 |
Transport safety device for a nail roll
A transport safety device (8) for a nail coil or roll (7), the roll consisting of nails (1), comprising head (2) and shank (3), which, by connecting means (5), are connected to one another longitudinal side (4) by longitudinal side, with the heads oriented in one and the same direction, so as to form an elongate band (6) rolled up into roll form, in which form the heads in one winding turn partly cover the heads in the immediately external turn, intended to be fitted to a nail driver tool (20), where the transport safety device displays a ring (9) which surrounds the outermost turn of the nail roll in the region below the nail heads (2), in which the surrounding ring (9) consists of a configurationally stable material which displays means (10) which extend in towards the center (11) of the roll closely adjacent the upper side (12) of the nail heads. |
| US08646598B2 |
Individually wrapped rolling papers
A rolling paper and packaging combination that individually seals each rolling paper substrate within its own individual, moisture resistant compartment. The moisture resistant compartments are fabricated by bonding a first wrapper and a second wrapper along each longitudinal edge and each transverse edge. The wrappers are fabricated of a moisture impervious material. A series of rolling paper substrates can be spatially arranged along a length of the wrappers, wherein the wrappers would be transversely bonded between adjacent edges of adjacently located substrates. The intermediary bonds can be perforated to aid in separation of one compartment from the series of compartments. The individual packaging extends the useful life of packaged rolling papers, particularly for rolling papers fabricated of moisture sensitive materials such as homogenized paper, and the like. |
| US08646597B2 |
Gas storage canister with compartment structure
A gas storage canister includes a canister body, at least one supporting plate, at least one gas-guiding rod, and at least one compartment structure. The canister body has a bottom end, an outlet opposed to the bottom end, and an inner space. The bottom end and the outlet are arranged along a long axis direction. The supporting plate is accommodated within the inner space along the long axis direction. The supporting plate has at least one communication part. The gas-guiding rod is penetrated through the communication part of the supporting plate. The gas-guiding rod has at least one gas inlet/outlet end for guiding a gas. The compartment structure includes a plurality of compartments. The compartment structure and the supporting plate are accommodated within the inner space of the canister body. Each of the compartments stores a predetermined amount of gas storage material. |
| US08646595B2 |
Snap-on conveyor belt rollers
Snap-on rollers for a conveyor belt. The snap-on roller may be snapped onto an axle or into a cavity of a conveyor belt module. Multi-piece snap-on rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle. |
| US08646591B2 |
Apparatus for handling capsules and capsule processing equipment including such an apparatus
The invention relates to an apparatus for handling capsules in a capsule processing equipment. The invention also relates to capsule processing equipment, such as an inspection equipment or a capsule printing equipment that includes such an apparatus. |
| US08646589B2 |
Mechanism for controlling a transmission component
A transmission latching mechanism includes a component of a transmission gearset, a member secured to and able to rotate with the component, and a piston fixed against rotation and moveable alternately to latch the mechanism, thereby holding the member against rotation and to unlatch the mechanism, thereby releasing the member to rotate. |
| US08646588B2 |
Locking and securing device for a working area of a machine
A locking device for flaps or doors. A door or flap lock serves as a protection against collisions of objects or persons with moving or rotating machine parts, with the possibility of unlocking the door or flap lock by manual operation. A movable bolt is manually operable via a lever, handle, or knob. The bolt includes several engagement elements for interlocking with a housing- or frame-anchored receiving element. The interlocking engagement and receiving elements make it necessary at least on opening the flap or door to repeatedly operate the lever, handle, or knob in at least two opposite directions of movement, pivot, or turning. |
| US08646587B2 |
Strut for a controllable one-way clutch
A strut for a controllable one-way clutch wherein a projecting leg portion on the strut provides an attachment location for a free end of a rod which reciprocates. The strut includes a member-engaging first end surface. The strut further includes a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface. The strut still further includes a main body portion between the end surfaces. The projecting leg portion extends from the main body portion. |
| US08646585B2 |
Non contact power transfer device and vehicle equipped therewith
A non contact electric power transfer device includes: a self resonant coil; an induction coil capable of transmitting and receiving electric power to and from an induction coil capable of the self resonance coil through electromagnetic induction; and a bobbin that has at least one of the self resonant coil and the induction coil attached thereto, and has an accommodation chamber defined therein and capable of accommodating a device therein. |
| US08646583B2 |
Dust boot
A bellows (2) of a dust boot (1, 30) having large diameter parts (3) and small diameter parts (4) disposed alternately covers a piston rod (R) projecting from a cylinder (C). A bump stopper (B) fixed to the cylinder (C) projects into the bellows (2) as a projecting portion. The bellows (2) comprises a first section (M) which passes a projecting end of the projecting portion according to the elongation and contraction of the piston rod (R) and a second section (L) located therebelow. By making the small diameter parts in the second section (L) have a smaller inner diameter than the small diameter part located at a boundary between the first section (M) and the second section (L), the bellows (2) can be made slim without interfering with the bump stopper (B). |
| US08646579B2 |
Circuit board coupling elevator call control to signal bus
An elevator installation has at least one terminal and at least one call control. The terminal communicates data with respect to an input floor and a destination floor to the call control by way of at least one signal bus. The call control is arranged on a first plug-in card. At least one signal-bus adapter for the signal bus is arranged on a second plug-in card. The first plug-in card and the second plug-in card are directly connected together to form a circuit board. |
| US08646575B1 |
Beam anchor
A beam anchor. The beam anchor includes an elongate cross-member, a lanyard attachment structure attached to the cross-member, a pair of first and second spaced apart beam capturing members attached to the cross-member. Either or both capturing members may have a locking mechanism that is cantilevered from the capturing member, and the lanyard attachment structure may have a lanyard attachment ring connector that is capable of rotating about the cross-member but that is constrained to a fixed position along the cross-member by use of a ring or partial ring structure attached to the cross-member that extends through a slot in the lanyard attachment ring connector. |
| US08646574B2 |
Acoustic skin for an aircraft nacelle acoustic panel
The invention relates to an acoustic skin (22) for an aircraft nacelle acoustic panel, said skin including a plurality of layers (105, 106) stacked with composite planar bands (102) that are each directed by the direction-defining longitudinal axis (107) thereof, the longitudinal axes (107) of the bands (102) of a single layer (105, 106) being parallel therebetween, said bands (102) of said single layer (105, 106) being spaced from each other so as to have acoustic openings within the acoustic skin. The invention relates to a panel including such a skin, to a method for manufacturing said skin, and to a drape-forming head for implementing the method. |
| US08646573B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment device
The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment device for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, more preferably of a road vehicle with a housing, in which at least one exhaust gas treatment element is arranged and mounted by means of a bearing mat and with an outlet pipe which is fluidically connected to an outlet chamber formed in the housing. The risk of a contamination of the bearing mat with water can be reduced with a separating bottom which is arranged in the housing and separates the outlet chamber from a collecting chamber. The separating bottom includes several passage openings through which the outlet chamber is fluidically connected to the collecting chamber and which are each enclosed by a collar protruding into the outlet chamber. |
| US08646572B2 |
Exhaust muffler
An exhaust muffler for silencing exhaust gases, introduced from a first side, and then discharging them to a second side opposite to the first side, includes a silencing chamber forming structure having first, second and third chambers disposed sequentially from the second side to the first side, an inlet tube to communicate the outside on the first side with the first chamber after having sequentially passed through the third and second chambers, an outlet tube to communicate the second chamber with the outside on the second side after having passed through the first chamber, a first communicating passage communicating between the first and second chambers, and a second communicating passage communicating between the second and third chambers. A peripheral wall portion of the inlet tube, positioned in the third chamber, is formed with a vent hole to communicate a space within the inlet tube with the third chamber. |
| US08646568B2 |
Electric motor assembly and electric power steering device
An electric power steering device includes an electric motor assembly. The assembly includes a case, a motor, and a control unit. The control unit controls the motor based on at least a torque signal indicative of a steering torque applied to a steering wheel by an operator. A power connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A signal connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A torque signal connector is disposed on a case portion close to the control unit to protrude toward radial outside from the case. The torque signal connector and the power connector are disposed apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the torque signal connector has a connecting portion, which is prepared to be connected with the torque signal line, formed toward the motor along the axial direction of the case. |
| US08646565B2 |
Hydraulic hybrid vehicle method of safe operation
A hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes elements such as a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and arranged to draw in low pressure fluid and pump the fluid at high pressure to an accumulator. A hydraulic motor is powered by the pressurized fluid. Safety processes are provided for detecting and addressing a number of conditions that may arise in the operation of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle, including an initialization procedure for start-up of the vehicle, a shut-down procedure, and procedures for detecting and responding to failure of the pump or motor, internal and external fluid leaks, and non-responsive actuation and mode control systems. |
| US08646564B2 |
Turbine auxiliary power unit with a fuel fired burner
A vehicle auxiliary power unit includes a turbine to provide a turbine output, a fuel-fired burner that provides a heat source for the turbine, and a heat exchanger that receives the turbine output. The heat exchanger generates a heat exchanger output to produce a predetermined output condition such as heating/cooling a cabin compartment, heating an exhaust component to a desired temperature, and/or heating an engine block, for example. |
| US08646563B2 |
Work machine with compact generator and hydraulic drive assembly
A work machine in which the engine and power output system is to be contained within a minimal volume in an engine compartment. A gear housing is mounted to and receives the output of the internal combustion engine and has side by side gears meshing with a first input gear, one of which drives a generator and the other drives an internal lubricant pump as well as an external hydraulic pump. The gears are in substantially the same plane. The output of the generator is connected via a controller to a motor which drives a transmission system for driving the wheels of the vehicle. The gear housing permits placement of additional components within the engine compartment while taking up a minimum volume. |
| US08646560B2 |
Motor having an integrated torque sensor
A motor unit comprises a housing for containing a motor, a motor shaft for receiving a motor provided driving force, a torque sensor mechanism for detecting torque, and a controller for controlling power to the motor in response to a detected amount of torque. An actuator couples the torque sensor to a sensor of the controller. The actuator is configured to move relative to the controller sensor thereby causing the sensor to produce a signal indicative of the detected level of torque. The controller is contained within the housing of the motor. The motor unit may also have an auxiliary shaft for receiving an externally provided driving force with a first torque transmission path for transferring the externally provided driving force to a drive mechanism and a second torque transmission path for transferring the motor provided driving force to said drive mechanism. A first one way drive means is provided in the first torque transmission path between the auxiliary shaft and the drive mechanism such that when the drive mechanism is being driven by the motor provided driving force through the second torque transmission path, the auxiliary shaft is able to freewheel. The motor unit can drive any apparatus, but may be used in a pedal driven apparatus such as a bicycle where an externally provided driving force is provided by manually operable pedals of said apparatus which are fixed for rotation with the auxiliary shaft. In this case, the auxiliary shaft comprises a pedal spindle of the bicycle and the drive mechanism comprises a sprocket or belt drive. |
| US08646557B2 |
Construction machine
A cab includes a floor plate that constitutes a floor surface of the cab and a frame-shaped lower frame which extends along a peripheral edge of the floor plate and which is fixed onto the floor plate. A swivel joint is arranged below the floor plate such that a part of the swivel joint overlaps with a peripheral edge of the lower frame in plan view. A floor-side projecting portion that projects upward is provided on the peripheral edge of the floor plate and a floor-side housing portion that houses the swivel joint is provided below the floor-side projecting portion. A frame-side projecting portion that projects upward is provided on the lower frame, and a frame-side housing portion that houses the floor-side projecting portion is provided below the frame-side projecting portion. |
| US08646554B2 |
Radiator core support
In a radiator core support 1 having a hood lock stay member 3, which is provided with a hood lock 14, on a radiator core support 1 of a motor vehicle, a transmission means is provided to connect between the hood 7 of a vehicle body to directly transmit load acting on the hood lock 14 from an engine hood from the hood lock stay member 3 to the side members 1. |
| US08646551B2 |
Power driven wheelchair
A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies. |
| US08646549B2 |
Drilling machine power pack which includes a clutch
A drilling machine includes a compressor coupled to a prime mover through a hydraulic clutch, wherein the hydraulic clutch is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged conditions. The compressor is allowed to provide air and is restricted from providing air in response to the hydraulic clutch being in the engaged and disengaged conditions, respectively. The hydraulic clutch is moveable between the engaged and disengaged conditions during operation of the prime mover. |
| US08646547B1 |
Chisel ice drill
A spade-type drilling tool designed for drilling holes within an ice surface for the purposes of ice fishing, comprising a spade end which is welded onto the end of a shaft. The length of the shaft is sufficient to provide an ergonomically comfortable posture for a user while drilling the fishing hole. A first side of the lower end of the spade comprises a straight knife edge, while a second opposite side is provided with a plurality of sharp cutting teeth. A sharp pointed bit, protruding beyond the lower line of the knife edge and the teeth, is located on a vertical centerline along the faces of the spade. The sharp point of the bit is intended to provide a means for punching a starter hole within the ice, and subsequently, to function as a pilot during the progressing drilling operation. The tool is provided with a circular shield, designed to slip over and clamp onto the shaft, thereby preventing water and ice particles from splashing back up onto the user. |
| US08646543B2 |
Lockout system for hydraulic valves of an agricultural implement
A farm implement has a frame that is foldable between an extended, working position and a folded, for-transport position has a hydraulic system that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to a series of actuators that raise and lower the implement. The hydraulic system is controlled by a control lever or arm that rotates a rockshaft to open and close hydraulic valves to change the flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuators. To prevent the unintentional lowering of the implement frame when the implement is in transport, a lockout arrangement engages the rockshaft to prevent rotation of the rockshaft when the frame is in the folded position. The lockout arrangement locks out the rockshaft automatically when the frame is raised to the folded position. |
| US08646538B2 |
Methods for stable sequestration of carbon dioxide in an aquifer
The methods disclosed herein relate to sequestering carbon dioxide in an aquifer by trapping the CO2 in interstitial pores of the aquifer. Trapping the CO2 in the interstitial pores of the aquifer prevents the sequestered CO2 from escaping back to the surface and allows a much larger percentage of a CO2 to be stably sequestered compared to techniques that rely on dissolving the CO2 to achieve stable sequestration. |
| US08646537B2 |
Remotely activated downhole apparatus and methods
An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body. |
| US08646536B2 |
Capillary hanger arrangement for deploying control line in existing wellhead
To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger. |
| US08646535B2 |
Flow restriction devices
An inflow control device may include flow control elements along a flow path. The flow control elements may change the inertial direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path. The change in inertial direction occurs at junctures along the flow path. The flow control elements may also be configured to form segmented pressure drops across the flow path. The segmented pressure drops may include a first pressure drop segment and a second pressure drop segment that is different from the first pressure drop segment. The pressure drop segments may be generated by a passage, an orifice or a slot. In embodiments, the plurality of flow control elements may separate the fluid into at least two flow paths. The flow control elements may also be configured to cause an increase in a pressure drop in the flow path as a concentration of water increases in the fluid. |
| US08646531B2 |
Tubular actuator, system and method
A tubular actuating system includes a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, an actuator disposed within the tubular, and a seatable member disposed at the actuator configured to be respositionable relative to the actuator between an unseated position and a seated position upon passage of at least one of the plurality of same plugs. |
| US08646530B2 |
Chemical diversion technique
A method includes treating a first formation intersecting a wellbore, preparing a diversion fluid including an inactivated viscosifier and an inactivated thinning agent, and positioning an amount of the diversion fluid to isolate the first formation. An activator is then delivered to the diversion fluid, thereby activating the inactivated viscosifier and triggering a thinning agent activation process. |
| US08646529B2 |
Method and system for treating a subterranean formation using diversion
A method of well treatment includes establishing fluid connectivity between a wellbore and at least one target zone for treatment within a subterranean formation. The method includes injecting a treatment composition into the wellbore. The method includes contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment composition, providing a diversion agent to a desired interval in the wellbore and measuring a wellbore parameter while performing at least one of the contacting the target zone and the providing the diversion agent. |
| US08646528B2 |
Compositions and methods relating to establishing circulation in stand-alone-screens without using washpipes
Of the methods provided herein, one example of a method that is disclosed includes the steps of placing a stand-alone-screen that does not comprise a concentric washpipe in a well bore, and forming an in situ coated stand-alone-screen in the well bore by placing a screen-plugging filter cake on the interior surface of the stand-alone-screen, the screen-plugging filter cake comprising particulate plugging agents deposited by a packing slurry. |
| US08646527B2 |
Radio frequency enhanced steam assisted gravity drainage method for recovery of hydrocarbons
A method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. A radio frequency applicator is positioned to provide radiation within the hydrocarbon formation. A first signal sufficient to heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric current is applied to the applicator. A second or alternate frequency signal is then applied to the applicator that is sufficient to pass through the desiccated zone and heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric or magnetic fields. A method for efficiently creating electricity and steam for heating a hydrocarbon formation is also disclosed. An electric generator, steam generator, and a regenerator containing water are provided. The electric generator is run. The heat created from running the electric generator is fed into the regenerator causing the water to be preheated. The preheated water is then fed into the steam generator. The RF energy from power lines or from an on site electric generator and steam that is harvested from the generator or provided separately are supplied to a reservoir as a process to recover hydrocarbons. |
| US08646524B2 |
Recovering heavy oil through the use of microwave heating in horizontal wells
A process to enhance secondary recovery of underground formations having heavy hydrocarbons through the use of a horizontal source well and a producing well. The horizontal source well is equipped with a plurality of microwave source emitters and the producing well is equipped with an artificial lift system. The horizontal source well is positioned within close proximity to the underground hydrocarbon formation and microwave energy is emitted from the microwave source emitters into the underground hydrocarbon formation. The microwave radiation heats up the heavy hydrocarbons, thereby lowering their viscosity, which allows the hydrocarbons to more easily flow into the producing well. |
| US08646519B2 |
Low-profile suspension of logging sensor and method
Presented are systems and methods for dampening vibrations transmitted to a sensor assembly based on well drilling operations. Vibration isolators are distributed around a sensor assembly and retained in their desired location. The sensor assembly and retained vibration isolators are inserted in a shrinkable thin-walled tube and the thin-walled tube is shrunk to constrict the inner surface of the thin-walled tube, and the retained vibration isolators against the outer surface of the sensor assembly. Additionally, the constricted thin-walled tube restrains a wiring harness associated with the sensor assembly in a wire well traversing the axial direction of the sensor assembly. |
| US08646518B2 |
Radiant heating assembly
A radiant heating assembly for use with systems for heating an enclosed space by circulating a fluid through a closed tubing arrangement is provided. The inventive radiant heating assembly is made up of a radiant heating panel and tubing. The radiant heating panel is made up of a radiant heat transfer plate having a length and center line, and an elongated C-shaped or side opening receptacle that extends along the center line of the plate for receiving the tubing. A plurality of depressions extends along an inner surface of the C-shaped receptacle that interfaces with the plate. The tubing conforms to these depressions, thereby allowing the radiant heating assembly to achieve greater radiant heat dissipation capacity and efficiency. |
| US08646516B2 |
Alternating plate headerless heat exchangers
A plate and fin type heat exchanger has a heat exchanger core made from a plurality of stacked, alternating first and second heat exchange plates of a generally inverted, U-shaped cross-section. Each plate has a top wall, closed peripheral sidewalls and open ends, and the open ends of the first plates are oriented at 90° to the open ends of the second plates. The sidewalls of the plates have end portions, which in adjacent plates, are aligned to form corners of the heat exchanger core. Opposed U-shaped manifold bodies are provided having open ends and lateral walls joined in a fluid tight manner to the aligned plate sidewall end portions. End plates close off the open ends of the U-shaped bodies to form manifolds. The corners formed by the aligned plate sidewall end portions allow for an improved connection between the heat exchanger core and the U-shaped manifold bodies. This helps to ensure that a fluid tight seal is created between the heat exchanger core and the manifold bodies when the components are joined together. |
| US08646512B2 |
Die brace and method of use thereof
A die brace and method of use thereof for securing the relationship of one or more die tie bars and an associated back plate of a movable die core, such as a die core of a metal casting die. Embodiments of such a die brace generally include a collar that is adapted to fit over the die tie bar(s), a back plate bracket element that is adapted for affixation to a die core back plate, and a bracing leg that connects the collar to the bracket element. |
| US08646511B2 |
Component with inspection-facilitating features
A turbine airfoil can be formed with features to facilitate measurement of its wall thickness. An outer wall of the airfoil can include an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the airfoil can have an outer inspection target surface, and the inner surface of the airfoil can have an inner inspection target surface. The inner and outer target surfaces can define substantially flat regions in surfaces that are otherwise highly contoured. The inner and outer inspection target surfaces can be substantially aligned with each other. The inner and outer target surfaces can be substantially parallel to each other. As a result of these arrangements, a highly accurate measurement of wall thickness can be obtained. In one embodiment, the outer inspection target surface can be defined by an innermost surface of a groove formed in the outer surface of the outer wall of the airfoil. |
| US08646504B2 |
Adhesive tape affixing equipment and press-fitting equipment
An adhesive tape affixing equipment for pulling out a tape from a supply reel on which the tape constructed by laminating an adhesive tape on a separator tape is wound, and then affixing the adhesive tape onto predetermined locations of a substrate by pushing the tape using a press-fitting tool. A radial direction of the supply reel is arranged to intersect substantially orthogonally with a longitudinal direction of the press-fitting tool during the affixing of the adhesive tape by the press-fitting tool. Also included is a tape running route setting device for causing the tape pulled out from the supply reel to run through an area between the press-fitting tool and the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the press-fitting tool via a tape running direction changing portion being provided to at least one location. |
| US08646502B2 |
Run-flat device for a motor vehicle, mounted assembly incorporating same, and manufacturing and assembly method for same
The present invention relates to a run-flat device for attaching a tubeless mounted assembly for a motor vehicle, and to such a mounted assembly incorporating said device. A device (30) according to the invention includes: a tire support structure (30), to be mounted around a rim having a plurality of pieces and comprising a reinforcing frame, and a bead lock means for locking the beads against the rim edge and connecting the support structure to the beads. According to the invention, the frame comprises an axial belt having at least one pair of ends opposite each other, separated by a connecting axial interstice, and connected therebetween by detachable connecting means (35, 36) for locking the belt, the support structure being radially split on both sides on the right of each interstice to enable the manual mounting of the device inside the casing by the gradual insertion therein of the structure, temporarily free of the connecting means. |
| US08646501B2 |
Puncture sealant laminate
A puncture sealant laminate for prevention of a flat tire may include three layers of sealant material separated by two layers of non-sealant material. The two layers of non-sealant material may prevent the three layers of sealant material from contacting each other and they may have first and second ends that attach to rubber in the tire that is not part of the puncture sealant laminate. |
| US08646493B2 |
Method and apparatus for changeover of container in a fluid dispenser
In a method and apparatus for changeover of containers of a highly soluble substance in a continuous flow process, fluid is flowed through a container of the substance to generate a solution until the substance is depleted and the concentration of the solution starts to drop. The solution from the first container is then directed through a second container containing a charge of the substance to maintain a saturated solution. When the first container is fully exhausted, the flow of fluid is switched to isolate the first container and to flow the fluid directly into the second container whereupon the first container can be safely removed. The arrangement is operated as a lead lag system with solution flowing through the containers at or close to plug flow to minimize mixing. |
| US08646491B2 |
Protective wire net, a protective structure constructed with the net, and the use of the protective wire net for the construction of a protective structure
A protective wire net including an array of longitudinal wires arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire. Each of one or more longitudinal metal cables is also intertwined with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire. One or more transverse wires and/or metal cables may also be provided, arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires and outside intertwining regions defined by portions of adjacent longitudinal wires which are bent around one another, the transverse wires and/or metal cables being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires. |
| US08646487B2 |
Corrosion coupon holder
An embodiment of the invention provides an insert for an orifice fitting in a pipeline. The insert includes a retaining member having an exteriorly facing surface dimensionally corresponding to cross-sectional interior dimensions of a carrier in the orifice fitting. Thus, the insert is positionally stabilized in a predetermined position within the pipeline and in substantial registry with the orifice fitting. A lug is affixed to the interiorly facing surface of the retaining member. The lug projects inwards towards a center of the retaining member and provides an interiorly facing mounting surface. A dielectric insulating layer is on the interiorly facing mounting surface of the lug, wherein the dielectric insulating layer includes a first element of a cooperating attachment member. The cooperating attachment member removably securely retains a corrosion coupon on the dielectric insulating layer upon engagement of the first element with a second element of the cooperating attachment member. |
| US08646486B2 |
Elliptical chambered flow restrictor
This invention sets forth a water flow restrictor for insertion into a water line connected to a water dispensing fixture. The restrictor includes an in-line restrictor body having a longitudinal flow passageway. The body also has an upstream coupling and a downstream coupling so that the body can be coupled into a water line. The body further has an upstream water receiving chamber and a downstream water passing chamber. An orifice of selectable restrictive size is located between the chambers. The orifice limits the flow of water through the passageway. The upstream water receiving chamber has an elliptically converging interior configuration approaching the orifice. |
| US08646485B2 |
Flow restrictor and method for reducing resistance of a flow
Methods and devices are described for reducing flow resistance in a flow restrictor during high flows. |
| US08646484B2 |
Device for fluid power recuperation including a gas receiver having a plurality of cells
A device for fluid power recuperation with increased efficiency and safety may be used in both stationary and mobile applications including hydraulic hybrid vehicles.The device includes a hydropneumatic accumulator communicating via its gas port with a gas receiver. The receiver is made in the form of an aggregate of cells separated by partitions. The ratio of the receiver volume to the area of the cells internal surfaces does not exceed 0.01 m. Thermal capacity of the partitions exceed that of the gas at maximal pressure.This improves heat exchange between the gas and the cells walls at gas compression or expansion, which increases recuperation efficiency.A honeycomb structure where the partitions between the cells are connected with one another and the outer shell of the receiver allows making it less massive and facilitating integration of the device into the existing systems, including vehicles. |
| US08646483B2 |
Cross-flow fluidic oscillators for use with a subterranean well
A fluidic oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the oscillator, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and wherein the first and second paths cross each other between the input and the respective first and second outputs. Another oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs, whereby a majority of fluid flowing through the fluidic oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and a feedback path which intersects the first path, whereby reduced pressure in the feedback path influences the majority of fluid to flow via the second path. |
| US08646480B2 |
Fuel supply apparatus
A fuel supply apparatus or fuel pump unit includes a lower case having a flange plate fixed to a fuel tank and upstanding walls extending into the fuel tank. An upper case housing a fuel pump therein is provided that includes brackets disposed along inner sides of the upstanding walls. The upstanding walls having engaging holes defined therein, and the brackets having attachment members engaging in the engaging holes. The brackets include tongues projecting heightwise beyond the upstanding walls. |
| US08646477B2 |
Structure of valve stem and frame lining
A structure of valve stem and frame lining includes a frame lining, a valve body, and a stem. At least two ribs are formed on one face of the frame lining, and the other opposite face of the frame lining is engaged with a base portion of the valve body by molding. The stem is disposed in an air channel of the valve body to control availability of air through the air channel. More particularly, when being disposed on a wheel frame, the frame lining has a width which enables the frame lining to overlap an outer cover engaged with the wheel frame to provide good sealing performance. Besides, the ribs help the frame lining be positioned on the wheel frame. |
| US08646472B2 |
In situ mixing in microchannels
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel. |
| US08646471B2 |
Electrostatically addressable microvalves
A method of controlling a main fluid in a conduit using a microvalve is described. The microvalve includes a corresponding actuation aperture in an actuation aperture layer. A control fluid flows through the actuation aperture in response to an electric field applied via a charge distribution near an actuation aperture layer. In one embodiment, the electric field may adjust the opening and closing of the actuation aperture thereby controlling the flow of the control fluid. In a second embodiment, the control fluid is an electrorheological fluid where the electric field controls the viscosity of the ER fluid, thereby controlling fluid flow through the actuation aperture. In both embodiments the flow of the control fluid controls stretching of a flexible membrane into and out of the conduit, thereby controlling the flow of the main fluid by opening or closing the conduit. |
| US08646466B2 |
Interchangeable headband cover
The Interchangeable Headband Cover is an easily applied and removed material covering that sit on a C Shaped or Horse Shoe Shaped headband. A C Shaped or Horse Shoes Shaped headband typically is used to pull a wearers hair out of their eyes. The exposed area of the design is undecorated. The unexposed outer area of The Interchangeable Headband Cover has two insertion points with overlapping flaps positioned laterally of a fused center. The flaps open wide and enable the user to easily manipulate and apply the covering to a headband without any special tools. As you exam the insertion point closest to the internally fused center the design does not overlap but as you look laterally there is a gradual increase where the materials overlap more and more until there is one portion of the fabric completely covers the other at the internally fused tips. |
| US08646461B2 |
Device and method for simulating chemosensation of smoking
A device for simulating a chemosensation of smoking includes an outer layer, a porous medium and a chemesthetic agent. The porous medium is disposed within the outer layer. The chemesthetic agent is disposed within the porous medium and activates a TRP channel. |
| US08646459B2 |
Two-ply fabric low friction interface
A device for reducing friction between a portion of skin of a living being and an object adjoining that portion includes two layers of tricot fabric. Each layer has a shiny side and the shiny sides of the two layers of fabric face each other. Each layer of fabric has a machine direction M, and the layers of fabric are positioned such that the machine direction M of one layer is perpendicular to the other layer. A garment includes a low friction zone and a higher friction zone adjacent the low friction zone, the higher friction zone comprising a material different from a material of the low friction zone. The low friction zone comprises two layers of fabric with their shiny sides, facing each other and their machine directions M oriented perpendicularly. Also described is a method of preventing or treating a skin wound comprising clothing a living being in a garment. |
| US08646456B2 |
Antibacterial agent, and device used for active protection of incision margins and incorporating such an antibacterial agent
Antibacterial agents comprise as an active ingredient a hemostatic contact cloth having an acidic pH combined with povidone iodine. Also disclosed are surgical dressings. Also disclosed are devices for active protection of incision margins. |
| US08646454B1 |
Oral appliances and methods of making oral appliances
Oral appliances, methods of making oral appliances, and bite registration devices for use in making oral appliances are provided. An oral appliance includes a lower segment, and upper segments. The upper segments are operably connected to the lower segment using threaded elements. Rotational manipulation of the threaded elements causes the upper segments to be displaced horizontally relative to the lower segment about the lengths of the threaded elements, and the lengths of the threaded elements are substantially parallel to each other. A bite registration device for use in making an oral appliance includes a top surface including a protrusion and a bottom surface including a receptacle configured to receive the protrusion. The device is configured to be maintained in stacked relation to a like configured second bite registration device by mating the protrusion of the bite registration device with a receptacle of the second bite registration device. |
| US08646453B2 |
Extendable airflow restriction system
An extendable airflow restriction system is described herein which may be used to treat various disorders by creating expiratory positive airway pressure while providing for patient comfort regardless of the patient's anatomical variances. Such a device may be removably secured within the patient's mouth and may include an extendable member which may project to urge the patient's upper lip towards the nostrils to restrict airflow. Moreover, the restriction device may include one or more sensors to detect the patient's respiration activity such that the device may be actuated to correspond to the patient's exhalation. |
| US08646452B2 |
Pediatric headrest for skull stabilization and method for use of same
A pediatric headrest for skull stabilization and a method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a horseshoe shaped head support includes first and second wings pivotally coupled to a body to adjust the angle therebetween. A gel pad is superposed on the horseshoe shaped head support. First and second arcuate base members are coupled to the first and second wings, respectively, to accept a plurality of placement subassemblies, which are circumferentially adjustably positioned and secured within the channels. Each placement subassembly is configured to receive a skull pin and provide adjustable horizontal, vertical, and angular positioning of the skull pin with respect to the arcuate base. |
| US08646451B2 |
Condom
A condom having an indicia disposed on the lower side of the roll when the condom is in the rolled configuration. Preferably, the indicia is a fluorescent marking disposed on the inner side of the condom disposed at a location so that, when the condom is in the rolled configuration, the indicia is visible from the lower side only. More preferably, the indicia is a ring-shaped marking extending about the inner side of the tubular body. In this configuration, a user holding a rolled condom can easily determine which is the upper side of the roll and which is the lower side of the roll. The user may then quickly orient the condom with the lower side facing toward the penis and unroll the condom in the proper direction. |
| US08646449B2 |
Anti-asphyxiation valves
An anti-asphyxiation valve is disclosed, which is adapted for incorporation within a breathing circuit including a ventilator. The valve comprises one or more apertures for enabling passage of gas between the breathing circuit and the atmosphere, and a valve member deformable between an open configuration in which the one or more apertures are at least partially exposed and the passage of gas therethrough is enabled, and a closed configuration in which the valve member occludes the one or more apertures and the passage of gas therethrough is substantially prevented. The valve member is adapted such that the pressure within the breathing circuit at which the valve member deforms from the open configuration to the closed configuration is greater than the pressure within the breathing circuit at which the valve member deforms from the closed configuration to the open configuration. |
| US08646443B2 |
Electrochemically reacting composition and a process for the preparation thereof
An electrochemically reacting composition which can be utilized as a source of heat as well as hydrogen, comprising the active materials aluminum, magnesium and iron, a filler material such as a silica sand, a hydrogen scavenger such as potassium permanganate, additives such as sodium silicate and an electrolyte such as sodium chloride. |
| US08646432B1 |
Fluid insulated injector-igniter
A system for transferring and igniting a fuel comprising a fuel supply and a cryogenic fuel processor connected to the fuel supply and operative to remove impurities from the fuel. The system includes a power supply and an injector-igniter. The injector-igniter includes an injector housing connected to the power supply and having a fuel inlet connected to the fuel processor. An actuator body is disposed in the housing and a conductor sleeve is connected to the power supply and supported between the actuator body and injector housing with a first annular gap between the injector housing and the conductor sleeve. There is also a second annular gap between the actuator body and conductor sleeve, wherein the first and second annular gaps are in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, whereby fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor sleeve and the injector housing. |
| US08646431B2 |
Vehicle provided with valve-stop-mechanism-equipped internal combustion engine
To provide a vehicle provided with a valve-stop-mechanism-equipped internal combustion engine capable of ensuring a negative pressure in a brake booster while preventing with reliability fresh air from flowing into a catalyst during a valve stop control. An internal combustion engine provided with a valve stop mechanism capable of changing the operational state of an intake valve between a valve operating state and a valve closed/stopped state is provided. A brake booster is provided capable of assisting operation of a brake pedal of the vehicle. Exhaust side negative pressure passages are provided as communication passages that are configured to be in communication with each branch pipe section of an exhaust manifold in a period in which a negative pressure is generated in the case where the intake valve is in the valve closed/stopped state while an exhaust valve is allowed to open and close. The remaining end of the second exhaust side negative pressure passage is connected to the brake booster. |
| US08646426B2 |
Valve lash setting process
A valve lash setting method for setting a predetermined lash in a valve assembly for internal combustion engines. The method includes generating a torque curve and using a linear regression calculation to define a zero crossing point from which a predetermined final lash position of an adjusting screw can be set and secured. |
| US08646425B2 |
Valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine
A valve mechanism is disclosed for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine which comprises two gas exchange poppet valves mounted in a cylinder head, a bridge 122 acting on the two valves, a cam for actuating the two valves, a slider 124 movable by the cam and slidable relative to the bridge 122, and a hydraulically controlled locking system having a latched position in which the slider transmits the force of the cam to the bridge 122 to actuate the two valves and a released position in which the valves are deactivated and the slider slides freely relative to the bridge. In the invention, the slider 124 is urged towards the cam by a spring 134 acting between the slider 124 and the cylinder head. |
| US08646423B2 |
Hybrid powertrain assembly including engine with variable valve lift
A powertrain assembly includes a hybrid propulsion system and an internal combustion engine. The hybrid propulsion system includes an electric motor at least partially powering propulsion of a vehicle during a first operating mode and an internal combustion engine at least partially powering propulsion of the vehicle during a second operating mode. The internal combustion engine includes an engine structure defining a combustion chamber and an intake port, an intake valve located in the intake port, and an intake valve lift mechanism supported on the engine structure and engaged with the intake valve. The intake valve lift mechanism is operable in a first lift mode and a second lift mode. The intake valve lift mechanism provides a first intake valve opening profile during the first lift mode and a second intake valve opening profile different than the first intake valve opening profile during the second lift mode. |
| US08646421B2 |
Engine with internal exhaust gas recirculation and method thereof
An internal combustion engine has four cylinders, each having a respective piston positioned therein and connected with a crankshaft for movement in the respective cylinder. Each cylinder has a plurality of ports with a plurality of valves openable and closable to control fluid flow into and out of the cylinder through the ports. Combustion occurs in a first two of the four cylinders (power cylinders) that are each interconnected between a second two of the four cylinders (inductor cylinders) via passages connecting ports of the respective cylinders. Opening and closing of the valves is timed to accomplish internal exhaust gas recirculation, i.e., such that fluid directed from the power cylinders to the inductor cylinders via the passages after combustion is redirected via the passages from the inductor cylinders to the power cylinders. A method of internal exhaust gas recirculation for an engine as described above is also provided. |
| US08646420B2 |
Variable compression ratio apparatus
A variable compression ratio apparatus may include a cylinder block and a mounting hole formed at a side surface thereof; a connecting rod pivotally connected to the piston; a crankshaft provided with a central axis, a bearing seat coaxially disposed with the central axis, and a crank pin formed in a crank arm connecting the bearing seat with the central axis of the crank pin eccentrically, wherein the crank pin is rotatably connected to the connecting rod; and an eccentric bearing provided with a bearing central axis and a crank mounting hole formed eccentrically to the bearing central axis, the crank mounting hole of the eccentric bearing being rotatably coupled to the bearing seat rotatably inserted in the crank mounting hole, wherein the eccentric bearing changes the compression ratio by controlling a distance between the central axis and a combustion chamber according to driving condition of the vehicle. |
| US08646414B1 |
Animal undercoat removal system and applicator therefor
An animal undercoat removal system comprises a conditioning/removal apparatus, a hot and cold water source, shampoo & conditioning agent reservoirs, connecting hosing or piping and housing and mounting hardware for a groomers bathing area. The apparatus further comprises a dual function high flow, low pressure nozzle/low flow, high pressure nozzle, a venturi in the flow stream with a suction port for drawing shampoo/conditioner from reservoirs to assist in loosening of the undercoat. |
| US08646410B2 |
Automatic milking device
A device for milking an animal, such as a cow, includes an animal standing area to be occupied by the animal to be milked in a particular milking position and a robot device with a robot arm assembly for applying to and/or removing teat cups from the respective teats of the udder of the animal. The robot arm assembly has a holder for teat cups at a distal end. At a proximal end, the robot arm assembly is suspended from a support so as to extend downwards therefrom and is rotatable with respect thereto about a first center line which has a vertical direction component, wherein, in use, the first center line intersects the floor of the animal standing area. |
| US08646406B2 |
Mask assembly having a frame with support stick
A mask assembly includes a frame with an opening, at least one support stick in the frame and extending in a first direction to traverse the opening of the frame, the support stick including a communication pattern above the opening of the frame, and a mask positioned on the frame and the at least one support stick, the mask extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to traverse the opening of the frame, and the mask being exposed to the opening of the frame through the communication pattern. |
| US08646405B2 |
Deposition mask and method of fabricating the same
A deposition mask capable of forming layers with different thicknesses and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the deposition mask includes i) a plurality of regions spaced apart from each other, wherein the plurality of regions comprise at least a first region and a second region and ii) first and second surfaces opposing each other, wherein the first surface is configured to receive a deposition material. Also, a through-hole is defined in each of the plurality of regions, and wherein at least one of the through-holes in the first surface of the mask is divided into a plurality of sub-regions. Further, the number of a sub-region or sub-regions of the first region is different from that of the second region. |
| US08646404B2 |
Modular system with platformed robot, booth, and fluid delivery system for tire spraying
A modular tire spraying system includes a downdraft spray booth for receiving a tire, a fluid delivery system disposed in the spray booth, a robot for transporting the tire to the spray booth, and a platform on which each of the spray booth, the fluid delivery system, and the robot is disposed. The fluid delivery system includes at least one spray gun for delivering a coating to the tire. |
| US08646393B2 |
Device capable of providing a writing support in a motor vehicle and fascia panel comprising such a device
A device configured to provide a writing support in a motor vehicle. The device includes: a tablet that can be mounted in the motor vehicle element that includes an opening; a translation mechanism for allowing translationary movement of the tablet between a rest position in which the tablet is housed in the motor vehicle element and an intermediate position in which the tablet is extracted from the motor vehicle element through the opening; a rotation mechanism that rotates the tablet to allow the tablet to be rotated from the intermediate position into a position of use in which the tablet is inclined to form a writing support. |
| US08646392B2 |
Crash module for a rail vehicle
A crash module for a rail vehicle includes at least one crash element, which is arranged in front of the vehicle structure. At least one transverse profiled element is provided, which is connected to the at least one crash element and which has a substantially lower compressive strength in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle than in the transverse direction. |
| US08646385B2 |
Media inversion system for a continuous web printer
A continuous web inversion system used in a continuous web imaging device includes a first, a second, and a third turn bar. The web moves over the three turn bars to invert the web for duplex printing. The second and third turn bars are operatively connected to one another for translation in a plane and a driver is operatively connected to one of the second and third turn bars to translate the bars in the plane. A sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral position of the continuous web exiting the third turn bar. The driver adjusts a position of the third turn bar with reference to the signal generated by the sensor. |
| US08646384B1 |
Manual compactor
A manual compactor that includes an air ventilation system and also a lid that is capable of being forced downward onto trash within a trash can. The trash can has a wheel base. The air ventilation system includes an internal aerated ring with a series of vent holes, with the ring being attached to a pair of internal air channels that open to the outside air. The lid is capable of either being mounted on top of the trash can or in the alternative, can be shoved downward onto trash within the trash can. A series of serrated blades mounted on the underside of the lid are used to cut up and shred the trash within the compactor while it is being compacted. |
| US08646383B1 |
Spiral oven apparatus and method of cooking
A spiral oven and a method of cooking a food product in a spiral oven using a cooking medium wherein (a) the food product is conveyed within the oven cooking chamber by a spiral conveyor having a plurality of spiral flights and (b) the cooking medium is discharged either upwardly and/or downwardly within, or laterally into, one or more vertical gaps between adjacent pairs of spiral flights using one or more delivery duct structures which extend inside the interior of the cooking chamber. |
| US08646373B1 |
Blast wave effects reduction system
A system for reducing the effects of a blast wave includes armor plating configured to face a supersonic blast wave. The armor plating has a surface consisting of alternating tall and short peaks with valleys between the peaks. The peaks and valleys are positioned such that the supersonic blast wave reflects from the side surfaces of the tall peaks as a regular reflection that at least partially suppresses Mach reflection of the supersonic wave caused by the short peaks and the valleys. The surface may also be designed to not trap reflected waves. The valleys can be parabolic shaped to deflect and/or dissipate transonic flow that follows the blast wave front. |
| US08646370B2 |
Support for tool press
A machine for modifying a workpiece oriented lengthwise along an X-axis, including a support frame having aligned tracks arcuate about the X-axis, and rails supported on the arcuate tracks for selective rotation together about the X-axis. A pressing mechanism is adapted to press a workpiece tool and an associated support block together along a pressing axis to modify a portion of a workpiece located therebetween, with the pressing mechanism being supported on linear tracks on the rails for selective linear motion along the rails substantially transverse to the X-axis. A drive is adapted to selectively position the rails and the pressing mechanism on the tracks. |
| US08646368B1 |
Crown molding cutting jig
A jig for supporting a crown molding segment during a cutting operation comprises a base and a support having a crown molding support surface. The support is attached to the base at an adjustable angle. The jig further comprises an extendable brace attached between the base and the support. The extendable brace adapted to hold the support and the crown molding support surface at a predetermined angle relative to the base. The extendable brace is adjustable to facilitate adjustment of the jig corresponding to multiple crown molding spring angles. |
| US08646367B2 |
Trimmer block pad, trimmer, and method of trimming
The present disclosure relates to a trimmer block pad, a trimmer, and a process of trimming. The process includes inserting a book into a trimmer, positioning a trimmer block pad to abut the book, the trimmer block comprising a first non-square exterior corner and a second non-square exterior corner, and trimming a portion of the book. The positioning of the trimmer block pad applies a distributed force to the book. |
| US08646364B2 |
Tool for assembling and disassembling the front and the rear wheel axle of a motorcycle
A tool for assembling and disassembling the front and the rear wheel axle of a motorcycle includes a nut holding base having one side formed with a ratchet recessed groove provided therein with a projecting member having a hexagonal recessed groove formed in the interior. The nut holding base has another side provided with an extension projecting post having an interior bored with a square hole communicating with the hexagonal recessed groove. A connecting holder to be assembled on the nut holding base has one side formed with a hexagonal projecting connector matching with the hexagonal recessed groove of the nut holding base and having an interior disposed with a square insert hole. The connecting holder has another side formed with a hexagonal recessed groove provided with a projecting member bored in therein with an insert hole that communicates with the square insert hole. |
| US08646363B2 |
Ratchet with coated layer and the method for making the same
A ratchet includes multiple ratchet teeth defined in the outer periphery thereof and a coated layer is coated along the outer periphery of the ratchet. A laser device is used to generate a laser beam to remove a part of the coated layer to defined openings in the coated layer and the ratchet teeth protrude from the openings. |
| US08646359B2 |
Bicycle pedal assembly
The pedal assembly includes a pedal and a cleat. The pedal has a spindle portion, a front portion with a front engagement member, a rear portion and a rear engagement member movably coupled to the rear portion. The cleat has a front engagement end and a rear engagement end. A front edge of the spindle portion is formed with a V-shaped positioning side. A U-shaped pad is attached under the front engagement end. Two legs of the pad are protrudent from the bottom of the cleat, and ends of the legs are separately formed with two abutment surfaces. The abutment surfaces abut against the positioning side. |
| US08646354B2 |
Gear shift unit for automated manual transmission
A gear shift unit for an automated manual transmission, may include a shift block that is restricted in the rotational direction and slidably movable along a control shaft, and has a shift finger in order to implement a selecting operation with straight motion thereof and a shifting operation with rotation motion thereof, a driving actuator, a shifting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to rotate the control shaft by power of the driving actuator, wherein the shifting unit changes rotational direction of the control shaft in accordance with rotational angles of the driving actuator, and a selecting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to slide the shift block along the control shaft by power of the driving actuator while the shifting unit is not driven by the power of the driving actuator. |
| US08646352B2 |
Worm wheel
Provided is a worm wheel that allows the residual stress in the plastic gear forming member thereof to be reduced, and suited for compact design. The worm wheel comprises a metallic core member (30) and a plastic gear forming member (20) formed on an outer periphery of the core member. In particular, the core member includes a boss portion (31) defining a pivot portion, an intermediate portion (32) extending radially from the outer periphery of the boss portion, and a cylindrical portion (33) connected to a radially outer end of the intermediate portion and having the gear forming member molded thereon coaxially with the boss, the cylindrical portion being formed with through holes (34) or cutouts (36) passed radially therethrough. |
| US08646351B2 |
Helical gearing for a steering system of a motor vehicle
An electric power-assisted steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages into a helical gear. A reloading device comprises a reloaded pressure piece which presses the helical pinion into the toothing of the helical gear. The requirements of assembly are reduced and the elastically urging of the helical pinion or the worm need not be adjusted during assembly since the necessary elastically urging is automatically adjusted such that friction in the gearing is minimized, improved efficiency is achieved and the spring force can be held as constant as possible throughout the service life and unwanted noise development in the gearing can be largely reduced. |
| US08646350B2 |
Actuator, in particular for a motor vehicle
The actuator has a gear unit with a gear housing and a motor unit with a motor housing and an internally located rotor with a drive shaft, and a cylindrical bearing housing on the drive side. The bearing housing protrudes, along with a bearing and the drive shaft ducted therein, into an opening in the gear housing. The motor housing is flange-mounted, along with a drive shaft mounted therein, to the gear housing. The outside of the bearing housing and the inside of the opening in the gear housing have been geometrically mutually harmonized such that clamping points and tension-free places will form between them when the actuator has been assembled. The pretensioning force resulting therefrom produces a permanent frictional engagement between the outer circumference of the bearing and the bearing support or the bearing shell located opposite it. The operating life of an actuator of such type is increased. |
| US08646347B2 |
Modular scanner apparatus and probe holding apparatus for inspection
There is provided a modular scanner and probe holding apparatus for inspection, which consists of an assembly of a plurality of connective links rigidly connected. The connective links are added or removed from the assembly to size the assembly so the assembly extends more than half way around a circumference of a tubular body to be inspected. At least one tail link is connected to an end of the assembly. The tail link is biased by a spring to apply a force against the tubular body to hold the assembly in place. A probe holder link is provided that connects to the connective links and has a probe holder for holding a probe. |
| US08646344B2 |
Mounting systems for a surface forces apparatus
A mounting system for samples and instruments for use with a measuring device such as a surface forces apparatus has a housing and a sample mount assembly positioned within the housing. The sample mount assembly has a pivot arm having a first edge and a flexing section. A spring has a first end coupled to the pivot arm. A first sample holder is coupled to the second end of the spring. A second sample holder is positioned in proximity to the first sample holder. |
| US08646342B2 |
Disposable, pre-sterilized fluid receptacle sampling device
The present invention provides a fluid sampling device comprising a port insert, a plurality of flexible conduits, and a plurality of sample containers. The port insert comprises a body having a plurality of shafts therethrough and a rotatably displaceable member for individually opening and closing any of said shafts to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Flexible conduits (e.g., flexible tubing) are equal in number to the shafts, with each flexible conduit connected to or otherwise in fluid communication with an individual shaft. Similarly, sample containers (e.g., flexible bags) are equal in number to the conduits, with each sample container connected to an individual conduit opposite the connection to the shaft. A specific configuration for the port insert, as well as kit containing sterilized components of the fluid sampling device, are also described. |
| US08646340B2 |
Sampling method and sampling device
Disclosed is a sampling method which comprises the steps of: blowing airflow towards a center portion of a sampling surface through a blowing port; and sucking the blown airflow from periphery of the sampling surface through a sucking port, or a sampling method which comprises the steps of: providing a sampling device on a sampling surface, the sampling device being shaped to form a sampling space together with the sampling surface, and the sampling device including a blowing port arranged at the center portion of the sampling device and a sucking port arranged at periphery of the sampling device; blowing airflow towards the sampling surface through the blowing port; and sucking the airflow blown towards the sampling surface through the sucking port so as to collect samples. |
| US08646335B2 |
Contact stress sensor
A method for producing a contact stress sensor that includes one or more MEMS fabricated sensor elements, where each sensor element of includes a thin non-recessed portion, a recessed portion and a pressure sensitive element adjacent to the recessed portion. An electric circuit is connected to the pressure sensitive element. The circuit includes a pressure signal circuit element configured to provide a signal upon movement of the pressure sensitive element. |
| US08646334B2 |
Inertia sensors with multi-directional shock protection
A sensor including: a base; at least one component which moves relative to the base; and one or more locking mechanisms for locking the at least one component in a predetermined stationary position in response to external stimuli exceeding predetermined thresholds in at least first and second directions, where the first direction is different from the second direction. |
| US08646332B2 |
Inertia force sensor
An inertial sensor includes oscillating-type angular velocity sensing element, IC for processing signals supplied from angular velocity sensing element, capacitor for processing signals, and package for accommodating angular velocity sensing element, IC, capacitor. Element and IC are housed in package via a vibration isolator, which is formed of TAB tape, plate on which IC is placed, where angular velocity sensing element is layered on IC, and outer frame placed outside and separately from plate and yet coupled to plate via wiring pattern. |
| US08646329B2 |
Tank sensor circuit board for a fill level sensor in a vehicle tank
A tank sensor circuit board for a fill level sensor in a vehicle tank, including a support element, on which contact surfaces containing silver are applied using thick layer technology. The contact surfaces are made up of a silver layer and a top layer containing nickel, palladium and gold, completely or partly covering the silver layer. |
| US08646326B2 |
Paint swatch test device and method
A paint swatch test device includes a transparent or translucent substrate, such as a sheet of polymeric material, and a plurality of different primer coating patches on the substrate. The patches preferably form a grayscale series of neutral white and gray primer patches having stepwise increments in light reflectance values. The patches can also be provided on an opaque substrate. The color suitability and/or hiding power of a topcoat paint desired to be applied to a surface to be painted can be determined by coating the topcoat paint on at least a portion of a surface of the transparent or translucent substrate, providing a grayscale series of patches between the paint coating and the surface to be painted, and observing the appearance of the paint coating where patches are beneath the coating and where patches are not beneath the coating. |
| US08646324B2 |
Method and device for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe
A method for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe. A target/actual comparison is performed between a calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured with the exhaust gas probe, for a step load transition. A device for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe disposed in an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine. An output signal is fed to an engine controller connected to additional input signals providing information about intake air mass and fuel metering. The engine controller comprises devices for determining a calculated O2 signal from the information about the input air mass and the fuel metering and devices for filtering and/or gradient forming and/or integrating the calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured by the exhaust probe. A target/actual comparison between the calculated O2 signal and the measured O2 signal, can be performed for a step load transition. |
| US08646321B2 |
Test system and test method of fluid pump
A test system of a fluid pump which has a pump includes a test fixture which supports the fluid pump, a fluid flow path, and a connecting pipe arranged at the test fixture and having one end side connected to a discharge port of the pump and the other end side connected to the fluid flow path. The connecting pipe has a main pipe member, a movable pipe member arranged slidably inside the main pipe member and having an end which is positioned sticking out from the main pipe member, and a seal clamp provided at an end of the movable pipe member. When the movable pipe member receives fluid pressure inside of the main pipe member, the seal clamp which is pushed against the discharge port of the pump holds the discharge port of the pump liquid-tightly. |
| US08646318B2 |
Leak sensor apparatus for sensing moisture
A leak sensor apparatus for sensing moisture is disclosed, which is prepared in such a manner that a base film layer, a conductive line layer and a protection film layer are sequentially stacked on its lower surface in an upward direction, and said conductive line layer includes a resistance line having a certain resistance value per unit area in a longitudinal direction, and a conductive line which is spaced apart from the resistance line and is formed in parallel with respect to the resistance line, and said protection film layer is provided with a plurality of holes which are formed at regular intervals so that the resistance line and the conductive line of the conductive line layer can be exposed to the outside through the holes, respectively. |
| US08646311B1 |
Sensors for hydrogen, ammonia
A sensor for detecting hydrogen or ammonia gas uses a gas sensitive material based on Cr2O3 with a small percentage of the chromium replaced by transition metal ions having a valency greater than four, but still having a corundum crystal structure. Electrodes in contact with the gas sensitive material are connected by conductors to electrical measuring means for measuring the resistance, conductance, capacitance, or impedance of the gas sensitive material. A temperature sensing means and heating means allow the temperature of the gas sensitive material to be regulated. The gas sensitive material is formed on an insulator substrate over one or both electrodes. One electrode can be on the non-substrate side of the gas sensitive material. The gas sensitive material can be formed by deposition from a suspension or colloidal dispersion and firing. The gas sensitive material is contacted with gas and changes in electrical properties of the material are observed. |
| US08646306B2 |
Method for manufacturing sensor element for gas sensor
A method for manufacturing a gas sensor element includes (a) printing a wiring pattern of a conductive paste on a green sheet for an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte; (b) laminating a plurality of green sheets including the green sheet having been subjected to step (a) and integrating the plurality of green sheets; (c) cutting out a plurality of element bodies from the laminated body; (d) baking the element body cut out by step (c); (e) heating the element body having been subjected to step (d), in a reducing atmosphere; (f) driving the element body having been subjected to step (e), in an inspection-purpose gas atmosphere for a predetermined time period; and (g) inspecting electrical characteristics of the element body having been subjected to step (f). The element body having passed the inspection of step (g) is assembled as a sensor element in a gas sensor. |
| US08646298B2 |
Electronically-configurable key
A key for opening multiple axial pin locks has a base member with an indexing element and a number of lock pins, configured to match the keyways of the locks. The key has a microprocessor with access to information on the pin configuration for each lock to be opened, and the lock pins are selectively positioned along the base member to match the configuration of a key for a particular lock in response to the user entering an identification code for that lock. The lock pins can slidably engage recessed tracks in the base member, which serve to direct the lock pins parallel to an axis of the base member. A pin latching mechanism can be provided to secure the lock pins in the desired position. |
| US08646295B2 |
Steering lock device
A steering lock device includes a main frame, a lock insertion hole formed on the main frame, a lock member slidably disposed in the lock insertion hole, a pin insertion portion formed on the lock member, a stopper housing portion formed on the main frame, a stopper pin housed in the stopper housing portion, and a trigger detachably disposed on the main frame. The stopper pin is urged toward a latch position by a stopper, and engaged, in a state of positioning at the latch position, with the pin insertion portion of the lock member positioning at the lock position. The trigger holds, in a state of being attached on the main frame, the stopper pin at an unlatch position by contacting with the stopper pin. First stepped portions for engaging with the stopper pin positioning at the latch position are disposed in a side of the unlock position, around an opening of the stopper housing portion and on a wall surface of the lock insertion hole facing to the opening. Since the lock member is firmly held at the lock position by the stopper pin even if a cover or a coil spring urging the lock member is removed, an improper unlock of the lock member can be prevented. |
| US08646294B1 |
Securement locking device
A securement system is provided that permits the secured locking of an ultra-portable laptop computer without requiring the use of a universal security slot. The system includes an edge member that has a body channel intersecting a screen channel formed on a face. When the laptop is open, the edge of the laptop screen fits within the screen channel and the edge of the laptop body fits within the body channel, with the edge member being positioned astride the hinge between the screen and body. A cross member connects the edge member to an opposite edge member engaged over the opposite edge of the laptop. When secured, the system cannot be removed from the laptop, since the two edge members are prevented from movement due to the cross member and the channels. |
| US08646291B2 |
Apparatus and method for control of glass streams in laminate fusion
An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass and a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles using the glass laminating apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower fusion pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; a first upper fusion pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper fusion pipe and the top of the lower fusion pipe, the first upper fusion pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower fusion pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (φ) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream. |
| US08646290B2 |
Method of manufacturing a glass optical element
A manufacturing apparatus of the present invention has a pair of dies that form each cylindrical surface, and a plane member that forms side surfaces of an element. The upper die and the lower die has a cylindrical surface which is worked so as to have generatrix which connects intersection points between a non-arc axis and a cylindrical section and between an arc center axis and the cylindrical section. The plane member is pressed against reference surfaces of the upper die and the lower die. In this state, a glass material is put between the upper die and the lower die, and a distance between the upper die and the lower die is decreased. As a result, the cylindrical surfaces of the upper die and the lower die and the plane of the plane member are transferred onto the glass material. |
| US08646285B2 |
Control apparatus for taking out ice of refrigerator and method thereof
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for taking out ice of a refrigerator and a method thereof. The present invention includes an input unit for inputting the amount of ice to be taken out; and a taking-out unit for taking out the ice corresponding to the amount inputted to the input unit. |
| US08646282B2 |
Thermo-electric heat pump systems
The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably comprises two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band. |
| US08646279B2 |
Segment component in high-temperature casting material for an annular combustion chamber, annular combustion chamber for an aircraft engine, aircraft engine and method for the manufacture of an annular combustion chamber
The present invention relates to a segment component in high-temperature casting material for an annular combustion chamber of an aircraft engine, characterized by a combustion-chamber wall which in operation shields a fuel flame extending along a burner axis from the environment, with the combustion-chamber wall having a bulge which points in a direction facing away from the burner axis. The invention furthermore relates to an annular combustion chamber, an aircraft engine with an annular combustion chamber as well as a method for the manufacture of an annular combustion chamber. |
| US08646278B2 |
Condition measurement apparatus and method
A condition measurement apparatus is provided and includes a gas turbine engine combustor having an end cover, a liner defining a liner interior and a fuel nozzle communicative with the liner interior, the end cover being formed to separate a cold side thereof, which is a relatively low temperature environment, from a hot side thereof, which is a relatively high temperature environment in which the liner and the fuel nozzle are disposed, the combustor being formed to define a fuel flow path extending through piping disposed at the cold side of the end cover by which fuel is deliverable to the fuel nozzle, and a condition sensing device operably mounted on the piping. |
| US08646274B2 |
Toroidal motor
The present invention provides for a toroidal motor comprising a centrally located output shaft, a circular plate centrally and transversely affixed to the output shaft, a toroidal cylinder located in the same plane as and to the outside edge of the circular plate, pistons affixed to the outside edge of the circular plate and residing in the toroidal cylinder. A circular timing track may be used to time the action of a knife gate assembly which may be configured to induce a camming action in the knife gate assembly, rotating the knife gate into the toroidal cylinder, blocking the cylinder just behind a passing piston. Pressurized fluid may be introduced between the knife gate and the rear of the immediate downstream piston to cause a differential pressure to propel the piston through the toroidal cylinder. |
| US08646273B2 |
Thermodynamic machine and method for the operation thereof
The invention relates to a thermodynamic machine having a circulation system in which a working fluid, in particular a low-boiling working fluid, circulates alternately in a gaseous and a liquid phase, a heat exchanger, an expansion machine, a condenser, and a fluid pump. The invention also relates to a method for operating the thermodynamic machine. According to certain embodiments of the invention, in the flow line of the fluid pump, a partial pressure increasing the system pressure is applied to the liquid working fluid by adding a non-condensing auxiliary gas. Compact ORC machines can be implemented, preventing cavitation in the liquid working fluid. |
| US08646271B2 |
EGR control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An EGR control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately controlling an inert gas amount and an inert gas ratio of two types of EGR gas supplied to cylinders of the engine via two paths different from each other, thereby making it possible to ensure a stable combustion state and reduced exhaust emissions. The EGR control apparatus includes a low-pressure EGR device, a high-pressure EGR device, and an ECU. The ECU calculates a target low-pressure opening, calculates an estimated value of an in-cylinder low-pressure inert gas flow rate, which is the estimated value of an inert gas amount included in low-pressure EGR gas supplied to the cylinders via an intake passage, calculates a target high-pressure opening using the estimated value, and controls low-pressure and high-pressure EGR control valves, using the target low-pressure opening and the target high-pressure opening. |
| US08646269B2 |
Cylinder apparatus
A cup seal includes a base portion disposed on a cylinder bore opening portion side of a seal groove, an inner circumferential lip portion extended from an inner circumferential side of the base portion toward a cylinder bore bottom portion and having an inner circumferential surface slidably abutting against an outer circumferential surface of a piston (plunger), and an outer circumferential lip portion extended from an outer circumferential side of the base portion toward the cylinder bore bottom portion and having an outer circumferential surface abutting against a seal groove bottom surface. The cup seal also includes an abutment surface and contact pressure adjustment surface. |
| US08646263B2 |
Work vehicle and method for controlling a work vehicle
In a work vehicle, a control section increases the displacement of a hydraulic motor for travel when the drive circuit pressure becomes larger than a target pressure determined according to the engine rotational speed, and reduces the displacement of the hydraulic motor when the drive circuit pressure becomes smaller than the target pressure. The control section increases the target pressure of the hydraulic motor for travel when changing the matching point of the absorption torque curve of the hydraulic pump with respect to the output torque curve of the engine. |
| US08646262B2 |
Unit for recovering and converting the thermal energy of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle
A unit (1, 1′) for recovering and converting thermal energy from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine (14) of a vehicle comprises a heat exchanger (2, 2′) to be traversed by exhaust gases flowing along a by-pass path (5,5′) branching out from an exhaust gas main line (4) of said internal combustion engine (14) and valve means (12) for controlling the flow of the exhaust gases through said path, said valve means (12) being driven by an actuator device (12A). The by-pass path (5, 5′) is a U-shaped path defined entirely within the heat exchanger (2, 2′), starting from an inlet section (6, 6′) and ending at an outlet section of the heat exchanger, the inlet and outlet sections (7,7′) being located on a same side of the heat exchanger (2) and both opening on an interface conduit portion (3) interposed in said exhaust gas main line (4). The heat exchanger (2, 2′) is arranged so that said U-shaped path is oriented transversely to the direction of the exhaust gas main line (4), in such a manner that the exhaust gases traversing the heat exchanger flow firstly in the transverse direction away from the exhaust gas main line (4) and then back in the transverse direction towards the exhaust gas main line (4), The valve means (12) are arranged within said interface conduit portion (3), between merging points of the inlet and outlet portions (6,7) of the heat exchanger (2,2′). |
| US08646254B2 |
Exhaust emission purification method and exhaust emission purification system
Forced regeneration start timing of a diesel particulate filter for purifying particulate matter in exhaust gas is judged based on a comparison of a differential pressure across the diesel particulate filter with a predetermined differential pressure threshold across the filter. The predetermined differential pressure threshold is set by multiplying a reference differential pressure threshold by a coefficient which varies stepwise or continuously depending on a mileage of a vehicle after previous forced regeneration. Consequently, particulate matter can be removed by burning while the amount of particulate matter accumulated unevenly in the filter is still small, and excessive temperature rise in the filter resulting from excessive accumulation of particulate matter during forced regeneration and melting-loss of the filter due to excessive temperature rise can be prevented. |
| US08646253B2 |
Procedure and device for controlling an exhaust gas purification system
A procedure for controlling an exhaust gas purification system of a combustion engine, consisting of one or several catalytic converters for converting and/or storing at least one exhaust gas component of an exhaust gas of the combustion engine at least one of the catalytic converters is construed as oxidization catalytic converter. With the aid of the adsorption capability of at least partially uncombusted hydrocarbons of one of the catalytic converters a diagnosing forecast about the NO oxidization of the catalytic converters is derived, whereby the at least partially uncombusted hydrocarbons are introduced into the exhaust gas duct at least partially in front of the catalytic converter. With the procedure and the device for implementing the procedure the NO oxidization capability of the involved catalytic converters can be evaluated in the range of extended on-board diagnosis requirements to provide “feed-gas” for subsequent exhaust gas after-treatment systems. |
| US08646252B2 |
Preventing catalyst damage during misfire event
A control system includes a temperature determination module and a catalyst protection module. The temperature determination module determines a temperature of exhaust gas based on a resistance of a heating element of an oxygen sensor. The catalyst protection module adjusts an operating parameter of an engine to decrease the temperature of the exhaust gas when the temperature of the exhaust gas is greater than a threshold temperature. The threshold temperature is based on a temperature that damages a catalyst in an exhaust system. |
| US08646248B2 |
Packaging apparatus
A packaging apparatus includes a collection unit and a conveyance unit. The collection unit is configured and arranged to overlay a plurality of packaged objects on adjacent packaged objects. The conveyance unit is configured and arranged to convey, as a group of packaged objects, the packaged objects which are overlaid on the adjacent packaged objects at the collection unit. The conveyance unit includes a position control component. At least one portion of the position control component is positioned below a conveyance plane of the conveyance unit and the other portion of the position control component is positioned above the conveyance plane of the conveyance unit before positions of the packaged objects are adjusted, the one portion and the other portion of the position control component is provided sequentially. |
| US08646247B2 |
Method for applying tape closure to a bag
A tape closure device is configured to secure the neck of a vertically-oriented bag with an adhesive tape. The tape closure device preferably includes a main plate that has a closure receiving slot and a drive plate connected to the main plate. The drive plate includes a drive assembly receiving slot that is vertically aligned with the closure receiving slot. The tape closure device also includes a drive assembly attached to the drive plate, a tape feed assembly attached to the main plate, and a closure system attached to the main plate. The closure system of the tape closure device includes a front plunger configured for rotation about a first vertical axis, a back plunger configured for rotation about a second vertical axis, a taping arm configured for rotation about a third vertical axis and a receiving block positioned adjacent the closure receiving slot. |
| US08646244B2 |
Blister packaging container sealing tool and method
A container comprises a plastic blister with a first planar peripheral edge and a formed, first open-sided volume extending from the plane of the peripheral edge joined with a paperboard tray with a second planar peripheral edge, the paperboard tray having a plurality of panels connected at fold lines and forming a second open-sided volume. The container has means for joining the first planar peripheral edge of the plastic blister and the second planar peripheral edge of the paperboard tray so that the first and second volumes form a combined container volume. The paperboard tray may be a wedge-shaped tray, with greater depth at one end than at the other end. The container may be filled and sealed on conventional equipment used for blister packages with minor changes in tooling. |
| US08646240B1 |
Method and apparatus for forming a mast assembly
A method and apparatus for forming a mast assembly upon a floor of a drilling rig has a support structure, a first carriage assembly affixed to one side of the support structure and a second carriage assembly affixed to an opposite side of the support structure. Each of the first and second carriage assemblies are connectable to a section of the mast assembly. Drive cylinders are associated with the first and second carriage assemblies so as to cause the section of the mast assembly to move upwardly relative to the support structure. While the section of the mast assembly is retained in an elevated position, another section of the mast assembly can be placed within the support structure and joined to the elevated mast section. Additional mast sections can be connected together in a similar manner. |
| US08646226B2 |
Modular vehicle service pit
An exemplary vehicle service pit includes a first section and a second section abutting each other. A support structure supports the service pit and a joint plate helps hold the first section and the second section in the abutting relationship. Substantially parallel runners are located in the service pit and are secured to the support structure. A glider moveably mounts on the runners. Lights may be included as part of the service pit. An exemplary method for assembling a service pit includes abutting a head section and a foot section and securing a gasket in place over the joint between the head section and the foot section using a joint plate. Optionally, lights are added to the head section, the foot section, or both. Runners of elongate metal with support feet integrally formed are attached to the service pit by bolts, or other suitable fastener. |
| US08646221B2 |
Dwelling assembly
A dwelling assembly that has a continuous sidewall and an opening for a door and a window. A roof assembly is provided with first and second roofs that are spaced apart such that the outer roof acts as a heat shield for the inner roof to ensure the interior of the dwelling is a minimum temperature. In addition, ballast boxes are utilized in order to provide additional weight to the dwelling and a planting area in association with the dwelling assembly. |
| US08646218B1 |
Roof gutter cover with variable aperture size
A gutter cover for a roof gutter, fashioned to extend longitudinally in overlying relation to a length of the gutter. The gutter cover comprises: (i) a top portion extending forwardly from a rear edge of the gutter cover; (ii) a front wall extending downwardly from the top portion; (iii) a ledge extending generally horizontally in front of the front wall; (iv) a first longitudinally extending ridge formed in the top portion, (v) a first bank of apertures behind the first longitudinally extending ridge, and (vi) a second bank of apertures in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge; wherein the average size of the apertures in the first bank is larger than the average size of the apertures in the second bank. |
| US08646217B2 |
Device and methods for preventing the obstruction of gutters by leaves and other debris
A gutter insert for preventing the clogging of gutters and devices that are used for conducting a fluid to a desired location. The gutter insert can be connected end-to-end to produce a modular gutter insert having a desired length for placement in a gutter or like device. Closed ends on each segment of the modular gutter insert provide a plurality of internal screens for preventing debris from flowing towards downstream gutter downspouts and outlets. |
| US08646215B2 |
Flush glass assembly interfaces
A glass guiding system is provided comprising first and second glass pieces, each having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The system also includes a first guiding assembly comprising a guide bonded to the inboard surface of the first piece and a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the guide, wherein the rear edge of the first piece and the front edge of the second piece engage when the first piece is fully raised. |
| US08646213B2 |
Glass run for motor vehicle
A glass run capable of being readily attached to corner parts of a door frame of a door of a motor vehicle such that an end edge of a corner cover of the glass run can be securely engaged with an end of a corner piece. A corner cover adapted to cover a vehicle-exterior surface of the corner piece like an arcuate configuration is formed in a corner section of the glass run. An arcuate end edge of the corner cover defines a corner cover lip for contacting an end of the corner piece, and a corner cover engaging wall is formed in the corner cover so as to protrude inwardly from a vehicle-interior surface of the corner cover lip. The corner cover engaging wall and the corner cover lip define an engaging groove, and a plurality of corner cover inclination ribs are formed so as to respectively have an inclined surface connecting the corner cover engaging wall and the vehicle-interior surface of the corner cover lip. |
| US08646211B2 |
Sliding door system
A sliding door system includes at least one sliding door having an upper and lower sliding-door mount, as well as an upper and lower guide rail for displaceably receiving the upper and lower sliding-door mount, respectively. The guide rails extend parallel to each other and each have a clear inner width that is at least twice as large as the thickness of the sliding door. The upper and lower sliding-door mounts are each at most half as wide as the clear inner width of each guide rail, allowing moving the sliding door into recessed and lifted-out positions, each constituting a stable state. By overcoming a resistance force, the sliding door can be moved between stable states. The sliding door system is lightweight and robust, and enables sliding doors to be displaced freely without a particular sliding door being assigned in a fixed manner to a particular opening to be covered. |
| US08646210B2 |
Device for adjusting the orientation of a porthole in an open position
A device for setting the position of a closing element for a porthole in an open position toward the outside around an opening in a wall of a room includes a protruding part with a circular shape fastened to the wall around the opening by means of at least one fastener, and a joining part that has a first end connecting a hinged end of the closing element to the protruding part. The protruding part has at least one first groove. The joining part has a second end movable in the at least one first groove, and the movement of the second end in the at least one first groove entails movement of the closing element in the open position around the opening. In a closed position, the closing element integrally covers the protruding part in order to seal the porthole in the closed position. |
| US08646208B2 |
Selectable-mode door assembly and related method
The present invention generally relates to selectable-mode vehicle door assemblies. Some embodiments include door assemblies that are capable of operating in a sliding mode, and in a swinging mode according to user selection. Some embodiments can include one or more doorframes that can be selectably engaged in a swing mode or a slide mode. Other embodiments generally relate to methods associated with selectable-mode door assemblies. |
| US08646207B1 |
Self-closing entry system
A self-closing entry system includes an entrance, a base support member located at one side of the entrance, a bearing arrangement attached to the base support member, a gate surface member pivotably mounted to the base support member, a bumper assembly defined by at least one bumper frame member pivotably fastened to the gate surface member at a gate fulcrum, at least one bumper contact element fastened to the at least one bumper frame member, and wherein the at least one bumper contact element is capable of axial rotation about the at least one bumper frame member, a counter-balance assembly extending from the first bumper frame member to the second bumper frame member, and a means for latching the gate system, allowing the gate surface member to move in one direction upon activation of a latching control means. |
| US08646205B2 |
Fabricated cultivation box and fabricated landscape architecture system
The present invention relates to a fabricated landscape architecture system that can simply form landscape architecture of a wall surface or the like. The fabricated landscape architecture system, includes a plurality of support plates (60), a plurality of cultivation boxes (10) and water supply pipes (30). The plurality of support plates (60) are arranged in one or more lines in a vertical or horizontal direction and include a plurality of fastening holes and pipe grooves (13). The plurality of cultivation boxes (10) are formed in the shape of a box of which one surface is open. A plurality of fastening protrusion (25) to be inserted into the fastening holes, pipe grooves (13) positioned so as to face the pipe grooves (13) of the support plates (60) and the assembly holes are formed on the bottom of the cultivation box (10). The water supply pipes (38) are provided between the pipe grooves (63) of the support plates (60) and the pipe grooves (13) of the cultivation boxes, and include a plurality of water supply protrusions. |
| US08646203B2 |
Fishing lure
A multi-action fishing lure includes a buoyant head section, a tail section, a joint, and a lip. The head section includes a front surface and an opposing rear surface. The tail section includes a lip that protrudes from a forward region of the tail section. The front surface includes a recessed region, and also includes a line connection device extending from the recessed region. A joint flexibly couples the head section to the tail section. The fishing lure can be retrieved to generate multiple different actions. |
| US08646199B2 |
Shrink wrap eyeglasses tag with hook
A tag assembly for securing a tag to a pair of eyeglasses, wherein the eyeglasses have a frame for holding a pair of lenses and two hinged legs. The tag assembly includes a tag, a shrink tube and optionally an electronic identification device (“EID”), a hook, an information panel and a substantially flat pad. The body of the tag is inserted into the opening in the shrink tube and the tag assembly receives one of the first hinged legs of the pair of eyeglasses. The shrink tube secures the hinged leg in the tag assembly upon the application of heat. |
| US08646198B2 |
Security device
A container to receive goods to be held securely. The container includes a hollow body with walls, and a lid with walls. A security assembly extends between one of the walls and one of the walls to provide evidence of opening and/or tamper. The security assembly includes a pair of inserts between which a tag (seal) extends that is altered if a container is opened or tampered with. |
| US08646196B2 |
Sign assembly
A sign assembly includes a base, a pair of spring members, and a panel. The spring members include a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of the spring member to the base. The spring members also include a generally straight rod that extends from a second end of the resilient portion. The panel defines a pair of openings at a lower edge configured to slidably receive the rod of the spring members. The amount by which the rod slides into the panel is configured to secure the panel in an upright position. |
| US08646194B2 |
Lighting device
A light film apparatus having an illuminated graphics panel with at least two segments that can be individually powered. A controller manages a power which is delivered from a power supply to each of the segments, so that each of the segments is either powered on, powered off or powered to an intermediate level. With the independent control of power to the different segments, it is possible to create a three-dimensional appearance of a moving image from a generally two-dimensional panel arrangement. A housing can be mounted so that the graphics panel abuts or is closely mounted to a mounting surface. |
| US08646193B1 |
Automatic page-turning device and automatic page-turning scan device using the same
An automatic page-turning scan device for automatically turning and scanning pages of a book includes an automatic page-turning device and a scan module. The automatic page-turning device includes a base, a book support, a page-pressing module, a pick-up and page-turning module, and a system controller connected with the book support, the page-pressing module and the pick-up and page-turning module. The book support slidably mounted to the base includes two supporting panels for supporting the book. The page-pressing module is mounted to the supporting panel includes a driving module, and a pressing plate driven by the driving module. The pick-up and page-turning module mounted to the base includes a pick-up holder, a pick-up arm and a path guiding mechanism. The scan module is mounted to the automatic page-turning device, and the system controller controls the scan module to scan the pages of the book. |
| US08646190B2 |
Laundry dryer
The present invention refers to a laundry dryer having a removable front casing panel (1).A laundry dryer according to the invention comprises a front casing panel (1) and a frame structure (4) for accommodating a tub (5) and operational component parts (6) which are required for drying laundry, said frame structure (4) comprises a front supporting member (12) having means (21) for removably mounting said front casing panel (1). The laundry dryer is characterized in that said front supporting member (12) comprises a portion (13) that forms a component part of said tub (5). |
| US08646189B2 |
Pistachio/nut dryer-assembly and method
The present invention provides an improved continuous vertical feed pistachio nut dryer that has an inner compartment defined by bulkhead walls formed of smooth and seamless outer walls of perforated sheet stock, and has an infeed chamber with a batch hopper used in conjunction with an auger to provide a structure configured to operate in a batch fill mode wherein the inner compartment is filled evenly along the length of the dryer. |
| US08646187B2 |
Ammunition measurement tool
Ammunition measurement tools include a frame having a reference surface adapted to contact a first caliper jaw of a pair of calipers, a gauge element attached to the frame and movable, the gauge element defining a plurality of apertures of different selected diameters, each aperture diameter corresponding to a diameter of a selected part of a cartridge, the gauge element being operable to move to position a selected aperture in registration with a second jaw of the pair of calipers such that the distance from the aperture to the second jaw may be measured to determine a length dimension of a cartridge positioned in the aperture. The gauge element may be rotatably connected to the frame to rotate about an axis. The frame may include an attachment facility operable to secure to the jaw of a pair of calipers. |
| US08646183B2 |
Process for forming a fiber reinforced core panel able to be contoured
A process for forming a fiber reinforced core panel which is able to be contoured includes the following steps. First, slice a sheet of a low density material a plurality of times in a first direction of the sheet on at least one side, where the slices extend through only a portion of the thickness of the sheet, then divide the sheet in the second direction of the sheet into a series of low density strips having at least three faces (major face, a first edge face, a second edge face, and optionally a minor face) where the slices in the sheet form a series of cuts in the major or minor face of the low density strips. Next, arrange the series of low density strips to form a core panel and thread a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major or minor faces of the low density strips. |
| US08646179B2 |
Method for applying nanocoatings with easy clean and self-clean capability on a printhead
A method for producing an inkjet printhead that includes aligning and stacking together an aperture plate and a plurality of jetstack plates; bonding together the aperture plate and plurality of jetstack plates; after the bonding step, depositing a layer of coating material to a surface of the aperture plate by inkjet printing to form a coating on at least a portion of the surface of an outlet surface of the aperture plate; and curing the layer of coating material to form a cured coating. The method may also include forming a second cured coating. |
| US08646177B2 |
Method and apparatus for mounting a rotor blade on a wind turbine
An installation system and a method for mounting a rotor blade to a hub on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes coupling a rotor and a stator together, the rotor rotatably connected to the hub. The method further includes rotating the stator in a first direction, wherein rotation of the stator causes the rotor and the hub to rotate in the first direction. The method further includes securing the hub to prevent rotation of the hub. The installation system includes a coupling device configured to releasably couple a stator and a rotor together and a securing device configured to releasably secure the hub. The installation system further includes at least one stator drive device operably connected to the stator, the stator drive device configured to rotate the stator between a first position and a second position. |
| US08646176B2 |
Procedure for covering an electrical conductor with a flexible seal element
The present invention concerns a method for sheathing an electrical conductor with an elastic sealing element. In the method, first a through-opening is produced in the sealing element with a first equivalent diameter. Next the through-opening which has been produced with a first equivalent diameter is expanded to a second equivalent diameter, in order to be able to introduce an electrical conductor into it. Then contraction of the through-opening which has been expanded to the second equivalent diameter is brought about, in order thus to obtain sealing off of the electrical conductor from the elastic sealing element. |
| US08646175B2 |
Method for making a conductive film/plate exibiting electric anisotropy
A method for making a conductive film exhibiting electric anisotropy comprises forming a nanomaterial on a substrate, the nanomaterial having a cluster of interconnected nanounits, each of which being substantially transverse to the substrate and having one end bonded to the substrate. The method further includes stretching the nanounits along a first direction to remove the nanomaterial from the substrate so as to form a conductive film having strings of interconnected nanounits, where the nanounits of the strings substantially extend in the first direction. A conductive plate and a method for making the same is also disclosed, where the method further comprises attaching the conductive film to a second substrate. |
| US08646174B2 |
Device and method for mounting electronic components
An object is to provide an electronic component mounting method in which an adequate component mounting work to which a check result is correctly reflected is enabled and it is possible to satisfy both reduction of the failure occurrence rate and improvement of the working efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus in which an appearance checking section which checks a board to detect existence or non-existence of a failure item, and a component mounting section which transfers and mounts an allocated mounting object component to the board in which the check is ended are integrally disposed includes a mounting availability determination processing section 28d which determines an availability of an execution of an operation of mounting the mounting object component, based on a result of detection of a failure item. In a mounting availability determining process, an availability of an execution of a mounting operation for the mounting object component is automatically determined based on preset failure patterns of the detection result. |
| US08646172B2 |
Electrode array assembly and method of making same
A method of manufacturing a stimulation lead includes providing a lead body having an insulation section that defines a central lumen extending along the insulation section and conductor lumens extending along the insulation section and arranged around, and external to, the central lumen. The lead body also includes conductive contacts located along an axial end of the lead body and conductor wires with each conductor wire disposed within one of the conductor lumens and each of the conductor lumens having at least one of the conductor wires disposed therein. After providing the lead body, conductively at least one of the conductor wires to each of the conductive contacts; and placing non-conductive material into a portion of at least one of the conductor lumens of the lead body. A portion of the conductor lumens and at least a portion of the non-conductive material are disposed radially beneath the conductive contacts. |
| US08646170B2 |
Device for producing photovoltaic modules
An apparatus and a method for automatically joining components of photovoltaic elements are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a) at least two manufacturing lines and at least two assembly bridges for joining the substrates, films and glass panes, b) a stacking device for film feeding and a conveyor belt for feeding the glass panes, c) devices for centering and suctioning the films and the glass plates, d) devices for transporting and fixing the film transport frame and the glass transport frame e) devices for lowering the films and the glass plates from the respective transport frames, and f) devices for further transport. |
| US08646169B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid ejection head having protective layer containing a noble metal
A simplified and less costly manufacture process of a print head can be effective in preventing the peeling-off between a substrate and a flow passage forming member. In the print head, a protective layer is formed between the flow passage forming member and a heat generating portion. The protective layer contains a noble metal. On a side of the flow passage forming member, the surface of the protective layer is made of an oxide of a noble metal, except in a portion corresponding to the heat generating portion, while in the portion corresponding to the heat generating portion on the flow passage forming member side, the surface thereof is made of the noble metal. |
| US08646166B2 |
Component assembly consisting of a fastener element and a sheet metal part and also a method for manufacturing such a component assembly
A component assembly comprises a sheet metal and a fastener element. A flange has a larger diameter and a shaft of smaller diameter extends away from the flange and merges at its end remote from the flange into a cylindrical rivet section. The fastener element is used with sheet metals with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft. The cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a rivet bead contacting the sheet metal underside. Medium thickness sheet metal parts have a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead. For thick sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a conical pierced hole and the cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a conical rivet bead wedged in the conically diverging hole. |
| US08646162B2 |
Method of monitoring fastening loading
A retrofit system for providing a load indicator on a foundation bolt. The system includes a fastener having a fastener head, gauge length and central fastener bore in the gauge length and head. A datum rod is anchored in the central bore with a free datum rod being moveable longitudinally relative to the fastener head during elongation of the fastener gauge length. An internally threaded fastener portion below the central fastener bore is configured to thread over a foundation bolt. A compression sleeve positioned over the foundation bolt is configured to receive the load indicating fastener therein and to bear the compressive forces of the fastening. Elongation of the gauge length as the fastener is tightened onto the stud is manifest as displacement of the datum rod end, which displacement is measured to provide an indication of fastener loading. |
| US08646160B2 |
Connectors removal pliers
A pair of connector removal pliers includes a first arm and a second arm which is pivotably connected to the first arm by a pin. A positioning member and a pressing member are respectively connected to the first and second arms. The positioning member has a rough surface and the pressing member has a protrusion extending therefrom which extends toward the positioning member. By operating two handles of the first and second arms to position one of two connectors between the positioning member and the pressing member, the technician can easily pull the other connector to separate the two connectors. |
| US08646159B2 |
Device and method for assembling retainer and cotter
A large-diameter-side end surface (104a) of a cotter (104) can be supported by a cotter holder (32) from below through inserting a shaft member (102) along an inner periphery of the cotter (104) from above the cotter (104). In this state, a protrusion (104b) of the cotter (104) and an annular groove (102a) of the shaft member (102) are fitted to each other, and the cotter (104) and a retainer (103) are taper-fitted to each other. Consequently, the cotter is prevented from being unstable, and hence it is possible to assemble the retainer (103) and the cotter (104) to the shaft member (102) with good accuracy. |
| US08646156B2 |
Vacuum press fit zipper assembly
A vacuum press fit zipper assembly designed for watersports apparel and gear and other water related applications. Overmolding construction forms an effective seal around the entire perimeter of the fastener assembly, and a vacuum fit is created between the two mating portions of the zipper assembly. |
| US08646155B2 |
Clips for fastening accessories to vehicle panels
A clip for fastening accessories to vehicle panels includes a rectangular reinforcement case which is formed by the end contact of its opposite mid parts, by means of the fitted-together join of a single finger per side of each mid part, by means of a shape approximately of a double fold in the form of a zig-zag against the edge of the opposite part, which extends in parallel to the walls of the case and in the interior of the case. The remainder of this opposite part has a symmetrical finger with a similar arrangement. |
| US08646154B2 |
Adjustable door stop system
An adjustable door stop system. The system includes a hinge pin having an axis about which the hinge leaves rotate, a top end, and an opposed bottom end. In one embodiment, a hinge pin cap has a first portion extending radially from the top end of the hinge pin and a second cylindrical portion extending from the first portion parallel to the access of the hinge pin. A control cap has an opening to receive the hinge pin therethrough, the control cap having a radially extending first portion and a cylindrical second portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin. A mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the hinge pin cap with respect to the control cap including a plurality of teeth on the control cap second cylindrical portion and a plurality of teeth of the control cap cylindrical portion which mate with each other. |
| US08646150B2 |
Handle lock structure for working machine
Handle lock structure includes: left and right lock members provided on a body of a working machine for movement into engagement with engaging portions of left and right handle sections of a handle as the handle is pivotally moved in a deploying direction from a stored position toward a deployed position, thereby locking the handle sections in the deployed position; and a lock cancellation lever for moving the left and right lock members out of the engagement with the engaging portions to compulsorily cancel the locking, by the left and right lock members, of the left and right handle sections in the deployed position. |
| US08646144B2 |
Cleaning sheet
A cleaning sheet (1) includes at least one continuous-filament aggregate (10) formed by aggregating and orienting a multitude of continuous filaments (11) substantially in one orientation direction. The continuous filaments (11) are joined by a single first joining line (12) extending continuously in a direction orthogonal to the orientation direction of the continuous filaments (11) and are joined by a plurality of second joining lines (13) extending in the orientation direction. In this way, the continuous filaments (11) in the continuous-filament aggregate (10) are kept in an aggregated state. Preferably, the second joining lines (13) are connected to the first joining line (12). |
| US08646143B2 |
Power transmission device and power transmission method
The invention presents a power transmission device comprising a cable, and a duct at least partially surrounding the cable, a reel, into which the cable with its duct can be reeled, a guide for feeding the cable onto and/or off the reel, and a crank in connection with the head end of the cable for rotating the cable. The power transmission device is mainly characterized in that the crank is a hydraulic crank. |
| US08646140B2 |
Paper ramp
A paper ramp for use in unloading a wheeled or castered product from a pallet or shipping base is provided. The ramp is wedge shaped and comprises a folded bottom member affixed to a pre-formed top member having integrally formed guide rails. The bottom member has closure flaps that fold together in interlocking fashion inside the wedged shaped ramp to support and stabilize the load bearing top surface of the ramp. |
| US08646139B1 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for washing and drying a product
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, and/or device adapted for washing and drying a product via a continuous forward flow of product and a reverse flow of aqueous content. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an auger, a rotating paddle wheel, a perforated spiral drum, a perforated cylindrical drum, and/or a hydraulic ram press. |
| US08646136B2 |
Assemblies, systems, and related methods employing interlocking components to provide at least a portion of an encasement, particularly for bedding and seating applications
Encasement assemblies, systems, and related methods employing interlocking support components to provide at least a portion of an encasement for bedding or seating are disclosed. The assembly may include a base having flip-up support member(s). The base may include elongated channel(s) disposed therein having a first geometry and a portion of the elongated channel(s) may also be disposed in the flip-up support member(s). The assembly may also include elongated support member(s) each having a first side and a second side. The first side may contain a rail and the second side may contain a second rail. Each rail and second rail may be interlocked with the elongated channel(s), such that the elongated support member(s) are attached to the base and provide at least a portion of the encasement. |
| US08646134B1 |
Pillow with gusset of open cell construction
A pillow is provided herein which includes a cover having opposing first and second panels. A gusset perimetrically bounds, and joins, the first and second panels. The gusset is formed of an open cell construction. Compliant fill material is disposed within the cover. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a pillow is provided allowing for lateral ventilation between opposing panels. This permits a cooling effect while a user is resting or sleeping. |
| US08646133B2 |
Duvet cover
A duvet cover (10) including an envelope portion (20) substantially closable for enveloping a duvet to shield the duvet from soiling. The envelope portion (120) is removable from the duvet for laundering. The duvet cover further includes a sheet portion (30) attachable to the envelope portion (20) to underlie the envelope portion (20) to shield the underside (21) of the envelope portion (20) from soiling. The sheet portion (30) is removable from the envelope portion (20) for laundering. There is also provided a method of minimizing duvet cover laundering requirements. |
| US08646131B2 |
Variable height siderail
A siderail comprises a rail having a lower edge extending longitudinally from a head end to a foot end, and a longitudinally outer link comprising a head side outer link segment and a foot side outer link segment. Each segment is connected to the rail at a joint OR and connected to a host frame at a joint OF. The siderail also includes an inner link longitudinally intermediate the outer link segments and connected to the rail at a joint IR and to the host frame at a joint IF. The head side outer link segment extends longitudinally from approximately the head end of the rail lower edge toward the inner link without longitudinally overlapping the inner link. The foot side outer link segment extends longitudinally from approximately the foot end of the rail lower edge toward the inner link without longitudinally overlapping the inner link. |
| US08646127B1 |
Crib
A crib is provided that includes a mattress support portion and a vertical member. The vertical member includes an upper end that extends above the mattress support portion and a lower end that extends below the mattress support portion. The crib further includes a caster that is operatively connected to the lower end of the vertical member, and a first reinforcing member that is operatively connected to the mattress support portion and the caster. |
| US08646126B2 |
Infant bed
One aspect of the present invention relates to an infant bed. The infant bed includes a chassis. A carriage moves relative to the chassis and includes a mattress support upon which a mattress can rest. A motorized control assembly enables a user to controllably move the carriage relative to the chassis. In one embodiment, the carriage includes a pair of end panels and a rear panel extending vertically upward from the mattress support. A front panel may be slidably mounted to the chassis to thereby contain the infant in the infant bed. |
| US08646125B2 |
Transport apparatus
A transport apparatus includes a base, a sling, a support frame mounted to the base. The support frame extends over the base and is configured to move from a first position spaced above the base at a first height wherein the support frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface for engaging the sling when placed on the support surface to a second position spaced above a second height greater than the first height once engaged with the sling wherein when the support frame and the sling are raised to the second position the sling is raised above the support surface so that a person supported on the sling may be lifted off the support surface with the sling and moved away from the support surface by the base. Further, the sling may be rotatably mounted to the support frame to facilitate reorientation of the person. |
| US08646124B2 |
Transport apparatus
A transport apparatus includes a movable base, a sling, and a support frame mounted to the base. The frame extends over the base and is configured to move from a position spaced above the base at a first height wherein the frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface for engaging the sling when placed on the surface to another position spaced at a height greater than the first height after engagement with the sling. The sling is adapted to be engaged by the frame, which provides lateral support to the sling, wherein when the frame and sling are raised to the greater height the sling is raised above the surface so that a person supported on the sling may be lifted off the surface with the sling and the frame and supported in a stabilized sitting position so that the person can moved away from the surface. |
| US08646121B2 |
Steam and sauna shower panel
An apparatus for converting a normal shower room into a steam and sauna facility. The apparatus comprises a vertical panel, a rain shower, a hand held massage means, a back and foot massage means, a seat with seat massage means, a steam and hot air generating means. The apparatus also includes an electronic device incorporating radio, CD player Hook Up, Telephone, Video features and buttons for controlling steam, heat, massage means, Audio and Video means. |
| US08646120B2 |
Bathing device, systems and methods
Systems and methods provide improved bathing or soaking mechanisms. A vessel may be provided with a plurality of horizontal support surfaces disposed in a cavity and a plurality of separate drain paths. A lid is adapted to span the cavity and be received in the top of the vessel. The lid may be a two-piece hinged lid, which may be actuated from a closed position to an open position and back again. The lid is provided with one or more drain holes which may cooperate with one of the plurality of drain paths when the lid is in the closed position. The vessel and lid combination may be installed through a floor, beneath a conventional shower stall, to enable showering with such stall without substantial contamination to the vessel. |
| US08646119B1 |
Pool chair lift and associated method of use
A chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool, the chair lift apparatus that includes a frame, a chair, a lift arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the lift arm is rotatably attached to the frame and the second end portion of the lift arm is operatively attached to the chair, a linkage, and a linear actuator, having a first actuator portion and a second actuator portion located within a frame, the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position. There is a protective cover to provide protection from environmental damage and the space between the frame and the linear actuator does not constitute a pinch point when the chair is above the edge of the water pool. |
| US08646118B2 |
Cartridge for a toilet freshener
Cartridge (1) for coupling to a toilet flusher comprising at least one chamber (2) for receiving at least one free-flowing toilet cleaning preparation (6). The chamber (2) has an outlet (4) that lies in the direction of gravitation such that the toilet cleaning preparation can be released from the chamber (2) due to the force of gravity. The outlet (4) is, prior to a first coupling to the toilet flusher, secured prior to the release of the toilet cleaning preparation (6). The preparation is released from the cartridge (1) through the outlet due to the force of gravity when the cartridge (1) is first coupled to the toilet flusher. The chamber (2) has a communicating bar (8), wherein the bar and at least one other chamber (10) are designed so that they interact whereby the chamber (10) can be arranged on or next to the bar (8). |
| US08646117B2 |
Anti-siphon trap with snorkel
To reduce the barrier sealant amount, the area of a throat (88), communicating an inlet compartment (78) to an outlet opening (64), is made small. Should sealant not be in the throat, wastewater in the throat would be correspondingly small. A snorkel (110) in a discharge section drain tube (98) extends downwards to above the level of the horizontal drain, and allows any air from the external drain to pass to the outlet compartment generally below the ceiling (90) so that, should wastewater cover the opening of the drain tube, such air is permitted to enter into the cartridge and to prevent any syphoning. A three rib channel guide mechanism (100) within the tube guides wastewater flow towards the drain tube center, and away from the drain tube walls to avoid deposit of any sediment contained in the wastewater. |
| US08646114B1 |
System and apparatus for the prevention of the use of certain interventions on vulnerable patients
A system and apparatus of coded gowns to alert health care workers of the status of vulnerable patients and where on the patient's body the vulnerable portions are located. The use of color-coded gowns follows the patient on his or her person and is therefore less likely to be lost or unseen information, thereby avoiding physical calamity and legal liability. |
| US08646113B2 |
Sports glove having improved wrist strap
The present invention provides a protective sports glove worn. The glove may be used by athletes during training or in a combative event requiring striking to protect against injury and increase performance, including, but not limited to, total force transference, grip strength, striking force and speed, muscular endurance, time to contraction, etc. These gloves have an adjustable dual strapping wrist tie system to secure the gloves to the contour of the hands and ensure they remain tight and fixed. The dual strapping system seeks to provide increased wrist and hand rigidity that mirrors a tightness of hand wrap bandages for maximal bone and tendon support of the hands and wrists. This system increases the transfer of force to the point of impact. |
| US08646112B2 |
Reinforcing element for a glove, and glove, in particular a goal keeper's glove having such a reinforcing element
The invention relates to a reinforcement element for a glove, especially for a goal keeper's glove, which is designed to allow a bending in a first bending direction and to prevent a bending in a second bending direction which is contrariwise to the first bending direction. To prevent reliably that the joints of the fingers are subjected to high forces during fisting of a ball, the invention is characterized in that the reinforcement element comprises two bending elements which extend in a longitudinal direction of a finger, which bending elements comprise a number of blocking elements for the prevention of a bending in the second bending direction, wherein the two bending elements run during regular use laterally beside the finger which is to be protected, wherein the two bending elements are connected to another by at least two connecting bridges. Furthermore, the invention relates to a glove, especially to a goal keeper's glove with such a reinforcing element. |
| US08650661B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterizing a probe tip
A method and apparatus are provided of characterizing a re-entrant SPM probe tip (30) through a single scan of a characterizer, thus dramatically increasing throughput, accuracy, and repeatability when compared to prior known tip characterization techniques. The characterizer also preferably is one whose dimensions can be known with a high level of certainty in order to maximize characterization accuracy. These dimensions are also preferably very stable or, if unstable, change catastrophically rather than in a manner that is difficult or impossible to detect. A carbon nanotube (CNT), preferably a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), has been found to be well-suited for this purpose. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (130) and other structures may also suffice for this purpose. Also provided are a method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of a CNT. |
| US08650658B2 |
Creating distinct user spaces through user identifiers
A method of, and a processing system for, creating distinct user spaces. In a platform originally intended to be a single user platform, for each of a plurality of users, a first application used by the user can be assigned a user identifier (UID) unique to the user and the first application. The first UID can be associated with user data exclusively associated with the user and the first application to create a multi-user platform. |
| US08650657B1 |
Storing encrypted objects
A resource in unencrypted form and a wrapped key are received in a request from an application server system and at a key server system. The wrapped key includes a resource encryption key and a user identifier that have been encrypted using a master key. The user identifier identifies a user that is permitted to use the resource encryption key to decrypt the resource. The request does not include the user identifier. The wrapped key is decrypted to access the resource encryption key. The resource in unencrypted form is encrypted into an encrypted resource with the resource encryption key. The encrypted resource is sent to the application server system. |
| US08650652B2 |
Rendering subject identification on protected messages lacking such identification
Rendering subject information for a protected message received and stored at an electronic communications device, wherein the message is initially received by the electronic communications device without subject information. Selected information is extracted from the protected message and stored on the electronic communications device as subject information for the protected message. |
| US08650649B1 |
Systems and methods for determining whether to evaluate the trustworthiness of digitally signed files based on signer reputation
A computer-implemented method for determining whether to evaluate the trustworthiness of digitally signed files based on signer reputation may include (1) identifying a file, (2) determining that the file has been digitally signed, (3) identifying a signer responsible for digitally signing the file, (4) identifying the signer's reputation, and then (5) determining whether to evaluate the trustworthiness of the file based at least in part on the signer's reputation. In one example, the signer's reputation may be based at least in part on the determined trustworthiness of at least one additional file that was previously signed by the signer. Various other methods, systems, and encoded computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08650647B1 |
Web site computer security using client hygiene scores
A reputation server is coupled to multiple clients via a network. Each client has a security module that detects malware at the client. The security module computes a hygiene score based on detected malware. The security module provides the hygiene score and an identifier of a visited web site to a reputation server. The security module also provides identifiers of files encountered at specified web sites to the reputation server. The reputation server computes secondary hygiene scores for web sites based on the hygiene scores of the clients that visit the web sites. The reputation server further computes reputation scores for files based on the secondary hygiene scores of sites that host the files. The reputation server provides the reputation scores to the clients. A reputation score represents an assessment of whether the associated file is malicious. |
| US08650645B1 |
Systems and methods for protecting proprietary data
Systems and methods for protecting proprietary data are provided. A file of computer-executable code that facilitates the processing of proprietary information when executed may be identified. At least one hashing operation may be performed on the file to generate a first representative value associated with the file. At least one approval associated with validation of the file may be received by the computing system. The at least one approval may be stored in association with the generated representative value. Prior to the execution of the file, the at least one hashing operation may be utilized to determine a second representative value associated with the file. Execution of the file may be selectively permitted based at least in part upon a determination of whether the second representative value matches the stored first representative value and whether the at least one approval is available. |
| US08650644B1 |
Compressed data pattern matching
A computing device may receive compressed data that includes a sequence of references corresponding to dictionary words used to compress the compressed data. The computing device may obtain the dictionary words used to compress the compressed data, and identify malicious content corresponding to one or more of the dictionary words. The computing device may also identify malicious content corresponding to the compressed data based on the one or more dictionary words and produce a notification of the malicious content corresponding to the compressed data. |
| US08650642B2 |
System and method for below-operating system protection of an operating system kernel
A below-operating system security agent may be configured to: (i) trap attempted accesses to the components of the operating system and the set of drivers executing on the electronic device; (ii) in response to trapping an attempted access, compare contextual information associated with the attempted access to an access map; and (iii) determine if the attempted access is trusted based on the comparison. The access map may be generated by: (i) trapping, at a level below all of the operating systems of a second electronic device accessing components of the second operating system and the second set of drivers executing on the second electronic device and each substantially free of malware, accesses to components of the second operating system and the second set of drivers executing on the second electronic device; and (ii) in response to trapping the accesses, recording contextual information regarding the accesses to the access map. |
| US08650641B2 |
System and method for below-operating system trapping of driver filter attachment
A system for protecting an electronic system against malware includes an operating system configured to execute on the electronic device, a driver coupled to the operating system, and a below-operating-system security agent. The below-operating-system security agent is configured to identify one or more resources for changing filters of the driver, trap an attempted access of the one or more resources that originates from the operational level of the operating system, access one or more security rules to determine whether the attempted access is indicative of malware, and operate at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic system accessing the one or more resources for changing filters of the driver. |
| US08650638B2 |
System and method for detecting a file embedded in an arbitrary location and determining the reputation of the file
A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes identifying a file format identifier associated with a beginning of a file, parsing the file based on the file format identifier until an end of the file is identified, and calculating a hash from the beginning of the file to the end of the file. The method may also include sending the hash to a reputation system and taking a policy action based on the hash's reputation received from the reputation system. |
| US08650630B2 |
System and method for exposing malicious sources using mobile IP messages
Malicious sources within networks are identified using bait traffic, including mobile IP messages, transmitted between a collaborating network device and a collaborating mobile client that has a fixed connection to the network. The bait traffic entices a malicious source to transmit malicious packets towards the collaborating mobile client and/or the network device. Upon receiving a malicious packet, the collaborating mobile client or the network device is able to identify the source of the packet as a malicious source and report the presence of the malicious source within the network. |
| US08650625B2 |
Method and system for secure authentication of a user by a host system
A method and system for securely logging onto a banking system authentication server so that a user credential never appears in the clear during interaction with the system in which a user's credential is DES encrypted, and the DES key is PKI encrypted with the public key of an application server by an encryption applet before being transmitted to the application server. Within the HSM of the application server, the HSM decrypts and re-encrypts the credential under a new DES key known to the authentication server, the re-encrypted credential is forwarded to the authentication server, decrypted with the new DES key known to the authentication server, and verified by the authentication server. |
| US08650624B2 |
Obscuring visual login
A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and either the modified base image or modified overlay image is moved by the user. A security level requirement is assigned and positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image after the moving in a manner that meets the security level requirement. |
| US08650623B2 |
Risk adaptive information flow based access control
Systems and methods are provided to manage risk associated with access to information within a given organization. The overall risk tolerance for the organization is determined and allocated among a plurality of subjects within the organization. Allocation is accomplished using either a centralized, request/response or free market mechanism. As requested from subjects within the organization for access to objects, i.e. information and data, are received, the amount of risk or risk level associated with each requested is quantified. Risk quantification can be accomplished using, for example, fuzzy multi-level security. The quantified risk associated with the access request in combination with the identity of the object and the identity of the subject are used to determine whether or not the request should be granted, denied or granted with appropriated mitigation measures. |
| US08650616B2 |
User definable policy for graduated authentication based on the partial orderings of principals
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that determine an actor context of an actor as well as an access environment for an attempted operation responsive to the actor context and a necessary condition. The method also evaluates whether the access environment satisfies the necessary condition and activates a principal responsive to the evaluation and authenticates the actor against the principal. |
| US08650613B2 |
Simplified pairing for wireless devices
A first wireless device is paired with a second wireless device for communication over a wireless connection. The first wireless device receives an input that indicates a device identifier of the second wireless device, and then matches the device identifier with one of the data entries in a data repository to obtain a code of the second wireless device without user interactions. The data repository contains a plurality of data entries associating a plurality of wireless devices with their corresponding codes. Based on the code of the second wireless device, the first wireless device authenticates the second wireless device and establishes the wireless connection. |
| US08650611B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of setting security policy thereof
An image forming apparatus including a communication interface unit to access an external device storing at least one security provider corresponding to user authentication, a user interface (UI) unit to select the security provider, a storage unit to receive the selected security provider from the external device and store the received security provider, a control unit to install the stored security provider in the image forming apparatus, select at least one application to apply the installed security provider, and set the installed security provider as a user authenticator for the at least one selected application. |
| US08650609B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A conventional method of verifying alteration of an image file has a problem of security and may negatively affect user convenience. An image processing apparatus according to the present invention records, as an image file, input image data and a plurality of types of parameters input by the user, and stores, for each of parameter types classified in accordance with the features of the parameters, first security information based on the plurality of types of parameters. When reading out the image file, second security information is decided for each of parameter types based on the plurality of types of parameters included in the image file. If determined that the pieces of security information for any of the parameter types do not coincide, processing for the image file is changed in accordance with information to be used to restrict the processing to be executed for the image file. |
| US08650604B2 |
Method and system for synchronization of audio/video (A/V) stream format change in wireless communication systems
A protocol for wireless transmission of audio/video (A/V) information is provided. The protocol includes sending a request message from a requester to a responder for changing A/V format of an A/V stream transmission between the requester and the responder over a wireless communication medium. In reply to the request message, sending a response message from the responder to the requester for synchronizing the A/V format change. The requester and the responder changing the A/V format of the A/V stream in synchrony. |
| US08650593B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus to provide external devices with a list of recorded files, method for providing recorded file, and system using the same
A broadcast receiving apparatus, and a method and system for providing recorded files are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus generates a recorded file list having information regarding addresses at which recorded files are stored, and transmits the generated recorded file list to an external apparatus. Therefore, a user may conveniently use files recorded on a TV. |
| US08650591B2 |
Video enabled digital devices for embedding user data in interactive applications
Connecting viewers in the broadcasting and gaming experience for the purpose of enhancing the entertainment experience of a user is a fast growing technical area. It seeks to engage the viewer in a media that is visually rich which consequently provides a new and unique form of enhancing the user experience. |
| US08650590B2 |
System and method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a recorded event
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a recorded event. For example, in one embodiment, a set top box is disclosed that includes a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a communication interface for receiving media content data from a cable service provider; a decoder module for decoding the received media content data; an emergency alert break-in monitoring module for identifying an emergency alert break-in from the received data; a digital video recorder controller module for determining whether the identified emergency alert break-in affects a recording of a program on a recorded channel; and an emergency alert break-in bypass module for bypassing the identified emergency alert break-in for enabling the digital video recorder controller module to record the program without the identified emergency alert break-in. |
| US08650587B2 |
Mobile content tracking platform apparatuses and systems
The MOBILE CONTENT TRACKING PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“Mobile-Track”) transforms user device activity data via Mobile-Track components, into user advertisement exposure data and advertisement effects data. A system is disclosed, comprising: a memory; a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions for obtaining a user mobile device identifier; monitoring data traffic coming in and out of the user mobile device based on the obtained user mobile device identifier via a mobile usage tracking entity; parsing the monitored data traffic to determine a data content type of the data traffic; determining user media content exposure information from the parsed monitored data traffic based on the data content type; and generating user media content exposure statistics data. |
| US08650580B2 |
Data communications in a parallel active messaging interface of a parallel computer
Data communications in a parallel active messaging interface (‘PAMI’) of a parallel computer, the parallel computer including a plurality of compute nodes that execute a parallel application, the PAMI composed of data communications endpoints, each endpoint including a specification of data communications parameters for a thread of execution on a compute node, including specifications of a client, a context, and a task, the compute nodes and the endpoints coupled for data communications through the PAMI and through data communications resources, including receiving in an origin endpoint of the PAMI a data communications instruction, the instruction characterized by an instruction type, the instruction specifying a transmission of transfer data from the origin endpoint to a target endpoint and transmitting, in accordance with the instruction type, the transfer data from the origin endpoint to the target endpoint. |
| US08650578B1 |
System and method for intercepting process creation events
A system for detecting creation of a program instance includes an interceptor routine that obtains a parameter corresponding to a characteristic of a program instance and an interceptor module that can be injected into a native operating system process. In certain examples, the interceptor module can replace an address of a selected routine in an address table with an address to the interceptor routine, such that the native operating system process can call the interceptor routine in place of the selected routine. Additionally, the system can include a comparison module that compares the parameter to a set of identified programs to determine whether the program instance corresponds to at least one of the identified programs. The system can also include a security module that can modify execution of the program instance based at least in part on a determination that the program instance corresponds to at least one identified program. |
| US08650573B2 |
System and method for controlling priority in SCA multi-component and multi-port environment
A system for controlling priority in a SCA-based application having a plurality of components wherein each of the components has a plurality of ports, includes: a priority component scheduler, interworking with the plurality of components wherein component priority order of the components is arranged therein; and a priority port scheduler that is provided in each of the components including the plurality of the ports which are associated with connections between the components, wherein port priority order of the ports included in each of the components is arranged therein. The priority component scheduler may be generated by using domain profiles in which component priority values of the components are set and the priority port scheduler may be generated by using domain profiles in which port priority values of the ports included in each of the components are set. Further, the domain profiles may be XML files. |
| US08650571B2 |
Scheduling data analysis operations in a computer system
A technique receiving identifiers from a plurality of nodes. Each identifier identifies an associated data object, and at least some of the data objects being replicated on different nodes. The technique includes scheduling analysis of the data objects on the nodes based at least in part on a distribution of replicas of the data objects among the nodes and modeled performances of the nodes. |
| US08650570B2 |
Method of assigning instructions in a process to a plurality of scheduler instances based on the instruction, in which each scheduler instance is allocated a set of negoitaited processor resources
A runtime environment of a computer system is provided that creates first and second scheduler instances in a process. Each scheduler instance includes allocated processing resources and is assigned a set of tasks for execution. Each scheduler instance schedules tasks for execution using the allocated processing resources to perform the work of the process. |
| US08650568B2 |
Method and system for transforming orders for executing them in standard workflow engines
The invention is based on Orders specifically developed for and processed by an Order Processing Environment for creation or modification of resource topologies. The Order Processing Environment is partly replaced by a combination of an Order Transformation Environment and standard Workflow Engines in order to execute the Order by standard Workflow Engines. The Order Transformation Environment needs to get two inputs. The first input is the resource topology which is retrieved by using the Relationship Registry of the Order Processing Environment. The second input is the Order. Orders are resource topology independent and include resource specific tasks without arranging those in a sequence. Tasks provide actions for creating and/or modifying resource topologies. The transformation is based on above two inputs resulting in a static standard based workflow. The static, standards-based workflow (e.g. BPEL-based) can then be executed by standards-based process/workflow engines. This enables users to exploit the flexibility of orders while still being able to leverage the broad set of tooling and runtime products available across the IT industry. |
| US08650566B2 |
Virtual machine provisioning in object storage system
The storage system exports logical storage volumes that are provisioned as storage objects. These storage objects are accessed on demand by connected computer systems using standard protocols, such as SCSI and NFS, through logical endpoints for the protocol traffic that are configured in the storage system. When a virtual machine is provisioned, logical storage volumes include a logical metadata storage volume and logical data storage volumes. The logical metadata storage volume stores metadata for the virtual machine such as configuration and log files, swap file, and disk descriptor files. Each disk descriptor file is provided for one logical data storage volume and stores metadata about the logical data storage volume such as size and unique identifying data. |
| US08650563B2 |
Identification and placement of new virtual machines to reduce memory consumption based on shared images with hosted virtual machines
A mechanism for optimal placement of VMs based on shared images is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes identifying a virtual machine (VM) image of a new VM to be placed by a host controller on one of a plurality of candidate host machines, for each candidate host machine of the plurality of candidate host machines, identifying a VM image for each VM hosted by the candidate host machine, and determining the candidate host with the most VMs having identical VM images to the new VM. |
| US08650561B2 |
System and method for localizing display of applications for download
Localizing display of applications for download, the method including receiving from a developer and ingesting into an online store an application localized in different languages, including a designated default language, determining a local language of a user desiring to download the application from the online store, presenting to the user an interface to download a version of the application in the user's local language if the application is available in the user's local language, and presenting to the user an interface to download the version of the application in the designated default language if the application is unavailable in the user's local language. In the case of people who speak more than one language, determining a local language of a user further includes determining one or more secondary local languages and/or assigning an order of priority to the secondary languages. |
| US08650555B1 |
Method for increasing the speed of speculative execution
A method of code execution by a processor including duplicating a first set of instructions to generate a second set of instructions, modifying the second set of instructions, executing the modified set of instructions, and upon exiting the modified set of instructions, loading an updated state of the processor. |
| US08650554B2 |
Single thread performance in an in-order multi-threaded processor
A mechanism is provided for improving single-thread performance for a multi-threaded, in-order processor core. In a first phase, a compiler analyzes application code to identify instructions that can be executed in parallel with focus on instruction-level parallelism and removing any register interference between the threads. The compiler inserts as appropriate synchronization instructions supported by the apparatus to ensure that the resulting execution of the threads is equivalent to the execution of the application code in a single thread. In a second phase, an operating system schedules the threads produced in the first phase on the hardware threads of a single processor core such that they execute simultaneously. In a third phase, the microprocessor core executes the threads specified by the second phase such that there is one hardware thread executing an application thread. |
| US08650553B2 |
System and method for localizing assets using automatic generation of alerts
A system and method for managing localization workflow for video game development is disclosed. The method includes programmatically determining that a string has been added to or modified in an executable asset of a video game under development. The method further includes programmatically inspecting the executable asset to determine whether the string is to be visually displayed or audibly played during game play. The method further includes programmatically generating an electronic message for a translator based at least partly on a positive determination that there is a string to be translated, wherein the electronic message is intended to notify the translator of a translation task associated with at least the text to be translated. |
| US08650552B1 |
Methods and systems for simulation of energy consumption in mobile operating system emulators
An operating system emulator determines energy consumption by hardware components being simulated during testing of mobile applications. The operating system emulator can be configured to track and determine the energy consumption of hardware components by using predefined energy utilization specifications. As the operating system emulator executes an application, the operating system emulator can track the utilization of the hardware components by the application being tested. To determine energy consumption, the operating system emulator can utilize energy consumption specifications of the hardware components and the utilization of the hardware components by the application. |
| US08650544B2 |
Systems and methods for interactive testing of a computer application
Embodiments of methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-readable may relate to interactive testing of source code. The method may include executing at least a part of the source code at the processing device and presenting the execution to a user. One or more gestures of the user may be captured while executing the part, where the user provides the gestures based on the execution presented to the user. The gestures may then be associated with the executing part, and a report may be generated that comprises information for the executing part associated with the captured gestures. |
| US08650543B1 |
Software compatibility checking
During a compatibility testing technique, a portable electronic device launches a test version of a module in the application prior to executing the application in an environment on the portable electronic device. This module may be associated with the external electronic device (such as an audio jack swiper), and launching the test version of the module may involve providing configuration information associated with operation of the module to the environment. If, in response to the configuration information, the test version is initialized correctly by the environment, the portable electronic device subsequently executes the application with the module. Alternatively, if, in response to the configuration information, the test version is not initialized correctly by the environment, the portable electronic device subsequently executes the application without the module. |
| US08650536B2 |
Modular server architecture
A method for using a program to convert a schema to a software data structure includes automatically converting the schema to the software data structure, merging shadow software functionality with the automatically converted software data structure to form a merged software, and executing the merged software. |
| US08650532B2 |
Change notification and information update based on uncompiled software development project
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed to provide change notification based on updates to an uncompiled software development project. A particular method includes detecting a project switch to a first software development project from an uncompiled second software development project. A metadata representation of one or more software entities associated with the second software development project is created. The method also includes updating a file including one or more proxy classes of the first software development project, where the proxy classes are updated based on the metadata representation. One or more clients of the first software development project are notified that the file has been updated. |
| US08650530B2 |
Data center programming and application distribution interface
An exemplary data center interface for distributing and monitoring Web applications includes a specification that specifies a call statement to distribute one or more components of a Web application to one or more data centers and a call statement to report metrics associated with performance of the Web application. An exemplary data center interface for associating advertisements with distributed Web applications includes a specification that specifies a call statement and one or more call statement parameters to associate an advertisement with one or more distributed Web applications based on at least one criterion. Various other devices, systems and methods are also described. |
| US08650528B2 |
Electric information processing method in CAD system, device thereof, program, and computer-readable storage medium
It is possible to improve workability of a design work by handling electric information between one object and other objects associated with the object. A plurality of objects are inputted and electric information is inputted to the objects. Among the objects, mutually connected objects are virtually made into a single object. According to electric information in each of the objects, i.e., the virtually unified single object and the other objects excluding the virtually unified single object, objects having the common electric information are connected by straight lines. According to the straight lines, a figure connecting the objects is inputted. A condition for connecting the objects in the figure is inputted. According to the condition, circuit parts are built and signal information is set in a terminal of the circuit parts. |
| US08650527B2 |
Method and software tool for analyzing and reducing the failure rate of an integrated circuit
A software tool and method for analyzing the reliability or failure rate of an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. The IC may include a plurality of circuit designs, and the software tool and method may aid a designer of the IC in determining a reliability rating of the IC based on reliability ratings of transistors or other circuit devices used in the circuit designs. In particular, the IC may include one or more circuit designs that have multiple instances within the IC (i.e., the same circuit design is instantiated multiple times), and the software tool and method may take into account the multiple instances when determining the reliability rating of the IC. |
| US08650525B2 |
Integrated circuit compilation
Systems and methods for increasing speed and reducing processing power of a compile process of programmable logic of an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a high level program, comprising computer-readable instructions for implementation on programmable logic of an integrated circuit (IC); translating the high level program into low level code representative of functional components needed to execute functionalities of the high level program; generating a host program comprising computer-readable instructions for implementing the low level code based upon the high level program; obtaining modifications to the high level program; determining whether the modifications can be implemented by a new host program utilizing the low level code; and generating the new host program to implement the modifications, when the modifications can be implemented by the new host program utilizing the low level code. |
| US08650516B2 |
Methods and systems for computer aided design of 3D integrated circuits
Methods and systems for generating and verifying circuit layouts from computer-aided design tools for vertically integrated, three-dimensional integrated circuits are disclosed. In one instance, a 3-D technology file of these teachings is obtained by providing an identifier for two or more circuit levels, providing for each one of the two or more circuit levels an identifier for a 2-D technology file corresponding to each of the one or more circuit levels and providing a file structure including the two or more circuit levels and each identifier, corresponding to each one of the one or more circuit levels, for the 2-D technology file corresponding to each one of the two or more circuit levels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08650513B2 |
Reducing x-pessimism in gate-level simulation and verification
Methods and apparatuses are described for reducing or eliminating X-pessimism in gate-level simulation and/or formal verification. A system can identify a set of reconvergent inputs of a combinational block in a gate-level design. Next, the system can determine whether or not the combinational block is expected to exhibit X-pessimism during gate-level simulation. If the combinational block is expected to exhibit X-pessimism during gate-level simulation, the system can modify the gate-level design to reduce X-pessimism during gate-level simulation. In some embodiments, the system can build a model for the gate-level design by using unique free input variables to represent sources of indeterminate values. The system can then use the model to perform formal verification. |
| US08650510B2 |
User interface
A computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of a mobile handheld computer, cause the processor to present a user interface including a touch sensitive area in which a representation of a function is provided, wherein the function is activated in response to a mufti-step operation including an object touching the touch sensitive area at a location where the representation is provided, and then the object gliding along the touch sensitive area away from the touched location irrespective of how far the object glides, wherein the function, when activated, causes the user interface to display user input controls at respective display locations that are determined prior to performance of the mufti-step operation, and wherein any user gesture that activates a function and begins with an object touching the touch sensitive area at a location where the representation is provided causes the same response. |
| US08650509B2 |
Touchscreen gestures for virtual bookmarking of pages
A system and method are disclosed for navigating an electronic document using a touch-sensitive display screen with gestures that are reminiscent of physically handling the pages of a conventional, bound document. A user may temporarily bookmark one or more selected pages by touching the touchscreen with a finger when the pages are displayed, to mimic using a finger to hold a selected page of a conventional, bound document. Predefined gestures may be specified with different functions, such as returning to a bookmarked page or removing a bookmark. |
| US08650507B2 |
Selecting of text using gestures
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented text selection method is performed using an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. The method can include displaying text on the touch screen display; detecting a text selection initiation gesture with the touch screen display; and in response to the text selection initiation gesture, inserting a text selection area bounded by a first endpoint located in the text at a first location and a second endpoint in the text at a second location. First and second endpoints can be moved by performing further gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Furthermore, word processing functions can be performed on the on the text located in the text selection area. |