| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08679047B2 |
Impact resistant, torsion-reducing protective athletic gear using shear thickening fluid
An athletic tape or protective athletic sleeve is formed from an impregnated fabric substrate that is sealed on both sides. The impregnated fabric includes a shear thickening fluid that is made up of a suspension solution and solid particles. The shear thickening fluid is sealed within the fabric through use of sealing layers on both sides of the fabric. |
| US08679038B1 |
Movement disorder monitoring system and method
The present invention relates to a movement disorder monitor, and a method of measuring the severity of a subject's movement disorder. The present invention additionally relates to a drug delivery system for dosing a subject in response to the increased severity of a subject's symptoms. The present invention provides for a system and method, which can accurately quantify symptoms of movements disorders, accurately quantifies symptoms utilizing both kinetic information and electromyography (EMG) data, that can be worn continuously to provide continuous information to be analyzed as needed by the clinician, that can provide analysis in real-time, that allows for home monitoring of symptoms in subject's with these movement disorders to capture the complex fluctuation patterns of the disease over the course of days, weeks or months, that maximizes subject safety, and that provides remote access to the clinician or physician. |
| US08679036B2 |
System and method for visualizing ground reaction forces on a human body
The invention relates to a display system and method for measuring and displaying ground reaction forces of a human. The system comprising comprises a measurement plate having at least one sensor device for detecting ground reaction forces, which is connected to an evaluation device connected to the measurement plate and a projection device, and the invention also relates to a method for displaying ground reaction forces on a human body. The display system and the method are suitable in particular for measuring the human body and/or prosthetic or orthotic fit components in their relative position to the human body, and for improving the adjustment of a prosthesis set up. |
| US08679035B2 |
Nickel-titanium core guide wire
A guide wire for use in a medical procedure having a shapeable tip integral with and made from the distal end of a superelastic nitinol distal section of the guide wire, wherein the shapeable tip can be finger kinked. Such a guide wire includes an elongated core made from a superelastic nitinol alloy at the distal end, the distal end of the elongated core having a tapered section leading to a shapeable distal tip. The shapeable tip is an extension of the distal end of the nitinol distal section, and includes permanent strain hardening from at least two different radial directions imparting crystallographic texture in the radial directions that eliminate superelasticity so that permanent deformation can be achieved with finger pressure. |
| US08679032B2 |
Vacuum assisted biopsy needle set
A biopsy device having a cutting element is disclosed. The cutting element includes an inner cannula having a tissue receiving aperture disposed proximate a distal end thereof and an inner lumen. The inner cannula is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of an outer cannula. A vacuum chamber is disposed about at least a portion of the cutting element and is configured to create a vacuum in the cutting element during a biopsy procedure. The inner cannula is advanced distally outwardly and to cause the vacuum to be generated in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum is delivered to the cutting element whereby tissue is drawn into the tissue receiving aperture. The outer cannula is advanced distally outwardly after the inner cannula such that tissue drawn into the tissue cutting aperture is severed. |
| US08679029B2 |
Automated interpretive medical care system and methodology
Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter. |
| US08679027B2 |
Systems and methods for pulse processing
According to embodiments, techniques for using continuous wavelet transforms to process pulses from a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal are disclosed. The continuous wavelet transform of the PPG signal may be used to identify and characterize features and their periodicities within a signal. Regions, phases and amplitudes within the scalogram associated with these features may then be analyzed to identify, locate, and characterize a true pulse within the PPG signal. Having characterized and located the pulse in the PPG (possibly also using information gained from conventional pulse processing techniques such as, for example, by identifying turning points for candidate pulse maxima and minima on the PPG, frequency peak picking for candidate scales of pulses, etc.), the PPG may be parameterized for ease of future processing. |
| US08679024B2 |
System and method for deriving respiration from intracardiac electrograms (EGM) or ECG signals
A method and apparatus for monitoring respiration in a patient sense a cardiac electrical signal and detect signal peaks from the cardiac electrical signal. A peak amplitude waveform is generated from the signal peaks. a first derivative of the peak amplitude waveform is computed. Inspiration pulses are derived from the first derivative signal, and a respiration metric can be computed using the inspiration pulses derived from the cardiac electrical signal. |
| US08679022B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor, measuring device, and measurement system
An ultrasonic sensor has two or more ultrasonic arrays disposed on a probe surface, and a delay control unit that controls a transmission angle of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. The ultrasonic arrays have a linear array structure in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements are arranged in a linear scanning direction, and the delay control unit controls the timing for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic elements and controls the transmission angle of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. Two of the ultrasonic arrays have linear scanning directions that are different from each other and are arranged in positions that are spaced apart from each other. |
| US08679014B2 |
Network supporting intravaginal monitoring device
The invention generally relates to intravaginal monitoring devices, supporting networks, web services, billing services, modes of operation of the devices and networks, and processing of data harvested by an intravaginal device and communication to the network. Methods, systems and networks for advertising are provided herein. |
| US08679009B2 |
Systems approach to comorbidity assessment
Methods, systems, and apparatus for assessing a state of a comorbidity associated with a primary disease are provided. The methods comprise receiving at least one autonomic index, neurologic index, stress marker index, psychiatric index, endocrine index, adverse effect of therapy index, physical fitness index, or quality of life index of a patient; comparing the at least one index to at least one reference value; and assessing a state of a body system of the patient that is a site of the comorbidity, based on the comparison. A computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method described above is also provided. A medical device system capable of implementing the method described above is also provided. |
| US08679005B2 |
Posterior tissue retractor for use in hip replacement surgery
A posterior retractor is provided, including a handle section; and, a retraction section having an anchoring element. The handle section has a proximal region, a mid-region, and a distal region. And, the length of the handle section can be sufficient to position a hand-held portion of the proximal region of the handle section outside of a surgical site during use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure. A use of the posterior retractor in a hip arthroplasty procedure is described. |
| US08679003B2 |
Surgical device and endoscope including same
A surgical device for use with an endoscope. The device includes an end cap removably affixable to a distal end of the endoscope such that at least a portion of the end cap distally extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope. The end cap defines a through bore for receiving the distal end of the endoscope, and the end cap includes an outer surface defining first and second tracks substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the through bore. The device further includes a first working channel having a distal end disposed in the first track and movable along a length of the first track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a second working channel having a distal end disposed in the second track and movable along a length of the second track between a first position and a second position. The distal end of each the first and second working channel defines a bore having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through bore of the end cap. |
| US08679002B2 |
Endoscope system for gastrostomy catheter placement
An instrument for confirming the position of an indwelling gastrostomy catheter, and a method of confirming the indwelling position thereof, with which it is possible to reduce cleaning costs, and which does not cause any discomfort to a patient. An instrument for confirming the indwelling position of a gastrostomy catheter which is indwelling in a hole formed between the surface of the skin of the patient and the inner surface of the stomach wall comprising a fiberscope and a protective cover. Furthermore, the tip end of the protective cover comprises a light-transmissive window part and a wire that is linked to the outer periphery at the tip end of the protective cover. |
| US08678999B2 |
System and method for a hysteroscope with integrated instruments
A hysteroscope includes a base and a handle attached to the base. The handle has a first trigger and a second trigger. An outer barrel is attached to the base. The outer barrel has a plurality of channels. An actuatable tool is located within at least one channel. The first trigger is in communication with the actuatable tool for extending the tool from within the at least one channel. The second trigger in communication with the actuatable tool for actuating the tool. The hysteroscope may further include a third trigger to pivot a distal portion of the outer barrel. |
| US08678989B2 |
Centrifugal separator separating disc interspace configurations
A separating disk for a disk package of a centrifuge rotor of a centrifugal separator has a tapering shape and extends around an axis of rotation and along a tapering rotary symmetric surface along the axis of rotation. There is an interspace between the separating disk and an adjacent separating disk. The separating disc has first protrusions extending outwardly from the tapering rotary symmetric surface and second protrusions extending inwardly from the tapering rotary symmetric surface. Each of the first and second protrusion are after each other in a peripheral direction and define a contact zone adapted to abut an adjacent separating disk in the disk package. The contact zones of the first protrusions are displaced in relation to the contact zones of the second protrusions seen in a normal direction with regard to the outer surface. Each contact zone has a continuously convex cross sectional shape. |
| US08678988B2 |
Centrifuge opening tool
A centrifuge opening tool has a frame that securely holds a centrifuge drum therein. An upright tube is mounted to the frame and a brake band is rotatably secured to the upright tube. When the brake band is tightened, the centrifuge drum is securely held in place. A ring gear is secured to a lock ring. The lock ring is part of the centrifuge drum and is removable to allow access to the interior therein. A drive gear meshes with the ring gear and increases the mechanical advantage allowing a user to apply the force needed to open the lock ring even when it has been extremely compressed. A spanner wrench is placed on a drive shaft that is connected to the drive gear. Engagement pins are used to mechanically couple the gear ring and lock ring together. |
| US08678986B2 |
Method for positioning and operating upon a construct
An apparatus for operating upon a construct. In one example, the apparatus comprises a tool, a feed path for a feed path for feeding the construct to and withdrawing the construct from the tool, and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism comprises an arm positioned proximate to the tool and a guide for directing the construct toward the tool. The arm is movable between a guiding position and a withdrawn position, and the guide is mounted to the arm for moving with the arm so that the guide is at least partially disposed in the feed path when the arm is in the guiding position. A recess is defined in the tool for at least partially accommodating the guide. |
| US08678982B2 |
Height adjustable double end training bag
A height adjustable double end training ball apparatus for use in boxing, martial arts and other combat/fighting sports training. The double end training ball having an aperture that extends through the center of the ball and having openings at each end of the aperture on the surface of the ball; a cord having a length suitable to extend from an upper surface to a lower surface, such as a floor and ceiling, in a room where the double end training ball will be used, wherein one end of said cord is connected to the upper surface and the opposite end of the cord is connected to the lower surface; and a pair of restraining elements. The double end training ball is secured on the cord via the application of the restraining elements, such as clamps, at a position above and below the ball. |
| US08678981B2 |
Portable leg exerciser
A compact leg exerciser includes two portions rotatable about a hinge. Each portion includes a base and a foot pedal displaceable along the base. The pedals include stops located longitudinally inward of the wheels. Each base is provided with resilient limiters for contacting against the stops of the pedals to limit travel of the pedals and thereby prevent the pedals from contacting the longitudinal ends of the periphery. The hinge is offset from the sides of each base and forms a handle for transporting the leg exerciser when the exerciser is folded about the hinge into a closed position. |
| US08678980B2 |
Low profile hand-extension/flexion device
A movement device for flexing and/or straightening a joint of a user includes a first anchor element adapted to be positioned adjacent a jointed appendage of a user at a first position. A second anchor element is adapted to be positioned about the jointed appendage at a second position, wherein the jointed appendage is located between the first anchor element and the second anchor element. A spring member is positioned between the first and second anchor elements wherein the spring member is fixedly secured to the second anchor element and moveable through the first anchor element to thereby allow the spring member to bend about a joint of the appendage when said appendage is flexed. The spring member is configured to exert bending forces in opposition to working muscles of the user to straighten or flex the joint of the appendage. To minimize discomfort, an intermediary support device is disposed between the first anchor element and the second anchor element which prevents the spring member from contacting the joint of the user. |
| US08678979B2 |
Remote monitoring of a patient
Orthoses with microprocessor control placed around the joint of a patient are used to perform and to monitor isometric, range-of-motion, proprioception and isotonic exercises of the joint. A variety of improved hardware elements result in an orthosis that is easier to use and interacts more efficiently with the controller to allow the monitoring of a greater range of motions while holding down cost and provide suitable accurate evaluation of the exercises. Efficient ways of programming the exercises, monitoring the exercises and evaluating the exercise provide a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of an injured or weakened joint. |
| US08678978B2 |
Method of controlling HAC operation when restarting engine of vehicle
A method and a HAC system controls a hill-state assist control (HAC) operation when restarting an engine of the vehicle having an idle stop and go (ISG) system for an automatic transmission. The method includes starting restarting of the engine by the ISG system and an HAC operation, monitoring the RPM of the engine, and releasing the HAC operation in a case where the RPM of the engine meets an HAC release condition, and maintaining the HAC operation until the HAC release condition is met in a case where the RPM of the engine does not meet the HAC release condition. |
| US08678976B1 |
Vehicles including differential lock controller and methods
A vehicle includes wheels, an engine, a start switch, a differential, and a differential lock controller. Each wheel is rotatable at a respective wheel speed. The start switch is configured to selectively initiate of operation of the engine. The differential is associated with the wheels and includes a differential lock. The differential lock is selectively movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The wheels are rotatable together when the differential lock is in the locked position. The differential lock controller is configured to facilitate restriction of the wheel speed of at least one of the wheels when the differential lock is in the locked position. The differential lock controller is further configured to facilitate selective disablement of the wheel speed restriction when the start switch is actuated with the engine operating. Methods are also provided. |
| US08678975B2 |
Vehicle braking system
A vehicle braking system includes an electric motor, an operating amount detector, a brake assist controller, a first braking device and a second braking device. The electric motor drives a driving wheel via a reduction ratio setting device. The first braking device makes the electric motor generate a first braking power under regenerative control. The second braking device generates a second braking power by actuating an actuator with an operating fluid to be pressurized through a hydraulic pressure source. When an initiation condition for a brake assist control is met, the reduction ratio setting device sets a reduction ratio so as to reduce the first braking power and then suspends a change in the reduction ratio, and the first braking device generates the first braking power as well as the second braking device generates the second braking power to produce a target braking power. |
| US08678974B2 |
Assemblies and methods for clamping force generation
Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are described. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing are configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces an optimal clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force. |
| US08678970B2 |
Adjustment fitting
Adjustment fitting, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part and having a second fitting part that is rotationally adjustable relative to the first fitting part about an axis of rotation, wherein the first fitting part has associated with it an outer wheel with internal teeth, in which wheel is inserted, in the manner of a wobble mechanism, an inner wheel with external teeth hat is associated with the second fitting part, and wherein the inner wheel forms a receiving space that is eccentric to the axis of rotation, and having an eccentric cam rotatably inserted in the eccentric receiving space, having a drive shaft for driving the eccentric cam. A central seal is placed in an axial gap between the two fitting parts. |
| US08678969B2 |
Vehicular drive system
A vehicular drive system provided with an electric motor for generating a drive force to be transmitted to drive wheels, includes: the electric motor including an output rotary member having opposite end portions from which the drive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the drive wheels; two power connecting/disconnecting devices respectively configured to selectively connect and disconnect each of the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to and from the drive wheels; and the two power connecting/disconnecting devices being controlled to selectively connect the opposite end portions of the output rotary member to the drive wheels, for thereby changing a ratio of rotating speeds of the drive wheels to an operating speed of the electric motor. |
| US08678965B2 |
Auto-tensioner
An automatic tensioner includes a base, a rotary member to which a pulley around which a belt is wound can be attached, a coil spring including one end locked on the base and the other end locked on the rotary member, an elastic element including one end locked on one of the rotary member and the base and the other end which is a free end and extending along an inner circumferential surface of the other of the rotary member and the base, and a friction member connected so as to be brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface, wherein the coil spring is disposed in such a state that the coil spring is compressed in an axial direction and the friction member is pressed against the one of the rotary member and the base by a repulsive force attempting to expand in an axial direction. |
| US08678963B2 |
Bicycle front derailleur
A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a biasing arrangement. The biasing arrangement is operatively disposed between the base member and the movable member such that a biasing force of the biasing arrangement is smaller during an early range of a movement range of the movable member as the movable member moves from a first position to a second position. The biasing arrangement includes a first biasing member, a second biasing member and a pre-load body. The first and second biasing members selectively bias the movable member. The pre-load body maintains the second biasing member in a loaded state such that the second biasing member applies the second biasing force only after the movable member has partially moved from the first position towards the second position. |
| US08678962B2 |
Bicycle derailleur and method
A front derailleur for use on devices such as bicycles is movable about a yaw axis while it moves laterally. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between a mount and a cage, with the linkage pivoting about two non-parallel axes. The front derailleur may include a linkage in between the mount and the cage that has links of different effective lengths. The front derailleur may include a single link and a cam. |
| US08678959B2 |
Goalie hockey stick
A goalie hockey stick having a handle with a handle top end and a handle bottom end, the handle bottom end having a first female receiver therein, a paddle with a paddle top end and a paddle bottom end, the paddle top end having a first male end disposed thereon, the bottom end having a second female receiver therein, the first male end being inserted into the first female receiver, and a blade with a blade top end and a blade bottom end, the blade top end having a second male end disposed thereon, the second male end being inserted into the second female receiver. The handle, the paddle, and the blade are removably connected to one another. |
| US08678958B2 |
Sports implement, amusement tool, and training tool
The present invention provides a sports implement whose characteristics a user can adjust freely and minutely. According to the present invention, it is realized that a light-weight high functional circuit is installed in various sports implements by constituting various functional circuits with a TFT formed on a film, without using a printed board. A high functional circuit using a TFT formed over a flexible plastic film is light-weight and strong in bending and impacts. It is possible to provide a sports implement that is favorable in operationality and friendly to many users in a wide range regardless of the muscle strength or physical constitution and the like of a user, since the user can adjust characteristics of a sports implement. |
| US08678953B2 |
Reconfigurable golf ball structural tee system and method to support a stationary golf ball
A golf tee system comprising a card stock having a thickness, a width, a length with bend lines and break lines formed on the card stock, a tee element formed within the card stock, wherein the card stock is approximately flat and configured to allow at least one tee element to be removed from the card stock and assembled into a structural tee device for holding a golf ball, a top portion, a bottom portion, a body portion connected to and extending upward from the bottom portion, having a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and a second side wall when folded toward each other at least partially bound and define an inner cavity within the body portion, wherein a folded upper crown of the top portion defines a ball receipt surface configured to receive and hold the golf ball off of a ground surface and wherein the reconfigurable golf tee is detached from scored card stock. |
| US08678952B2 |
Golf ball
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least two layers which includes an inner cover layer and an outermost cover layer, and a plurality of dimples formed on a surface of the ball. The thickness and Shore D hardness of the outermost cover layer are set in specific ranges, the thickness and Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer are set in specific ranges, and the ball surface has, as expressed in the Lab color system defined by JIS Z-8730, a lightness L value of at least 89, an a value of at least 2 but not more than 10, and a b value of −20 or above. The multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention increases the reddish coloring of a white golf ball, thereby enhancing the stylishness of the ball and improving the way the ball looks and feels to the golfer when it is played. |
| US08678951B2 |
Multi-layer cover golf ball having thermoset rubber intermediate cover layer
A golf ball including a core and a cover including a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a material hardness of 60 to 80 Shore D; a thermoset outer cover layer comprising a castable polyurea and having a material hardness of 20 to 60 Shore D; and a thermoset intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness substantially the same as the inner cover layer hardness and greater than the outer cover layer hardness. The inner cover includes one or more high- or low-acid ionomers and, optionally, a maleic anhydride modified polyolefin. The intermediate layer is formed from a castable liquid polybutadiene rubber. |
| US08678945B2 |
Golf club shaft with high balance point and golf club including same
A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced impact on the swing weight. |
| US08678942B2 |
Adjustable canopy mechanism and an infant carrier device having the same
An adjustable canopy mechanism is for use in an infant carrier device having a frame unit, and includes a top cover and a pair of pivot seat units. Each pivot seat unit includes first and second pivot seats. The first pivot seat is coupled to one of the top cover and the frame unit, and has a first central pivot portion and a plurality of engaging grooves. The second pivot seat is coupled to the other one of the top cover and the frame unit, and has a second central pivot portion connected pivotally to the first central pivot portion, and a plurality of resilient arms engaging removably and respectively a subset of the engaging grooves. The second pivot seat is rotatable relative to the first pivot seat so that the resilient arms engage respectively another subset of the engaging grooves, thereby adjusting the position of the top cover relative to the frame unit. |
| US08678940B2 |
Amusement park ride with multiple vertical rotation axes combined with vertical translation motion
A ride combining two or more vertical rotation axes with vertical translation motion of passenger vehicles. The ride includes a primary turntable rotating about a central axis and includes one to three or more secondary turntables mounted on the primary turntable to rotate with the primary turntable. Each of the secondary turntables is driven to rotate about a secondary rotation axis (vertical axis passing through the center of the sub-turntable). Each of the sub-turntables includes a vertical translation motion assembly that rotates with the sub-turntable and also supports a plurality of passenger vehicles. The passenger vehicles are supported within this assembly so as to be able to rotate (via manual operation or in a controlled manner) about a vertical rotation axis passing through the body of the vehicle. The vertical translation motion assembly is configured to allow each passenger vehicle to be lifted vertically upward a distance above the sub-turntable. |
| US08678937B2 |
Shaft coupling
A shaft coupling is disclosed herein. The shaft coupling includes a tubular portion extending along a central axis. The tubular portion has a maximum inner diameter. The shaft coupling also includes a first set of internal splines positioned in the tubular portion. The shaft coupling also includes a dam rising above the maximum inner diameter in the tubular portion. The dam is spaced from the first set of internal splines along the central axis. The shaft coupling also includes at least one aperture for receiving lubricant for the first set of internal splines. The at least one aperture extends through the tubular portion along an aperture axis transverse to the central axis. A cross-sectional area of the at least one aperture decreases along at least part of the aperture axis. In another feature, the shaft coupling can include a passageway extending through the dam. |
| US08678928B2 |
System and method to deliver video games
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to deliver video games. The method includes receiving a request for a game from a set-top box device. The method also includes determining whether at least one user identity is associated with the set-top box device. The method also includes retrieving previous game information associated with the at least one user identity. The method can also include providing the previous game information to the set-top box device and allowing at least one user to continue a previously executed game in response to a user selection at least partially based on the previous game information. |
| US08678924B2 |
Apparatus and methods of physical game components
Systems, apparatus, and methods relating to a physical object that are associated with a virtual game world are described. Some embodiments of the physical object have an in-game value within the virtual game world. Software operating the virtual game world ascribes purchasing power or attributes having offensive, defensive, opportunity, or set values as their in-game values. Methods associated with the subject matter relate to relocating an asset of the game component from one asset storage area to another asset storage area. When relocated, an asset's authenticity is validated, retrieved from a first storage area, exchanged over a communications interface, or stored in a second asset storage area. |
| US08678919B2 |
Scheduling of reconfigurable gaming machines
A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines. |
| US08678916B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing tickets from gaming devices and/or lottery terminals
Gaming devices dispense tickets which are unrelated to a player's success on a particular game played on a gaming device or to the player's credits on a credit meter or other “cash out” indicator. The gaming devices provide gaming awards, and also provide tickets. Other methods provide tickets during the play of wagering games. Still other embodiments comprise lottery terminals which dispense tickets other than those purchased by a lottery patron or won on a purchased lottery ticket. |
| US08678913B2 |
Gaming system and method of providing an electronic game with a scaling factor
A gaming machine and method are provided which allow a player to play a gaming machine. The gaming machine and method allow a player to make a wager, display a first game on a display device, generate an outcome associated with the first game, and award the player an award for the first game based at least in part on the generated first game outcome. In addition, the gaming machine determines if a triggering condition occurred, displays a second game if the triggering condition has occurred, and calculates a current trigger cycle of the generated second game. The current trigger cycle is equal to a number of first games played after an occurrence of a previous second game triggering condition. The player is provided an award for the second game based at least in part on the second game current trigger cycle. |
| US08678912B2 |
Player tracking communication mechanisms in a gaming machine
A disclosed player tracking unit provides a display and a player tracking controller designed or configured to provide a web-browser on the display. The player tracking unit may include one or more input devices that can receive selections associated with the web-browser. Furthermore, the player tracking unit can include a multimedia board for processing digitally formatted program files for output on the display. |
| US08678911B2 |
Interface for a gaming machine
An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket. |
| US08678909B1 |
Slot machine game with symbol personalization
A slot machine game that customizes winning combinations based on the player's year of birth. In this way, the player's gaming experience can be tailored to themes such as the Chinese Zodiac. The player's year of birth can be inputted directly into the machine or the machine can automatically query the casino database if the player uses his or her player's card to find out the year of birth. |
| US08678908B2 |
Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing modifiers for symbol display areas
A gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game providing modifiers for symbol display areas. Symbols are generated at symbol display areas. If a symbol display area displaying a symbol included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination is associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system modifies any award associated with that displayed designated winning symbol combination using the existing modifier and associates another different modifier with that symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game. In one embodiment the different modifier is a more favorable modifier. If none of the symbol display areas displaying the symbols included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination are associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system associates a modifier with a symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game. |
| US08678904B1 |
Electronic game, such as a computer game involving removing pegs
Peggle is a game that balances skill and luck. The Peggle board is made up of different types of pegs, some of which the player must clear. The player begins a turn by aiming a ball at the pegs. When the player releases the ball, the ball travels through the pegs, contacting some and eventually falling to the bottom of the board. The ball may bounce off many pegs, and those pegs that the ball contacts are removed. A score is calculated based on the number and types of pegs hit during a turn. |
| US08678903B1 |
Mobile device having a virtual spin wheel and virtual spin wheel control method of the same
A virtual spin wheel control method of a mobile device having a rotation sensor has steps of generating a spin wheel image, dividing the spin wheel image into multiple target zones with each target zone corresponding to a selection result, setting up an initial alignment direction on the spin wheel image, receiving rotation data from the rotation sensor and calculating a rotation angle, adding the rotation angle to determine a final alignment direction, and determining a target zone to which the final alignment direction points and executing an operation corresponding to the selection result designated to the target zone. By spinning the mobile device to mimic Wheel of Fortune game, a selection result can be determined in place of the random number generator algorithm and the entire process is viewed by users. Accordingly, the virtual spin wheel control method is trustworthy and increases the effect of virtual reality vividly. |
| US08678896B2 |
Systems and methods for asynchronous band interaction in a rhythm action game
Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game. |
| US08678893B2 |
Video game that varies display of an opposing character based on visibility to a player character
To provide a game system capable of preferably producing a picture in which a first game character loses sight of a second game character having moved so as to disappear from the view of the first game character. The present invention relates to a game system for displaying on a display unit (82a) a picture of a display target area in a common game space where a first game character corresponding to a game machine A (10a) and a second game character corresponding to a game machine B (10b) are placed. A position condition determination unit (78a) determines whether or not a position of the second game character included in the display target area satisfies a position condition based on the position and orientation of at least one of the first game characters. A display control unit (80a; display restriction means) restricts display output of the second game character included in the display target area on the display unit (82a), based on a result of determination. |
| US08678888B2 |
Coin storage cassette
A cassette having a plurality of coin stores for storing and dispensing coins in a coin changer, the coin stores arranged in a plurality of rows of coin stores, and a coin reject path for transporting coins that have been rejected by the coin changer, the coin reject path being disposed between rows of the coin stores. |
| US08678884B2 |
Portable abrasive tool
The portable abrasive tool comprises a flat motor composed of a rotor having a coil disk in the form of a disk on which multiple coil pieces are arranged in the circumferential direction about the output shaft when seen in the direction of the axis line of the output shaft and a stator having magnets arranged in the manner that the magnetic flux passes through the coil disk in the direction of the axis line of the output shaft, and an abrasive part connected to one end of the output shaft of the flat motor. |
| US08678881B2 |
Grinding center and method for simultaneous grinding of a plurality of bearings and end-side surfaces of crankshafts
A grinding center for the simultaneous grinding of a plurality of main and rod bearings and/or central and end-side sections of crankshafts includes first and second stations. Two main bearing grinding spindles, of which the first is movable only in the Z-direction and the second only insignificantly movable in the X-direction, are mounted on a common rod bearing-compound slide. In the final phase of grinding, a correction of variations in size between the two processed rod bearings occurs via a separated drive of the second rod bearing-grinding spindle in accordance with a size or roundness correction. The variations are detected by measuring devices. An inclined profiled grinding wheel is provided for the grinding of the end sections. |
| US08678878B2 |
System for evaluating and/or improving performance of a CMP pad dresser
Methods and systems for evaluating and/or increasing CMP pad dresser performance are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of identifying overly-aggressive superabrasive particles in a CMP pad dresser can include positioning a CMP pad dresser having a plurality of superabrasive particles on an indicator substrate such that at least a portion of the plurality of superabrasive particles of the CMP pad dresser contact the indicator substrate, and moving the CMP pad dresser across the indicator substrate in a first direction such that the portion of the plurality of superabrasive particles create a first marking pattern on the substrate, wherein the first marking pattern identifies a plurality of working superabrasive particles from among the plurality of superabrasive particles. |
| US08678877B2 |
Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods
Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods which allow a toy gun to receive a marker tag dart, to put water in the forward tip of the dart and to shoot the dart. The marker tag dart itself has slits in the wall of a small chamber at the front of the dart so that on impact with a target, the inertia of the water causes deformation of the tip and opening of the slits to eject water for marking the location of the marker tag dart hit. The dart guns are spring chocked, and propel the dart with a blast of air from an air pump powered by the spring. Various embodiments and modes of operation are disclosed. |
| US08678875B2 |
Electronic speed control programming
A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port. |
| US08678874B2 |
Collectible miniature figurine with detachable game base
A combination for use as a collectible item or a game piece includes a collectible miniature figurine and a first game assembly. The collectible miniature figurine includes a figure body and a figure base that retains and supports the figure body. The first game assembly includes a first game base that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the figure base without deforming either of the bases. Further, the figure base is selectively rotatable relative to the first game base when the figure base is attached to the first game base. Still further, the figure base can be selectively rotatable relative to the first game base in a step-like fashion. |
| US08678873B2 |
Dog disk
Embodiments of the disclosure include an apparatus that includes a first disk with a top first disk surface, a bottom first disk surface, and a first thickness and a first diameter. The apparatus further includes a second disk with top second disk surface, a bottom second disk surface, a second thickness and a second diameter. In addition, a joining contour couples the first disk and second disk and a lip member is coupled to the second disk such that the lip member is substantially perpendicular to the second disk. Another aspect of the apparatus may be a lifting member coupled to second disk, the lifting member capable of causing the apparatus to tilt when lying on a substantially flat surface with the lifting member touching the flat surface. |
| US08678872B1 |
Talking pinata
A reusable, programmable, interactive, and talking pinata for being hit by a stick by a size-insensitive user to dispense bounty and for depicting interchangeable and disposable characters. The pinata includes a character, a first compartment, operating electronics, and a second compartment. The character has a body and depicts the interchangeable and disposable characters, and as such, is interchangeable and disposable. The body has a top part and a bottom part. The bottom part is pivotally attached to the top part so as to pivot relative thereto. The operating electronics has preselected criteria. The second compartment has a bottom lid, and holds the bounty. The bottom lid is affixed to the bottom part so as to pivot therewith. When the pinata is activated by being hit by the stick, the bottom part pivots away from the top part, and in doing so, opens the second compartment and dispenses the bounty. |
| US08678867B2 |
Electrical terminal and receptacle assembly
A terminal is provided with a body sized to be received within a receptacle. A distal region extends lengthwise from the body in a receptacle direction. At least one portion of the distal region extends centrally inward into the receptacle to receive a pin to deform and maintain contact with the received pin. A lengthwise extending proximal region is connected to the body and spaced apart from the distal region. At least one portion of the proximal region extends radially outward to engage a side wall of the receptacle to enhance contact of the terminal with the receptacle. A receptacle assembly is provided for receiving one or a plurality of terminals. |
| US08678862B2 |
Homeplug having panel replacement structure
A HomePlug having a panel replacement structure includes a HomePlug body and a panel. The HomePlug body has an operation side and a network port. The operation side has an insertion portion and a first coupling portion. The panel has an opening and second coupling portion. The second coupling portion can be coupled to the first coupling portion so as to allow the opening to correspond in position to the insertion portion. Changes in the appearance of the HomePlug are brought about by panel replacement. A heat dissipation vent is disposed at the junction of the operation side and an adjacent side, such that heat dissipation takes place at the adjacent side-neighboring portion of the heat dissipation vent when the panel is coupled to the operation side and covers the operation side. |
| US08678856B2 |
Safety electrical outlet and switch system
An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment. |
| US08678851B2 |
Contact section having an irregular shape formed thereon by electroforming
A method for manufacturing a metal component includes the steps of forming a resist film on a surface of an electrode plate, making the resist film exposed to light by use of a photomask having a mask pattern, in at least part of a rim of which a fine concavity and convexity are drawn, developing the resist film, to form an opening for molding in the resist film, and epositing an electroforming material by electroforming inside the opening for molding, to mold the material. |
| US08678848B2 |
Pluggable data communication module with moving-pin latch
A latch mechanism of a data communication module operates by a portion of an actuator sliding in a slot in the module housing that is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the module housing, thereby translating a force generated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module housing into a force in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as the bail of the latch mechanism pivots between a latched position and an unlatched position. A first end of the actuator is coupled to the bail through a cam pivot. A second end of the actuator has a pin portion that extends through or retracts into an opening in a wall of the module housing. |
| US08678838B2 |
Socket and display apparatus having the same
A socket includes a conductive base, a first socket terminal, and a second socket terminal, the first socket terminal extends from one end of the base, and the second socket terminal extends from an other end of the base, opposite to the first socket terminal with the base therebetween. Further, the first socket terminal has a first contact portion extending from the base and contacting with a terminal of the connector, a second contact portion extending from the first contact portion and contacting with the terminal of the connector, and a first bending portion extending from the second contact portion and bending away from the first contact portion. |
| US08678834B2 |
Device for demonstrating and testing the effectiveness of an anti-reflective treatment of an ophthalmic lens
A device for demonstrating and comparatively testing the effectiveness of an antireflection treatment for an ophthalmic lens, the device comprising an image (2, 20) and a mirror (3, 30). According to the invention, the device further comprises a part (1, 10) having a first face (1A, 10A) for supporting said image (2, 20), a second face (1B, 10B) for supporting said mirror (3, 30) substantially perpendicularly to said first face, and a third face (1C, 10C) for positioning at least one ophthalmic lens, the third face being situated. facing said second face and being provided with a positioning arrangement for positioning said lens (4′, 4″, 40), the arrangement comprising at least one orifice (4A, 4B, 40A) arranged in said third face facing said mirror, in such a manner that when a user looks through said orifice, the user can see the resulting reflection of said image on said lens by means of said mirror (3, 30). |
| US08678829B2 |
Therapy device
A device for physical and/or occupational therapy has a pair of spaced apart vertical structural members joined to one another by a pair of spaced apart horizontal structural members. Each of the vertical and horizontal structural members has at least one target protruding from the structural member. A tool has an interior passage of a size that can receive a target whereby a physical therapy patient can grasp the tool and place the tool on a target designated by a therapist such that the target is located in the interior passage of the tool. |
| US08678827B2 |
Device and method for computer-assisted learning
A method for the computer-assisted learning of orthography, the method includes executing by a data processing system the steps of retrieving a main set of words from a data storage; retrieving an error data set associated with said main set of words from the data storage and repeatedly executing the steps of selecting a word to prompt the user with, by computing, for each word from the error data set, a statistic measure related to the probability of an error occurring in the word, and selecting the word which has the maximum value of the statistic measure; prompting the user with the word; accepting a user input specifying a sequence of symbols; comparing the user input with the word and updating and storing the error data set. |
| US08678823B2 |
Dental cleansing solution (DCS) and method of use
A new and useful dental cleansing solution, and a method of application of the solution, is provided. The dental cleansing solution is designed to be applied by a tooth brush to the teeth of a child under the age of 2. The dental solution is fluoride free, includes a plaque inhibitor, has a viscosity that promotes wicking when applied to the bristles of a tooth brush, is palatable to children, especially children under 2 years old, and further characterized in that it does not foam when brushed onto teeth. The solution includes a carrier, a plaque inhibitor, a humectant, a preservative and a colloidal thickener. The solution may further include one or more additives that provide pH control. The solution can be applied onto the bristles of a tooth brush and is designed to wick into the bristles of the tooth brush. Moreover, the solution can be applied to other objects that may be inserted into the oral cavity of a human, particularly a child under the age of 2. |
| US08678822B2 |
Dental retention systems
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements. |
| US08678820B2 |
Handpiece for a magnetostrictive power generator
A magneto strictive sterilizable handpiece (14) with an electric connector (44) selectively engageable with a power cable includes a non-conducting inner core (30) having an outer surface, a conducting wire deposited on the outer surface of the inner core in a helical manner to form a coil (42) with a first end functioning as a first electrical contact and a second end functioning as second electrical contact, and an over-mold layer (50) deposited over the conducing wire to substantially completely seal the coil, so that the over-mold layer prevents a fluid from contacting any section of the conducting wire except for the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact during sterilization of the handpiece using the fluid. |
| US08678816B2 |
Hot air internal ignition burner/generator
The invention relates to a hot air internal ignition burner/generator comprising an injection device used for producing a high-speed fuel gas mixture stream and for injecting said stream into the burner head (2) which is tabular-shaped and comprises in-series arranged therein a pressure recovery chamber (10), an igniting chamber (11) and simple or multiple diffusion means (24) which are fixed inside the head (2), where two chambers are jointed, wherein said diffusion means (24) comprise a central orifice provided with an igniting tube which penetrates therein and axially extends inside the pressure recovery chamber (10) in such a way that it defines the ignition chamber (43) provided with igniting electrodes (42) connected to the pressure recovery chamber (10) of the burner (2) via a calibrated orifice (46). |
| US08678809B2 |
Apparatus for producing reinforcing fiber molding
An apparatus for forming, on a strip-shaped laminate of multiple reinforcing fiber sheets superimposed one upon another, two flexures with respect to the cross-section configuration thereof, wherein in the forming of the two flexures with the use of two s flexure forming dies independent from each other, respectively, the two flexure forming dies are arranged so that the relative distance of the two flexure forming dies is changeable in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped laminate. This apparatus can be effectively utilized in the production of a reinforcing fiber molding with changing of the distance between the two flexures namely, width of web portion or gauge between two flange portions from the strip-shaped laminate, or the production of fiber reinforced resin (FRP) molding therefrom. |
| US08678807B2 |
Molding apparatus and related methods
The invention relates to molding systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a molding apparatus includes a first cylindrical roll that is rotatably coupled to a frame and an adjacent pressure device, the frame is configured so that a substrate can pass through a nip formed between the first cylindrical roll and the pressure device while a portion of the substrate extends laterally beyond at least the frame and the first cylindrical roll. |
| US08678803B2 |
Apparatus for taking out molded product
Provided herein is an apparatus for taking out a molded product that can inform a user of the air consumption and the electric power consumption matching the set conditions without using measuring devices and that allows the user to set conditions that reduces the total energy consumption. A consumption computing section computes an air consumption and an electric power consumption per one molding cycle based on conditions set for a plurality of air driven devices and conditions set for a plurality of electric devices input from a controller and individual air consumption information and individual electric power consumption information stored in a consumption information storage section. A display control section causes a display section to display the air consumption and the electric power consumption computed by the consumption computing section. |
| US08678797B2 |
Variable displacement scroll compressor having first and second compression chambers that communicate with each other
A stationary base plate includes a sub-bypass hole, which communicates between a suction chamber and a first compression chamber, and a main bypass hole, which communicates between the suction chamber and a second compression chamber. A rotational center of the orbiting scroll and the sub-bypass hole are located along a first imaginary line. The rotational center of the orbiting scroll is also located along a second imaginary line, which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line. The main bypass hole opens at a location of the stationary base plate, which is on a side of the second imaginary line where the sub-bypass hole is located, so that timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the first compression chamber with each other is deviated from timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the second compression chamber with each other. |
| US08678787B2 |
Piezoelectric micro-blower
A piezoelectric micro-blower capable of efficiently conveying compressive fluid without use of a check valve and ensuring a sufficient flow rate. The micro-blower has a blower body with a first wall and a second wall. Openings are formed in the respective walls and face a center of a diaphragm. An inflow path allowing the openings to communicate with the outside is formed between the walls. By applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element to cause the diaphragm to vibrate, a part of the first wall close to the first opening vibrates. Thus, gas can be drawn from the inflow path and discharged from the opening in the second wall. |
| US08678785B2 |
Ventilation fan
A ventilation fan includes a rotor holder rotating around a rotation axis, an impeller cup including a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumference thereof, and a base portion arranged to rotatably support the rotor holder through a bearing portion. The base portion includes an outer circumferential wall extending upwards in an axial direction from an outer circumferential edge portion thereof. A gap defining a labyrinth structure is provided between an upper end portion of the outer circumferential wall of the base portion and a lower end portion of an outer circumferential portion of the impeller cup. A lower end portion of a cylindrical portion is located axially lower than the upper end portion of the outer circumferential wall of the base portion. |
| US08678784B2 |
Drive device
A drive device in which a driving force transfer mechanism is accommodated in a case that includes a main body portion having an opening portion and a cover portion attached to the opening portion, and the cover portion is provided with an oil pump. The drive device is configured with a pump cover attached to a case inner surface of the cover portion, which forms an inner surface of the case, such that the pump cover is accommodated in a case internal space surrounded by the main body portion and the cover portion. A pump chamber of the oil pump is formed by a recess that is formed in at least one of a mating surface of the cover portion and a mating surface of the pump cover in a bonding portion between the cover portion and the pump cover. |
| US08678782B2 |
Suspension spring for linear compressor
A substantially planar suspension spring for supporting a linear compressor housed within a hermetic shell. A hub portion (36) connects to the body of the compressor assembly while a spiral arm portion (38) curves around the hub portion (36) at least one full turn before attaching to the wall of the compressor housing. Provides lateral stability to the reciprocating compressor assembly while maintaining axial flexibility. |
| US08678780B2 |
Transmission hydraulic control system having a pump bypass valve
A system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid in a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid having an inlet port and an outlet port. A bypass valve includes an inlet port in communication with the outlet port of the pump, a first outlet port in communication with the inlet port of the pump, and a second outlet port. The inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the second outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a first position and the inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the first outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a second position. A control device and accumulator are operatively associated with the bypass valve. |
| US08678773B2 |
Method and device for controlling a vacuum apparatus
Method and device for controlling a vacuum apparatus. A method for controlling a vacuum apparatus that applies vacuum to a vacuum accumulator with a pump of a pneumatically operated servo unit of a motor vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining the pressure in the vacuum accumulator; determining the ambient pressure; adapting a pump control signal to the ambient pressure; comparing the pressure in the vacuum accumulator with an adapted pump control signal; and outputting a pump actuation signal that is a function of the comparison. |
| US08678771B2 |
Process for manufacturing a component
A method of manufacturing a component, including providing a three-dimensional computer model of the component to be produced; deconstructing the three-dimensional computer model by defining a plurality of model slices; forming a plurality of metallic foils, where each foil corresponds to a specific model slice; assembling the plurality of formed foils in a tool to form a three-dimensional component stack; and bonding the three-dimensional component stack to form the component. Characteristics of the foils may differ in various portions of the stack, such as being a different material, having a different thickness, or having a different grain orientation. The control of dimensional tolerances of internal structures, such as cooling passages, in three dimensions is devolved into two separate steps of 1) selecting a thickness of each slice/foil, and 2) controlling in two dimensions a material removal process applied to the respective foil. |
| US08678769B2 |
Compressor impeller and method of manufacturing the same
A compressor impeller and a method of manufacturing the compressor impeller. The magnesium alloy compressor impeller as a die-cast part comprises a hub shaft part, a hub disk part having a hub surface extending from the hub shaft part in the radial direction, and a plurality of vane parts disposed on the hub surface. The impeller can be manufactured by a die-cast method in which a magnesium alloy heated to a liquidus temperature or higher is supplied into molds with cavities corresponding to the shape of the impeller for a filling time of 1 sec. or shorter, a pressure of 20 MPa or higher is applied to the magnesium alloy in the cavities, and the pressurized state is maintained for a time of 1 sec. or longer. |
| US08678765B2 |
Rotor blade with drainage bore hole
A method for the production of a rotor blade (1) for a wind power plant, wherein the produced rotor blade (1) in its longitudinal extension, which extends from a rotor blade root (2) essentially to a rotor blade tip (3), has at least one area, in which the rotor blade has an aerodynamic blade section (4, 4′, 4″), which has a leading edge (5) and a trailing edge (6), which are connected via a suction side (7) and a pressure side (8) of the blade section (4, 4′, 4″), wherein at least a first and at least a second molded part (11, 12) manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade (1) are provided for a suction side (7) and a pressure side (8) of the rotor blade (1), which are to be connected with each other in the areas of the leading edge (5) and the trailing edge (6). A corresponding rotor blade (1) for a wind power plant and a wind power plant with a corresponding rotor blade (1). |
| US08678764B1 |
Tip cap for a turbine rotor blade
A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, and a tip cap that includes a row of lugs extending from a bottom side that form dovetail grooves that engage with similar shaped lugs and grooves on a tip end of the spar to secure the tip cap to the spar against radial displacement. The lug on the trailing edge end of the tip cap is aligned perpendicular to a chordwise line of the blade in the trailing edge region in order to minimize stress due to the lugs wanting to bend under high centrifugal loads. A two piece tip cap with lugs at different angles will reduce the bending stress even more. |
| US08678763B2 |
Circular ring, rotating duct, shroud, trunk and cylindrical external wall prepared by lamination of sheet belt, and apparatus and method for preparing the same
The invention provides a ring, rotatable duct, shroud, fuselage or cylindrical external wall fabricated so as to have desirable strength even if its diameter exceeds about 2.7 meters by using arbitrary metallic and non-metallic materials. Such ring and others may be readily fabricated by laminating a thin sheet band made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin of 0.01 mm to 5 mm thick or a thin sheet band made of rubber or silicon of 0.1 mm to 50 mm thick by winding around a giant spinning wheel by at least two rounds or more so as to form a longitudinal plate portion of 2 mm or more in radial thickness when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin and to form such portion of 4 mm or more thick when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber, synthetic resin, rubber or silicon. |
| US08678762B1 |
Conical air flow system
A cone-shaped air flow system has improved efficiency, increased plenum chamber exit air flow speeds and reduced noise levels in comparison to box-shaped and triangular air flow systems. The heater may be of half or full cone configuration for perimeter or central plenum locations, respectively. |
| US08678758B2 |
Electrical submersible pump
An electrical submersible pump can include a housing with a head and a base; a shaft arranged for rotation within the housing; an impeller stack that includes ceramic impellers mounted along the shaft; a diffuser stack that includes diffusers disposed within the housing; and a spring sleeve that includes axially spaced and overlapping tangential slots, the spring sleeve mounted along the shaft to apply a compressive force between the shaft and the impeller stack. Various other devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08678757B2 |
Vane or blade for an axial flow compressor
A compressor vane or compressor blade is provided. The axial flow compressor includes an axial direction, a radial direction, a compressor hub and a compressor casing. The vane or blade includes an airfoil with airfoil sections having a span, a chamber line and a leading edge at which the chamber line includes a leading edge blade angle with the axial direction of the compressor and a trailing edge at which the chamber line includes a trailing edge blade angle with the axial direction of the compressor. The airfoil sections are stacked at the leading edge on a straight line extending along a radial direction of the compressor from the compressor hub towards a compressor casing and in that the leading edge angles of the airfoil sections vary along the span and are larger for airfoil sections close to the hub and close to the wall than for mid-span airfoil sections. |
| US08678753B2 |
Passive flow control through turbine engine
An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes first and second spaced walls defining opposite sides of a first fluid passageway extending along a first axis. At least one of the first and second walls is cantilevered along the first axis and includes a distal end moveable relative to the first axis. The distal end of the at least one wall is moveable in response to changes in the flow temperature to passively vary a size of the first fluid passageway. |
| US08678752B2 |
Rotary machine having non-uniform blade and vane spacing
A system, including a rotary machine including: a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of blades having a non-uniform spacing about a circumference of the rotor. |
| US08678748B2 |
Blower fan unit and blower fan system
A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper. |
| US08678747B2 |
Brake mechanism for air turbine starter
A brake assembly (44) for an air turbine starter (10) includes a brake cylinder (46) located in the air turbine starter (10). A brake piston (48) is located at least partially within the brake cylinder (46) and slidable therein. A biasing member (50) biases the brake piston (48) toward a turbine wheel (12) of the air turbine starter (10) applying a braking force to the turbine wheel (12) and defining a piston chamber (58) between the turbine wheel (12) and the brake piston (48). A through opening (56) in the brake piston (48) into the piston chamber (58) is configured such that a flow of fluid through the through opening (56) into the piston chamber (58) applies a force to the brake piston (48) sufficient to overcome the bias thereby allowing rotation of the turbine wheel (12). |
| US08678746B2 |
Wind turbine blade and a pitch controlled wind turbine
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising one or more turbulence generating strips, where the strips are placed on a surface of the blade. The blade is characterized in that at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and the surface of the blade are completely or partially covered by sealing means. The invention further relates to a pitch controlled wind turbine comprising at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades. The pitch controlled wind turbine is characterized in that the blades comprises one or more turbulence generating strips, wherein at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and a surface of the blades are completely or partially covered by sealing means. |
| US08678744B2 |
Hydro torque electric generator
An apparatus that is mounted above a water current flow for generating electricity. The apparatus is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the water current flow with paddles protruding from a shaft into the water causing the shaft to rotate. Component parts mounted on three parallel shafts inter connected by gears transfer the rotational motion energy through the apparatus amplifying the velocity and storing torque in a flywheel. Each shaft has a disconnect mechanism to transfer the motion from the shaft outer end to the inner end allowing for a specific installation method that moves the motion from the point of contact with the water current flow through the apparatus to an electric generator, generating electricity. |
| US08678743B1 |
Method for setting a gear ratio of a fan drive gear system of a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section including a fan rotatable about an axis and a speed reduction device in communication with the fan. The speed reduction device includes a planetary fan drive gear system with a planet gear ratio of at least 2.5. A fan blade tip speed of the fan is less than 1400 fps. |
| US08678737B2 |
Personal mobility vehicle lift
A personal mobility vehicle lift mounted to the rear portion of a vehicle to transport a personal mobility vehicle from location to location comprising a platform assembly configured to support a personal mobility vehicle thereon operatively coupled to a lift assembly to selectively raise and lower the platform assembly with or without a personal mobility vehicle thereon and a mount assembly coupled to the lift assembly to mount the personal mobility vehicle lift to the rear portion of a vehicle. |
| US08678736B2 |
Vehicle braces having a track-clamping mechanism
An example of a vehicle brace for use at a loading dock includes a vehicle support member that can travel to various heights along a vertical track. The support member exerts a substantial but limited resistive force up against the underside of a vehicle's rear impact guard to mitigate bouncing of the vehicle's truck or trailer bed as the vehicle is being loaded and/or unloaded of its cargo. Of particular interest in some examples is a rather short brake actuator mounted at an angle to create an inclined binding clamp action, the actuator being installed to travel with the vehicle support member, and the track having an inclined braking surface so that the brake's clamping force does not rely on friction alone, all of which provides for a compact vehicle brace installable as a self-contained unit and operated without having to rely on structural support from a driveway surface. |
| US08678732B2 |
System for fixing accessories on frames made of metal material for doors, windows, and the like
A system for fixing an accessory on a metal frame for doors, windows, and the like, includes a screw having a head and a self-tapping threaded stem with metric thread, the end of which opposite to the head is tapered. A ratio between the external diameter of the self-tapping stem of the screw and the diameter of the through hole of the wall of the frame is approximately between 1.4 and 1.25, and the ratio between the diameter of the through hole of said wall and its thickness is approximately between 2.5 and 5.5 and more preferably between 3 and 5. |
| US08678731B2 |
Nut and a housing
A nut (30) includes a main portion (30A) formed with a bolt insertion hole (31), into which a bolt is insertable, and a wedge portion (30B) projecting from the main portion (30A) in a radially outward direction of the bolt insertion hole (31) and having a width smaller than that of the main portion (30A). Thus, parts (27B) extending lateral to the wedge portion (30B) in parallel with a projecting direction of the wedge portion (30B) can be made thicker than parts (27A) extending lateral to the main portion (30A). Therefore, the parts (27B) that resist an accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be thickened without enlarging a housing (20), with the result that strength against the accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be ensured. |
| US08678730B2 |
Anchor stud and method of forming an anchor stud
An anchor stud includes a stud portion including a body portion having a first end that extends to a second end though an intermediate portion. A wedge member is operatively coupled to the second end of the stud portion. The wedge member includes a body having a generally frustoconical profile and is formed from a material having a Vickers hardness greater than about 220 HV. A sleeve element is positioned on the stud portion at the second end adjacent the wedge member. The sleeve element is formed from a material having a Vickers hardness greater than about 220 HV. |
| US08678723B2 |
Throw-away rotating tool
A throw-away rotating tool improves workability of detaching a throw-away tip and prevents from damaging a body. In the throw-away tool, a convex connection for the throw-away tip has protrusions, each of the protrusion includes a sliding contact portion detachably fitted into the inner peripheral groove recessed in the inner peripheral wall of a body. The protrusion has a first tilt portion continuous to the sliding contact portion. In detaching the throw-away tip from the body, the first tilt portion rotates ahead of the sliding contact portion, and a standing portion is elastically deformed due to a wedge effect of the first tilt portion. As a result, the protrusion can be gently removed from the inner peripheral groove. |
| US08678715B2 |
Air cooled spacer for multi-blade abrading wheel
An abrading wheel such as a rasp hub for use in tire retreading machines includes two generally circular end, or side, plates with plural spaced mounting pins extending between and coupled to the two spaced plates. Rasp blades arranged in stacks which are arranged end-to-end about the wheel's circular circumference. Disposed between and engaging each pair of adjacent blades is a spacer, which is also attached to the mounting pins. Each spacer is curved lengthwise to match the curvature of the blades and includes plural spaced upper and lower recesses disposed immediately adjacent to its pair of adjacent blades to allow air to freely pass over the entire length of each blade as the hub is rotated at high speed to dissipate heat from the blades during operation for increased blade reliability and longevity. |
| US08678714B2 |
Milling tool, and milling insert kit
Milling tool and milling insert kit are provided for the gash milling of a workpiece. The tool comprises a tool body that defines a rotation axis and has a first end, an opposite second end, and a peripheral surface that extends around the rotation axis between the first end and the second end. A large number of separated seats, which are arranged one after the other in the tool body along a line and receive one each of corresponding number of replaceable milling inserts, comprise a primary main cutting edge and a secondary main cutting edge that converge to each other. The milling inserts comprise outer milling inserts, which project from the tool body by a first length from the rotation axis, and inner milling inserts, which project from the tool body by a second length from the rotation axis. The first length is considerably greater than the second length. |
| US08678713B2 |
Hat-type steel sheet pile
The present invention provides a hat-type steel sheet pile whose economic efficiency, workability, and integrity are all optimized. In the hat-type steel sheet pile according to the present invention, web portions are continuously formed at both ends of an upper flange portion, and lower flange portions are formed at respective end portions of a pair of web portions. A relationship among geometrical moment of inertia I per 1 m of wall width (cm4/m) when forming a steel sheet pile wall, weight per unit wall area W (kg/m2), penetration resistance R, and web angle θ (°) is set to satisfy one of several expression groups. |
| US08678712B2 |
System for forming a movable slab foundation
A system for forming a movable slab foundation has a slab foundation, at least one support surface, at least one lifting member, at least one support sleeve, and an engagement device carried by the at least one support sleeve. The at least one support sleeve is encased within the slab foundation and its lower end is positioned in abutting contact with the at least one support surface. The at least one lifting member is inserted through the at least one support sleeve. The at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation are moved upward axially along the length of the at least one lifting member. The engagement device is engaged with the at least one lifting member, thereby securing the slab foundation and the at least one support sleeve at a desired height. |
| US08678706B2 |
Surface water heating system for irrigation and frost prevention
A surface water heating system for irrigation is described. The irrigation apparatus comprises an irrigation manifold, a heat exchanger, a first conduit system, and a second conduit system. A geothermal heated fluid, e.g. water, flows through the first conduit system. A first pump extracts the geothermal heated water from a geothermal source and conducts the heated water through the heat exchanger, and returns the geothermal water, now cooled, to the geothermal water source. Surface water flows through the second conduit system. A second pump extracts water from a higher quality water resource such as a surface water resource and conducts the illustrative surface water through the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the surface water is delivered to the irrigation manifold. Within the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the geothermal heated water to the higher quality water resource. The geothermal heated water does not come into contact with the illustrative surface water within the irrigation apparatus. |
| US08678701B1 |
System for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers
The system for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers increases control of the emergency lane of the road by mounting ground signboards in the emergency lane to prevent any vehicle to pass through this lane and so the police vehicle or the ambulance can easily and quickly approach the site of accident through the emergency lane. The signboards include a U-shaped frame permanently mounted in the emergency lane and a panel pivotally attached to the frame. Servo motors are provided to rotate the panels between a vertical position providing a barrier to traffic and a horizontal position permitting an emergency response vehicle to travel through the emergency lane. The emergency response vehicle is provided with a remote control unit having a short-range transmitter that transmits a trigger signal that is received by a unit at the barrier sign to activate a motor controller to lower the sign. |
| US08678699B2 |
Connecting items to U-shaped frames
A connection system for connecting an item to a U-shaped frame member is provided. The system includes: at least two opposed toggle clamps for releasably engaging the arms of the U-shaped frame member; at least one toe which releasably engages the top bend of the U-shaped frame member; and wherein the toggle clamps and toe are connected to a base member which forms part of, or is attachable, to the item. |
| US08678698B2 |
Holding element
A holding element, for supporting pivoting levers or the like, includes a support section for receiving an object to be supported as well as a first holding section and a second holding section. The first holding section includes at least a first holding projection and the second holding section at least a second holding projection. The first and the second holding sections are designed to rest against respective first and second contact sections of a component that is to be connected with the holding element. The holding projections are designed for being received in openings provided at the contact sections. |
| US08678688B2 |
Printing device and method
According to one embodiment, a printing device may include first and second printers respectively having first and second controllers. The first and second printers may be configured to share a common paper path with each other. The first controller in the first printer may enable the first printer to operate if the common paper path is not in use by the second printer. In this case, the first controller may inform the second printer that the common paper path is in use by the first printer. On the other hand, the second controller in the second printer may enable the second printer to operate if the common paper path is not in use by the first printer. In this case, the second controller may inform the first printer that the common paper path is in use by the second printer. |
| US08678687B2 |
Method and device for automatically adapting a write cycle in a digital printing machine
A method for automatically adapting a write cycle to a movement of a web-shaped medium in a digital printing machine, as a function of the thickness of the web-shaped medium guided around first and second transport or guide rollers, includes providing the first and second transport or guide rollers having a known diameters, the diameter of the second being different from the diameter of the first. A rotational speed ratio N(T) between the first and second transport or guide rollers (9, 11) is determined while the printing material (6) is guided around the transport or guide rollers (9, 11). The write cycle is determined at least with the use of the previously determined rotational speed ratio N(T). |
| US08678685B2 |
Stenographic keyboard device providing extended set of keys and method for electronically adjusting key depth sensitivity
A keyboard assembly for a stenographic machine includes character keys with a first set of vowel keys that, at a first rest position, together define a first upper touch surface plane, a second set of keys that, at a second rest position, together define a second upper touch surface plane that is higher than the first plane, with each of the second set of keys having a fully depressed position lower than the second plane by a given distance and a key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective key sensor for registering movement of the respective key. A third key assembly has a third assembly key with an upper touch surface that, at a third rest position, is further from the second upper touch surface plane than the given distance, and a third key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective third-key-assembly key sensor for registering movement of the at least one key. |
| US08678683B2 |
Image-pickup apparatus having shutter apparatus
An image-pickup apparatus includes a driving member for leading blades configured to drive a leading blade group, a driving member for trailing blades configured to drive a trailing blade group, a cam member configured to rotate the driving member for leading blades and the driving member for trailing blades, a motor configured to drive the cam member, and a controller configured to control the motor. The controller applies a second voltage that is lower than a first voltage applied in releasing the driving member for leading blades to the motor when the driving member for trailing blades is released at normal shooting, and a third voltage that is lower than the first voltage and that is higher than the second voltage to the motor when the driving member for trailing blades is released at live view shooting. |
| US08678680B1 |
Headrest camera mounting system
A headrest camera mounting system, comprising, in combination a base member having a headrest end and a camera mount end and an intermediate portion there between. The base member is coupled to an upright post. There is an upright cross member having a generally rectilinear configuration being coupled to the upright post. Lastly there is a least one camera mount, with the camera mount being coupled to the upright cross member. |
| US08678678B2 |
Adapter and camera system
An adapter includes a first housing member that includes a first mount portion to which a camera body can be attached and detached and a second mount portion to which an interchangeable lens can be attached and detached, a second housing member that is integrally formed with the first housing member and includes a screw-receiving part, which can be attached to and detached from a tripod, in a side opposite to the first housing member, a driven member, and an actuator of a drive system for driving the driven member. The screw-receiving part is arranged in the vicinity of a center of an end of the second housing member, and at least a portion of the actuator is arranged in the periphery of the screw-receiving part in the second housing member. |
| US08678674B2 |
Optical transceiver and production method thereof
An optical transceiver includes a single-fiber bidirectional optical transmission/reception device, a circuit board, a transmission-side FPC, a reception-side FPC and a separation wall. The optical transceiver includes a single-fiber bidirectional optical transmission/reception device includes an LD stem that converts an electric signal into an optical signal and transmits it, and a PD stem that receives the optical signal and converts it into an electric signal. The transmission-side FPC electrically connects the LD stem and the circuit board. The reception-side FPC electrically connects the PD stem and the circuit board. The separation wall is formed between the transmission-side FPC and the reception-side FPC, and grounded to the chassis of the optical transceiver. The reception-side FPC is folded and set between the chassis and the separation wall such that the board front surface is an inner side, where the micro-strip line is formed on the above board front surface. |
| US08678673B2 |
Optical USB thin card
Exemplary embodiments of optical USB thin card is disclosed, which includes a substrate, having a space formed inside its packaging layer; a seat, disposed at a position on the substrate while forming an opening on the substrate; a plurality of first contact elements, each being disposed on the seat to be used for connecting electrically with an external device; a plurality of second contact elements, each being disposed on the seat to be used for connecting electrically with an external device; and bidirectional optical transmission module, having a plurality of optical fiber, disposed inside an accommodation space formed by the enclosure of the seat and the substrate; a micro control unit, for processing signals, data and commands of the optical USB thin card. |
| US08678672B2 |
Cable assembly with improved transmission rate
A cable assembly, comprising a housing having a plurality of receiving grooves recessing forwardly from a rear surface thereof, a plurality of lenses located on a front surface of the housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing and arranged in two rows, a cable electrically connected to the conductive terminals and a plurality of optical fibers received in the receiving grooves and alignment to the lenses, respectively. The receiving grooves are located between two rows of the conductive terminals. |
| US08678667B2 |
Optical connector
In an optical connector, end faces of a pair of ferrules that hold multiple optical fibers are positioned with two guide pins and butted against each other to connect the optical fibers in the pair of ferrules. The optical connector is provided with an urging member for pushing the end faces against each other. The end faces are ground at an angle. The gap between the guide pins and guide holes, which open at the end faces and into which the guide pins are fitted, is larger than 0.004 mm and smaller than or equal to 0.008 mm. Powder caused by the friction generated when the guide pins are inserted and fitted into the guide holes is greatly reduced. Connection loss does not increase even when frequent connection and disconnection are performed, and cleaning the connector becomes unnecessary. |
| US08678665B2 |
Bearing arrangement for heavy duty marine transmission
A bearing arrangement to reduce the effects of thermal expansion in a marine transmission includes a pinion gear thrust bearing, a clutch shaft thrust bearing, a shaft roller bearing and a thrust washer. The clutch shaft thrust bearing is retained on one end of a clutch shaft and the shaft roller bearing is retained on the other end of the clutch shaft. A pinion gear is rotatably retained on the clutch shaft. The pinion gear thrust bearing is retained on the pinion gear with a bearing retainer. The thrust washer is retained on the bearing retainer. An end of the clutch shaft thrust bearing rotates relative to the thrust washer and makes contact therewith. The length of thermal expansion in the transmission housing is limited to the distance between the opposing ends of the two thrust bearings. |
| US08678664B2 |
Roller bearing assembly
A roller bearing assembly is configured to rotatably support a machine component connected with a shaft in a position relative to a reference component. The roller bearing assembly includes a radial bearing, an axially-displaceable axial bearing and an adjusting device configured to adjust an axial gap between the machine component and the reference component by automated axial displacement of the axial bearing. The adjusting device includes a hydraulic regulating device configured to axially displace the axial bearing. |
| US08678663B2 |
Wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements
A wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The angle of contact and the osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements are different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements. |
| US08678660B2 |
Sealing device, rolling bearing and rolling bearing for wheel
A sealing device includes a bottom of an axial concave portion in a surface of an elastic member forming a radial lip, facing away from a flange portion in an axial direction overlaps an end face of a radially-extending portion of a core metal member, facing a tubular portion, in a radial direction. A bottom of a radial concave portion of the elastic member forming the radial lip, facing the tubular portion of a slinger is spaced from the end face of the core metal member toward a flange portion in the axial direction. |
| US08678658B2 |
Tilting pad bearing
A tilting pad bearing comprises a piston carrier ring that may include a plurality of voids spaced around the piston carrier ring, wherein a channel may be formed in a surface of the piston carrier ring opposite the plurality of voids. A carrier end plate may be positioned in the channel and secured to the piston carrier ring, wherein a recess may be formed in a top surface of the carrier end plate. A piston may be positioned in each void, wherein a bottom face of each piston is positioned adjacent the recess. The pistons may be substantially secured in the voids using a plurality of membranes, wherein one membrane corresponds to one piston and one void. Alternatively, the pistons may be formed in two pieces secured via a membrane. Each piston may be engaged with a bearing pad and/or interface member in a bearing pad carrier ring. |
| US08678651B2 |
Disposable storage bags
Disposable storage bags are disclosed having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored such as snack foods or other material. Near the top opening of the bag is a closure mechanism for opening and closing the bag. The side walls of the bag are tapered inwardly from the top portion toward the bottom portion such that quillons are formed when the bag is filled with items such as snack food or other material. The bottom portion of the bag includes a gusset which, when the bag is filled with snack food or other material, expands and opens such that the bag may stand upright. |
| US08678650B2 |
Flexible package and method thereof
An improved flexible package and method thereof are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a package system comprises a flexible package having at least a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls; and a locking means for maintaining a portion of the flexible package in a predetermined position, the locking means cooperating with at least a portion of the flexible package and comprising at least one semi-rigid member; wherein one of the front wall, the back wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, or any of the plurality of side walls has a substantially negligible surface area. |
| US08678648B2 |
Mobile radiography unit having single sign on and methods for using the same
A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a single secure access apparatus and/or methods to control at least two of (i) a transport mechanism, (ii) x-ray generator control, (iii) remote detector control and image processing control, or (iv) secured storage for at least one radiographic detector by a single operator action. |
| US08678647B2 |
Systems and methods for imaging large field-of-view objects
An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position. |
| US08678645B2 |
Device for monitoring the flow of water vapor
Reliably and quickly acting device that can be cheaply employed for monitoring the flow of water vapor, having a water vapor line extending between a switching valve and a cross-section connection, in particular a nozzle, and a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature in the line. |
| US08678641B2 |
Process and apparatus for treating viscous products
In a process for treating viscous products, especially for performing polymerization processes, especially for homo- or copolymerizing thermoplastics and elastomers, wherein monomer(s) and/or catalysts and/or initiators are added to a backmixed mixing kneader, especially with a length/diameter ratio of 0.5-3.5, heat is supplied to the product which is backmixed with already reacted product and the reacted product is removed from the mixing kneader, the product in the mixing kneader shall be heated up to its boiling temperature, portions of the product shall be evaporated and exothermicity of the product shall be absorbed by evaporative cooling. |
| US08678637B2 |
Extruder screw, extruder and shaft-hub connection
An extruder screw includes a screw shaft with several screw elements which can be or have been detachably slipped onto this shaft, the screw shaft having an external gearing and the screw elements having an internal gearing which engage the external gearing. The profile of the teeth of the external and the internal gearing are asymmetric, whereby in relation to a preferred direction of rotation of the extruder screw, the torque-transferring flanks of the teeth of the external and the internal gearing make a smaller angle with the perpendicular to the axis of rotation than do respective opposing flanks, at the teeth, of the external and internal gearing. |
| US08678634B2 |
Illuminating device and display device
An illuminating device (3) includes a mounting board (14) on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (8) are arranged in a line, a light guide plate (9) including a light incident surface (9a) for receiving light of the light emitting diodes (8), and a frame (12) including a side face (12b) to which the mounting board (14) is attached, and a bottom face (12a) on which the light guide plate (9) is disposed. The frame (12) includes a groove (12e) in which the end portion of the mounting board (14) is placed, and the groove (12e) is formed between the side face (12b) and the bottom face (12a) on the opposite side of the bottom face (12a) from the light guide plate (9). A supporting member (support) (16) for supporting the light guide plate (9) is placed in the groove (12e). |
| US08678633B2 |
Lamp electrode printed circuit board and backlight unit including the same
A lamp electrode printed circuit board of a backlight unit includes an insulating substrate, first and second conductive patterns on the insulating substrates along a first direction and in parallel, a connecting pattern extending from one of the first and second conductive patterns, a connecting pad at one end of the connecting pattern, auxiliary patterns extending from an edge of the connecting pad, and lamp holders electrically connected to the first and second conductive patterns and spaced apart from each other along the first direction. |
| US08678632B2 |
Replaceable light emitting diode module with high optical precision
A replaceable lighting module in an LED light source is provided. The module improves thermal, mechanical, and electrical connection with an associated fixture. The replaceable module also provides for precise positioning and improves on optical properties of the light distribution. |
| US08678629B2 |
Lamp unit for vehicular headlamp
A lamp unit for a vehicular headlamp includes: a projection lens arranged to have an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a light-emitting element that is a light source arranged on a rear side with respect to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector that is formed so that a longitudinal section of the reflector has the shape of an ellipse having a first focal point at a center of light emission of the light-emitting element and a second focal point at the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the reflector is arranged to cover the light-emitting element and reflects irradiated light toward the projection lens, the irradiated light being light irradiated from the light-emitting element. A major axis of the ellipse, passing through the first focal point and the second focal point, is inclined with respect to the optical axis. |
| US08678627B2 |
Covering of an exterior rear view mirror assembly
A covering (16) for an exterior rear view mirror assembly for motor vehicles includes a plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) defining a contact point (24) between each of the plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20). At least one of the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is provided in a two-component or multi-component injection molding procedure. A coating (25) of plastic forms an outer layer, which covers the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20). The coating (25), being a light-resistant and transparent plastic, forms a high-gloss surface. One of the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is void of the coating (25) at the contact point (24). |
| US08678625B2 |
Blanking device for recessed ceiling lighting fixtures
A ceiling blank configured to cover recessed canister lighting fixtures. A body member covers the open end of the fixture while an attachment apparatus secures the body member against the open end of the fixture. The attachment apparatus includes a fixture fitting that engages with a threaded aperture, such as a light socket, and a tension member provides tension force between the fixture fitting and the body member, forcing the body member against the open end of the fixture. |
| US08678624B2 |
Apparatus and methods for illuminating display panels of electronic devices
Apparatus and methods for illuminating display panels of electronic devices are described. An example electronic device includes a first housing defining a first visual indicator. A first post extends from a first inner surface of the first housing where the first post has a first chamber to receive at least a portion of a first light source. The first chamber provides a first optical pathway between the first light source and the first visual indicator and the first post prevents the first light source from illuminating a second visual indicator adjacent the first visual indicator. |
| US08678621B2 |
Mounting arrangement for lighting devices, corresponding lighting devices and method
A mounting arrangement for a light source (L) having associated a Printed Circuit Board, wherein said mounting arrangement includes: a housing (H) with an exit opening for light from the source (L), a reflector (R) to reflect light from the source (L) towards the opening, an at least partly transparent cover (1) to close the opening of the housing (H). The cover (1) includes a set of retaining elements (12A) for retaining the cover (1) to the housing (H), and a set of holding elements (12B) for holding the associated Printed Circuit Board (D) within the housing (H). Such configuration is capable of exerting a pressure on the reflector (R) when the cover (1) is coupled to the housing (H), and wherein the reflector (R) in turn urges the light source (L) against the housing (H), providing thus thermal coupling between the light source (L) and the housing (H). |
| US08678620B1 |
Protective dome
A dome structure for protecting a finial on a lamp structure. The dome structure includes a centrally disposed plastic dome with integrally formed legs extending in opposed directions from the dome. The dome forms an enclosing chamber that fits over the finial to prevent theft of the finial. The legs have respective interlocking elements that engage with the lamp structure. Another embodiment uses wire ties to secure the dome. |
| US08678618B2 |
Self-ballasted lamp having a light-transmissive member in contact with light emitting elements and lighting equipment incorporating the same
A self-ballasted lamp includes: a base body; a light-emitting module and a globe which are provided at one end side of the base body; a cap provided at the other end side of the base body; and a lighting circuit housed between the base body and the cap. The light-emitting module has light-emitting portions each using a semiconductor light-emitting element, and a support portion projected at one end side of the base body, and the light-emitting portions are disposed at least on a circumferential surface of the support portion. A light-transmissive member is interposed between the light-emitting module and an inner face of the globe. |
| US08678617B2 |
Illuminating device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing an illuminating device includes steps of: forming an electrical conductive circuit on a metallic substrate, arranging light-emitting elements on the metallic substrate to be electrically connected with the electrical conductive circuit, covering a transparent cap on each of the light-emitting elements, fixing an electrical connector to the metallic substrate to be electrically connected to the electrical conductive circuit, forming a transparent body outside the transparent caps, the metallic substrate and the electrical conductive circuit by means of an over-molding process; forming a lamp cover outside the transparent body, the metallic substrate and the electrical connector by means of an over-molding process. An illuminating device is further provided, thereby prevents the light-emitting elements from suffering damage due to the temperature and pressure of the over-molding process, and increasing the brightness of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements. |
| US08678616B2 |
LED luminaire for display cases
A lighting luminaire for use in a refrigerated display case includes an LED mounting portion comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) mounted thereon, a reflector, and a lens. The LED mounting portion and reflector are sized and arranged to form a reflective cavity for diffusing and directing light from the plurality of LEDs through the lens and out of the luminaire. The LED mounting portion and reflector are either attached to each other as separate components or are integrally formed. The lens is held in place in the luminaire between the LED mounting portion and the reflector or is mounted directly on the LED mounting portion over the plurality of LEDs. The LED mounting portion and/or reflector have a reflective surface for reflecting light emitted by the LEDs. Methods for retrofitting an existing luminaire in a refrigerated display with an LED luminaire are also provided. |
| US08678613B2 |
Low thermal load, high luminous solid state lighting device
A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of light emitters and a heat spreader plate thermally coupled to the plurality of light emitters, wherein the plurality of solid state emitters provides a thermal load upon application of an operating current and voltage, the heat spreader plate dissipating substantially all of the thermal load to an ambient air environment. |
| US08678612B2 |
Modular light source
A light source including a plate and an emitter array mounted on the plate extending from a first edge to a second edge. The plate can include a first edge; a second edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge; a first mount on the first edge; and a second mount on the second edge. Such light sources can be combined together. |
| US08678611B2 |
Light emitting diode lamp with light diffusing structure
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a tube having a transparent first section and an opaque second section. An LED disposed inside of the tube. The second section is has an inner surface having a light diffusive surface so that the LED light is diffusively reflected. The LED is disposed so that a total amount of direct light from the LED to the first section is smaller than a total amount of indirect light that is incident on the first section as a result of being reflected by the second section (i.e., scattered or diffused light). The LED is disposed so that a light axis of the LED points toward the inner surface of the second section. |
| US08678610B2 |
Independent modules for LED fluorescent light tube replacement
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp and lighting modules from which the lamp is constructed. One embodiment of a replacement lamp includes a plurality of interchangeable lighting modules that are configured to be electrically connected to adjacent modules. The interchangeable lighting modules can include end modules each having an end cap with pin connectors, at least one of the end modules includes electrical circuitry connected to the pin connectors for powering the modules. The lighting modules can also be center unit modules having LEDs mounted to a circuit board. The replacement lamps can be made from conceivable configurations of the lighting modules, requiring removal of only one module for repair or replacement. |
| US08678609B2 |
Portable light assembly with spot light accessory
A spot light includes a universal body, a light arrangement and a spot light accessory. The universal body includes a main body having a receiving compartment, and a light body, having a light cavity and a light opening, frontwardly and integrally extending from the main body. The light arrangement is supported by the universal body for generating illumination at the light opening. The spot light accessory includes a plurality of accessory elements selectively and detachably coupling with the universal body to transform the universal body from one configuration to another configuration so as to provide varieties of functional utilizations of the universal body. |
| US08678608B2 |
Lamp device
A lamp device includes: a battery housing receiving a battery set and a circuit board; a lamp casing enclosing and connected movably to the battery housing such that the lamp casing is movable relative to the battery housing in an axial direction; an LED lighting unit mounted in and connected fixedly to the lamp casing, and disposed spacedly above the circuit board; and a power switch mounted on the circuit board and connected electrically between the LED lighting unit and the battery set. The power switch is actuated in response to movement of the LED lighting unit toward the circuit board by press of the lamp casing to switch from a current one of power-on and power-off states to the other one of the power-on and power-off states. |
| US08678601B2 |
Collapsible light modifier for portable flash
A one-piece, collapsible light modifier device for attachment to a flash mechanism, including: (a) a translucent front panel; (b) a reflective rear panel that is substantially the same shape as the front panel, the rear and front panels each including a bendable wire frame around its periphery; (c) at least one side panel between the front panel and the rear panel; (d) a flash hole at a base of the light modifier device between opposite ends of the side panel; and (e) a flash strap attached to the reflective inside surface of the rear panel adjacent the flash hole; wherein the light modifier device includes a compact, closed position and an open position for use. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims. |
| US08678596B2 |
Illumination device and projector with fluorescent plate
An illumination device includes: a light source device adapted to emit an excitation light beam; and a rotating fluorescent plate having a single fluorescent layer adapted to convert a part or whole of the excitation light beam into a fluorescent light beam. The fluorescent light beam includes two or more colored light beams, and the single fluorescent layer is formed on a circular disk, which can be rotated by a motor, continuously along a circumferential direction of the circular disk. |
| US08678595B2 |
Projection type display apparatus with increased life of optical constituent components
A projection type display apparatus including a light source, a display element, an illumination optical system and a projection lens to project a magnified image of the optical image. The illumination optical system includes a first array lens and a second array lens, each includes a plurality of lens elements arranged in a matrix, each of the lens elements having a rectangular opening, and a polarization conversion element having polarization conversion function by use of a plurality of polarized beam splitters and a plurality of half-wave phase plates, arranged in an array and opposing to the lens elements of the second array lens, to emit predetermined polarized light. The light source includes a light emitting plane of a rectangle or an ellipse shape, a longitudinal direction of the light emitting plane being parallel to a longitudinal direction of each opening of the polarization conversion element. |
| US08678594B2 |
Apparatus and method of monitoring and measurement using spectral low coherence interferometry
A spectral interferometry apparatus and method are disclosed, that can be used to monitor or measure an unknown length by following a characteristic of an indicating signal. The measurement is performed by adjusting an optical path difference (OPD) in an interferometer part of an interferometer configuration until sound or light or both are obtained with the desired strength and pitch. Embodiments are presented where the unknown length is the eye length. Spectral interrogation of the interferometer optical output is achieved by reading the signal of an analogue photodetector array in a spectrometer or by tuning a swept source and processing the signal of a photodetector. Sound of different pitches are produced either directly in this process, or by using a nonlinear amplifier, or a mixer. For enhanced signal, the array may be driven by a nonlinear clock or the swept source may be driven by a distorted driving signal. |
| US08678593B2 |
Ophthalmoscopic contact lens
An ophthalmoscopic surgical contact lens for placement on an eye of a patient is disclosed. The surgical contact lens includes an optic surrounded by a rim and at least one flange. The optic includes an aspheric anterior surface and a posterior surface having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of a human cornea. The rim, comprising an edge surrounding the optic, provides the user with a gripping surface conducive to manual positioning and repositioning of the lens against a human eye. The flange may include a plurality of tabs extending from a periphery of the flange, wherein each tab is shaped and configured to conform to the curvature of a human sclera. Various embodiments of the contact lenses disclosed herein facilitate the visualization of structures within the interior of an eye, such as may be necessary during vitreoretinal surgical procedures. |
| US08678592B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting fixation of at least one eye of a subject on a target
An apparatus for detecting fixation of at least one eye of a subject on a target includes an optical illumination system, an optical detection system, and a signal processing system adapted to communicate with the optical detection system. The signal processing system is configured to calculate at least one of a time-frequency distribution or an Auto-Regressive spectral estimation of the detection signal to provide a frequency distribution of the detection signal at a plurality of times for use in determining periods in which the subject's eye is fixed on the target based on the first and second frequency signatures. |
| US08678591B2 |
Large diopter range real time sequential wavefront sensor
Example embodiments of a large dynamic range sequential wavefront sensor for vision correction or assessment procedures are disclosed. An example embodiment optically relays a wavefront from an eye pupil or corneal plane to a wavefront sampling plane in such a manner that somewhere in the relaying process, the wavefront beam from the eye within a large eye diopter range is made to reside within a desired physical dimension over a certain axial distance range in a wavefront image space and/or a Fourier transform space. As a result, a wavefront beam shifting device can be disposed there to fully intercept and hence shift the whole beam to transversely shift the relayed wavefront. |
| US08678586B2 |
Method for producing cost-optimized spectacle lenses with especially advantageous properties for the user
A method for producing spectacle lenses from raw lenses prefabricated in a non-cutting manner uses raw lenses having a central geometric axis standing vertically on them. The lens comprises a convex front side that is formed in a rotationally symmetrical manner about the central axis and is not to be reworked and an opposing back side that is to be reworked with a CNC machine. The front- and back side have at least one optical focal point in common. In order to rework the back side a prescription surface is calculated on the basis of a prescription and of the geometry of the front side. This surface forms a prescription lens in common with the front side, the focal points of which lens correct the visual error of the prescription holder. A spectacle lens with an optical center is produced from the prescription lens for use in an eyeglass frame. |
| US08678585B2 |
Progressive-power lens
An eye-side refractive surface 11 of a distance portion is concave and at least part of an eye-side refractive surface 3 of a near portion is a convex region 31 where one or both of principal meridians of the surface are convex. This provides a back surface progressive-power lens capable of solving disadvantages in terms of lens thickness, external appearance and the like in a back surface progressive-power lens in which the eye-side refractive surface is formed of a progressive-power surface. |
| US08678584B2 |
Contact lenses for refractive correction
Ophthalmic lenses for correcting refractive error of an eye are disclosed. Ophthalmic lenses include a deformable inner portion and a deformable peripheral portion. When disposed over the optical region of an eye, the inner portion is configured so that engagement of the posterior surface against the eye deforms the posterior surface so that the posterior surface has a shape diverging form the refractive shape of the epithelium when viewing with the eye through the ophthalmic lens. The rigidity of the inner portion is greater than the rigidity of the peripheral portion and the ophthalmic lenses are configured to allow movement relative to the eye upon blinking of the eye and to be substantially centered on the optical region of the cornea following the blinking of the eye. Methods of correcting refractive errors of an eye such as astigmatism or spherical aberration using the ophthalmic lenses are also disclosed. |
| US08678581B2 |
Attachable electro-active lens systems
Systems and methods regarding spectacle systems are provided including base lens units and attachable lens units. A spectacle system may include a base lens unit with a first lens, a frame configured for wearing the base lens unit on a user, and a first attachment mechanism. The spectacle system may also include an attachable lens unit with a second lens and a second attachment mechanism configured to join with the first attachment mechanism. A communication mechanism may also be included that is configured to communicate data, instructions and/or electrical power between the base lens unit and the attachable lens unit. Either or both of the first lens and the second lens may include an electro-active lens. The attachable lens unit may include a variety of additional functions such as an electronic display, a camera, an active shuttering lens, and an active polarizing lens, which may also be powered by the base lens unit. |
| US08678580B2 |
Eyeglass system
The present application provides eyeglasses having a frame, supporting reading or other eyeglass lenses, and an adjustable gripping nose pinch. The frame includes integrated therein a decorative spring loaded clip that allows for the attachment of the frame to clothing and objects for storage and convenience. |
| US08678578B2 |
Ink-jet pigment ink and ink-jet recording method using the same
An ink jet pigment ink having at least one low-molecular compound represented by specific formulae and a polymer having at least one polyethylene oxide block structure, wherein a viscosity of the ink-jet pigment ink at 65° C. increases to 100 mPa·s or more in response to heating. |
| US08678575B2 |
Method that enables a solid ink printer to learn a solid ink stick type
A solid ink printer is configured to learn the identity of solid ink sticks for printer operation. The solid ink printer includes a feed channel having an insertion opening configured to receive solid ink sticks, a sensor positioned near the insertion opening of the feed channel and configured to obtain solid ink stick type data from a solid ink stick inserted into the insertion opening of the feed channel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the solid ink stick type data, the controller being configured to store the solid ink stick type data in a memory in response to an initialization signal and to operate the solid ink printer with reference to the solid ink stick type data stored in the memory by the controller. |
| US08678574B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus is provided with an ink tank mounting portion for mounting an ink tank, the ink tank mounting portion being capable of mounting a first ink tank and a second ink tank shorter in length than the first ink tank. The ink tank mounting portion includes an operation lever provided with a first pressing portion for pressing the first ink tank in the mounting direction at the time of mounting the first ink tank and a second pressing portion for pressing the second ink tank in the mounting direction at the time of mounting the second ink tank. By operating the operation lever, the pressing portion for pressing the ink tank to be mounted is switched between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion depending on whether the ink tank to be mounted is the first ink tank or the second ink tank. |
| US08678572B2 |
Liquid storage container mounted on liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid storage container which is mounted on a printer ejecting a liquid includes a liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid therein, a liquid supply portion that supplies the liquid to the ejecting head, a device chamber that is provided in a pathway supplying the liquid from liquid storage chamber to the liquid supply portion and includes a device in the inner portion thereof, and an air chamber that is provided in a pathway supplying air from the outside to the liquid storage chamber according to a decrease of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, is filled with air in the inner portion, and prevents the liquid from being leaked to the outside by trapping the liquid when the liquid flows backward from the liquid storage chamber. In addition, among walls which surround the device chamber, at least one wall is adjacent to the air chamber. |
| US08678571B2 |
Fluid ejection cartridge
A fluid ejection cartridge for a fluid ejection device includes a print head, having a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles, a fluid reservoir, configured to hold a fluid to be ejected from the print head, and a selectively breachable isolator mechanism, separating the fluid reservoir and the print head. |
| US08678569B2 |
Liquid container and liquid supplying system
A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes apparatus electrical contacts corresponding to the liquid containers, respectively, photoreceptor means for receiving light, and an electric circuit connected with a line which is commonly connected with the apparatus electrical contacts, the liquid container includes a container electrical contact electrically connectable with one of the apparatus contacts; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; a controller for controlling emission of light of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative of individual information supplied through the container electrical contact and the information stored in the information storing means. |
| US08678567B2 |
Liquid container and liquid ejection system
A liquid container for supplying a liquid to a liquid ejection apparatus comprises: a liquid chamber provided to store the liquid; an air chamber connected with the liquid chamber to introduce the outside air into the liquid chamber with consumption of the liquid in the liquid chamber; an open-air hole provided to introduce the outside air into the air chamber; and a liquid inlet provided to fill the liquid into the liquid chamber, wherein the liquid inlet is located at a lower position than the open-air hole, in a filling attitude of the liquid container in which the liquid is filled into the liquid chamber. |
| US08678564B2 |
Inkjet print head
In an inkjet print head an actuation chamber substantially extends in a first direction and the actuation chamber is associated with a piezo actuator arranged to generate a pressure wave in the actuation chamber. The pressure wave propagates in said first direction. A nozzle is associated with the actuation chamber such that a droplet may be expelled through the nozzle upon generation of the pressure wave in the actuation chamber. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the actuation chamber via an inlet and an outlet of the actuation chamber. A pump means is provided for pumping ink from the reservoir, via the inlet, through the actuation chamber, via the outlet back into said reservoir. The print head is provided with a means for reflecting the pressure wave at the outlet of the actuation chamber for enabling to generate a sufficient pressure at the nozzle for expelling the droplet. |
| US08678560B2 |
Liquid-ejecting head, liquid-ejecting apparatus, piezoelectric element, and piezoelectric material
A liquid-ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric layer contains a perovskite complex oxide containing Bi, La, Fe, and Mn and is ferroelectric. |
| US08678558B2 |
Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, and a flow path member that is bonded to the nozzle plate, wherein the individual flow path includes a communicating portion that communicates with the nozzle openings and a pressure generating chamber that communicates with the communicating portion and has a width narrower than that of the communicating portion in the first direction, and wherein, in the flow path member, a first individual flow path row in which corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction and a second individual flow path row where corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and each communicating portion of the second individual flow path row is provided between the pressure generating chambers of the first individual flow path row. |
| US08678555B1 |
Encapsulation of inkjet heater chip for ion beam cross-section polishing and method of preparing chip cross-section sample
A method for preparing an integrated circuit or micro-electro-mechanical system chip sample for ion cross-section polishing is provided. The method includes preparing a polymer coating formulation. The polymer coating formulation includes a novolac epoxy resin, a bisphenol-A/epichlorhydrin epoxy resin, a photoacid generator, an adhesion promoter, and a mixture of acetophenone, cyclohexanone and butyrolactone organic solvents. The integrated circuit or micro-electro-mechanical system chip sample is encapsulated by the polymer coating formulation, wherein the chip sample is then ready for ion beam cross-section polishing. A cross-section sample of integrated circuit or micro-electro-mechanical system chip is prepared by polishing the obtained polymer encapsulated integrated circuit or micro-electro-mechanical system chip with ion beam cross-section polisher. The disclosed method allows the cross-section sample to be obtained at a reduced polishing time. Moreover, a good quality and larger cross-sectional area of the sample is obtained, thus allowing for accurate inspection or analysis of the integrated circuit or micro-electro-mechanical system chip. |
| US08678552B2 |
Nozzle plate and method of manufacturing the same
A nozzle plate including protruding nozzles and a method of manufacturing the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate may include a body unit and at least one nozzle protruding from the body unit. The at least one nozzle may include an exit part having a constant cross-sectional area and a damper part having a cross-sectional area that decreases in a direction toward the exit part, wherein the damper part of the at least one nozzle includes a plurality of inner wall surfaces having different angles of inclination. |
| US08678549B2 |
Printhead integrated circuit having frontside inlet channels and backside ink supply channels
A printhead integrated circuit includes: an elongate silicon substrate having a frontside and a backside; a row of nozzle chambers disposed at the frontside of the substrate, each nozzle chamber having a respective nozzle opening defined in a roof thereof and a respective inlet defined in a floor thereof; a row of inlet channels defined in the substrate, each inlet channel having a first end defining the inlet of a respective nozzle chamber and an opposite second end; and an ink supply channel defined in the backside of the substrate, each ink supply channel having a depth sufficient to meet with the second ends the inlet channels. Each ink supply channel is elongate and extends longitudinally along a length of the substrate so as to provide fluidic communication between the backside and the nozzle chambers. |
| US08678547B2 |
Inkjet recording device, inkjet recording method, and inkjet head cleaning device
According to one embodiment, an inkjet recording device includes a cleaning member which faces a nozzle surface of an inkjet head and moves along a row of nozzles, a control device which controls ones of the nozzles to partially discharge ink, the ones of the nozzles positioning in an area which the cleaning member faces when the cleaning member moves, and an ink retaining part which retains the ink between the cleaning member and the nozzle surface of the inkjet head which faces the cleaning member. |
| US08678543B2 |
Composition and print medium
One or more surface treatment compositions and print mediums are disclosed. The surface treatment compositions may comprise at least one surface sizing agent and at least one monovalent and at least one, multivalent metallic salt. Also disclosed are methods for the production of the surface treatment composition and print media with the composition. |
| US08678541B2 |
Printing device
A printing device, to which a printing material container having an electric device connected two first terminals and a wiring connecting two second terminals can be attached, includes: first and second detection terminals that contact the two first terminals; third and fourth detection terminals that contact the two second terminals; a first detection signal generator that outputs a first detection signal to the first detection terminal; a first detector that is connected to the second detection terminal; a second detection signal generator that outputs a second detection signal to the third detection terminal; a second detector that is connected to the fourth detection terminal; a high voltage generator that outputs high voltage to the first or the second detection terminal; an overvoltage detector; and a voltage drop element arranged between the overvoltage detector and the third or fourth detection terminal. |
| US08678535B2 |
Apparatus for printing surfaces having a plurality of movable print heads and system having the apparatus
An apparatus for printing surfaces, for example of three-dimensionally shaped vehicle body parts, includes movable print heads having actuable, preferably inkjet, nozzles, and at least one printing position and one parking position into which the print heads can be moved or rotated. At least one first and one second print head have mutually different nozzle configurations, sizes or shapes. In a first mode, the first print head is in a printing position and the second print head is in a parking position, and in a second mode, the first print head is in a parking position and the second print head is in a printing position. The print heads can be on a rotation apparatus which can be on a robot arm. Surfaces of any shape, having curvatures and/or undercuts, can be printed in one or multiple colors (in image terms). A system having the apparatus is also provided. |
| US08678534B2 |
Multiple iteration substrate printing
A system and a method for printing a desired pattern on a substrate, the method may include: receiving or generating printing instructions for printing multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of an array of nozzles, wherein a superposition of the multiple patterns is expected to differ from the desired pattern by a tolerable difference even when a nozzle of the array of nozzles malfunctions; and printing the multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of the array of nozzles. |
| US08678533B2 |
System and method to compensate for defective inkjets in an inkjet imaging apparatus
A method comprises selecting a first and second datum stored in an array of image data and corresponding to a first and second defective inkjet ejector, the second defective inkjet ejector being within a search pattern positioned about the first datum, modifying the search pattern positioned about the first datum in response to detection of the second datum being within the search pattern positioned about the first datum, identifying a third datum stored in the array of image data and being within the modified search pattern positioned about the first datum, the third datum corresponding to a first functional inkjet ejector, modifying the third datum with reference to the first datum, and operating the first functional inkjet ejector with reference to the modified third datum to compensate for the first defective inkjet ejector being unable to eject ink corresponding to the first datum. |
| US08678532B2 |
Printing process of forming two images on printing medium in overlapping manner
A printing apparatus includes a controller forming an image on a printing-medium by repeating an image-forming-operation of allowing a plurality of nozzle-columns to be moved and allowing the plurality of nozzle-columns to eject ink and a transporting-operations of allowing the printing-medium to be transported. The controller forms a first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction in a second direction by using a first-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles included in the first-nozzle-column. In addition, the controller forms a second-image which is overlapped with the first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction and by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of the nozzle-column is the direction opposite to the one direction by using a second-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles of which positions in the first direction are different from those of the first-image-nozzle-group among the nozzles included in the second-nozzle-column. |
| US08678531B2 |
Driving apparatus and driving method of inkjet head
According to one embodiment, a driving apparatus of an inkjet head includes a drive signal output unit, an ejection pulse number decision unit, a pulse addition determination unit, and a drive signal generation unit. The ejection pulse number decision unit decides the number of ejection pulses based on a gradation value of print data. When the pulse addition determination unit has determined that the control pulse is not to be added, the drive signal generation unit generates a drive signal including ejection pulses whose number has been decided by the ejection pulse number decision unit. When the pulse addition determination unit has determined that the control pulse is to be added, the drive signal generation unit generates a drive signal including ejection pulses whose number is smaller than the number decided by the ejection pulse number decision unit. |
| US08678529B2 |
Drawer rail assembly
The drawer rail assembly is belonging to the field of furniture. This invention includes fixed rail, intermediate rail, outer pull-out rail, the first retainer and the second retainer. The outer pull-out rail has the first bending part and the second bending part. There are third bending part and forth bending part in the intermediate rail's vertical plane. There is a first ball bearing between the first bending part and the third bending part. There is a second ball bearing between the second bending part and the forth bending part. This invention ensures comprehensive supports among rails, reducing potential gaps to the minimum, improving the feeling to pull and push drawer. It adapts to be set in any furniture. |
| US08678528B2 |
Control mechanism for drawer slide assembly
A drawer slide assembly control mechanism including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail is provided, the control mechanism including a drawer latch bracket associated with one of the drawer and the drawer rail and having an engagement tab extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly. The shock-absorbing sub-assembly includes an elongate bracket member associated with the cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of the cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the engagement tab of the drawer latch so as to move in concert with movement of the drawer rail over at least a portion of a length of the drawer rail, and a shock absorber associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the movable latch for damping movement of the movable latch at least during a closing stroke of the drawer rail. |
| US08678525B2 |
Furniture item
An item of furniture includes a furniture body, a furniture part which is displaceably received in or on the furniture body, and an ejection device having at least one ejection element for displacing the movable furniture part from a closed position into a first open position. At least one lockable drive device is provided for driving the at least one ejection element. A means is provided for displacing the at least one ejection element beyond the first open position. |
| US08678524B2 |
Spring-loaded door device for server rack
A spring-loaded door device that fastens to the front of a server rack in order to prevent airflow from exiting through an unfilled space in the server rack. An equipment module can then be inserted through the spring-loaded door device and mounted to the server rack. When the equipment module is removed from the server rack, the spring-loaded door closes to prevent airflow from exiting through the unfilled space in the server rack. |
| US08678523B2 |
Universal television lift with enclosure
A universal television lift and enclosure suitable for outdoor use. A television lift assembly includes an enclosure including a housing having an opening, and a cover engageable with the housing to seal the opening; and a lift device including a first portion mounted in the enclosure, and a movable portion including a first end movably coupled to the first portion, an attachment portion configured to removably attach a television thereto, and a second end, the cover being attached to the second end, and the movable portion of the lift device being movable between a first position within the housing and in which the cover seals the opening for storing the television in the weatherproof enclosure, and a second position outside the housing for supporting the television in a viewable position. |
| US08678522B2 |
Abrasion resistant track shoe grouser
A track shoe for a track-type vehicle. The track shoe includes a base plate and a grouser projecting away from the base plate. A capping surface structure of substantially horseshoe shaped cross-section is disposed across a distal portion of the grouser. The capping surface structure covers portions of a distal edge surface and adjacent lateral surfaces. The capping surface structure is formed from an material characterized by enhanced wear resistance relative to portions of the grouser underlying the capping surface structure. |
| US08678519B2 |
Spoke wheel and spoke using therefor
Large impacts act on a spoke wheel and spokes fastened by nipples tend to be loosened when a racing off-road motorcycle and the like repeatedly jumps and lands. A hub is connected with a rim by using deformed spokes each having a deformed portion. The deformed spoke is fastened while being elastically deformed so that the deformed portion extends by the nipple. As compared to a straight spoke, the deformed spoke has low longitudinal elastic modulus and substantially the same stiffness with a spoke having an equal diameter. |
| US08678517B2 |
Reduced volume cutting tip and cutting bit incorporating same
A cutting bit includes a tool pick having a head and a shank, and a cutting tip having a body, a cap extending frontwardly from the body, and a base extending rearwardly from the body. The base defines an outer diameter of the cutting tip and a substantially flat rear surface at the rear of the cutting tip. A post extends axially frontwardly from a front surface of the head of the tool pick. A cavity extends axially frontwardly into the base from the rear surface of the cutting tip, the cavity having a diameter equal to or less than about 40% of the outer diameter of the cutting tip. When the cutting tip is mounted to the tool pick, the post is received into the cavity and a portion of the front surface of the tool pick mates with a portion of the rear surface of the cutting tip. |
| US08678513B2 |
Traveling undercut solution mining systems and methods
In-situ solution mining method of an ore bed, particularly containing trona, which comprises exposing to a solvent an ore region inside a borehole drilled in the ore, and dissolving a desired solute within the exposed region to provide a liquor and create a voided ‘undercut’, such undercutting making the ore susceptible to gravitational loading and crushing. Unexposed ore falls into the undercut by gravity without breaking the ore roof resulting in exposure of fresh ore to the solvent and in preventing solvent exposure to contaminating material near the roof. The desired solute is eventually dissolved away in the entire bed from its floor up to its roof. Solvent injection may be delivered through a conduit positioned inside the borehole, and may be moved by retracting or perforating the conduit. The method may employ an advancing undercut initiated up-dip and traveling down-dip, or a retreating undercut initiated down-dip and traveling up-dip. |
| US08678512B2 |
High chair
A high chair has a chair device and a fastener device. The fastener device is connected with the chair device and has a main body, a button and a button elastic member. The main body has a buckle recess formed in the main body and having an open side. The button is capable of retracting or protruding relative to a bottom of the buckle recess. The button elastic member is mounted in the main body and presses against the button. To push and pull the button allows a belt buckle to be easily taken out from and inserted into the buckle recess. |
| US08678508B2 |
Horizontal springing means with inclination compensation
The invention relates to a vehicle vibration apparatus with a horizontal spring device for the horizontal springing of a seat element and/or a driver's cab with respect to a base element, wherein the horizontal spring device is arranged between the seat element or the driver's cab respectively and the base element, and comprises at least one spring element, the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially parallel to a surface of the base element, and at least one adjustment element, which reacts automatically to inclinations of the seat element with respect to a horizontal plane and which first increases the spring pre-stressing of the spring element in order subsequently to position the horizontal spring device in the centre of the spring path. |
| US08678503B2 |
Adjustable arm for chair
A chair arm adjustment device according to embodiments of the present invention includes an arm pad base slidably coupled to the arm support, the arm pad base sliding substantially horizontally in two degrees of freedom with respect to the arm support within a range of motion of the arm pad base with respect to the arm support, and an arm brake assembly coupled with the arm pad base, the arm brake assembly moveable between a locked position in which the arm brake assembly substantially inhibits movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support and an unlocked position in which the arm brake assembly does not substantially inhibit movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support, wherein the arm brake assembly moves from the unlocked position to the locked position at any position of the arm pad base within the range of motion. |
| US08678502B2 |
Headrest position adjustment device
A headrest position adjustment device includes a capacitance sensor unit, and a drive motor unit. The capacitance sensor unit includes a plurality of electrode groups each configured by a plurality of sensing electrodes. The total electrode area of each of the electrode groups is switchable by a switching unit of a circuit unit between at least a total electrode area A and a total electrode area A+B. The total electrode area A is selected when the distance d between a head and a headrest is short, and the total electrode area A+B is selected when the distance is long. In this way, the sensitivity is changed depending on how long or how short the distance is. An estimated center position of the head is calculated based on capacitance values obtained, and thereby the position of the headrest is adjusted. |
| US08678499B2 |
Booster cushion for use with a vehicle seat
A booster cushion for use in a vehicle, comprising a base (2) consisting of at least one inflatable member, upon which the child may sit, and a harness (6) adapted to fit over at least a front portion of the base to retain the base, said harness being provided with seat belt receiving members (14, 16) on either side of the harness (6) to be positioned, in use, on either side of the base (2) for receiving a lap belt portion of a vehicle seat belt to retain the base (2) upon the vehicle seat and such that the lap belt portion extends over the pelvic region of a child. |
| US08678497B2 |
Seating arrangement for a vehicle
A multi-row vehicle seating arrangement includes a second row of vehicle seats including a first lateral side seat, a second lateral side seat, and a center seat disposed between the first and second lateral side seats. The center seat has a pair of spaced apart seat anchors fixably secured thereto for securing a child seat to the center seat. |
| US08678492B2 |
Chiller for driver's seat of a motor vehicle
A DC powered refrigeration package supplies refrigerant to an evaporator coil that is incorporated into the driver's seat of a race car. The DC-powered compressor, condenser and condenser fan are contained within an enclosure that can be situated behind the driver's seat. The refrigeration circuit chills the seat to below freezing, favorably to about 20° F. or below. |
| US08678490B2 |
Folding chair
A folding chair has a left leg and a right leg. A front frame connects the left leg to the right leg, wherein the front frame folds between an open position and a closed position and from a closed position to an open position. A rear frame connects the left leg to the right leg, and the rear frame is foldable. The front frame has a front frame right upper support pivotally connecting to a front frame left upper support, and the front frame right upper support is pivotally connected to the right leg at a front right upper connection. The front frame left upper support is pivotally connected to the left leg at a front left upper connection. The front frame also has a front frame right lower support pivotally connecting to a front frame left lower support. |
| US08678484B2 |
Upper vehicle body structure of automobile
Disclosed is an upper vehicle body structure (20) having a groove (31) between an outside panel (28) and a roof panel (24). The upper end of a center pillar stiffener (34) overlaps with a roof side stiffener (41). The roof side stiffener (41) is joined to a roof arch (23) at the groove (31). The upper end of a center pillar reinforcing member (33) inside the center pillar stiffener (34) is joined to an end (25b) of a corner gusset (25) at a position below the grooves (31), the other end (25a) of the corner gusset being connected to the roof arch (23). With this, concentration of impact load to the corner gusset (25) can be avoided. |
| US08678471B2 |
In-line jack
An in-line jack includes a body, an extendable shaft, drive mechanics, and a motor. The body has first and second distal ends. The extendable shaft is movably disposed within the body and has a distal end extending out of the second distal end of the body. The drive mechanics are disposed within the body and are adapted to move the extendable shaft with respect to the body. The motor is mounted at the first distal end of the body and is adapted to selectively drive the drive mechanics. A coupling mechanism can be provided to selectively alternately couple: (i) a planetary gear system associated with the motor to a drive shaft of a jack screw assembly and (ii) a manual crankshaft to the drive shaft to operate the jack manually. The body and the motor each has a generally cylindrical outer surface with an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches. The body, the jack screw assembly, the coupling mechanism, the planetary gear system, and the motor are substantially axially aligned with each other. |
| US08678469B2 |
Lock and roll up tonneau cover method
A soft top fabric cover supported by an internal frame work provides a removal end support rail in closest range to a cargo bed tail gate, contains a latch system which allows coupling or uncoupling of the fabric cover from both left and right side longitudinal rails. Further, both left and right longitudinal rails incorporate a full length downward angled slot which accepts an incorporated receiver located on the outer edges of the fabric cover. Upon tensioning, the fabric cover is securely coupled to its internal frame work. |
| US08678466B2 |
Instrument panel assembly
An instrument panel assembly and method of installing an instrument panel assembly is provided. The instrument panel assembly includes a base having a side portion. The side portion includes a first mounting aperture. A side panel is dimensioned to cover the side portion. The side panel is configured to be angled relative to the side portion so as to preventing other tabs from scratching the exterior surface of the instrument panel assembly. |
| US08678465B1 |
Vehicle seat with multi-axis energy attenuation
Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating seat assembly with multi-axis energy attenuation. In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a seat with a back, a first energy attenuating support comprising a first seat guide, and a first energy attenuating link, the first energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a first direction with respect to the seat. The exemplary seat assembly further comprises a second energy attenuating support comprising a second seat guide, and a second energy attenuating link, the second energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a second direction with respect to the seat. |
| US08678463B2 |
Vehicle seat assembly and method of controlling a vehicle seat assembly
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat portion disposed in a relatively horizontal alignment, wherein the seat portion is moveable. Also included is a seat back rotatable about a first axis proximate a rear portion of the seat portion. Further included is a memory seat module (MSM) configured to monitor and control movement of the seat portion and the seat back, and comprises a sensor configured to activate upon movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back to a predetermined position, wherein the MSM automatically restricts movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back upon detection of activation of the sensor. The MSM further engages other required movements to return the vehicle seat assembly to earlier stored locations with the process being repeated a maximum number of times to transition the seat portion and seat back to their required positions that have been predetermined by the user. |
| US08678462B2 |
Deployable load floor
A vehicle load floor assembly having a load floor coupled with a handle. The handle is operable between first and second positions. At least one support leg is coupled to the load floor. The at least one support leg is retracted when the handle is in the first position and deployed when the handle is in the second position. A base wall supports the at least one support leg, when deployed, to maintain the load floor in a substantially lateral position. The base wall supports an underside of the load floor when the at least one support leg is retracted. |
| US08678459B1 |
Truck load protection apparatus
Load protection assembly mounted on a truck, that comprises two side panels edge supported to pivot between horizontally extending down positions and operative up positions extending generally longitudinally, forward, intermediate, and rearward bars having end portions pivotally supported to enable bar pivoting between retracted positions proximate the panel and extended positions in which the bars extends laterally between the panels in panel supporting relation, and side bracing connected to the panels to move into supporting position when the bars are extended laterally between the panels, the bracing including a telescoping strut assembly having first and second elongated struts, and an actuator manually swingable to relatively extend and retract the struts configured to lock to bar structure in response to actuator swinging, and there being a carriage to which the forward and intermediate bars are end connected to be bodily moved with the carriage longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly. |
| US08678458B2 |
Vehicle interior components with decorative stitching
A vehicle interior component includes a decorative covering with one or more lines of decorative stitching sewn therethrough. Together with one or more ridge features, the decorative stitching can be part of a simulated seam formed in the decorative covering. A densified portion and/or a reduced thickness portion can be formed in the decorative covering along the intended stitch path and prior to addition of the decorative stitching to help reduce the effect of the stitching on the overall appearance of the simulated seam, such as the shape of the ridge feature(s). The decorative covering can be compressed along the intended stitch path in a thermoforming process, such as an in-mold graining process. |
| US08678457B1 |
Telescoping grab handle for pickup trucks and the like
A telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box, adjacent the tailgate, in a pickup truck. The device has only one moving part which allows the telescoping grab handle to be easily raised vertically and locked into the extended position or easily lowered to the retracted or stowed position while standing on the ground outside the cargo box. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box also overcomes many disadvantages of tailgate mounted grab handles which interfere with cargo handling and are rendered inoperable if the tailgate is damaged. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box may be added as an aftermarket accessory, but the internal components of the device could also be incorporated directly into the side wall of the cargo box by the auto manufacturer during initial manufacture of the vehicle. |
| US08678455B2 |
Lifting fitting
A lifting fitting for lifting a series of elements of different sizes in a wind turbine is proposed. The lifting fitting has a base plate having at least one central slotted hole shaped to accommodate a fastener for fastening the lifting fitting to an element to be lifted, at least two outer slotted holes each shaped to accommodate a further fastener for fastening the lifting fitting to an element to be lifted. The outer slotted holes are arranged transverse to the central slotted hole. The lifting fitting is connected to a lifting apparatus for lifting the element. A method of assembling the series of elements is proposed. The elements are successively lifted into place. The lifting fitting can be used in the assembly of a wind turbine tower having individually liftable tower sections for lifting the tower sections into place. |
| US08678454B2 |
Front vehicle body structure
A front vehicle body structure includes a bumper face that extends in a vehicle width direction and a license base that is formed separately from the bumper face and fixed to the bumper face. The license base includes a main body which allows a license plate to be attached to a front surface thereof, a leg portion that extends rearward from a rear surface of the main body, and a hinge portion that extends downward from a rear end of the leg portion and is capable of being bent upward. The license base is fixed to the bumper face by engaging the hinge portion that has been bent upward with the bumper face. |
| US08678450B2 |
Rail drive duct connection system
An apparatus for joining high pressure ducts has a first and second bar secured to adjacent to be joined ducts. A coupling mechanism having a U-shape is frictionally engaged onto the first and second bar. An end of the coupling mechanism frictionally engages the surface of the bar members so that the coupling mechanism is slidably removably connected to the first and second bars. |
| US08678446B2 |
Tubular-member mounting device
A tubular member has one end inserted in a fluid passage of a passage member through an insertion hole. The tubular member includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion therebetween having a step defining an inclined portion. The inclined portion is inclined from the radially outside toward the radially inside. A lock member is held by a holding portion located outside the insertion hole relative to the radial direction of the insertion hole. The lock member urges the inclined portion radially inward and applies force to the inclined portion in the axial direction to cause the outer surface of the tubular member to urge a regulating portion to cause the regulating portion to restrict movement of the tubular member in the axial direction. |
| US08678444B2 |
Fluid coupling having a moving seal
A coupling element of a fluid circuit. The coupling element includes a tubular body externally provided with an annular shoulder in which a groove is provided having an end wall flanked by an outer side and by an inner side so as to receive an annular seal designed to bear against a surface surrounding an inlet orifice of a channel of a member to which the element is designed to be coupled. The body defines at least one passage for bringing the fluid into the groove so as to push the seal back against the outer surface of the groove, and against the surface surrounding the inlet orifice of the channel. |
| US08678435B2 |
Steering column device
A steering column device includes: a bracket to be fixed to a vehicle body and including a first wall; a steering shaft; a steering column including one end supported by the vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface with a second wall, and configured to rotatably support the steering shaft; and a clamp shaft penetrating the first wall and configured to switch between a pressure and non-pressure contact states respectively where the first and second walls are and are not in pressure contact with each other. The first and second walls include: a pair of first protrusions disposed separately on both sides of the clamp shaft in a first direction parallel to an axial direction of the steering column, and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering column; and a pair of second protrusions disposed separately in the second direction and extending in the first direction. Each of the first protrusions contacts both of the second protrusions in the pressure contact state. |
| US08678434B2 |
Auxiliary apparatus of carrier for vehicles
Disclosed herein is an auxiliary apparatus of a carrier mounted to a rear portion of a vehicle, including a locking unit fastened to the carrier, the locking unit including a locking pin to be extracted or retracted in response to operation of a switch unit, a rotary plate rotatably coupled to the locking unit, and a fastening member mounted to the rotary plate, the fastening member having at least a fastening hole into which the locking pin is selectively inserted and locked according to the operation of the switch unit. |
| US08678433B2 |
Motor vehicle having a fixed rollover bar
A motor vehicle (1) has a fixed rollover bar (8) that spans a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle (1) also has removable roof (16) that can be moved between a closed position where the roof (16) is arranged between a windshield frame (2) and the rollover bar (8) and a storage position where the roof (16) is behind the rollover bar (8). A linkage (15) is mounted to a vehicle body (19) behind the rollover bar (8) and can be articulated for moving the roof (16). Links (20, 21) of the linkage (15) lie in depressions (11, 23) on the rollover bar (8) when the roof (16) is in the closed position. Buffer elements (22) are between the links (20, 21) and the rollover bar (8). |
| US08678430B2 |
Airbag device and airbag folding method
Provided are an airbag device and an airbag folding method capable of enhancing deployment performance of an airbag without using a separate component. An airbag includes a restraint portion to be located in front of an occupant upon inflation and deployment, a base portion connected to an inflator, a top portion to be located on a windshield W side upon inflation and deployment, and a bottom portion to be located between the occupant and an instrument panel I upon inflation and deployment. The restraint portion is folded in a belt shape with a contact surface of the restraint portion for contact with the occupant facing up to form a flap portion, and the flap portion is folded to move while turning toward the occupant upon inflation and deployment of the airbag. |
| US08678428B2 |
Airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system in a motor vehicle and a procedure for manufacturing such an airbag
An airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag comprising at least one first and at least one second fastening component to attach the airbag to a vehicle body. The second fastening component is attached in such a way that—in relation to the deflated, flat outspread state of the airbag—it is offset from the first fastening component in a perpendicular direction to the main extension direction of the airbag. A first section of the airbag that stretches to a side of the second fastening component facing away from the first fastening component, is folded by means of a first fold in the form of a rolled fold and a second section of the airbag that extends to a side of the second fastening component facing the first fastening component by means of a second fold different from a rolled fold. |
| US08678425B2 |
Rollator wheelchair
A rollator wheelchair is provided comprising a frame provided with at least two wheels, a first chair section mounted to the frame and a second chair section mounted to the frame, the first chair section comprising a back support and a first seat portion, and the second chair section comprising a second seat portion, wherein the first and second chair sections provide a seating arrangement, wherein the first chair section is detachable and wherein the second chair is arranged such that when the first chair section is detached a free walking space is present between the at least two wheels. |
| US08678422B2 |
Adjustable hitch device
An adjustable hitch device for coupling a towing vehicle to a towed implement or trailer is adapted for changing the coupling angle between the vehicle and the implement and also for changing the elevation angle of the implement. An elongated, rigid link is pivotally coupled at a first end to a hitch mechanism coupled to the vehicle and at a second, opposed end to a forward portion of the implement. An intermediate portion of the link is pivotally coupled to one end of a hydraulic cylinder, while a second, opposed end of the hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a forward portion of the implement. Extension of the cylinder lowers the implement's forward portion and raises its aft portion, while retraction of the cylinder has an opposite effect. In this manner, the height of the implement may be increased for use in operation or may be lowered for transport or storage. |
| US08678420B2 |
System for automatic adjustment of the gap between a tractor vehicle and an attached trailer
A system is specified for the automatic adjustment of a gap between a tractor vehicle and an attached trailer, with a length-adjustable hitch with a tension tube, at the end of which is arranged a tension lug, while the tension lug can travel in the vehicle's lengthwise axis relative to the tension tube by an actuator along a predetermined travel path, as well as a control unit. The basic problem of the invention was to provide a system with which the gap between tractor vehicle and trailer can be changed automatically in driving operation and depending on the speed, both for articulated and unarticulated trailers. The problem is solved according to the invention with a system in which the control unit is an electronic controller, which is hooked up to a speed pickup for the processing of a speed signal and connected to the actuator. |
| US08678418B1 |
Wheelchair accessory kit
This patent application discloses a wheelchair accessory kit. The kit may include a wheelchair seat cover that attaches onto an existing wheelchair, and which includes a rearwardly facing pocket and inwardly facing and adjacent side pockets for storing items of an occupant end user. The rearwardly facing pocket of the wheelchair seat cover is an extension of the wheelchair seat cover, which folds over the top of the seat back of the wheelchair. The wheelchair accessory kit further includes grip-forming members that may be installed onto the handles, wheelchair locks, and/or circular rings adjacent of the wheels. The grip-forming member is constructed of a clay polymer material that is press formed onto the surface of the handles and/or circular rings, and which hardens to form an enhanced gripping surface for use of the occupant end user or another person in propelling or locking the wheelchair. |
| US08678415B2 |
Lower leg for a suspension fork
A lower leg (1) for a suspension fork has two tubes (2, 3) with, in each case, a receptacle device (4, 5) for receiving a stanchion tube displaceably mounted in the receptacle device. Two stabilizers (6, 7) connect those end regions of the two tubes which are opposite the dropouts of the tubes to one another. The lower leg (1) has a stiffening member (8, 9) which connects the two stabilizers to one another. |
| US08678414B1 |
Set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle
A set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle, has a top triple clamp and a bottom triple clamp designed to provide a pivoting connection of the front suspension system of the motorcycle with the frame of the motorcycle. The set also has a fixing system for receiving the handlebars of the motorcycle and fixing them to the top triple clamp. According to one feature, the fixing system has a handlebar damper system the movement axis of which is substantially parallel to the movement axis of the front suspension system of the motorcycle. |
| US08678413B2 |
Attachment structure for resin part of motorcycle
An attachment structure for a resin part of a motorcycle includes an attaching portion with a nut provided on a side of a vehicle main body, a resin part having an attached portion with a bolt insertion hole, and a shoulder bolt for attaching the attached portion to the attaching portion with the nut. The shoulder bolt has a threaded shaft portion, a washer, a head portion, and a large diameter portion arranged between the washer and the threaded shaft portion, the large diameter portion being thicker than the threaded shaft portion and thinner than the washer. A thin guide piece protruding toward a radially inner side for regulating radial movement of the shoulder bolt within a predetermined range is integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bolt insertion hole. The guide piece is configured to be deformed by the large diameter portion of the shoulder bolt. |
| US08678411B2 |
Retractable stairs for a truck or trailer
A retractable stair assembly for a vehicle includes a track assembly mounted on a vehicle frame beneath a workbed, a step assembly, and first and second pivot assemblies that engage the track and step assemblies together. The step assembly moves between a storage position where it is disposed between tracks of the track assembly, and an operational position where it extends outwardly from the tracks, through an aperture in the vehicle's wall panel, and angles downwardly toward the ground. A foldable handrail on the step assembly moves between a collapsed position and an extended position. The handrail is in the extended position when the step assembly is operational and folds to the collapsed position when the step assembly is stored. A door is engaged with the track assembly and covers the aperture when the step assembly is stored. A flange extends from the door and supports a license plate thereon. |
| US08678408B2 |
Travel device for transport vehicle
Travel devices for a transport vehicle are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a width direction of a loading platform to allow traveling of the loading platform. In this travel device, an arm includes an upper end turnably supported at a lower portion of the loading platform. The arm includes a lower end where an axle box is supported swingably in up and down directions. A wheel has a mid-plane that intersects with a swing plane of an axle shaft disposed at the axle box, and is supported at the axle shaft. Accordingly, this ensures a small vehicle width L2 of the transport vehicle. |
| US08678405B2 |
Motor vehicle steering system
When a motor vehicle is steered, as turning reaction forces from the road surface, for example, rearward radial loads are applied from rear wheels to corresponding end portions of a steered shaft via corresponding knuckles and corresponding tie rods. A motor vehicle steering system includes first and second counter load application mechanisms that apply counter loads against the radial loads to the corresponding end portions of the steered shaft. Each of the counter load application mechanisms includes a motion conversion mechanism that converts torsional motion of the corresponding end portion of an axle beam caused by a ground contact reaction force of the corresponding rear wheel via the corresponding knuckle and a corresponding king pin into, for example, forward motion of the corresponding end portion of the steered shaft. |
| US08678397B2 |
Sealing arrangement
In a U-cup based seal of a rod, the basic body of the U-cup 3 is recessed relative to a square cross-sectional shape in the region of a radially inner outer edge 18 on the low pressure side in order to obtain a space 17 between the U-cup 3 and the opening, i.e. the passage opening 16 of a sealing gap 15, leading into a rectangular groove 4 guiding the U-cup 3. This space 17 remains at least partially also upon pressurization such that the U-cup 3 complete remains in the groove 4 upon pressurization and is not extruded into the sealing gap 15. This considerably reduces wear of the U-cup 3. An inner surface 24 of the U-cup shows liquid dragging bore reliefs formed as recesses 25 in the inner surface 24 of the U-cup 3 for transferring hydraulic liquid, disposed on a surface of the translatory movable machine part 1, from a low-pressure side N of the U-cup to a high-pressure side H of the U-cup 3 upon translatory movement of the movable machine part 1. The recesses 25 each extend in an axial direction from the low pressure side N of the U-cup towards the inner sealing lip 7 and each recess is radially confined by side walls 26 which converge in the direction of the inner sealing lip such as to form an imaginary intersection located beyond the inner sealing lip 7 on the high-pressure side of the U-cup 3. |
| US08678395B2 |
Ball drop game
An amusement device is disclosed having a housing for enclosing a playing field, and at least one target disposed on the playing field, the target oriented for interaction with a vertically dropped projectile. The device further includes a pick-up device within the housing, the pick-up device suspended from a rail arrangement that provides for four-way horizontal movement over the playing field. The device has player controls including a first control for maneuvering the pick-up device in a horizontal plane above the playing field, and a second control for releasing the projectile, wherein an objective of the amusement device is to position the pick-up device over a target and release the projectile to hit the target to win the prize. |
| US08678394B2 |
Gift storage device of gift game machine and selection output means thereof
The present invention provides a gift storage device of a gift game machine and a selection output means thereof. The gift game machine has the selection output means movable in X, Y, Z axes to correspond to a plurality of gift storage devices. Each gift storage device includes a gift support for allowing gifts to hang thereon and a rotary feeding set controlled by the selection output means. A spiral element of the rotary feeding set rotates to push the gifts on the gift support, so that the gifts can move on the gift support until they leave the gift support. Each gift storage device is positioned to a back plate of the gift game machine via an insertion frame. Tabs and insertion troughs are provided between the gift storage device and the insertion frame, so that the gift storage device can be disassembled or assembled easily. |
| US08678390B2 |
Chess game and method of play
A chess-like game has a two-dimensional game board made up of 49 regular hexagonal play spaces assembled into a clustered, stylized diamond shape where seven spaces are arranged side-by-side, contiguously in a central, latitudinal row. Each successive parallel latitudinal row has one less space and its spaces are offset. By the sixth row away from the central row, a single hex space is provided at either end of the board. The color of each space is selected from three available. No space of a first color shares a hex side with a space of a similar color. A reduced set of game pieces are used where each side has one king, one queen, one bishop, one rook, one knight, and five pawns. Each piece has defined legal moves. |
| US08678385B2 |
Sheet conveying device
A sheet positional information updating unit of a sheet conveying device updates positional information on a leading end of a sheet by adding a sheet feed amount of a second-stage vertically conveying roller. The sheet positional information updating unit stops the update of the positional information when a first-stage vertically conveyance sensor does not detect the leading end of the sheet in the case that the positional information on the leading end of the sheet arrives at a position on an upstream side of a leading-end detection position of the first-stage vertically conveyance sensor. The sheet positional information updating unit resumes the update of the positional information on the leading end of the sheet in the case that first-stage vertically conveyance sensor detects the leading end of the sheet. |
| US08678384B2 |
Medium transport unit, sensor unit, and method of controlling reading of medium transport unit
A medium transport unit includes: a transport roller; a transport belt which transports a loaded medium by driving of the transport roller; a sensor array which includes a plurality of imaging elements arranged vertically to a transport direction of the medium and outputs reading signals which are detected and output by the plurality of imaging elements and indicate a density value of the medium on the transport belt; a comparator which outputs a digitalized signal of HIGH if the reading signal exceeds a threshold signal; and a signal output circuit which receives the digitalized signal and outputs a first value if the digitalized signal is transitioned from LOW to HIGH. |
| US08678383B2 |
Multifeed processing apparatus with measuring unit for multifeed detection pattern
A multifeed processing apparatus includes a control unit and a storage unit and is connected to a multifeed detecting mechanism and an image reading mechanism. The control unit includes (i) a measuring unit that measures a multifeed detection pattern from any one or both of an output of the multifeed detecting mechanism and an image of a medium read by the image reading mechanism, (ii) a determining unit that determines whether the measured multifeed detection pattern is included in a multifeed disable pattern stored in the storage unit, (iii) a reading control unit that regards a multifeed detection performed by the multifeed detecting mechanism as invalid, and causes the image reading mechanism to continue a reading operation, and (iv) a storage control unit that stores the measured multifeed detection pattern as the multifeed disable pattern in the storage unit. |
| US08678372B2 |
Medium feeding device
A medium feeding device 1 includes a separating power generating device 7 which causes a brake roller 4 to generate a rotational load in a direction counter to a conveying direction. The device 7 includes a torque limiter 17 which generates a load of a predetermined upper limit torque T1, a torque limiter 18 which is arranged in series with the torque limiter 17 on a power transmission path to the brake roller 4 and generates a load of an upper limit torque T2 smaller than the torque T1, and an electromagnetic clutch 22 which switches between connection and disconnection between the power transmission path and a bypass route which bypasses the torque limiter 18. The device 7 can change the rotational load of the brake roller 4 to the torque T1 or the torque T2 by the switching of the electromagnetic clutch 22. |
| US08678371B2 |
Manual sheet-feeding device and image forming apparatus
An adjusting member is positioned in a sheet feeding opening. The adjusting member is adjusted according to the size of the paper sheet. The adjusting member does not jut out of an exterior surface of an apparatus body. |
| US08678369B2 |
Skew correction device, image forming system, and skew correction method
A skew correction device for aligning a booklet that is a folded bundle of sheets on a conveying path includes a first member against which a leading end of the booklet abuts in a conveying direction; a second member configured to push a trailing end of the booklet in the conveying direction so that the leading end of the booklet abuts against the first member; and a deflection generating member configured to deflect the booklet downward when the trailing end is pushed. |
| US08678366B2 |
Portable cradle device
A portable cradle device is provided and includes a cradle top section and a cradle bottom section, wherein the cradle top section includes a top portion base structure having a first component support structure and a second component support structure, and the cradle bottom section includes a cradle support structure extending downward from the cradle top portion, wherein a portion of the cradle top section is sized relative to the cradle bottom section to form a cradle lip such that when the portable cradle device is associated with a utility bucket, the cradle lip rests on the edge of the utility bucket cavity. |
| US08678364B2 |
Precision leveling vice
A precision leveling vice includes a vice body having a fixed jaw and an end wall. A moving jaw moves toward or away from the fixed jaw to frictionally retain or release a member. The vice assembly is connected to a swivel plate. A fixture plate is positioned oppositely about the swivel plate with respect to the vice assembly. A pivot pin is positioned in a partial circular slot of each of the swivel plate and fixture plate permitting the swivel plate and vice assembly to move in a rocking motion with respect to the fixture plate by rotation about the pivot pin. First and second adjustment fasteners positioned in through apertures at swivel plate opposite ends threadably engage the fixture plate. Opposite axial rotation of the first and second adjustment fasteners causes a head of one of the adjustment fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the rocking motion. |
| US08678360B2 |
Liquid-sealed type vibration isolator
In a liquid-sealed type vibration isolator having a first orifice flow channel 56 and a second orifice flow channel 60, a valve member 66 formed of a rubber elastomeric membrane for opening and closing the second orifice flow channel 60 is provided on a partitioning member 40 so as to be orthogonal to the direction of flow in the second orifice flow channel. The valve member is held at the outer peripheral portion thereof by a wall surface of a valve housing chamber 68, and includes inside the outer peripheral portion thereof a membrane portion 66B which is subjected to the flexural deformation by the liquid flow in the second orifice flow channel to close openings 60C and 60D of the second orifice flow channel. Communicating holes 76 which bring the second orifice flow channel into communication are provided at positions not overlapped with the opening of the membrane portion 66B. Accordingly, the switching of characteristics is enabled with an inexpensive structure. |
| US08678355B2 |
Device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration
A device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration of mammals, in particular human beings, includes at least one essentially closed container for receiving water, a first opening for letting in the non-humidified air and a second opening for letting out humidified air, and an inlet for supplying the water to the container. The inlet is located in the upper part of the container, which is adjoined by a tube essentially crossing through the container interior, and on the free end of the tube, a valve is disposed, which limits the level of the water supplied via the tube in such a way that the container bottom in the container interior is essentially covered with water. |
| US08678353B2 |
Fluid inlet and distribution system for volatile organic compound removal device
A fluid inlet and distribution system for a volatile organic removal device includes a cabinet having an upper wall and multiple downcomer assemblies positioned within the cabinet accessible through a cabinet access. The multiple downcomer assemblies are divisible into first and second cabinet compartments isolated from each other by a dividing wall. A flow distribution duct assembly connected to the upper wall of the cabinet includes upper, bottom, outward facing and inward facing substantially flat containment walls defining a generally rectangular shaped flow passage. A contaminated fluid inlet is connected to one of the upper, inward facing, or outward facing containment walls. A discharge duct connected to the bottom containment wall is positioned above a receiving chamber operating to equally divide a flow of a contaminated fluid containing a volatile organic compound discharged through the discharge duct equally to the first and second cabinet compartments. |
| US08678352B2 |
Wireline intervention system
An apparatus for controlling tension in a wireline (4), the apparatus comprising a reel (3) mounted on a vessel or surface platform for controlling a wire in a wireline operation, a primary drive means (5) between the reel and a subsea installation around which the wireline is wound and control means for synchronizing the operation of the driver with the reel. |
| US08678349B2 |
Pressure-operated control valve
A ball valve and a valve shaft are in a valve chamber. The ball valve opens and closes a valve port. A coil spring arranged in a spring chamber pushes the valve shaft against a diaphragm via a spring bracket of the valve shaft. A cone portion and a flat portion (or a concave portion) inside the cone portion are on the diaphragm. A diaphragm-side end face of the valve shaft is larger in diameter than the flat portion of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is initially deformed, a boundary portion interposed between the cone portion and the flat portion abuts on the diaphragm-side end face. |
| US08678347B2 |
Manifold actuator assembly
A manifold actuator assembly is provided with a manifold comprising a block, and a hydraulic actuator connected to a solenoid valve within the block. The solenoid valve controls hydraulic, linear movement of a rod of the hydraulic actuator. The manifold actuator assembly may be used in a metering system to open and close movable gates disposed downstream from a meter roller before product enters a distribution system. The manifold actuator assembly may also be used as a locking apparatus to lock and unlock members in a wide variety of applications. |
| US08678344B2 |
Mounting of a valve plate on a valve rod
A mounting of a valve plate (1) on a valve rod (2) using a cross member (3) extending transversely with respect to the valve rod (2) is provided. The cross member (3) is connected at a central connecting point (4) to the valve rod (2) and is connected at least two lateral connecting points (5, 6), which are situated on both sides of the central connecting point (4), to the valve plate (1). The cross member (3) has a spacing (a) from the valve plate (1) in a central section (17) which comprises the central connecting point (4) and sections of the cross member (3) adjacent to the central connecting point (4) at both sides. By a twisting of the cross member (3), the valve plate (1) can be pivoted relative to the valve rod (2) about a pivot axis (19) which is at right angles to the valve rod. |
| US08678341B2 |
Normally closed solenoid valve
To minimize the amount of air that may enter the damper chamber in a normally closed solenoid valve to stably maintain the damper capacity, the normally closed solenoid valve has a valve housing and a movable element. A cylinder having an open end is formed in one of the valve housing and the movable element. The cylinder has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of a trunk of the movable element. A piston provided on the other of the valve chamber and the movable element is movable relative to the cylinder as the movable member moves. The piston is inserted into the cylinder through its open end to define a damper chamber between the piston and the cylinder. A restricted passage is formed between the damper chamber and the valve chamber through which hydraulic fluid can be moved between the valve chamber and the damper chamber. |
| US08678339B2 |
Bicycle seat with resilient support
A bicycle seat support that resiliently supports a bicycle seat and comprises an upper engagement member adapted to support a bicycle seat, a lower engagement member adapted to engage a bicycle frame, and a compliant support assembly coupling the upper engagement member to the lower engagement member. The compliant support assembly includes a first cantilevered beam cantilevered to the lower engagement member, and a second cantilevered beam cantilevered to the first cantilevered beam. The first and second cantilevered beams define a gap, and a resilient member is positioned in the gap. Preferably, the cantilevered beams include convex surfaces, and the resilient member includes concave surfaces shaped to receive the convex surfaces. The resilient member can include a body portion and a strut (e.g., two struts). The resilient member can also include a side surface and a recess in the side surface (e.g., extending all the way through the resilient member). |
| US08678335B2 |
Caster stop and method
The present invention is directed to a caster stop. Advantageously, the caster stop has a generally circular shape, and includes a concave portion for receiving a caster wheel, and a ramp that spans between a circumferential rim and a generally circular foot. The ramp facilitates wheel movement in-and-out of the concave portion of the caster stop. Also provided is an inventive method that does not require lifting caster-mounted equipment either to position caster wheels in caster stops or to displace caster-mounted equipment from caster stops. Instead, exerting a pushing force on caster-mounted equipment is sufficient for in-and-out movement. This invention is especially useful for caster-mounted cooking equipment in commercial kitchens. |
| US08678334B2 |
Patient flatwall system
A patient flatwall system comprises a generally horizontal track extending generally parallel and adjacent to a wall of a hospital room, and at least one patient flatwall coupled to the track for movement therealong and for rotational movement relative thereto about a generally vertical axis. The at least one flatwall has a plurality of service connectors. In another embodiment, a patient flatwall system comprises a short telescopic arm having a proximal end coupled to the track for movement therealong, and a patient flatwall coupled to a distal end of the telescopic arm for rotational movement about a generally vertical axis. |
| US08678333B2 |
Monitor mounting apparatus
The instant disclosure relates to a monitor mounting apparatus for using on a working surface. The mounting apparatus includes a base, an adjusting unit, and a tilt bracket. The base is disposed on the working surface and has a first anchoring portion. The adjusting unit includes at least one position-adjusting member and at least one angle-adjusting member pivotally interconnected. The position-adjusting member may be movably arranged on the first anchoring portion of the base. The tilt bracket includes a support plate and a turntable. An outer end portion is defined on the support plate, and the angle-adjusting member is fixed to the support plate away from the outer end portion. The turntable may rotate axially relative to the support plate. The tilt bracket may be tilted between a first operating position and a second operating position as required by a user. |
| US08678329B1 |
Transporting device
A device for transporting a ladder has first and second frame positions, the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted on an axle that also mounts a wheel for rolling along the ground. The upper ends of the frame portions are moveable toward and away from each other allowing the device to collapse for storage. A hook is mounted on the upper end of each of the frame portions for attachment to adjacent rungs of the ladder. A strap connects the upper ends of the frame portion to prevent them from separating from each other beyond a given distance. |
| US08678326B2 |
Adjustable golf bag stand
A golf bag support for releasably retaining a golf bag having a longitudinal axis includes a base, a foot, and a pair of arms. The base has a bottom for contacting a surface. The foot is connected to the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the second position arranging the foot to stabilize the base on the surface. The pair of arms extends from the base. The arms are spaced from each other to define a seat sized to receive the golf bag. The arms are movable relative to each other. |
| US08678325B2 |
Pipe bracket for vehicle
A bracket for carrying pipes on an underside of a vehicle includes a molded body laterally spanning a recess in the underside of the vehicle. The molded body can have an angled forward face for deflecting underside road debris. The bracket can additionally include an integrally molded carrying structure extended upward from the molded body for carrying one or more longitudinally extending pipes within the recess. |
| US08678323B2 |
Launch lock assemblies including axial gap amplification devices and spacecraft isolation systems including the same
Embodiments of a launch lock assembly are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system including one or more launch lock assemblies. In one embodiment, the launch lock assembly includes first and second mount pieces, a releasable clamp device, and an axial gap amplification device. The releasable clamp device normally maintains the first and second mount pieces in clamped engagement; and, when actuated, releases the first and second mount pieces from clamped engagement to allow relative axial motion therebetween. The axial gap amplification device normally residing in a blocking position wherein the gap amplification device obstructs relative axial motion between the first and second mount pieces. The axial gap amplification device moves into a non-blocking position when the first and second mount pieces are released from clamped engagement to increase the range of axial motion between the first and second mount pieces. |
| US08678320B2 |
Aircraft fuel tank
An aircraft fuel tank that is capable of suppressing the occurrence of sparks on a pipe caused by a lightning current through the pipe during a lightning strike, and also suppressing static electricity charging of a pipe caused by flow electrification generated by the fuel. An aircraft fuel tank (1) in which a storage section is formed using a conductive upper skin (5), a conductive lower skin (7) and conductive spars (9), the tank comprising: pipes inside the tank, such as a refuel pipe (17), an engine feed pipe (19) and an inert gas pipe (21), which are disposed inside the storage section and are earthed (27) at a plurality of locations, and pipe outer surface layers (31) having semiconductor properties that are formed in an integrated manner on the outer surfaces of the pipes inside the tank such as the replenishing pipe (17), the supply pipe (19) and the gas pipe (21). |
| US08678319B2 |
De-icing device of an aircraft gas-turbine engine
The present invention relates to a de-icing device of an aircraft gas-turbine engine with an engine cowling enclosing at least one inflow region, with the engine cowling having a double-walled design and including at least one annular tube element extending in the circumferential direction and being provided with outlet openings for passing hot air to an inflow region, in order to de-ice it, with the tube element in the circumferential direction including multiple individual tube segments which can be attached relative to one another. |
| US08678312B2 |
Aircraft side-ledge console
A console for aircraft that is located between two seats which face each other. The console includes an open ledge with a cup holder arrangement. The cup holder arrangement includes two removable holder dividers which can be flipped up or down and held into position by a spring-loaded cam arrangement. The console also includes two inwardly facing surfaces which provide connectors for electronic devices resting on the ledge. A light-emitting face is provided on a back wall of the ledge so that any articles resting on the ledge can be seen in dark environments. |
| US08678309B2 |
Lifting gas replenishment in a tethered airship system
A system for lifting gas replenishment in a tethered airship system includes an upper airship with a first end of a tether attached to the upper airship. A balloon is configured to travel up the tether toward the upper airship carrying a payload of lifting gas. A method for gas replenishment of an airship is also provided. |
| US08678297B2 |
Clamp for connecting a wire to a rail
A clamp comprising a first end including a base and a hooked portion and a second end moveably connected to the base of the first end. The second end includes a clamped portion and a wire jaw maintaining a wire. The wire jaw is shaped so as to be placed in the second end. The wire jaw including a base and arms extending from the base. The arms defining an opening including teeth, the teeth effective to grip and provide high contact pressure on a rail. A spring is disposed on the base of the first end and is effective to bias the second end toward the hooked portion of the first end. |
| US08678295B2 |
Miniaturized radio-frequency identification tag and microstrip patch antenna thereof
A miniaturized Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a microstrip patch antenna thereof are provided. The miniaturized RFID tag includes: a chip, substrate and a microstrip patch antenna. The microstrip patch antenna is attached to a surface of the substrate and includes a power supply part and a radiation part connected with each other. The power supply part is connected with the chip through a microstrip line. Two sides of the radiation part are provided with at least one slit which has the length of one-half wavelength and enables the tag product to be used normally within a range of shorter than one-half normal wavelength. A maximum point and a minimum point are generated in the radiation part simultaneously, so the tag can be used normally without influencing the performance, even when the tag is in contact with any metal surface. The tag can be miniaturized at the same time. |
| US08678292B2 |
Radio frequency identification device
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a metallic antenna plate, a first metallic tube, and a second metallic tube. The metallic antenna plate has a positioning portion and defines a central axis, a first hole, and a second hole. The positioning portion is formed in the path of the central axis and surrounds the second hole. The first and second metallic tubes are disposed on the metallic antenna plate. The first and second metallic tubes each has one end disposed on the positioning portion. The first and second metallic tubes extend across the first and second holes, respectively and are welded to the metallic antenna plate. The portion of the second metallic tube that extends across the second hole is approximately perpendicular to the portion of the first metallic tube that extends across the first hole. |
| US08678290B2 |
Steganography with photo-responsive dyes
An article identifier or code including at least one photo-responsive dye and a method of encoding or embedding information in same. A reader device for decoding or extracting information in an article identifier or code and verifying or authenticating that information and the associated extraction and authentication methods. |
| US08678286B2 |
Method and apparatus for reading optical indicia using a plurality of data sources
A system for decoding an encoded symbol character associated with a product is provided. The system includes a bioptic scanning apparatus comprising a first scan source disposed within a housing, and a second scan source disposed within the housing. The second scan source comprises an operating technology distinct from an operating technology of the first scan source. The first scan source is adapted to output a first scan data set, and the second scan source is adapted to output a second scan data set. |
| US08678282B1 |
Aim assist head-mounted display apparatus
Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided which: (a) receive wired or wireless transmission of information regarding an orientation of a weapon; (b) receive wired or wireless transmission of information regarding an orientation of a viewing area of a head-mounted display apparatus; (c) process ballistic information of ammunition to be fired by the weapon and the information regarding the orientations of the weapon and the viewing area to obtain a calculated endpoint of the ammunition to be fired by the weapon; and (d) display an icon (e.g., a crosshair) representative of the endpoint of the ammunition in the viewing area of the head-mounted display apparatus. |
| US08678281B2 |
RFID scanning system and shopping bag with integrated RFID loop antenna
A point of sale system and method are disclosed wherein a shopping bag has one or more RFID loop type antenna. An example system includes a bag holder for securing the shopping bag while items are placed in it. Multiple bag holders may be incorporated on a carousel, which can be rotated to move an empty bag to a filling station at the checkout counter, and to move filled bags to an open area for the customer or cashier to retrieve the filled shopping bags. An RFID reader in communication with the bag holder uses one of the RFID loop antennas to read the RFID tags on the items placed in the bag. In a shopping bag having more than one RFID loop antenna, the RFID system controller may monitor the impedance of each RFID loop antenna and dynamically select one of the RFID loop antennas on the shopping bag as a function of the impedances. |
| US08678277B2 |
Decoding system coupled to a payment system that includes a cryptographic key
A decoding system includes a decoding engine running on a mobile device that decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. The decoding engine accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of the first party's financial transaction card until the signals reach a steady state, detects the read once the incoming signals are in a steady state, identifies peaks in the incoming signals and digitizes the identified peaks in the incoming signals into bits. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine, and serves as an intermediary between the first party and a second party, so that the first party does not have to share his/her financial transaction card information with the second party. |
| US08678276B2 |
Method for conducting a transaction between a magnetic stripe reader and an electronic card
An electronic transaction device with a microprocessor generates digital signals that are converted into at least two tracks of analog signal wave form and two waveform signals are driven on two analog tracks such that the two waveform signals cancel each other out and a simulated magnetic field is generated along a target area located on the transaction device that can contain a transaction specific data packet readable by a magnetic stripe read head. |
| US08678271B2 |
Method for preventing void formation in a solder joint
In one disclosed embodiment, the present method for preventing void formation in a solder joint formed between two metallic surfaces includes forming at least one slit in a layer of solder to form a slit solder layer, positioning the slit solder layer between the two metallic surfaces, and heating the slit solder layer to form the solder joint, wherein the at least one slit forms an outgas alley to prevent void formation in the solder joint. Where solder joint width is a concern, the present method includes applying external pressure concurrently with heating. The outgas alley is formed to provide a ready avenue of escape for flux gasses produced during formation of the solder joint. |
| US08678269B2 |
Method for joining, assembling parts made of SiC-based materials by non-reactive brazing, brazing compositions, and joint and assembly obtained by said method
A method for joining, assembling, at least two parts made of silicon carbide-based materials by non-reactive brazing is provided. According to the method, the parts are contacted with a non-reactive brazing composition, the assembly formed by the parts and the brazing composition is heated to a brazing temperature sufficient to melt the brazing composition totally or at least partly, and the parts and brazing composition are cooled to that, after solidification of the brazing composition, a moderately refractory joint is formed; wherein the non-reactive brazing composition is an alloy comprising, in atomic percentages, 45% to 65% silicon, 28% to 45% nickel and 5% to 15% aluminum. A brazing composition as defined above is provided. A brazing paste, suspension comprising a powder of said brazing composition and an organic binder as well as a joint and assembly obtained the foregoing method are also provided. |
| US08678263B2 |
Materials delivery system for stapling device
There is disclosed a materials delivery system for use with a surgical stapling instrument having at least one jaw including a knife slot. The materials delivery system includes a series of treatment material receiving pockets positioned adjacent the knife slot such that a portion of each pocket is open to the knife slot. A source of treatment material is positioned within the pockets such that passage of the knife blade adjacent to the pockets repeatedly coats the knife blade with the treatment material. |
| US08678258B1 |
Backpack back support frame
A vertically and horizontally flexible backpack support frame having a Y-shaped configuration and fitting reversibly into a pocket on a backpack. The support frame is curved horizontally and vertically to conform to the shape of a back of a user. The frame has a raised Y-shaped corrugation for increased strength. A shoulder strap bar attaches reversibly across a longitudinal central opening in the support frame so that the shoulder strap bar is adjustable vertically and horizontally when the support frame is in the backpack. The backpack straps and belt attach reversibly and pivotably to the support frame when the support frame is in the pocket of the backpack. |
| US08678257B2 |
Roof rack for a vehicle
The invention relates to a roof rack (2) for a vehicle (K) comprising a front crossmember (3) and a rear crossmember (4), the crossmembers (3, 4) comprising fastening feet (5) at the end by which they are supported on the lateral roof rails (DR) and in which at least the fastening feet (5) of the front crossmember (3) comprise fastening means (8) by means of which the fastening feet (5) are able to be secured to the respectively associated roof rail (DR) of the vehicle (K). For improved securing of the roof rack (2) to the vehicle (K), it is proposed that at least one crossmember (3, 4) is connected to the rear roof rail (HR) by at least one connection element (12). |
| US08678251B2 |
Package for an article to be worn
A hanger for storing and/or displaying an article to be worn, such as an article of clothing. The hanger may be adapted to be joined to a fastener on the article of clothing. A method for displaying an article to be worn may include providing an article having a fastener, providing a hanger having a complementary fastener, and joining the article to the hanger by the fastener. |
| US08678246B2 |
Cartridge and piston with ventilation device
The present invention relates to a cartridge for holding liquid, paste-like or powdered compounds and a piston for closing such a cartridge, and a system made up of such a cartridge, comprising a tool (15), wherein the piston comprises a cylindrical or cylindrical tube-like base member that can be placed into a cartridge and moved along the cylindrical longitudinal axis inside a cartridge, wherein at least one sealing lip (12) is provided that seals against a sealing surface running parallel to or at an acute angle with respect to the cylindrical longitudinal axis, wherein the sealing lip is arranged such that by way of a tool that can be accessed from an end side of the piston, the sealing lip can be lifted off the sealing surface when the cartridge is closed by the piston so that air can escape from the cartridge. |
| US08678239B2 |
Clean in place system for beverage dispensers
A flush system for a dispenser nozzle may include a flush diverter and a carrier. The flush diverter may include a dispense position and a flush position. The carrier maneuvers the flush diverter to either the dispense position or the flush position with respect to the beverage dispenser nozzle. |
| US08678234B2 |
Liquid food dispenser system and method
A system and method for dispensing fluids is introduced. A preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank. |
| US08678226B2 |
Fuel container
The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) consisting of thermoplastic, with at least one continuous seam (3), with a filler orifice, with means for aeration and venting and with means for the conveyance and extraction of fuel which are in the form of at least one fuel conveying unit (11) arranged inside the fuel tank (1). In the fuel tank (1) according to the invention, with the exception of the filler orifice, no orifices or perforations which are substantially larger than the diameter of the line to be led through are provided in the tank wall, instead the fluid lines and/or electrical lines led out of or into the fuel tank (1) pass through the seam (3) of the fuel tank (1) so as to extend at an angle with respect to the profile of the seam (3), and/or are led partially through the filler orifice and, if appropriate, a filler neck adjoining the filler orifice. |
| US08678224B2 |
Insert for receptacle containing solid products to be dissolved
An insert for a receptacle intended to contain a concentrated product in solid or liquid form includes a main part (1) formed by a base (2) extended on the edge by a wall (3) perpendicular to the base, with an opening (4) formed in the base. A receptacle with such an insert is also provided. In order to enable emptying the receptacle entirely without leaving dead spaces in which the products to be solubilized may accumulate, the face of the base (2) intended to be in the receptacle after assembly is concave at the opening, so that the opening is at the bottom of a trough (6). This avoids corners in which the liquid would not circulate sufficiently, and prevents solid product from accumulating elsewhere than in the trough, so that it is always subjected to the flow of liquid. |
| US08678221B2 |
Beverage container lid with mouth opening and separate push in vent
A container lid includes a conventional main or pour opening and a vent opening spaced from the main opening. A vent score defines the shape of the vent opening, and a vent panel covers the vent opening. The vent panel has a raised convex shape. The lower surface of the tab handle includes a protruding portion, seen as a concave shaped element when viewed from above the container lid. The protruding portion of the tab handle can be aligned with the vent panel so application of a downward force on the tab handle transfers force to the vent panel and breaks the vent score. The shapes of the vent panel and concave element of the tab handle can be adjusted for selective and controlled force transfer to create the vent opening. |
| US08678220B2 |
Cap system with automatic flow hole opening/closing
A cap system for a container includes a cap that can be coupled to an open top of a container. The cap incorporates a hole that provides for fluid communication with an interior region of the container. A closure element movably coupled to the cap defines a solid region and an open region. The closure element is disposed at an angle with respect to a portion of the cap. At least one weight is coupled to the closure element such that the closure element moves as gravity acts thereon to align the closure element's solid region with the hole when the cap is in a first or upright orientation, and to align the open region with the hole when the cap is in a second or tipped orientation. |
| US08678219B1 |
Lid operation arrangement for container
A lid operation arrangement of a container includes an automatic operated unit for automatically operating a lid panel, a foot operated unit for manually operating the lid panel, and a motorized unit operatively linked with the automatic operated unit and the foot operated unit. When the motorized unit is activated by the automatic operated unit, the motorized unit is arranged for generating a torque enhancing force to move the lid panel from the opened position to the closed position and for generating a decelerating force to move the lid panel back to the closed position from the opened position in a hydraulic manner. After the lid panel is lifted up to the opened position by the foot operated unit, the motorized unit only generates the decelerating force to move the lid panel back to the closed position from the opened position in a hydraulic manner. |
| US08678218B2 |
Fuel tank for vehicles
The present disclosure refers to a fuel tank for a vehicle equipped with a valve housing and a ventilation opening that has a ventilation valve placed on an upper opening of the tank and which projects into the tank interior. Additionally, the wall of the valve housing is interspersed with at least one wall opening, and a float has been arranged in the valve housing that can be moved from a resting to a closing position and has a sealing element on its upper end. The float is in a lower place in the valve housing when it is in its resting position and the sealing element releases the ventilation opening. The float, when in a closing position, closes the ventilation opening with its sealing element as soon as the closing level is reached. Furthermore, there is a connecting channel K arranged between the valve interior and the tank interior, ending with an outlet opening located below the closing level in the tank interior, in which case the outlet opening is arranged above all other wall openings directly connected to the tank interior. |
| US08678217B2 |
Activity and storage case
A child 's activity and storage case contains a top portion having a front side and a back side and a bottom portion having a front side and a back side. The back side of the bottom portion is connected to the back side of the top portion by at least one hinge. A clasp is positioned to latch the front side of the top portion to the front side of the bottom portion. A stylized clip is attached to the top portion. |
| US08678208B2 |
Crane
The present invention relates to a crane having a load hook directly/indirectly fastened to the crane hoist rope and having a frame suspended at the load hook for taking up a special load, in particular for taking up a rotor blade of a wind turbine, wherein the control element(s) of a frame suspended at the load hook is/are guided along a guider rope region of the crane hoist rope. |
| US08678205B2 |
Cycle storage and locking system
Cycle storage and locking system for locking plural cycles in at least one storage station. The system includes plural locking and storage points each structured and arranged to lock one of the cycles at the at least one storage station. Each of the plural locking and storage points comprises two arms and a space arranged therebetween sized and configured to receive therein a front wheel of one of the cycles. A locking arrangement is structured and arranged to lock one of the cycles to one of the plural locking and storage points. The locking arrangement includes two laterally movable lateral locking projections arranged on the one of the cycles and two locking recesses arranged on the one of the plural locking and storage points. |
| US08678202B2 |
Modular filter elements for use in a filter-in-filter cartridge
Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside. |
| US08678198B1 |
Material dispenser for fine particles
A measuring cup or measuring spoon, the bottom of which has a plurality of openings through which particles can be sifted and a top edge of which has a tab that when tapped allows a user to control the pattern that the particles are sifted. |
| US08678195B2 |
Screening bucket
A screening bucket includes a support structure securable to the moving arm of an operating machine, a screening drum secured to that structure allowing it to rotate about an axis, a rotation unit for the screening drum and switching device for the rotation unit that switches the rotation unit between a first operating mode in which the screening drum is set in rotation at a substantially constant predetermined working speed and a second operating mode in which the rotation speed of the screening drum is reduced. The rotation unit further includes a detector assembly for detecting an angular position of the drum, cooperating with the switching device such that the rotation unit is automatically brought into the second operating mode when the drum is situated in the region of at least one predetermined portion of a revolution. |
| US08678193B2 |
Pneumatic flotation machine and flotation method
A pneumatic flotation machine (100) has a housing (1) with a flotation chamber (3), at least one nozzle arrangement (4) for feeding gas and a suspension into the flotation chamber as well as at least one gassing arrangement (5) for feeding further gas into the flotation chamber (3), which arrangement is disposed within the flotation chamber (3) and below the at least one nozzle arrangement (4), wherein there is furthermore at least one adjusting device (9) for changing a position of the at least one gassing arrangement (5) in the flotation chamber (3). |
| US08678191B2 |
Lead frame magazine cover
The invention relates to a lead frame magazine cover for closing of an opening of a lead frame magazine by insertion of a magazine cover into the lead frame magazine in a closing direction. The lead frame magazine cover includes a recess. The recess is constructed in the region of a front edge of the magazine cover in the closing direction of the magazine cover. |
| US08678187B2 |
Shipping and installation container for soft tubing
A shipping and installation container for soft tubing. The container includes a substantially cylindrical section that readily receives soft or foam tubing commonly used on heating or cooling conduits in an industrial plant. End caps are provided at opposite ends of the cylindrical section to facilitate stacking and storing the container laden with soft tubing during shipment. The end caps can be readily removed and the cylindrical section then serves as a guide to facilitate installation of the tubing onto industrial conduit. |
| US08678184B2 |
Methods for producing vaccine adjuvants
An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves three procedures: (i) preparation of a preliminary emulsion; (ii) microfluidization of the preliminary emulsion to reduce its droplet size; and (iii) filtration of the microfluidized emulsion through a hydrophilic membrane. The emulsions are useful as vaccine adjuvants. |
| US08678179B2 |
Multiple link conveyor belt with rollers
A multi link conveyor belt for the transportation of objects like containers, bottles, packs or the like, which is formed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. On the upper side of the conveyor belt at least one row of supporting rollers is mounted rotatable, whose axes of rotation are parallel to the joint bolts and to the longitudinal sides of the carriers of the links. Together with the supporting rollers of adjacent links a support plane for the transported objects is formed. In the region of at least one longitudinal side of the links deflection elements are provided, which project between the height levels of the supporting rollers and the upper side of the carriers and at least one side of the supporting rollers. |
| US08678177B2 |
Combination slider block and pusher lug
A combination slider block and pusher lug for mounting on a base plate mounted on a transfer chain includes a flanged channel having a latch and a base plate receiving cavity for snugly fitting over the base plate. A pair of flanges extend inwardly in opposed facing relation over the cavity from the sides of the channel so as to define a slot sized to receive the mount such as the weld between the base plate and the chain. The web of the flanged channel has a lug mounted orthogonally thereto. The cavity has an opening at one end, sized to receive the base plate therethrough. An opposite end of the cavity includes a stop to arrest sliding translation of the base plate through and along the cavity. The latch is mounted adjacent the opening. The latch operates to selectively lock the base plate in the cavity. |
| US08678176B2 |
Shackle alignment system and method
A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation. The article support may be a poultry shackle for suspending poultry carcasses and moving them along the conveyor path. |
| US08678173B2 |
Modified push beams for highwall mining
The present invention provides modified push beams for insertion and use in a series of push beams or segments during highwall mining operations to capture residual coal or “fines” that might otherwise be left behind. A first modified beam or recovery beam is provided to divert residual coal on the floor of the mine to the sides, and/or a second modified beam captures the residual coal on the sides of the mine, which may include the coal diverted by the first modified beam, through a side entry system comprising side channel(s) with side auger(s) to combine this captured residual coal with the bulk flow of mined material in a main channel of the recovery beam that is continuous among the series of beams or segments. Methods are also provided for the operation of the modified beams and their insertion into the series of beams of a highwall miner. |
| US08678160B2 |
Control element for a parking lock
A parking lock control element having an actuator coupled to the parking lock pawl, and a retaining device which works with the actuator to secure the parking lock pawl in the disengaged position. The retaining device has a blocking slide connected to the actuator, and a blocking actuator having a slider gap, the width of the slider gap being modified in an actuating manner, wherein the blocking slide can move into the slider gap—when the slider gap is open—releasing the actuator. The connecting device reduces structural complexity and related costs. The control element is comparatively robust with respect to manufacturing tolerances, acceleration forces, vibrations, and temperature stress. With minimal auxiliary energy, high holding forces can be achieved to secure the parking lock pawl. An emergency unlocking actuation can also be integrated in a simple manner. |
| US08678157B2 |
Isolator decoupler
An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley rotationally engaged with the shaft, a coil spring engaged between the pulley and a spring carrier, the spring carrier moveable relative to the shaft and pulley, a one-way clutch mounted to the shaft, a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring engaged between the spring carrier and the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring having a releasable frictional engagement with the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring comprising adjacent parallel strands and having substantially equal diameters, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring each being engagable with the pulley, the first torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley, and the second torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley. |
| US08678156B2 |
Shiftable friction clutch for actuation with a flowable pressure medium
The invention relates to a shiftable friction clutch (1a, 1b) for actuation with a pressure medium. Clutches of this type can be used, for example, to drive auxiliary assemblies such as fans (22) in vehicle construction. An especially compact construction is achieved through the use of a disk spring (6). A production method is furthermore proposed. |
| US08678153B2 |
Twin-clutch device
A twin-clutch device that selectively transmits torque from a driving wheel to a first driven wheel and/or a second driven wheel is provided. The first and second driven wheels are arranged respectively on both sides of the driving wheel, a functional fluid that decreases its flowability as an applied stimulus is increased and that increases its flowability as the applied stimulus is reduced fills gaps between the driving wheel and the first and second driven wheels, the driving wheel includes a stimulus generating member electrically controlled to generate a stimulus, and flowability of the functional fluid between the driving wheel and one of the first and second driven wheels is decreased with an increase in stimulus applied to the functional fluid by the stimulus generating member to couple the driving wheel to the one of the first and second driven wheels, thus allowing torque transmission therebetween. |
| US08678152B2 |
Electromagnetic clutch with brake
An electromagnetic clutch with a brake has a novel function which, after the electromagnetic clutch is disengaged, accurately prevents co-rotation of a driven shaft to improve response when the brake is activated. Brake means (9) is configured such that a facing (93) is constantly made to slide on a brake friction surface (5d) of a rotor by a spring (92) having a base end supported by a field (8) through an arm (7). The magnitude of brake torque (Tb) caused by the brake means (9) is set to be not less than slide torque (Ta) between a driven shaft (2) and a drive shaft (1) and less than driving torque (Tc) by the drive shaft (1). |
| US08678151B2 |
Flow rate control valve for clutch control device
A clutch control device for controlling a clutch installed between an engine and a transmission in a power transmission device for a vehicle includes a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, a stroke sensor for detecting a movement of the clutch actuator, a flow rate control valve for controlling an amount of the working fluid in the clutch actuator, and a flow rate control valve control device for controlling a position of a valve body of the flow rate control valve responsive to a detection signal from the stroke sensor. |
| US08678149B2 |
Gas spring with temperature compensation
A gas spring is described, which comprises a first part which defines a cylinder, which comprises a longitudinal axis and which is closed at a first end along the longitudinal axis. The gas spring further comprises a piston, which is arranged to be movable along the longitudinal axis in the cylinder, a piston rod which is connected to the piston and which projects out through a second end of the cylinder, a separating piston which is arranged to be movable in the cylinder along the longitudinal axis between the piston and the first end, gas which is contained in the cylinder between the separating piston and the first end, and liquid which is contained between the separating piston and the piston. Moreover, the gas spring comprises an expansion chamber for the liquid and a pressure regulating device, which is adapted to control the liquid transport between the cylinder and the expansion chamber in dependence of the temperature, thereby keeping the force characteristics of the gas spring substantially independent of the temperature. |
| US08678146B2 |
Disk brake
Provided is a disk brake having a caliper. The caliper includes a cylinder part disposed at one side in a disk axial direction and having a bore for accommodating a piston, a pair of arm parts extending to both sides of the cylinder part in a disk rotational direction and having ends to which sliding pins are fixed, and a guide attachment part configured to couple the one arm part to the cylinder part and to which a cable guide member is fixed, which are integrally formed with each other. A thickness of the guide attachment part in a disk diameter direction and a thickness of the one arm part in the disk diameter direction at least partially overlap in the disk axial direction. |
| US08678142B2 |
Destination floor registration device of elevator, having voice input
In a destination floor registration device 800, a boarding detection unit 804 detects a boarding of an elevator user; when no button operation by destination floor registration buttons 500 is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since detection of the boarding, a voice destination floor registration unit 805 outputs from a voice output device 400 a message for prompting a passenger to pronounce a destination floor; a voice recognition unit 806 recognizes the destination floor pronounced by the passenger; and a voice destination floor registration unit 805 requests an elevator car control device 200 to register the destination floor recognized by the voice recognition unit 806. |
| US08678138B2 |
Materials handling vehicle with improved visibility
A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a power unit, a mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a weldment, a movable element and a ram/cylinder assembly coupled to the movable element to effect movement of the element. The fluid supply system includes manifold apparatus and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram/cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram/cylinder assembly via the fluid line to raise the movable element. The manifold apparatus is mounted to the mast assembly. |
| US08678137B2 |
Lubrication monitoring system for linear transmission device
A lubrication monitoring system for monitoring the lubricative state of two relatively movable elements of a linear transmission device includes a contact resistance capturing device and a processing unit. The contact resistance capturing device for detecting the contact resistance between the two elements and converting it into a corresponding value. A maximum delay time and a threshold value are preset in the processing unit. A period of time during which the linear transmission device starts to run and then the corresponding value reaches the threshold value defines a delay time. If the specific value of the delay time to the maximum delay time is larger than or equal to a predetermined specific one, it will be judged that the lubrication needs resupply. Therefore, monitoring the lubricative state as the linear transmission device is accelerated can get correct lubricative state to enable correct lubrication resupply. |
| US08678132B2 |
Quiet muffler
An exhaust system includes a muffler, an inlet pipe, and an exhaust pipe. The muffler includes an inlet hole adapted to receive the inlet pipe and an outlet hole to receive the exhaust pipe. The inlet pipe has a first and second linear portions extending from a radiused portion, the first and second linear portions being generally perpendicular to one another. The radiused portion and the first linear portion of the inlet pipe are positioned within the muffler. Portions of the inlet pipe and exhaust pipe located within the muffler may optionally include perforations and be closed off. |
| US08678130B2 |
Audio apparatus
An audio apparatus includes a housing including a space which is enclosed at least one pair of opposite surfaces, and an open pipe including a first open end and a second open end positioned in the space. The open pipe has a pipe length of integral multiple of a substantially half wavelength of a stationary wave which is generated in the space. The first open end of the open pipe is disposed at a position of a substantial loop of the stationary wave which is generated in the space. |
| US08678128B2 |
Vehicle steering system
A vehicle steering system includes a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation amount of a steering member within a predetermined angle. The rotation restriction mechanism includes at least one plate element that is interposed between a rotatable element, which is coaxially rotatable together with a rotary shaft of the steering member, and a non-rotatable element, and that is rotatable relative to the rotary shaft. Light projecting units are provided at one of the rotatable element and the non-rotatable element, and light receiving units are provided at the other one of the rotatable element and the non-rotatable element. The at least one plate element has light transmission portions that allows transmission of light that is emitted from the light projecting units and that enters the light receiving units when a rotation angle of the at least one plate element is a predetermined angle. |
| US08678127B2 |
Work vehicle-mounted engine device
A work vehicle limited in a mounting space is adapted to have an engine, which is provided with an exhaust gas cleaning device, easily arranged therein. An engine device, which is to be mounted on the work vehicle, is provided with the engine mounted on a machine body and covered with a hood, an air cleaner for cleaning air introduced into the engine, and an exhaust gas cleaning device for cleaning exhaust gas from the engine. The exhaust gas cleaning device is arranged on a flywheel housing fitted on one side portion of the engine. |
| US08678122B2 |
Vehicle body frame of motorcycle
A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle comprises a front frame portion extending rearward from a head pipe; and a rear frame portion extending downward or rearward from a rear end of the front frame portion. The front frame portion includes at least a pair of right and left frame members. A forward portion of the rear frame portion is a lumbar frame having a closed cross-section structure portion in which a pair of right and left steel plates and are joined together. Devices such as a canister, and an ABS unit, are easily mounted in spaces lateral relative to the lumbar frame having a reduced width, while ensuring a sufficient stiffness. |
| US08678120B2 |
Method and apparatus for mounting device in construction machine
Provided is a method for mounting a device on a frame in a construction machine. The method includes forming plate holes in a beam member at respective mount-member-provision positions on the beam member; mounting a plate supporter on a back surface of the beam member at each of the mount-member-provision positions so as to border the plate hole at a lower side thereof; installing the beam member on the frame; putting the mount plate into the plate hole from above so as to make the mount plate be supported by the plate supporter and fixing the plate supporter in the plate hole after adjusting the position of the mount plate horizontally and vertically within the plate hole; and mounting the mount members to the mount plates fixed in the plate holes respectively and mounting the device on the beam member via the mount members. |
| US08678116B2 |
Accessory drive configuration
An apparatus for an accessory drive configuration includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft which is structured to provide traction power. A torque-transmitting shaft extends through a portion of an internal combustion engine assembly, and the torque-transmitting shaft provides mechanical power to an accessory drive system. The internal combustion engine and an electric motor are operably coupled to the torque-transmitting shaft to selectively provide torque to the torque-transmitting shaft. |
| US08678115B2 |
Vehicle drive device
In a rotating electrical machine configured with a rotor and stator, a lubricant supply portion is configured to supply a lubricant from within. A communication passage is provided in either the rotor support member or the sensor rotor, and is configured so as to provide a passage from a first space, which extends radially outward from the axial first direction side of the sensor rotor and is formed between the support wall and the rotor support member, with a second space, which is formed between the sensor rotor and the rotor support member. The case of the machine has a support wall extending at least in a radial direction to an axial first direction side, which is one side in an axial direction of the rotating electrical machine, and after lubricating the bearing, the lubricant is discharged from the second space to the first space through the communication passage. |
| US08678110B2 |
Mud saver valve and method of operation of same
A mud saver valve, positionable at the bottom of the drill string, above the bit, which includes an elongated body portion; portion of the valve housing a compressible spring a pressure; a valve mechanism which is a sliding sleeve moveable between open and closed positions within the valve; while in the closed position, drilling fluid cannot pass through the valve; when a combination of static and pump pressure exceeds the setting pressure of the dome, the sleeve will be moved by actuation pistons to the open position, at which drilling fluid is allowed to through the valve. Also, wherein when the valve is normally closed, as long as the fluid column pressure is less than the setting pressure, the valve remains closed, and allows the drill string to be disconnected and a section of pipe can added without the fluid draining from the drill column above the bit, and thus saving fluid. |
| US08678109B2 |
Intelligent controlled process for well lateral coring
A system for coring an underground formation surrounding a borehole, comprising: a tool body that can be positioned in the borehole near the formation to be cored, the tool body including a motor; a rotary drive head connected to the motor; a rotary tool connected to the rotary drive head and one end and carrying a drill bit at the other end; a drive mechanism including an operable anchor for anchoring in the borehole and an axial drive for advancing tool body and the rotary tool; and a guide for urging the rotary tool laterally from the borehole into the surrounding formation; wherein the rotary tool is a tubular coring tool conveying an annular drill bit. |
| US08678106B2 |
Rotary impact tool
A rotary impact tool includes: a hammer rotating by receiving a rotational force of a motor; an anvil rotating by receiving a rotational force of the hammer; and an end tool attached to the anvil, the rotary impact tool being constructed such that when a torque of a value not less than a predetermined value is applied to the anvil from the outside, the hammer is disengaged from the anvil to rotate idle and applies an impact to the anvil in a rotational direction after rotating idle by a predetermined angle, the rotary impact tool including an impact detector configured to detect impacts and a speed switching device configured to switch the rotational speed of the motor, and when the impact detector detects an impact during rotation of the anvil in a tightening direction, the speed switching device switches the rotational speed of the motor from a normal speed to a low speed. |
| US08678102B2 |
Seeding implement depth adjustment mechanism
A seeding implement is provided that includes a depth adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of a ground engaging tool for varying penetration depths. In an exemplary embodiment, the seeding implement includes a ground engaging tool and a packer arm pivotally coupled to a packer support structure. The seeding implement also includes a packer wheel rotatably coupled to the packer arm, and configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool into the soil. The seeding implement further includes a depth adjustment assembly including a slot within the packer support structure, a corresponding slot within the packer arm, and a fastener disposed through the slots. In this configuration, the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool is varied by adjusting a position of the fastener within the slots. |
| US08678099B2 |
Sealing system
A sealing system and method for sealing a tubular conduit, the sealing system includes a housing, at least one annular seal surrounding the outer surface of the housing, at least one seal back-up mounted on the housing outer surface, and seal and anchor energising means for urging the annular seal and the anchor surface into contact with the tubular conduit in response to an actuation force. |
| US08678098B2 |
Magnetically coupled actuation apparatus and method
An actuator includes: a carrier including an axially elongated fluid conduit therein, the fluid conduit configured to received a ball therein; and an axially elongated ball receiving element, wherein one of the ball and the ball receiving element is configured to produce a magnetic field, and another of the ball and the ball receiving element includes an electrically conductive material, the ball and the ball receiving element configured so that the electrically conductive material is exposed to the magnetic field as the ball advances through the ball receiving element, and eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive material that cause a repulsive force between the ball receiving element and the ball to at least one of reduce a velocity of the ball and actuate the ball receiving element. |
| US08678092B2 |
Controllably installed multilateral completions assembly
A multilateral completions assembly having selectively isolated lateral legs during hardware installation. The assembly includes a variety of isolation sleeves disposed interior of the main bore casing and adjacent corresponding pre-located windows through the casing. Thus, lateral legs may be sequentially created through the formation at each window in a manner that allows for follow-on isolation. As a result, fluid losses from newly formed legs may be avoided during completions operations. That is, as each leg is formed it may also be isolated in advance of forming of the next leg thereby enhancing the efficiency of completions operations as well as follow-on production. |
| US08678090B2 |
Methods for treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations with fluorinated polymer compositions
A method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation and treated hydrocarbon-bearing formations. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition having solvent and a fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer has units having formula (I): A method for making a composition containing these units is also disclosed. |
| US08678086B2 |
Method and apparatus for a downhole gas generator
A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam. |
| US08678085B1 |
Well control operational and training aid
A method and system to aid and/or train well control personnel by measuring the actual hydraulic delay and pressure attenuation of operator choke changes during well control operations or simulations. This provides the choke operator with an anticipated drillpipe pressure as soon as the choke is adjusted, accounting for hydraulic delay, pressure attenuation and prior choke adjustments that are currently travelling through the wellbore as well as reflections of the transient pressure waves against the pumps and choke. The technique that is described utilizes only three inputs, and works without knowledge of or inputting data such as well depth, pipe and hole geometry, mud properties, temperature, water depth, land, offshore platform or floating (subsea BOP's) drilling rigs. |
| US08678083B2 |
Expandable liner hanger with helically shaped slips
A liner hanger uses a spirally shaped slip member that makes at least one revolution about the mandrel being expanded. The slip member is disposed in a groove with tapered end walls that approach each other during radial mandrel expansion due to shrinkage of said mandrel in the longitudinal direction. The shrinkage binds the slip to the mandrel as the slip member approaches the surrounding tubular. The tapered side walls of the groove moving together cam out the slip member into enhanced contact with the surrounding tubular to support the liner or other string below the hanger. The slip member and groove have preferably the same pitch to allow easy mounting with an applied rotational force. |
| US08678078B2 |
Method and apparatus to transfer heat to automatic transmission fluid using engine exhaust gas feed stream
Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine. |
| US08678076B2 |
Heat exchanger with manifold strengthening protrusion
A plate type heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plate pairs made up of first and second plates. Each plate pair has opposed manifold members that form respective inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first fluid through a first set of fluid channels formed by the plate pairs. The manifold members space the plate pairs apart to form a second set of transverse flow channels for the flow of a second fluid. A protrusion member is formed at an end portion of the plates and proximal to each of the manifold members and has a mating surface, such that the protrusion members on the second plate of one plate pair align and abut with the protrusion members on the first plate of an adjacent plate pair thereby reinforcing and strengthening the manifold region of the heat exchanger to prevent deformation of the manifold under pressure. |
| US08678075B2 |
Heat exchangers and related methods
Heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a thermal contact plate defining a cavity in fluid communication with a first pipe and a plurality of stationary elements substantially perpendicular to the first pipe each defining a cavity wherein each cavity is in fluid communication with the first pipe and at least one cavity includes a wick. A plurality of movable elements are provided wherein the movable elements and the stationary elements are substantially parallel, alternatingly arranged and a portion of the movable elements overlaps a portion of the stationary elements. A working fluid is provided in the first pipe and cavities or stationary elements and thermal contact plate. |
| US08678073B2 |
Fugitive pattern assembly and method
A fugitive pattern assembly is made by preforming one or more fugitive patterns of an article to be cast, placing the preformed patterns in an injection die, and injecting fluid gating material into the die to form gating connected to the patterns. The fugitive patterns are disposed in end-to-end and/or side-by-side relation and are interconnected by the gating. |
| US08678071B2 |
Evaporative pattern, method of forming an evaporative pattern, and method of forming a metal mold by using an evaporative pattern
A lightweight metal mold having a necessary rigidity is realized. Firstly, an original pattern of an evaporative pattern is formed by machining an evaporative material block. The original pattern includes a three-dimensional mesh structure including a plurality of bar-shaped parts and connecting points that connect ends of the bar-shaped parts and are distributed in a three-dimensional space, and a plurality of block parts having fixed relative positional relationship by being fixed to the three-dimensional mesh structure. Then, at least a portion of at least one or more of the bar-shaped parts composing the original pattern is removed, and replaced with a tube member. Then, a full-mold casting is performed by using the evaporative pattern having the replaced tube member. Positional relationship of the block parts in which surfaces, etc. necessary for the metal mold are formed is fixed by the three-dimensional mesh structure, and the necessary rigidity is secured. The metal mold is made lighter by using the three-dimensional mesh structure. Due to the replacement with the tube member, an amount of gas generated upon the full-mold casting is suppressed, and a decrease in casting quality is prevented. |
| US08678070B2 |
Self-aligning door jamb track
A track for a roll-up industrial door. The track may include realigners adapted to divert the path of the industrial door as it is opened or shut. For example, a realigner may include a tapered portion to maintain a portion of the door within the track as the door is shut. Another realigner may have a tapered portion arranged to direct a portion of the door onto the track after it has been removed from the track. The tracks may be utilized in conjunction with a break-away industrial door having a flexible frame that is adapted to come out of the guide track upon application of a predetermined force. |
| US08678067B2 |
Posture-adjustable solar-collecting window blind
The present invention proposes a posture-adjustable solar-collecting window blind, which can adjust the position of solar cells to better collect solar energy. In the window blind, a solar detector and an ampere meter are used to detect the relationship between the incident angle of sunlight and an optimal arrangement of the solar detector. The relationship can be further used to adjust the positions of the plurality of solar cells. Furthermore, the window blind comprises a light sensor to detect the light intensity of a target area, which can be complementarily used to adjust the position of the plurality of solar cells. |
| US08678064B1 |
Laminating machine
A laminating machine for making sheet laminations using a thermal laminating film is disclosed which protects the film from being mounted in the machine in a manner that will expose its adhesive side to the heated laminating rollers in the machine. The film is stored on upper and lower supply rollers in the machine. Each supply roller is engaged at one end by a forward end of a rotatable piston disposed in a variable-length spring operated chuck. A stem attached to the forward end of the piston extends rearwardly from the forward end and away from the roller into a cylindrically enclosed body portion of the chuck. There the stem is engaged by a one-way needle bearing which permits the film to be unwound from the supply roller only in one direction, thus permitting only the non-adhesive side of the film to contact the machine's heated laminating roller. |
| US08678062B2 |
Adhesive tape joining apparatus
A collection bobbin is provided on a vertical line that travels a center of a supply bobbin. A pair of connection mechanisms is provided at front both sides of a tape housing chamber. An adhesive tape transport carriage with connection portions at a forward end of a carriage frame is connected to the connection mechanisms in the apparatus body. Loading of a master roll of an adhesive tape to the supply bobbin and unloading of a roll of a residual cut tape may be performed at the same position. |
| US08678059B2 |
Modifiable element for shaping a raw tire blank
The element (12) for shaping a circumferential portion of a raw tire blank substantially exhibiting symmetry of revolution about a main axis (X) comprises a bearing surface (16) for bearing radially against a circumferential portion of a radially internal surface of the blank. The element (16) is designed in such a way that the radial profile of the bearing surface (16) is modifiable. |
| US08678058B2 |
Standing seam profile field welding device and method
This invention relates to a novel thermoplastic profile roofing strip and an apparatus for welding the thermoplastic profile roofing strip to a thermoplastic roofing membrane. |
| US08678057B2 |
Label applicator
A labeling applicator having a suction plate (21) including a pair of divided bodies (21b, 21c) movable relatively to two positions, i.e., a contact position (S) where the opposing end faces facing each other move toward contact while sucking a first surface side of a label (L) to which an RFID tag is attached and a separated position (V) where the opposing end faces are separated from each other, wherein a portion (2) of the label (L) is folded in a peak by the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) facing each other as a divided body (21c) moves, thus forming a folded portion (M) having a bend or curved position (7) on the proximal end, before labeling an article (W). A non-abutting portion (20) is provided by cutting the edge of each split body (21b, 21c) corresponding to the bend (7) on the proximal end of the folded portion (M) such that the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) do not abut when the end faces move toward contact. Since a gap (Q) is formed between the bends (7) of the folded portion (M) in a label (L) attached by the labeling device, the folded portion (M) of the label (L) does not tilt easily enabling stabilized read/write of data. |
| US08678055B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire comprises a plurality of protect ribs extending at an angle α of 0 to 20° with respect to a tire radial direction line and provided on outer surfaces S of sidewall portions at distances from each other in a circumferential direction of a tire. Each of the protect ribs includes a maximum height portion whose height from the outer surface S is maximum. A vertical cross section shape which passes through the maximum height portion is of substantially triangular shape. This s substantially triangular shape includes an outer end-side inclined portion having the height which is gradually reduced from the maximum height portion to a radial outer end Ra, and an inner end-side inclined portion having the height which is gradually reduced from the maximum height portion to a radial inner end Rb. A distance La between the maximum height portion and the radial outer end Ra in the length direction is in a range of 0.1 to 0.3 times of a distance LR in the length direction between the radial outer end Ra and the inner end Rb of the protect rib, and a tire radial distance Ha between the radial outer end Ra of the protect rib and a bead base line is in a range of 0.6 to 0.8 times of a tire cross section height HT. |
| US08678052B2 |
Wood chip collection system
A wheeled chassis to which a stump grinding unit is securely attached that includes a chip collector attached to either the stump grinder or the wheeled chassis and positioned adjacent the trailing edge of the stump grinding wheel. The wheeled chassis includes a duct in fluid communication with the chip collector, and a collection bin positioned adjacent the trailing end and in spaced relation below the duct. The wheeled chassis is adapted for hitched connection to a vehicle. A blower can be positioned within the duct to produce a rearwardly directed air flow to assist in the chip movement towards the collection bin. The collection bin can be positioned on the wheeled chassis or on a vehicle to which the wheeled chassis is attached. |
| US08678049B2 |
Method and structure for prevention of incorrect fueling operations for diesel-powered vehicles
A method and structure are described for preventing the accidental introduction of gasoline into the fuel system of a diesel-powered vehicle. In a first preferred embodiment, a gasoline fuel nozzle is configured with a magnet, such as magnetic strips, and the entrance to a fill tube of a diesel-powered is configured with a magnetic field sensor ring. When an incorrect fueling operation, such as the introduction of gasoline into the fuel tank of the diesel-powered vehicle, is attempted the sensor ring alerts the operator visually and/or audibly before fueling starts, thereby preventing incorrect fueling. In alternative embodiments, sensing of an attempted incorrect fueling operation may require only the sensor ring. |
| US08678048B2 |
Device for dispensing effervescent beverages and a three-way valve
The invention relates to the field of food industry, more particularly, to commercial equipment, and is useful in apparatuses for dispensing beer and other foaming and/or carbonated beverages from an isobaric storage to plastic bottles or glasses for sale in retail kiosks, shops, restaurants, and bars. The technical result of the present invention is a simplified maintenance both of the apparatus for a manual dispensing of beverages as a whole due to excluding the need for a sanitary treatment of a part of the filling pipe each time a container is filled and a simplified maintenance of taps due to eliminating the need for frequent washing of units and parts of these means after the dispensing of beer or another beverage is over. The technical result is reached by two embodiments of the three-way cock (6364), which are installed in the apparatus for a manual dispensing of foaming and/or carbonated beverages to uncovered containers (54). The apparatus includes a housing (52) with a stage (53) for positioning an uncovered container (54) thereon and a filling pipe (55) mounted thereon for feeding a beverage, one end of the pipe (55) being arranged above the place where the uncovered container (54) is positioned. The apparatus is equipped with a cap (56) which is hermetically fastened to the stage, with an option of being disconnected, under which there are the filling pipe (55) and the place where the uncovered container (54) is positioned; a unit for fastening the cap and supplying or removing the container (54) from under it; and a unit for supplying under pressure a beverage or gas to underneath the cap (56) and removing the gas therefrom. |
| US08678043B2 |
Method for repairing and strengthening pipe with internal helically wound tensile reinforcement
A method for repairing and strengthening pipes by creating a structural reinforced composite liner within the existing pipe. The liner is created by helically winding a tensile reinforcement material on the inside wall of a pipe and encapsulating it in a hardening matrix material. The reinforcement material is helically wound around the inside wall of the pipe by an installation device. The installation device is configured to relieve and/or prevent the development of torsional stress in the reinforcement material that is created by the act of helically winding it onto the inside wall of a pipe, allowing the reinforcement material to lay flat against the pipe wall without twisting or buckling. The structural reinforced composite can be configured to supplement the strength of the existing pipe or to function as a stand-alone pipe within the existing pipe. |
| US08678040B2 |
Vertically compactable fluid transfer device
A vertically compactable fluid transfer device (10) can include a lateral fluid transfer conduit (12) to convey a fluid transfer fluid therethrough and to be supported by particles (16) packed to a first density. Additionally, the device (10) can include a riser (14) coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the lateral fluid transfer conduit (12). The riser (14) can be vertically compactable by at least 20% while maintaining structural integrity when the lateral fluid transfer conduit lowers as the supporting particles (16) pack to a second density, which is higher than the first density. |
| US08678039B2 |
Double layer conduit
An elongated conduit including a tubular outer pipe, an elastic inner pipe and an annulus between the outer pipe and inner pipe, the conduit being provided with a fluid supply device, the outer pipe being provided with an inlet for introducing the fluid in the annulus between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, which inlet communicates with the fluid supply device. |
| US08678034B2 |
Space-saving quick acting control valve for a steam turbine
A quick acting control valve for a steam turbine is provided. The quick acting control valve includes a valve box and a control valve cone which is arranged in the valve box so as to be displaceable along its center axis, whereby the control valve cone may be brought into an open position in which the control valve cone, with its control valve cone surface is lifted off the valve box and into a closed position in which the control valve cone rests against the valve box with its control valve cone surface, and a quick acting valve piston which is arranged in the valve box so as to face the back of the control valve cone facing away from the control valve cone surface, the quick acting control valve piston, on its outer peripheral edge, always resting on the valve box in a steam-tight manner. |
| US08678031B2 |
Pipe-passivating alkali-injecting device for a nuclear plant
A nuclear plant is provided with a pipe-passivating alkali-injecting device including an alkali-injecting tank, an actuator, a counter-balance valve, a pressure gauge, exhaust valves and switching valves. The actuator is connected to the alkali-injecting tank via a first pipe. The counter-balance valve is connected to the actuator via a second pipe and connected to the alkali-injecting tank via a third pipe. The pressure gauge is provided between the actuator and the counter-balance valve and connected to the second pipe. The exhaust valves are connected to the first and second pipes, and so are the switching valves. The alkali-injecting tank, the actuator and the counter-balance valve are used together to expel gases from the pipes while injecting alkali, thus effectively avoiding feedback of liquid in the nuclear plant, transmitting pure alkali in the pipes, and reducing damage to the pipes. |
| US08678029B2 |
Pressure regulator with remotely controlled shut-off valve
A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a main fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end. A tubular plunger body is supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at said outlet end. An actuator sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and engaged with the tubular plunger body, and a pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm extends between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve. A fluid port is arranged to supply pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to thereby produce linear movement of the actuator sleeve and the tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet end, moving the tubular plunger body into engagement with the valve seat to shut off the flow path. |
| US08678028B2 |
Locking device
The invention relates to a locking device for a lock opening which is arranged in a wall between a first and a second recipient, said lock opening comprising a blocking element, which is arranged in the inner chamber of the first recipient, and a counter-plate which is associated with the blocking element. A first magnet device is provided in an area of the counter-plate and a second magnet device, which is associated with the first magnet device, is provided in the region of the blocking element. In order to close and/or open the locking device by means of the first and second magnet device, a positive and/or negative contact pressure can be produced between the blocking element and the counter-plate. |
| US08678027B2 |
Exhaust passage component
An exhaust passage component includes: an inner space used as part of an exhaust passage of a hot water supply apparatus; a drainage passage configured such that if condensed water is produced in the inner space, the condensed water is caused to flow out of the inner space; a first sheet metal member, at least part of which includes a first recess formed by drawing and a plate-like portion formed around the first recess; and a second sheet metal member, at least part of which includes a second recess by drawing and a flange formed around the second recess. |
| US08678023B2 |
Damage detection system and vehicle
A damage detection system includes an electromagnetic valve that is provided at a first end of a pressure vessel and operated by supplied electric power, a harness that is disposed so as to at least partially extend along at least a part of a bottom surface of the pressure vessel and that serves to supply electric power to the electromagnetic valve, and a damage detector for detecting damage of the pressure vessel based on an input of a pressing force from the bottom surface side of the pressure vessel. |
| US08678021B2 |
Mobility assistive device
There is provided a tip configured for removable attachment to a walking aid device. The tip includes a base member, a shaft, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The shaft includes a bore therein extends upward from a central portion of an inner surface of the base member to accept a distal end of a walking aid device. The plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from an outer rim of the base member to the shaft and are configured to flex in response to a downward compressive force on the shaft. |
| US08678015B2 |
Non-tobacco pouch product
A pouched non-tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a non-tobacco flavorful component contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the non-tobacco flavorful component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the non-tobacco flavorful component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant. |
| US08678007B2 |
Patient support system and method
A patient support system for a wheelchair is provided. At least a portion of the patient support system components form a no-air-loss patient support surface. At least one fluid pump can supply air pressure to a plurality of no-air-loss air cells, and at least one pressure release valve can release air pressure from the no-air-loss air cells. A computer can compare air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure set point and can modulate the air pressure by actuating the at least one fluid pump and/or the at least one pressure release valve to bring the air pressure within the air cells to a desired air pressure. After the initial air pressure adjustments are made and the desired air pressure is achieved, no further adjustments during the operation are able to be made by the computer so that the patient positioned thereon the patient support system will not be moved by the patient support system during an operation. |
| US08678004B2 |
Respiratory probe
A respiratory probe including two channels in parallel, equipped with unidirectional valves connected head-to-tail. |
| US08678000B2 |
Portable breathing apparatus
In aspects, a portable breathing apparatus is provided that includes a face mask having a breathing valve, a blower for the supply of breathing air to the breathing valve via a supply line, a filter device for cleaning of the breathing air from the blower, and a compressed-air reservoir for alternative supply of breathing air to the breathing valve. Additionally, the breathing valve is a demand valve configured to supply pressure equal to or above an ambient pressure, a check-valve is arranged on the upstream side of the blower, and the compressed-air reservoir is provided with a pressure control valve for establishing an overpressure above the ambient pressure in the entire breathing system, wherein the pressure control valve is upstream of the breathing valve and downstream of the check valve, so that gas or liquid cannot penetrate into the system when breathing gas is supplied from the compressed-air reservoir. |
| US08677998B2 |
Oxygen concentrator
The present invention provides an oxygen concentrator which allows the flow rate setting to be changed safely and securely by the patient using a remote control device, the oxygen concentrator comprising a control means which does not allow the operation of the flow rate setting change button unless the remote control device receives the information on the flow rate setting value of the oxygen-enriched gas supplied by the current oxygen concentrator main body. |
| US08677997B2 |
Characterisation of mask systems
A method and CPAP apparatus characterizes different mask systems, e.g., masks and hoses. The CPAP apparatus can be calibrated for different mask systems and hoses by including sensors that measure flow and pressure at a flow generator of the apparatus. When the generator is fitted to a new mask system, or any changes are made to an existing one, a method calibrates the generator for the mask system. The method includes determining air flow characteristics using flow measurements from a first test period when flow through the mask system is open, measuring or estimating pressure in the mask system during a second test period when flow through the mask system is blocked and determining air flow characteristics of the diffuser of the mask system using the air flow characteristics of the air delivery hose determined during the first period and the pressure measurements made during the second period. |
| US08677995B2 |
Compressor control system for a portable ventilator
A method and apparatus for controlling a brushless DC (BLDC) motor over a wide range of angular speeds is presented. Analog magnetic sensors provide continuous signal measurements related to the rotor angular position at a sample rate independent of rotor angular speed. In one embodiment, analog signal measurements are subsequently processed using an arctangent function to obtain the rotor angular position. The arctangent may be computed using arithmetic computation, a small angle approximation, a polynomial evaluation approach, a table lookup approach, or a combination of various methods. In one embodiment, the BLDC rotor is used to drive a Roots blower used as a compressor in a portable mechanical ventilator system. |
| US08677992B2 |
Simple capsule-based inhaler
A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, employing capsules containing a dose of powder for inhalation, comprising two operating components and an optional cover. Air is drawn by the patient via a mouthpiece or nosepiece which is in communication with the capsule and travels via air paths through the device and through the capsule thereby dispersing and entraining the dose of powder. The capsule is cut by cutting means located on one of the components, in a manner which eliminates or minimizes capsule debris and minimizes powder leakage during use. The inhaler body and capsule cutting blades comprise a single operating component and they may be manufactured in a single unitary step. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of pulmonary medicines. |
| US08677991B2 |
Respirator
A respirator or anesthesia apparatus, for the artificial respiration of a patient, has a gas delivery device, at least one gas line for forming a breathing air line system, at least one gas mixing means with a mixed gas tank and at least two inlet openings with a shut-off member each for separately feeding at least two different gases to be mixed into the mixed gas tank and for subsequently feeding the mixed gas into the breathing air line system. The mixed gas tank is provided with at least two separate outlet openings for releasing the mixed gas from the mixed gas tank and for subsequently feeding it into the breathing air line system. |
| US08677989B2 |
Nebulizer kit and nebulizer
A nebulizer kit includes a case body, a flow channel formation member that covers an opening of the case body, an outside air introduction tube erected vertically from a base surface of the flow channel formation member and including a long groove formed in an inner circumferential surface thereof, a compressed air introduction tube below the outside air introduction tube within the case body and extending toward the interior of the outside air introduction tube, and an atomizing area formation member. The atomizing area formation member includes a liquid suction tube formation portion, a baffle, and a baffle support portion that connects the liquid suction tube formation portion and the baffle and that extends toward a side area of the baffle from an outer surface of the liquid suction tube formation portion. The baffle support portion is contained within the long groove of the outside air introduction tube. |
| US08677988B2 |
Eccentric telescopic portable outdoor heater
An eccentric telescopic portable outdoor heater includes a burner assembly, a base, and a connecting assembly provided between the burner assembly and the base. The connecting assembly is an arched telescopic curving-arm assembly adjusting the height of the burner assembly, which has a lower curving-arm, an upper curving-arm inserted into the lower curving arm, a lock device and a locating device. The base is a subassembly convenient for a gas bottle to be put in or taken out, which includes a supporting assembly, a gas bottle cover assembly, a door and sliding track assembly, a gas bottle cover assembly, a door and sliding track assembly. The base, the connecting assembly, and the burner assembly form the eccentric telescopic portable outdoor heater with smooth arched configuration. |
| US08677986B2 |
Electrodeposited wire tool and manufacturing method thereof
An electrodeposited wire tool has a core wire extending in a longitudinal direction, a plating layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the core wire, superabrasive grains held by the plating layer and coating layers covering the outer peripheral surfaces of the superabrasive grains. The coating layers are constituted of electroless Ni—P platings. The coating layers are heat-treated, and the electroless Ni—P platings are partially or entirely crystallized. |
| US08677984B2 |
Method and apparatus for tile cutting
A method and apparatus for cutting rigid, brittle articles such as tile used as a building material is improved by the capability to make both straight and curved cuts in tile on a single machine. The machine has both circular and plunge cutting tools and a table for moving the tile in both curved and straight lines in relation to the cutting tool, thereby achieving both curved and straight cuts. |
| US08677980B1 |
Fuel combined with carbon dioxide in elongate chamber
A fuel conditioning system is applied to common rail direct injection or unit injector diesel engines. A liquid fuel is conditioned with gas for combustion in the combustion chambers. The system includes an elongate conditioning vessel, at least one fuel dispensing inlet, at least one carbon dioxide inlet port, and at least one conditioned fuel outlet port on the vessel. Carbon dioxide and diesel fuel are fed into the inlet portion of the vessel. The mixture travels a path of at least ten feet in the vessel to the outlet portion to cause the carbon dioxide gas to dissolve in the liquid fuel for forming a liquid/gas fuel solution. At least one high-pressure fuel pump feeds the liquid fuel/gas solution into fuel injectors. |
| US08677977B2 |
Direct injection pump control strategy for noise reduction
A pump may have a first chamber and a solenoid coil to control movement of a first valve member. A second chamber may have a second valve member to control fluid moving into a third chamber. A first fluid passageway may link the first and second chambers, a second passageway may link second and third chambers and a third passageway may link third and fourth chambers. After pressurizing the third chamber causing fluid to flow into and leave a fourth chamber, the third chamber depressurizes due to downward movement of a plunger. Upon depressurization with a solenoid coil energized, second valve member floats and then moves against a valve seat. While the second valve member is moving toward the valve seat, the solenoid coil is de-energized causing the first valve member to move and strike the second valve member when the second valve member is moving at maximum velocity. |
| US08677976B2 |
High pressure fuel pump
A high pressure fuel pump (20) that pressurizes and supplies a fuel by driving a cam (21) such that a plunger (23) reciprocates, the high pressure fuel pump (20) comprises a lifter guide (25) having a guide hole (25A), a lifter (22) that is disposed between the cam (21) and the plunger (23) and is fitted into the guide hole (25A) to be free to slide so as to transmit a driving force from the cam (21) to the plunger (23), an oil collection portion (27) that is provided above the guide hole (25A) so as to surround a periphery of the lifter (22), and stores a lubricating oil for lubricating a sliding portion between the lifter (22) and the guide hole (25A), and an oil supply passage (25C) for supplying the lubricating oil to the oil collection portion (27). As a result, a reduction in a lubricating performance with regard to the lifter (22) in a position away from an opening portion of the oil supply passage (25C) is suppressed. |
| US08677974B2 |
Piston bowl with flat bottom
A piston for a direct injection engine is provided, the piston having a bowl at an upper end, the bowl forming a portion of a combustion chamber. The bowl includes an inner surface that defines a volume configured to receive a fuel-air mixture, the inner surface of the bowl including a generally concave portion including a flat bottom surrounding a central protruding dome. The relatively flat bottom portion is bounded by two radial concave surface portions which are disposed below two convex separation features for the injected fuel spray. Such surface geometries may reduce soot and improve fuel-air mixing. |
| US08677970B2 |
Piston for internal combustion engine
A piston and an engine are provided that includes various precise configuration parameters, including dimensions, shape and/or relative positioning of combustion chamber features. More particularly, configuration parameters for a piston crown and a piston bowl located within the piston crown are provided. The piston bowl configuration results in a combustion process that yields decreased heat transfer to a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine as well as reduced NOx emissions. |
| US08677965B2 |
Valve timing control device of internal combustion engine
A valve timing control device comprises a drive rotation member driven by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven rotation member fixed to a camshaft that actuates engine valves to open and close, the drive rotation member and driven rotation member being coaxially arranged to make a relative rotation therebetween; a phase varying mechanism that rotates the driven rotation member relative to the drive rotation member within a given angle, the phase varying mechanism being able to cause the driven rotation member to take the most-retarded phase position, the most-advanced phase position and a middle phase position defined between the most-retarded phase position and the most-advanced phase position; and a position keeping mechanism that is able to keep the driven rotation member at least the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position at the time of starting the engine, and is able to select one of the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position in accordance with an operation condition of the engine. |
| US08677957B2 |
Spark ignited internal combustion engine system
There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, an internal combustion engine system. In one example, the system comprises a controller configured to control an intake valve closing timing varying mechanism to vary a closing timing of the intake valve to regulate air charged in a combustion chamber in accordance with engine operating conditions and, in a first engine operating condition where a least volume of air is required to be charged into the combustion chamber, retard a closing timing of the intake valve to a most retarded crank angle which is after bottom dead center during a cylinder cycle and satisfies the following formulas: α≧−0.2685×ε02+10.723×ε0+15.815 and ε0≧11.0, where α is the most retarded crank angle and ε0 is a geometric compression ratio of the engine. |
| US08677955B2 |
Single poppet valve cylinder head assembly for internal combustion engine
A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine having an intake cycle and an exhaust cycle is provided. The cylinder head assembly includes a single valve, a cylinder head body, and a venturi tube. The cylinder head body has an intake port, an exhaust port, and a combustion chamber port configured to intermittently seat the single valve. The venturi tube is disposed within the cylinder head body and has a high pressure portion operably coupled to the cylinder head body proximate the intake port and a distal end spaced apart from the combustion chamber port. The venturi tube permits the intake port to remain in fluid communication with the exhaust port during both the intake cycle and the exhaust cycle of the internal combustion engine. |
| US08677952B2 |
Compound drive for the sleeve valve of an engine
A drive train for the sleeve of a sleeve valve engine has a pair of drives imparting compound motion to the sleeve which gives improved port opening and closing. One drive uses a engine driven first gear to give eccentric motion to the sleeve by a cam and follower. The other drive uses an engine driven second gear to give a small simultaneous rotation to the sleeve by an eccentric pin during a split sleeve. One drive allows axial response without preventing rotational response from the other drive. The sleeve path allows tall narrow ports which allow the piston rings to be nearer the piston crown and this reduces emissions. |
| US08677949B2 |
Fuel management system for very high efficiency flex fuel engines powered by methanol and gasoline
Turbocharged or supercharged spark ignition engine. The engine includes a source of methanol for direct injection of methanol into the engine and for delivering a portion of the methanol to a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas. |
| US08677944B2 |
Universal footwear harness system for pets
Disclosed is a paw pad protector harness that is a lightweight assembly of straps and buckles that is used to hold a variety of pet footwear securely in place for weather condition protection, and for protecting pet paws and legs from exposure to hazardous environments. |
| US08677941B2 |
System and methods for health monitoring of anonymous animals in livestock groups
A system and method for tracking the health of a group of livestock. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs of a small number of sentinel animals is tracked and used to assess the existence and/or progress of a disease in the group. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs are assessed using a vitality sensor, for example, an accelerometer which provides signals indicating the type and/or other properties of movements made by the sentinel animals. |
| US08677940B1 |
Hay feeder
A hay feeder for preventing waste and gluttony. The hay feeder includes a support member being fastened to a structure; a net having a plurality of openings being disposed therethrough and depending from the support member; and a fastener assembly for fastening the support member to the structure. |
| US08677938B2 |
Feed blocks and methods of making and using same
A feed block is formed of compacted feed components with a coating of oils or fats that causes the compacted feed components to separate and the feed block to break apart during liquid absorption making the feed block accessible to the animals. Feed blocks have an initial weight that is substantially free of liquid. Liquid is then introduced to the feed block to cause the feed block to absorb liquid and break apart. After a treatment period during which liquid is absorbed into the feed block, a final resulting weight of the feed block is at least 100 percent greater than the initial weight. The feed block with the broken apart feed components and absorbed liquid is provided the to the animals for the simultaneous ingestion of feed and liquid. Feed blocks are formed by introducing feed components coated with the oils or fats in a high pressure press and compacting the coated feed components to form the feed block. |
| US08677932B2 |
Apparatus for metering granular source material in a thin film vapor deposition apparatus
A metering mechanism is configured for transferring measured doses of a granular material from a first location to a second location, and is particularly suited for metering source material in a vapor deposition apparatus. A receiver is disposed to receive the granular material from the first location. A discharge port is axially offset from an outlet of the receiver. A reciprocating delivery member having a passage defined therethrough is moved in a reciprocating path by a controllable drive device between a load position wherein the passage is aligned with the receiver outlet and a discharge position wherein the passage is aligned with the discharge port. The amount of granular material transferred from the first location to the second location is a function of the volume of the passage and the reciprocating rate of the delivery member. |
| US08677930B2 |
Unit for making absorbent nappy/diaper pads
Absorbent nappy/diaper pads composed of a first absorbent base material, and a second absorbent material consisting of superabsorbent polymer powders, are made by a unit (3) that comprises a conveyor (11) carrying the first absorbent material along a predetermined feed path (P), and a feed system (24) by which the superabsorbent polymer powders are released onto the feed path (P); the feed system (24) comprises a fixed duct (27) with an outlet (45) directed at the feed path (P), and a valve (34), positioned along an intermediate segment of the duct (27), by which the superabsorbent polymer powders are dispensed intermittently and controllably. The valve (34) comprises a rotating disc (41), set transversely to the duct (27), with an annular region (51) that revolves through a gap (43) in the duct (27) and presents at least one slot (42) delimited longitudinally, in the direction of rotation of the disc (41), by a leading edge (52) and a trailing edge (53); the radial dimension of the slot (42) increases progressively, at least along a part of the distance from the leading edge (52) toward the trailing edge (53). |
| US08677927B2 |
Coating head and coating apparatus using the same
The invention discloses a coating apparatus for coating slurry on a substrate. The coating apparatus comprises: a container for storing the slurry; a slurry pushing means connecting with the container through a discharging pipe; a coating head connecting with the slurry pushing means through another discharging pipe and connecting with the container through a feed-back pipe, and a controlling valve provided within the feed-back pipe. The coating head comprises: a coating slit; a discharging concave; a feed-back concave; a separator provided between the feed-back concave and the discharging concave; and an extending concave for correspondingly covering and matching with the discharging concave and the feed-back concave. The discharging concave and the feed-back concave are respectively provided with a discharging aperture and a feed-back aperture for respectively connecting with the discharging pipe and the feed-back pipe. |
| US08677924B1 |
Scorekeeper board
Method and apparatus for a scoreboard for keeping score of a game of, for example, dominoes among multiple players. It comprises a generally rectangular shaped body having an upper surface and a lower surface, a left side and a right side and upper and lower ends. The upper surface has four sets of first apertures arranged in columns and numbered rows for receiving pegs for storage therein. An upper row of second apertures is provided above the first apertures for temporary placement therein of the pegs prior to the player having accumulated any points. The top surface discloses on the left side a series of scores running from 5 to 150 wherein the first player to reach 150 is the winner of the game. The top surface discloses a series of peg holes arranged in columns so that each player can have a dedicated series of peg holes. |
| US08677920B1 |
Underwater vehicle
Various aspects can be implemented to provide a reconfigurable underwater vehicle. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a underwater vehicle that includes a hull that is angular in shape and capable of avoiding sonar detection. The hull can include a bow and a stern that are substantially similar in shape. The underwater vehicle can also include a plurality of reconfigurable modules that are interconnected to form the hull of the underwater vehicle. Each reconfigurable module is capable of performing a different function associated with operation of the underwater vehicle. Further, the plurality of reconfigurable modules can be built in a warehouse away from a shipyard and assembled to form the underwater vehicle at the shipyard. |
| US08677918B2 |
Marine vessel having reduced skin friction drag
A marine vessel comprising a hull having a wetted area when underway on a surface of a body of water, a series of spaced transducer sections positioned in the wetted area of the hull, and an acoustic generator to energize the transducers to produce acoustic waves having an intensity sufficient to nucleate cavitation upon cavitation nuclei suspended in the water medium. Suspended cavitation nuclei include entrained gases, particulate matter, microbubbles formed from wind-blown breaking waves, and/or phase-boundaries at gas-water or solid-water interfaces in the water medium. The intensity, duty cycle and/or frequency of the acoustic waves are determined and/or regulated according to water conditions to produce microcavitation bubbles in the boundary layer between fifty and two hundred microns in size or to optimally reduce drag. An operator or controller may dynamically regulate the frequency, intensity, and/or duty cycle of acoustic waves according to vessel speed and/or sea surface conditions. |
| US08677917B2 |
Interchangeable superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels
An ocean going vessel with interchangeable superstructure and hull in which the superstructure has control units for controlling propulsion and steering, as well as components for communication and navigation. The superstructure and the hull each have an interface providing quick connect and disconnect capability between the control units of the superstructure and the components being controlled of the hull. A system for interchanging superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels is enabled in which the superstructure of an inbound vessel is removed and transferred to an outbound hull with the use of a crane at the port facility. This facilitates quick turnaround time of the superstructure and crew of the inbound vessel. This also enables inbound ship hulls to be inspected without delaying the outbound hull that has been preloaded from being shipped out of port with the transferred superstructure. |
| US08677916B2 |
Multi-needle quilting machine and needle and looper drive mechanism therefor and method of operating same
A multi-needle quilting machine is provided with a common drive that drives the needles and loopers. It may also drive the presser foot assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, a drive motor drives a rotating drive shaft. The drive shaft has an off-center drive assembly connected to it that rocks a needle rocker shaft as well as looper rocker shafts, and also a presser foot shaft. The off-center drive includes a pair of eccentrics on the drive shaft at each side of the machine. Each eccentric oscillates a linkage plate that is fixed to a shaft such as the needle rocker shaft and is also linked to the looper rocker shafts and the presser foot shaft. The eccentric thereby reciprocates the needles and oscillates the loopers, as well as reciprocates the presser foot plate, in permanent synchronization. |
| US08677911B2 |
Technology cart
A lower housing portion and an upper housing portion define an internal technology box that holds a lap top computer such that the base of the laptop is securely held in the technology box while the screen extends above the work surface. The technology box is located remotely from the work surface/keyboard stack. The upper housing may be moved from a closed use position to a partially open, forward position allowing a user to access the power button of laptop and to a fully open position where the laptop may be removed. |
| US08677905B2 |
Single-bridge manipulator maneuvering system
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a load maneuvering system that includes a pair of runway rails, a bridge that is movable on the runway rails and that includes a single bridge rail, a carriage that is movable on the single bridge rail, and a manipulator supported by the carriage. The bridge rail is configured to support the assembly of the carriage and manipulator when a load is carried by the manipulator and a resultant moment is imposed on the bridge rail. The moment may be imposed in a direction about the bridge axis, in a direction about the runway axis, or a combination of the two. By providing a single bridge rail with an enclosed member as part of (or the entirety of) the bridge rail, the overall system is lighter and requires less power for movement of the bridge on the runway rails, and requires less power to move the carriage on the bridge. Additionally, the assembly is simplified relative to some load maneuvering systems of the prior art thereby making it less expensive to manufacture. |
| US08677903B2 |
Dissolvable material application in perforating
A shaped charge includes a charge case; a liner; an explosive retained between the charge case and the liner; and a primer core disposed in a hole in the charge case and in contact with the explosive, wherein at least one of the case, the liner, the primer core, and the explosive comprising a material soluble in a selected fluid. A perforation system includes a perforation gun, comprising a gun housing that includes a safety valve or a firing valve, wherein the safety valve or the firing valve comprises a material soluble in a selected fluid. |
| US08677897B2 |
Pad printing machine
A pad printing machine including at least one pad holder and an object carrier which is positionally displaceably relative to the pad holder and is designed to receive one or more objects, where said pad printing machine further comprises a setup print image receiving element at a fixed distance from the object carrier, further an image recorder to generate an image of at least one zone of the setup print image receiving element, a position deviation detector ascertaining the deviation of the actual position of a print image situated on the print image receiving element from a reference position defined by reference data, and a position shift ascertaining element to ascertain the shift of the object carrier relative to a reference position, as well as a method for printing objects using a pad printing machine. |
| US08677887B2 |
Funnel-shaped filter for a moka and moka
A coffee-holding funnel for moka-type coffee machines and a moka-type coffee machine utilizing such funnel are described. The funnel and the moka are adapted to be used with single-use capsules containing ground coffee. |
| US08677884B2 |
Hydraulic pump/motor and fan driving device
A hydraulic motor 10 of the invention includes a detected unit 52 formed on an outer circumferential surface of a cylinder block 14 and a rotation sensor 50arranged opposed to the detected unit 52 for detecting the detected unit 52. The rotation sensor 50 is provided on a position corresponding to a position between a deepest portion 41 of a cylinder hole 29 and a rear end face 28 of the cylinder block in an axial direction of the cylinder block. A fan driving device 60 is provided with the hydraulic motor 10, a bracket 61 to which the hydraulic motor is attached in a state in which a tip end of the rotational shaft 13 is arranged on a surface side thereof through a through-hole 64 and a fan 62 attached to the rotational shaft 13 and is driven by the hydraulic motor. |
| US08677883B2 |
Rotary lug breeches and weapons including such rotary lug breeches
Rotary lug breeches and weapons including such rotary lug breeches are disclosed. An example rotary lug breech includes a bolt carrier. Wherein when releasing the bolt, a cam section of a receiver converts a releasing motion into a screwing motion to release a cartridge. During the screwing motion, a first stud surface interacts with the cam section. During a locking process, the first stud surface engages the cam section to perform a pre-control process that rotates a control pin in a slot from a releasing position in which an advancement of the bolt carrier exerts substantially no torque on the bolt, to a control position in which a first slot surface of the slot interacts with the control pin. When the bolt carrier moves forward, the bolt carrier exerts a torque on the bolt to enable the bolt and the bolt carrier move relative to one another. |
| US08677879B1 |
Firearm cooling device
A firearm cooling device that includes a briefcase with a lockable lid, an adjustable firearm mount disposed upon the briefcase lid, an air pump disposed within a compartmentalized housing disposed within the briefcase, a rechargeable battery disposed within the compartmentalized housing, said battery in circuit with the air pump, an air vent disposed upon the briefcase in open communication with the air pump, an outlet port disposed upon the briefcase in open communication with the air pump, and an air hose releasably connectable to the outlet port, wherein an extant firearm is supportable within the adjustable firearm mount and air forcibly expelled by the air pump through the air hose is directable proximal the barrel of said firearm to more efficiently radiate heat therefrom whereby said firearm is more rapidly cooled thereby. |
| US08677878B1 |
Thermal management of a propulsion circuit in an electromagnetic munition launcher
Apparatus and methods provide thermal management of a propulsion circuit in an electromagnetic munition launcher. |
| US08677877B2 |
Traveling wave augmented railgun
A railgun launcher with principle rail energization and fielding derived from a co-traveling energy pulse associated with a close-coupled parallel transmission line structure. Enhanced system efficiency, plus amelioration of simple railgun negative features, is enabled via the induction hybrid railgun methodology proposed. |
| US08677867B2 |
Locking strap holder-seamer
A lockable pipe support holding device of the plier type is provided, having large flat jaws for gripping pipe straps, shoes, hangers and materials. The jaws have a textured inner surface and notched grooves along the lateral edges to promote firm grip on metal and bending of the same. A “U” shaped recess along the front edge of the jaws allows fasteners to be inserted into a strap or similar object being securely held by the tool. A user may adjust the gap between jaws by means of an adjustment screw in a handle. In addition the jaws may be locked in place and then unlocked by means of a lever housed in a handle. Consequently, a user may insert fasteners into a working area of an object without having to hold onto the tool while doing so. |
| US08677864B1 |
Compact cam actuated adjustable socket
A wrench drive socket having jaws, actuated by a cam mechanism, facilitating the accommodation of a range of faceted work pieces is provided wherein adjustment of the distance between the jaws having V-shaped grips is accomplished by rotation of a knurled adjustment collar circumferentially disposed around a socket sleeve and fixed to an internally positioned jaw guide, the rotation of the jaw guide selectably positioning cam followers on the jaws against arch shaped cam profiles fashioned along the inside circumference of the socket sleeve, the sleeve being fixed to a centrally disposed socket body having an engaging hole to receive a drive shaft of a wrench such as a ratchet wrench. The adjustable drive socket provides advantages over the prior art including simplified construction, convenience of use, durability, effectiveness, and cost and weight reduction through the elimination of a plurality of sockets having fixed sizes. |
| US08677861B2 |
Bladeless stripping device
A bladeless stripping device includes a body having a cutting zone across the body forming a living hinge to fold the body along a fold area. An aperture may be located through the body and may be associated with the fold area. The aperture may change dimension as the body is folded and unfolded. The fiber aperture may receive for example an optical fiber in an unfolded state and may close upon for example the optical fiber in a folded state such that, when the bladeless stripping device is translated along for example the optical fiber at least one coating of for example the optical fiber is caused to be stripped away, revealing for example a bare glass fiber suitable, for example, for connectorizing or splicing. |
| US08677858B2 |
Steering wheel and manufacturing method of steering wheel
A steering wheel and steering wheel manufacturing method are provided in which misalignment of the relative position of the wood member and the metal core can be prevented or suppressed in the period until the elastic adhesive is cured.A wood member and a rim metal core portion are bonded by an elastic adhesive being present between the wood member and the rim metal core portion. Spacer members are disposed between the wood member and the rim metal core portion so as to position the wood member relative to the rim metal core portion. Consequently, misalignment of the relative position of the wood member and the rim metal core portion is suppressed by the spacer members during the period until the elastic adhesive is cured. |
| US08677856B2 |
Steering device
A steering device facilitates assembly of a tilt lock mechanism, which elastically supports movement of a movable tilt lock gear to a stationary cam in a tilt direction via a spring. When a cylindrical part of a tilt stopper is inserted into a through hole, the cylindrical part enlarges in diameter, and surfaces of engagement projections engage with an end surface of an inclined cam surface side of the stationary cam. A right end surface of a tilt stopper flange part abuts against an end surface of the movable tilt lock gear. The movable tilt lock gear, a wire spring, and the stationary cam are integrated by the tilt stopper, and are prevented from being dispersed during transport. As a result, the assembly time can be reduced. |
| US08677855B2 |
Conveyance arm and conveyance robot with same
First and second parallel link mechanisms 36, 38 are connected via a short link 35 arranged on a rotational angle transmission mechanism 29 so that a rotation applied to the first parallel link mechanism 36 is transmitted to the second parallel link mechanism 38 via the rotational angle transmission mechanism 29. The rotational angle transmission mechanism 29, the second parallel link mechanism 38 and the driven side link of the first parallel link mechanism 36 are horizontally supported by the drive side link 30 of the first parallel link mechanism 36. The rotational angle transmission mechanism 29 transmits the rotational angle applied to the drive side link 30 of the first parallel link mechanism 36 to the drive side link 32 of the second parallel link mechanism 38 supported by the drive side link 30 via the guide means that is parallel to the short link 35. |
| US08677854B2 |
Apparatus for a robot arm
An apparatus for a robot arm of an industrial robot. A first module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a first axis of rotation. A second module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a second axis of rotation. The first member of the second module is attached to the second member of the first module. A third module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a third axis of rotation. The first member of the third module is attached to the second member of the second module. The second axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the first and the third axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first and the third axis of rotation when the first axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the third axis of rotation. The third module includes a motor unit including an output shaft rotatable about an axis which is substantially collinear with the third axis of rotation. The motor unit intersects a plane in which the second axis of rotation lies. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the third axis of rotation. |
| US08677852B2 |
Multiplexed electromechanical actuator mechanism
A multiplexed electromechanical shift mechanism includes a single linear actuator with multiple independently selectable linkages actuating a clutch and multiple gears for use in motor vehicle transmissions such as a dual clutch transmission. The linear actuator may be a ball screw, a planetary roller screw or hydraulic or pneumatic operator capable of controlling bi-directional linear motion of an output member. A plurality of linear clutches selectively couple the output member to one of a plurality of linkages adapted to transfer the bi-directional motion of the output member. One of the linkages is coupled to and engages an input (main) clutch of the transmission and the remaining linkages are coupled to and bi-directionally translate shift forks and synchronizer clutches which achieve gear selection and engagement. |
| US08677851B2 |
Energy absorbing shift lever assembly with reusable latching mechanism
A shift lever assembly for operating a transmission of a vehicle includes a mounting shaft an extension shaft coupled thereto. The extension shaft is pivotable between an operating position and a collapse position relative to the mounting shaft. A latching mechanism is disposed within a bore defined by one of the mounting shaft and the extenstion shaft. The latching mechanism includes a compression spring biasing against a plunger. One of the mounting shaft and the extension shaft defines a seat. The plunger engages the seat in the interlocking engagement when the extension shaft is in the operating position. The plunger holds the extension shaft in the operating position until a force greater than a pre-determined value is applied to the extension shaft to compress the plunger and permit the extension shaft to pivot into the collapse position. The extension shaft is repeatably moveable between the operating position and the collapse position. |
| US08677850B2 |
Rolling mill drive with oil recirculation system having air pressure feature
A gear spindle includes a shaft having a first gear cavity at a first end, an oil delivery path for delivering oil to the first gear cavity and an oil return path for carrying oil away from the first gear cavity. A first seal assembly is associated with the first end of the shaft for limiting leakage of oil from the first gear cavity, the first seal assembly including a sealing interface having one side in fluid communication with the first gear cavity and an opposite side in fluid communication with a fluid delivery path. The fluid delivery path may be connected to a source of pressurized air for reducing pressure differential across the sealing interface. |
| US08677849B2 |
Sprocket with damper and compensator
A sprocket unit comprising: a damper mounted on the first shaft with a first face defining a recess and a second face defining chambers for receiving spring loaded weights; a sprocket mounted to the first shaft with a hub defining an aperture and a slot; a front end plate mounted on the shaft with a hub defining an aperture aligned with the aperture of the sprocket; and a spring received within the aperture of the sprocket, the aperture of the front end plate, and the recess of the damper. When the first shaft rotates and firing frequency of the engine coincides with a resonant frequency of the first shaft, the spring loaded weights slide in the chambers of the damper, dampening out the resonant frequency in the first shaft and when the sprocket rotates the spring compresses and extends, reducing torsional load of the first shaft on the second shaft. |
| US08677847B2 |
7-speed transmission
A 7-speed transmission for a motor vehicle, in particular for a sports car, includes an input or primary shaft, an output or secondary shaft, a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and a seventh forward speed, as well as a reverse speed. In order to obtain a compact constructional design with a small transversal size and allow a sporty drive mode in the upshift from the first to the sixth speed, in which the shift process occur in an overlapping manner and almost without any interruption of the drive force, the eight speeds are combined in pairs into four shift groups, two of the four shift groups are arranged on the input or primary shaft and two on the output or secondary shaft, respectively, and at least between the first speed and the sixth speed adjacent speeds are arranged in different shift groups. |
| US08677845B2 |
Measurement pendulum for stored grains
A measurement pendulum for stored grains mass in which a pendulum type measurer (1) formed by a protection structure (2), holds sensors (3) in its inside that have the direct interface with the outside through one or more transversal passages (4), provided of a porous protection (5) in order to measure the desired variables from the interstitial air that crosses the porous protection (5), and represents the grains characteristics in the outside. |
| US08677844B2 |
Injection port for analysis appliances, device for actuating an injection port, and analysis appliance with an injection port
The invention relates to an injection port for analysis appliances, said injection port (10), when fitted correctly on an analysis appliance, forming an access line which leads to an analysis chamber of the analysis appliance and through which it is possible to guide the cannula of a sample injector containing a sample to be analysed, characterized in that the injection port comprises at least one elastic valve element (24) which can be opened and closed in a controlled manner and by means of which the access line to the analysis chamber can be sealed off both in the absence of a cannula and also when a cannula is guided through the injection port. The invention further relates to an analysis appliance provided with a corresponding injection port, and to a device for actuating the injection port. |
| US08677842B2 |
Method and apparatus for decontamination of tubing
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction. |
| US08677836B2 |
Torque sensor
A torque sensor includes a driving rod, a driving body connected fixedly to the driving rod, and a driving block extending from the driving body and having two opposite pushing surfaces, a driven body permitting the driving body to rotate relative thereto as a result of application of a torque to the driving rod, a driven rod extending from the driven body, and a block-receiving groove formed in the driven body. A first measuring module is connected to the driving block. A second measuring module is connected to the driven body, and cooperates with the first measuring module so as to measure the torque. Two resilient members flank the driving block. Each of the resilient members is disposed between and abuts against the corresponding pushing surface and the driven body. |
| US08677833B2 |
Mass flow measurement and measuring apparatus having a central bulk material feed
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a mass flow of flowable bulk materials according to the Coriolis principle of measurement. The apparatus comprises a vane wheel by which a mass flow that is supplied in axial direction can be radially redirected and by which it is possible to detect the drive torque that that necessary to achieve the redirection. A drive shaft that is routed through the top side of the housing is configured as a hollow shaft through which the bulk material can be fed to the vane wheel in vertical direction toward the center of its axis of rotation. |
| US08677829B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for production and integration of compact illumination schemes
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for production and integration of compact illumination schemes. More particularly, disclosed embodiments relate to apparatus/systems and methods for production of highly compact illumination schemes, whereby photoacoustic waves are induced in a target sample. Additionally, the disclosed apparatus/systems and methods are effective to produce compact and portable integrated transducer-illumination arrays. Apparatus disclosed generally include at least one lighting source and a beamsplitting assembly. Systems disclosed generally include one or more apparatus for the production of compact lighting schemes, an ultrasonic transducer assembly and means for coupling the one or more apparatus and US transducer assembly with a target sample. |
| US08677823B2 |
Acoustic thickness measurements using gas as a coupling medium
An acoustic apparatus adapted to operate in a gas filled space from a first side of an object to be measured for making a non-contact thickness measurement thereof includes an electro acoustic transducer, a transceiver coupled with the electro acoustic transducer and adapted to excite electro acoustic transducer to output an acoustic signal towards the object to be measured and receive an acoustic response signal therefrom, and a signal processor adapted to process the response signal and determine a thickness of the object. The electroacoustic transducer has a transducer-to-gas acoustic interface, and the transceiver is adapted to operate the electroacoustic transducer so as to emit into a gas filled gap an acoustic broad band pulse towards the object and to receive an acoustic resonance response signal in the acoustic response signal at a level that allows acquisition of the resonance response signal above a predetermined signal to noise level. |
| US08677821B2 |
Readout method and electronic bandwidth control for a silicon in-plane tuning fork gyroscope
Disclosed are methods and a sensor architecture that utilizes the residual quadrature error in a gyroscope to achieve and maintain perfect mode-matching, i.e., ˜0 Hz split between the drive and sense mode frequencies, and to electronically control sensor bandwidth. In a reduced-to-practice embodiment, a 6 mW, 3V CMOS ASIC and control algorithm are interfaced to a mode-matched MEMS tuning fork gyroscope to implement an angular rate sensor with bias drift as low as 0.15°/hr and angle random walk of 0.003°/√hr, which is the lowest recorded to date for a silicon MEMS gyroscope. The system bandwidth can be configured between 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz. |
| US08677819B2 |
In-line fuel properties measurement unit
An in-line fuel properties measurement unit (IFPMU) (50) for in-line assembly in a fluid flow path, in particular a fuel flow path of an aircraft, includes a compensator section (58) and a densitometer section (60). The densitometer section is connected in-line with the compensator section such that full fluid flow is seen by each section. The IFPMU further includes a circuit card having tabs or “arms” for electrically interfacing with cylinders of the compensator section, wherein the cylinders include reliefs formed therein to create an air gap between the cylinder and the tab. |
| US08677815B2 |
Apparatus for a borehole influx fluid parameters measurement
The apparatus for a borehole influx fluid parameters measurement comprises an enclosure open on two adjacent sides and having a poorly deformable heat-insulating rear wall, a cover and side walls made of elastically deformable heat-insulating material. Inside the enclosure a cellular structure of elastically deformable heat-insulating material is mounted with the gap relative to the enclosure's rear wall and having the through cells insulated from one another. Said cells forming the apparatus inlet openings on one side of the cellular structure and on the other side they are connected with the gap, the total area of the inlet openings significantly exceeds the area of the structure side surface they are located at. The transducers for the measurement of the influx fluid parameters are disposed inside the cells. |
| US08677814B2 |
Device for extracting at least one type of gas contained in a drilling mud, an analysis arrangement and a related extraction method
A device (53) comprises an enclosure (63) and means (65, 67) for circulating a drilling mud in the enclosure (63). The inventive device is also provided with means (69) for introducing a gas carrier into the enclosure (63), which comprises a pipe (113) provided with a unit (121) for adjusting the gas carrier flowrate. The device (53) comprises a gas extracting pipe (71) open into the enclosure (63). The gas introducing means (69) comprise a sensor (123) for measuring a pressure at a point located downstream of the adjusting unit (121) and means (117) for controlling the flowrate of the gas carrier injected through said adjusting unit (121) according to the difference between a pressure measured by the sensor (123) and a determined gas extraction pressure. |
| US08677812B2 |
Device for measuring tire pressure having a system housing provided with a resilient means
A device for measuring the tire pressure in a pneumatic tire of a vehicle, having an electronic system housing which has an electronic system for measuring values, acted on by a tire valve, for the tire pressure, wherein the electronic system for measuring values is assigned a receiver arranged outside the pneumatic tire, and wherein the electronic system housing is arranged in the region of the rim well of a rim for the pneumatic tire and is indirectly or directly connected to the tire valve, wherein at least one spring element which is operatively connected to the rim well is provided on the electronic system housing. |
| US08677800B2 |
Framework enveloping a prover
A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover. |
| US08677799B2 |
Apparatus for hydraulically actuating processing machines such as metal forming machines and method for actuating such metal forming machines
The invention relates to an apparatus for actuating of processing machines like metal forming machines and method, control and application of an apparatus for actuating said metal forming machines. The processing machine is driven by at least two rams with pressurized fluid, like water, whereas the rams are actuated by variable pumps with different fluid under pressure, e.g. hydraulic liquid. |
| US08677794B2 |
Multi-stand rolling mill of the longitudinal elongator kind for rod-shaped bodies, comprising four-rolls stands, and method for substituting the stands
There is described multi-stand rolling mill with stands having four motorized rolls and provided with controls outside the stand and retractile spindles, which comprises a central body with said stands; a first platform (41) on a side charge position carrying the substitution stands; a second platform (42) on a side discharge position, opposite to said side charge position; a transversal translation device (43, 44) adapted to push the substitution stands against the corresponding stands to be substituted on the central body. The stands to be substituted translate on the second platform, and the substitution stands substitute the stands to be substituted in the central body. |
| US08677786B2 |
Soft water forming device and washing machine including the same
A soft water forming device includes; a capacitive deionization stack (“CDI”) stack including at least one anode and at least one cathode that are separately and alternately stacked to adsorb ions contained in water, and a pumping unit which pumps one of water supplied to the CDI stack and water which has passed through the CDI stack, the pumping unit including; a casing have a water inlet and a water outlet and a rotor which rotates due to motive power supplied by an external motor and pumps the water supplied into the casing. |
| US08677784B2 |
Gravity bending glass sheets
A gravity bending mold for bending glass sheets is disclosed. The gravity bending mold comprises an intermediate mold having an intermediate movable mold section and a final mold having a final movable mold section. Each movable mold section is movable between an operable position and an inoperable position respectively. The intermediate and final movable mold sections are adapted successively to engage a glass sheet during a gravity bending operation. There is a mechanical connection between the intermediate and final movable mold sections, the mechanical connection being selectively disposable in a first configuration, at which the intermediate and final movable mold sections are in the operable and inoperable positions respectively, and in a second configuration, at which the final and intermediate movable mold sections are in the operable position and inoperable positions respectively. When the mechanical connection is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration, the intermediate movable mold section moves to the inoperable position and the final movable mold section correspondingly moves to the operable position to take the place of the intermediate moveable mold section. There is also provided a method of bending glass sheets using such a mold. |
| US08677781B2 |
Device and method for piercing enlargement
A device and method is provided to enable the enlargement of a piercing to a desired diameter. The device includes a series of units with each unit consisting of a plug body, a front end cap and a rear end cap and each unit increasing in size compared to the previous unit in the series. Each unit is able to securely attach to the previous unit and enable it to push the previous unit out of the piercing as it is pushed into the piercing. |
| US08677779B2 |
Air conditioner with series/parallel secondary evaporator and single expansion valve
An air conditioning system has one expansion valve supplying refrigerant to two evaporators. A vapor quality of a refrigerant has an initial value at a primary inlet of a primary evaporator, and has a resultant value at the primary outlet. The primary evaporator has a bypass inlet at a first location where the vapor quality of the refrigerant is less than about 80% of the resultant value. A secondary evaporator has a secondary inlet receiving a bypass portion of the metered flow of refrigerant split-off at a second location of the primary evaporator between the first location and the expansion valve. The secondary outlet is connected to the bypass inlet. Thus, cooling can be achieved for two different zones using only one expansion valve. |
| US08677774B2 |
Ice making unit for a flow-down ice making machine
Ice making portions of an ice making machine have a pair of ice making plates disposed vertically and an evaporation tube disposed between back faces of the ice making plates. A plurality of vertically extending projected rims are formed at predetermined intervals widthwise on a surface of each ice making plate to define a plurality of ice making regions. The ice making plates facing the ice making regions are provided with consecutive vertical steps of inclined portions inclined from a back side towards a front side as directed downwardly, and contact horizontal extensions of the evaporation tube at a vertically intermediate position on a back face of each inclined portion. |
| US08677773B2 |
Refrigerator having a variable capacity heater
Disclosed is a refrigerator that includes a main body having a cooling chamber. The refrigerator also includes a door coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the cooling chamber. The refrigerator further includes a home bar positioned at a front surface of the door and configured to provide access to contents of the refrigerator without opening the door. In addition, the refrigerator includes a heater positioned at the home bar and configured to adjust an amount of heat based on an ambient temperature. |
| US08677772B2 |
Air conditioning system for a vehicle
An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a cabin air conditioning unit, a heat management unit, a temperature detecting unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. The control unit is operable to control operations of the cabin air conditioning unit, the switching unit, and the heat management unit according to temperature detection results from the temperature detecting unit, thereby regulating temperature of at least one of a passenger cabin and a heat generating component, which generates waste heat during operation thereof, of the vehicle. |
| US08677768B2 |
System and method for purifying a first liquid content and simultaneously heating a second liquid content
The system includes a first heat exchanger in which the refrigerant is injected directly into the content of the first liquid circuit through at least one nozzle to simultaneously capture latent heat from the content as purified frozen liquid pieces are formed. It also includes a second heat exchanger in which the refrigerant transfers the latent heat captured from the content of the first liquid circuit to a content of the second liquid circuit, thereby raising the content of the second liquid circuit in temperature. The proposed concept provides designers with opportunities to create highly efficient systems and methods where the latent heat extracted for the purification is immediately employed to a useful purpose. |
| US08677766B2 |
Radial pre-swirl assembly and cooling fluid metering structure for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine comprises a pre-swirl structure coupled to a shaft cover structure and located radially between a supply of cooling fluid and a flow path. The pre-swirl structure defines a flow passage and includes a plurality of swirl members in the flow passage. A flow direction of cooling fluid passing through the flow passage is altered by the swirl members such that the cooling fluid has a velocity component in a direction tangential to the circumferential direction. The bypass passages provide cooling fluid into a turbine rim cavity associated with a first row vane assembly to prevent hot gas ingestion into the turbine rim cavity from a hot gas flow path associated with a turbine section of the engine. |
| US08677765B2 |
Gas-turbine combustion chamber with a holding mechanism for a seal for an attachment
Gas-turbine combustion chamber with a combustion chamber head made from a metallic material and mounting at least one burner, and with a combustion chamber wall made from a ceramic material, where at least one igniter plug or other combustion chamber attachment is arranged in a recess of the combustion chamber wall, and where in the area of the recess a seal is arranged that is mounted by a metallic holding mechanism from another component than the combustion chamber wall. |
| US08677760B2 |
Fuel nozzle with integrated passages and method of operation
Disclosed is a method of operating a secondary fuel nozzle for a turbomachine combustor including delivering a flow of pilot fuel through a pilot fuel channel toward a combustion zone and delivering a flow of air through a plurality of transfer passages arranged around the pilot fuel channel toward the combustion zone. The flow of pilot fuel and the flow of air are combusted in the combustion zone, and a flow of transfer fuel is delivered through the plurality of transfer passages for combustion. A secondary fuel nozzle includes a pilot fuel channel extending along the fuel nozzle to deliver a flow of pilot fuel to a combustion zone. A plurality of transfer passages are arranged around the pilot fuel channel and are configured to deliver a flow of air for combustion with the flow of pilot fuel and to deliver a flow of transfer fuel to the combustion zone. |
| US08677749B2 |
Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine
A combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has at least a first and a second exhaust port, which are decoupled downstream of the combustion chamber. The first exhaust port is opened before the second exhaust port during an expansion stroke of the piston. The first exhaust port is coupled to a high-pressure turbine and the second exhaust port is coupled to a low-pressure turbine. By directing exhaust gases at higher pressure to the high-pressure turbine and gases at lower pressure to the low-pressure turbine, the overall energy recovery from the exhaust gases is greater than a system with one or more exhaust turbines coupled in series with all of the exhaust ports. |
| US08677748B2 |
Fresh air flow estimation
An apparatus includes an operating conditions module that interprets a number of compressor operating parameters; a compressor flow module that determines a compressor inlet flow in response to the number of compressor operating parameters; and a fresh air flow module that provides a fresh air flow value in response to the compressor inlet flow. The operating conditions module further interprets a current mass air flow value, and the apparatus further includes a mass air flow sensor trimming module that adjusts a mass air flow sensor drift value in response to the current mass air flow value and the fresh air flow value. The apparatus includes a diagnostics module that determines a mass air flow sensor is failed in response to the current mass air flow value and the fresh air flow value. |
| US08677745B1 |
Annular stirling cycle engine
A Stirling cycle engine comprised of at least two annular chambers, serving as hot and cold cylinders, which are joined together forming a Figure-8 chamber. A slidable, segmented piston disposed within the Figure-8 chamber, under the influence of thermally induced working fluid pressure changes within the engine, traverses the Figure-8 chamber providing a motive force to generate electric power or transfer mechanical energy external to the engine. |
| US08677744B2 |
Fluid circulation in energy storage and recovery systems
In various embodiments, heat is exchanged with a gas being compressed or expanded within an energy storage and recovery system without the use of flexible hoses. |
| US08677742B2 |
Accumulator with solenoid valve
An accumulator includes a canister, a piston, a sleeve, and a solenoid control valve assembly. The canister has an inner surface that defines an interior volume. The piston is slidably disposed within the interior volume of the canister. The piston is located between the inner surface of the canister and an outer surface of the sleeve. The piston divides the interior space into a fluid filled chamber and an air filled chamber. A fluid pathway is created by an outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the canister. The fluid pathway allows fluid from an exterior source to either enter or exit the fluid chamber. The solenoid control valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve biasing member, and a plunger that is slidable within a recess of the valve body. |
| US08677741B2 |
Vehicle driving apparatus
A vehicle driving apparatus includes: a torque converter having a pump vane wheel, a turbine vane wheel, and a stator vane wheel, the stator vane wheel rotatably disposed between the turbine vane wheel and the pump vane wheel; an electric motor that drives the stator vane wheel; a 25 first connecting and disconnecting means capable of connecting and disconnecting the electric motor and the stator vane wheel to/from each other; and a second connecting and disconnecting means capable of connecting and disconnecting the electric motor and a output shaft to/from each other. |
| US08677740B2 |
Method for predicting regeneration of DeNOx catalyst and exhaust system using the same
A method for predicting regeneration may include calculating total mass flow of reducing agent, calculating mass flow of the reducing agent used in nitrate reduction reaction, mass flow of the reducing agent used in NO2 reduction reaction, and mass flow of the reducing agent which is simply oxidized by using the total mass flow of the reducing agent, calculating mass flow of released NO2 and mass flow of reduced NO2 by using the mass flow of the reducing agent used in the nitrate reduction reaction and the mass flow of the reducing agent used in the NO2 reduction reaction, calculating mass flow of NO2 slipped from DeNOx catalyst, and calculating mass of NO2 and mass of NOx remaining at the DeNOx catalyst after regeneration based on the mass flow of the released NO2, the mass flow of the reduced NO2, and the mass flow of the slipped NO2. |
| US08677739B2 |
Emission control
Hydrocarbon traps used to trap then release unburned hydrocarbons upon startup of a spark ignition internal combustion engine are sensitive to degradation if exposed to normal temperature exhaust gases. On board diagnostics of HC traps are provided by the invention, by incorporating a heat sensitive oxygen storage material in the HC trap material, and using conventional determination of OSC efficiency to determine if the HC trap material has been exposed to excessive temperature. |
| US08677738B2 |
Pre-injection exhaust flow modifier
An exhaust gas treatment system for reducing emissions from an engine includes an exhaust conduit adapted to supply an exhaust stream from the engine to an exhaust treatment device. The conduit includes an aperture. An injector injects a reagent through the aperture and into the exhaust stream. A flow modifier is positioned within the exhaust conduit upstream of the injector. The flow modifier includes a diverter for increasing the velocity of the exhaust gas at a predetermined location within the conduit relative to the injected reagent. |
| US08677735B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
A control device of an internal combustion engine is provided. A silver-alumina based catalyst device is arranged in an engine exhaust system, and an exhaust gas air-fuel ratio in the catalyst device is made rich to restore the NOX adsorption ability of the catalyst device. |
| US08677734B2 |
Method of producing ammonia effective to control aftertreatment conditions of NOx emissions
A method for reducing NOx molecules in an exhaust flow within an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine includes storing NOx from the exhaust flow on a NOx storage component within an aftertreatment device exposed to the exhaust flow. When the exhaust flow includes molecular hydrogen, he stored NOx is released to create ammonia in the exhaust flow. In a selective catalytic reduction device that is downstream of the aftertreatment device, the created ammonia is utilized to reduce NOx in the exhaust flow. |
| US08677732B2 |
Thrust reverser with grids for jet engine
The invention relates to a thrust reverser (1) comprising an opening with fixed grids (4) that is closed by a sliding lid (2) in case of direct thrust, and opened by the downstream longitudinal translation displacement of the lid (2) in case of thrust reversal. A flap (20) is pivotally mounted at one upstream end on the lid (2) and can move between a retracted position and an expanded position in which, in case of thrust reversal, it blocks an annular channel (10) in order to redirect a gas flow towards the grid opening (4). A slider (24) for driving the flap (20) is mounted so as to be capable of displacement in at least one translation guiding rail (33) provided in the structure of the lid (2), and is connected to a downstream end of the flap (20) through a driving connecting rod (30) so that a translation movement of the slider (24) in the guiding rail (33) results in a pivoting of the connecting rod (30) and of the flap (20). Actuation means (22) are provided for driving the slider (24) in a translation movement in the guiding rail (33) when the lid (2) is in a downstream translation phase. |
| US08677728B2 |
Turbine machine
A gas turbine engine (10) comprises a diffuser (14) and a nozzle (16) affixed to an annular housing (12), a bearing assembly including first and second bearings (24,26) mounted on a support tube (28) affixed at one end (28a) in cantilever fashion to a radially inner portion (16c) of the nozzle, a compressor (18) and a turbine (20) affixed to axially spaced apart ends of a shaft (22) rotatably mounted in the bearings, and an annular combustor (32) disposed between the compressor and turbine and concentric to the shaft. The diffuser is adjustably attached to the housing external threads (14e) on an outer annular surface of the diffuser and received in internal threads (12e) in an internal annular surface of the housing. An electric generator (42) is disposed radially inward of the annular combustor axially between the diffuser and nozzle. A fuel slinger (30), affixed to the shaft, receives fuel from an air/fuel annulus (88) defined by a stator (44) and a rotor (46) of the generator. An air/fuel mixture in the annulus also lubricates and cools the bearings, and cools the stator and a hub portion (20a) of the turbine. A fuel/air connector assembly (38) connects the engine to a source of metered fuel (39) and connects compressor discharge air to a fuel reservoir (43). |
| US08677725B2 |
Reinforcement cable
The invention pertains to the production of cables and can be used for reinforcing single-block constructions and other articles made of concrete. The purpose of the invention is to create a self-rectifying reinforcing member. The reinforcement cable comprises a central wire and layer-forming wires spirally wound around the same and having a periodical profile. A periodical profile is applied on the outer section of the surface of the layer-forming wires and is made in the form of inclined protrusions above the generatrix of the crimped surface of the cable. The sections of the surface of the layer-forming wires in contact with other wires are made in the form of spirally-arranged planar flats. |
| US08677723B2 |
Method for filling dual-chamber systems in pre-sterilizable carrier systems and pre-sterilizable carrier system
A method for filling dual-chamber systems in pre-sterilizable carrier systems includes providing at least one washed, siliconized and sterilized dual-chamber system in a magazine. The dual-chamber system includes respective separating elements separating the two chambers from each other. The magazine accommodates at least one dual-chamber system and is arranged in a container that is sealed with a closing element. The method additionally includes introducing the container into a clean room; opening the container and filling a first chamber of the at least one dual-chamber system; and closing the first chamber. The method further includes filling a second chamber of the at least one dual-chamber system; closing the second chamber; and removing the system from the clean room. |
| US08677720B2 |
Precast concrete pile with carbon fiber reinforced grid
A composite support structure is provided with a plurality of support strands surrounded by a carbon fiber reinforced polymer mesh and surrounded by structural concrete. The support structure provides various advantages in withstanding compressive, tensile, and shear loading. |
| US08677719B2 |
Low-cost, energy-efficient building panel assemblies comprised of load and non-load bearing substituent panels
This invention relates to building materials and methods. A building assembly for constructing a building includes load bearing structural panels joined and finished with a non-load bearing panels. The load bearing panels comprise a structural concrete insulating panel (SCIP) comprising a pair of wire mesh members sandwiching a middle member comprising polystyrene, wherein each of said wire mesh members defines two outwardly projecting screed ridges. The non-load bearing panels comprise a pair of fiber cement boards sandwiching a polystyrene core. The load bearing SCIP panel is placed in position and then the non-load bearing panel is positioned in a desirous location abutting the SCIP. The SCIP then receives a layer of cementitious material that is cut flat using the screed ridges. The assembled SCIP and non-load bearing composite is then finished with a final finishing layer so that the entire assembly has the same outer appearance. |
| US08677718B2 |
Retrofit mounting clip for an exterior building surface
A replacement exterior surface, for example a replacement roof, is supported by a retrofit system including wooden structural members of dimensional lumber and mountings clips, so as to span over an existing exterior supporting surface of a building, for example an existing roof. The mounting clips each have a base portion for being fastened through the exterior supporting surface onto respective underlying structural members of the building and a channel portion receiving a respective portion of the wooden structural members therein. The mounting clips are arranged to support the wooden structural members to span parallel and spaced apart from one another in a substantially common plane outwardly from the exterior supporting surface of the building for supporting the replacement exterior surface material thereon. |
| US08677716B2 |
Metal framing member and method of manufacture
A framing member incorporates a series of web slots along a portion of the member that are expanded through the process of manufacture. The expansion of the web slots creates voids and metal web elements in the webbed portion of the member, which can be a stud. The voids created during the expansion process can become the voids for running wiring, plumbing and heating ducts. The web elements can be designed to minimize thermal transmission from the exterior to the interior of a wall including the member, as well as provide adequate structure properties required from the structural member. The expanded slots allow the part to enlarge without increasing the amount of raw material and therefore substantially reducing the cost to manufacture. |
| US08677712B1 |
Thermal joint for cold storage construction
A thermal joint having a cold side angle joint; a warm side angle joint; a plurality of bond holes, wherein a liquid curable flooring material bonds through each bond hole; a plurality of rod holes in the warm side thermal wall each holding a rod; a plurality of tube holes in the cold side thermal wall each having a tube; a plurality of leveler holes in each base for containing an adjustable leveler; a tie bar engaging each tube and each rod; a heater conduit longitudinally positioned on the warm side for transferring heat to the warm side, wherein the thermal joint simultaneously allows the rods to slide in the tubes as the cured solid flooring material expands and contracts due to temperature changes and simultaneously prevents vertical deflection as heavy equipment is transported across the cured solid flooring material. |
| US08677686B1 |
High-production, minimal-discharge aquaponic systems and methods
High-production, minimal-discharge aquaponic systems and methods. The aquaponic systems separate waste water generated from fish tanks into two flow streams. In the first flow stream, suspended-waste water generated from the waste water is converted to nutrient-rich water and used for hydroponic plant growth. Nutrient-depleted water resulting from the hydroponic plant growth is fed back into fish tanks to continue the cycle. In the second flow stream, settleable solids generated from the waste water is converted to nutrient-rich sludge and used for solid or semi-solid substrate-based plant growth. Excess nutrient-rich water derived from the second flow stream is fed back into the first flow stream, thereby conserving water and nutrients within the system. |
| US08677684B1 |
Tree injection plug
An injector plug for use with an injector for injecting liquid chemical into a tree. After the tree has been injected, the plug remains in the tree. |
| US08677676B2 |
Fishing tool of the hook-type
A fish lure is provided with one or more fishing hook(s) and an attachment for a fishing line, the fishing hook(s) being arranged in a body and being connected to an actuator, a hook-shaped end portion of the fishing hook(s) being arranged to be moved between a first position, substantially enveloped in the body, and a second position, projecting from the body. |
| US08677673B2 |
Telescopic-sight mounting system for a firearm
The object of the invention is to realize further improvements of a telescopic-sight mounting system.Said object is achieved by a telescopic-sight mounting system 3 for a firearm 1 for mounting a telescopic sight 2 on the firearm 1, said telescopic-sight mounting system 3 having a locking retainer 7 that can be fixed on the firearm 1 and a locking foot 6 that can be fixed on the telescopic sight 2. The invention is characterized by an improved contact geometry between the locking retainer 7 and the locking foot 6. |
| US08677668B1 |
Firearm locking apparatus and method
A firearm locking apparatus has a casing body which lodges within the chamber of a firearm, a rod which extends through the length of the barrel of the weapon, and a lock body which attaches to an outward end of the rod extending from the muzzle of the weapon. The lock body is attached such that there is not a sufficient length of exposed portion of the rod between the muzzle of the weapon and the lock body to allow attachment of any commonly known tool to the exposed portion of the rod. When the lock body is locked, it cannot be removed from the outward end of the rod, and the lock body freely spins on the rod. This configuration prevents removal of the rod and casing body from the weapon until the lock body is unlocked and removed, which allows removal of the rod and casing body from the weapon. |
| US08677666B2 |
Drop-safety mechanism for a firearm
The invention relates to a drop-safety mechanism for a firearm having a pivot-mounted, trigger, said trigger being designed as an arm of a double lever, the other arm of which supports a counterweight that can be displaced between a rest position and a functional position. The counterweight is resiliently pre-tensioned in the rest position and strikes on a part of the firearm in the functional position to block the trigger from unintended firing. |
| US08677663B1 |
Sign display
A sign assembly includes a mount adapted to be fastened to a vertically oriented surface and a horizontal support having one end affixed to the mount and extending therefrom in cantilevered fashion. A first vertical rod is affixed to and extends vertically upward from the horizontal support, and a second vertical rod is affixed to and extends vertically upward from the horizontal support and laterally disposed from the first vertical rod. A placard having at least one surface adapted for the display of an advertising message thereon is affixed to the first and the second vertical rods. |
| US08677660B2 |
Support bracket for a tracer wire conduit at a riser pipe of an underground pipeline
A support bracket for an upright tracer wire conduit proximate a pipeline riser with an above grade flange having bolt holes for receipt of mounting bolts. The bracket has a first hole sized to accommodate the mounting bolt shank diameter and a second hole spaced from the first hole and sized to accommodate a diameter of said upright tracer wire conduit. The bracket is thereby arranged for fastening to the above grade flange of the pipeline riser through alignment of the first hole of the bracket with one of the bolt holes of the above grade flange and fastening of the mounting bolt through said aligned holes in order to support the tracer wire conduit in an upright position extending through the second hole. A surface of the bracket facing away from the holes presents a label carrying area of the bracket for displaying identifying information concerning the pipeline or riser. |
| US08677658B2 |
Elongated narrow trenching scoop attachment for a backhoe
An elongated digging attachment for an excavator, including a recessed main body portion, a connection assembly connected to the main body portion, and a ground engaging portion connected to the main body portion and oppositely disposed from the connection assembly. The recessed main body portion defines a concave curvature, the recessed main body portion and the ground engaging portion define a scoop, and the scoop has an aspect ratio of at least about 1:3. |
| US08677654B2 |
Article of footwear with tongue of varying thickness
An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. |
| US08677646B2 |
Mattress measurement device
Disclosed is a mattress measuring device for use in the accurate measurement of a sag in a mattress. The measurement device employs the use of telescoping rails, so as to allow for the universal adaptation to various size mattresses, while providing a rigid measuring base that allows for the positioning of a measuring arm that can be placed over the sag for direct measurement of the mattress sag. The use of positioning legs maintains a perpendicular placement of the cross rails, so as to provide subjective measurement of suspected sags. |
| US08677645B2 |
Length measuring system
The invention relates to a measurement element (1, 11, 17, 26) for a length measuring system (40) in the form of a flexible strip comprising a measurement body (4) that can be scanned using a measuring unit (41) of the respective length measuring system (40). The flexible strip consists of a non-magnetic first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) and a magnetizable second layer (3, 14, 20, 29). The first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) is designed as a strip consisting of a metal material, coated at least in part on one side with the second layer (3, 14, 20, 29), said first layer acting as a support layer for the second layer. The second layer (3, 14, 20, 29) comprises several magnetizable regions that form the measurement body (4). |
| US08677637B2 |
Archery sighting method and apparatus
An archery sight assembly for aiming bows including, without limitation, compound bows. An adjustable mounting bracket connects the archery sight assembly to a bow and permits position adjustment of a sight window relative to the bow. At least two rigid optical sight pins are visible through the sight window. A length of fiber optic cable extends from the tip of a first optical sight pin, through a transparent housing, and attaches to the tip of a second optical sight pin. The optical sight pins have an offset angle to provide a gap between the pins, thereby improving the archer's field of vision. |
| US08677636B2 |
Door installation tool and method
In one embodiment, a tool for door installation is described herein including a top part configured to fit onto a top edge of a door using a compression fit and comprising a shim portion having a first shim thickness and a hinge side part configured to fit onto an edge of the door using a compression fit, the hinge side part comprising a shim portion having a second shim thickness. The tool further includes a strike side part configured to fit onto an edge of the door using a compression fit, the strike side part comprising a shim portion having a third shim thickness. The tool also includes a level device attached to one of the parts of the tool. |
| US08677635B1 |
Tailoring point-to-point measurement tool
A point-to-point measurement tool performs the measurement of the distance between the outside surfaces of the shoulders across the back of an individual, which is associated with tailoring custom clothing and utilized to determine both the top-of-sleeve points and used to assist in determining the sleeve length measurements in tailoring custom clothing. Various embodiment of the point-to-point measurement tool can be folded, collapsed, or broken down to enable increased portability and ease of storage of the tool. |
| US08677629B2 |
Shielded knife and associated methods
A shielded knife includes a base, a blade secured to the base at a first end and a guard operatively attached to the blade at a second end opposite the base. The guard may be rotated between a closed position covering a sharpened edge of the blade and an opened position exposing the sharpened edge of the blade. |
| US08677628B2 |
Scrubbing razor with safety ribs
A scrubbing razor includes an upper handle, a plurality of outer safety ribs or feet integrally joined to the lower end of the upper handle, and a cutting blade mounted to the lower end of the upper handle. Each of the outer safety ribs or feet has a radially outer end, and a lower flat side lying in a common plane, and each radially outer end extends radially outwardly from the lower end of the upper handle to a rib or feet outer diameter. The cutting blade is flat, includes a radially outer rounded cutting edge, and extends parallel to the common plane of the plurality of outer safety ribs or feet. |
| US08677624B2 |
Ring with outer markings/segments for setting gemstones
A ring including a shank having platforms at predetermined locations on an outer surface of the shank, where the platforms identify preferred positions for setting gemstones. |
| US08677622B2 |
Intake cone in a fiber compound material for a gas turbine engine and method for its manufacture
On an intake cone made of fiber compound material for a gas turbine engine, the conical part, the attachment part and the fairing part are manufactured as one piece from a plurality of mutually crossing and covering winding layers (1) forming an interlace (2). The winding layers include parallel, alternately adjacent glass fiber strands and carbon fiber strands of equal thickness. The one-piece intake cone is producible and mountable cost-effectively and is characterized by elasticity, stiffness and impact resistance. |
| US08677619B2 |
System and method for fabricating a stimulation lead
In one embodiment, a system for wrapping biomedical conductor wires about core material, comprises: a payout assembly and a take-up assembly for controllably paying out the core material and taking up the core material with the wrapped conductor wires; a turntable; a plurality of carriers, disposed on the turntable, for letting out the conductor wires; and a die for applying force to the conductor wires as the wires are wrapped about the core material, the die adapted to rotate according to group rotation of the plurality of carriers by the turntable during operation of the system, wherein the die comprises one or more features asymmetrically arranged about a circumference of the die, the one or more features adapted to direct the conductor wires from the plurality of carriers onto the core material in an axially repeating pattern of groups of closely spaced wires with each group separated by a distance larger than the spacing between adjacent wires within each group. |
| US08677614B2 |
Device mounting method determining touching between device and board
Provided are a chip mounting method and device. The chip mounting device comprises: a bonding head on which a device is loaded; and a controller which places the bonding head at a preparation height above a board, determines a search height at which a mounting position on the board, on which the device is to be mounted, is searched for by the controller, and lowers the bonding head from the preparation height to a bonding height via the search height and mounts the device on the mounting position on the board, by controlling movements of the bonding head, wherein the controller determines that the device touches the board if at least one of a plurality of conditions is satisfied. |
| US08677610B2 |
Crimping tool
A crimping tool is provided. The crimping tool can crimp coaxial cables of various specifications via the rotation of a rotatable placement seat and/or the adjustment of the depth of a screw rod which is screwed in a screw hole. Further, a holding region is formed at the crimping tool by moving a first holding block and a second holding block towards each other. During an operation, the coaxial cable is wrapped around the holding region. Therefore, the coaxial cable will not move excessively during a crimping operation, resulting in an increase of quality of the crimped coaxial cable. |
| US08677608B2 |
Method for manufacturing iron core and apparatus for manufacturing iron core
An annular core member having an opening portion located at a position rotated by 90 degrees from a reference position, where the opening portion is oriented in the counterclockwise direction, and an annular core member having the opening portion located at the reference position, where the opening portion is oriented in the clockwise direction, are prepared to form an iron core by a rotary lamination apparatus by rotating the annular core members and by a predetermined angle (90 degrees) such that a first end, in the annular core member, which is at the position rotated by 90 degrees from the reference position and has no rotation uneven part, is circumference-positionally identical in the laminating direction with that of a fourth end, in an annular core member, which is at the reference position and has no rotation uneven part. |
| US08677606B2 |
Method for assembling a rotor with permanent magnets
Method for assembling a rotor with permanent magnets, including the steps of introducing the magnets in 10 recesses of a non-ferromagnetic holder; combining the holder and the permanent magnets with a non-ferromagnetic support plate; attaching the permanent magnets to the support plate; and removing the holder and providing lamellae over the permanent magnets attached to the support plate. A holder and rotor obtained by the method are described. |
| US08677603B1 |
Drop maker for sap collection system
Tool for forming drop tube connectors for connecting between a sap producing sugar maple tree and a collection conduit by providing for the measurement, cutting and application of fixture fittings within a single unit. The cutting and fixture application features are actuated by a single operating lever. Operation of the tool can be facilitated indoors or out, allowing a single drop to be made in the field or thousands of drops to be made indoors. |
| US08677600B2 |
Methods of dispensing and making porous material with growth enhancing element
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of dispensing a porous material and to a method of making a porous material insert for various plant grow pots, plant bowls, and plant baskets, the porous material insert including a growth enhancing element integrated with and dispersed throughout the insert. |
| US08677599B2 |
Blade constructs and methods of forming blade constructs
A dual-core blade and method for manufacturing a dual-core blade are disclosed. The blade is formed with a first core portion and a second core portion comprising an epoxy having a plurality of expanded microspheres. The method of forming the two foams generally comprises sizing a foam core to form a first core portion and providing and preparing an epoxy mixture to form a second core portion. The first core portion and the second core portion of the epoxy mixture are placed into a preform, and the preform is heated slightly so as to cause the epoxy mixture to flow into the shape of the preform and around the first core portion. The first core portion and the second core portion are then bonded in a molding operation. The formed structure can form part of a hockey stick blade. |
| US08677594B2 |
Container seals
A method, and apparatus for performing the method, is provided for the purpose of forming and inserting seal pieces into a container cap of a type which comprises an integral cup-like member having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and a plurality of cap lugs formed in the rim and extending partially inward from the rim. A supply strip of flexible seal material is directed into proximity to the inserting stations and precisely cut seal pieces from the strip are inserted into the caps. |
| US08677593B2 |
Method for disassembling an arrangement
To disassemble an arrangement comprising a first part (1) with a first opening, a second part (2) with a second opening and a cavity, and a connector (3) with a first portion (31) and a second portion (32) inserted through the first opening and the second opening into the cavity for connecting the first and second parts (1, 2), a pressure difference is used for forcing the second portion (32) out of the cavity. Said pressure difference may involve firstly changing a surrounding pressure, such as slowly increasing the surrounding pressure, and secondly changing the surrounding pressure, such as quickly decreasing the surrounding pressure. The arrangement is arranged to not respond to said firstly changing and to respond to said secondly changing for said forcing out. The connector may comprise a third portion (33) with upper parts of legs, the first portion (31) comprising a head portion, and the second portion (32) comprising lower parts of the legs. |
| US08677591B2 |
Methods and system for disassembling a machine
A system and methods for disassembling a machine is provided. The machine includes a casing including a plurality of arcuate channels defined therein. The system includes a reaction bridge configured to couple to a casing, the reaction bridge including a first leg, a second leg and a support beam extending therebetween, a force device including an actuator and a connecting rod extending therefrom, wherein the force device is coupled to the reaction bridge support beam. The force device is configured to apply a force to an end of a segment positioned in one of the casing channels. The system also includes a clevis assembly coupled to the connecting rod, wherein the clevis assembly is configured to engage the segment to facilitate removal of the segment from the rotary machine. |
| US08677590B2 |
Plasma confinement structures in plasma processing systems and methods thereof
A method for manufacturing a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes providing a movable plasma-facing structure configured to surround a plasma that is generated during processing of a substrate. The method also includes disposing a movable electrically conductive structure outside of the movable plasma-facing structure, wherein both structures configured to be deployed and retracted as a single unit to facilitate handling of the substrate. The movable electrically conductive structure is radio frequency (RF) grounded during the plasma processing. During processing, the RF current from the plasma flows to the movable electrically conductive structure through the movable plasma-facing structure during the plasma processing. The method further includes coupling a set of conductive straps to the movable electrically conductive structure. The set of conductive straps accommodates the movable electrically conductive structure when it is deployed and retracted while providing the RF current a low impedance path to ground. |
| US08677589B2 |
Device for the lateral fitting and removal of a compressor barrel
Apparatus for lateral fitting and removing of a compressor barrel into and out of a casing of a turbocompressor, the barrel having an inner core section with split disks which are bolted together coaxially, a cap rotatably mounted on a bearing block, and a rotor, wherein the disks are bolted to the cap and the rotor, and wherein the casing is vertically split and has a suction connection and a pressure connection. A support arm has a proximal end which can be releasably connected to the bearing block and a distal end which extends beyond the rotor and is displaceably supported on the casing when the proximal end is connected to the bearing block. A support device can be releasably mounted to the bearing block oppositely from the support arm, the supporting device being movable laterally on a guide to move the barrel into and out of the casing. |
| US08677587B2 |
Modular pneumatic fastening device
An approach is provided for modular pneumatic fastening device for operating a fastening component. The device comprises a main body, a motive module, a first fast-detaching module and a second fast-detaching module. The motive module being mounted on a top of the main body and comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first fast-detaching module is attached to the rear end of the motive module, and has a first recess connected to the first protrusion. The second fast-detaching module is attached to the front end of the motive module, is configured for operating the fastening component with the corresponding first fast-detaching module, and has a second recess connected to the second protrusion. Therefore, the first fast-detaching module and the second fast-detaching module can be replaced together pair-wise by the recesses attaching or detaching the protrusion, which fit for the fastening component to be operated. |
| US08677586B2 |
Installation fixture for elastomer bands and methods of using the same
A method of installing an elastomer band as a protective edge seal around a portion of a semiconductor substrate support used for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber, which includes expanding an elastomer band into a circular shape having a diameter greater than a diameter of a mounting groove within the substrate support; clamping the elastomer band in the expanded shape between a base ring and a clamp ring; placing the elastomer band over the substrate support in the expanded shape; and releasing the elastomer band from between the base and clamp rings, which contracts the elastomer band into the mounting groove of the substrate support. |
| US08677582B2 |
Method for fabricating acoustic wave device
A method for fabricating an acoustic wave device includes the steps of forming an insulating material layer on a piezoelectric substrate, forming a patterned photoresist on the insulating material layer, patterning the insulating material layer, and forming a piezoelectric-substrate exposed depression corresponding to a region where an interdigital transducer electrode is to be formed on a first insulator layer composed of the insulating material layer, depositing a metallic material on the piezoelectric substrate to form the interdigital transducer electrode in the piezoelectric-substrate exposed depression such that the overall interdigital transducer electrode is thinner than the first insulator layer and coating the photoresist with a metallic material, removing the photoresist and the metallic material on the photoresist, and depositing a second insulator layer so as to cover the interdigital transducer electrode and the first insulator layer. |
| US08677580B2 |
Method of forming sheet metal casket
A method of forming a sheet metal casket comprises providing a sheet metal casket shell having at least a portion of an end wall and at least a portion of a side wall and a round corner between the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall, and forming a generally planar corner oriented at about a 45° angle relative to the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall. |
| US08677579B2 |
Single eyelet laces with interlocking aglets and methods of lacing the same
A kit including (a) an article having a plurality of pairs of opposing eyelets, including a first pair of opposing eyelets near a top of the article and a second pair of opposing eyelets disposed beneath the first pair of opposing eyelets; (b) a first lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the first pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said first lace having (i) a first elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the first body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the first body; and (c) a second lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the second pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said second lace having (i) a second elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the second body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the second body; and wherein at least the openable stop on the opposite end of the first body can interlock with the openable stop on the opposite end of the second body with the first and second laces threaded through the first and second pair of eyelets respectively. Also, a method for using the kit. |