| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08657542B2 |
Cargo management system for vehicle
A cargo management system for a vehicle having a cargo area (e.g., pickup bed) may include various elements. For example, the system may include a rail attachable to the interior surface of the cargo box inner panel, at least one reinforcement plate positionable against the outer surface of the inner panel, and a plurality of fasteners for holding the rail to the inner panel backed by the reinforcement plate. The rail may have a rail portion and a body portion. The body portion is positioned through a slot formed in the bedliner and includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls connecting the base with the rail portion. Each reinforcement plate has apertures to accommodate multiple mechanical fasteners and reinforcement segments, which are attached by reinforcement segment bridges. |
| US08657538B2 |
Milling cutter
A cutter includes a cutter body, a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion. The first cutting portion is used for primary machining. The second cutting portion is used for precision machining, and is formed between the cutter body and the first cutting portion. |
| US08657536B2 |
Tensioning a riser
A riser tensioner system for tensioning a riser at an offshore vessel includes a frame adapted to affix to the vessel. An elongate riser joint is provided for coupling into the riser. The riser joint has an axial flange portion projecting laterally outward therefrom from and extending axially along a length of the riser joint. Ram pistons are arranged about the frame to couple to the riser and to support the riser in tension. Centralizer arms are arranged on the frame to extend into proximity to the flange portion of the riser joint when the riser joint is received through the frame. |
| US08657533B2 |
Gravity base structure
Embodiments of gravity base structures are disclosed that comprise first and second elongated base sections separated by an open region and configured to support the on-bottom weight of the structure and be supported by the floor of the body of water, and an upper section positioned above the open region and configured to extend at least partially above the water surface to support topside structures. Some embodiments further comprise first and second inclined sections coupling the base sections to the upper section. |
| US08657529B2 |
Method for planarizing unevenness of the seabed
At a location where unevenness 1000 is present, the condition of a seabed 200 is investigated in advance to examine the respective numbers of large filter units 51 and small filter units 52 to be used, and the position where the large filter units 51 and the small filter units 52 are to be installed. Based on the investigation result, the small filter units 52 are installed on the bottom of the unevenness 1000. The large filter units 51 are installed on the upper surface formed by the installed small filter units 52, and are leveled so that the upper surface formed by the installed large filter units 51 becomes flush with the seabed 200. |
| US08657527B2 |
Screed arrangement for a road finisher
The invention relates to a screed arrangement for a road finisher with a basic screed and two extending screeds arranged in front of the basic screed in the laying direction of travel of the road finisher and movable transversely to the laying direction of travel relative to the basic screed. A deflection member is fitted to the basic screed and/or to at least one of the extending screeds and is movable relative to it. |
| US08657519B2 |
Ball joint
An annular groove, in which a lower end of a boot is fitted, is formed in an outer periphery of an open end of a housing so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the housing. The annular groove is defined by a cylindrical face, an upper inner wall, and a lower inner wall. By fitting a clip onto a cylindrical portion of the lower end of the boot, the cylindrical portion is pushed against the cylindrical face, and an inner end portion and a folded-back portion are pushed against the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall, respectively. The inner end portion has an annular protrusion that is engaged with the upper inner wall and elastically contracted when the lower end of the boot is fitted in the annular groove. |
| US08657517B1 |
Device and method for providing visual magnification at the tip of an applicator brush
A container and applicator assembly that is used to hold and apply a liquid. The container has a threaded neck, through which the interior of the container is accessible. A removable cap is provided that selectively engages the threaded neck to create a leak-proof seal. An applicator brush extends downwardly from the center of the cap. The applicator brush extends into the interior of the container when the cap is engaged with the threaded neck. A support arm also extends from the cap. The support arm remains external to the container even when the cap is set. A magnifying lens is coupled to the end of the support arm. When the cap is separated from the container, the magnifying lens magnifies the bristle tip of the applicator brush. When the cap is set in place on the container, the magnifying lens magnifies a portion of the label. |
| US08657506B2 |
Field terminating method and device
A method of terminating a fiber in a connector using a device comprising: (a) positioning a stripped fiber on the device such that the bare fiber portion extends into a first fiber channel of a cleaver; (b) securing the fiber to a fiber retainer slidably attached to the substrate to move along an x axis at a first position; (c) cleaving the bare fiber portion to form a cleaved end; (d) sliding the fiber retainer away from the cleaver along the x axis; (e) causing to be presented a second fiber channel of a connector held in a connector retainer along the x axis; (f) sliding the fiber retainer to the first position along the x axis, thereby causing the cleaved end to extend into the second fiber channel; and (g) actuating the connector while the fiber retainer is at the first position. |
| US08657504B2 |
Optical fiber connection device having a rotating and fixing mechanism and a positioning member
The present invention discloses an optical fiber connection device, comprising: a base plate; at least one adapter for receiving optical fiber connectors; a rotating and fixing mechanism being provided on the base plate and being connected with the adapters, the rotating and fixing mechanism comprising: a fixing portion for fixedly connecting with the adapter; and a rotating portion being rotatably connected to the base plate, through which the mechanism can rotate between an operation position and a receiving/releasing position; and a positioning member for stably holding the rotating and fixing mechanism in the operation position or the receiving/releasing position, and limiting the rotation angle of the mechanism and that of the adapter within a predetermined angle range. |
| US08657501B2 |
Bearing device, oil distribution mechanism and method
Method, pad and bearing device for oil redistribution. The bearing device includes a ring having at least one retaining head, at least one pad disposed inside the ring and having a bottom recess portion configured to receive the at least one retaining head, an oil distribution mechanism configured to inject oil at a leading edge of the at least one pad to flow towards a trailing edge of the at least one pad, and an oil redistribution mechanism on the at least one pad configured to redistribute the oil from the trailing edge of the at least one pad to the leading edge of the at least one pad. The leading edge is a first edge and the trailing edge is a second edge of the at least one pad encountered when traveling along a circumference of the ring in a direction of rotation of a rotor supported by the at least one pad. |
| US08657500B2 |
High speed bearing
A bearing includes a housing and an assembly which consists of at least two elements. Each element has an axle hole to form an axial hole of the assembly run through by a shaft. At least one element has at least one set of multiple notches formed thereon directing towards at least one of two ends thereof to communicate with the axle hole, and at least one groove with an enlarged opening formed on the wall surface of the axle hole directing towards the notches. The groove on the wall surface of the axle hole has at least one set of multiple recesses formed thereon. The housing has a through axial cavity to house the assembly. The bearing has at least one storage chamber to store lubricating media. The notches on at least one set of adjacent elements form at least one set of multiple passages communicating with the storage chamber and the axial hole. |
| US08657491B2 |
Detachable probe cover for ear thermometer and manufacturing method thereof
This present invention discloses a detachable probe cover for an ear thermometer and a manufacturing method thereof. The detachable probe cover for the ear thermometer is for being mounted onto a measuring probe of the ear thermometer, wherein a combining mechanism is provided at a bottom of the measuring probe and the detachable probe cover comprises a main body of a hollow structure and a base, in which the main body has an open end and a closed end opposite to the open end, and the hollow structure has a diameter gradually reducing from the open end toward the closed end. |
| US08657481B2 |
Systems and methods for mixing fluids
A syringe-to-syringe mixing apparatus comprises first and second syringes adapted to be coupled at their respective outlets to fluidly connect the syringes. The first syringe includes a plunger having a hollow plunger barrel and a distal end defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen is initially closed by a septum, which in one embodiment is an elastomeric stopper mounted over the end of the plunger. The mixing apparatus further includes a third syringe slidably disposed within the plunger barrel. The third syringe includes a hollow needle adapted to pierce the septum to allow fluid from the third syringe to be injected into fluid within the coupled first and second syringes. |
| US08657478B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate, a diffuser sheet positioned over the light guide plate but not directly contacting the light guide plate, and a light mixing space positioned between the light guide plate and the diffuser sheet so that light emitted from the light guide plate mixes in the light mixing space before being emitted out of the backlight module. |
| US08657473B2 |
Fire barrier recesssed lighting fixture
A recessed lighting fixture having a fire resistant barrier thereon and the fire resistant barrier having an outer box enclosure and an inner box enclosure with an air gap therebetween and mounted on a mounting pan over a lamp housing a source of illumination such as a bulb therein and the mounting pan positionable adjacent an opening in a structure such as a wall, ceiling or floor having an aperture aligned with the lamp housing to let the illumination from the bulb pass therethrough. |
| US08657470B2 |
Lamp structure with rotatable adapter elements
A lamp structure includes a first adaptor, a second adaptor, an adaptor ring, a rotating element, a heat sink, and a lampshade. The second adaptor disposed in the first adaptor includes a cannular pivoting element and an assembly element. The assembly element disposed in the pivoting element has first arc openings symmetrically distributed around a center of the assembly element. The adaptor ring is disposed at a side of the second adaptor opposite the first adaptor. The rotating element fixed to a first surface of the adaptor ring that faces the second adaptor has a second surface facing the second adaptor and bosses extended from the second surface. The bosses respectively pass through the first arc openings to move along the first arc openings. The heat sink is disposed between the adaptor ring and the lampshade. |
| US08657468B2 |
Lamp unit including flexible substrate
A lamp unit includes a flexible base member, a conductive pattern layer forming a conductive pattern on the base member and maintaining a bent shape of the base member when the base member is bent, and LED lamps mounted on the conductive pattern layer and emitting light when a current is applied thereto. The lamp unit can be bent according to the shape of an object on which the lamp unit is to be installed. |
| US08657467B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus is disclosed in the invention. The illumination apparatus includes a cavity with a diffusion surface, a light source, a light-spreading device, and at least one optically-conditioning surface with a wave-like array formed thereon. The light-spreading device and the optically-conditioning surface spread the light generated by the light source. The light-spreading device includes a wing-shaped protrusion part, a light incident surface, a recess located away from the light incident surface, and an optically-conditioning surface including a wave-like array, wherein the wave-like array has a wavefront direction. |
| US08657466B2 |
Street lighting device
An illumination device comprising a housing positionable at a distance from an area to be illuminated and having at least one lighting module, on a support in the housing, that has lighting units having the same light distribution characteristics. Each of the lighting units contains lighting elements and associated lenses arranged in front of the same in the light-emitting direction. Different lighting modules may include lighting units having different light distribution characteristics, while the lighting units have optical axes running parallel to each other. At least one lighting unit is configured such that its light distribution characteristics have at least one asymmetrical section relative to a central plane of the lighting unit. |
| US08657461B2 |
Solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus
A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape. |
| US08657457B2 |
LED surface cover, and LED lighting system, display device
An LED surface cover (1) consists of a resin molding and has a main reflector (2) which reflects light forward from a surface light source and a subsidiary reflector (3) having a reflection surface which reflects light emitted from an LED light source (4) to the main reflector (2). The main reflector (2) has an aperture portion (2a) were the LED light source can be disposed and has a curved surface for traveling light reflected from the subsidiary reflector (3) to a region forward from the surface light source. The subsidiary reflector (3) is disposed above the aperture portion (2a) formed on the main reflector (2). The reflection surface of the subsidiary reflector (3) has an inclination with respect to a surface of the aperture portion (2a). The present invention provides a lighting system capable of accomplishing surface emission by carrying out a simple method, even though the LED light source (4) having a strong directivity is used. |
| US08657452B2 |
Laser sight cleaner
A system where a reflector of a laser alignment system is cleaned by a cleaning device that is actuated by an automatic guided vehicle as it passes the reflector. The laser alignment system is used to detect a position of the automatic guided vehicle relative to a location in a manufacturing facility. As the automatic guided vehicle passes the laser alignment system, a projection formed on the automatic guided vehicle will contact an element of a laser cleaning system to actuate the cleaning device over the reflector to clean it. |
| US08657451B2 |
Decorative plate module for projector and projector assembly
A decorative plate module for a projector includes a base plate, a first elastic member, a hook member and a second elastic member. The base plate is attached to a periphery of the opening of the front cover and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. A slide groove is formed on the first end, and the slide groove has an oblique wall. The first elastic member is disposed inside the slide groove and stretches in a first direction, and the hook member is slidably coupled to the slide groove. One end of the hook member leans against the first elastic member, and its another end slidably engages with the front cover. The second elastic member is disposed on a side wall of the slide groove and stretches in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08657450B2 |
Projection optical system and image projection device
A projection optical system includes a first optical system, a second optical system, and first and second reflection mirrors. The first and second reflection mirrors are arranged on an optical path between an image forming element and a reflection surface of the second optical system, so that a direction of an optical path of light beams from the second reflection mirror to the reflection surface contains a component of a direction opposite to a predetermined direction from the image forming element to the first optical system, and a projection image of the image forming element on a conjugate surface, a projection of the reflection surface onto the conjugate surface, and a projection of the image forming element onto the conjugate surface are arrayed in this order on the conjugate surface. |
| US08657447B2 |
Methods and devices for measuring tear film and diagnosing tear disorders
Methods and devices measure eye blinks and tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness before and following ophthalmic formula application onto the ocular surface, especially wherein the ophthalmic formula is an artificial tear. The methods and devices are suitable for dry eye diagnosis. The methods and devices are suitable for use to evaluate ophthalmic formula effects on the tear film and to use such information to diagnose ophthalmic formula treatment of ocular disease conditions such as dry eye in the absence of contact lens wear or post-surgical eye drop treatment and diagnosis. The methods and devices are also suitable for use in the optimization of ophthalmic drug dosage forms and sustained drug release. |
| US08657445B2 |
System and method for determining and predicting IOL power in situ
The present invention relates to a system and a method for determining the power of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) in situ. The invention furthermore relates to a system and a method for predicting the optical outcome of IOL surgery. Use of the system may provide prevention, treatment, or amelioration of diseases and disorders affecting the lens of the eye and which may benefit from IOL surgery. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer-readable medium for implementing such a system on a computer. |
| US08657442B2 |
Ophthalmic spectacles for characterizing the direction of gaze of a wearer
The invention relates to ophthalmic spectacles for characterizing the direction of gaze of a wearer. Each lens of the spectacles is provided with output sections for directing a radiation towards the ocular areas of the wearer, in which different portions of an ocular limbus of the wearer are in motion. The lens is further provided with input sections for collecting the portions of said radiation reflected in said ocular areas. A computing unit is also combined with the spectacles in order to determine the direction of gaze of the wearer from detection signals measuring the portions of the radiation that are simultaneously collected by the input sections of the two lenses. |
| US08657441B2 |
Fundus imaging apparatus
Provided is a fundus imaging apparatus which achieves reduction of a load on an examiner by facilitating understanding of an operation of switching from a fundus imaging mode to an anterior ocular segment imaging mode, comprising: an imaging unit for taking an image of an eye to be inspected; a focusing unit for achieving a substantially conjugate relationship between the eye to be inspected and the imaging unit; a diopter adjustment unit for adjusting a diopter when the eye to be inspected is myopic or hyperopic; an imaging selecting unit capable of selecting the fundus imaging mode or the anterior ocular segment imaging mode; a diopter adjustment switching unit for switching the diopter adjustment unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode; and a drive unit for driving the focusing unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode. |
| US08657439B2 |
Continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles for optimized 3Deeps stereoscopic viewing and its control method and means
Continuous Adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles are provided with lenses with continuously changeable optical densities, so that viewing of 2D movies is optimized for visualization in natural 3D. Method and means are disclosed for the continuous Adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles to perform two independent optimizations to achieve optimized 3Deeps visual effects on 2D movies. First they compute the optical density setting of the lenses for optimal viewing of 2D movies as 3D. Then they continuously render the lenses of the spectacles to these optical densities optimized for characteristics of the electro-optical material from which the lenses of the spectacles are fabricated. The invention works for both 3DTV and 3D Cinema theater viewing. |
| US08657429B2 |
Dispensing liquid using overlapping outlet/return dispenser
A liquid dispenser includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels. A portion of a first wall of the liquid dispensing channel defines an outlet opening. A second wall of the liquid dispensing channel, positioned opposite the first wall, extends along a portion of the liquid supply and return channels. Liquid supply and return passages are provided that extend through the second wall in fluid communication with the liquid supply and return channels, respectively. The liquid return passage overlaps the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. |
| US08657428B2 |
Image forming method
The present invention provides an image forming method including ejecting an ink containing a silicic acid compound from an inkjet head, whereby deterioration of the head members is suppressed and a high precision image is formable stably over a long-term, the inkjet head being equipped with plural liquid droplet ejecting elements 80 having nozzles 64, pressure chamber 58, supply channel 60, and piezoelectric element 68, which transforms vibrating plate 66 that constitutes a wall of pressure chamber 58, and an ink circulation unit which has common flow channel 52 that is connected with each of plural liquid droplet ejecting elements 80 via supply channels 60, and common circulation channel 70 that is connected with each of plural liquid droplet ejecting elements 80 via reflux channels 72, that supplies the ink to plural liquid droplet ejecting elements from common flow channel 52, and that circulates the ink to common circulation channel. |
| US08657421B2 |
Image forming apparatus including recording head for ejecting liquid droplets
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a head tank, a liquid supply passage, a liquid supply passage, a liquid intake port, a valve member, and a lock unit. The lock unit is disposed in the head tank to lock and unlock the valve member in response to a change in pressure within the head tank. In a locked state, the valve member closes the liquid intake port in immovable state to constantly stop flow of the liquid into the head tank. In an unlocked state, the valve member is movable to open and close the liquid intake port in response to a change in pressure within the head tank to regulate the flow of the liquid into the head tank. |
| US08657415B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method thereof
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a common liquid chamber which is common to each pressure chamber and stores ink, a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber which communicate with the common liquid chamber, a first nozzle which communicates with the first pressure chamber and a second nozzle which communicates with the second pressure chamber, a first piezoelectric vibrator which causes pressure fluctuation in ink in the first pressure chamber and a second piezoelectric vibrator which causes pressure fluctuation in ink in the second pressure chamber, and a communication flow path which makes the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber communicate with each other, wherein the flow of ink is generated in the communication flow path by driving the first piezoelectric vibrator and the second piezoelectric vibrator. |
| US08657414B2 |
Fluid-ejection printhead die having an electrochemical cell
A fluid-ejection printhead die includes a fluid-ejection firing element and an electrochemical cell. The fluid-ejection firing element is to cause droplets of fluid to be ejected from the fluid-ejection printhead die. The electrochemical cell is to measure an electrical property of the fluid. The fluid-ejection firing element and the electrochemical cell are both part of the fluid-ejection printhead die. |
| US08657413B2 |
Die attach composition for silicon chip placement on a flat substrate having improved thixotropic properties
A die attach composition is used for bonding a silicon chip on a flat substrate. The die attach composition includes a cross-linkable epoxy resin having a rigid backbone, an epoxy siloxane resin, a fumed silica filler, an amine curing agent, and a silane coupling agent. The die attach composition is particularly useful in bonding silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate in forming an inkjet printhead assembly. The die attach composition allows accurate placement of silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate and exhibits good ink resistance. |
| US08657412B2 |
Micro-ejection device
There is provided a micro-ejection device including: an ejector ejecting a fluid; and a body having an installation space in which the ejector is installed, wherein the installation space is provided with a guide unit inducing a line-contact or a point-contact between the ejector and the body. |
| US08657408B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles and configured to jet ink droplets from the nozzles; a carriage configured to carry the ink-jet head, and reciprocate in a predetermined scanning direction; a transport mechanism configured to transport the recording medium, on which the ink droplets jetted from the nozzles land, in a transport direction intersecting the scanning direction; and a control device configured to control the ink-jet head, the carriage and the transport mechanism to perform recording of the image. The nozzles include a plurality of first nozzles which are aligned at first interval with respect to the transport direction and from which first-type ink droplets are jetted, and a plurality of second nozzles which are aligned at second interval with respect to the transport direction and from which second-type ink droplets different from the first-type ink droplets are jetted. |
| US08657404B2 |
Liquid droplet jetting apparatus
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes: a liquid droplet jetting head which has a liquid droplet jetting surface on which a plurality of nozzles including a first nozzle and a second nozzle are open to jet the liquid droplets; a cap member which covers the liquid droplet jetting surface of the liquid droplet jetting head and in which an opening, through which an interior of the cap member is communicated with atmospheric air in a state that the liquid droplet jetting surface is covered with the cap member, is formed; a moving mechanism which moves the cap member to make contact with and separate from the liquid droplet jetting surface; and a controller which controls the liquid droplet jetting head and the moving mechanism. |
| US08657403B2 |
Printing apparatus, and computer readable storage media, for storing printing instructions
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit that prints an image on a print sheet with a print agent; a discharging unit; a conveying unit including a conveying path through which a print sheet is conveyed from the printing unit to the discharging unit; a measuring unit provided on the conveying path of the conveying unit to measure each colored area formed by the printing unit that adds the print agent on the print sheet from at least one of a first face and a second face opposite to the first face; an identifying unit that identifies a measurement area satisfying a certain condition from the colored areas; and a measurement control unit that performs the measurement for the identified measurement area and does not perform the measurement for the colored areas that are not identified by the identifying unit. |
| US08657402B2 |
Image forming apparatus including sheet cutting device
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed device to feed a sheet along a sheet feed path, a sheet cutting device including a cutter and a cutter holder to cut the sheet to a desired length, a controller to control the sheet feed device and the cutter holder. The cutter holder holds the cutter and is reciprocally movable in a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to a sheet feed direction. The cutter holder, after cutting the sheet, is movable in the width direction with the cutter holder retracted away from the sheet feed path in a thickness direction of the sheet perpendicular to both the sheet feed direction and the width direction. The controller controls the sheet feed device to feed the sheet while the cutter holder moves in the width direction with the cutter holder retracted away from the sheet feed path in the thickness direction. |
| US08657401B2 |
Image forming apparatus with ink-jet printing system
An image forming apparatus comprises a printing head unit, a driving waveform generator that generates and outputs a driving waveform having four or more driving pulses in chronological order per driving cycle, and a selector that selects and applies one of multiple driving pulses to a pressure generator to cause a printing head unit to selectively discharge a liquid droplet of three or more different sizes. The driving waveform includes three or more driving pulses at least having a final driving pulse to collectively discharge the biggest liquid droplet. The driving waveform includes a micro-driving pulse for discharging a smallest droplet within a time period of from about 2×Tc to about 4×Tc after the driving waveform starts being outputted when Tc represents a natural vibration period of a separate liquid chamber of the printing head unit. |
| US08657399B2 |
Liquid jet apparatus performing pulse modulation on a drive signal
A liquid jet apparatus according to the present invention includes a drive waveform generator adapted to generate a drive waveform signal, a modulator adapted to execute pulse modulation on the drive waveform signal, a digital power amplifier adapted to power-amplify the modulated signal, on which the pulse modulation is executed by the modulator, with a pair of switching elements push-pull coupled with each other, a low pass filter adapted to smooth the amplified digital signal obtained by the power-amplification of the digital power amplifier, and a modulation period modification circuit adapted to modify a modulation period of the pulse modulation of the modulator based on data of the drive waveform signal. |
| US08657397B2 |
Portable device and method for printing an image, recording medium, pen and benchmark for said device
The invention relates to a portable device for printing an image in a printing area provided on a material substrate, which includes: at least one removable benchmark (96-99) capable of being manually positioned on the substrate and associated with a corresponding point of the image being printed by means of a predefined relationship separate from the position of said benchmark on the substrate, a measurement unit capable of measuring the position of the printing head relative to the benchmark, and a control unit (14) capable of determining the distance separating the pen from the substrate, from the measurement of the position of the printing head, and of preventing the image from being printed on the substrate if said distance is greater than a predetermined threshold. |
| US08657396B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus
There is a case where, in the individual tank number checking processing, usually it is determined that individual tank number agreement can not be confirmed due to a collision of response signals from two tanks. However, due to individual differences among main body side control circuit threshold values and the like, there may be a case that an agreement of the individual tank numbers is confirmed. In response to this, the tank that has the individual tank number whose agreement could be confirmed is put in a sleep state, and because a control code is sent, the other tank designated with color ID is able to return its individual tank number, and the main body side control circuit detects its individual tank number. Based on this it is possible to determine that multiple ink tanks with the same color ID are mounted. |
| US08657387B2 |
Connecting system for tensile elements
An improved connecting system for a vehicle wheel spoke, including a spoke having an end portion, a span portion and a cross-section thereof, a connecting element; a bracing element such as a rim or hub, a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion, and a longitudinal axis along the spoke. The connecting element is made of hardened molding material and the spoke is overmolded by the connecting element during solidification of the hardened molding material. The connecting element is joined to the spoke at an overmolded interface and the connecting element is connected to the bracing element. |
| US08657383B2 |
Environmentally friendly layered seating assembly
The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly layered vehicle seat assembly and a method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a cushion composite comprising a structural layer and a cushion layer adjacent to the structural layer, and a trim material secured over the cushion composite. |
| US08657369B2 |
Diagonal reinforcement for a motor vehicle floor structure
A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided. The floor structure has two frame rail arrangements essentially extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. The arrangements are joined together by a cross member essentially extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body. A floor panel extends between the cross member and the two frame rail arrangements. A diagonal reinforcement is located above the floor panel and abuts against the cross member in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. A reinforcing element essentially extends in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body between the two frame rail arrangements. The diagonal reinforcement abuts against the reinforcing element in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body. |
| US08657368B2 |
Hydroformed side pillar to lower back joint structure
A mechanism for increasing stiffness of the side-structure of a vehicle, for transferring loads and strain energy, and for improving rigidity from the lower portion of a side pillar, to the underbody structural components of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a hydroformed tube having a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and an arcuate central portion. The upper end of the vertical portion is spot welded to the lower portion of the side pillar. The horizontal portion is received into, and spot welded to, an inner portion of a structural member. The structural member is an L-shaped bracket, and its major portion is spot welded to an inner portion of an elongated beam. The beam is fixedly attached to the side rail of the vehicle. The tubular member, the structural member, and the elongated beam, when connected, form a closed continuous box shaped structure, which reinforces the side-structure of the vehicle. |
| US08657361B2 |
System and method for actuating multiple components in a vehicle having an access opening
An actuating system for a vehicle having a body that defines an access opening includes a panel arranged to selectively open and close at least a first portion of the opening. The system also includes multiple components operatively connected to the panel and adapted to be actuated. The system additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the panel and adapted to actuate the multiple components. A vehicle employing the system and a method for sealing an access opening in a body of a vehicle are also provided. |
| US08657360B2 |
Adjusting device for a roof cap of a collapsible roof
A collapsible roof for a vehicle includes a roof guide, a roof cap, a top fabric, and an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism movably couples the roof cap to the roof guide such that the roof cap with the top fabric are movable relative to the roof guide between a closed position in which the top fabric covers a roof opening and an opened position in which the top fabric exposes the roof opening. The adjusting mechanism includes front and rear control arms coupled to the roof cap. The front control arm includes a locking hook and the rear control arm includes a latching hook. The locking hook engages a front cavity of the roof guide in the closed position to fix the roof cap in place and the latching hook engages a rear cavity of the roof guide in the opened position to fix the roof cap in place. |
| US08657358B2 |
Pickup truck bed tonneau cover support structure and method
An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed. |
| US08657355B2 |
Protective structure for high-voltage unit
A protection structure for a high-voltage unit installed in a vehicle provided with: a vehicle interior; a storage chamber located in front of the vehicle interior in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and storing the high-voltage unit; a dash panel for separating the vehicle interior and the storage chamber; and a high-voltage cable connected to the high-voltage unit. |
| US08657354B2 |
Mobile radiation therapy
The invention provides techniques for diagnosing medical conditions and providing appropriate treatment at a patient's home residence. A mobile x-ray team can be dispatched to the patient's home residence. A technical team reviews patient data to determine a proper therapy plan. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched to the patient's home as required by the therapy plan. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus includes a radiation source and shielding, and is capable of superficial radiation therapy and/or High Dose Rate (HDR), Low Dose Rate (LDR), and Medium Dose Rate (MDR) implant therapy and/or particle therapy. For HDR, LDR and MDR therapy, the mobile radiation therapy apparatus itself is a specialized radiation vault which the patient will enter. The technical team adjusts the therapy plan based on the additional analysis, and the mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched in accordance with adjusted therapy plan. |
| US08657345B1 |
Safe linkage lockset
A safe linkage lockset has a holding box, wherein a left and a right driving seat are assembled into its internal holding space parallelly and reversely. A linkage member is set rotatably between the driving seats. A door handle assembling portion is formed on the middle of the linkage member. The assembling portion could be provided with a door handle. When pressing the door handle, the linkage member will be driven so that the driving seats are driven close to each other. When pulling up the handle, the driving seats are driven far away from each other. Two bolt bars are separately located into the assembly hole of the driven end on left and right driving seats, and the action end of bolt bar is protruded out of the holding box. Hence, this could adapt to common users locking and unlocking habit. |
| US08657344B2 |
Adjustable assembly for a drain inlet
An adjustable coupling assembly and drain inlet combination for adjusting the height of the drain inlet for draining a fluid from an area is disclosed. The assembly includes a first tubular cylinder having a first end which is constructed to be attached to the inlet of drain tile, and a second tubular cylinder having a first end which is constructed to be attached to the discharge of the drain inlet. One of the tubular cylinders has an end which is constructed to extend into the other tubular cylinder. A spiral groove on one of the tubular cylinders extends over a substantial portion of the length of that cylinder, and at least one projection is positioned on the other tubular cylinder and is positionable to extend into the spiral groove whereby when one of the tubular cylinders is rotated relative to the other tubular cylinder, the projection moves along the spiral groove, to adjust the total combined length of the first and second tubular cylinders and the height of the drain inlet. The drain inlet is attached to the upper tubular cylinder. |
| US08657338B2 |
Position lock for steering column
A lock for a steering column comprises a bracket disposed along a raking direction. A control shaft is supported for translation with the steering column. A tooth lock is disposed on the control shaft and comprises a lever and an actuator. The actuator is configured to cause the lever to rotate in an adjustment direction when a force is applied in the adjustment direction and so as to apply a locking moment to the lever when a force is applied in the locking direction. The bracket has a teeth disposed along the raking direction. The lever is configured for engaging, upon rotation in the locking direction, at least one tooth so as to resist translation in the raking direction. The lever is configured for disengaging, upon rotation in the adjustment direction, from the at least one tooth so as to selectively facilitate translation in the raking direction. |
| US08657335B2 |
Stabilizer device for an operating machine
A first front pair and second rear pair of stabilizer devices associated to the frame of an operating machine, defining, in operative position, a resting base, equal in length to the longitudinal distance between the pairs and equal in width to the transversal distance between the resting feet of each of the latter. Each stabilizer device includes a first and an interconnected second module, one of which is provided with linear elongation means and the other with compass elongation means, the linear and compass elongation means being aimed at being operated in phase relation to define a retracted inactive position, in which the corresponding resting foot is raised from the ground, and a withdrawn operation position, in which said resting foot contacts the ground, at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal midline, such that in this resting base the width distance is at least near to that of the relative length. |
| US08657334B2 |
Airbag cushion
An airbag cushion (100) with a recessed portion formed on an exterior of the airbag cushion has a pair of side panels (104a, 104b) and a tether (180) for limiting outward movement of the inflated airbag cushion; and wherein the tether (180) forms a portion of the exterior surface of the airbag cushion (100). |
| US08657333B2 |
Inflator device with fuel-rich monolithic grain and oxidant-enhanced combustion
The disclosure provides an inflator device for a passive restraint device, like an airbag. In certain aspects, a fuel-rich gas generant grain is located in actuating proximity to an initiator device. The grain has at least one flow channel through which a shock wave generated by the initiator device passes. The shock wave opens a burst disc between the inflator housing and downstream airbag to permit gases to flow into the airbag. A chamber storing pressurized gas (having at least one oxidant, e.g., O2) is also disposed within the inflator. Upon initiator actuation, the oxidant can react with combustion products of the initiator and the fuel-rich gas generant and flow into the airbag for rapid inflation. Methods of inflating airbags and improving airbag deployment reliability are provided. Such inflators are particularly suitable for large volume (greater than 60 liter) airbags. |
| US08657330B1 |
Side airbag
A side airbag including: an inflator that ejects gas and is provided at a side of a seat; a cushion that is deployed when receiving the gas from the inflator; a diaphragm that divides the cushion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by partitioning the inside of the cushion along a first axis; a diffuser that supplies the gas ejected from the inflator to the upper chamber and the lower chamber separately; and a blocking portion which divides the upper chamber into a rear portion and a front portion by partitioning the inside of the cushion along a second axis, the blocking portion includes a plurality of communication portions formed there-through, wherein through each of the plurality of communication portions gas is communicated, and wherein the rear portion receives the gas from the inflator and the front portion receives the gas from the rear portion, whereby the rear portion and the front portion are inflated in sequence in the upper chamber when the cushion is deployed. |
| US08657326B2 |
Stroller with convertible child-support system
A child carrier in accordance with the present disclosure is adapted to be mounted on a rolling stroller frame to hold a child for transport on the rolling stroller frame. In one mode, the child carrier is configured to provide a bassinet. In another mode, the child carrier is configured to provide a seat. |
| US08657325B2 |
Stroller with assistant wheel
The present invention discloses a stroller including a foldable stroller skeleton, a front-wheel assembly and a rear-wheel assembly installed on the foldable stroller skeleton, a frame pivotally connected to the foldable stroller skeleton and an assistant wheel pivotally connected to the frame for being capable of contacting a ground by cooperating with the rear-wheel assembly as the frame approaches the rear-wheel assembly by rendering the foldable stroller skeleton folded. The stroller can be in a standing state so as to facilitate users to carry after being folded. The assistant wheel is rolling as the stroller is dragged so that users can save more effort to drag the stroller. The stroller is standing by the assistant wheel and the rear-wheel assembly, instead of the front-wheel assembly and the rear-wheel assembly. |
| US08657322B2 |
Wheelchair mount and method for stabilizing a wheelchair component
A wheelchair mount includes a body, a band secured to the body, and a stabilizing component secured to the body. The band is sized to secure an associated wheelchair bar between the band and the stabilizing component. The stabilizing component resists rotational movement of the body relative to the wheelchair bar. |
| US08657321B2 |
Motorcycle
To obtain vibration characteristics suited to a plurality of operating modes. A first member is mounted on at least one of a left side frame of a vehicle and a right side frame of the vehicle. The first member extends towards the right frame or the left frame. A second member is mounted to at least one of the right side frame of the vehicle and a left side frame. The second member extends towards the left frame or the right frame. A vibration insulating member is provided between the first member and the second member and elastically couples the first and second members to each other. |
| US08657319B1 |
Selective torque application device
The present invention is a device which can be used to provide rotation motion to a driving wheel by the application of lateral motion by the user. It consists of axial track plate having a plurality of track paths with said guide paths having a plurality of slope sections. Additionally the caliper element can enable movement of a wheelchair's wheel from a first position to a second position. The caliper element is responsive to slope sections such that the slope sections can engage or disengage the caliper element. The caliper element's broad face is parallel to the track plate's broad face. The broad face is perpendicularly connected to each other via cylindrical pegs along the guide paths. The caliper element has a mating surface enabled to rotate a sprocket which is concentrically connected to a wheel hub where wheel rotates at the same angular velocity as the sprocket while the sprocket is in the engaged mode. A locking arm component disposed between the caliper element and the track guide paths for locking the system into place so that no further movement is made possible. |
| US08657318B2 |
Vehicle running board
A vehicle running board includes a treadle body provided with a receiving surface with plural recesses and having its underside disposed with a recessed chamber. A decorative plate is mounted on the receiving surface of the treadle body, and an anti-skid pad is set on the decorative plate. A connecting base is received in the recessed chamber of the treadle body and has two lower sides respectively bent inward to form a sliding rail. A plurality of inverted-U shaped positioning members are positioned at the underside of the connecting base, respectively having two sides received in the sliding rails of the connecting base and respectively bored with a long insert hole having a third screw inserted therein. Thus, the positioning members in the connecting base can be adjusted in setting position for matching vehicles of different styles, convenient in assembly and use and stable in whole structure. |
| US08657314B2 |
Stabilizer link for a vehicle suspension and method for obtaining it
The present invention relates to a stabilizer link for a vehicle suspension and method for obtaining it, which allows reducing its cost, as a well as a faster and easier assembly, for which purpose it includes a longitudinal body having two ends with holes in which an articulation element is housed, and a central sector, having at each end a hole, wherein the longitudinal body is formed from two identical parts arranged such that they are facing one another and remain attached by means of a plastically deformable attachment element such that once it is deformed, it prevents the separation of the parts. |
| US08657312B2 |
Computer cart
A computer cart has removable electrical connector management system which may be removed from the computer cart to install portable electronic device electrical transformers, and then reinserted into the computer cart to enable multiple electrical transformers to be installed into the cart as a group. An electrical charging system uses a staggered round robin approach to control distribution of power within the computer cart without requiring the amount of power used from each power strip to be individually monitored. |
| US08657307B2 |
Modular rolling container assembly
An apparatus for transporting articles having at least one container module that includes a container top having a non-releasable connection portion and a storage container that is selectively non-releasably connected to the container top and/or at least one other storage container. The storage container includes an upper non-releasable connection portion and a lower non-releasable connection portion. The upper non-releasable connection portion is selectively non-releasably connected to 1) a lower non-releasable connection portion of the at least one other storage container or 2) the non-releasable connection portion of the container top. The lower non-releasable connection portion is selectively non-releasably connected to an upper non-releasable connection portion of the at least one other storage container. The container module also includes a latch that releasably connects the storage container to the at least one other storage container if positioned on the container top. |
| US08657306B2 |
Lifting machine base assembly for a machine tool
A lifting machine base assembly for use in a machine tool includes a machine base and a lateral wheel set. The lateral wheel set includes two lateral wheel frames respectively pivotally connected to two opposite sidewalls of the machine base, and a wheel shaft rotatably inserted through the machine base and eccentrically connected between the lateral wheel frames. A driving member is fastened to one end of the wheel shaft and operable to raise and lower the lateral wheel frames relative to the machine base and to further force the lateral wheels into contact with the floor to lift the machine base partially or wholly from the floor, allowing the operator to conveniently move the machine tool to a desired position by rotation of the lateral wheels. |
| US08657305B1 |
Self-loading tow dolly
A self-loading tow dolly that permits components of the dolly to be easily removed and replaced. The tow dolly also reduces overall weight by using aluminum slotted hubs mated with 8-inch aluminum slotted wheels and by employing dissimilar materials that do not require welding and improves lubrication by providing strategically placed lubricant ports and lubricant reservoirs for rotating components. |
| US08657304B1 |
Shopping cart with child seat
A shopping cart includes an expandable cargo compartment having opposite first and second ends, a frame to which the cargo compartment is attached, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the cargo compartment, and a foldable child seat disposed proximate the second end of the cargo compartment, wherein folding the child seat increases a capacity of the cargo compartment and wherein the child seat comprises a seat back pivotally attached to the frame. In another aspect, a shopping cart comprises a frame, a cargo compartment attached to the frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a foldable child seat. The foldable child seat comprises a rod pivotally attached to the frame, a seat back attached to the rod, a sleeve configured to slide upon the rod, and a seat bottom hingedly attached to the sleeve. |
| US08657303B2 |
Attachable scooter
A scooter 1 is disclosed that may be linked to a child buggy or perambulator 100. A linking mechanism 200 is also disclosed for releasably linking the scooter 1 to the child buggy 100 thereby allowing the scooter 1 to be used as a scooter 1 or instead, to be linked to a buggy 100 and used in a linked configuration. The combination of a child buggy 100 and scooter 1 using the linking mechanism 200 is described along with a method of use of the mechanism 200. |
| US08657300B2 |
Sealing element
The invention relates to a sealing element for sealing off component groups capable of being positioned in relation to one another, for use, in particular, in the vehicle and building technology sector, the sealing element has a first seal part 11 performing a sealing function and having a soft fraction and a second seal part 12 performing a reinforcing function and having a hard fraction. The sealing element is essentially an annular design and has an essentially accurately designed first seal part directed inward in the operating position, with a soft fraction, and an essentially frame-shaped second seal part arranged at the inwardly projecting end of the first seal part, with a hard fraction. |
| US08657298B2 |
Brush seal with backing plate tooth
A brush seal assembly is provided, including a sealing surface, a side plate, a backing plate, a plurality of bristles, and a biasing member. The backing plate is selectively located in a stationary position and has at least one backing tooth and a backing tip. The backing tooth has a tooth surface and the backing tip has a tip surface. A tooth clearance is measured between the tooth surface and the sealing surface. A tip clearance is measured between the tip surface and the sealing surface. The tooth clearance is less than the tip clearance. The bristles are located between the side plate and the backing plate. The bristles include an end portion for sealing to the sealing surface. The biasing member exerts a biasing force upon the backing plate in a direction towards the sealing surface. The backing tooth is configured for selectively contacting the sealing surface. |
| US08657296B1 |
Radial shaft seal
A radial shaft seal for a radial shaft is formed with a casing having an exterior-facing surface opposite from an interior-facing surface, and a sleeve positioned radially inwardly of the casing that rotates with respect to the casing. A sealing ring is connected to the casing, and has an extending portion that interacts with the sleeve to form a labyrinth seal barrier. |
| US08657293B2 |
Tossing projectile target game
A projectile tossing game that combines elements of traditional washers and bean bag games with baseball. The game includes a receiving box that resembles a baseball field having an infield and outfield. The floor of the box can be covered with a material such as outdoor carpeting or turf to minimize the impact of projectiles landing in the box. Players score points (or runs) by landing projectiles in the infield or in one of the cylindrical outfield targets. The game is played for nine turns rather than a predetermined score. In the event of a tie, extra turns are taken until a player or team is declared the winner. The game can be played with multiple players and one receiving box or teams of players with two receiving boxes. A carrying case, handle, or lid may be provided to assist with transport of the game. |
| US08657291B2 |
Card game with counting
Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic. |
| US08657289B2 |
Game combining checkers, chess and dice
A board game may be played on a board or with an electronic version thereof, that combines chess, checkers and dice to create an original game that is more dynamic than checkers, easier to learn and play than chess, and has an element of randomness that makes it hard to know who will win until the final roll of the dice. The game of the present invention simplifies play by combining classic elements. The roll of the dice determines what kind of move can be made, but the player can choose any of his/her pieces to move. Whoever captures the king wins, or, in an alternative embodiment, whoever has the last remaining piece(s) wins. |
| US08657287B2 |
Intelligent table game system
A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the location of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. |
| US08657286B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and method of controlling the sheet stacking apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus which is capable of efficiently stacking sheets of various sizes while efficiently using space therein to thereby realize compactness thereof, and maintaining a high availability. Stacker trays for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus can be separately removed. It is detected whether any of the stacker trays is removed. When large-size sheets are stacked, a stacker control section causes the stacker trays to operate as one tray to stack the sheets in a state extending on the stacker trays, whereas when small-size sheets are stacked, the section causes one of the stacker trays to stack the sheets. Further, when one stacker tray is removed to make it impossible to stack the large-size sheets, the section causes a display section to display a guide message advising setting of the removed stacker tray. |
| US08657280B2 |
Paper-feeding device and multi-function printer
A paper-feeding device and a multi-function printer (MFP) using the paper-feeding device are provided. The MFP includes a housing with the paper-feeding device installed thereon. The paper-feeding device includes an outer case, an inner case and a retainer. The outer case has first side-walls, openings and slots, in which each opening and each slot on the opening are correspondingly disposed on each first side-wall. The inner case is located beside the first side-walls of the outer case and has a second side-wall. The second side-wall has a position-limiting rib protruding towards the first side-walls. The retainer is located between the first side-walls and has a body, a protrusion and a pivot, in which the protrusion is disposed at a top-portion of the body and correspondingly located in the slots, and the pivot is located between the protrusion and a retaining-portion of the body and correspondingly locked in the openings. |
| US08657278B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include a first tray configured to accommodate one or more recording sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit, a body frame configured to position an upper part of the first tray, and an expansion members disposed under the body frame to position a lower part of the first tray. The expansion member may include a transmission mechanism configured to be engagable with a body-side gear provided in the body frame. The transmission mechanism may be configured to transmit a drive force, which is transmitted from a drive source provided in the body frame via the body-side gear, to an add-on mechanism, when the transmission mechanism is engaged with the body-side gear. |
| US08657274B2 |
Production system and an associated index device for use as a reference feature
A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece. |
| US08657270B2 |
Cover member and suspension
A cover member having plural peak portions and plural trough portions, and freely stretched and shrunk in an array direction of the plural peak portions and the plural trough portions or freely bent, the cover member includes: a hollow part formed in each of the plural peak portions, the hollow part being hollowed toward an inner side from a peak of each of the plural peak portions, being formed in a circumferential direction, and having edge parts, a bottom part and side parts located between the edge parts and the bottom part. The edge parts of the hollow part are brought into contact with each other before the side parts of the hollow part are brought into contact with each other, when at least one of the plural peak portions is subjected to force in a direction intersecting with the array direction from an outside. |
| US08657267B2 |
Jet stream generating method and apparatus
A condensing system is provided. The condensing system may include baffle plate units having a substantially flat surface and openings configured for cooling fluid to flow through; and baffles attached to the baffle plate unit, the baffles oriented at an acute angle with respect to the baffle plate unit, the baffles having a flat surface and figured to diffuse a cooling fluid into a thin, turbulent film at a similar acute angle. A method of condensing a fluid is provided. The method includes defining a path for the fluid to be condensed to flow; spraying a cooling fluid against a baffle thereby creating a turbulent film of cooling fluid in the path for the fluid to be condensed and orienting some of the baffles to create a film of cooling fluid oriented in one direction and orienting other baffles to create a film of cooling fluid in a second direction wherein the path of the fluid to be condensed causes the fluid to be condensed to flow over films oriented in both the first and second directions. |
| US08657263B2 |
Decontamination liquid supply device
A gas supply passage is connected to a decontamination liquid supply passage at a tail end portion side from a delivery device, and an on-off valve which opens and closes the gas supply passage is provided. A controller stores a housed weight of the decontamination liquid between a connection point at which the above described gas supply passage is connected to the decontamination liquid supply passage and the above described tail end portion. When a weight of the decontamination liquid is reduced by a total value of a predetermined weight W which should be supplied to the downstream side equipment and the above described housed weight as a result of starting supply of the decontamination liquid to the above described downstream side equipment, the controller opens the above described on-off valve to return the decontamination liquid at the upstream side from the connection point. |
| US08657257B2 |
Gate valve
In a gate valve including a valve plate connected to a valve plate mounting portion of at a tip end of a valve rod with a connecting plate and configured to open and close a communicating hole of a valve box with the valve plate, the valve plate includes a mounting hole, a joint flat surfaces coming into press-contact with each other, the valve rod includes a depressed-shaped joint shoulder portion, the joint shoulder portion is formed with an inclined surface configured to guide the valve plate in the direction in which the joint flat surfaces are brought into press-contact with each other, and the coupling plate couples the valve plate and the valve rod with each other. |
| US08657256B2 |
Vacuum valve
A vacuum valve, including a valve housing, which has a passage having an axis, a seat that surrounds the passage and that lies in a first plane, and a counter seat that surrounds the passage and that lies in a second plane that forms a wedge shape with the first plane, and including a closure device, which can be moved between an open position in which the passage is released and a closed position in which the passage is sealed and which has a closure plate parallel to the first plane and a counter plate parallel to the second plane, and including a valve rod, which has a longitudinal axis and which carries the closure device and which can be moved in a straight line. In order to spread apart the closure plate and the counter plate, the closure device includes a spreading unit, which lies between the closure plate and the counter plate and which can be moved in the closing direction of the valve rod relative to the closure plate and the counter plate, and a support part, which is movably guided relative to the spreading unit and which is connected to the closure plate and/or the counter plate. |
| US08657254B2 |
Fluid release valve using flexible fluid permeable membrane
A gas release device that includes a reservoir of pressurised gas and a passageway from said reservoir to an outlet. There is an elastic gas permeable membrane in the passageway that allows gas release only via the membrane. A gas impermeable member is provided in the passageway that includes an interface positioned to contact said gas permeable membrane. Displacement of the gas permeable membrane is responsive to the pressure of the gas in the reservoir such that there is a greater interfacial contact between the gas impermeable member and the gas permeable membrane at a higher gas pressure than at lower pressure to thereby vary the exposed cross sectional area of the permeable membrane available to the flow in an inverse relationship to pressure. |
| US08657249B2 |
Low profile pivoting detent joint for a vehicle mirror assembly
A carrier base with a lateral base extension having a base hollow interior channel. A tooth ring on the lateral base extension. A stop block channel within the base tooth ring. A support arm pivotally carried on the lateral base extension for carrying a mirror head. A tooth ring included on the support arm engaging the base tooth ring in interlocking cooperation. A stop block carried by the support arm within the support arm tooth ring so that the stop block travels between a first end wall and a second end wall to control movement of the support arm. A connecting bolt carried by the support arm extending through the tooth rings into the hollow base interior channel. A leaf spring biasing the connecting bolt into the hollow base interior channel to draw the support arm against the lateral base extension. |
| US08657247B2 |
Ratchet platform
A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly having a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail. The ratchet platform further includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. A ratchet end is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The ratchet platform also includes a platform upper assembly actuator having a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. In addition, actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes a strap retractor and a strap. The strap retractor retracts the strap upon achieving a strap threshold. |
| US08657245B2 |
Lighted cup holder for seating arrangements
A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder. |
| US08657238B2 |
Retractable vortex generator for reducing stall speed
A device and methods for low speed performance improvement of a lifting surface assembly are disclosed. At least one vortex generator is coupled to the lifting surface assembly, and the vortex generator is extended through the lifting surface assembly by drooping a hinged leading coupled to the lifting surface assembly to increase lift. The vortex generator is retracted inside the lifting surface assembly to decrease drag. |
| US08657236B2 |
Aircraft provided with aerodynamic seal for reduction of noise generated by aircraft control surfaces
Aircraft are provided with a perforated blade seal at the lower and/or upper side edges of a control surface contour, such as a flap, with the purpose of acting as a vortex generator, thereby making it difficult for the lower vortex system to move upwards and merge with the upper vortex system. The perforated blade seals are preferably arranged on the inboard and outboard edges of high lift flaps. |
| US08657233B2 |
Tail-cone of an aircraft with movable fairing
A tail-cone of an aircraft includes a skin provided with a movable fairing which, by a swing articulated mechanism, is supported on the skin in order to allow the opening/closing of the movable fairing and gain access to the inside of the tail-cone. The tail-cone includes actuators for operating the swing articulated mechanism in order to permit the automatic opening and closing of the movable fairing to be carried out. |
| US08657231B2 |
Aircraft cabin bin retrofit
Disclosed herein is an asymmetric luggage stowage bin arrangement, with a pair of buckets attached to a single bin housing. The buckets being unequal in length, to optimize the storage capacity of the bin housing relative to the most common luggage dimensions on the market. In one form, the asymmetric luggage stowage bin arrangement is used as a retrofit to replace shelf-style luggage stowage compartments common to older style aircraft. |
| US08657230B2 |
Aircraft based non-dedicated special mission pod mounting apparatus
Particular embodiments comprise a non-dedicated, temporarily installed, airborne special mission payload mounting system which is mechanically interfaced to the Air Deployment System (ADS) rails of a host cargo aircraft. An Adaptive Mounting Plate (AMP) is placed over an ADS rail section and restrained in position. Once the AMP is secured, an articulated or fixed position strut can be attached to it through the opened side doorway without removing the original door. Once the fixed position or articulated strut is bolted to the AMP, a one piece or segmented two piece pressurized door plug indented along its lower periphery to accommodate the protruding form factor of the fixed position or articulated strut is installed within the vacant doorway above the strut providing an airtight seal and thereby permitting pressurization of the aircraft. |
| US08657227B1 |
Independent power generation in aircraft
Systems and methods of independent power generation are disclosed. A particular system includes an aircraft having at least one engine and a plurality of independent power units. Each power unit of the plurality of independent power units generates electricity independently of the at least one engine. The plurality of independent power units include at least a first independent power unit that generates first electricity having a first set of electrical characteristics and a second independent power unit that generates second electricity having a second set of electrical characteristics concurrently with the first power unit generating the first electricity. The first set of electrical characteristics is different than the second set of electrical characteristics. |
| US08657224B2 |
Cable cord retractor
A retractor for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. |
| US08657223B2 |
Webbing take-up device
A webbing take-up device that can regulate displacement of a held part such as clutch while suppressing or preventing a drop in the assembility of the held part such as clutch. A projection is formed on a bridge portion in a wall portion on the opposite side of a holding portion side. When a cover plate is attached to a frame, a base portion of the cover plate contacts a distal end of the wall portion, but at the portion where the projection is formed, the based portion presses the projection and bends the bridge portion. By the bridge portion bending, a touching surface of the holding portion contacts a base portion of a clutch plate and regulates displacement of the clutch plate. Moreover, in a state where the bridge portion is not bending, a clearance is formed between the touching surface and the base portion when the clutch plate is disposed, so the clutch plate can be also be easily attached. |
| US08657217B2 |
Equipment for producing granules from plants
Equipment for producing granules from a ligneous material includes a unit (LPGcont) for the continuous production of agglomerated plant particles, a unit (GAC) for the production of hot air from plants, the hot air being used for the production of the agglomerated particles, and also at least one mobile load-bearing structure to which the two production units are attached. |
| US08657210B2 |
Circulating paint systems
A painting system for painting a plurality of colours comprises a plurality of paint supply networks and a plurality of paint return networks, each network for a corresponding paint colour. A number of paint delivery stations are also provided, each including a plurality of drop lines. Each drop line is in communication with a corresponding paint supply network. Each drop line includes a downstream end coupling. Each paint delivery station includes a plurality of paint return nodes, each in communication with a corresponding paint return network. A paint gun unit is provided with a paint gun supply coupling. The paint gun supply coupling is complementary with each of the downstream end couplings of a corresponding drop line. The downstream end coupling of each drop line is uniquely shaped to engage only with the correct paint return node. |
| US08657208B2 |
Split flow gate for spreader
A flow gate includes first and second body members, first and second flow control members, and first and second locking mechanisms. The first and second body members operatively attach to and detach from each other. The first and second flow control members adjust between an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The first and second locking mechanisms selectively prevent and allow adjustment of the first and second flow control members. The first and second flow control members prevent the flow of material from an associated spreader when both the first and second flow control members are in the closed position, and allow the flow of material from the associated spreader when either the first or the second flow control member is in the opened position or in one of the plurality of partially opened positions. |
| US08657204B2 |
Information providing system, apparatus and method for information processing, and computer program product
An information providing system includes the following elements. An IC card stores card ID. An information providing terminal reads out the card ID of the IC card, provides information to the IC card, and transmits the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the ID of the provided information to a management server. The management server receives the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the provided information ID from the information providing terminal, has a database to manage the card ID and the provided information such that the card ID is associated with the provided information, acquires the information provided to the IC card from the database in response to an information request from a client terminal, and supplies the provided information to the client terminal. The client terminal displays the provided information supplied from the management server. |
| US08657202B2 |
Card reader
In a card reader having a card pulling-preventing function, provided is a card reader that can achieve energy savings. More specifically, a card reader 1 is equipped with a card moving passage 6 in which a card is moved, a pulling-preventing member 9 which is configured to be capable of turning to a closed position to close the card moving passage 6 and to an open position to open the card moving passage 6 and which prevents the pulling of the card at the closed position, an urging member 10 for urging the pulling-preventing member 9 to the closed position, a turning-regulating member which regulates the turning of the pulling-preventing member 9 by abutting on the pulling-preventing member 9 at the closed position, and a solenoid 12 which moves the turning-regulating member 11 to a turning-regulating position at which the turning of the pulling-preventing member 9 is regulated and to a turning position at which the turning of the pulling-preventing member 9 is enabled. |
| US08657198B2 |
End user-customizable data capture terminal for and method of imaging and processing target data
A data capture terminal for, and a method of, processing one or more target data, such as symbols, arranged at spaced-apart locations on a target, employ an electro-optical reader for electro-optically reading the data on the target, and a controller for processing at least one of the data, and for determining whether the at least one data has been successfully processed. An interpretation engine customizes the controller with user-selected logic. The interpretation engine is operative, preferably after the at least one data has been successfully processed, to instruct the controller with logical conditions under which the other data on the target is to be processed. |
| US08657197B2 |
Account application product, associated package and method for processing an associated application
An account application product includes a package, an account identifier and a terms sheet. The package includes a first panel extending from a free edge to a first fold line, a second panel extending away from the first fold line to a second fold line, and a third panel extending away from the second fold line. The first panel is folded back along the first fold line toward a first surface of the second panel to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel. The third panel is folded forward along the second fold line toward a second surface of the second panel. The account identifier indicates an account associated with the account application product and is configured to be machine readable. The terms sheet is selectively stored in the storage area and includes printed terms for the account. Associated packages and method are also disclosed. |
| US08657196B2 |
Systems and methods of capturing security images in an automated data reader
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for detecting and handling exception situations in an automated data reading system. In one configuration, an illumination source is triggered to generate light pulses and a security imager is triggered synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source. The security imager captures security images of items that are transported through an automated data reader, e.g. optical code reader. The captured security images are configured to be displayed for a user or operator to use to identify an exception item. A plurality of decode imagers capture image data that can be used to identify and read an optical code disposed on an item transported through the automated data reader. The decode imagers capture images synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source. |
| US08657193B2 |
Physical credentials and related methods
Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article through use of a variety of different card constructions (e.g., involving quantum dots, phase change materials, MEMS structures, etc.). A variety of other arrangements and features are also detailed. |
| US08657188B2 |
Automated banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records corresponding to authorized user or financial account data. The automated banking machine includes a card reader for reading data from user cards. The automated banking machine causes financial transfers related to financial accounts that correspond to data read from user cards. The automated banking machine also includes devices that control the supply of power to transaction function devices such as the card reader to avoid exceeding power supply capacity. |
| US08657186B2 |
Tagging and identification system for luggage
An itinerary travel tag attached to a piece of luggage, the travel tag including a code; a mechanism for retrieving and sending the code electronically; an internet server connected electronically to the mechanism for receiving the code, and for providing a website including a webpage associated with the code and used to provide information pertaining to the piece of luggage, such that the piece of luggage can be tracked and the information used remotely to locate and retrieve the piece of luggage at any time and in any location. |
| US08657178B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus
Disclosed is a disposable surgical stapling unit configured for use with an actuation device that has an elongated shaft assembly. The disposable surgical stapling unit may include a housing assembly and a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge, and a drive member operably supported within the staple cartridge carrier. The drive member may comprise a cutting edge to cut tissue and a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a control member operably supported within the elongated shaft assembly. The disposable surgical stapling unit may further include articulation joints operably supported between the housing assembly and the staple cartridge carrier for selectively articulating the staple cartridge carrier about multiple articulation axes. |
| US08657177B2 |
Surgical apparatus and method for endoscopic surgery
The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical instrument and methods for performing a diverticulum treatment. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a jaw assembly. The elongated member is operably coupled to the distal end of the handle assembly, while the jaw assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member. The jaw assembly includes a knife slot that is defined therewithin and is adapted to receive a knife blade to thereby cut tissue that is disposed between the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly is configured to approximate an esophageal tract and a diverticulum. |
| US08657173B2 |
Portable type fastener driving tool
In a gas combustion type nail driving device, a head part (3) which is disposed on the front surface of the main body is provided with (a) a guide tube (35) through which a rod (17) and a nail n pass; (b) a main guide body (36) on which the guide tube (35) is disposed; (c) a subguide (37) which makes a pair with the main guide body (36) and forms a nail feed space; (d) a feed motor (48); and (e) a gear unit (46) which is driven by the feed motor (47). The nail connecting body N is fed to the guide tube (35) by the feed gear (73). |
| US08657168B2 |
Golf bag or other shoulder-borne device having double strap to single strap convertibility
Golf bags and other shoulder borne devices have strapping systems capable of converting between a single strap configuration and a double strap configuration. The strapping system includes two main straps. In the double strap configuration, the first strap member has three ends, each of which is attached to a location on the golf bag (or other structure), and the second strap member has one free end attached to the golf bag (or other structure) and one free end attached to a central area of the first strap member. When converting to the single strap configuration, the first strap member is removed from the golf bag (or other structure) completely, and the free end of the second strap member that was attached to the first strap member is removed therefrom and engaged with the golf bag (or other structure). |
| US08657159B2 |
Dispensing device for dispensing a liquid product
A dispensing device includes a that is longitudinally movable in a second chamber and has an outer surface sealingly contacting an inner surface of the second chamber. An intermediate valve is positioned between an interior part of the first chamber and an interior part of the second chamber. The intermediate valve includes a valve seat plate having at least one opening and a valve flapper plate having at least one flapper for covering the at least one opening in the valve seat plate. The at least one flapper moves to an open position allowing the liquid product to flow from the interior space of first chamber to the interior space of the second chamber when the first chamber is moved in a first longitudinal direction and moves to a closed position limiting flow of the liquid product when the first chamber is moved in an opposite second longitudinal direction. |
| US08657158B1 |
Selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container
A selectable flavor dispenser comprises a base beverage container, an additive selecting and dispensing assembly, and a drinking cup. The additive selecting and dispensing assembly each comprises an additive dispensing vial, a dispensing mechanism, and a dispensing actuator. By selecting and activating a specific actuator, a user is able to dispense a desired additive into a base beverage and deliver the mixture to the drinking cup through a straw, a check valve, and a bifurcated nozzle. A vacuum breaker allows incoming air to replace the volume of the depleted base beverage. |
| US08657156B2 |
Feeding device for a balls-sorting machine
A feeding device for a balls-sorting machine serves to guide balls to a rotary ball-carrying disc disposed in a housing, the ball-carrying disc is formed with a plurality of ball-falling holes. The feeding device comprises: a feeding hopper, a dividing device, and a control unit. The feeding hopper includes a feeding hole and a feeding passage connected to the housing. The dividing device is abutted against the ball-carrying disc and formed with a receiving space, and a sub-inputting hole and a sub-outputting hole which are in communication with the receiving space, the sub-inputting hole is connected to the feeding passage, and the sub-outputting hole is located corresponding to the ball-falling holes of the ball-carrying disc. |
| US08657155B2 |
Single unit dispensing cap
A cap for a container configured for dispensing single items, such as pills, held in said container. The cap channel extends from an upper surface to a lower end providing a passageway through the cap to allow for a predetermined quantity of items to be transferred through a port in an upper portion of the cap. The cap has a lid moveable from a closed position to an open position. In its closed position dispensing of items is prevented; in its open position at least one item is dispensed through the port. A gate is operable, in a first orientation to partially block the passageway and, in a second orientation, to unblock the passageway to allow a preset number of items, to pass through. Alternatively, a diverter is incorporated to control flow of the contents. |
| US08657151B2 |
Hand protection barrier dispenser
A hand protection barrier dispenser for dispensing disposable sanitary barriers for temporarily covering the hand and providing complete hand protection is disclosed which dispenses the hand protection barriers in a manner so that they may easily be donned by a user thereof. The hand protection barrier operates to open each of the hand protection barriers into a position to be readily donned and dispensed. The hand protection barrier dispenser dispenses only a single hand protection barrier at a time. |
| US08657148B2 |
Drinking container lid with soft spout
A container including a main body and a removable lid. The main body defines an interior cavity accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, and the main body has a rim about the opening. The removable lid secures to the rim of the main body to enclose the interior cavity. The removable lid includes an upper portion having a convex surface and comprises a soft, flexible material. The removable lid also includes a spout integrally molded with the upper portion and extending from the upper portion at an off-center location. The spout is shaped and sized to be received inside a child's mouth. The spout includes a wall and a flexible membrane supported by the wall. The membrane has a convex surface facing a distal end of the spout and forming a cavity within the distal end of the spout, and a valve configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the child's mouth when sufficient pressure is applied to the distal end of the spout. |
| US08657147B2 |
Fluid line
A container with a tube is disclosed, which is suitable for receiving therein urea-containing liquids and which, especially due to its material properties, can easily be installed subsequently into vehicles and engines. The tube can consist of TPV. |
| US08657146B2 |
Optimized high pressure vessel
A vessel is disclosed, the vessel including a main body having a hollow interior for receiving a fluid therein, wherein at least a portion of the hollow interior includes a filling material disposed therein to minimize a rate of flow of the fluid from the main body, wherein the filling material is at least one of a porous structured material and a granulate material. |
| US08657144B2 |
Portable work bench paint tray with stair adaptor
A tray for use during painting includes a stair adaptor for leveling the tray along stairs and maintaining the tray on a workbench. The tray body has at least one utility recess defined therein for situating paint cans, paint stirrers, and paint brushes. A roller tray is further defined within the tray body. A front cut-out is defined along the front which is well-suited to allow the tray to be secured to a workbench by way of workbench swivel pegs. Slots are defined within the underside traveling an entire width of the tray body. A stair adaptor is adapted to engage the slots. As a result, upon placement of the tray body on an upper step of a stairway the stair adaptor levels the tray while the base of the stair adaptor rests on an adjacent lower step. |
| US08657142B2 |
Tank with internal baffle
A tank for holding liquid having internal partitions. The partitions have enlarged bottom ends fillable with liquid and restable on the bottom wall of the tank to limit sideways movement of the partitions. The partitions are mounted to the tank only above the liquid within the tank by a channel that loosely receives the top ends of the partition. |
| US08657141B2 |
Cartridge with integrated closure cap
The cartridge includes a storage chamber for the reception of one or more filler materials and a neck which contains a discharge passage for each filler material. A shock absorbing element extends about the neck and is connected at one end to the neck. A closure cap is connected to the shock absorbing element or cartridge by a hinge to selectively open and close the discharge passage(s). When in the closure position over the discharge passage(s), the closure cap is recessed within and spaced from the shock absorbing element to avoid being loosened by an impact force. |
| US08657140B2 |
Filler cap for fuel tank
A filler cap for a fuel tank wherein, when a pressure increases in the fuel tank, the valve body moves upward so an upper peripheral edge part of the valve body may be contacted to a first surface of shoulder cylinder portion, thereby shutting down a connection between a second space of cylinder main body and a third space connected to atmosphere. When the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a pressure for a deformation strength of the valve body, a central part of the valve body enters into the third space causing deformation to shorten the outer diameter thereof; in the peripheral part of the valve body a concave portion not contacted to a lower end of a third surface that forms the third space, and the second space and the third space are connected via a space of this concave portion to release excessive pressure. |
| US08657137B2 |
Synthetic resin bottle
A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle with a bottom includes a sunken bottom portion that is capable of drawing upward in a reversible manner, when internal pressure goes down. This sunken bottom portion includes an inner peripheral wall portion standing from near an inner edge of a ground contact portion disposed along a peripheral foot, a central concave portion disposed at a center of the bottom, a reversible wall portion in a flat ring shape, which is reversibly deformable into an upward drawing state and which connects an upper end of the inner peripheral wall to the base of the central concave portion, and a circular rib wall portion disposed at a connection between the reversible wall portion and the upper end of the inner peripheral wall portion so as to perform the function as a peripheral rib. |
| US08657134B2 |
Hoisting limit switch and lifting device
The present disclosure relates to a hoisting limit switch for limiting the maximum allowed hoisting height of a hoisting cable, wherein the hoisting limit switch includes a read-write device for reading and writing data, and a means from which the operating condition of the hoisting limit switch can be read out by the read-write device. |
| US08657132B2 |
Bin divider for use in a door bin
A moveable bin divider is provided for use in a door bin. The divider includes a divider plate extending at least a portion of the width and depth of a bin within which it is used. The divider plate includes a panel integral and perpendicular thereto which extends vertically and includes a first portion connected by a bridge over a wall of a bin with which it is used to a second portion which terminates at an engagement mechanism such as a tongue or groove. The engagement mechanism is received or receives a corresponding tongue or groove on a wall of a bin in which the bin divider is received for securely holding the divider within the bin. The engagement mechanism is biased against the bin wall to prevent undesired movement of the moveable bin divider. A combination bin and bin divider is also provided. |
| US08657130B2 |
Modular overhead storage
A storage system comprises a rack of multiple platforms connectable to one another in a first direction, where each of the platforms has segments that connect to one another along a direction other than the first direction, via a user-operable coupling. The platforms are preferably rectangular, and are connected at their long ends. The segments of each platform are also preferably rectangular, but they are connected along their long sides. In such embodiments, the connection between platforms is perpendicular to the length of the rack, while the connection between segments is parallel to the length of the rack. The segments of individual platforms are preferably coupled together with snap fit connections, and supported from their undersides by transverse supports, and the transverse supports are supported from their undersides by longitudinal supports via recesses on the segments. The transverse supports are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal supports. |
| US08657127B2 |
Gun and fishing rod holder
A gun and fishing rod holder. The holder comprises a pair of stands mounted on a table. The stands can be arranged in first (gun holding) and second (fishing rod holding) configurations. The first (gun holding) configuration of a stand comprises a pair of U-shaped channels. The second (fishing rod holding) configuration of a stand comprises an upside-down U-shaped support having a plurality of rod holders. |
| US08657123B2 |
Composite semipermeable membrane and manufacturing method therefor
An object of the present invention is to provide a composite semipermeable membrane which has excellent chemical resistance, separation performance, and water permeability, and the composite semipermeable membrane has the following structure. The present invention provides a composite semipermeable membrane in which an separation function layer is formed on a microporous supporting membrane, wherein the separation function layer is formed from (A) a silicon compound in which a reactive group having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a hydrolyzable group are directly bonded to silicon atoms, and (B) a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group other than the silicon compound, by condensation of the hydrolyzable group of the silicon compound (A) and polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated group of the silicon compound (A) and the ethylenically unsaturated group of the compound (B) having the ethylenically unsaturated group. |
| US08657122B2 |
Clog resistant media retainer assembly
A media retainer assembly for retaining filter media in a filter assembly includes a top plate for supporting the filter media, the top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; a bottom plate having a top surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and scouring media, the scouring media being adapted to abrade the surfaces of the top and bottom plates. The top plate is connected to the bottom plate such that the top surface of the bottom plate is spaced from the bottom surface of the top plate to define at least one chamber between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top surface of the top plate is in fluid communication with the chamber via the openings in the top plate. The scouring media is supported by the bottom plate within the at least one chamber. |
| US08657120B2 |
Trapping structures for a particle separation cell
Trapping structures are provided for particle separation devices that make use of traveling wave fluid flow. These trapping structures are operative to capture and collect separated particles and present them for extraction. The extraction can be accomplished in conventional manners, such as through the use of suitable sized pipettes. |
| US08657114B2 |
Package with contrasting graphics
A package includes an outer structure having at least one display face. The display face has a framing region and a focal region. The framing region has a framing pattern having a framing pattern complexity value and the focal region has a focal pattern having a focal pattern complexity value. The difference between the framing pattern complexity value and the focal pattern complexity value is at least 3. |
| US08657113B1 |
Tool storage and bolt organizer device
A tool storage and bolt organizer device (10) is provided having a tray top (11) including a bolt storage rack (21), and hex head bolt size gauges (19) and (20). A modular bolt storage rack (26) is removably coupled to the bolt storage rack (21) providing for additional bolt storage. The tray top (11) is preferably constructed by a plastic injection molding process and the support frame (35) preferably includes a first leg (38) and a second leg (39) that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. The support frame (35) can be connected to the tray top (11) by inserting the legs (38) and (39) into the clamps (25) to fully erect the tool storage and bolt organizer device (10). The legs (38) and (39) can detached and the tray top (11) can be utilized by itself where the clamps (25) can function as a base to rest on a surface. |
| US08657108B2 |
Package container for orthodontic mouthpiece
A packaging container is constructed by a packaging container main body with a lid portion, and a label adhered to an upper surface of the packaging container main body. An accommodating portion main body of the packaging container main body has a first flange portion around an accommodating portion, and second flange portions positioned at right and left side ends of the first flange portion and extending in an outward direction from an upper end of each of step portions having the same height as a thickness of the lid portion. Further, an engagement concave portion engaging with an engagement portion of the lid portion is formed in a front portion in the center of the first flange portion, and the label is adhered to upper surfaces of the lid portion and the second flange portions to seal the container main body, and is unsealed by a cut line. |
| US08657104B2 |
Belt positioning system, multi-roller assembly and image forming apparatus employing same
A belt positioning system for positioning a movable belt entrained about a plurality of generally parallel rollers for moving in a trans-axial direction perpendicular to an axial direction in which the rollers extend parallel to each other includes a tapered flange. The tapered flange is operatively connected to an axial end of a specific one of the plurality of generally parallel rollers, and includes a generally planar contact surface and an angled guide surface. The generally planar contact surface extends generally perpendicular to the axial direction to contact an adjoining edge of the belt. The angled guide surface extends radially outward from the contact surface and has a diameter increasing outward in the axial direction. |
| US08657102B2 |
Conveyor apparatus
A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13). |
| US08657101B2 |
Conveying apparatus for articles and plant for handling such articles comprising said conveying appartus
There is disclosed a conveying apparatus for articles, provided with a first conveyor having an inlet section for articles to be conveyed and an outlet section for the articles, and with a second conveyor which can be selectively set in communication with a transfer section of the first conveyor; the first conveyor is selectively set in a first operative release configuration of the articles at the outlet section and in at least one second operative release configuration of the articles at its transfer section; the second conveyor is selectively set in a first operative withdrawal configuration of the articles from the first conveyor at its transfer section and at least in one second operative inhibition configuration of this withdrawal. |
| US08657100B2 |
Conveyor slide plate with reservoir
A conveyor slide plate for movably supporting a support element along a track or rail of a material handling system includes a body portion configured to be received at the track or rail and to move along the track or rail when driven by a chain of the material handling system. The body portion of the slide plate includes at least one reservoir formed in an upper surface of the body portion. The reservoir is configured to receive lubricating fluid therein, and is configured to direct the flow of the lubricating fluid toward a sliding interface between the body portion of the slide plate and the track or rail, such as to at least one perimeter region of the body portion of the slide plate. |
| US08657099B2 |
Twisting conveying device for preforms
The device includes several rails supported by a frame (17) which form a kind of tunnel for the end of the preforms, on the neck (21) side. The tunnel is twisted and the two rails (12) and (13) which act as a guidance under the neck have a separation which is constant between the entrance (4) and the exit (5) of the tunnel in order to convey diverse and varying preforms. One of the rails, the rail (12), is straight and the other rail, the rail (13), is curved, this curved rail (13) having a profile created in accordance with the type of preform to be conveyed. The straight rail (12) corresponds to the edge of a guide (15) in the form of a simple flat which is fixed to the frame (17), and the curved rail (13) also corresponds to the edge of a guide (16) in the form of a simple flat which is also fixed suitably to the said frame (17). |
| US08657098B2 |
Systems and methods for processing eggs
An apparatus for processing packages of eggs on a conveyor is disclosed which comprises an egg orienter configured and arranged with respect to the conveyor so as to adjust a position of one or more of the eggs in each of the packages so that each of the eggs in a given package assumes a particular orientation within that package. In some embodiments, the egg orienter may be located between an egg loading section and a package closing section of an egg packer. In addition, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a laser source and one or more optical steering elements configured and arranged to direct laser energy from the laser source so as to laser mark information on a surface of one or more of the eggs while the eggs are in a package disposed on the conveyor and in said particular orientation. Further, in some embodiments, the egg orienter may be further configured and arranged to adjust the position of the one or more eggs in each of the packages so that a long axis of each egg in a given package is tilted toward the back of the package so as to be at least slightly offset from vertical and/or so that so that long axes of all of the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximate right angles with respect to a line intercepting bottoms of receptacles holding the eggs in such a row. |
| US08657096B2 |
Door machine having chain disk locking mechanism
A door machine having an electric motor and a chain disk locking mechanism. The chain disk locking mechanism includes a chain disk, an engaging rotary block, a stationary shaft and a plurality of moving pins. When the chain disk is pulled to rotate, the fixed pins of the chain disk press the moving pins so as to push the engaging rotary block to rotate with the stationary shaft together. When the stationary shaft is pulled to rotate, the engaging rotary block prohibits the moving pins from rotation. When the chain disk is pulled manually, the rolling door can be rolled upward or downward; when cease pulling the chain disk, braking is immediately effected so as to prevent the rolling door from moving upward or downward. Hence, the clutch mechanism can be omitted for cost saving and the structure of the mechanism can be simplified. |
| US08657092B2 |
Safety coupling for the transmission of rotary motion
The safety coupling includes a driving part (10) and a driven part (12) able to rotate around the same rotation axis (X) and respectively provided with first torque transmission means (14, 24) and with second torque transmission means (30, 36, 40, 52, 60, 62) having front toothings (24, 40, 60, 62) normally meshing with each other for the transmission of torque between the two parts of the coupling (10, 12). The safety coupling also includes torque-sensitive opening means (66, 72, 110) arranged to disengage the front toothings (24, 40, 60, 62) of the first (14, 24) and second (30, 36, 40, 52, 60, 62) torque transmission means, thus interrupting the torque transmission, when the torque transmitted between the two parts of the coupling (10, 12) exceeds a given maximum value. The torque-sensitive opening device includes a pressure chamber filled with an incompressible fluid and a valve device adapted to automatically control the discharge of the fluid from the pressure chamber if a given maximum fluid pressure value is exceeded in the pressure chamber. |
| US08657088B2 |
Lock-up clutch
Disclosed is a lock-up clutch operative to uniform temperatures on a multiple number of friction surfaces, thereby improving accuracy of a lock-up control and to prevent shudders of a vehicle from being generated. The lock-up clutch includes a front cover, a lock-up piston, a plurality of torque transmitting plates, and a plurality of friction materials formed on the torque transmitting plates and having three or more friction surfaces. The friction materials are constituted by a first friction material frictionally contactable with the front cover, a second friction material frictionally contactable with the lock-up piston, and third friction materials frictionally contactable with at least one of the plates. Three or more friction surfaces are constituted by outside friction surfaces formed on the first and second friction materials and each having a small area, and inside friction surfaces formed on the third friction materials and each having a large area. |
| US08657082B2 |
Brake disc for a vehicle and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a brake disc (BS) for a vehicle, comprising a main body (G) that is made of a metal material, particularly gray cast iron, which has friction surfaces (R) having a coating (B) made of a hard material.According to the invention, the coating (B) is formed from carbides, ceramics, cermet or metals. |
| US08657081B2 |
Disc brake
Disclosed herein is a disc brake to allow a shim to be easily coupled to a pad plate and to maintain strong coupling between the shim and the pad plate so as to prevent separation of the mounted shim. The disc brake includes pad plates each having frictional pads, a piston and a caliper housing to press the pad plates toward a disc, a shim attached to one surface of each of the pad plates to be pressed by the piston or the caliper housing, a coupling hook protruding from the shim and having a coupling protrusion at an end thereof, and a coupling hole perforated in each of the pad plates to allow the coupling hook to be inserted and coupled into the coupling hole. |
| US08657080B2 |
Annular disk brake and method of increasing a brake pad clamping force
The annular disk brake comprises a rotor disk and at least one brake pad provided on each side of the rotor disk. The brake pad or pads on one side are connected to a substantially axially-guided brake pad carrier. The brake has a force transmitting arrangement creating a force increasing amplification between an axially-actuated member and the carrier. This arrangement can increase the brake compactness and provide an even distribution of the braking force around the circumference of the rotor disk. A method of increasing a brake pad clamping force is also disclosed. |
| US08657074B2 |
Suspension work platform hoist system with tilt control
A suspension work platform hoist system having a variable acceleration motor control system and a tilt control system. The tilt control system includes at least one tilt sensor to sense a tilt angle of the work platform and generate a tilt signal. A tilt controller receives the tilt signal and generates a speed control signal, which is used by the variable acceleration motor control system to control the operation of the hoist motors to maintain a tilt angle setpoint as the work platform is raised and lowered. The tilt control system may include a settling mode having a settling tilt angle setpoint, wherein the settling mode prevents the work platform from being raised or lowered until the tilt angle of the work platform reaches the settling tilt angle setpoint. |
| US08657072B2 |
Sawhorse with cutting support platform
The design is for a sawhorse with a collapsible support platform to support material that is being cut-off or worked on. The support platform keeps the material that is being cut from falling and/or splintering at the end of the cut and reduces or eliminates the need for an addition person to support the portion of the material being cut-off or for the person doing the cutting to attempt to hold the material being cut-off with one hand while cutting with the other and creating an unsafe condition. The sawhorse with support platform does not necessarily eliminate the need for a second sawhorse to support the opposite end of the material being cut or worked on. The sawhorse can be provided with the platform on both sides to provide additional cutting or material support surface which may then eliminate the need for a second sawhorse. Additionally the cutting support platform can be provided as a separate accessory that can be mounted to various manufactures' available sawhorses. An augmentation to the support platform would be to provide a platform with a telescoping extension as shown in FIG. 4. |
| US08657071B2 |
Tree platform and support
A support assembly for a tree-based platform includes a rod having a length greater than a diameter of a tree to which the platform is intended to be attached. The assembly further includes a first ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of a tree, and a first plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the first ring. Each of the extending members has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the first ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes a second ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of the tree, and a second plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the second ring. Each extending member has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the second ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes first and second supports. Each support has a bottom rail, a top rail, and two side rails. The top rails of the first and second support are configured to be coupled to the second ring, and the bottom rails of the first and second supports are configured to be coupled to the first ring. The assembly further includes a first tension element configured to couple to the rod and the bottom rail of the first support, and a second tension element configured to couple to the rod and the bottom rail of the second support. |
| US08657069B1 |
Expandable and portable step assembly
The present invention relates to a step assembly whereby the assembly can be deployed wherein person can climb a plurality of steps in a safe and secure manner, and whereby the assembly can be compacted for storage and/or transport. In one embodiment, the step assembly has two pieces hingedly connected to each other. The first piece is taller and wider than the second piece, wherein the second piece can be collapsed into the interior of the first piece for storage. A dual purpose handle is provided, and can be selectably extended into and retracted from the second piece for storage and transport, respectively. The handle can also be inserted into the first piece to act as a railing. A rod is also provided, and can be pivoted from a first position to a second position wherein it can contact a door to prevent the door from unintentionally closing. |
| US08657067B1 |
Acoustic damping device for noise reduction
A method and apparatus for reducing sound. A layer of material has holes extending from a first side of the layer of material to a second side of the layer of material. The holes are configured to provide a desired level of acoustic resistance to sound traveling through the layer of material. The layer of material is configured to be mounted to a platform. |
| US08657062B2 |
Steering system
In a steering system, an operation mechanism that includes an operation member includes: a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member; and a steering direction detection unit that detects a steering direction of the operation member. The steering direction detection unit includes: a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the steering direction of the operation member; a nut that is screwed to the threaded shaft; a nut guide that causes the nut to move in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft; a stopper that prevents movement of the nut beyond a predetermined position; a proximity detection sensor that detects a fact that the nut is in proximity to the stopper; and a variable axial length mechanism that reduces a clearance between the nut and the stopper in response to occurrence of a malfunction in the steering angle sensor. |
| US08657058B2 |
Vehicle
A vehicle is presented. The vehicle may include a vehicle body frame; a drive wheel suspended from the vehicle body frame; a drive motor for driving the drive wheel; a battery for supplying electric power to the drive motor; a floor panel constituting a floor surface of the vehicle; and a battery support plate having a battery placement surface on which the battery is placed; wherein the battery support plate and the floor panel are supported on the vehicle body frame; and the battery placement surface is positioned below an upper surface of the floor panel. |
| US08657055B2 |
Battery arrangement for an electric vehicle with a diamond frame and auxiliary pedal drive
A vehicle comprising a frame, an electromotive drive and a control unit for controlling the electromotive drive. In a method for assembling an electric motorcycle in which at least one energy source is inserted into a frame. In order to ensure easy and quick assembly of the electric motorcycle, said motorcycle comprises an auxiliary pedal drive and the frame is designed as a diamond frame with at least one upper tube, at least one lower tube and at least one seat tube, wherein said upper tube comprises a receiving shaft for at least one energy source that includes at least one tube end with a push-in opening through which the energy source can be pushed into said receiving shaft. In the method according to the invention at least one energy source is inserted through an open tube end into an upper tube of said frame. |
| US08657044B2 |
Pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine on the basis of fixed camshafts
The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode. |
| US08657043B2 |
Crawler type travelling device
To provide a crawler type traveling device with few rotating wheel mechanisms and equalizing the pressure contacting the ground. A crawler type traveling device comprises a driving wheel driven by a driving axis; idler wheels having axes parallel to that of the driving wheel; and a crawler belt which is spooled around the driving wheel and the idler wheels and travels around the driving wheel and the idler wheels. The crawler belt comprises an inner crawler belt having an engaging structure engaging with the driving wheel, the inner crawler belt being driven by the driving wheel; an outer crawler belt encircling circumferentially the outside of the inner crawler belt; a plurality of elastic members connecting the inner crawler belt to the outer crawler belt; and a plurality of crawler plates mounted to the outer crawler belt, and having lag for engaging with the ground. |
| US08657042B2 |
Walking machine
A steerable walking machine is described which comprises a leg mechanism that provides a means for locomotion of the machine across a surface and a head rotatably mounted upon the leg mechanism. The rotational position of the head upon the leg mechanism acts to defines a direction of locomotion of the machine across the surface. The steerable walking machine can therefore walk in any direction without requiring the leg mechanism to turn and so can maneuver in more confined spaces than those devices known in the art. A first motor is employed to control the leg mechanism while a second motor controls the rotation of the head upon the leg mechanism. The functionality of the steerable walking machine is therefore achieved through the employment of only two motors thus significantly reducing the manufacturing costs involved. |
| US08657041B2 |
Control system for a lawnmower vehicle having a plurality of electric motors
A control system for a lawnmower vehicle having a plurality of electric motors may include at least one controller for controlling operation of the drive wheel electric motor in response to an operation amount of at least one operator. The controller may control operation of a driver for driving a mower-related electric motor to cause the mower-related electric motor to activate or stop. |
| US08657038B2 |
Expandable reamer apparatus including stabilizers
An expandable reamer apparatus and stabilizer sub having at least one rib thereon attached thereto for drilling a subterranean formation. |
| US08657036B2 |
Tubing shoe
A tubing shoe is disclosed with a body adapted to be connected to a section of tubing to be emplaced in a wellbore and a nose provided on the body, wherein the nose includes a failure guide structure for controlling break-up of the nose upon being drilled out from inside the nose. The failure guide structure typically controls break up by limiting the maximum size of pieces of the nose broken off upon drill out, for example, by defining weakened areas of the nose which are prone to failure upon drilling. The failure guide structure can include discontinuities such as slots or bores formed or drilled into the outer surface of the nose. The failure guide structure controls the break up of the nose in a consistent and predictable manner, and typically at a predictable stage during the drill-out process. |
| US08657035B2 |
Systems and methods for providing wireless power transmissions and tuning a transmission frequency
A system transmits a wireless power transmission from a bottom hole assembly of a drill string. The system has a downhole component having a wireless power transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless power transmission and a wireless power receiver adapted to receive the at least one wireless power transmission. |
| US08657034B2 |
Method of drilling a subterranean borehole
A method of drilling a subterranean well bore using a tubular drill string described. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of injecting a drilling fluid into the well bore via the drill string and removing said drilling fluid from an annular space in the well bore around the drill string via a return line. The method can also include oscillating the pressure of the fluid in the annular space in the well bore, and monitoring the rate of flow of fluid along the return line. |
| US08657032B2 |
Electric tool
An electric tool includes a housing accommodating a motor, and a break device and an operational member to turn on and turn off a drive switch of the motor. The brake device includes a brake plate fixed to an output shaft of the motor, a brake member is capable of moving toward and away from the brake plate during rotation, and an urging unit urging the brake member toward an abutment position where the brake member abuts on the brake plate. The operational member is provided with a press member that comes into abutment on the brake member through an operation of turning on the drive switch of the motor and rotates the brake member in such a rotational direction as to move away from the brake plate against the urging of the urging unit. |
| US08657030B2 |
Cordless power tool having multi-speed transmission and constant speed in light torque range
A cordless power tool (300) has a transmission (12) having multiple speed ranges In the light torque range, the speed of a motor (8) of the cordless power tool is held constant to hold an output speed of the transmission (12) constant until motor power reaches a predetermined percentage of the maximum watts out of the motor. |
| US08657029B2 |
Portable power tool with grooved hand grip
A power tool is provided with a prime mover which causes the tool to rotate and a housing which houses the prime mover. In a back-end face that is positioned on an opposite side on the housing from a tool side, a back-end groove, into which a user can position his/her web between his/her thumb and forefinger, is formed. A pair of side-face grooves, into which the user can place the thumb and forefinger, are formed in both side faces of the housing. A depth changing portion is formed in at least one of the side-face grooves, such that the depth is reduced toward the back-end face of the housing. According to this structure, even when the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, the user can easily draw up or raise the power tool. |
| US08657028B2 |
Impact hammer
A hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric tool may include a spindle that is adapted for rotational movement. A swing arm may be coupled to the spindle such that the rotational motion of the spindle is transferred to the swing arm. The swing arm may make contact with an anvil such that the rotational motion of the swing arm causes the anvil to move along a linear path. A piston may be operatively coupled to the anvil to follow the linear movement of the anvil. The piston may be adapted to interact with an energy storage medium when the swing arm moves the anvil in the first direction, causing energy to be stored. As the swing arm continues to rotate, the swing arm may lose contact with the anvil, thus allowing the energy storage medium to urge the piston and the anvil in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US08657026B2 |
Harrow
A harrow includes plural hydraulic actuators to displace respective working elements between opposing first and second positions. The actuators are connected in series in a phasing relationship to define one or more hydraulic circuits. Each circuit includes a lead actuator mounted in a first orientation to displace the respective working elements in a first direction when extended and a secondary actuator in series with the lead actuator in an opposing second orientation to displace the respective working elements in the first direction when retracted. One of the ports of the secondary actuator is coupled to the same one of the ports of the lead actuator such that all of the working elements are simultaneously displaced in a common direction when supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the lead actuator. Additional actuators may be similarly connected in series in alternating orientations with the lead and secondary actuators of each circuit. |
| US08657024B2 |
Box blade with independently retractable rippers
A tractor-based box blade is used to move and condition soil. The box blade has a plurality of rippers, which are forwardly- and downwardly-extending shanks terminating in relatively narrow teeth that extend into the ground. Each ripper is deployable to extend into the ground independent of the other rippers, and each ripper is stowable away from the ground independent of the other rippers. At least one scraping blade is disposed behind the rippers for smoothing soil. |
| US08657023B2 |
Multiple-section agricultural implement
A self-compensating multiple-section agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first ground-engaging tool coupled to a first frame section. A lift device in fluid communication with a hydraulic controller is coupled to the first frame section. The lift device is configured for raising and lowering the first frame section to move the first ground-engaging tool between a first ground-engaging tool transport position and a first pre-selected operating depth. A second frame section is coupled to the first frame section forward of the first ground-engaging tool. A second ground-engaging tool is coupled to the second frame section. An extendable and retractable cylinder is in fluid communication with the hydraulic controller and is coupled to the first frame section and the second frame section. The extendable and retractable cylinder is configured to move the second ground-engaging tool between a second ground-engaging tool transport position and a second pre-selected operating depth. |
| US08657021B1 |
Smart fire hydrants
The present invention relates to smart monitor for fire hydrants. One embodiment of the smart monitor comprises an electronic module associated with an operating nut and nut shaft. The electronic module may be an integral part of the fire hydrant design or it may be a part of an upgrade kit for upgrading existing fire hydrant installations. The electronic module may be configured to detect when a fire hydrant has been accessed and transmit a data signal to a remote location. The electronic module may comprise any number of environmental sensors configured to monitor the water flowing through a fire hydrant, the status of the fire hydrant, and the environment surrounding the fire hydrant. One such environmental sensor a radiation sensor configured to detect ionizing radiation. |
| US08657020B1 |
Low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler
A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector. |
| US08657019B2 |
Hydrocarbon recovery enhancement methods using low salinity carbonated brines and treatment fluids
Methods and systems of hydrocarbon recovery use treatment fluids comprising low salinity carbonated water. Certain embodiments comprise forming a carbonated aqueous solution formed of either fresh water or low salinity water and introducing the carbonated aqueous solution into a formation to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Low salinity brines may be used in lieu of or in combination with the foregoing fresh water. The carbonated water or low salinity carbonated brine may be introduced as a treatment fluid through a secondary well and used to provide a motive force to sweep the hydrocarbons towards one or more production wells. The carbonated water may be produced at a well site through a desalination process that uses naturally occurring brine as its feed. Using fresh water or law salinity brines allows a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to be dissolved in the water, which enhances hydrocarbon recovery. |
| US08657017B2 |
Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
Apparatus and methods for controlling the flow of fluid, such as formation fluid, through an oilfield tubular positioned in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. Fluid flow is autonomously controlled in response to change in a fluid flow characteristic, such as density or viscosity. In one embodiment, a fluid diverter is movable between an open and closed position in response to fluid density change and operable to restrict fluid flow through a valve assembly inlet. The diverter can be pivotable, rotatable or otherwise movable in response to the fluid density change. In one embodiment, the diverter is operable to control a fluid flow ratio through two valve inlets. The fluid flow ratio is used to operate a valve member to restrict fluid flow through the valve. |
| US08657014B2 |
Artificial lift system and method for well
An artificial lift system provides a lifting mechanism located in a well. The lifting mechanism communicates with a remote intake that is located below in the well. A compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure that is sufficient to move the well fluid from the remote intake up to the lifting mechanism. The well has an annulus and tubing. The well has isolation elements that isolate the producing formation from compressed gas in the annulus. Various sources of compressed gas can be used such as a compressor, an accumulator or a gas sales line. A controller is provided to control the intermittent application and removal of compressed gas in the annulus and also to control the operation of the lifting mechanism. The well could be a horizontal well or a vertical well. The well could be a cased hole or an open hole well. |
| US08657010B2 |
Downhole flow device with erosion resistant and pressure assisted metal seal
A downhole flow device has a sliding and ported sleeves. A seal has a first component on the sliding sleeve and a second component on the ported sleeve. These components engage one another to seal flow through the ports in the ported sleeve. The components move apart to allow fluid flow through the ports. The components are protected from abrasion and flow by virtue of the seal's structure and how it is opened. The sliding sleeve moves hydraulically along an axis of the ported sleeve to reveal successive ports defined along the sleeve's axis. Operation of the device and the seal address both erosion and damage from differential pressure problems. Thus, the seal prevent damage when unloading a differential pressure across it, and abrasive flow does not have the opportunity to impinge on the sealing surfaces to cause erosion. |
| US08657008B2 |
Process for treating underground formations
A process for disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (i) incorporating into a treatment fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the underground formation; and (iii) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water to produce organic acid such that acid soluble material within the filter cake or adjacent formation is dissolved. |
| US08657007B1 |
Hydraulic jar with low reset force
A hydraulic jar for delivering impacts downhole. The jarring mechanism includes a cup-type piston that moves through a seal bore. The cup is deformable in response to fluid pressure so that it expands each time it moves through the seal bore to compensate for wear on the lip. Since only minimum interference is required between the piston and seal bore, less material may be used. This reduces the force required to reset the tool, which is particularly advantageous in horizontal wells. The seal bore may be slightly wider at the exit; the cup expands to this exit diameter, ensuring an interference fit as the cup travels back through the smaller diameter entry section. The entry end of the seal bore may include longitudinal grooves. This prevents the piston cup from rupturing by preventing a fluid seal around the lip until the most of cup is inside the seal bore. |
| US08657005B2 |
Systems and methods for hydraulic barrier formation to improve sweep efficiency in subterranean oil reservoirs
Systems and methods for creating a hydraulic barrier at an interface between high and low permeability regions that may exist in high permeability-contrast subterranean formations. These systems and methods may include providing injection and/or production wells that are completed within the high and/or low permeability regions, supplying a pore throat blocking agent to an interface between the high and low permeability regions, and forming the hydraulic barrier at the interface. The pore throat blocking agent may be sized to substantially flow through the high permeability region while being substantially blocked, or occluded, from the low permeability region. In some embodiments, the hydraulic barrier may be greater than one acre (0.4 hectare) in area. In some embodiments, the subterranean formation may include an oil reservoir. In some embodiments, the high and/or low permeability formations may be swept concurrently and/or independently to remove oil from the oil reservoir. |
| US08657002B2 |
Degradable fiber systems for stimulation
A method for minimizing the amount of metal crosslinked viscosifier necessary for treating a wellbore with proppant or gravel is given. The method includes using fibers to aid in transporting, suspending and placing proppant or gravel in viscous carrier fluids otherwise having insufficient viscosity to prevent particulate settling. Fibers are given that have properties optimized for proppant transport but degrade after the treatment into degradation products that do not precipitate in the presence of ions in the water such as calcium and magnesium. Crosslinked polymer carrier fluids are identified that are not damaged by contaminants present in the fibers or by degradation products released by premature degradation of the fibers. |
| US08657001B2 |
Downhole release joint
An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member. |
| US08656989B1 |
Grid-stiffened panel with integrated fluid distribution channels
A modified isogrid panel including face sheets and underlying longitudinal and transverse ribs which stiffen the panel. The ribs are hollow to provide fluid channels for distributing fluid to various sections of each face sheet. A valve at each node where ribs intersect controls or reroutes fluid flow through the fluid channels in the ribs. The ribs are the primary fluid distributors and are fluidly connected to capillary channels located beneath the surface of each face sheet. |
| US08656988B1 |
External reinforcement of connections between header tanks and tubes in heat exchangers
A heat exchanger has first and second sides and comprises a pair of tanks, with each of the tanks defining an interior and including a header. A plurality of openings is formed in the header; The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes extending between the openings in the tanks, with each of the tubes having opposite end portions joined to the tanks to fluidly connect the interiors of the tanks through interiors of the tubes. The heat exchanger comprises at least one reinforcement ribbon element extending across a juncture between the header and the plurality of tubes to reinforce a connection between the header and the plurality of tubes. |
| US08656987B2 |
Process for producing heat exchanger tubes and heat exchanger tubes
A process for making heat exchanger tubes includes the operating steps of cutting a piece of sheet, subjecting the piece of sheet (3) to a forming step to obtain a plurality of first elements (8, 9) which mirror one another, and bending the piece of sheet (3) to create a tubular element (1) which has two flat walls (4) with the raised elements (8, 9) on them, the flat walls being opposite one another and joined by two connecting walls (5). The first raised elements (8) have an extended shape according to their main direction of extension. The forming step involves making one or more higher second raised elements (9). |
| US08656985B2 |
Rackmount rear door heat exchanger
A heat exchange apparatus is provided and includes an external structure to support an airflow cooled computing device, first and second doors, each of which includes a heat transfer surface, sequentially coupled to the external structure downstream from the computing device, a water supply system fluidly coupled to a water supply and to the heat transfer surfaces of the first and second doors to thereby supply water to the heat transfer surfaces, first and second valves coupled to the water supply system for association with the first and second doors, respectively, and an exhaust system, disposed proximate to the external structure, configured to recycle the cooled airflow downstream from the first and second doors for repeated cooling of the computing device. |
| US08656982B2 |
Part for removing impurities from a molten metal
The present invention arranges the part for removing impurities from a molten metal containing a filter holder constituted of a structure containing an organic fiber, an inorganic fiber and thermosetting resin and a heat-resistant filter in the runner of the mold. |
| US08656980B2 |
Adjustable light shelf
A light shelf for controlling solar radiation that impinges on a building has a panel with a pair of support brackets. The brackets run along tracks secured to the building and engage the tracks to assume a variety of elevations. The brackets can be moved independently, allowing the panel to be tilted and may have pivot joints to facilitate tilting. The panel may be mounted to the brackets in a way that allows the panel to translate horizontally. The panel may have a plurality of elements that can be adjusted to change the surface area and may be automated to respond to ambient conditions. |
| US08656978B2 |
Roller screen assemblies
A closure assembly to be installed in an opening for a building, said closure assembly comprising a frame for supporting a moveable closure member therewithin, said frame including top, bottom and side members, one of the members including a hollow pocket within the interior of said member and for receiving a spring biased roller assembly upon which a flexible material is accumulated, said flexible material being selected from a blind, a bug screen, a solar screen, or the like, the flexible material being movable between a fully retracted first position whereat the material is contained within the pocket to a fully extended second position whereat the material covers some or all of the opening of the building. |
| US08656977B2 |
Electronic device assembly system and method
Provided is an assembly system for assembling a double-side adhesive onto an electronic device. The assembly system includes a supporting portion and a pushing portion. The supporting portion includes a supporting surface. The supporting surface defines a cavity for receiving the electronic device. The pushing portion is supported on the supporting surface, and includes a pushing surface opposite to the supporting surface. A projection perpendicularly extends downward from the pushing surface. An elastic member is positioned on the projection. The distance between the supporting surface and the pushing surface equals to an elastic deformation value of the elastic member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. |
| US08656972B2 |
Hydraulic membrane pump assembly for air maintenance tire
An air-maintenance tire system includes a compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber, the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body further includes a deformable membrane valve member and an outlet valve member located within and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, the membrane valve member deforming and the outlet valve member moving within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuator between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an air compression cycle. The compression actuator includes a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformable material composition and containing a quantity of a non-compressible medium. The containment body is affixed to a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and reciprocally transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformed state to generate a deformation force against a membrane valve member surface and deform the membrane valve between the open and closed positions within the air chamber. |
| US08656967B2 |
Cover for a boat motor
A cover for a boat motor is provided. The cover is for a boat motor of the type having an upper portion having a housing for containing an engine, and a lower portion having a cavitation plate, a propeller for providing propulsion, a skeg for providing directional stability under propulsion, and a transom. The cover includes a first panel and a second panel. Each panel has a shape that generally approximates the lower portion. A first fastener is carried on a substantial length of a periphery of the first panel. A second fastener is carried on a periphery of the second panel and is mutually engageable with the first fastener. The first and second panel are positioned on opposing sides of the lower portion and fastened to each other by the first and second fasteners to form an enclosure for covering the lower portion of the boat motor. |
| US08656965B2 |
Bleeder plug
A bleeder plug is provided with a bleeder body having a nipple portion and a threaded portion and being provided with a through hole extending from the nipple portion-side end to the threaded portion-side end; a seat pin having a press fitting portion to be press-fitted in an opening of the through hole at the threaded portion-side in the bleeder body and a seat portion blocking a bleeder hole, and a groove formed in a contact surface between the bleeder body and the seat pin and communicating the opening of the through hole at the nipple portion-side with an outside space via the contact surface. |
| US08656964B1 |
Auto-filling assembly for a refillable sprayer
An auto-filling assembly for a refillable sprayer has a base device, a controlling device and a filling device. The base device has a base, an oil tank and a connecting jacket. The connecting jacket is mounted on the base and has a connecting disk, a switch and an engaging mount. The controlling device is connected to the base device and has an inlet valve, a first linking valve, a gas-controlling valve, a second linking valve and a triple valve. The filling device is mounted on the base device, is connected to the controlling device and has a storage bottle, a release valve and a mechanical valve. The auto-filling assembly can be used to fill pressurized gas and oil into a refillable sprayer conveniently and automatically. |
| US08656962B2 |
Gripper head of a weaving machine
A gripper head of a weaving machine has a clamping device for clamping a band-shaped weft material to be inserted into a loom shed of the weaving machine. The clamping device includes a stationary clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw that is loaded by a spring and movable about a rotation axis. Each clamping jaw respectively has a clamping surface. The movable clamping jaw is actuatable by a control device to open the clamping device. The gripper head includes a frame, and the clamping surfaces are arranged essentially outside of the frame, but the spring and the rotation axis are arranged inside the frame. |
| US08656960B2 |
Hydraulically controlled accumulator-chamber valve
A hydraulically controlled accumulator-chamber valve has a closing element and a tappet. The closing element is prestressed via a first compression spring and seals a valve seat in a valve body. The tappet reaches through a leadthrough in the valve body and is moved by an accumulator piston. The accumulator piston is loaded by a second compression spring. The tappet is moved to press the closing element out of the valve seat when there is a specified balance of forces between the spring prestressing forces and a hydraulically active force. The closing element and the tappet are configured as a single-piece component, in order to guide the tappet in the leadthrough in a longitudinally movable manner. The tappet bears against an end face of the accumulator piston during an opening movement. |
| US08656959B2 |
Hydraulic accumulator
A hydraulic accumulator includes a housing with a pair of ends, a piston slidably disposed in the interior of the housing, and a biasing member that urges the piston towards one end of the housing. The accumulator further includes a fluid flow control device in communication with a fluid chamber defined by a face of the piston and the interior surface of the housing. The desired amount of fluid entering and exiting the fluid chamber is controlled by the fluid flow control device according to the desired pressure within the fluid chamber as determined by a pressure sensor which is also in communication with the fluid chamber. |
| US08656951B2 |
Encapsulated valve system
An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways. |
| US08656950B2 |
Drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils
A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer. |
| US08656948B2 |
Hydraulic valve with an annular filter element secured by a helical spring
A wide variety of machines have moveable members that are operated by an hydraulic actuator. For example, an internal combustion engine has a camshaft which is mechanically coupled to rotate with the crankshaft and which opens and closes cylinder intake and exhaust valves. Traditionally the camshaft timing was fixed at a setting that produced the best operation for all engine operating conditions. However, it has been recognized that engine performance can be improved if the valve timing varies as a function of engine speed, engine load, and other factors. Thus a hydraulic actuator is being used on some engines to vary the coupling relationship of the camshaft to the crankshaft. A solenoid operated valve controls the application of pressurized fluid to operate the hydraulic actuator. |
| US08656947B1 |
Self-evacuating vertical downspout adapter
A self-evacuating vertical downspout adapter includes an elongated adapter body defining open top and bottom ends, and an enlarged-volume debris trap with a debris outlet between the top and bottom ends. A drainage grate is located inside the adapter body and defines a drain-through floor of the debris trap angled downwardly towards the debris outlet. A hinged outlet door is attached to the adapter body adjacent the debris outlet, and is urged in a normally closed position to prevent substantial escape of rainwater through the debris outlet. The outlet door is adapted for being pivoted on-demand to a temporarily open position by debris captured on the drainage grate and gravity-fed towards the debris outlet for automatic evacuation. |
| US08656943B2 |
Liquid appliance and transport lock
A liquid appliance (1) has a liquid reservoir (20), a liquid inlet (24) for supplying liquid to the liquid reservoir (20), a float system (3) provided with a float (2) and a valve system (5). A transport lock (8) switchable between a first position in which the transport lock (8) blocks the float system (3) relative to the liquid reservoir (20), and a second position in which a cooperation between the float (2) and the valve system (5) for opening and closure of the liquid inlet (24) is unimpeded by the transport lock (8). The transport lock (8) is switchable between said first and second positions by an installation prevention element (12). The element (12) can be switched to a prevention position, wherein installation of the appliance into an operational position is impeded by the element (12). In the prevention position the first position of the transport lock (8) is established. The element (12) can also be switched to an installation position, wherein installation of the appliance (1) into an operational position is unimpeded by the element (12). In the installation position the second position of the transport lock (8) is established. |
| US08656942B2 |
Length-adjustable pressure-retaining piping components
Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to length-adjustable pressure-retaining components used in piping systems. In one illustrative embodiment, a device comprising a first pressure component and an adjustable spacer ring operatively coupled to the first pressure component is disclosed, wherein the adjustable spacer ring is adapted to adjust a combined overall length of said the pressure component and the adjustable spacer ring. |
| US08656941B1 |
Flow control valve
A fast acting flow control valve uses an electronically-actuated, short-stroke 3-way pilot poppet to actuate a primary poppet valve, for example, to provide impulse thrust to an air or space vehicle. The pilot poppet arrangement has an electromagnetic actuator for positioning the pilot poppet with respect to first and second seats. When the pilot poppet is sealed against the first seat a pressure passage communicates with seat openings and a vent passage of the valve is blocked from the seat openings. When the pilot poppet is sealed against the second seat the pressure passage is blocked from the seat openings and the vent passage communicates with the seat openings. The primary valve arrangement has a primary poppet that seals against a primary seat when the pilot poppet is sealed against the first seat and is unseated when the pilot poppet is sealed against the second seat. |
| US08656940B2 |
Safety system for fluid conduit
A housing at each end of a conduit defines a valve seat. A connector is connected to a valve body in each housing and holds the bodies away from the seats until the conduit fails, after which each body moves into contact with the corresponding seat. A compression zone between each body and the corresponding seat is sufficiently large to reduce heat generated thereat from adiabatic compression of the fluid flowing therethrough. In a variation, two heat-dissipating ribs are externally positioned on each housing adjacent the compression zone. In another variation, the connector is a generally helical spring within the conduit and sized to be in contact with an interior wall of the conduit so that the spring provides structural strength thereto. In another variation, a third housing is employed as a one-way check valve. |
| US08656938B2 |
Compressed gas tank system with fast fueling ability at any vessel pressure
A method of fueling with compressed gas is described. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a supply of compressed gas; providing a storage tank with a fueling line, and a nozzle in the fueling line, the nozzle movable between at least a flow reduction position and a full fuel flow position; initiating fueling from the supply of compressed gas with the nozzle in the flow reduction position for a predetermined time or until a minimum pressure is obtained; when the predetermined time or the minimum pressure is obtained, moving the nozzle to the full fuel flow position; and fueling the storage tank from the supply of compressed gas with the nozzle in the full fuel flow position until fueling is completed. A vehicle incorporating the nozzle is also disclosed. |
| US08656937B1 |
Outdoor umbrella stabilizer system
An outdoor umbrella stabilizer system for preventing wind damage to an outdoor umbrella having a plurality of cords, a plurality of clips and a means of securing the cords to a weighted object. The stabilizer system flexibly maintains the canopy in position, preventing strong winds from catching the canopy and twisting, warping, contorting, buckling or deforming the umbrella, thereby stabilizing the outdoor umbrella. The stabilizer system installs on many styles of outdoor umbrellas, including a cantilever, a beach umbrella, a deck or patio umbrella, a center pole or vertical pole of the umbrella unnecessary for installation. The stabilizer system has a sac containing ballast as a weighted object. The cords attach to the sac. For an umbrella accommodated by a table having a center hold for the umbrella, the table is the weighted object, the cords attaching to the legs. |
| US08656931B2 |
Aesthetic treatment for wrinkle reduction and rejuvenation
A dermatological treatment method includes directing laser energy having a wavelength of 2.79 μm onto skin. According to disclosed methods, the energy can function to ablate a first portion of epidermal tissue, coagulate an underlying second portion of epidermal tissue, and promote collagen formation in tissue of the underlying dermis. In an exemplary treatment apparatus, a laser using a YSGG gain medium is mounted in a handpiece. The handpiece may include a two-axis scanner to allow for uniform scanning of the energy over the tissue surface. |
| US08656928B2 |
Echogenic medical device and method of forming echogenic surface
Medical devices are made visible under ultrasonic or magnetic imaging techniques by adding a series of features on their surfaces. The features are desirably placed at more than one angle to the surface in order to enhance the visibility of the surface. Laser-machining can make a series of depressions or voids that are symmetric with respect to the surface and another series of depressions or voids that are non-symmetric. The pattern of voids is also varied by using more than one size of void, the depth of the voids, and the distribution of voids, i.e. more voids in some areas than others. |
| US08656925B2 |
Bite block device
A bite block device for use with intrabuccal instruments having a generally U-shaped central body. A lower vestibular rim extends from an outer periphery of a bottom surface of the generally U-shaped central body. A lower lingual rim extends from an inner periphery of the bottom surface of the generally U-shaped central body. An upper vestibular rim extends from an outer periphery of an upper surface of the generally U-shaped central body. An upper lingual rim extends from an inner periphery of the upper surface of the generally U-shaped central body. The upper surface, the upper vestibular rim, and the upper lingual rim are anteriorly discontinuous for a common length to form an intrabuccal instrument channel therethrough. |
| US08656924B2 |
Methods and devices for retaining surgical instruments and cables within sterile fields
The subject devices and methods retain surgical instruments and sterile portions of any accompanying cables within sterile surgical fields. One such surgical device includes a surgical instrument for performing surgical procedures within a sterile field. A cable is attached to the surgical instrument for connecting the surgical instrument located within the sterile field to support equipment located outside the sterile field. A self-retracting coil is operatively connected to the surgical instrument. The self-retracting coil is adapted and configured to be anchored within the sterile field to ensure that the surgical instrument and the sterile portion of the cable remain within the sterile field during performance of the surgical procedure. |
| US08656923B2 |
Oral orthosis
An oral orthosis includes a holder in the shape of a mouthpiece, including a curved arcuate trough-like upper section which receives a formable material. The formable material does not occupy the entire trough but rather includes voids between the formable material and the inner surfaces of trough of the holder to allow expansion of the formable material into the voids during the molding process when tooth pressure is placed on the formable material. This design results in elimination of the excess formable material which otherwise would require removal by trimming. Additionally, the formable material is placed in the trough in a configuration which includes indexing indentations along the centerline of the material, such that, during the molding process, the mouthpiece containing the formable material is easily centered along the edges of the user's teeth to provide a precise fitting. |
| US08656922B2 |
Methods and systems for improving airway patency
An oral device for improving airway patency includes a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency includes a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source. |
| US08656920B1 |
Device to alleviate snoring
A device to alleviate snoring is disclosed. It is an appliance that fits into the mouth, is held against the roof of the mouth by means on the upper premolars, and presses against the soft palate, preventing the soft palate from descending into the airway of the user. |
| US08656919B2 |
System for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers
System for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn by a bed-stricken individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include one or more individual spring assemblies which are enclosed entirely within an inner fluid and/or outer fluid pad which extends over the entire assembly. Each of the spring assemblies may be secured to an outer shell which is relatively stiffer than the fluid layers. |
| US08656917B2 |
Limb support device
A limb support device that includes a vertical support, a base connected to a lower end of the vertical support and a head portion connected to an upper end of the vertical support. The base includes a set of foldable legs that can be positioned upward, where each leg is substantially parallel to the vertical support, or downward, where each leg is substantially perpendicular to the vertical support so that the vertical support is held upright. The head portion has a generally concave saddle that can hold a limb above the vertical support. The saddle can be pivoted so that it can be positioned at a variable angle with respect to the vertical support. The vertical support itself is adjustable in length. |
| US08656915B2 |
Respiratory valve
A respiratory valve apparatus with a housing having an inner chamber, an endotracheal tube connection port, a respirator connection port and a resuscitation bag connection port. A valve positioned within the inner chamber can switch the flow between a manual resuscitation bag port and a ventilator port enabling the patient to be treated without having to disconnect the respirator support system to thereby connect the resuscitation bag. This prevents the loss of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the lungs and guards against lung collapse and hemodynamic compromise. The valve includes preloaded seals that will create minimal dragging during valve actuation and work under both positive and negative pressure. The apparatus includes a tethered cover for closure of the resuscitation bag port for sealably covering the port when a bag is not attached or the ventilator connector during patient transport. A sealing arrangement within the resuscitator bag port insures that PEEP in maintained when the resuscitator bag adapter is inserted into the housing. |
| US08656913B2 |
Ventilator apparatus
One or more embodiments of the presently described invention provides a ventilator including a timing device, an electric power source and a flow control device. The timing device is electronically controlled and is capable of controlling a period of time that a fluid is delivered to a patient. The timing device can control this period of time using a solenoid. The flow control device controls a rate of flow that the fluid is delivered to the patient. The flow control device can control the rate of flow using a plurality of orifices. The timing device and flow control device are separate from one another and each is capable of being operated independent of the other. |
| US08656911B2 |
Actuation counter
There is provided an actuation counter comprising a driver feature having one or more driver elements, which driver feature is arranged for drivable movement in response to an actuation; and a count member including one or more drive receipt elements arranged thereon for receipt of drive from said one or more driver elements of the driver feature for drivable movement of the count member. The driver feature includes one or more brake elements arranged to selectively interact with the count member to prevent overrun thereof when registering a count of an actuation. The actuation is suitably arranged for use with a drug dispenser device. |
| US08656910B2 |
Nebulizer
A nebulizer for a fluid, particularly for medical aerosol treatment is proposed. To allow easier operation and confer improved operational reliability a sealed container holding the fluid is already arranged in the nebulizer when it is supplied and the nebulizer is constructed so that the container is opened inside the nebulizer before or during the first use of the nebulizer. Alternatively, or in addition, the nebulizer is constructed so that the container cannot be replaced, and in particular, cannot be removed. |
| US08656908B2 |
Aerosol delivery systems and methods
Methods and systems for aerosol delivery of agents to a patient are described herein. The present system can be used to administer various types of agents, such as a vaccine or other types of pharmaceutical substances. Certain embodiments of the present system utilize an actuator coupled to a disposable aerosolizing element that aerosolizes an agent for delivery to a patient when acted upon by the actuator. The aerosolizing element prevents the agent from contacting the actuator and other non-disposable components of the system so that little or no cleaning or maintenance is required. The present system also can include an aerosolization rate monitor that monitors the rate at which an agent is being aerosolized and provides feedback to the user to ensure that the proper dose is being administered. |
| US08656906B2 |
High-yield thermal solar panel
The solar panel includes a housing for a heat collecting element, delimited by walls, one of which includes slits for the passage of solar rays. At least one reflective area is arranged to face the heat collecting element. At least one reflective strip is arranged outside the housing to face a respective slit so as to focus the solar rays received towards this slit. Elongated reflective elements are arranged side by side, and include coplanar flat bases, forming together the wall of the housing having slits and the flat base of at least one elongated reflective element forming a reflective area of this wall of the housing, and including one concave surface arranged to face the reflective strips such that the solar rays reflected by each concave surface are focused towards the corresponding reflective strip. |
| US08656905B2 |
Air channeling baffle for a furnace heat exchanger
An air-channeling baffle for a heat exchanger unit. The air-channeling baffle comprises a body having a long dimension and a short dimension that define a surface and an attachment structure coupled to the body. The attachment structure is configured to locate the body in a heat exchanger unit such that an incoming air flow reflected off of the surface and passes over ends of the long dimension towards terminally-located heat conduction tubes of the heat exchanger unit. |
| US08656900B1 |
Bow energy transfer system and method
A bow energy transfer system includes a pair of helically wound springs positioned on the bowstrings on either side of the bowstring nock point; the springs are secured to the bowstring with a serving thread wound between the individual coils into contact with the bowstring. The springs flex perpendicular to their longitudinal axes during discharge of the bow causing energy to temporarily be stored in the flexed spring to be returned to the arrow or bolt later in its discharge. |
| US08656899B2 |
Barrel cable suppressor
A crossbow may comprise a main beam, a trigger mechanism, a bow assembly, and a barrel cable suppressor. First and second cables may pass through a cable slot formed in a barrel member. The first and second cables may be received by first and second cams respectively such that the rotation of the first and second cams in a first direction causes the first and second limbs to be pulled generally inward towards the main beam. The barrel cable suppressor may be positioned at least partially within the cable slot and may at least partially suppresses vibrations and noise caused by the first and second cables when the bowstring is released from the trigger mechanism. |
| US08656897B2 |
Device for generating radiofrequency plasma
A device for generating a radiofrequency plasma, that includes a voltage generator, and at least one ignition assembly that includes an ignition plug and a switch provided between a supply terminal of the plug and an output of the generator adapted for electrically connecting the output of the voltage generator to the plug upon reception of a control signal, and an electronic control unit generating the control signal. The electronic control unit measures values representative of evolution in time of the output voltage of the generator. The device further includes a mechanism varying the voltage and/or the frequency of the electric current applied to the supply terminal of the plug based on measured values. The evolution of the generator output voltage is representative of the condition of the plug (new or used). |
| US08656896B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine and control method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a fuel property sensor which is provided between a fuel tank and a delivery pipe and which detects a component ratio of fuel; a fuel property value calculator that calculates an injector fuel property value for each cylinder using the component ratio detected by the fuel property sensor a period of time ago, which is equal to an amount of time required for the fuel to travel from the fuel property sensor to each fuel injector, as a value corresponding to the present component ratio of the fuel near the corresponding injector; and an engine-restart-time fuel injection amount calculator that calculates a fuel injection amount for each cylinder based on an engine-off duration in a case where the internal combustion engine is restarted after the internal combustion engine is stopped when the injector fuel property value varies from cylinder to cylinder. |
| US08656893B2 |
Liquid hydrocarbon fuel treating device for an internal combustion engine
A device for treating liquid carbonous fuel having external and internal electrodes having a dielectric insert positioned between and coaxially arranged to form a treatment chamber. The chamber is connected to a fuel line by an outlet channel located along the longitudinal axis of the electrodes and at least one inlet channel disposed in the external electrode, wherein the inlet and outlet channels are embodied according to a relationship (1), wherein Siin is the cross-section area of an i-th inlet channel, n is the number of inlet channels and Sout is the cross-section area of the outlet channel. ∑ i = 1 n S iin = ( 0.1 / 2.7 ) S out ( 1 ) |
| US08656892B2 |
High-pressure pump
A high-pressure pump for supplying fuel to a fuel rail includes a pressurizing unit, a discharging unit, a return flow channel, a mechanical pressure relief valve, a cup-like shaped spring seat, and a constant residual pressure valve. The return flow channel is closed when pressure of fuel in the fuel rail becomes equal to or less than a predetermined pressure. The spring seat has a guide portion that is formed along an outer shape of a constant residual pressure valve element of the constant residual pressure valve such that the guide portion limits a vortex flow generated at a position downstream of the constant residual pressure valve element in the second flow direction. |
| US08656891B2 |
Horizontal control surface for a fuel injector
Disclosed is a fuel injection mechanism having a horizontal control surface formed within a plunger for regulating the start of fuel injection. The horizontal control surfaces are formed within one or more of the two opposed ridges formed within the plunger defining a recessed channel there between. The horizontal control surfaces of the ridges regulate the opening and closing of the ports formed within the bushing of the injector. The horizontal control surfaces contribute to reduced wear and provide for accurate timing and fuel quantity delivery. |
| US08656888B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine with variable volumetric compression ratio
A method and apparatus for controlling an air input in a rotary engine, including selectively controlling inlet ports communicating with an internal combustion cavity of the engine, the ports located serially downstream of the exhaust port. The inlet ports are controlled to alter air intake at various engine operational stages, such as start up, idle, etc., to allow for varying operational requirements to be met. For example: when a power demand on the engine is lower than a predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening a primary inlet port and closing a secondary inlet port; and, when the power demand exceeds the predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening the primary inlet port and opening the secondary inlet port, the secondary inlet port being in communication with the exhaust port throughout portions of the engine revolution to purge exhaust gases. |
| US08656884B1 |
Portable gas powered internal combustion engine arrangement
A gas powered internal combustion engine in which the gas is provided from pressurized liquid gas in an LPG container and in which the LPG container is rigidly mounted adjacent to the internal combustion engine at a preselected angle to be in conductive heat transfer relationship to the internal combustion engine and in vibration receiving relationship to the internal combustion engine whereby the liquified gas in the LPG container is heated and the effective surface area thereof is increased. |
| US08656881B2 |
Direct injection event-based engine starting
A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection, comprising of adjusting a number of direct injections per combustion cycle based on a cylinder event number from a first cylinder event. |
| US08656870B2 |
Control strategy for multi-stroke engine system
An engine system and a method of operation are described. The engine may be operating in two-stroke and four-stroke modes while still maintaining a target exhaust air-fuel ratio. |
| US08656865B1 |
Animal care method
Animal care methods for improving animal and animal handler safety in animal care situations by scoring and documentation are provided. |
| US08656861B2 |
Milking implement
An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner. |
| US08656854B2 |
Kayak
A kayak having a hull shape in which the wetted area is situated over the forward two-thirds section of the hull with the rear hull section having minimal wetted area to provide a kayak of increased steering leverage, and of exceptional maneuverability and speed. The hull has asymmetry that is defined by length-to-girth ratio. |
| US08656852B1 |
Hideaway helm for watercraft
The present invention provides a hide away helm for a watercraft that is positionable between a use position in which the hide away helm extends up from the deck and a non-use position in which the hide away helm retracts into a deck cavity and becomes flush with the deck. The hide away helm includes: a mounting member, a first support member, an optional biasing member, a steering device, one or more second support members, and a deck member. |
| US08656846B2 |
Continuous real time heating value (BTU)/coal flow balancing meter
A method and an apparatus for continuous real time heating value/coal flow balancing of coal from a coal feeder to a burner. The apparatus includes a Dual-energy Gamma Attenuation (DGA)/Multi-energy Gamma Attenuation (MGA) device for measuring coal quality at a specific location between the coal silo/bunker and the coal feeder in a coal fired plant in order to control the individual burner stoichiometries according to the measured coal quality. By strategically placing the DGA/MGA device, continuous accurate real-time coal quality information is accomplished for making individual adjustments in order to improve stoichiometry to optimize performance of the system. |
| US08656840B2 |
Manway gasket
A gasket for a railroad car manway nozzle and cover includes an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion joined by a generally planar annular body portion defining an upper annular cover sealing surface and a lower annular nozzle body sealing surface. Concentric annular chevrons are formed on the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. In one form, the chevrons have a uniform height relative to the upper and lower sealing surfaces. In a modified form, the height of the chevrons varies relative to the surfaces from the which they extend. The height of the chevrons is a minimum where the gasket is radially aligned with cover clamping bolts and a maximum at radial locations midway between clamping bolts. A tab depending from the outer leg portion provides visual verification of the presence of the gasket. |
| US08656834B2 |
Exchangeable cylinder type rotary press
In an exchangeable cylinder type rotary press driven by a prime mover, it is made possible to make a print of any top-bottom length as desired, independently of a gear train that transmits power from the prime mover to an exchange cylinder unit. To this end, the peripheral length of each of the rotary cylinders 34-36 in the exchange cylinder unit 28 is set at a length according to a top-bottom length of a print to be made, a profile-shifted gear is used as at least one of driven gears 37-39 which are provided for the rotary cylinders, respectively, and have an identical number of teeth so that the driven gears can be engaged with one another while positioning the rotary cylinders in rotational contact with one another, the printing unit 25 is provided in the exchange cylinder unit with a driving gear 30 adapted to be disengageably in engagement with one of the driven gears for driving the exchangeable cylinders, the driving gear being provided independently of the rotary printing paper feed means; and a motor 32 whose rotation is controllable is coupled to the driving gear. |
| US08656831B2 |
Round baler
A round baler of the non-stop type has three arms rotating about a common axis and having rolls at their free ends. A loop may be formed between rolls of adjacent arms, wherein material is fed to the loop forming a bale from one of several outlets fed by a feeder. |
| US08656830B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying preservative to agricultural bales
A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a bale size sensor. The preservative application system has a preservative storage container, a preservative transfer device and an applicator device. The preservative transfer device is in communication with both the storage container and the applicator device to transfer a preservative stored in the storage container to the applicator device. The bale size sensor is in communication with the transfer device so that the transfer device and therefore the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a bale size sensed by the bale size sensor. |
| US08656829B2 |
Flipping grilling grate
A flipping grilling grate includes a primary grate member with a food contact surface and four pivot posts formed in diametrically opposed pairs. The grilling grate also includes a secondary grate member with a food contact surface 7and four pivot post formed in diametrically opposed pairs. A first pair of opposed pivot posts on the primary grate member mate with a first pair of opposed pivot posts on the secondary grate member and a second pair of opposed pivot posts on the primary grate member mate with a second pair of opposed pivot posts on the secondary grate member when the primary and secondary grate members are assembled together. |
| US08656825B2 |
Telescopic composite cylinder hydraulic hoist
The present invention is a telescopic composite cylinder that functions as a hydraulic hoist incorporating multiple cylinders formed of composite materials. The walls of the multiple cylinders may be formed of pultruded composite material, or a combination of composite materials. The cylinders of the hydraulic hoist may incorporate a plurality of piston and sleeve assemblies that are mounted so as to invoke a telescopic relationship between the multiple cylinders. The materials that the cylinders are formed of may create walls having a smooth surface that can eliminate problems facing hoists formed of other materials, for example, such as a honing process, fluid leakage and seal wearing problems. The hoist may be run on diesel fuel drawn from the tank of a vehicle. Additionally, the present invention may be releasably attached to a surface by way of a saddle mounting system. |
| US08656819B2 |
Rigid foam insulation cutting system and method of use
A cutting system and method of use for manually cutting rigid foam insulation panels; the present cutting system is operated manually and requires no electric power whatsoever; the cutting system includes a fully adjustable carriage assembly whereon a cutting blade is mounted for traversing the limits of its working surface; the cutting system provides a measuring scale having graduated indicia inscribed thereon for conveniently changing blade settings to accommodate different foam panel dimensions; the cutting system produces a uniformly accurate cut surface comparable to a factory-made surface without damaging the foil moisture barrier on the rigid foam panel; the cutting system completely eliminates the health and safety hazards created by airborne foam particulates that are produced by powered cutting of such rigid foam materials and thereby provides an environmentally-friendly building practice; and the present cutting system is completely portable enabling its setup and use at any construction site or location. |
| US08656813B1 |
Locking pliers
A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, a power triangle link, at least one tie link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips, but other parts may also be used. A second embodiment of the locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, two power links, at least one tie link, a release link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips. |
| US08656812B2 |
Plier
The invention provides a pair of pliers capable of properly pinching a screw head and reliably removing a screw from an object to which the screw has been fastened even if the screw has small thickness of a peripheral face to be pinched between pinching teeth.The pair of pliers is formed by coupling a first arm 1 and a second arm 2 each having a jaw portion 4 and a grip 5 through a coupling shaft 3 in an X shape. Each of the jaw portions 4, 4 is provided on left and right sides of a front end thereof with flanks 16, 16 for preventing opposite corners of front ends of each of the jaw portions 4, 4 from coming in contact with a screw fastened face 22. Each of the jaw portions 4, 4 also comprises longitudinal pinching teeth 13, 13 capable of pinching the peripheral face of the screw head 21 so as to be recessed in opposed faces of the respective jaw portions 4, 4 between the left and right flanks 16, 16. Each of the longitudinal pinching teeth 13, 13 is formed by connecting, in shapes of peaks and troughs, a plurality of streak teeth 13a in a front-back direction. Due to the flanks 16, 16, front ends 17 of the streak teeth 13a initially collide with the screw fastened face 22, so that the longitudinal pinching teeth 13 can reliably pinch the peripheral face of the screw head 21. |
| US08656810B2 |
Wave-type linear motion mechanism
Disclosed is a wave-type linear motion mechanism including a hydraulic pressure chamber for applying a retention force in the axial direction to a rigid screw member which moves in a linear fashion. Regulating valves are provided in the hydraulic pressure chamber, and these regulating valves open during the rotation of a wave generator so that no hydraulic pressure is exerted on the rigid screw member which moves in a linear fashion. During the rotation of the wave generator the regulating valves close to establish an airtight state in the hydraulic pressure chamber, and a hydraulic pressure is exerted as a retention force on the rigid screw member. Although restricted by the meshing strength between the rigid screw member and a flexible screw member and the buckling strength of the flexible screw member, the retention force of the wave-type linear motion mechanism is able to be increased. |
| US08656809B2 |
Gearing
In a gearing, in particular coaxial gearing, hollow shaft gearing, hypoid gearing, axial gearing or linear gearing, with a driving element (7), an element (3) and an output element (11), a stepping-up and transmission of a driving torque between driving element (7) and output element (11) are to take place via a plurality of movable tooth segments (5). |
| US08656806B2 |
Cam system having compliant follower
A compliant follower cam system includes a cam rotatable about a cam rotational axis continuously aligned with a cam displacement axis. The cam has a body center spaced from the rotational axis. A compliant follower has an elastically deformable first contact wall positioned proximate to a cavity. The first contact wall is directly contacted by the cam body outer surface. A compliant follower non-deflected condition occurs when a first contact wall outer surface directly contacts the cam body outer surface prior to deflection of the first contact wall, with the cam body center out of alignment with the displacement axis. Rotating the cam moves the body center toward the compliant follower into alignment with the displacement axis. The cam thereby deflects the first contact wall into the cavity defining a compliant follower deflected condition and creates a biasing force releasably frictionally engaging the first contact wall and cam. |
| US08656804B2 |
Steering wheel and steering apparatus
The disclosure discloses a steering wheel for steering a vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel metal core that forms a wheel frame; and a covering portion that covers an area surrounding the steering wheel metal core; the steering wheel metal core having: a boss portion that connects the steering wheel metal core and a steering shaft; an annular portion; and a spoke portion that connects the boss portion and the annular portion; and the covering portion having: an annular covering portion that covers the annular portion of the steering wheel metal core; a harness housing groove portion that is configured to house an electric harness for an electrical structure arranged in the covering portion and is formed into a groove shape on a surface facing to an occupant of the annular covering portion; and a harness cover, that covers the electric harness housed in the harness housing groove portion. |
| US08656802B2 |
Shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission of a vehicle and a method of operating the shifter assembly
A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary. |
| US08656801B2 |
Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus including the same
A drive transmission device includes a motor pinion gear provided at an output shaft of the driving motor and a-transmission gear engaging the motor pinion gear. In the drive transmission device, a sliding washer and a compression spring are disposed between the transmission-gear and the motor mounting plate. The sliding washer is pressed against a web of the transmission gear by the compression spring. |
| US08656800B2 |
Harmonic drive using profile shifted gear
A harmonic drive according to the present invention comprises a plurality of internal gears; a band type of flexible gear provided with teeth engaged with each of the internal gears on its outer circumferential surface, the flexible gear having a pitch circumference length shorter than that of said internal gears; and a wave generating part disposed on an inner side of said flexible gear, the wave generating part generating a plurality of harmonic motions by deforming said flexible gear as the wave generating part rotates. Further, said flexible gear is formed integrally to engage with said plurality of internal gears so that the plurality of harmonic motions are overlapped, and one or more of said plurality of internal gears and said flexible gear are formed of profile shifted gears. |
| US08656797B2 |
Spindle drive
A spindle drive has a first load path formed by a first nut which meshes with a threaded bolt and a second load path formed by a second nut which also meshes with the threaded bolt and is arranged to be movable relative to the first nut in an axial direction of the threaded bolt in at least one state of the spindle drive. A sensor unit detects relative movement between the first and second nuts. |
| US08656793B2 |
State of charge indicator and methods related thereto
Embodiments of the invention relate a charge indicator for determining the mass of a fluid contained within a fluid enclosure, wherein the charge indicator responds to a deformation of a solid component in contact with the fluid and wherein the deformation is a function of the mass of fluid contained within the fluid enclosure. |
| US08656789B2 |
Adapter assembly for a utility meter for wirelessly transmitting data
An adapter assembly that works with a standard utility meter to wirelessly transmit data about consumption. The adapter assembly generates information about consumption by cooperating with a pointer of an index of a utility meter. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an upper portion and a clip that interface together. The upper portion and the clip are configured to maintain alignment with the pointer and not create stress on the index. |
| US08656786B2 |
Interchangeable pressure sensor assembly and methods of assembly
The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a sensor unit subassembly for installation in or use with a pressure sensor housing may include at least one pressure sensor signal output terminal supported by a printed circuit board, a pressure input port, and a pressure sense element secured relative to one or more printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board(s) may include circuitry configured to format pressure output signals provided by the pressure sense element into a particularly chosen output format, and may provide the formatted pressure output signal(s) to an attached electrical connector of the pressure sensor housing. In some cases, the sensor unit subassemblies can be mixed with a multitude of different electrical connectors and/or with a multitude of different port connections to from a wide array of pressure sensor assemblies. |
| US08656785B1 |
Multi-diaphragm pressure sensors
The present invention relates to a pressure sensor comprising multiple flexible diaphragms to which are affixed, within which are embedded, or which themselves constitute part of transducer elements that are connected together electrically, providing greater sensitivity and allowing the diaphragms to be made smaller, thereby increasing burst pressure to operating pressure ratio. This multi-diaphragm pressure sensor can therefore be used to accurately measure small changes in dynamic pressure in a fluid of overall high static pressure, for example, in a flow inventory control system as may be used in a fire suppression system, or for control of nuclear reactor systems. |
| US08656777B2 |
Electronic component analyzing apparatus and method
An electronic component analyzing apparatus is provided with a fixing part configured to hold a substrate to which an electronic component is soldered; a gripper configured to grip the electronic component; a transmission part coupled to the gripper, and configured to transmit an external force to the gripper as a force acting in a direction away from the substrate; and a support part configured to pivotally support the transmission part. |
| US08656775B2 |
Vibratory gyro-sensor and vibratory gyro circuit
Disclosed herein is a vibratory gyro-sensor including a vibratory section, a synchronous detector which synchronously detects a detected signal from the vibratory section in timed relation to a timing signal for synchronous detection, and a timing signal output section which outputs the timing signal for synchronous detection. The timing signal output section has a low-pass filter, a comparator, and a first phase shifter. The vibration monitor signal as converted into the binary signal by the comparator and shifted in phase by the first phase shifter is used as the timing signal for synchronous detection. |
| US08656767B2 |
Fast transfer tire work station
A tire work station and system for selectively holding a tire having work performed thereon in a side orientation or a front orientation. The tire work station comprises a work platform mounted to a vertically adjustable pedestal having a first support system and a second support system. The first support system comprising a pair of tread rollers inclined at a first inclined angle A1 and further forming a second angle A2 with a pair of sidewall rollers. The sidewall rollers spaced apart to define a passageway for the tire in its front orientation. The second support system mounted between the pair of tread rollers, comprising a tread support surface at a first distance from a top surface of the work platform lower than a support surface of the pair of tread rollers at a second distance from the top surface of the work platform. |
| US08656764B2 |
Flow-rate measuring apparatus
A converting map for an area of a backward air-flow is set based on a relationship between an output and a flow-rate, which are obtained in an air flow in which pulsation including the backward air-flow is generated. The backward air-flow has a dynamic property. The converting map of the present disclosure has a conversion characteristic, which is close to a characteristic in the backward air-flow. Accordingly, it is not necessary to correct the converting map by complicated processes and thereby accuracy of measurement for the area of the backward air-flow is increased. |
| US08656761B2 |
Systems and methods for use in providing a sensor signal independent of ground
Isolation circuits, turbine data acquisition systems, and related methods are disclosed. One example isolation circuit includes a voltage divider circuit for coupling to an operational sensor, a clamping circuit connected to said voltage divider circuit and a gain circuit connected to said clamping circuit. The voltage divider circuit is configured to divide an amplitude of a signal received from the sensor. The clamping circuit is configured to limit voltage from said voltage divider circuit. The gain circuit includes an output. The isolation circuit provides a single-ended output signal to the output of the gain circuit as a function of the sensor signal and independent of ground. |
| US08656750B2 |
Hot stamping die apparatus
A hot forming die that includes a first die and a second die. The first die has a first die structure that is formed of a tool steel. The first die structure has a first die surface and a plurality of first cooling apertures. The first die surface has a complex shape. The first cooling apertures are spaced apart from the die surface by a first predetermined distance. The second die has a second die surface. The first and second die surfaces cooperate to form a die cavity. Related methods for forming a hot forming die and for hot forming a workpiece are also provided. |
| US08656742B2 |
Bottom cooler for a post-manufacture glass container thermal strengthening station
An apparatus for manufacturing strengthened glass containers, and more particularly the construction and operation of a bottom cooler in an apparatus for thermally strengthening glass containers in a glass container manufacturing line at a location intermediate the hot end and the cold end. Glass containers formed at an I.S. machine are conveyed through a special tempering Lehr that heats them uniformly to a high temperature that is short of temperatures at which they may become deformed. Subsequently, the glass containers are rapidly thermally strengthened in a cooling station in which the outer and inner surfaces including all areas of the glass containers are simultaneously cooled to a temperature below the Strain Point of the glass used in the glass containers, with the bottom coolers being used to cool the bottoms of the glass containers. |
| US08656741B2 |
Base cooling nozzle for a post-manufacture glass container thermal strengthening station
An apparatus for manufacturing strengthened glass containers, and more particularly the construction and operation of a base cooling nozzle in an apparatus for thermally strengthening glass containers in a glass container manufacturing line at a location intermediate the hot end and the cold end. Glass containers formed at an I.S. machine are conveyed through a special tempering Lehr that heats them uniformly to a high temperature that is short of temperatures at which they may become deformed. Subsequently, the glass containers are rapidly thermally strengthened in a cooling station in which the outer and inner surfaces including all areas of the glass containers are simultaneously cooled to a temperature below the Strain Point of the glass used in the glass containers, with the base cooling nozzles being used to cool the bottoms of the glass containers. |
| US08656740B2 |
Manufacturing method of glass-sealed package, and glass substrate
The invention provides a manufacturing method of a glass-sealed package, and a glass substrate used for the glass-sealed package, whereby an amount of warp in a glass substrate is reduced to improve processing accuracy in a subsequent step in which the glass substrate is combined (such as by anodic bonding) with another glass substrate provided with a thin film. The front side of the glass substrate includes a region where the cavities used to house electronic devices such as semiconductor IC chips and crystal blanks are not formed. The region devoid of the cavities is provided in the formed of a frame to reduce an amount of warp in the glass substrate. |
| US08656738B2 |
Glass sheet separating device
A scoreless separation device and method are described herein for separating a glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the device shears a stationary glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the device shears a moving glass sheet to remove outer edges from the moving glass sheet without needing to score the moving glass sheet. |
| US08656733B2 |
Liquefaction method and system
Liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, including compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling at least a portion of the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; expanding a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling and substantially liquefying a feed gas stream to form a substantially liquefied feed gas stream in a second heat exchanger through indirect heat exchange against the first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and further cooling a second portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a third heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor. |
| US08656731B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, respectively, a plurality of receiving members spaced apart vertically from each other in the refrigerator compartment, and a dispenser between upper and lower spaces of the receiving members, the dispenser supplying drinking water. |
| US08656730B2 |
Refrigerator with a dispenser
A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute. |
| US08656727B2 |
Evaporative cooling for an aircraft subsystem
Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for the cooling of an aircraft subsystem. Coolant is routed through a heat-producing subsystem to absorb heat from the subsystem and to maintain the subsystem at a desired temperature. Bleed air from an aircraft engine is cooled, dehumidified, and routed to a cooling mechanism. In the cooling mechanism, a portion of the heated coolant is evaporated into the dehumidified bleed air, cooling the remaining coolant. The reduced-temperature coolant is routed back to the subsystem to absorb further heat. Humid air from the cooling mechanism and the dehumidifying mechanism is utilized by other aircraft subsystems. |
| US08656726B2 |
Natural gas supply method and apparatus
A primary stream of boiled-off natural gas taken from the ullage space of a liquefied natural gas storage vessel is compressed by a compressor. A flow of liquefied natural gas taken from the storage vessel is partially and forcedly vaporised in a vaporiser 36 so as to form a secondary stream of natural gas containing unvaporised liquefied natural gas. Unvaporised liquefied natural gas is disengaged from the secondary stream in a phase separator. The secondary stream is mixed with the compressed primary stream to form a supply of natural gas fuel. The fuel supply may be formed and used on board an ocean-going LNG tanker. |
| US08656722B2 |
Hybrid cooling of a gas turbine engine
A method for cooling components of a gas turbine engine, having first and second sets of components that require cooling, includes removing thermal energy from cooling air, directing the cooling air from which thermal energy has been removed to the first set of components of the gas turbine engine, and transferring thermal energy away from the second set of components of the gas turbine engine using a vaporization cycle of a vapor cooling assembly. Use of the vaporization cycle offsets thermal energy removed from the cooling air. |
| US08656720B1 |
Extended range organic Rankine cycle
The present invention includes systems and methods to recover heat from a lower quality heat source and convert that heat represented by its temperature differential range into a different form of extractable energy. In various illustrative examples, the system may include a heat recovery heat exchanger, a conventional counter-flow vortex tube, a power producing turbine, a condenser heat exchanger, and a liquid circulating pump. The system further comprises a condenser heat exchanger that is adapted to receive the turbine exhaust vapor, wherein the temperature of the exhaust vapor is reduced via heat transfer rejecting the waste heat to the surrounding atmosphere at atmospheric temperatures; wherein the compressible working vapor is converted to a saturated liquid and returned to the first heat exchanger by pumping means for further cycling. |
| US08656717B1 |
Solar powered generator assembly
A solar powered generator assembly is provided for driving a turbine using steam produced by solar power. The assembly includes a fluid tank and a fluid line having a first end and a second end each in fluid communication with the fluid tank. A fluid is positioned in the fluid tank and the fluid line. A lens focuses solar rays into a heat collector coupled to the lens. The heat collector has a reflective curved interior surface configured for reflecting solar rays to facilitate heating the heat collector. A medial portion of the fluid line is wrapped around and heated by the heat collector converting the fluid into a gaseous state. A turbine is operationally coupled to the fluid line driving the turbine to produce electrical current. |
| US08656714B2 |
Methods of activating thermally responsive active materials using wireless transmission
Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy. |
| US08656712B2 |
Energy storage
Apparatus (10) for storing energy, comprising: compression chamber means (24) for receiving a gas; compression piston means (25) for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means; first heat storage means (50) for receiving and storing thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression piston means; expansion chamber means (28) for receiving gas after exposure to the first heat storage means; expansion piston means (29) for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means; and second heat storage means (60) for transferring thermal energy to gas expanded by the expansion piston means. The cycle used by apparatus (10) has two different stages that can be split into separate devices or combined into one device. |
| US08656710B2 |
Thermoelectric-based power generation systems and methods
Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell. |
| US08656709B2 |
Dual-layer to flange welded joint
The present invention provides dual-layer to flange weld joint for an exhaust manifold assembly. The manifold includes an inner assembly connected to a flange, and an outer shell spaced apart from the inner assembly to allow for an air gap between the shell and the inner assembly. The outer shell further includes a gap between the end portion of the outer shell and the flange. This gap allows a single exterior weld joint to connect the inner assembly and outer shell to the flange. |
| US08656707B2 |
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is configured to be optionally set either to a low fuel consumption mode in which the amount of fuel consumption is reduced or to a low noise mode in which the noise is reduced so that a continuous regeneration mode is automatically selected when the output value of the diesel engine is greater than a predetermined value (Ptr), the estimated amount of accumulation of particulate matter collected in a DPF is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (Vtr), a forced regeneration mode is automatically selected when the output value of the diesel engine is less than the predetermined value (Ptr) and the estimated amount of accumulation of particulate matter collected in the DPF is greater than the predetermined value (Vtr) when either the continuous regeneration mode or forced regeneration mode is manually selected, control is started depending on the selected mode. |
| US08656705B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device
A method for controlling an exhaust gas purification device 1 equipped with branch exhaust passages 2 and 3 connected to an exhaust passage 100 on the engine side; a shutoff valve 4 capable of shutting off exhaust gas at the exhaust inlets 2a and 3a of the branch exhaust passages 2 and 3; a nitrogen oxide adsorbing material 5, disposed inside each of the branch exhaust passages 2 or 3, temporarily adsorbing nitrogen oxides in an excess air atmosphere, and detaching the adsorbed nitrogen oxides in a rising temperature atmosphere or a reducing atmosphere; a first combustion device 6, disposed on the exhaust upstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbing material 5 inside each of the branch exhaust passages 2 or 3, having an air nozzle 61, and changing the air supplied from the air nozzle 61 into the rising temperature atmosphere or the reducing atmosphere; and a second combustion device 7, disposed on the exhaust downstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbing material 5 inside each of the branch exhaust passages 2 or 3 and including an air nozzle 71, a fuel nozzle 72 and an ignition nozzle 73, wherein the ratio of fuel and air supplied from the first combustion device 6 is controlled within the range of 0.6<λ1<1.0, where λ1 is an excess air ratio. |
| US08656699B2 |
Combustion burner
A combustion burner 10A according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a fuel nozzle 110; a burner tube 120 forming the air passage 111 between the burner tube 120 and the fuel nozzle 110; swirler vanes (swirler vanes) 130 arranged in a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction on the external circumferential surface of the fuel nozzle 110, each extending along the axial direction of the fuel nozzle 110, and gradually curving from upstream toward downstream; and a liquid fuel injecting hole 133A from which a liquid fuel is injected to a surface of each of the swirler vanes 130. The combustion burner 10A also includes multi-purpose injecting holes 11-1 to 11-3 as a cooling unit that cools a part of a vane pressure surface 132a of the swirler vane 130 on which the liquid fuel LF hits. Water is injected through the multi-purpose injecting holes 11-1 to 11-3 to form a water film 15A on the vane pressure surface 132a, whereby a combustion temperature is reduced and formation of carbon deposit is prevented. |
| US08656697B2 |
Steerable multi-linked device having a modular link assembly
A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first and second multi-linked mechanisms is steerable and includes a modular link assembly at an end thereof. The modular link assembly includes a base, and a tip removably connected to the base. |
| US08656696B2 |
Cable, goods lift system, and method of making the cable
A cable contains filaments containing carbon, surrounded by a sizing. The filaments surrounded by the sizing are covered by a matrix which is composed of a material containing at least one elastomer and/or at least one thermoplastic elastomer. The cable can be used, in particular for pulling a load, for example in a goods lift. |
| US08656691B2 |
Reduced weight equine orthotic pad and method
There is disclosed an improved shock absorbing, light-weight, thermally insulative orthotic pad designed for use in a pad and boot assembly for hoofed livestock. The pad is comprised of a mixture of flexible spheroids and elastomeric materials. In a preferred embodiment, elastomeric material generally is more concentrated at the top portion of the pad, and spheroids dispersed in a matrix of elastomeric material concentrated at the bottom section of the pad. The spheroids have a lower density than the elastomeric materials and possess better thermally insulative properties, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, at least some of the spheroids are comprised of closed-cell polypropylene foam. A method of making the light weight pad is also disclosed. |
| US08656690B2 |
Method and apparatus for compacting product
A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs. |
| US08656686B2 |
Up-cut net knife for agricultural baler
An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net. |
| US08656685B2 |
Structural members with improved ductility
The present invention provides a method of improving the ductility of a structural member, such as a reinforced concrete beam or column, by providing a region of increased compression yielding in the compression zone of the plastic hinge region or nearby. This can be achieved by using ductile compressive material in the compression zone, or by forming a mechanism provided in the compression zone to provide the ductile compression zone. |
| US08656684B1 |
Metal door
A metal door comprising exterior and interior panel members secured together so as to create a thermal insulating air gap between the back side of the exterior panel member and the front side of the interior panel member. |
| US08656678B2 |
Wall blocks, veneer panels for wall blocks and method of constructing walls
Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture. |
| US08656675B2 |
Alkaline and heat resistant foam composite and floor underlayment
The invention is directed to a composite foam material that is alkaline and heat resistance. The composite foam material comprises a foam layer that having a film layer attached thereto and in which at least one of the film or foam layers includes a carbon free radical scavenger agent that is dispersed therein. The carbon free radical scavengers neutralize free radicals that are generated in the polymeric material (e.g., film or foam layer) and help prevent the degradation of the foam composite material. In particular, foam composite materials in accordance with the present invention can be used in underlayment applications in which exposure to heat can degrade the underlayment. As a result, the durability and useful life of the composite sheet material can be extended. In some embodiments of the present invention provides a floor underlayment material that overcomes many of the problems discussed above. |
| US08656674B1 |
Magnetic tile
A magnetic tile with a magnetic backing to enable attachment of magnetic objects to the tiles comprises an outer surface providing an aesthetic covering. A rear surface of the tile comprises an integral lattice constructed of a ferromagnetic material. The lattice provides a magnetic field allowing a magnetic object to be secured to the outer surface of the tile. |
| US08656673B2 |
Wall structure for building a liquefied gas storage tank
The present disclosure relates to a unit-wall structure for a liquefied gas storage tank on land, which enables rapid and easy construction of a cylindrical wall of the storage tank by stacking a plurality of pre-produced unit-wall structures to overlap one another. The unit-wall structure includes iron rods arranged lengthwise and breadthwise therein, wherein the unit-wall structure has an arc shape so that a plurality of unit-wall structures are stacked to form a cylindrical wall of the storage tank. |
| US08656666B2 |
Tool holder and plate assembly and method for producing tool holder and plate assembly
The invention relates to a clamping holder as well as to a pane assembly comprising such a clamping holder and to a method for producing such a pane assembly. Pane assemblies, which are injection molded on the edge side by a frame section, are known in the state of the art. In response to the production of the pane assembly, a retaining strip, which is embedded into the frame section through this after the injection molding process, is furthermore inserted into the injection molding tool. A retaining clamp, by means of which trim can be attached to the pane assembly in a clamping manner, must be attached to the retaining strip after the completion of the pane assembly. To avoid the requirement of subsequently attaching a retaining clamp, provision is made for a clamping holder comprising a connecting section and a clamp section, which is embodied such that connecting section and clamp section can together be inserted into an injection molding tool. |
| US08656663B2 |
Cover structure for outdoor casing
A cover structure for an outdoor casing includes a top cover and an inner cover-brow. A side wall is formed on the periphery of the top cover. The inner cover-brow has a first brow plate and a second brow plate. An inclined plate interconnects the first brow plate and the second brow plate. The inclined plate has a plurality of through holes. The second brow plate is connected to the side wall. The interior included angle of the first brow plate and the inclined plate is an acute angle. The cover structure not only helps the outdoor casing to ventilate and dissipate heat, but also enhances the outdoor casing's water repellency. |
| US08656660B2 |
Rooftop module interlock system
An interlocking system for photovoltaic and other roof-mounted panels is disclosed. One use is for a photovoltaic module which comprises a photovoltaic laminate. The laminate has an upper side which faces the sun during normal operation, and a lower side. The module also comprises a base coupled to the lower side of the photovoltaic laminate. The base also has an outer perimeter and comprises a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first engagement site comprises a first protrusion having a hemispherical surface, an opening extending through the hemispherical surface, and wherein the first protrusion extends in a first direction and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter. The second engagement site comprises a second protrusion having a cylindrical surface, the protrusion extending in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter. |
| US08656658B2 |
Retainers for attaching photovoltaic modules to mounting structures
Provided are photovoltaic module assemblies configured for improved installation. The assemblies include frameless photovoltaic modules and retainers for supporting the modules on mounting structures. The retainers support the modules at least during cure of adhesive materials provided between the modules and the mounting structures. Once cured, the adhesive materials provide permanent support to the modules. The retainers may interlock with the mounting structures during installation or be integral components of the structures. In certain embodiments, retainers are used to control a gap between the modules and mounting structures. Retainers may be removable and collected after installation is completed. Alternatively, retainers may remain as parts of assemblies at least during some initial period. Retainers may be made from various degradable materials, such as biodegradable plastics, UV degradable plastics, and/or water soluble materials. Provided also are methods for installing frameless photovoltaic modules on mounting structures. |
| US08656654B2 |
Upper part for a shaft
The invention relates to a top part for a shaft, having an access part and a shaft cone which is connected to an access part and, with a connecting element on that side of the shaft cone that lies opposite the access part, can be mounted onto a further shaft element, the shaft cone having a substantially convex basic shape, characterized in that, in the region of the shaft dome, stiffening structures are disposed on the inner surface of this shaft dome, which extend substantially radially or parallelly, angularly or concentrically from one or more imaginary points or lines within or outside the dome downwards over the curved shape of the shaft cone. |
| US08656651B1 |
Anchoring system
An anchoring system for anchoring an item to the ground is provided. The anchoring system comprises an elongated main shaft having a first end and a second end. At least one bracket is mounted to the main shaft approximately halfway between the first end and the second end of the main shaft. A securing mechanism is associated with the at least one bracket for releasably securing the item to the at least one bracket. An elliptical, angled auger is mounted at the second end of the main shaft. Upon securing the item to the at least one bracket and securing the second end of the main shaft into the ground, the item is securely positioned into a desired position. |
| US08656648B2 |
Panel system
A modular wall panel system including a series of wall panels connectable to each other. Each of the wall panels is formed from a support frame having a pair of spaced vertical posts and an upper header and a lower sill extending between the vertical posts. The lower sill is received within attachment notches formed in each of the vertical posts near the bottom end of each post. The attachment notches are spaced along the length of the vertical post such that the position of the sill can be adjusted. The lower sill includes a trim channel that receives the bottom of a tile mounted to the support frame. A top cap is attached to the header and engages a top end of the tile to aid in retaining the tile on the support frame. The tile may be a segmented tile having a lower portion and an upper portion joined to each other by a segmented trim channel. The segmented trim channel between the upper and lower portions is not connected to the support frame. Each panel can receive a stacking section to extend the height of the panel. The stacking section includes a pair of shortened vertical posts and a header. The stacking section is secured to the support frame through a pair of spaced blades. The lower edge of each panel can be elevated above the floor and the trim panel supported beneath the panels to create an enclosed raceway. |
| US08656646B2 |
Vehicle door
A vehicle door includes a vehicle bodywork and a door lining. The vehicle door has a sealing region between the vehicle bodywork and the door lining. The door lining is mounted on the vehicle bodywork by means of attachment elements which can be moved in a mounting direction in order to bring about attachment. In the sealing region, a sealing profile is provided which is provided in a seal-forming fashion via a contact pressure force after the sealing profile has been brought to bear either against the vehicle bodywork or against the door lining. The sealing profile is provided in such a way that the contact pressure force is provided rising monotonously over a contact pressure distance which runs parallel to the mounting direction and with a positive gradient of less than approximately 5 Newton per millimeter contact pressure distance and a length of extension of the sealing profile per centimeter. |
| US08656645B1 |
Duct access door
An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and as the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over and to secure the duct edge adjacent to the opening to the interior of the access panel. |
| US08656644B2 |
Trim strip
A trim strip for the edge of a window channel for an automotive side window which is adapted to be lowered into the window channel. The trim strip includes a rigid fixing profile having a U-shaped housing, an at least partly rubber elastic seal having a seal lip cooperating with the side window and a seal profile which is adapted to be inserted into the housing, and at least one groove which is arranged in the U-shaped housing and which is provided with at least one undercut portion that is engaged by a rib arranged on the seal profile. The groove is arranged in the transverse web of the U-shaped housing. Thus, the trim strip permits an easier introduction of the seal profile in the fixing profile and a secure retention of the seal profile in the fixing profile. |
| US08656641B2 |
Self-watering fruit tree container with root pruning aerations apertures and exterior water level indicator
Self-watering fruit tree container comprises a container holding a living plant that is positioned above a container holding a pool of water or nutrient solution where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom and/or side of the plant container. Self-watering fruit tree container allows for an airspace layer between the plant container and the water container which prevents excessive absorption of water into the plant container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering fruit tree container achieves this partially by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of the plant container that allow very small roots and root hairs to pass and grow through the bottom of the plant container and into the water reservoir below, while pruning and stopping larger roots, and also allowing for aeration of soil in the plant container. |
| US08656640B2 |
Tree balling method, system, and wire basket used therein
A tree balling system automates the current tree balling method and greatly reduces strenuous physical labor. A novel wire basket having projections with hooks is provided for securing the earth ball of a plant for transplantation. Wrapping and tensioning a tensile member around these hooks encloses the projections around the earth ball. A balling station is also disclosed which has a stand for supporting and rotating the wire basket and plant. The balling station includes a tensile member guide and a tensioning component. The balling station is preferably located on a transportable vehicle and is equipped with unloading features for discharging the wrapped earth ball. A powered tensioning device tightens the wire basket around the earth ball. A hook forming device is also disclosed wherein the hook forming device can modify conventional wire baskets. |
| US08656637B2 |
Cold frame
A cold frame is formed with lateral wall elements containing transparent hollow chamber panels, and supports which are provided with lateral flanges. The lateral wall elements include lateral edge areas provided with through-passages and formed by the hollow chamber panels thereof, and rest against the flanges of the supports. The lateral wall elements are connected to the supports by clamping devices. The clamping devices include clamping elements which rest against the inner sides of the hollow cavity panels forming the edge areas of the lateral wall elements and are clamped between the hollow cavity panels and the tops of positioning bars belonging to the clamping devices. The bars protrude from the through-passages of the hollow chamber panels and they are rigidly connected to the flanges of the supports. |
| US08656635B1 |
Fumigation of containerized cargo
An apparatus and method for tarpless fumigation of containerized cargo within a shipping container is disclosed. A portable fumigation containment door is installed in covering relation with main rear opening of a standard cargo container. Pneumatic cylinders are actuated to secure the door in place, and an inflatable gasket extending around the perimeter of the containment door and is inflated to create an airtight seal between the cargo container and the containment door. The door is provided with a series of connection ports for receiving fumigant injection and sampling lines necessary for performing the fumigation process. |
| US08656626B1 |
Apparatus for holding a gun and method of use
An apparatus is disclosed for holding a gun, the apparatus cooperates with a support member. The gun has an upper receiver having an pivot pin lug, and a lower receiver having a pivot pin. The apparatus includes a support beam which has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The proximal end of the support beam is connectable to the support member so that the support beam is horizontally cantilevered from the support member. An upper receiver attachment pin is connected to said support beam, the upper receiver attachment pin being shaped and dimensioned to connect to the pivot pin lug so that the upper receiver hangs from the upper receiver attachment pin. A lower receiver attachment lug is connected to the support beam, the lower receiver attachment lug is shaped an dimensioned to connect to the pivot pin. |
| US08656623B1 |
Side folding stock assembly with concealed hinge arrangement
A firearm assembly includes a shoulder stock assembly having a hinge arrangement including a first hinge portion mounted within a rear portion of a firearm assembly, and a second hinge portion mounted within the shoulder stock assembly. The shoulder stock assembly and the rear portion of the firearm assembly are movable into and out of locking alignment with one another. A translation linkage is located between the first and second hinge portions for permitting the first and second hinge portions to move into and out of spaced apart alignment with one another. The hinge portions and the translation linkage are substantially concealed from view when the shoulder stock assembly and the rear portion of the firearm assembly are moved into locking alignment with one another. |
| US08656621B2 |
Heatshield accessory for firearms
A heatshield assembly for a metal barrel of a firearm includes a heatshield body provided with a rear end extending to a front end, and configured to overlie the barrel of the firearm. An insulating mounting arrangement is frictionally attached to and located within the heatshield body. The mounting arrangement is separate from the heatshield body for mounting the heatshield body to the barrel of a firearm in a continuous spaced relationship therefrom without damaging the barrel. With the heatshield body constructed of a metal material, the mounting arrangement is particularly constructed to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the heatshield body and the barrel. |
| US08656619B2 |
Trigger mechanism of a repeating rifle
The present invention relates to a trigger mechanism of a repeating rifle. The trigger mechanism has a sear nose that pivots about an axis and a bolt lock which is dedicated to the sear nose and which is connected to a trigger that pivots about a trigger axis and has a sear that meshes with a counter-sear. To make it possible to change the trigger characteristics simply and easily, the counter-sear is disposed on a stationary sear element and the bolt lock is disposed on the sear nose so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation. |
| US08656618B2 |
Electronic device frame
A frame of an electronic device is a closed frame, and made of plastic material. The frame defines one or more deformation grooves at the corners of the frame to be expanded out or inwardly narrowed for changing a size of the frame. The frame includes a positioning portion and a support portion extending from an inner surface of the positioning portion. The deformation grooves are defined in the support portion. |
| US08656615B1 |
Stowable vehicle implement
A motorized vehicle includes a vehicle implement pivotally connected to one of a front portion and a rear portion of a frame of the vehicle by at least one arm. The vehicle implement is pivotable between a first position and a second position vertically higher than the first position. In the first position, the vehicle implement is disposed forward of the front portion when connected to the front portion, and disposed rearward of the rear portion when connected to the rear portion. In the second position, the vehicle implement is disposed at least partially vertically above the corresponding one of the front and rear portions, and overlaps at least partially longitudinally with the corresponding one of the front and rear portions. The at least one arm is at least partially generally congruent with a portion of the corresponding one of the front and rear portions of the vehicle. |
| US08656613B2 |
Article of footwear having articulated sole member
The invention is a shoe with an upper and a sole member. The sole member has multiple individual pieces connected to each other by connectors. The connectors are placed below the top surface of the sole member and above the bottom surface of the sole member. The connectors may connect the individual pieces of the sole member laterally and longitudinally. |
| US08656612B2 |
Footwear with counter-supplementing strap
A heel cup formed from a flexible material is located under the heel region of an upper portion of an article of footwear. Lateral and medial counters extend upward from the heel cup on the lateral and medial sides, with the medial counter having a height less than that of the lateral counter, and with a rear edge of the heel cup being lower than the lateral and medial counters. A rear strap extends upward around the lateral counter and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer, and is secured to a location on the upper that is forward of the wearer's ankle. During cutting movements in which the article is worn on the outside foot, tilting of the wearer foot and ankle toward the medial side pulls the strap and causes the lateral counter to conform to and support the wearer heel. |
| US08656611B2 |
Articles with retractable traction elements
Articles of manufacture and articles of wear may include one or more traction elements. Portions of the traction elements may be extendable and/or retractable. The traction elements have at least a two-plate construction that is designed to moderate a force that is applied to one of the plates. This construction may be used in articles of footwear having cleats or other traction elements. A force applied by a wearer's foot may be moderated by the two-plate construction. |
| US08656609B2 |
Article of footwear with a sole structure having support elements and an indented plate
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. |
| US08656608B2 |
Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. |
| US08656606B2 |
Article of footwear including a woven strap system
An article of footwear including a woven strap system is disclosed. The woven strap system preferably wraps along the entirety of the outsole, including a bottom side and an outer periphery. The article of footwear also includes a midsole that rests inside the woven strap system, just above the outsole. |
| US08656605B2 |
System and method for thermal gradient control in thin shell structures
Described herein are devices and methods for reducing thermal stresses in a rotating, foraminous thin-shelled roll for drying permeable and semi-permeable webs by blocking axial flow of heated air through an axial channel formed between two corrugated layers in the shell. The axial channels extend between spaced-apart, parallel end members each having an inner face, and a plurality of alternating straight thin divider strips and bent thin strips extending axially between and evenly-spaced around the circumference of the inner faces of the end members to form an annular cylinder with radial channels therethrough. Affixing at least one impermeable insert into a radial channel so that it extends through the radial channel and across at least a portion of the faces of the two tiers of bent strips blocks the axial channel therebetween and prevents the passage of air therethrough to the end member. |
| US08656603B1 |
Handheld tool for spacing clapboards
A hand held gauge that contains all of the essential tools a worker needs to install clapboards. The tool is a hand-held device that has a pair of fixed flanges that are relatively long and extend out sideways from the handle for several inches on each end. The flanges are fixed in place. The tool also has the ability to establish proper measurements for window casings and doorframes. This is done by an adjustable gauge that can be extended forward until the casing or frame is reached. One this spacing is obtained; a worker can quickly transfer the measurement to the next piece of clapboard so that it can be cut. The tool includes a level and a tape measure and an optional straight edge for a marking square, so that simple measurements can be made without having to put down the tool and get another tool, which improves productivity. |
| US08656602B2 |
Holding mechanism for use with an ophthalmic tracer, and method
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame. |
| US08656601B2 |
Measuring and cutting apparatus
A measuring and cutting device, ergonomically designed, comprising a user interface with a plurality of user depressible option selection members and a user readable display. A cutting device is tethered to the apparatus base by a continuous fiberous member, wherein the distance that the cutting device has moved away from the apparatus base is continuously measured. The device provides several modes in which users may make their measurements as well as various alert options to inform users when a certain distance has been measured. The various embodiments of this invention envision several cutting apparatuses and power sources. |
| US08656600B2 |
Pencil sharpener configured to work with a power drill
An example adapter for converting a manual-pencil sharpener into a powered sharpener for carpenter pencils is described. The example adapter has a housing including two cavities. A first cavity is configured to receive a substantial portion of a manual-pencil sharpener for carpenter pencils therein. A second cavity extends in a lengthwise and axial position opposite the first cavity. The second cavity has a complementary shape and size configured to receive a substantial portion of a hex-bit therein. |
| US08656596B2 |
Cutting and sharpening device and method
A cutting and sharpening device includes a body, a blade element having a cutting edge and rotatably mounted with respect to the body, and a sharpening tool configured to be removably coupled to the body. The sharpening tool can be selectively moved between a first position in which the sharpening tool is spaced from the blade element and a second position in which the sharpening tool contacts the blade element adjacent the cutting edge. The device can be used as a rolling cutter or slicer, and as a sharpening device that sharpens the blade element when the sharpening tool is coupled to the body. The sharpening tool can sharpen the cutting edge when it is in the second position and the blade element is rotated or rolled, directly or indirectly, on a surface. |
| US08656595B2 |
Cigar cutter
Cigar cutter (1) includes a housing (2) that has a cutting opening (3), a first movable blade module (4), and a second movable blade module (5) relative to the housing between a closed configuration, in which the blades (19, 23) of the blade modules close the cutting opening, and an open configuration, in which the blades of the blade modules release the cutting opening, whereby a locking mechanism is able, in a locked state, to keep the blade modules within the closed configuration, and, in an unlocked state, to allow the blade modules to switch to the open configuration. The blade modules are able to move toward one another from the closed configuration to an actuation configuration, whereby the locking mechanism is able to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state and vice versa during the switching from the closed configuration to the actuation configuration. |
| US08656593B2 |
Method for assembling a part of a metal material and a part of a composite material using a fastener
A method for assembling a part of a metal material and a part of a composite material, the junction of the two parts being achieved through a fastener having a substantially constant section and received in a first hole formed in the part of a metal material and a second hole formed in the part of a composite material. According to the disclosed embodiments and before assembling the aforementioned parts, the method includes: an expansion step for generating a field of compression stresses at the periphery of the first hole and locally in the material constituting the part of a metal material using an expansion tool; a single boring step for making the first hole and the second hole with a diameter Øfinal substantially larger than the diameter of the fastener in order to leave a gap between the inner walls of the holes and the outer surface of the fastener; and an assembling step for placing the fastener inside the holes for maintaining together the metal part and the composite part. |
| US08656592B2 |
Precision axle spindle and wheel end assembly for heavy-duty vehicles
An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly. |
| US08656589B2 |
Aerofoil assembly and a method of manufacturing an aerofoil assembly
An aerofoil assembly, for example a bladed rotor assembly (40B) comprises a rotor (42) carrying a plurality of rotor blades (44), at least one of the rotor blades (44) having a coating (46) on the surface of the rotor blade (44). At least one of the rotor blades (44) has a coating (46) having a different thickness, a different area of contact with the surface of the rotor blade (44), a different position of contact on the surface of the rotor blade (44), a different shape of contact on the surface of the rotor blade (44) and/or a different composition compared to at least one of the other rotor blades (44). The coating (46) is applied in a non-uniform manner to reduce the vibration level of the rotor blade (44), or rotor blades (44), with the highest vibration response for a given excitation by changing the bladed rotor assembly (40B) mode shapes and the relative vibration of the rotor blades (44). |
| US08656588B2 |
Flange for fuel pump module and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a flange for a fuel pump module, which includes an adhesion enhancing member so that there is no gap between a power supply terminal and a resin material for forming a flange, thus further increasing injection efficiency and sealing performance. A method of manufacturing such a flange is also provided. |
| US08656582B2 |
Method of attaching die using self-assembling monolayer and package substrate including die attached thereto using self-assembling monolayer
Disclosed herein are a method of attaching a die using a self-assembling monolayer and a package substrate including a die attached thereto using a self-assembling monolayer. A first self-assembling monolayer formed on a die and a second self-assembling monolayer formed on a substrate are provided with the same hydrophilic or hydrophobic functional group, so that the die is attached to the substrate using an attractive force acting between the first and second self-assembling monolayers. An accuracy of alignment between the die and the substrate can be improved by the simple solution. |
| US08656579B2 |
Method of forming a housing with integral antenna
A continuous housing (100) and integral antenna (102) and method (300) of forming a housing (100) and integral antenna (102), including: forming (305) an extrusion housing with a side opening defining a pocket configured to receive electrical components; removing (310) material of the extrusion housing in proximity to a wall portion of the extrusion housing; and forming (315) a desired antenna construction integral to the extrusion housing. Advantageously, the continuous housing (100) can form a wireless communication device, which is particularly adapted for mass production. This arrangement is adapted to allow a customer to design the look and feel of an electronic device. |
| US08656574B2 |
Hydraulically driven pressing device and method of pressing a fitting
A method of using a hydraulically driven pressing device for pressing a fitting on a tube is provided. The pressing device includes a piston and a cylinder for acting on pressing jaws. A piston shaft is connected to rollers. The pressing device can be used to carry out pressing operations requiring different levels of pressing power, by using an adjustable stop which is provided in the direction of displacement of the piston in order to achieve different end positions for the piston during the piston return stroke. |
| US08656573B2 |
Shrink-fit tool with mechanical retention member, and method of mounting a tool to a toolholder
A shrink-fit tool (21) includes a tool and a toolholder, one of the tool (23) and the toolholder (25) having a male shank portion (27) and the other one of the tool (23) and the toolholder (25) having a body portion (29) including female opening (31) for receiving the shank portion (27), the female opening (31) being adapted to change in size upon heating the body portion (29) to receive the shank portion (27) and upon cooling of the body portion (29) to clamp the shank portion (27) by an interference fit. The shrink-fit tool (21) also includes a mechanical retention member (33) disposed between the shank portion (27) and the body portion (29) for mechanically retaining the shank portion (27) in the female opening (31) so that the shank portion (27) is in its only predetermined orientation relative to the body portion (29). |
| US08656569B2 |
Device for the assembly of a motor vehicle clutch
A device for the assembly of a motor vehicle clutch (99), has a pretensioning device (1) for clamping a plate spring (102), which is arranged in a clutch cover (100) of the motor vehicle clutch (99) together with a pressure plate (104) and by which the pressure plate (104) is pressed against a carrier plate (119) of the clutch (99) during operation. The clutch cover (100) is mounted stationarily during operation by a plurality of mounting bolts on a driven plate (97) and wherein the pretensioning device (1) has a base plate (2) with a central pressing screw (6), which is axially adjustable centrally through the base plate (2) against the plate spring (102) for pretensioning the plate spring (102). To securely and concentrically attach the pretensioning device (1), centering bolts (3, 4, 5) are provided, which can be replaced with individual mounting bolts of the clutch cover (100) and which can be screwed stationarily into the mounting threads (90) of the driven plate (97) through the mounting holes (101) of the clutch cover (100). The centering bolts (3, 4, 5) engage adjusting slots (13, 14, 15) of the base plate (2). The slots extend radially in relation to the pressing screw (6), wherein the base plate (2) can be fixed to the centering bolts (3, 4, 5) in the axial direction via tightening nuts (16, 17, 18). |
| US08656568B2 |
Apparatus for final finishing a wheel hub of a knuckle assembly and related method
A fixture for final finishing flange faces of a hub of a knuckle assembly includes a mounting surface, a drive arrangement and a clamping arrangement. The drive arrangement is operative for engaging and rotating the hub of the knuckle assembly relative to the remainder of the knuckle assembly. The drive arrangement includes a drive member extending along a drive axis. The drive member is rotatable about the drive axis. The clamping arrangement is carried by the mounting surface. The clamping arrangement radially surrounds the drive arrangement and is operative for clamping the fixture relative to the mounting surface. The clamping arrangement includes a housing, a piston assembly radially positioned between the housing and the drive member, and a clamping sleeve radially disposed between the piston assembly and the clamping sleeve. The piston is movable in a first direction generally parallel to the drive axis. The clamping sleeve and the piston are cooperatively configured to radially force an upper end of the piston assembly radially outward in a second direction in response to movement of the piston in the first direction for engaging a back bore of the knuckle assembly. |
| US08656566B1 |
Buckle of a seat belt
A buckle of a seat belt has a seat belt buckle body, a releasing button module, a spring module, and a buckle module. The releasing button module is pivotally mounted in the seat belt buckle body and has a spring recess and an abutted portion. The spring module has a buckle spring mounted in the spring recess and a buckle spring block mounted on the buckle spring. The buckle module engages the releasing button module, and abuts the buckle spring block. When the releasing button module is pressed and the buckle module disengages from the releasing button module, the buckle spring will spring the buckle spring block, the buckle module will depart from the seat belt buckle body, and then the buckle spring block is stopped on the abutted portion. As a result, the buckle spring will not spring out of the seat belt buckle body. |
| US08656565B2 |
Fastening system
The present invention is directed to a method for maintaining a fastening system and a fastening kit for providing variable fastening ability and structural longevity. The interrelationships between surfaces bearing strong closure deformations and weak closure deformations permit displacement of multiple member systems with reliable displacement generally between a single pair of members. |
| US08656562B2 |
Structure of assembling a plastic locking device with a surface material
A structure of assembling a plastic locking device with a surface material includes a plastic locking device. A surface material forms holes. The plastic locking device is placed to have through-holes defined therein overlapping the holes of the surface material. Rivet fastener elements are respectively put through the through-holes of the plastic locking device and the holes of the surface material to be subjected to a riveting and fixing operation. The rivet fastener element includes a male button that is made of zinc and forms a pillar and a female button that is made of zinc and forms a hollow tube. Pressurizing equipment is used to couple the pillar and the hollow tube through interference fitting between the pillar and an inner wall of the hollow tube. Locking blocks are formed on the inner wall of the hollow tube to provide a tight interference fitting with respect to the pillar. |
| US08656557B2 |
Gate hinge assembly
An example hinge assembly includes a movable insert that supports a gate. The insert includes a bearing assembly that is movable relative to support structure to provide for alignment and adjustment of the gate structure. An adaptor is supported by the bearing assembly and provides for attachment of a gate component. The adaptor may be configured to insert within a hollow interior portion of a plastic or vinyl fence component. The adaptor may also include features for mounting traditional materials such as wood or steel. |
| US08656555B2 |
Device preventing doors from closing and locking
A door locking prevention device can be placed on a door to prevent the door from closing tight and locking. The door locking prevention device may be useful for first responders so that, upon passing through a door, then can be assured that exit back through the door is not prevented due to the door closing and locking. The door locking prevention device may include a feature where, once installed on a door, removal without an appropriate tool or key is difficult or impossible. The door locking prevention device includes two members that can be tightened together to clamp on an outer periphery of a door, preventing the door from closing fully. The door locking prevention device may include a lamp, strobe, GPS locator or other feature to help find deployed devices. |
| US08656553B2 |
Grommet for wire harness
Waterproof performance of a grommet is stabilized, the grommet being inserted and engaged with a through-hole having a burring in a body panel. A grommet for a wire harness is externally fitted to the wire harness routed in a vehicle and is mounted to a through-hole from which a burring of a body panel projects. The grommet includes a one-piece molded component of one of rubber and elastomer and an annular body engagement recess in an outer peripheral surface of a tubular portion through which the wire harness is inserted. A size between two side surfaces that define a bottom surface of the body engagement portion is set to be less than a projection size of the burring projecting from a periphery of the through-hole. A projecting front end surface of the burring is wedged in and pressed into contact with one of the side surfaces to serve as a seal point. |
| US08656550B2 |
Autonomous floor-cleaning robot
A floor-cleaning robot includes a wheeled housing having a perimeter, a motor drive operably connected to wheels of the housing to move the robot across a floor surface, and a bumper responsive to obstacles encountered by the robot. A controller is in electrical communication with both the bumper and the motor drive and is configured to control the motor drive to maneuver the robot to avoid detected obstacles across the floor surface during a floor-cleaning operation. A driven cleaning brush, rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to an underside of the housing, is disposed substantially across a central region of the underside and is positioned to brush the floor surface as the robot is moved across the floor surface. Additionally, a driven side brush extending beyond the perimeter is positioned to brush floor surface debris from beyond the perimeter toward a projected path of the driven cleaning brush. |
| US08656548B2 |
Oral cleaning section of an oral cleaning device and oral cleaning device
An oral cleaning section for detachable connection with a handle section of an oral cleaning device is disclosed. The oral cleaning section has a connector structure for detachably attaching the oral cleaning section to the handle section. The connector structure has a first receptacle suitable for accommodating a first protrusion of the handle section in the attached state, the first receptacle having a first resilient element provided on a first circumferential side of the first receptacle arranged in a circumferential direction, the circumferential direction being defined with respect to the longitudinal extension axis of the oral cleaning section. The disclosure is also directed to an oral cleaning device that includes an oral cleaning section attached to a handle section. |
| US08656544B1 |
Sweeper with sweeping elements
The present invention is a sweeper incorporating multiple rotation elements mounted adjacently in an rotationally offset sequence on a common driven axle. Each rotation element comprises a central shaft support from which extends lightweight extension arms that have laterally elongated spatulate paddles at their ends. The extension arms may be curved so that in operation a terminal edge of each paddle lags the rest of the paddle surface in approaching and sweeping across the floor surface and is quite easily deflected upward from a floor surface. |
| US08656543B2 |
Bridge shoring system
A replacement bent for shoring a bridge and a method for installing the replacement bent. The replacement bent comprises a metal I-beam sill, telescoping, adjustable posts, and a metal I-beam cap. In one embodiment, the adjustable posts are connected at one end by hinges to the sill beam and are connected at the other end by hinges to the cap beam. In a second embodiment, the adjustable posts are connected at right angles to the cap beam and the sill beam by means of support plates. The posts may be telescoped and thereby adjusted to the necessary distance between the sill beam and the cap beam. The replacement bent is supported on the stub piles from the substandard bent that has been removed. |
| US08656542B2 |
Ramp insert
The present invention is directed to a ramp insert for insertion between rails and/or rungs of a ramp. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body that may have an adjustable length. The body may include a first section that may include a track portion and a second section that may include a groove portion. The groove portion may be capable of fitting together with the track portion. The first or second section may be capable of slidably moving with respect to the other section via the track portion and the groove portion. The ramp insert may be placed between the rails and/or rungs of the ramp whereby the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths. Since the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths, the ramp insert may fit many different kinds of ramps having various widths. |
| US08656538B2 |
Pillow band
A fabric band to be placed around a bed pillow, to enhance comfort and hygiene. The band provides a covered space on each side of the pillow, where the user may rest a hand for greater comfort. Also, a smaller pillow may be placed between the first pillow and the fabric band, to provide more specific support for the head and face. The band may include a moisture-resistant layer to protect the pillow and/or pillow case from saliva. This improves hygiene, and prolongs the life of the pillow. |
| US08656536B1 |
Breast lift
A device for supporting a breast during treatment. The device includes a support arm having one or more indexed joints for repeatably positioning the device relative a patient's breast. The device includes a scoop for wedging against the patient's breast for forming the breast to a preferred shape during treatment. |
| US08656532B2 |
Hammock stand with welded structural supports
Herein described is a hammock stand of improved strength comprising weight bearing structural members welded together in a manner that improves the strength of certain weight bearing joints within the stand to help avoid collapse and possible injury. Further described herein is a stronger, more durable weld between weight bearing structural members in a hammock stand and the process of producing the weld. |
| US08656531B1 |
Apparatuses and methods to facilitate cot assembly
The disclosed cot may include a first side rail having a first connection mechanism, a second side rail having a second connection mechanism, a leg secured to the second side rail, a pivoting mechanism that pivotally secures the leg to the second side rail. An end rail may include a third connection mechanism that engages with the first connection mechanism and a fourth connection mechanism that engages with second connection mechanism. The cot may further comprise a pivoting arm having a proximal end that pivotally engages with the leg, the first side rail, the second side rail, the end rail or a pivoting mechanism that enables the leg to pivot relative to one of the side rails. The pivoting arm may comprise a distal end having a sixth connection mechanism that engages with a fifth connection mechanism disposed on another portion of the cot. |
| US08656522B2 |
Toilet and toilet seat mounting system
A toilet mounting hinge includes post holders; an elongate post secured to and extending downwardly from each of said post holders; a post receptacle; and said elongate posts passing through and beyond said post receptacles and configured to permit a toilet seat to be slidably elevated above a toilet bowl to a maintenance position, and having a distal end configured to engage the receptacle in the maintenance position and to releasably support the elongate post in said maintenance position; wherein each of said post receptacles comprises a receptacle head, a threaded sleeve, and an insert liner. |
| US08661559B2 |
Software control flow watermarking
The present invention is a system and method of software control flow watermarking including the steps of obtaining a program for protection, generating at least one watermark value using a formula or process from an external file, and placing the at least one watermark value in CASE values of the program. The system and method may further include determining the at least one watermark value by a formula with at least one variable. The formula may also contain a variable from outside of the program. The system may also stop the program if the variable from outside of the program is incorrect. |
| US08661557B2 |
Method and system for granting access to system and content
A method and system for granting access to system and content is provided. A key is provided that allows access by a client computer to content that includes a plurality of resources. A server is accessed and the key is provided to the server. Based on the key, access is granted to the content. A program on the client computer requests a resource of the plurality of resources. If the resource is located locally, the resource is provided to the program. Otherwise, the resource is downloaded from the content server and stored locally. A data structure is modified to indicate that the resource is stored locally and the resource is provided to the program. |
| US08661556B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing network security using role-based access control
A method and apparatus for providing network security using role-based access control is disclosed. A network device implementing such a method can include, for example, an access control list. Such an access control list includes an access control list entry, which, in turn, includes a user group field. Alternatively, a network device implementing such a method can include, for example, a forwarding table that includes a plurality of forwarding table entries. In such a case, at least one of the forwarding table entries includes a user group field. |
| US08661555B2 |
Role-based access control over instructions in software code
In one embodiment, a method determines a role for a user for access to software code. A marker associated with an instruction in the software code is determined. An access level for the user based on the marker and the role is then determined. The access level is enforced based on the instruction associated with the marker for the software code. |
| US08661554B2 |
Controlling program, image forming apparatus and print controlling method
There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to securely prevent the secret information from leaking out to unauthorized personnel. The apparatus includes: a display section to display a first document that includes secret information; an operating section to designate a concealing position in the first document and establish a disclosable range of the secret information, therefrom; a storage control section to store document data, designation positional information and disclosable range information, while correlating them with each other; an authenticating section to determine whether or not a user coincides with the disclosable range, based on identification information of the user; and a printing section to print either at least a copy of the first document, when the user coincides with the disclosable range, or copies of a second document, when the authenticating section determines that the user does not coincide with the disclosable range. |
| US08661545B2 |
Classifying a message based on fraud indicators
Systems, methods, and media for classifying messages are disclosed. A plurality of fraud indicators are identified in the message. A signature of the message is generated. The generated signature of the message is compared to a stored signature. The stored signature is based on a statistical analysis of fraud indicators in a second message associated with the stored signature. A determination as to whether the message is fraudulent is made based on the comparison. The message is processed based on the determination that the message is a fraudulent message. |
| US08661543B2 |
Mobile terminal having security diagnosis functionality and method of making diagnosis on security of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal having security diagnosis functionality and a method of making a diagnosis on the security of the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a system check unit, an interface unit, a blacklist check unit, and a security diagnosis unit. The system check unit collects the basic information of the mobile terminal by performing a system check on the mobile terminal. The interface unit provides the basic information of the mobile terminal to a user and receives a control command from the user. The blacklist check unit checks whether at least one application installed in the mobile terminal is present in a blacklist registered on a server. The security diagnosis unit checks whether an abnormality has occurred in the corresponding application based on results of the comparison between the basic information of the mobile terminal with preset abnormality detection reference information and the control command. |
| US08661542B2 |
Method and system for detecting characteristics of a wireless network
Characteristics about one or more wireless access devices in a wireless network, whether known or unknown entities, can be determined using a system and method according to the present invention. An observation is made of the activity over a Wireless Area Network (WLAN). Based on this activity, changes in state of wireless access devices within the WLAN can be observed and monitored. These changes in state could be indicative of normal operation of the WLAN, or they may indicate the presence of an unauthorized user. In the latter case, an alert can be sent so that appropriate action may be taken. Additionally, ad hoc networks can be detected that may be connected to a wireless access point. |
| US08661541B2 |
Detecting user-mode rootkits
A method and system for determining whether resources of a computer system are being hidden is provided. The security system invokes a high-level function of user mode that is intercepted and filtered by the malware to identify resources. The security system also directly invokes a low-level function of kernel mode that is not intercepted and filtered by the malware to identify resources. After invoking the high-level function and the low-level function, the security system compares the identified resources. If the low-level function identified a resource that was not identified by the high-level function, then the security system may consider the resource to be hidden. |
| US08661539B2 |
Intrusion threat detection
A system is disclosed that can be used to monitor for an attempted intrusion of an access system. The system detects an access system event in the access system and determines whether the access system event is of a type that is being monitored. If the access system event is of a type that is being monitored, the system reports information about the access system event. This information can be used by a rules engine or other process to determine if the access system event was part of an attempted intrusion of the access system. |
| US08661537B2 |
Verifying work performed by untrusted computing nodes
Techniques for verifying work performed by untrusted computing nodes are provided. A central computing system determines a first computation that is to be performed, at least in part, by a first untrusted computing node. The central computing system also determines a transformation function that is applied to the first computation to produce an equivalent second computation that is to be performed, at least in part, by a second untrusted computing node. The central computing system assigns the first computation to the first untrusted computing node and the second computation to the second untrusted computing node while keeping the transformation function secret. The central computing system receives a first result for the first computation and a second result for the second computation. The central computing system analyzes the first and second results to verify the work performed by the first and second untrusted computing nodes. |
| US08661533B2 |
Method for resource and admission control
The present invention discloses a method for resource and admission control, which relates to the communication field. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: during the process of the service authorization of resource and admission control in the PULL mode, the policy decision function entity (PD-FE) performs the QoS resource authorization for the service request, then informs the authorization information of the authorized service flow to the Policy Execute Function Entity (PE-FE); after the PE-FE receives the authorization information, the association relationship between the PD-FE and the authorization information of the authorized service flow is established; during the process of resource reservation of the authorized service flow initiated by the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), the PE-FE selects the PD-FE according to the above mentioned corresponding relationship, and interacts with the PD-FE. The method of the present invention enables PE-FE or TRC-FE to select to implement the process of resource reservation request for the is PD-FE authorized by the service flow that initiates the resource reservation request, after receiving the resource reservation request of the service flow. |
| US08661529B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device includes a processing unit which performs user authentication. The processing unit includes a setting part that determines setting of operation of a target device using the user authentication. An authentication information setting part determines user authentication information. A password generation part generates a one-time password partially or fully. A transmission part transmits the setting of operation of the target device and the one-time password to the target device. |
| US08661527B2 |
Authenticator, authenticatee and authentication method
According to one embodiment, an authenticator which authenticates an authenticatee, which stores first key information (NKey) that is hidden, includes a memory configured to store second key information (HKey) which is hidden, a random number generation module configured to generate random number information, and a data generation module configured to generate a session key (SKey) by using the second key information (HKey) and the random number information. The authenticator is configured such that the second key information (HKey) is generated from the first key information (NKey) but the first key information (NKey) is not generated from the second key information (HKey). |
| US08661521B2 |
Controlling a network connection using dual-switching
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling a network connection based, at least in part, on dual-switching. In an embodiment, a tunnel proxy is coupled with a host execution environment. The tunnel proxy includes logic to provide a security protocol client and logic to provide a security protocol server. In one embodiment, the tunnel proxy provides a proxy for a policy decision point to the host execution environment. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08661519B2 |
Redirection using token and value
A client is redirected by a relying party to the supporting entity (such as an identity or claims provider). The relying party also sends a cookie that includes a nonce, and another copy of the nonce in a redirection context (e.g., in a context string). The client then communicates with the supporting entity to facilitate the supporting service, whereupon the supporting entity sends a validation token back to the client evidencing completion of the supporting service. The supporting party also sends the nonce back as part of the redirection context (e.g., in a context string). The client then sends a followup service request that includes the cookie, the nonce returned by the supporting entity, and the validation token to the relying party. The relying party may compare the nonce in the cookie with the nonce returned by the supporting entity to verify that the request is valid. |
| US08661513B2 |
Selection and application of roles and systems based on username and layout ID
In one embodiment a computing system comprises one or more processors, a display device coupled to the computing system, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors. The memory module comprises logic to receive, in a connection server, a service request from a user via a remote connection client, wherein the service request comprises at least one of a user credential, a connection client identifier, and a layout identifier, authenticate, in the connection server, the user credential and the connection client identifier, retrieve, in the connection server, a user profile associated with the user, a connection client layout associated with the layout identifier, connection data for at least one remote system, and a policy associated with the user profile, and transmit the user profile, the connection client layout, a remote system and the connection data for a remote system and a policy associated with the user profile from the connection server to the remote connection client. |
| US08661510B2 |
Topology based fast secured access
The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing secure access for a user or terminal to a network, wherein an intermediate authentication node is authorized to listen to and store authentication related information. When an authentication request is received, the stored authentication related information is checked and the user or terminal is authenticated if a match between authentication related information of the authentication request and the stored authentication related information is determined, and an authentication server responsible for the authentication request is notified about the authentication result. |
| US08661509B2 |
Solicited authentication of a specific user
Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required. |
| US08661508B2 |
Parental controls for entertainment content
Parental controls for entertainment digital media are provided that allow a parent to restrict multiple user's access to entertainment content. One or more updatable rating definition files with dynamic data are used to define rating levels and content descriptors for a regional rating system. Entertainment content definition files define the rating level and content descriptors for entertainment content. User permission settings define a particular user's access rating level and content descriptors. The rating definition file can be used to compare the entertainment content definition file and user permission settings in determining if a user is allowed access to particular entertainment content. |
| US08661507B1 |
Managed peer-to-peer applications, systems and methods for distributed data access and storage
Applications, systems and methods for securely and remotely operating a remote computer from a local computer over a network while providing seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity. Secure and remote operation includes authenticating at least one remote computer for connection to at least one computer over the network and/or at least one local computer for connection to at least one remote computer over the network; establishing a secure connection between the at least one local computer and the at least one remote computer over the network; and integrating a desktop of at least one remote computer on a display of at least one local computer. The connections may be made over a public network, as well as through multiple firewalls without loss of functionality. |
| US08661504B2 |
Secure social web orchestration via a security model
A method includes receiving, by a first computer, input from a first user. The method further includes creating, by the first computer, a hierarchical class tree implementing security profiles based on the input from the user. The hierarchical class tree identifies data, actions, and behaviors pertaining to content, and the security profiles restrict access and use of that user's content. The method also includes transmitting, by the first computer, a portion of the hierarchical class tree to a second computer. |
| US08661503B2 |
Flexible document security for procurement agents
A method, system, and computer program product for providing document security for procurement agents. The method commences by establishing user authentication credentials for at least two procurement agents. Then, initially granting limited access to a first set of documents where the first set of documents is initially under control of the first procurement agent (and initially inaccessible by the second procurement agent), and initially granting limited access to a second set of documents, where the second set of documents is initially under control of the second procurement agent. A procurement application receives an access request from the first user to access a document from among the second set of documents, causing the procurement application to confirm the first user authentication credentials, retrieve the document access rule for the first procurement agent, and allow/deny access by the first user to the document from among the second set of documents. |
| US08661502B2 |
Determining a sensitivity label of document information in real time
A sensitivity label for document information in a document may be determined in real time, according to one embodiment, by flexibly and dynamically determining a sensitivity label for the document based on content included in information within the document. Information within a document varies from day to day, for example, document information may decrease in importance with time, increase in importance due to an event, etc. Therefore, the sensitivity label of the document, according to embodiments described herein, may also change dynamically in accordance with document content, information, etc. |
| US08661501B2 |
Integrated guidance and validation policy based zoning mechanism
A mechanism is provided to automatically retrieve zoning best practices from a centralized repository and to ensure that automatically generated zones do not violate these best practices. A user selects a set of hosts and storage controllers. The user also selects a guidance policy for creating the zone, and also selects a set of validation policies that must be enforced on the zone. If the user selects a guidance policy and a validation policy combination that is incompatible, the mechanism allows the user to change either the selected guidance policy or the set of validation policies. If the user has selected consistent-zoning as a guidance policy, then the mechanism automatically selects a guidance policy that does not violate the known validation policies. |
| US08661497B2 |
Set-top box for converting media signals based on stored output settings
A media presentation device converts media signals based on stored output settings. The media presentation device includes a sink-interaction port to at least partially receive device-specific information of a sink device, a data storage and a processor. The processor determines whether one of the plurality of at least partially stored device-specific information matches the received device-specific information of the sink device, and selects output settings corresponding to the stored device-specific information that matches the received device-specific information of the sink device for use in converting the media signals to an output format supported by the sink device. |
| US08661496B2 |
System for combining a plurality of views of real-time streaming interactive video
An apparatus comprises a plurality of servers arranged in a parallel processing configuration to create a plurality of streams of low-latency streaming interactive video. Each server produces a stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. A unit combines the plurality of streams into a new stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. The unit is also operable to provide a user interface that allows real-time interactive manipulation of the resulting combined streams by a user. |
| US08661493B2 |
Apparatus and method of playing broadcast content in broadcasting system
A method and an apparatus for playing broadcast content in a broadcasting system are provided. The method and the apparatus enable a viewer to watch an entire event by broadcasting the event through different networks in a condition that the event may not be broadcast from start to finish over a single broadcasting network. |
| US08661492B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method, and computer readable recording medium
A communication apparatus includes a communication unit, an acquisition unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the acquisition unit to acquire again information for generating video data to be transmitted to an external apparatus by the communication unit from an apparatus if the predetermined signal is detected, the predetermined signal indicates that a state of the apparatus is changed to a first state from a second state after the state of the apparatus is changed to the second state from the first state. |
| US08661483B2 |
Determination of receiving live versus time-shifted media content at a communication device
A method of determining whether live media content or time-shifted media content is received at a computing device such as a server or media player is presented. Attribute information concerning media content received at a communication device at a specific time is received and compared schedule information. The received media content is determined to be live media content if the media content identity agrees with the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be time-shifted media content if the media content identity does not agree with the schedule information. |
| US08661480B2 |
Method for providing episodic media on a dedicated channel
A personalized media service provides, e.g., user customization of radio channel selections, immediate availability of multiple pre-programmed and/or customized channels, the ability to intersperse different types of content including periodically refreshed information content, availability of personal radio functions on devices such as car audio systems, PDAs, smartphones, MP3 players, etc. Available channels include, e.g., pre-programmed channels selected for the user based on an interest profile, user-owned content, user-specified recorded content, etc. An audio user interface facilitates user selection of programming and user purchase of currently played audio material. An overall radio experience is thus provided that combines the customization and flexibility of digital media with the immediacy and ubiquity of radio. Video materials may also be accommodated. |
| US08661475B2 |
System and method for affinity marketing to mobile devices
A method and system for providing selected content displays to users of mobile electronic devices and more specifically to a method and system for broadcasters to provide a marketing portal presented in the form of displayed customized broadcaster content. |
| US08661470B2 |
Program guide apparatus
A method acquires program guide information in an image signal receiver, and program guide method and apparatus using the same. In the program guide apparatus, information immediately required by a user is obtained first, and information of less preferential channels is obtained next, thus presenting a smooth interface to the user. The method of acquiring program guide information for channels includes acquiring the program guide information for each channel by scanning accessible channels while a received program is not displayed. The program guide apparatus includes a tuner tuning a channel, a program guide information detector, a memory, a key input, a microprocessor, and a character signal generator. |
| US08661465B2 |
Apparatus and method for combining realtime and non-realtime encoded content
A terminal for decoding and presenting encoded realtime and non-realtime interactive program guide (IPG) content including a realtime video portion and a non-realtime guide graphics portion. The terminal includes a demodulator operative to receive and demodulate a modulated signal to provide a transport stream, and a transport demultiplexer coupled to the demodulator and operative to receive and process the transport stream to provide a sequence of transport packets re-timestamped to synchronize encoded realtime content and encoded non-realtime content included therein. At least one video decoder is coupled to the transport demultiplexer and operative to receive and decode the encoded realtime and non-realtime contents to recover the realtime and non-realtime contents for the user interface. |
| US08661457B2 |
Pipeline across isolated computing environments
Support sharing resources in a computer system. An operating system within the computer system, the operating system having a kernel level and a user level with the kernel level configured with a first container and a second container. The first container is assigned to a first namespace and the second container is assigned to a second namespace. Both the first and second namespaces are isolated from each other and at the same time in communication with at least one shared object. Communication across the containers is created through a socket in the namespace of the shared object of one or both of the containers. In addition, a conduit is formed between the containers by connecting the container absent the created socket to the container with the socket. |
| US08661453B2 |
Managing healthcare information in a distributed system
A system and method for managing healthcare information is disclosed. The data servers each include a data manager that comprises a controller, a grid engine, applications, an application manager and a user interface engine. The controller manages the core functions and the transmission of data between data manager components. The grid engine manages information sent between data servers. The applications are applications that are created by the user or downloaded as third-party applications. The application manager manages the creation and communication between applications. The user interface engine generates user interfaces for displaying the applications and collecting clinical trial data. |
| US08661445B2 |
Information-processing device and program
When executing plural application programs in parallel, a control unit assigns a small storage area to each application program so that a part of a function implemented by execution of each application program is provided. When providing a service of high value to a user, a control unit assigns a large storage area to any one of the application programs so that a full function that is implemented by execution of the application program is provided. |
| US08661443B2 |
Scheduling and/or organizing task execution for a target computing platform
Techniques are generally described relating to methods, apparatuses and articles of manufactures for scheduling and/or organizing execution of tasks on a computing platform. In various embodiments, the method may include identifying successively one or more critical time intervals, and scheduling and/or organizing task execution for each of the one or more identified critical time intervals. In various embodiments, one or more tasks to be executed may be scheduled to execute based in part on their execution completion deadlines. In various embodiments, organizing one or more tasks to execute may include selecting a virtual operating mode of the platform using multiple operating speeds lying on a convexity energy-speed envelope of the platform. Intra-task delay caused by switching operating mode may be considered. Other embodiments may also be described and/or claimed. |
| US08661438B2 |
Virtualization planning system that models performance of virtual machines allocated on computer systems
The embodiments related to systems and methods for virtualization planning. A set of target machines may employ one or more virtualization technologies to divide resources of the given target computer system into multiple execution environments for virtual machines. Overhead profiles are determined based on a configuration of a given target computer system, the virtualization technology, and work performed by the virtual machines. The overhead consumed by the virtualization technologies is estimated for the proposed allocation of virtual machines. Performance of the proposed allocation of virtual machines is then modeled and various performance measures are provided. |
| US08661436B2 |
Dynamically controlling virtual machine access to optical disc drive by selective locking to a transacting virtual machine determined from a transaction stream of the drive
The methods and systems described herein provide for granting a virtual machine exclusive access to an optical disc drive responsive to a determination the virtual machine initiated a transaction with the optical disc drive. A drive manager maps an optical disc drive connected to the computing device to a plurality of virtual machines hosted by a hypervisor executed by the computing device. The drive manager intercepts a transaction stream generated by the optical disc drive and converts the transaction stream to a command stream. The drive manager determines, based on an analysis of the command stream, a first virtual machine of the plurality of virtual machines initiated a transaction with the optical disc drive. Responsive to the determination, the drive manager locks the optical disc drive to grant the first virtual machine exclusive access to the optical disc drive. |
| US08661434B1 |
Migration of computer security modules in a virtual machine environment
A machine in the form of a computer is configured to run virtual machines. A virtual machine migrated from another computer is run in the computer. A security profile of the migrated virtual machine in the computer indicates a configuration setting of another network component in another computer network. A network profile in the computer indicates a configuration setting of a network component in the current computer network. The security profile of the migrated virtual machine is automatically updated to reflect the configuration setting of the network component in the current computer network to provide computer security function in the current computer network. |
| US08661432B2 |
Method, computer program product and system for installing applications and prerequisites components
A computer program product is tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprises instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method including: presenting business category identifiers to a user in a computer system, each business category identifier representing one of multiple reporting content bundles for configuring a transactional application and an analytical application; receiving, in the computer system, a selection by the user of at least one of the business category identifiers; and installing in the computer system, from the selected reporting content bundle, at least one transactional content object in the transactional application, and at least one analytical content object in the analytical application. |
| US08661430B2 |
Device and portable storage device which are capable of transferring rights object, and a method of transferring rights object
A device and a portable storage device which are capable of transferring a rights object (RO) and a method of transferring an RO are provided. The method includes enabling a device to transmit an installation request message to a portable storage device for installing a copy of an original RO present in the device in the portable storage device, enabling the device to install the copy of the original RO in the portable storage device, and enabling the device to receive an installation response message indicating that the copy of the original RO has been successfully installed in the portable storage device from the portable storage device. |
| US08661426B2 |
Method frame aggregation for latest user-defined class loader identification
Class loader changes from at least one user-defined class loader to a bootstrap class loader are determined by a stack processing module during de-serialization of a serialized data object. A reference to each user-defined class loader is stored separately from a thread method frame stack in response to each determined change from the at least one user-defined class loader to the bootstrap class loader. For each user-defined class load operation of a user-defined class associated with the de-serialization of the serialized data object, a latest user-defined class loader (LUDCL) is identified using the stored reference and the user-defined class is loaded using the identified LUDCL. |
| US08661425B1 |
Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for storing data associated with a firmware program
A method for storing a data file associated with a source code file of a firmware program in an EFI environment is provided. The method involves converting the data file to an object file as well as converting the firmware source code file to an object file. An executable file is then created from the object file of the data file and the object file of the firmware source code file. Once created, the executable file may be stored in a file of a firmware storage device. |
| US08661423B2 |
Automated determination of quasi-identifiers using program analysis
A system and method for automated determination of quasi-identifiers for sensitive data fields in a dataset are provided. In one aspect, the system and method identifies quasi-identifier fields in the dataset based upon a static analysis of program statements in a computer program having access to—sensitive data fields in the dataset. In another aspect, the system and method identifies quasi-identifier fields based upon a dynamic analysis of program statements in a computer program having access to—sensitive data fields in the dataset. Once such quasi-identifiers have been identified, the data stored in such fields may be anonymized using techniques such as k-anonymity. As a result, the data in the anonymized quasi-identifiers fields cannot be used to infer a value stored in a sensitive data field in the dataset. |
| US08661420B2 |
System and method for runtime interface versioning
The present invention provides methods, machine readable memories and systems for versioning plugin adapters for servers so as to allow legacy versions of software plugins to function when the interfaces configured to accept the plugins are upgraded. An adapter resides between a plugin interface and the plugin module and converts requests designed for a current or new version to requests designed for legacy versions. In some embodiments, the interface elements are designed to extend and adapt the functionality of a security apparatus by enabling the security apparatus to utilize third party security providers. |
| US08661414B2 |
Method and system for testing an order management system
The invention describes a method for testing the order management system. The order management system includes a set of sub-systems. An order life cycle is defined for the order management system, based on the set of sub-systems. The order management system is capable of processing one or more orders. A script is selected from a plurality of scripts, which are developed for testing the order management system, based on a test scenario. The script is modified if the order management system has undergone a modification. Thereafter, the script is used for testing the order management system. Each sub-system of the set of sub-systems is tested, based on the order life cycle and the script, to identify an error in a first sub-system of the set of sub-systems. An output is generated, based on the error identified in the first sub-system. |
| US08661412B2 |
Managing automated and manual application testing
An application for which approval is requested is identified and multiple automated tests are applied to the application in groups of automated tests. Each of the groups of automated tests includes multiple ones of the multiple automated tests. If one or more automated tests in a group of automated tests returns an inconclusive result, then a manual check is initiated for the application based on the one or more automated tests that returned the inconclusive result. If one or more automated tests in a group, or a manual test applied in the manual check, returns a fail result then an indication that the application is rejected is returned, the indication that the application is rejected including an identification of why the application is rejected. If none of the multiple automated tests returns a fail result, then a manual testing phase is initiated. |
| US08661409B2 |
Editing a graphical data flow program in a browser
System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP. |
| US08661408B2 |
Integrated development environment and methods of using the same
A method is provided for generating, in an integrated development environment, a form from which a source code superclass and subclass can be generated. The form is modifiable such that the superclass and subclass integrity is maintained. The method comprises receiving, in an integrated development environment, objects to create a form, wherein the integrated development environment comprises one or more classes. The integrated development environment is utilized to run the form and store the form. The integrated development environment is further utilized to generate and store a superclass comprising one or more of the objects and one or more classes. The superclass is extended with a subclass. The integrated development environment is again utilized to modify the form and generate a new superclass based on the modified form, wherein the integrity between the new superclass and the subclass is maintained. |
| US08661407B2 |
Framework for programming embedded system applications
The disclosure describes a method for programming applications for embedded systems such as sensor nodes. In an embodiment, this comprises writing embedded system applications in a high-level language such as C# or Java using a software development framework which includes a set of tools and class libraries. The class libraries contain pre-written code to carry out tasks which may be required of an embedded system. The class libraries may be extended following identification of a need for a particular function in an embedded system. Developed applications may be subsequently stored on the embedded system but executed on a gateway computing device which interacts with the embedded system. This means that the application(s) can be executed without requiring the presence of a virtual execution system located on the embedded system while allowing a high-level programming model for application programmers. |
| US08661406B2 |
Method and system for software delivery
A computer system and method for software delivery that include articles of manufacture having two or more installed, functional software applications organized in a protoset, the protoset configured to enable creation of one or more subsets (also called reduced metasets) from the two or more installed, functional software applications, each of the one or more subsets configured to be operable with a predefined computer system independent of the protoset; and a protoset module configured to operate on the protoset to enable creation of the one or more subsets of the two or more installed, functional software applications, the module responsive to one or more requests for the creation of the one or more reduced metasets. |
| US08661402B2 |
Method and apparatus for AMS simulation of integrated circuit design
A method to create an integrated circuit that includes digital and analog components comprising: displaying on a computer system display, user input to the computer system that specifies parameter information to determine a binding between an analog circuit design component and a digital circuit design component; saving the user specified parameter information within a file that also specifies at least a portion of the analog circuit design; associating the analog circuit design component a first design block of an integrated circuit that also includes a second digital design block coupled to the first design block; using parameter information to determine a binding between the first analog circuit design component and the first digital circuit design component; saving the determined binding in computer readable storage media. |
| US08661400B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamically reconfiguring a programmable system on a chip
A graphical user interface for tuning a programmable device comprises a first on-screen window comprising a representation of a target apparatus, wherein the target apparatus comprises the programmable device, and a second on-screen window configured to appear in response to a selection of a graphical element associated with the representation of the target apparatus, wherein the second on-screen window comprises graphical user interface (GUI) display elements representing a plurality of parameter values presently controlling operation of a device corresponding to the selected graphical element. The second on-screen window is further configured to accept a modification of at least one of the plurality of parameter values via the GUI display elements, initiate communication of the modification to the programmable device, and in response to implementing the modification in the programmable device, display operational results of the device as modified by the modification. |
| US08661398B1 |
Analysis of stress impact on transistor performance
Roughly described, a method for approximating stress-induced mobility enhancement in a channel region in an integrated circuit layout, including approximating the stress at each of a plurality of sample points in the channel, converting the stress approximation at each of the sample points to a respective mobility enhancement value, and averaging the mobility enhancement values at all the sample points. The method enables integrated circuit stress analysis that takes into account stresses contributed by multiple stress generation mechanisms, stresses having vector components other than along the length of the channel, and stress contributions (including mitigations) due to the presence of other structures in the neighborhood of the channel region under study, other than the nearest STI interfaces. The method also enables stress analysis of large layout regions and even full-chip layouts, without incurring the computation costs of a full TCAD simulation. |
| US08661397B2 |
Systems and methods of implementing remote boundary scan features
A system and method for remotely performing boundary scans on a circuit board, device and/or system across a network. A first computing component, connected to the network, includes a computer readable media including computer executable instructions. The instructions cause the computing component to maintain or access a library of test scan procedures for a plurality of subject circuit boards. At least one of the test scan procedure is downloaded to a second computing component proximate the circuit board, device and/or system. The second computing component and the test scan procedure are monitored and controlled remotely via the network. |
| US08661394B1 |
Depth-optimal mapping of logic chains in reconfigurable fabrics
A method of creating logic chains in a Boolean network of a reconfigurable fabric is provided. The method includes creating a plurality of logic chains in the reconfigurable fabric. The plurality of logic chains include at least one arithmetic logic chain and at least one non-arithmetic logic chain. A method of creating logic chains in a Boolean network of a look-up table based FPGA includes: applying a labeling method by (a) finding a depth increasing node, (b) isolating the depth increasing node, and (c) finding minimum height cuts; mapping to generate a mapping solution using the minimum height cuts; applying a duplication method to implement an exclusivity constraint; and arranging connections in the look-up table based FPGA using the logic chains. |
| US08661391B1 |
Spare cell insertion based on reachable state analysis
Spare cells are inserted in a region of an integrated circuit design based on a logic complexity of the region. The logic complexity can be computed based on the number of reachable states of digital logic in the region, and can be correlated to a desired spare cell insertion rate which is then compared to the actual spare cell utilization in the region. The target spare cell rate can further based on logic complexity values for neighboring regions with a proximity penalty. |
| US08661389B2 |
Systems and methods of designing integrated circuits
A method of designing an integrated circuit includes providing a cell library including a first and second cell structures. The cell structures each include a dummy gate electrode disposed on a boundary. An edge gate electrode is disposed adjacent to the dummy gate electrode. An oxide definition (OD) region has an edge disposed between the edge gate electrode and the dummy gate electrode. The method includes determining if the cell structures are to be abutted with each other. If so, the method includes abutting the cell structures. If not so, the method includes increasing areas of portions of the OD regions between the edge gate electrodes and the dummy gate electrodes. |
| US08661383B1 |
VLSI black-box verification
A circuit verifier scans through a description of an integrated circuit to identify black-boxes in the description. The verifier assigns the identified black-boxes to clock domains and identifies clock domain crossings, in which a black-box assigned to a first clock domain is connected to an element belonging to a second clock domain. In some cases the verifier identifies signal reconvergence through black-boxes. |
| US08661378B2 |
Asychronous system analysis
Methods, systems, and circuits that implement timing analyses of an asynchronous system are described. A method may include converting a synchronous circuit design into an asynchronous representation, wherein a critical path may be identified. The critical path may be converted to a corresponding path in the synchronous circuit design. Additional methods, systems, and circuits are disclosed. |
| US08661376B2 |
Editing system
An editing system includes a database server apparatus having product specification management data stored therein; and a terminal apparatus including: a display part displaying a function tree and an IO table, the function tree hierarchically indicating elements along with attributes of each of the elements based on the product specification management data and having a product name as a root of the function tree, and the IO table indicating connection data between each pin of the elements based on the product specification management data, an accepting part accepting an operation to connect one element to another element, an operation to display connection data between the elements, and an operation to edit each item of the connection data of the IO table, and an updating part updating the connection data of the product specification management data in accordance with the operations accepted by the operation accepting part. |
| US08661373B2 |
Method for the real-time monitoring of integrated circuit manufacture through localized monitoring structures in OPC model space
The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling the manufacturing of integrated circuits, comprising steps of determining parameters that are characteristic of a curve of radiation intensity applied to a semiconductor wafer through a mask, in critical zones of structures to be formed on the wafer, for each of the critical zones, placing a measuring point in a multidimensional space each dimension of which corresponds to one of the characteristic parameters, placing control points in the multidimensional space that are spread around an area delimited by the measuring points, so as to delimit an envelope surrounding the area, for each control point, defining control structures each corresponding to a control point, generating a mask containing the control structures, applying a process involving the generated mask to a semiconductor wafer, and analyzing the control structures transferred to the wafer to detect any defects therein. |
| US08661371B1 |
Method and apparatus for fixing double patterning color-seeding violations
A method for displaying layout-fixing hints for resolving color-seeding violations in an IC design layout. The method receives a set of error paths within a disjoint set of shapes. For each error path, the method performs an analysis on the error path to identify a set of layout-fixing hints that eliminates the color-seeding violation on the error path and does not introduce any new color-seeding violation. The method displays the set of identified hints for each error path in order to aid a user to resolve the color-seeding violations. The method displays each identified layout-fixing hint as a set of moving instructions. The set of moving instructions provides a set of indications of a distance by which a shape or an edge of the shape needs to be moved in order to resolve a color-seeding violation. |
| US08661367B2 |
Providing access to parts of contents for network display device
Provided is to a method of providing a part of content over network in which a user accesses a content provider server over a network, and selects and downloads only a part of content or receives information for accessing the part of content, or generates access information for the part of content and stores the access information in the content provider server, thereby enabling to easily access the part of content when accessing later. In the method, a user may access a plurality of parts configuring content instead of a content unit. |
| US08661358B2 |
Creation, sharing and embedding of interactive charts
Systems and methods for generating and sharing interactive charts are described. The interactive charts are generated in an online portal that allows users to customize the interactive features of the chart. An exemplary interactive feature includes an interactive audio feature. The interactive chart can be shared by, for example, embedding the interactive chart in an external electronic document, such as a .ppt or PDF document, that can be shared with other users. The interactive chart and/or the data associated with the interactive chart may also be purchased through an online store environment or otherwise shared with other users. |
| US08661355B1 |
Distinguishing shared and non-shared applications during collaborative computing sessions
In one embodiment, a presenter device participates in an online collaborative computing session, and a determination is made to whether application windows on the presenter device are shared or non-shared, where shared application windows have a viewable portion on a display of the presenter device that may be transmitted to one or more attendee devices of the online collaborative computing session. Each of the one or more non-shared application windows on the display of the presenter device may be grayed out, such as by covering the non-shared application windows with a semi-transparent window. |
| US08661353B2 |
Avatar integrated shared media experience
A method and system are disclosed in which a group of people are able to replicate the physical world experience of going with a group of friends to pick a movie, watch the movie together, and provide commentary on the movie itself in the virtual world on a virtual couch while each user is sitting in different physical locations. Additionally, the virtual representation of the destination that the group of people are watching the movie together in can be themed to allow users to watch movies in different locations pivoting on special events or by the users choice. |
| US08661352B2 |
Method, system and controller for sharing data
A method is provided for a user of a communications device sharing data items with one or more of a plurality of data recipients, comprising the steps of: selecting one or more data items to share (1201); displaying symbols in a two-dimensional geometrical space on a display (1204), at least some of which represent individuals or groups of the data recipients; selecting one or more of the symbols as destinations for the data item(s) (1202); and sharing the data item(s) with the destination (s) (1203). |
| US08661345B2 |
Social networking webpage application
A Facebook™ application comprises logging on to Facebook™; looking in the Newsfeed for the “7 Days Out Application”; and clicking on the application for full listing of friends' plans, as well as events (sponsored by advertisers) over the next seven days. The application also comprises logging on to Facebook™; navigating to the “Home” page; clicking on the tab or icon for “7 Days Out—Share Your Plans for Next 7 Days With Friends”; uploading a statement of plans for each particular day that the user wants to let friends know plans; and saving the inputted information. |
| US08661344B1 |
Systems and methods for providing an indicator of detection of input related to an element of a user interface
Systems and methods are provided for detecting an action providing input associated with an element of a user interface (UI) and/or graphical model, and providing an indicator to indicate the action has been detected. The UI and graphical model may provide elements that may be editable or otherwise changeable. The action may provide input that may change a value of the editable element of the UI or alter an element of the graphical model. Upon detection of the action, an indicator is provided in the UI or the graphical model in a manner associated with the detected changed element. The indicator may be a visual indicator or any other sensory indicator, such as a sound, force, or tactile indicator. The indicator provides a prompt to a user that one or more elements of the UI or graphical model may need to be saved, applied, or any changes canceled. |
| US08661340B2 |
Input methods for device having multi-language environment
Text input is corrected on a touch-sensitive display by presenting a list of candidate words in the interface which can be selected by touch input. The candidate list can include candidate words having two or more character types (e.g., Roman, kana, kanji). In one aspect, the candidate list can be scrolled using a finger gesture. When a user's finger traverses a candidate word and the touch is released, the candidate word is inserted into a document being edited. In another aspect, characters can be erased by touching a key (e.g., a backspace or delete key) and making a sliding, swiping, or other finger gesture. A number of characters proportional to a distance (e.g., a linear distance) of the finger gesture across the display are erased. If there are characters in a text input area, those characters are erased first, followed by characters in the document being edited. |
| US08661338B2 |
System and method for dynamic document layout
A system for case based, dynamic document layout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a comparison system, a determination system, and a mutation system. The comparison system that compares one or more elements of at least a portion of an original document against the same elements in at least a portion each of a plurality of stored documents. The determination system identifies the stored document with the portion which is closest to the portion of the original document based on the comparing. The mutation system applies one or mutators to the portion of the original document which were used in the portion of the identified stored document. |
| US08661337B2 |
Techniques for use of snapshots with browsing transitions
A snapshot of a page is stored in response to navigation away from the page. When the user navigates back to the page, the snapshot is displayed while the page is loaded. When the page is sufficiently loaded, the snapshot is replaced by the (fully or partially) loaded page. Determining whether the page is sufficiently loaded is based on monitoring of pre-selected criteria. |
| US08661332B2 |
Method and apparatus for document processing
Modular content framework and document format methods and systems are described. The described framework and format define a set of building blocks for composing, packaging, distributing, and rendering document-centered content. These building blocks define a platform-independent framework for document formats that enable software and hardware systems to generate, exchange, and display documents reliably and consistently. The framework and format have been designed in a flexible and extensible fashion. In addition to this general framework and format, a particular format, known as the reach package format, is defined using the general framework. The reach package format is a format for storing paginated documents. The contents of a reach package can be displayed or printed with full fidelity among devices and applications in a wide range of environments and across a wide range of scenarios. |
| US08661326B1 |
Non-binary LDPC code decoding early termination
A decoding system including a low density parity check (LDPC) processing module and a termination module. The LDPC processing module is configured to receive a test codeword based on a codeword received over a communications channel, and perform, for each row of a parity check matrix, a processing operation on the test codeword. The LDPC processing module is configured to, once the processing operations have been performed for all the rows, repeat the processing operations. The termination module is configured to monitor progress of the LDPC processing module and selectively generate a termination signal in response to the test codeword being a valid codeword according to the parity check matrix. The LDPC processing module is further configured to terminate the processing operations in response to generation of the termination signal. |
| US08661325B2 |
Iterative decoder systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for improved designs and performance for iterative decoder systems. In some embodiments, the iterative decoder may be decoupled from FIR samples through an FIR RAM, thus resulting in a less complex design and shorter processing times. In some embodiments, an intermediate memory may be used when passing information between the SOVA and LDPC of the iterative decoder. In some embodiments, the SOVA-required information may be continuously serialized from information received from the LDPC during each LDPC iteration. In some embodiments, the 1/(1+D2) precoder of the HR RLL encoder may be split into two serial, 1/(1+D) precoders. One 1/(1+D) precoder may be pulled outside of the HR RLL encoder and used in conjunction with the iterative decoder. A 1/(1+D) precoder may be used with the iterative decoder while maintaining the RLL constraints imposed upon the encoded information by the HR RLL encoder. |
| US08661324B2 |
Systems and methods for non-binary decoding biasing control
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes a data detector circuit, a biasing circuit, and a data decoder circuit. The data detector circuit is operable to apply a data detection algorithm to a series of symbols to yield a detected output, and the detected output includes a series of soft decision data corresponding to non-binary symbols. The biasing circuit is operable apply a bias to each of the series of soft decision data to yield a series of biased soft decision data. The data decoder circuit is operable to apply a data decoding algorithm to the series of biased soft decision data corresponding to the non-binary symbols. |
| US08661323B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating packet mask
A method and apparatus generate a forward error correcting code for use with a plurality of source packets to be transmitted over a network. In one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises identifying a plurality of candidate packet masks and selecting that one of the masks that has the lowest expected residual packet loss value (“RPL”). RPL is calculated using an effective recovery rate, which in turn is a function of at least one network performance parameter (such as packet loss) and one or more channel code parameters such as the number of source packets and/or FEC packets. The error correcting code can be generated using the selected packet mask and at least one of the source packets. |
| US08661318B2 |
Memory management in a non-volatile solid state memory device
A computer-implemented method of managing a memory of a non-volatile solid state memory device by balancing write/erase cycles among blocks to level block usage. The method includes monitoring an occurrence of an error during a read operation in a memory unit of the device, where the error is correctable by error-correcting code, and programming the memory unit according to the monitored occurrence of the error, where the step of monitoring the occurrence of an error is carried out for at least one block, and wherein said step of programming includes wear-leveling the monitored block according the error monitored for the monitored block. |
| US08661314B2 |
Method and apparatus for calculating frame check sequence
One embodiment provides a system for calculating a checksum for a packet. During operation, the system receives a packet, pads the received packet with a number of bits having predetermined values, and calculates an initial checksum value for the padded packet. Subsequently, the system calculates a final checksum for the original packet by reversing the initial checksum value using the padded bits with predetermined values. |
| US08661312B2 |
Error detection and correction scheme for a memory device
Data is read from a memory array. Before being stored in a data buffer, a Hamming code detection operation and a Reed-Solomon code detection operation are operated in parallel to determine if the data word has any errors. The results of the parallel detection operations are communicated to a controller circuit. If an error is present that can be corrected by the Hamming code correction operation, this is performed and the Reed-Solomon code detection operation is performed on the corrected word. If the error is uncorrectable by the Hamming code, the Reed-Solomon code correction operation is performed on the word. |
| US08661311B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic scaling in a data decoding system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing using variable scaling. |
| US08661308B2 |
Method and device for fast cyclic redundancy check coding
The present invention discloses a method for fast cyclic redundancy check (CRC) encoding, and includes: mapping a CRC encoding generator polynomial to generate an (r+1)-order transfer matrix J; deleting a first row and a first column of said (r+1)-order transfer matrix J to obtain an r-order transfer matrix; forming a r×1 column matrix by first columns of 2nd to r+1th rows of said (r+1)-order transfer matrix; obtaining a zero input transfer matrix and a zero state transfer matrix of CRC encoding by the r-order transfer matrix and the r×1 column matrix; adding dummy bits before an input bit stream; and obtaining a CRC encoding check sequence according to the zero input transfer matrix, the zero state transfer matrix and the input bit stream after adding the dummy bits. The present invention further discloses an apparatus for fast cyclic redundancy check encoding. |
| US08661306B2 |
Baseboard management controller and memory error detection method of computing device utilized thereby
A method detects a memory error of a computing device using a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the computing device. The BMC includes a microprocessor and a storage system. The method reads data of a state register of a processor of the computing device when the microprocessor receives an interrupt signal generated by the processor due to an internal error of the processor. Then the method determines whether the internal error is a multiple-bit error of a memory of the computing device according to the read data. Upon the condition that the internal error is the multiple-bit error, the method records error information of the multiple-bit error in the storage system. |
| US08661305B2 |
Method and system for test vector generation
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a method for automatically generating a unique set of test vectors for verifying design intent of integrated circuit chips. The method includes obtaining configuration parameters associated with a plurality of integrated circuit chips, generating an Executable Verification Plan pertaining to the configuration parameters of a plurality of integrated circuit chips in one or more execution PCs (EPs), creating a plurality of data structures corresponding to the configuration parameters, communicating the data structures created to a DCMS server, mapping the data structures of the Execution PCs with one or more data structures present in a database of the DCMS server, customizing the executable verification plan based on changes in the configurations of the integrated circuit chips, generating a unique set of test vectors based on mapping of the data structures and performing automatic design verification of the plurality of integrated circuit chips. |
| US08661304B2 |
Test pattern generation for diagnosing scan chain failures
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise techniques that can be used to generate scan chain test patterns and improve scan chain failure diagnosis resolution. For example, certain embodiments can be used to generate high quality chain diagnosis test patterns that are able to isolate a scan chain defect to a single scan cell. At least some embodiments can be used to locate faults over multiple capture cycles in the scan chain. |
| US08661302B2 |
Enhanced debug/test capability to a core reset process
A method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of debugging a processor is provided. Also provided is a computer readable storage device encoded with data for adapting a manufacturing facility to create an apparatus. The method includes receiving a first test data, which identifies a state of a state machine, wherein the state machine performs reset and initialization operations for a processor. The method also includes halting the state machine in the state identified by the first test data upon reaching the state. |
| US08661301B1 |
Method for dodging bad page and bad block caused by suddenly power off
A method for dodging bad page and bad block caused by suddenly power off is disclosed. This method is to avoid a new data from host program to potential hurt block or page caused by power off during NAND flash erasing or programming. |
| US08661300B1 |
Error detection in high-speed asymmetric interfaces
A system and method for detecting errors in high-speed asymmetric interfaces are described. Embodiments include transmitting digital data between a first system component and a second system component over a bidirectional interface, wherein the first component is significantly more intelligent than the second component. The first component controls many operations of the second component, including receiving a signature from the second component over an existing line of the interface. The signature received is compared to a signature stored by the first component. Both signatures correspond to a transaction over the interface. Based on the comparison, the first component determines whether the transaction was successful, and directs the second component as necessary. |
| US08661296B2 |
Dynamic data store for failed jobs in a systems complex
In one embodiment, a computer program product for first time data capture includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code is configured to run jobs on a systems complex (sysplex), to trace the jobs running on the sysplex, to monitor each of the jobs running on the sysplex for an unexpected action by any of the jobs, and to store information relating to each unexpected action performed by any of the jobs into an entry of a data store. In another embodiment, a method includes running jobs on a sysplex, tracing the jobs running on the sysplex, monitoring each of the jobs running on the sysplex for an unexpected action by any of the jobs, and storing information relating to each unexpected action performed by any of the jobs into an entry of a data store. |
| US08661295B1 |
Monitoring and detecting causes of failures of network paths
Generally described, systems and methods are provided for monitoring and detecting causes of failures of network paths. The system collects performance information from a plurality of nodes and links in a network, aggregates the collected performance information across paths in the network, processes the aggregated performance information for detecting failures on the paths, analyzes each of the detected failures to determine at least one root cause, and initiates a remedial workflow for the at least one root cause determined. In some aspects, processing the aggregated information may include performing a statistical regression analysis or otherwise solving a set of equations for the performance indications on each of a plurality of paths. In another aspect, the system may also include an interface which makes available for display one or more of the network topology, the collected and aggregated performance information, and indications of the detected failures in the topology. |
| US08661293B2 |
Test architecture based on intelligent test sequence
A method, data processing system, and computer program product for testing a computer system. A sequencer tests the computer system using test modules arranged in a first sequence, wherein each of the test modules is for testing at least a portion of the computer system. The sequencer determines if an operator is available, in response to an interrupt generated by a test module. If an operator is available, the sequencer arranges the test modules into a second sequence based on a first policy. If an operator is unavailable, the sequencer arranges the test modules into a third sequence based on a second policy. |
| US08661288B2 |
Diagnosis system for removable media drive
Systems and methods are provided for performing diagnostics on a removable media drive. An example system includes a monitoring unit configured to collect information about a media access to the media drive and a media access to a removable media contained in the media drive. The example system also includes a storage unit having a threshold table with at least one threshold value for the media access to the media drive. A processing unit is configured to compare the collected information of the monitoring unit to the at least one threshold value contained in the threshold table. The processing unit is also configured to determine diagnostic data relating to the removable media drive in accordance with the comparison. |
| US08661286B2 |
QProcessor architecture in a cluster configuration
In general, an appliance that simplifies the creation of a cluster in a computing environment has a fairly straightforward user interface that abstracts out many of the complexities of the typical configuration processes, thereby significantly simplifying the deployment process. By using such appliance, system administrators can deploy an almost turn-key cluster and have the confidence of knowing that the cluster is well tuned for the application/environment that it supports. In addition, the present disclosure allows for configurations and integrations of specialty engines, such as Q processors or J processors, into the cluster. The disclosure provides systems and methods for configuring a cluster, managing a cluster, managing an MQ in a cluster, a user interface for configuring and managing the cluster, an architecture for using specialty engines in a cluster configuration, and interconnect between cluster components, and a file system for use in a cluster. |
| US08661280B2 |
Host apparatus and information processing system using the same
In an information processing system, a host apparatus and a device are communicatively connected such that the host apparatus serves as a master and the device serves as a slave. The device is configured to establish a power-saving mode, when any command is not received from the host apparatus for a prescribed time period. A device driver is provided in the host apparatus. The device driver is configured to transit from a normal state to a suspended state when an operation command for operating the device is not received from an application running in the host apparatus for a prescribed time period, and to transmit a dummy response to the application, when an inquiry command is received from the application while the device driver is placed in the suspended state, without notifying the inquiry command to the device. |
| US08661278B2 |
Computer system powered-off state auxiliary power rail control
Computer system powered-off state auxiliary power rail control. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems configured to have: a first powered-off state in which the main output power signal is deactivated within the power supply and the auxiliary power output signal is active and coupled to an auxiliary power rail of the printed circuit board; and a second powered-off state in which the main power output signal is deactivated and the auxiliary power output signal is active and decoupled from the auxiliary power rail of the printed circuit board. |
| US08661277B2 |
Communication apparatus and method of controlling the same
There is provided a communication apparatus including an HDMI connector complying with HEC (HDMI Ethernet Channel)-compliant HDMI standards, comprising: an HEC communication unit configured to communicate, via HEC, with an HEC-compliant communication apparatus connected to the HDMI connector; a determination unit configured to determine, using a protocol of the HDMI standards, whether or not an HEC-compliant communication apparatus is connected to the HDMI connector; and a control unit configured to stop power supply to the HEC communication unit if it is determined that an HEC-compliant communication apparatus is not connected to the HDMI connector. |
| US08661275B2 |
Implementing sleep lines in commodity ethernet hardware
A first Network Interface Controller operates in a low power mode. The first Network Interface Controller transitions from low power mode to a power-up sequence if a sleep packet in not received from a second Network Interface Controller at the first Network Interface Controller within a predetermined time threshold. |
| US08661271B2 |
Apparatus and method to control the state of a power supply when a trigger signal is received during a predetermined time period
A start-up control apparatus includes a switch, an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) controller, a power supply, and a control chip. The switch creates a trigger signal. The trigger signal includes a first falling-edge and a first rising-edge. The control chip includes a control module and a monitoring module. The monitoring module sends a status signal about the power supply to the control module. The control module receives the first falling-edge and sends a second falling-edge to the ACPI controller according to the status signal after receiving the status signal. The ACPI controller sends a control signal to the power supply to enable the power supply to change from a first status to a second status. The control module sends a second rising-edge to the ACPI controller before receiving the first rising-edge when the power supply is in the second status. |
| US08661262B2 |
User authentication system, terminal used in the same, authentication verification device, and program
A user authentication system includes a profile generation unit at the side of a user terminal, and a profile storage unit and a confirmation/replication verification unit at the side of an authentication verification device. When authentication processing is executed in the user terminal, the profile generation unit aggregates input biometric information, registered biometric information, and information which duplicates collation processing contents, and sets a profile being an aggregation of data. The profile storage unit stores the profile at the outside of the user terminal with identification information of authentication processing. The confirmation/replication verification unit confirms the stored contents, and replicates collation processing. Accordingly, when verification is necessary, the validity of authentication processing in the user terminal is verified, and a service provider device is notified of this. Accordingly, there is provided a system which can verify the validity of the authentication processing performed in the user terminal. |
| US08661257B2 |
Generic bootstrapping architecture usage with Web applications and Web pages
A method includes receiving at a network application function a request related to a generic bootstrapping architecture key originated from a user equipment. The received request includes a network application function identifier that includes a uniform resource locator, where the network application function has a fully qualified domain name. The method further includes causing a generic bootstrapping architecture key to be generated for the user equipment based at least in part on the uniform resource locator that is part of the network application function identifier. Apparatus and computer programs for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US08661256B2 |
Device authentication in a PKI
A method for establishing a link key between correspondents in a public key cryptographic scheme, one of the correspondents being an authenticating device and the other being an authenticated device. The method also provides a means for mutual authentication of the devices. The authenticating device may be a personalized device, such as a mobile phone, and the authenticated device may be a headset. The method for establishing the link key includes the step of introducing the first correspondent and the second correspondent within a predetermined distance, establishing a key agreement and implementing challenge-response routine for authentication. Advantageously, main-in-the middle attacks are minimized. |
| US08661255B2 |
Digital rights management of streaming contents and services
Managing digital rights of contents and services streamed to a client device, including: receiving and validating a certificate from the client device; enabling the client device to log into and communicate with a server using a secure protocol to establish a private relationship between the client device and the server; and transmitting a resource identifier to the client device using the secure protocol when the private relationship is established. |
| US08661254B1 |
Authentication of a client using a mobile device and an optical link
Systems and methods for enhancing the convenience, reliability and security of transactions are provided. In authenticating a user attempting to engage in a transaction, a machine-readable indicia may be optically acquired and a challenge derived therefrom sent to a one-time password (OTP) application running on a mobile or other device. The device may then generate a response OTP using, at least in part, the derived challenge. The response may be read by a user and used in-band or may alternatively be sent by the mobile device out-of-band to an authentication server, which may respond with an authentication response operable to authenticate the user. |
| US08661250B2 |
Remote activation of covert service channels
Remote activation of covert service channels is provided. A remote host can initiate and establish a connection with a target host without exposing a service channel or communications port to an unauthenticated host. Triggers can be received by and sent to a host and an associated operating system, under direction of a stealth listener. The stealth listener provides can control and direct an operating system to respond to incoming data packets, but can also open and close ports to enable access to services on a host. Using a variety of transport mechanisms, protocols, and triggers to covertly enable a connection to be established between a service and a remote client, the disclosed techniques also enable reduction of processing and storage resources by reducing the amount of host or client-installed software. |
| US08661238B2 |
Identifying an OS corresponding to an address included in a magic packet and determining whether activation of the OS is permitted
To activate respective OSs separately through a network even in a virtual machine in which a plurality of OSs are installed, an M-packet acquiring unit acquires a received magic packet. An address detecting unit detects a MAC address that is stored in the magic packet. A control-list storage unit records correspondence between MAC addresses and guest OSs, and defines whether to activate the respective OSs by a remote operation. An activation determining unit refers to the control-list storage unit and determines whether to activate a guest OS that corresponds to the MAC address stored in the magic packet. A guest-OS control unit activates a guest OS that is determined to be activated by the activation determining unit. |
| US08661237B2 |
System and method for booting a plurality of servers from a shared boot image stored on a USB boot image sharer
A computer system and an operation system loading method thereof are provided. The computer system comprises a universal serial bus (USB) storage device storing a boot image, servers and a boot image sharer comprising USB ports, a memory, a first USB host controller and a micro-processor. The micro-processor controls the first USB host controller to emulate each USB port to the USB storage device, and stores the boot image to memory, such that the boot image is shared to the USB ports. The servers are respectively coupled to the USB ports, wherein each server comprises a second USB host controller and a basic input output system (BIOS). The second USB host controller is coupled to one of the USB ports. The BIOS reads the boot image from the emulated USB storage device and loads an operation system according to the boot image. |
| US08661236B2 |
Partial initialization of divided programs in response to pre-boot and post-boot activation events to rapidly boot a computer system
A method for booting up a computer is disclosed. Initially, a memory image of a boot program is stored in a main memory of a computer. The memory image includes a first initialization code and a second initialization code. During the booting process of the computer, first initialization code is executed. In response to the completion of the execution of the first initialization code, the boot program is shifted to an idle state. In response to an activation event, the second initialization code is executed. |
| US08661235B2 |
Firmware storage medium with customized image
In at least some embodiments, a computer system includes a processor and a firmware storage medium in communication with the processor. The firmware storage medium stores a default image invoked during a boot process and selectively stores a customized image. If the customized image is stored by the firmware storage medium, the boot process selectively substitutes at least part of the default image with at least part of the customized image. |
| US08661234B2 |
Individualized per device initialization of computing devices in avoidance of mass exploitation of vulnerabilities
An individualized per device initialization of a computing device is unique relative to the initialization of other computing devices. A common initialization program, common to all computing devices of a particular type such as a game console, may be modified to be unique for each computing device. Modification may comprise the application of at least one individualized per device secret, e.g., key, to at least a portion of the common initialization program such as at least one initialization stage. Initialization is tied to one or more device specific identities. In this way, initialization vulnerabilities discovered on a particular device cannot be exploited en masse on other computing devices because each initialization program stored in each computing device is unique. The device specific nature of the initialization program may be extended to other information input to the computing device in order to prevent unauthorized sharing of information with other computing devices. |
| US08661233B2 |
System configuration
Embodiments provide methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for determining a configuration for system board based on a connector. The connector may have a structure that enables a system board to determine configuration data associated with a system configuration. |
| US08661230B2 |
Allocation of counters from a pool of counters to track mappings of logical registers to physical registers for mapper based instruction executions
A mapper unit of an out-of-order processor assigns a particular counter currently in a counter free pool to count a number of mappings of logical registers to a particular physical register from among multiple physical registers, responsive to an execution of an instruction by the mapper unit mapping at least one logical register to the particular physical register. The number of counters is less than the number of physical registers. The mapper unit, responsive to the counted number of mappings of logical registers to the particular physical register decremented to less than a minimum value, returns the particular counter to the counter free pool. |
| US08661226B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for performing a scan operation on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processor architecture
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing a scan operation on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processing architecture. In operation, a scan operation instruction is received. Additionally, in response to the scan operation instruction, a scan operation is performed on a sequence of single-bit values using a parallel processor architecture with a plurality of processing elements. |
| US08661222B2 |
Data object profiling during program execution
Systems and methods for identifying objects generated during program execution are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises examining one or more data structures that include information about allocation of memory space to one or more objects; determining address space allocated to at least one of said objects based on examining said data structure; populating a reverse object map based on the examining of the one or more data structures and the determining of the address space allocated to said objects, such that one or more addresses in memory are associated with an object instantiated during program execution; and determining identity of a target object accessed during program execution in association with a respective address, in response to evaluating the respective address against the reverse object map to find the target object. |
| US08661213B2 |
Method and system for frequent checkpointing
A virtualization platform provides fault tolerance for a primary virtual machine by continuously transmitting checkpoint information of the primary virtual machine to a collector process, such as a backup virtual machine. When implemented on a hardware platform comprising a multi-processor that supports nested page tables, the virtualization platform leverages the nested page table support to quickly identify memory pages that have been modified between checkpoints. The backup virtual machine provides feedback information to assist the virtualization platform in identifying candidate memory pages for transmitting actual modifications to the memory pages rather than the entire memory page as part of the checkpoint information. The virtualization platform further maintains a modification history data structure to identify memory pages that can be transmitted simultaneous with the execution of the primary virtual machine rather than while the primary virtual machine has been stunned. |
| US08661210B2 |
Data migration management device and method
A management device and management method capable of improving usability of a storage system is proposed. The management device and the management method for managing data migration between volumes in a storage system in which normal volumes to which fixed storage areas are allocated in advance and virtual volumes to which storage areas are dynamically allocated according to use status coexist as types of volumes for reading and writing data is arranged so that information regarding each volume is collected, and based on the collected information, at least a total logical capacity that is a summation of logical capacities determined in advance for the respective volume is separately displayed for normal volumes and virtual volumes. |
| US08661209B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer-readable recording medium for writing and reading data to and from a storage
A data processing apparatus includes a storage controller and a processor. The storage controller is configured to write a series of data blocks constituting a particular unit of data to a storage and read out the series of data blocks from the storage. The processor is further configured to generate a write-side process and a read-side process, notify the read-side process from the write-side process of an identifier of a storage area in the storage, cause the storage controller to sequentially write the series of data blocks to the storage area using the write-side process, and cause the storage controller to read the series of data blocks from the storage area corresponding to the identifier using the read-side process after the identifier is received in the read-side process. |
| US08661206B2 |
Hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory access
Embodiments of the invention relate a hybrid hardware and software implementation of transactional memory accesses in a computer system. A processor including a transactional cache and a regular cache is utilized in a computer system that includes a policy manager to select one of a first mode (a hardware mode) or a second mode (a software mode) to implement transactional memory accesses. In the hardware mode the transactional cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations and in the software mode the regular cache is utilized to perform read and write memory operations. |
| US08661200B2 |
Channel controller for multi-channel cache
Disclosed herein is a channel controller for a multi-channel cache memory, and a method that includes receiving a memory address associated with a memory access request to a main memory of a data processing system; translating the memory address to form a first access portion identifying at least one partition of a multi-channel cache memory, and at least one further access portion, where the at least one partition includes at least one channel; and applying the at least one further access portion to the at least one channel of the multi-channel cache memory. |
| US08661199B2 |
Efficient level two memory banking to improve performance for multiple source traffic and enable deeper pipelining of accesses by reducing bank stalls
The level two memory of this invention supports coherency data transfers with level one cache and DMA data transfers. The width of DMA transfers is 16 bytes. The width of level one instruction cache transfers is 32 bytes. The width of level one data transfers is 64 bytes. The width of level two allocates is 128 bytes. DMA transfers are interspersed with CPU traffic and have similar requirements of efficient throughput and reduced latency. An additional challenge is that these two data streams (CPU and DMA) require access to the level two memory at the same time. This invention is a banking technique for the level two memory to facilitate efficient data transfers. |
| US08661198B2 |
Cache device
A cache device interposed between a processor and a memory device, including: a cache memory storing data from the memory device; a buffer holding output data output from the processor; a control circuit determining, on the basis of a request to access the memory device, whether a cache hit has occurred or not and, if a cache miss has occurred, storing the output data in the buffer in response to the access request, outputting a read request for reading the data in a line containing data requested by the access request from the memory device, storing data output from the line of the memory device into the cache memory, and storing the output data from the buffer into the cache memory. |
| US08661196B2 |
Optimizing locations of data accessed by client applications interacting with a storage system
A method for optimizing locations of physical data accessed by one or more client applications interacting with a storage system, with the storage system comprising at least two redundancy groups having physical memory spaces and data bands. Each of the data bands corresponds to physical data stored on several of the physical memory spaces. A virtualized logical address space includes client data addresses utilizable by the one or more client applications. A storage controller is configured to map the client data addresses onto the data bands, such that a mapping is obtained, wherein the one or more client applications can access physical data corresponding to the data bands. |
| US08661193B1 |
Disk drive with partial sector management
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a host addressable area and a reserved area, an exception table stored in the reserved area, a head actuated radially over the disk to write data to the disk, and control circuitry coupled to the head. The control circuitry receives a first command from the host to write first host data into a first physical sector on the disk, wherein the first host data comprises an amount of data less than a full storage capacity of the first physical sector. The control circuitry detects an uncorrectable error while reading the first physical sector during read-modify-write operation, and indicates in the exception table that the first physical sector is a partial sector including valid and invalid logical block addresses (LBAs). |
| US08661187B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for skewing expected wearout times of memory devices
A method in one embodiment includes writing first data to a first memory device of a memory array at a first number of writes per unit time; writing second data to a second memory device of the memory array at a second number of writes per unit time; and skewing expected wearout times of the memory devices by making the second number of writes per unit time less than the first number of writes per unit time. A method in another embodiment includes writing first data to a first memory device of a memory array; writing second data to a second memory device of the memory array; and skewing expected wearout times of the memory devices by making a number of available storage units on the second memory device less than a number of available storage units on the first memory device. |
| US08661186B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, access device, and nonvolatile memory system
An access device 100 includes an access speed information part 112 for informing an access speed required for data recording by the access device 100 to a nonvolatile memory device 200. The nonvolatile memory device includes an access condition determination part 212 for determining an access condition required for meeting the informed access speed and an access area determination unit 213 for determining an access area according to the determined access condition. The access device 100 informs the required access speed to the nonvolatile memory device 200 in advance so that the access condition determination part 212 and the access area determination part 213 in the nonvolatile memory device 200 realize data recording which meets the access speed informed in advance upon the data recording. Thus, it is possible to access all the nonvolatile memory devices at a desired speed regardless of difference in characteristics of the recording speed of each of the nonvolatile memory devices. |
| US08661184B2 |
Managing non-volatile media
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to manage non-volatile media. A media characteristic module is configured to determine media characteristics for non-volatile media. A configuration parameter module is configured to determine different configuration parameters for different storage cell abodes and/or for different groups of pages of the non-volatile media based on the determined media characteristics. A cell configuration module is configured to use the different configuration parameters for the different storage cell abodes and/or the different groups of pages of the non-volatile media. |
| US08661180B2 |
Memory controlling device and memory controlling method
Disclosed herein is a memory controlling device including: an address converting section configured to convert a logical address included in a request issued from a plurality of clients into a physical address of a memory; a request dividing section configured to divide a converted request converted by the address converting section by a command unit for the memory on a basis of the physical address of the converted request; and an arbitrating section configured to perform arbitration on a basis of the physical address indicated in a divided request output from the request dividing section. |
| US08661177B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling system interrupts
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling system management interrupts is disclosed. An interrupt filter comprises a memory, a comparator and a logic circuit. The memory is adapted to contain a list indicating one or more devices with permission associated with an interrupt signal. The comparator is adapted to receive an interrupt signal containing type information from the one or more devices. The comparator is adapted to compare the interrupt type against the list to determine if the one or more devices is permitted to send the interrupt signal. The logic circuit blocks or passes the interrupt signal in response to the result of the comparison. |
| US08661176B2 |
Wireless two-way transmission of serial data signals between an electronic device and a power meter
The invention relates to a bidirectional wireless transmission system for serial format data signals between a “master” electronic device (3) and a “slave” energy meter (2) including a microcontroller (20) having a serial input port (RX). According to the invention, the serial format data signals are exchanged at short range via bidirectional electromagnetic coupling means (4) outputting a pulse on each rising or falling front in said serial format data signals. To transmit data signals from the “master” device (3) to the “slave” meter (2), the pulses at the output of the electromagnetic coupling means (4) are delivered to said serial input port (RX). The microcontroller (20) is programmed so that each pulse received on the input port (RX) generates an interrupt, so as to synchronize the microcontroller on the first received pulse and so as to act at the serial data transmission speed to generate a succession of bits, the value of each generated bit being equal either to the value of the preceding bit if no interrupt has been received in the meanwhile, or else being equal to the inverse of the value of the preceding bit if an interrupt has been received in the meanwhile. |
| US08661173B2 |
USB data striping
A striping system and method for distributing a payload of data across a plurality of parallel USB cables from a source to a destination is described. The striping devices reside in the architecture of a source and destination connected by more than one standardized USB bus cable. The striping devices increase the bandwidth between the source and the destination by providing more lanes of data traffic and utilizing segmentation and reassembly to ensure that the data is split up and then reassembled correctly into the original stream at the destination. The striping devices allow for user determination of usability along with self diagnostics as to the source's and destination's ability to handle striping. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08661172B2 |
Changeable functionality in a broadcast router
There is provided a broadcast router that includes a plurality of input cards, a plurality of output cards, at least one programmable device, and a configuration control card. The plurality of input cards input data into the broadcast router. The plurality of output cards output the data from the broadcast router. The configuration control card stores configuration information for configuring the at least one programmable device to perform a first set of functions. The configuration control card is adapted for removal and replacement by at least one other configuration control card that stores other configuration information for configuring the at least one programmable device to perform a second set of functions having a difference from the first set of functions so as to change a functionality of the broadcast router. |
| US08661171B1 |
Host-slave interface for wireless communication circuit
Embodiments of the present invention provide a high throughput, low pin count, low power, and small area solution for the interface between a host device and a wireless communication circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for wireless communication using a host-slave interface is disclosed. The system is comprised of a host device having a slave interface, and a wireless communication circuit having a master interface coupled to the host device's slave interface. The wireless communication circuit transfers data between a wireless network and the host device. Using such a system, a wireless communication system with a host-slave interface is produced. |
| US08661170B2 |
Nondestructive testing system
A nondestructive testing apparatus includes a storage section which stores a plurality of predetermined functions which are executable by the nondestructive testing apparatus, each of the predetermined functions being initially set to one of a permitted state and a disabled state; an input section which includes a plurality of input portions respectively corresponding to the predetermined functions; and a control section which is adapted to receive permission information including information which unlocks at least one of the predetermined functions initially set in the disabled state so as to be set to the permitted state. The control section automatically assigns the at least one predetermined function which has been unlocked to the corresponding input portion of the input section. |
| US08661168B2 |
Specialized universal serial bus controller
An apparatus comprises a memory device to store a pre-generated Universal Serial Bus (USB) command before a USB peripheral device is coupled to a USB. The apparatus also includes a processing device to retrieve the pre-generated USB command from the memory device and transmit the pre-generated USB command to the USB peripheral device over the USB. A method comprises identifying a Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripheral device is coupled to a USB. The USB peripheral device is coupled to the universal serial bus after a pre-generated USB command is stored in a memory device. The method further includes transmitting the pre-generated USB command to the USB peripheral device over the USB in response to identifying the USB peripheral device is coupled to the USB. |
| US08661162B2 |
Address handling
One exemplary method of assigning addresses in two or more address spaces with address fields of different lengths comprises defining address types, assigning a value to first bits at the high ends of the address fields to identify a first said address type, assigning second bits at the low ends of the address fields to identify addresses of the first said address type, and inserting different numbers of additional bits between the first bits and the second bits in the two or more address spaces. |
| US08661160B2 |
Bidirectional receive side scaling
In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides in response to receiving a packet, determining a packet tuple; generating a hash result by performing a commutative hash function on the packet tuple; and processing the packet on one of a plurality of processors based, at least in part, on the hash result. |
| US08661159B2 |
Image forming apparatus and information processing method to access uniform resource identifiers
An image forming apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain an object that is stored in a location identified by a URI (uniform resource identifier) that is input, a printing unit configured to print the object that is obtained by the obtaining unit, a storage unit configured to store the URI, a determination unit configured to determine whether the URI that specifies a location in which the object is stored is changed from the URI that is stored in the storage unit, and an output unit configured to output a message for making an inquiry as to whether the URI that is stored in the storage unit is desired to be changed if it is determined by the determination unit that the URI is already changed. |
| US08661158B2 |
Smart tunneling to resources in a network
A client computer hosts a virtual private network tool to establish a virtual private network connection with a remote network. Upon startup, the virtual private network tool collects critical network information for the client computer, and sends this critical network information to an address assignment server in the remote network. The address assignment server compares the critical network information with a pool of available addresses in the remote network, and assigns addresses for use by the client computer that do not conflict with the addresses for local resources. The address assignment server also provides routing information for resources in the remote network to the virtual private network tool. The virtual private network tool will postpone loading this routing information into the routing tables of the client computer until the client computer requests access to a specific resource in the remote network. When the client computer requests access to a specific resource in the remote network, the virtual private network tool will only provide the routing table with the routing information for that specific remote resource. |
| US08661156B2 |
Transport layer connection
A system identifies a network socket on a machine by assigning a non-IP address socket anchor and a port number to the network socket. A socket anchor may comprise a globally unique number. In some embodiments, a socket anchor comprises a number having a preselected number of bits. The number having the preselected number of bits may comprise a selected number associated with the machine concatenated with a number of randomly generated bits. The number of bits of the selected number plus the number of randomly generated bits is equal to the preselected number of bits. In some embodiments, the selected number associated with the machine is a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a network interface associated with the machine. |