| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08722004B2 |
Method for the preparation of a lithium phosphate compound with an olivine crystal structure
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a lithium phosphate compound with an olivine crystal structure, which has a chemical formula of LixMyM′1-yPO4, wherein 0.1≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1. The nano-scale lithium phosphate ceramic powder was synthesized by using a self-propagating combustion with reactants of soluble salts and the proper oxidizing agents, followed by heat treatment of powder to obtain nano-scale lithium phosphate compound with an olivine crystal structure in a complete crystal phase. The method of the present invention uses low cost materials and simple processes. The uniform crystal product materials are beneficial to the industrial application. |
| US08722001B2 |
Catalyst for purification of exhaust gas and method for purification using the same
A catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas that can be used to highly efficiently treat an exhaust gas which has moisture and fluctuates between an oxidizing atmosphere and a reducing atmosphere even after the catalyst is exposed to a high temperature is provided. The present invention relates to a catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas having a catalyst layer of catalyst components comprising a noble metal, magnesium oxide, and a refractory inorganic oxide formed on a three-dimensional structure, wherein the catalyst layer has two peaks originated from the magnesium oxide in a pore distribution obtained by mercury intrusion technique. |
| US08721998B2 |
Use of Mg(HCO3)2 and/or Ca(HCO3)2 aqueous solution in metal extractive separation and purification
The application of aqueous solution of magnesium bicarbonate and/or calcium bicarbonate in the process of extraction separation and purification of metals is disclosed, wherein the aqueous solution of magnesium bicarbonate and/or calcium bicarbonate is used as an acidity balancing agent, in order to adjust the balancing pH value of the extraction separation process which uses an acidic organic extractant, improve the extraction capacity of organic phase, and increase the concentration of metal ions in the loaded organic phase. |
| US08721997B2 |
Reactor for continuous heterogeneously catalyzed partial dehydrogenation of at least one hydrocarbon to be dehydrogenated
A process for continuous heterogeneously catalyzed partial dehydrogenation of at least one hydrocarbon to be dehydrogenated in a reactor which is manufactured from a composite material which consists, on its side in contact with the reaction chamber, of a steel B with specific elemental composition which, on its side facing away from the reaction chamber, either directly or via an intermediate layer of copper, or of nickel, or of copper and nickel, is plated onto a steel A with specific elemental composition, and also partial oxidations of the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon and the reactor itself. |
| US08721995B2 |
Conversion of organosulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide in mixed alcohol synthesis reactor effluent
Plants and methods are presented in which organosulfur compounds in a mixed alcohol synthesis reactor effluent are converted into hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The volatility and relative insolubility of H2S reduces the overall sulfur content of the mixed alcohol synthesis product stream while significantly reducing or even eliminating the need for process steps/equipment to remove organosulfur compounds from liquid and gaseous products. |
| US08721992B2 |
Micro fluidic device
A micro fluidic device comprises a micro channel in which a plurality of fluids form laminar flows and are supplied, wherein an inner wall of the micro channel comprise a protruding part that is substantially parallel to the flows of the fluids and protrudes in directions substantially vertical to interfaces formed by the plurality of fluids. |
| US08721989B2 |
Apparatus for measuring blood oxygen saturation
The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring blood oxygen saturation, comprising a housing (1), a sensor (2), a connecting cable (3) and a plug (4), wherein the housing (1) has a cavity (5) for accepting a patient's tissue which is supplied with blood; the sensor (2) which is arranged on the housing and has at least one light source (21) for the emission of light which passes through the tissue which is supplied with blood and a detector (22) for receiving the light passing through the tissue which is supplied with blood; and the apparatus can be connected to an evaluation unit via the plug (4). |
| US08721985B2 |
Device and method for treating and analysing channels in instruments, particularly in endoscopes
The device is suitable in particular for treating medical endoscopes. At least one treatment fluid is fed through a conduit system (3) to a channel attachment (4), to which a channel of the instrument to be treated can be attached. The conduit system has a fluid attachment (39), which can be connected to a source of treatment fluid. With the aid of a measuring device, the flow of the treatment fluid in the conduit system, and thus the permeability of the attached channel, can be measured. The measurement is effected with the aid of a measurement section (6) in which a flow sensor (7, 7′) is arranged. All the treatment steps are carried out via the conduit system and in particular also via the measurement section. In this way, the conduit system is subjected to the same process as the instrument to be treated, and a flow measurement can be carried out in each individual treatment step. |
| US08721983B2 |
Sterilizer
A sterilizer is connectable to an external chamber. A sterilization gas generator is configured to generate sterilization gas. A gas supply system including a first gas supply system which is configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to a sterilization chamber; and a second gas supply system which is different from the first gas supply system and configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to the external chamber. |
| US08721982B2 |
Reaction device
A reaction device having improved temperature control precision and reduced usage of heat transfer medium. The device includes a heat transfer medium circulation tube in contact with an outer wall of a reaction vessel containing a reaction liquid. The device has an inlet for the liquid heat transfer medium at the lower end portion of the heat transfer medium circulation tube, and an outlet for the heat transfer medium. Gaps between the heat transfer medium circulation tube and the reaction vessel outer wall include a filler in which a liquid can flow inside the filler. The outlet is formed so that the liquid heat transfer medium is discharged toward the filler. A member presses the heat transfer medium circulation tube against the outer wall of the reaction vessel. An outer vessel hermetically covers the outer circumference of the reaction vessel. |
| US08721979B2 |
Honeycomb structure and exhaust gas purifying apparatus
A honeycomb structure includes a ceramic block including a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies. Each of the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies includes large volume cells and small volume cells. Either one of the end portions of each of the large volume cells and the small volume cells is plugged. An aperture in the cross section in a central part of the honeycomb structure is about 65% or more. A ratio of an aperture of the first end face to an aperture of the second end face of the honeycomb structure is about 1.4 or more. Each of the cell walls except the peripheral walls has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.2 mm. The honeycomb structure has a diameter of about 200 mm or more. A ratio of a length to the diameter of the honeycomb structure is about 1.0 or less. |
| US08721973B2 |
Stackable structural reactors
A reactor for carrying out catalytic reactions. The reactor includes a reactor component optionally arranged on a central rod in a reactor tube. The reactor component can have fluid ducts for directing fluid flow through the reactor. The fluid ducts are effective for increasing heat transfer in the reactor. The reactor component can further have a washer attached to a top or bottom surface for directing fluid flow. |
| US08721972B2 |
Device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions
The invention relates to a device for performing biological reactions in a nucleic acid sample. The device can comprise a reaction vessel receiving element that includes a plurality of reaction vessel holders and a gastight jacket or equalization plate containing a fluid changeable between liquid and gaseous states. The gastight jacket or equalization plate can be configured to provide temperature equalization among the reaction vessel holders. The reaction vessel receiving element can also include at least one Peltier element, a cooling element, and a controller configured to cycle the device through a predetermined time-temperature profile via heating and cooling. |
| US08721971B2 |
NOx adsorptive films for NOx sensor technologies
A mesoporous, transition metal oxide material having an average pore diameter ranging from 2 to 20 nm, a basic surface character defined by an isoelectric point>pH 7, and a specific surface area greater than 50 m2/g can be incorporated into a NOx sensing device as a NOx film. The mesoporous, transition metal oxide material includes an oxide of yttrium, lanthanum and/or cerium, and can be formed using a surfactant-templated self-assembly process. |
| US08721970B2 |
Temperature and humidity compensated single element pellistor
A portable, relatively low power gas detector incorporates a single pellistor-type sensor for sensing an explosive gas of interest. Outputs from the sensor are corrected in accordance with ambient temperature and humidity and pre-stored correction factors based on characteristics exhibited by a plurality of similar sensors. |
| US08721964B2 |
Animal blood cell measuring apparatus
An animal blood cell measuring apparatus comprising: a specimen preparation section for preparing a measurement specimen from blood of an animal; a characteristic information obtaining section for obtaining characteristic information indicating a characteristic of the measurement specimen, from the measurement specimen prepared by the specimen preparation section; and a controller configured for performing operations comprising: (a) classifying aggregate reticulocytes contained in the blood from other blood cells, based on the characteristic information obtained by the characteristic information obtaining section; and (b) outputting information regarding a number of the classified aggregate reticulocytes. |
| US08721963B2 |
Cold sterilization of tissue engineering scaffolds with compressed carbon dioxide
Methods for sterilizing a biocompatible hydrogel polymer are provided via treating the biocompatible hydrogel polymer with a supercritical CO2 treatment composition at a treatment pressure of about 4 MPa to about 30 MPa and a treatment temperature of about 5° C. to about 75° C. The supercritical CO2 treatment composition can be substantially pure CO2 or may further include hydrogen peroxide (e.g., in an amount of about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm). In certain embodiments, the biocompatible hydrogel polymer can be treated with the supercritical CO2 treatment composition for about 30 minutes to about 5 hours. According to these methods, treating the biocompatible hydrogel polymer can kill about 90% or more of any S. aureus and E. coli present in the biocompatible hydrogel polymer. |
| US08721959B2 |
Multiple function, self-repairing composites with special adhesives
A system for self-repairing matrices such as concrete or cementitous matrices, polymeric matrices, and/or fibrous matrices, including laminates thereof The system includes repair agents retained in and/or on vessels, such as hollow fibers, within the matrix. Upon impact, the vessel rupture, releasing the chemicals. For multi-layer laminates, the systems provides a total dynamic energetic circulation system that functions as an in situ fluidic system in at least one layer or area. The energy from the impact ruptures the vessels to release the chemical(s), and mixes the chemical(s) and pushes the chemical(s) and/or resulting compound through the matrix. The repair agents can withstand high temperatures, such as the heat of processing of many laminates, e.g., 250-350° F. |
| US08721958B2 |
Permeable material compacting method and apparatus
A permeable material compacting method includes, forming a cavity between a membrane and a structure, porting fluid to or from the cavity, positioning permeable material adjacent the membrane, generating a differential pressure across the membrane, deforming the membrane, and decreasing volume of the permeable material. |
| US08721953B2 |
Injection mold for intake hose and intake hose production method using the same
An injection mold for an intake hose and an intake hose production method utilizes a main core removably dualized to automatically extract a molding-completed intake hose from the main core after injection molding is completed and an air supplying member supplying compressed air between the main core and the molding-completed intake hose is configured in the main core to automatically extract the intake hose from the main core without an additional extraction equipment, thereby reducing an entire manufacturing process and saving a manufacturing cost. |
| US08721952B2 |
Pneumatic method and apparatus for nano imprint lithography having a conforming mask
A method (and apparatus) for nano lithography, includes applying a pneumatic pressure to at least one of a surface of a semi-rigid mask or template and a portion of a surface of a resist-coated workpiece, and, by the applying of the pneumatic pressure, transferring a pattern from the mask to the workpiece. |
| US08721950B2 |
Resin for thermal imprint
A resin for thermal imprint include a cyclic-olefin-based thermoplastic resin that contains at least one of skeletons represented by the following chemical equation 1 or the following chemical equation 2 in a main chain. The glass transition temperature Tg (° C.) and the value ([M]) of MFR at 260° C. satisfy the following equation 1, and [M]>10. The thermal imprint characteristics (transferability, mold release characteristic, and the like) are superior and the productivity (throughput) is improved. Tg(° C.)<219×log [M]−104 [Equation 1] |
| US08721949B2 |
Modular handrail construction for a passenger conveyor handrail
A method of making a passenger conveyor handrail includes forming a drive member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The drive member has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. The drive member is inserted into a molding device. A gripping surface portion of the handrail is formed using the molding device such that the gripping surface portion and the drive member are secured together. Another method includes forming a belt drive member having a plurality of teeth that establish a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The belt has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. Each of the teeth extends across an entire width of the belt. The belt is secured to a gripping surface portion of the handrail. |
| US08721947B2 |
System and method for producing customized items
A system and method for producing customized items is provided. The system includes a computer interface, an extruder and a mold supported by a movable support unit, all in communication with a control unit. The extruder and support unit are activatable by the control unit to produce a customized item in accordance with the shape of the mold and design parameters associated with the customized item onto the mold. The extruder may be configured to be movable and to extrude material having elastic properties onto the mold in a single continuous extrusion. |
| US08721941B2 |
Arrangement and method for the electromechanical drive for molding closing systems and calibration blow mandrel systems in blow molding machines
The invention relates to an arrangement and to a method for the electromechanical drive for mold closing systems and calibration blow mandrel systems in blow molding machines, wherein the arrangement for the drive of an extrusion blow molding machine includes a push mechanism (3; 11), a push rod (4; 12) and exactly one electric motor (1; 9), wherein the push rod (4; 12) is movable by the push mechanism (3; 11) which is driven by the electric motor (1; 9), wherein the electric motor (1; 9) has an additional braking device (2; 10) which can be activated on the reaching of a required torque or a required force of the electric motor (2; 10) to hold the push rod (4; 12) in a state of maximum tension in its instantaneous position. |
| US08721940B2 |
Method for producing a vessel from a preform, with feedback depending on the development point of the preform
A method for producing a vessel by stretch blow-molding in a mold from a preform made of plastic material includes heating the preform and introducing the preform in the mold. The preform is stretched by a rod displaced at a predetermined stretching speed. At a pre-blowing cue, the electrovalve is opened for establishing a communication between the inside of the preform and a gas source at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure and a pre-blowing flow rate. Pressure inside the preform is measured and a pressure peak is detected. The moment at which this pressure peak occurs and the corresponding pressure inside the preform is stored and compared with a predetermined moment and pressure for a theoretical pressure peak. Depending on the result, at least one of the following are modified: pre-blowing pressure, pre-blowing flow rate, pre-blowing cue, stretching speed, and heating temperature. |
| US08721933B2 |
Optical sheet manufacture method and optical sheet
A manufacture method of an optical sheet made of a transparent thermoplastic resin sheet on whose surface a regular geometric design working is performed, the optical sheet manufacture method comprising steps of performing a geometric design working on the resin sheet at a temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature of the resin sheet, by using a metal endless working belt formed with a geometric design on a surface thereof, rapidly cooling the resin sheet on which the geometric design working is performed to a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature, and detaching the rapidly cooled resin sheet from the metal endless working belt. |
| US08721932B2 |
Method of making an anti-fog gauge lens
The gauge lens with anti-fog includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated. |
| US08721930B2 |
Polymeric precursors for AIGS silver-containing photovoltaics
This invention relates to compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MB(ER)(ER)} and {MB(ER)(ER)}, wherein MA is Ag, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands. |
| US08721925B2 |
Co-doped silicooxynitrides
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) (Ca,Sr,Ba)6-X(Si1-yMey)3(O1-zMa2z)6N4:Eux (I), where Me=Th, Ru and/or Os Ma=F and/or Cl, x<0.5, y<1 and z<0.1, and to a process for the preparation of these compounds and use as phosphors and conversion phosphors for the conversion of the blue or near-UV emission from an LED. |
| US08721921B2 |
Liquid crystal polyester composition
To provide a liquid crystal polyester composition that yields compacts that are resistant to cracking. A plate-like filler with a volume-average particle size of 14 μm or greater and a fibrous filler are combined with a liquid crystal polyester to form a liquid crystal polyester composition. The total content of the plate-like filler and the fibrous filler is 45-55 wt % with respect to the total of the liquid crystal polyester composition. The weight ratio of the fibrous filler content to the plate-like filler content is greater than 0.5 and not greater than 0.65. |
| US08721918B2 |
Method for purifying fluoride etching solution by using hydroxide compound and ion exchange resin absorption
A method for purifying fluoride etching solution is provided. The method begins with a reaction by hydroxide gas or solution to achieve a balance pH condition for the fluoride etching solution. Subsequently, the treated etching solution can be fed by constant velocity pump to a basic anion exchange resin column(s). The basic anion exchange resins remove various contaminants resulting in a saleable product to a wide range of industrial applications. The final solution is collected in a finished product storage tank. The degree of purification by basic anion exchange resin can be verified, if needed at all, thereby making ammonium fluoride (AF), ammonium bifluoride (ABF), anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) and fluoride mixture to meet the application of industries or different market's application. Further, the ion exchange resins can be regenerated as needed to extend the useful life and system capacity. |
| US08721915B2 |
Ordered oxynitride perovskites
This invention relates to partially ordered and ordered oxynitride perovskites of the general formula ABO2N that are polar insulators. A comprises one or more cations or set of cations that sit in sites derived from the A-site in the perovskite structure. B comprises one or more cations or set of cations that sit in sites derived from the B-site in the perovskite structure. C comprises oxygen, O, with optionally some nitrogen, N, and D comprises N, with optionally some O. The total valence of the cations A+B is equal to the total valence of the anions 2 C+D. Also disclosed are methods of producing such oxynitride perovskites and uses of such oxynitride perovskites. |
| US08721914B2 |
Piezoelectric element, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric layer and an electrode provided with the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is made of a composite oxide containing bismuth ferrite, barium titanate, and bismuth zinc titanate. |
| US08721913B2 |
Lead-based piezoelectric material and production method therefor
A lead-based particulate piezoelectric material has a median diameter of less than 1 μm and a particle size distribution expressed by [arithmetic deviation/mean] of no greater than 15% and in which no less than 85% of all particles are cubic. |
| US08721911B2 |
Aging-resistant aerosol generating agent and a preparation method thereof
The present invention relates to a novel aging-resistant aerosol generating agent and preparation method thereof. The aging-resistant aerosol generating agent in the present invention comprises oxidizer, reducer and bonding agent, wherein the oxidizer is potassium nitrate, the bonding agent is phenolic resin, and the reducer is melamine; the weight percentages of the three constituents are: potassium nitrate: 60˜80%, phenolic resin: 8˜15%, and melamine: the rest. In the preparation process, phenolic resin is dissolved in ethanol to give phenolic resin solution at concentration by 40˜50 wt %; the oxidizer and reducer are pulverized, mixed, and then the phenolic resin solution is added to the mixed powder; next, the mixture is agitated, pelletized, dried, and shaped by pressure molding. Compared to that in the prior art, the aerosol generating agent in the present invention has higher fire suppression efficiency and higher fire suppression rate, and greatly improved aging resistant performance. |
| US08721904B2 |
Method of manufacturing inkjet head and the inkjet head
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an inkjet head includes forming metal films respectively on a surface of a base member and a surface of a driving element attached to the base member, and shaving the metal film formed on the base member with a first laser beam and shaving the metal film formed on the driving element with a second laser beam having power different from power of the first laser beam to form a conductor pattern. |
| US08721903B2 |
Method for planarizing a perpendicular magnetic recording disk for thermally-assisted recording (TAR)
A vacuum planarization method substantially improves the surface roughness of a thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk that has a recording layer (RL) formed of a substantially chemically-ordered FePt alloy or FePt-X alloy (or CoPt alloy or CoPt-X alloy) and a segregant, like SiO2. A first amorphous carbon overcoat (OC1) is deposited on the RL and etched with a non-chemically reactive plasma to remove at least one-half the thickness of OC1. Then a second amorphous carbon overcoat (OC2) is deposited on the etched OC1. The OC2 is then reactive-ion-etched, for example in a H2/Ar plasma, to remove at least one-half the thickness of OC2. A thin third overcoat (OC3) may be deposited on the etched OC2. |
| US08721901B2 |
Methods of processing substrates and methods of forming conductive connections to substrates
Embodiments disclosed include methods of processing substrates, including methods of forming conductive connections to substrates. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes forming a material to be etched over a first material of a substrate. The material to be etched and the first material are of different compositions. The material to be etched is etched in a dry etch chamber to expose the first material. After the etching, the first material is contacted with a non-oxygen-containing gas in situ within the dry etch chamber effective to form a second material physically contacting onto the first material. The second material comprises a component of the first material and a component of the gas. In one embodiment, the first material is contacted with a gas that may or may not include oxygen in situ within the dry etch chamber effective to form a conductive second material. |
| US08721900B2 |
Systematic packaging method
A systematic packaging method, comprises providing a package, said package operable for packaging an object; and spreading and plating one or more conductive structures on said package; wherein said spreading and plating steps are performed by the methods selected from the group consisting of physically, chemistry deposit and selectively etching. |
| US08721899B2 |
Method and apparatus for the continous production of low concentrations of chlorine dioxide from low concentrations of aqueous chlorite
Provided are methods and systems for continuously producing low concentrations of chlorine dioxide from dilute solutions of sodium chlorite. The low concentrations of chlorine dioxide produced allow for reduced exposure risk with direct application of the chlorine dioxide stream. The incorporation of a suitable chlorine dioxide detector permits continuous monitoring and control of chlorine dioxide production ensuring that the process stays within regulatory guidelines. Pretreatment of reaction water is preferred for achieving suitable conversion rates of the low concentrations of chlorite to chlorine dioxide. |
| US08721896B2 |
Method for dispersing and aggregating components of mineral slurries and low molecular weight multivalent polymers for mineral aggregation
The disclosure relates generally to the use of low molecular weight polymers to aggregate mineral components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry. |
| US08721892B2 |
Integrated chromatography devices and systems for monitoring analytes in real time and methods for manufacturing the same
Systems and methods for monitoring analytes in real time using integrated chromatography systems and devices. Integrated microfluidic liquid chromatography devices and systems include multiple separation columns integrated into a single substrate. Using such a device, parallel analysis of multiple samples can be performed simultaneously and/or sequential analysis of a single sample can be performed simultaneously on a single chip or substrate. The devices and systems are well suited for use in high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications. HPLC chips and devices including embedded parylene channels can be fabricated using a single mask process. |
| US08721890B2 |
Dehydrating system and dehydrating method
A dehydrating system using multiple water separation membranes aims to prevent damage to the water separation membrane units and also to take appropriate measures against decrease in water permeation rate of the water separation membranes. Provided is a dehydrating system (100) for removing water from a target fluid, including at least two water separation membrane units (1, 2, 3) connected in series in a flow direction of the target fluid; two or more heat exchangers (11, 21, 31) respectively provided in front of the water separation membrane units (1, 2, 3), each of the heat exchangers (11, 21, 31) raising a temperature of the target fluid to a temperature which is lower than a boiling point of the target fluid but close to the boiling point. |
| US08721889B2 |
Wastewater treatment process including irradiation of primary solids
The present invention provides a method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system. The liquid treatment system can include a high flux adsorbent material treatment system integrated with a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor. |
| US08721885B2 |
System for removing phosphorus from wastewater
Systems and methods for removing phosphorous (P) from P-containing wastewater are disclosed. The system includes a main filter unit (MFU) comprising P-adsorbing material. The MFU receives the P-containing wastewater and forms therefrom MFU-filtered wastewater having a first pH. A pH adjusting unit (AU) that contains pH-reducing material receives the MFU-filtered wastewater and forms therefrom AU-filtered wastewater having a second pH lower than the first pH. A replaceable filter unit (RFU) similar to the MFU but smaller may be arranged upstream of the MFU to pre-filter the P-containing wastewater. Some or all of the RFU may be replaced when maintaining the system. |
| US08721883B2 |
Medical fluid cassettes and related systems
The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a medical liquid comprising a liquid treatment machine and a cassette insertable therein substantially made of a rigid base body of the cassette with fitted chambers and passages and a foil covering them. |
| US08721880B2 |
Device for use with floor drains
A device configured for being received within a floor drain is provided. The device includes a basket assembly containing a liquid-soluble treatment material therein. A drain cover defines an opening that receives the basket assembly. A basket assembly lid defines at least one aperture for allowing flow of liquid into the basket assembly, the basket assembly includes a flange for cooperatively engaging a recess defined in the drain cover to thereby engage the lid with the drain cover. |
| US08721878B2 |
Apparatus and method for recovery of sub-surface oil pollution
A subsurface hydrocarbon capture apparatus having a filtration member connected to a mouth frame, wherein the filtration member is composed of a material that is hydrophobic and lipophilic, the apparatus having buoyancy and weight members to maintain the apparatus in a subsurface disposition when pulled by a boat. |
| US08721869B2 |
Moving electrode electroflocculation process
The present invention provides a high volume, foul-resistant electrolytic process for treating contaminated water comprising at least one upflow electroflocculation cell consisting of (i) a lower (or “bottom”) electrode (3) in form of a porous, non-fluidized bed of loose iron or aluminium granules kept in periodic motion by pulsed gas injections and (ii) an upper (or “top”) vibrating electrode (4) made of an iron or aluminium grid mesh or ribmesh. A voltage potential between the upper (4) and lower (3) electrode causes ions to be released from the moving electrodes. These ions oxydise and/or render insoluble contaminants in the ascending flow of wastewater and create easy filterable insoluble contaminants resulting in substantially cleansed water. Such moving electrodes electroflocculation cells are useful at municipal water works and commercial and industrial applications were large amounts of raw water have to be processed. |
| US08721867B2 |
Method of shutting down water electrolysis apparatus
A water electrolysis apparatus applies an electrolysis voltage between current collectors disposed on the respective sides of an electrolyte membrane thereby to electrolyze water to generate oxygen in an anode electrolysis chamber and hydrogen in a cathode electrolysis chamber under a pressure higher than a normal pressure. The water electrolysis apparatus is shut down by applying a voltage between the current collectors after the cathode electrolysis chamber stops supplying the hydrogen, reducing a pressure in at least the cathode electrolysis chamber while the voltage is being applied, and stopping applying the voltage when the pressure in the cathode electrolysis chamber is equal to a pressure in the anode electrolysis chamber. |
| US08721864B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing a metal covered polyimide composite
A metal covered polyimide composite comprising a tie-coat layer and a metal seed layer formed on a surface of a polyimide film by electroless plating or a drying method is provided. A copper layer or a copper alloy layer is formed thereon by electroplating. The copper plated layer or copper alloy plated layer includes three layers to one layer of the copper layer or copper alloy layer. The metal covered polyimide composite effectively prevents peeling in a non-adhesive flexible laminate (especially a two-layer flexible laminate), and more particularly, effectively inhibits peeling from the interface of a copper layer and tin plating. A method of producing the composite and apparatus for producing the composite are also provided. |
| US08721862B2 |
Apparatus for fluid purification and methods of manufacture and use thereof
The present invention generally relates to devices able to purify fluids electrically that are contained within pressure vessels, as well as to methods of manufacture and use thereof. Liquids or other fluids to be purified enter the purification device and, under the influence of an electric field, are treated to produce an ion-depleted liquid. Species from the entering liquids are collected to produce an ion-concentrated liquid. Increasing the exterior pressure on the device may reduce the pressure difference between the interior of the device and the exterior, which may reduce manufacturing costs or simplify construction. |
| US08721855B2 |
Crimp contact, crimp contact with an electrical lead, gas sensor including said crimp contact and method for manufacturing said gas sensor
A crimp contact, a gas sensor including the crimp contact for outputting a signal from a sensing portion of a sensor element to an external device, and a method for manufacturing the crimp contact. The crimp contact includes a barrel portion crimped so as to fix a plurality of lead core wires (16) of an electrical lead connected to the external device. A hold portion constituting the barrel portion is formed such that the lead core wires 16 of the electrical lead are disposed in an U-shaped hold portion 77 so as to be crimped between an anvil 120 and a crimper 121. An outer surface of the U-shaped hold portion 77 has a plating layer 85 thereon to thereby constantly secure slidability between a sliding face of the crimper 121 and the outer surface of the U-shaped hold portion 77. The crimp contact is able to secure slidability between an outer surface of a hold portion and a sliding face of a crimper without applying any lubricant to the sliding face of the crimper, and can be used under a high temperature environment. |
| US08721850B2 |
Biosensor and methods for manufacturing
A biosensor for detecting an analyte in a sample of body fluid and methods for manufacturing the biosensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a biosensor includes at least two electrical conductors embedded within an electrically insulating test element body. The electrical conductors are exposed at two ends of the test element body and a reagent, for example a reagent adapted to test for blood glucose, is applied to one end. In one form, the test element body is cylindrical with a circular or non-circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the test elements are manufactured by a resin pultrusion process in which resin embedded with electrical conductors is dried or cured, shaped and cut into segments, and reagent applied to one end of each segment. |
| US08721848B1 |
Anode sled and method of assembly
An anode sled for assembly is disclosed which is constructed using a bag or sack which can be filled on-site with ballast. The sled design includes at least one stanchion or post extending upward from the sack and supports an anode. The sled can be used for both sacrificial anode and impressed current applications. |
| US08721843B2 |
Method for producing graphene in a magnetic field
An improved system and method for generating graphene involves producing a plurality of ionized carbon atoms in a plasma generation chamber and providing the plurality of ionized carbon atoms to a graphene generation chamber having a magnetic structure. The graphene generation chamber generates graphene from said plurality of ionized carbon atoms over said magnetic structure such that said graphene floats over said magnetic structure due to said graphene being diamagnetic. The rate at which the plurality of ionized carbon atoms is produced is controlled to control the rate of graphene generation. The magnetic field of the magnetic structure can be controlled to control the rate at which the generated graphene moves through the graphene generation chamber until it exits as a recovered graphene product. |
| US08721842B2 |
Catalytic reaction-rectification integrated process and specialized device thereof
A catalytic reaction-rectification integrated process and a catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column, and the specialized device of such process is provided. The reactants are preheated and mixed with catalysts, and then fed into a jet agitation reaction section located in the middle of the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column from a feeding inlet. The jet agitation reaction section is a kettle-like reactor located in the middle of the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column. After pressurized by a centrifugal pump, the reactant materials are admitted into a subsonic or transonic agitator located within the reaction section. The reactant materials are ejected into the jet agitation reaction section at high speed, to efficiently mix the solid and liquid phases in the reaction section and to reinforce heat and mass transfer efficiency during the reaction. The liquid reaction mixture is separated and purified directly in the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column. |
| US08721836B2 |
Plasma processing with preionized and predissociated tuning gases and associated systems and methods
Plasma processing systems and methods for using pre-dissociated and/or pre-ionized tuning gases are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plasma processing system includes a reaction chamber, a support element in the reaction chamber, and one or more cathode discharge assemblies in the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is configured to produce a plasma in an interior volume of the chamber. The support element positions a microelectronic workpiece in the reaction chamber, and the cathode discharge assembly supplies an at least partially dissociated and/or ionized tuning gas to the workpiece in the chamber. |
| US08721833B2 |
Variable capacitance chamber component incorporating ferroelectric materials and methods of manufacturing and using thereof
A replaceable chamber element for use in a plasma processing system, such as a plasma etching system, is described. The replaceable chamber element includes a chamber component configured to be exposed to plasma in a plasma processing system, wherein the chamber component is fabricated of a ferroelectric material. |
| US08721832B2 |
Pressure-sensitive adhesive and detachable strip formed from it
Disclosed is a pressure-sensitive adhesive for single- or double-sidedly tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive strips that are redetachable without residue or destruction both by extensive stretching substantially in the bond plane and by peeling. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is composed at least of (1) a vinylaromatic block copolymer, (2) a solid tackifying resin having a softening temperature by the ring-and-ball method of more than 30° C. and (3) a resin which is liquid at room temperature (23° C.), wherein the fraction of liquid resin accounts for at least 40% by weight, based on the total amount of resin. Also disclosed are strips formed from the adhesive and the use of the strips to form redetachable bonds. |
| US08721830B2 |
Method for finished-rib compacting a thermoplastic composite part with continuous fibers
A method for manufacturing a structural part including at least two wings extending in intersecting planes made of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite material including at least two plies of continuous fibers. The fibers extend from one wing to another. The method includes cutting the at least two plies in a fabric and/or a tape of fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin; assembling the plies to create a preform; and compacting the preform to a final shape of the part by subjecting the preform to a defined cycle of temperature and pressure. A toolset can implement the method described above. Such a toolset includes a rigid punch and die such that closing the tool creates a sealed chamber in a shape of the part between the punch and the die. |
| US08721829B2 |
Method of cutting off laminate layers, eg a glass fibre or carbon-fibre laminate layer in the blade of a wind turbine
The invention relates to a method of cutting off laminate layers for use in a fiber-reinforced laminate object comprising a number of combined laminate layers, wherein, along a section of the at least one rim of the laminate layer, a tapering cut is performed through the thickness of the laminate layer, whereby the thickness of the laminate layer is reduced. Since not only the number of laminate layers, but also the thickness of the individual laminate layers are reduced, a laminate layer is accomplished that can be used in a laminate object, by which both the issues of areas rich in resin, air pockets and the risk of delamination are reduced. The invention also relates to a laminate layer for use in a fiber-reinforced laminate object comprising a number of combined laminate layers and a fiber-reinforced laminate object in the form of the blade of a wind turbine, wherein the blade of the wind turbine comprises a number of combined laminate layers. |
| US08721826B2 |
Steerable kink-resistant sheath
A steerable kink resistant access device is provided having an elongated body and a steerable portion; methods for manufacturing the kink resistant device are also provided. The access sheath has an outside diameter sufficiently small so that it may be inserted into a body cavity or conduit. The access sheath typically has two internal lumen, a first lumen sized and configured as an access to a surgical site and a second lumen sized and configured to contain a tensioning device that, when acted upon, will deflect the steerable portion. The tensioning device may be directly or remotely attached to an actuation device that operates to control the tensioning and loosening of the tensioning device. |
| US08721823B2 |
Method of forming large diameter thermoplastic seal
A method of forming a seal ring includes heating an extruded rod to a temperature above a glass transition temperature. The extruded rod has first and second ends. The method further includes bending the extruded rod into a circular structure while the temperature is above the glass transition temperature, joining the first and second ends of the extruded rod to form a semi-finished ring, and annealing the semi-finished ring. |
| US08721818B2 |
Method and apparatus for toxic substance encapsulation
A method of encapsulating a toxin on a contaminated surface includes providing a plastic air-tight substrate having first and second opposing surfaces. An adhesive substance is disposed on the first surface. The first surface of the plastic substrate is applied to the contaminated surface such that the plastic substrate is adhered to the contaminated surface, and such that the toxin is completely covered by the plastic substrate. |
| US08721816B2 |
Method of producing roll of optical film laminate with polarizing film
A method of producing a roll of an optical film laminate including a polarizing film having a thickness of 10 μm or less is described. The method includes providing a roll of a separator film-attached optical film laminate formed by subjecting a laminate comprising a continuous web of a thermoplastic resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer to a 2-stage stretching consisting of a preliminary in-air stretching and an in-boric-acid-solution stretching, to reduce a thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer to 10 μm or less. The method further includes causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer. The method further includes detecting a defect existing in the optical film laminate and the adhesive layer and upon detection of a defect, recording a position of the defect. The method further includes winding into a roll a separator film-attached optical film laminate. |
| US08721812B2 |
Techniques for controlling precipitate phase domain size in an alloy
A heat treatment technique may include heating an alloy component to a temperature above a transition temperature of the alloy or heating an alloy component to a temperature below the transition temperature of the alloy. The heat treatment technique further may include cooling a first portion of the alloy component at a first cooling rate, and cooling a second portion of the alloy component at a second cooling rate different than the first rate. The first cooling rate may result in formation of a plurality of first precipitate phase domains comprising a first average size in the first portion, and the second cooling rate may result in formation of a plurality of second precipitate phase domains comprising a second average size in the second portion. The average size of the first precipitate phase domains may be different than the average size of the second precipitate phase domains. |
| US08721811B2 |
Method of creating a cast automotive product having an improved critical fracture strain
The present invention provides a casting having increased crashworthiness including an aluminum alloy of about 6.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % Si; about 0.12 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.35 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 4.0 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.6 wt % Mn; and less than or equal to about 0.15 wt % Fe, wherein the cast body is treated to a T5 or T6 temper and has a tensile strength ranging from 100 MPa to 180 MPa and has a critical fracture strain greater than 10%. The present invention further provides a method of forming a casting having increased crashworthiness. |
| US08721809B2 |
Method of thermomechanical shaping a final product with very high strength and a product produced thereby
A method of thermomechanical shaping a final product with very high strength including the steps of: providing a coated hot-rolled and/or cold-rolled steel strip or sheet including (all percentages in wt. %): 0.04% |
| US08721807B2 |
Hypereutectoid, head-hardened steel rail
A method of making a hypereutectoid, head-hardened steel rail is provided that includes a step of head hardening a steel rail having a composition containing 0.86-1.00 wt % carbon, 0.40-0.75 wt % manganese, 0.40-1.00 wt % silicon, 0.05-0.15 wt % vanadium, 0.015-0.030 wt % titanium, and sufficient nitrogen to react with the titanium to form titanium nitride. Head hardening is conducted at a cooling rate that, if plotted on a graph with xy-coordinates with the x-axis representing cooling time in seconds, and the y-axis representing temperature in Celsius of the surface of the head of the steel rail, is maintained in a region between an upper cooling rate boundary plot defined by an upper line connecting xy-coordinates (0 s, 775° C.), (20 s, 670° C.), and (110 s, 550° C.) and a lower cooling rate boundary plot defined by a lower line connecting xy-coordinates (0 s, 750° C.), (20 s, 610° C.), and (110 s, 500° C.). |
| US08721806B2 |
Device for cleaning a flexible hollow shaft of a medical instrument
A device is used for cleaning a flexible hollow shaft of a medical instrument, the wall of said flexible hollow shaft is provided with openings. The device comprises a hollow space in which at least one portion of said hollow shaft can be received. A cleaning liquid can be delivered into said hollow space via an attachment piece. An inside wall of said hollow space is at a radial distance from the outer face of said hollow shaft. Flow resistance means, spaced axially apart from one another, are provided, either in the form of sealing means or in the form of narrow annular gaps which respectively seal off or delimit, in the axial direction, a space between said outer face of said hollow shaft and said inside wall of said hollow space. |
| US08721805B2 |
Towed portable cleaning station
A device and method of use for a towed portable cleaning facility is disclosed. The device employs storage tanks for both the storage and transport of cleaning fluids. The tanks serve the additional function of surrounding and enclosing the cleaning area an area that may be used for cleaning or storage. By utilizing the tanks as walls, the present invention provides a portable cleaning station. The device may further include the ability to treat and clean used fluids in order to either reuse or safely dispose of the used fluids as well as the ability to recover heat energy from an engine compartment to heat cleaning fluids. |
| US08721801B2 |
Method of using rinse aid compositions in automatic dishwashing machines
A method of warewashing is provided. A combination detergent rinse aid composition is used according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes an alkaline source and a water-soluble anion. The rinse aid composition comprises an acid. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The anion is present in sufficient amount to leave a residue of anions on the surface of the wares. The acid of the rinse aid has a sufficiently low pKa to react with the anions to form an insoluble oxide on the surface of the wares. The insoluble oxide reduces the surface tension of water on the surface of the wares thus reducing water spotting. Methods for using and manufacturing a combination warewashing detergent-rinse aid composition are provided. |
| US08721800B2 |
Method of controlling washing machine
A method of controlling a washing machine, capable of detecting clothes contained in the washing machine by rotating a drum. The method includes supplying a predetermined amount of water when a barrel cleaning is executed, soaking an interior of a drum in water, draining water after the interior of the drum has been soaked in the water, and detecting clothes contained in the drum by rotating the drum. Whether to perform a barrel cleaning is determined according to the existence of the clothes in the drum, so that vibration and noise are prevented from being generated in the washing machine, and accident due to the movement of the washing machine is prevented. |
| US08721796B2 |
Plasma cleaning apparatus and method
Embodiments of the present invention generally include an apparatus for plasma cleaning and a method for plasma cleaning. The apparatus can include a lid body having a first surface for facing a pedestal during cleaning and a second surface opposite the first surface and substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface having a first indentation sized to receive a magnet assembly, one or more handles coupled to the second surface of the lid body, and the magnet assembly resting in the first indentation. The method can include removing a sputtering target from the processing chamber, sealing the processing chamber, introducing a gas into the processing chamber, applying an RF bias to a pedestal within the processing chamber, maintaining the pedestal at a substantially constant temperature, and removing material from the pedestal to clean the pedestal. |
| US08721793B2 |
Continuous centrifuge feed pipe mixing system
A feed pipe mixing system for delivering a homogenous massecuite product to a centrifuge comprising: a vertical feed pipe defining an upper end, and a lower end, the vertical feed pipe comprising: a mixing chamber disposed between the upper and lower ends of the vertical feed pipe and operable to mix a massecuite feed with feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to produce a massecuite product; a massecuite inlet disposed on the side of the vertical feed pipe above the mixing chamber, wherein the massecuite inlet is configured to deliver a massecuite feed into the vertical feed pipe; a massecuite outlet disposed on the lower end of the vertical feed pipe and configured to discharge the homogenous massecuite product from the feed pipe to a centrifuge; and a feed water pipe configured to deliver feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to the mixing chamber for mixing with the massecuite feed. |
| US08721786B2 |
Czochralski crystal growth process furnace that maintains constant melt line orientation and method of operation
A Czochralski process (“CZ”) crystal growth method and furnace having a heater capable of generating a heating zone, a crucible within the heating zone and capable of retaining a volume of molten crystal growth material forming a melt line oriented in a designated position within the heating zone, a seed growth rod retractable from the crucible with a rod retraction mechanism, for forming a crystal boule thereon proximal the melt line from the molten crystal growth material. The furnace causes relative movement between the crucible and heating zone as the crystal boule is retracted, so that the melt line is maintained in the designated position within the heating zone. In some embodiments relative movement is based at least in part on sensed weight of the growing crystal boule. In other embodiments the crucible growth rod retraction mechanism are fixed relative to each other by a gantry. |
| US08721784B2 |
Systems and methods for capture and sequestration of gases and compositions derived therefrom
A method of sequestering a greenhouse gas is described, which comprises: (i) providing a solution carrying a first reagent that is capable of reacting with a greenhouse gas; (ii) contacting the solution with a greenhouse gas under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reagent and the greenhouse gas to produce at least a first reactant; (iii) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a second reactant; (iv) allowing a solution carrying the at least first reactant to infiltrate at least a substantial portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (v) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interior spaces of the porous matrix, thereby sequestering a greenhouse gas. |
| US08721779B2 |
Ceiling embedded type air conditioner
Disclosed herein is a ceiling embedded type air conditioner having a filter cleaning device to clean a filter. The filter cleaning device includes a cleaning unit to remove dust from the filter and a dust storage unit to store the dust removed by the cleaning unit. The filter may automatically and periodically be cleaned by the cleaning unit and the removed dust may be stored in the dust storage unit, which eliminates a need to separate and clean the filter. |
| US08721778B2 |
Foil trap device with improved heat resistance
The present invention relates to a foil trap device for debris mitigation, in particular in an EUV system. The foil trap comprises a plurality of spaced apart foils (4) extending from an entrance side towards an exit side of the foil trap, said foils (4) being arranged to allow a straight pass of radiation between the entrance side and the exit side. The foils (4) are coated at least at entrance side edges with a layer (8, 11) of a carbon material containing a fraction of at least 60% of sp3-hybridized carbon atoms, or with a layer (8, 11) of carbon nanotubes. As an alternative, the foils (4) are made of a bulk carbon material of the above composition. The proposed foil trap offers the combination of a high thermal conductivity, a high thermo-chemical resistance against Sn and other liquid metals and a high mechanical stiffness. |
| US08721770B2 |
Carbon dioxide removal and ionic liquid compounds useful therein
This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker; and to methods of carbon dioxide removal in which they may be used. |
| US08721765B2 |
Lead free dezincification alloy and method of making same
A method of producing a brass is disclosed. The alloy contains trace amounts of iron, manganese or aluminum. Phosphorous is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorous is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorous. A low lead brass alloy is provided. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%. |
| US08721759B1 |
Method and system for agricultural fertigation
An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous in situ manufacture of one or more nitrogen-nutrient raw fertilizers within the irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated for a prolonged term. Raw materials, namely nitric acid, urea, ammonium hydroxide, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and/or with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method. |
| US08721757B2 |
Filter assembly; components therefor; and, methods
Air filter assemblies and components therefor are described. The air filter assembly typically includes an air filter cartridge. Air filter cartridges including a media pack comprising at least a first stack of single facer strips are described. In examples described, at least a portion of the first stack of single facer strips is arcuate. Air filter assemblies are characterized that are configured, for example, to advantageously use such air filter cartridges. Example air filter assemblies are described that include pulse jet air cleaning systems. |
| US08721756B2 |
Filter construction for use with air in-take for gas turbine and methods
The filter of the invention is a cartridge filter comprising a structure that can maintain a filter medium in an air stream to filter particulates to protect a gas turbine power system. The filter combines a mechanically adequate filter structure and an effective filter medium for to obtain a useful system. |
| US08721755B2 |
Fog and mist catching apparatus
An apparatus is provided and includes an inlet, including a peripheral wall formed to define a pathway along which gaseous, fluidic and particulate matter flow and two or more nets sequentially disposed in the pathway, the two or more nets being suspended on the peripheral wall with substantially no clearance between each of the two or more nets and the peripheral wall and held sufficiently loosely to permit relative movement of each of the two or more nets such that an effective pore size of the two or more nets is variable over time to encourage fluidic condensation at the two or more nets and to permit a relatively substantial portion of the gaseous and particulate matter to continue to flow. |
| US08721752B2 |
PDC cutter with stress diffusing structures
A PCD cutting element for use in earth boring drill bits where die interstices remote from the working surface are filled with a catalyzing material and the interstices adjacent to the working surface are substantially free of the catalyzing material is described. An intermediate region between the substantially free portion and filled portion has a plurality of generally conically sectioned catalyst-free projections which taper down, extending to a second depth from the planar working surface, preferably about 0.5 times or more of the first depth. |
| US08721751B2 |
Bonded abrasive article and method of forming
An abrasive article including an abrasive body having abrasive grains made of microcrystalline alumina contained within a bond material, wherein the bond material comprises a total content of alumina of at least about 15 mol %. |
| US08721749B2 |
Fuel reforming process for internal combustion engines
A fuel reforming system, process, and device including a catalytic chamber and a heating chamber. The catalytic chamber, further including a fluid fuel intake and a gaseous fluid exit port and at least one heat exchanger for distributing heat between the heating chamber and the catalytic chamber. The catalytic chamber further including a screen member having a surface, wherein the member includes a catalytic deposit made from a combination of platinum and rhodium alloy. A catalytic conversion of converting liquid fuel to gaseous fuel occurs within the catalytic chamber. Fuel exits the fuel reforming device through a gaseous fluid exit port. In the process of phase change from liquid to gaseous phase, there is no change of chemical composition and C8H18 remains stable throughout, except for an increase in Enthalpy (heat content) per mol. |
| US08721746B2 |
Solid fuel
A solid fuel molded out of a mixture of wood pieces having a size of 1 to 25 mm, paper pieces having a size of 1 to 25 mm and thermoplastic resin, wherein the mixture contains 80 to 95 parts by weight of the total of the wood pieces and the paper pieces and 5 to 15 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin, and the weight ratio of the wood pieces to the paper pieces is 20:80 to 90:10.The solid fuel which generates a stable amount of heat is manufactured by using waste wood, waste paper and waste thermoplastic resin in a well-balanced ratio. |
| US08721744B2 |
Copolymer with high chemical homogeneity and use thereof for improving the cold flow properties of fuel oils
A copolymer with high chemical homogeneity, consisting of (A) 50 to 30% by weight of ethylene, (B) 50 to 70% by weight of C4- to C24-hydrocarbyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid, (C) 0 to 5% by weight of (meth)acrylic acid and (D) 0 to 10% by weight of copolymerizable monomers, obtainable by polymerizing a mixture of 80 to 60% by weight of ethylene, 20 to 40% by weight of (meth)acrylic acid and 0 to 10% by weight of copolymerizable monomers in a backmixing, continuous polymerization apparatus, and subsequently polymer-analogously esterifying the resulting copolymer with C4- to C24-hydrocarbinols. The inventive copolymer is suitable for improving the cold flow properties of fuel oils, for lowering the lower mixing temperature of cold flow improver additives into fuel oils, and for improving the filterability of fuel oils comprising cold flow improver additives. |
| US08721739B2 |
Agent for altering the color of keratin fibers containing a fatty substance and a rheology modifying polymer in an alkaline system
The present invention is drawn to an agent and process for altering the color of keratin fibers wherein the agent comprises: (A) a color base composition containing a fatty substance having a viscosity greater than about 50 mm2/s at 40° C., a rheology modifying polymer; an alkalizing agent; a one short alkyl chain hydroxy compound chosen from monoalcohols and polyols; and an oxidative dye precursor; and (B) an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent; and wherein the pH of the agent for altering the color of keratin fibers is greater than 7. |
| US08721737B2 |
Passive ankle prosthesis with energy return simulating that of a natural ankle
Disclosed are passive lower limb prosthetic devices comprising at least a two degree of freedom mechanism and a network of compression springs. |
| US08721733B2 |
Prosthesis kit with finned sleeve
A modular prosthesis kit includes a sleeve. The sleeve has a central portion and a fin. At least part of the central portion includes a plurality of adjacent terraces. The fin includes a pair of tapered outer surfaces that are continuous, non-terraced and define a wedge-shape to stabilize the position of the sleeve when implanted. The sleeve may include a single terraced spout or wing with such a fin or may not have any spouts or wings extending out from the central portion. The kit may also include sleeves with two spouts or wings extending out from the central portion. |
| US08721730B2 |
Multiple-cam, posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis
A distal femoral knee-replacement component provides additional points of cam action by either distinct bars or interconnected structural elements such as cam extensions to prevent early translation of the knee or dislocation of the femoral component over the tibial post which can occur in cruciate-substituting designs. |
| US08721727B2 |
Glenoid component with offset center and associated methods
A glenoid component having an offset center of articulation and associated systems and methods. |
| US08721726B2 |
Glenoid implant
A cup intended to interact with a prosthetic humeral head has a generally circular shape and positioning and anchoring devices for embedding the cup in an anatomical glenoid cavity in such a way that a load-bearing and sliding surface of the cup is integrated into the continuity of the anatomical cavity so as to be perfectly congruent with the humeral head. |
| US08721723B2 |
Expandable vertebral prosthesis
An expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, gear member and a locking assembly positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis is disclosed. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate the inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device. |
| US08721721B2 |
Devices, methods, and systems for prosthetic meniscus selection, trialing, and implantation
Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed. |
| US08721719B2 |
Controlling implanted blood pumps
A blood pump controller includes a microcontroller and a communication interface. The microcontroller is configured to communicate with various types of blood pump communication modules. The microcontroller is further configured to determine, based on communication with a particular type of blood pump communication module, the particular type of blood pump communication module communicated with. The microcontroller is further configured to select, based on the determination of the particular type of blood pump communication module, control logic used to control the particular type of blood pump communication module. The microcontroller is further configured to generate, based on the selected control logic, commands for controlling the blood pump communication module. The communication interface is configured to connect the microcontroller to the particular type of blood pump communication module. |
| US08721713B2 |
System for implanting a replacement valve
A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter. |
| US08721711B2 |
Graft having microporous membrane for uniform fluid infusion
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device for the local delivery of a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body, having a first element capable of contacting the lumen of the conduit and a second element which overlays first element, a reservoir being formed between the first element and the second element, the interior of the reservoir being capable of fluid communication with the conduit such that a substance placed in the reservoir is delivered into the conduit. In embodiments, the first element may be fully or partially microporous or a separate intermediate microporous membrane may be provided. Also provided are methods of mixing or moving a drug within a reservoir using various mixing elements. Also provided are methods of locally delivering a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body utilizing a device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. |
| US08721709B2 |
Self-expansible stent with radiopaque markers and method of making such a stent
Pushing a self-expanding stent from one of its ends, during release of the stent at a stenting site in a bodily lumen, by proximal withdrawal of a surrounding sheath, can impose unacceptably high stresses on parts of the strut network of the stent. For location of stents in a bodily lumen, it is customary to equip the end annulus of a stent with radiopaque markers. The present invention involves arranging the markers so that they share with non-marker portions of the end annulus the stresses imposed in the stent by the end pushing, whereby the high stresses are shared more equally by all the struts of the stent in the end annulus. |
| US08721706B2 |
Specialty stents with flow control features or the like
Methods and systems are described for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and for configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient. |
| US08721703B2 |
Adhesive coated stent and insertion instrument
A deployment cartridge is provided to insert a coated stent into a junction formed between to tubular tissue sections. The deployment cartridge includes a pusher and a coated stent contained within the pusher. The pusher includes support structure for engagement with the stent. The stent is coated with a tissue sealant or tissue adhesive. An insertion instrument is also disclosed for advancing the deployment cartridge into the junction formed between the two tubular tissue sections. There is also disclosed a method of facilitating the support and healing at a juncture formed between tubular tissue sections with a coated stent. |
| US08721700B2 |
Therapeutic heated pocket
A therapeutic heated pocket and method of use in accordance with the present disclosure generally comprises an outer covering, edge trim, baby-dry material, insulation material, headliner material, heating coil, heating element, power cord and power adjustment controller. The pocket allows an arthritis sufferer to quickly and evenly warm an affected area in order to increase blood flow to the area. This has been shown to increase mobility and decrease pain for several hours after use. |
| US08721698B2 |
Light therapy device
A light therapy device is taught including a light emitting assembly having light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source. The light emitting assembly capable of generating 2,500 lux to 7,500 lux at 12 inches. |
| US08721696B2 |
Selective treatments for chronic rhinosinusitis
Method for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a human patient. In the method a photosensitizing agent such as indocyanine green can be applied to color a nasal or sinal treatment site harboring infectious microorganisms. The photosensitizing agent can have an energy absorption peak in a near infrared wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The method can also include applying light energy from a laser source at a near infrared wavelength or wavelengths to the colored treatment site, for a duration sufficient to control the microorganisms. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08721695B2 |
Device and method for stimulating neuronal tissue by means of optical stimuli
A device with a control unit and a plurality of stimulation units configured to be implanted in the body of a patient and generate optical stimuli, wherein the optical stimuli reset the phase of the neuronal activity of the neurons during the stimulation of neurons exhibiting abnormally synchronous and oscillatory neuronal activity, and the control unit is configured to actuate the stimulation units such that at least two of the stimulation units reset the phases of the respectively stimulated neurons at different times. |
| US08721693B2 |
Cervical plate locking mechanism and associated surgical method
The cervical plate locking mechanism of the present invention is elegant in its design and effective in its performance, and utilizes a plate with holes that each incorporate a locking lip structure and locking screws that each incorporate a head portion having petal structures that are outwardly biased prior to insertion via an internally-disposed c-ring or the like. Advantageously, the lead-in torque of each of the locking screws is less than the lead-out torque of each of the locking screws. Thus, reverse threading or backing out is prevented. Alternatively, the cervical plate locking mechanism of the present invention utilizes a locking plate having petal structures that are inwardly biased prior to insertion of the head portion of the locking screws via an externally-disposed c-ring or the like. |
| US08721692B2 |
Methods and devices for spinal fixation element placement
Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors. |
| US08721689B2 |
Multi-axial spinal cross-connectors
A multi-axial spinal cross-connector is configured for connection between spinal fixation devices such as spinal fixation rods. The cross-connector has first and second connection members that are joinable at a fixable pivot junction. The pivot junction allows the connection members to assume various positions relative to one another. A clamp is provided on each end of the first and second connection members whose open and closed states are controlled by fixation of a pivot structure which also fixates the positions of the first and second connection members relative to each other. The cross-connector provides single and/or multi-step locking of both end clamps at the pivot joint. The cross-connector also provides easy in situ sizing, positioning and adjustability. |
| US08721687B2 |
Spinal implant for lumbar vertebra to sacrum fixation
A spinal implant includes a first arm comprising a first upper portion and a first lower portion extending from a first middle portion, the first upper portion, first lower portion, and first middle portion defining a first inward facing surface; a projection extending from the first middle portion; a second arm comprising a second upper portion and a second lower portion extending from a second middle portion, the second middle portion defining a bore configured to receive the projection to enable adjustment of the second arm relative to the first arm, the second upper portion, the second lower portion, and the second middle portion defining a second inward facing surface; a plurality of first spikes extending in a generally perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces; and at least one second spike extending in a non-perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces. |
| US08721686B2 |
Spinous process fusion implants and insertion, compression, and locking instrumentation
A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed. |
| US08721680B2 |
Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture
An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including a positioning assembly, a sheath releasably engaged with the positioning assembly, and a support member axially advanceable through the sheath. The positioning assembly includes a positioning element positioned at a distal portion of the positioning assembly and a sealant disposed at a distal portion of the positioning assembly. The sheath guides the sealant and positioning assembly to the puncture in the vessel wall. |
| US08721674B2 |
Catheter with occluding cuff
A device, method, and system of deploying an embolic protection device at a location distal to a treatment site in a vessel of a patient. A delivery catheter is encircled by a sealing member which is expandable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. The device creates a seal to prevent the flow of blood during the treatment of vascular disease. A distal protection element is delivered by the delivery catheter and deployed to filter or remove embolic debris. |
| US08721673B2 |
Method of acupuncture and a needle for carrying out said method
The invention relates to medicine, in particular to reflexotherapy and can be used for producing long-term acupuncture action on a patient body. The inventive method for prolonged acupuncture treatment consists in determining acupuncture loci, in selecting the needle input and output points, in passing the needle through the selected needle input and output points, in keeping both needle ends outside the patient's skin, in securing the needle in this position by means of locks mounted on the needle ends and, after finishing the acupuncture session, leaving the needle in the patient's body for a specified time. Said method is characterised in that acusal tracts are formed in different histological layers of the patient's tissue by introducing needles and the points, situated in the area of the acupuncture loci and/or reflexogenic zone and/or indifferent zone, are selected as the input and/or output points for each needle. Said invention makes it possible to non-medicamentally treat the extended range of diseases and to increase the efficiency of prolonged acupuncture. Said method is carried out by using relatively simple and inexpensive facilities and makes it possible to carry out the efficient treatment practically devoid of side effects, thereby ensuring the extended use thereof in medical practice. |
| US08721672B2 |
Variable fit lancet
A lancet having a lancet body and a sharp lancing tip extending from the lancet body, the lancet body including at least one flexing engagement fin, which is resiliently deformable upon insertion into a receiver of a lancing device. The outer dimension of the lancet effectively self-adjusts to conform to a wide range of receiver inner dimensions, and as such, the lancet of the present invention enables universal application with a larger range of lancing devices than previously known lancets. |
| US08721671B2 |
Electric lancet actuator
An electric lancet actuator and method of using same. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood by puncturing the skin. The lancet can be contained within a stationary housing which interacts with the proximal or driving end of lancet and allows the distal or front end of the lancet to protrude beyond the stationary housing and puncture the skin. Electric field coils or solenoids drive the lancet using either magnetic attraction or repulsion. |
| US08721669B2 |
Systems and methods for surgical removal of brain tumors
A method for treating a brain tumor includes providing a surgical instrument having an inner member and an outer member. The outer member has a distal region forming a cutting window. The inner member is rotatably received within the outer member, and has a cutting tip that is exposed at the window. The cutting tip and the distal region of the outer member combine to define a cutting implement. An opening is created through the patient's skull to provide access to a brain tumor target site. The cutting implement is delivered through the opening to the target site. The cutting tip is placed into contact with the tumor and operated to cut the tumor. The target site is selectively aspirated to remove cut tumor tissue. |
| US08721668B2 |
Systems and methods for treatment of compressed nerves
Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the tubular body to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. |
| US08721666B2 |
Method of facial reconstructive surgery using a self-anchoring tissue lifting device
A self-anchoring tissue lifting device for use with facial cosmetic reconstructive surgery includes an implant and a removable foil cover disposed on the implant. The implant includes an elongated mesh strip having a distal end on which is situated a tissue anchoring fleece material. Opposite lateral edges of the mesh material are preferably laser cut during the manufacturing process of the implant to provide a plurality of tissue engaging prickles along the longitudinal length of the implant. For treating the mid face and jowl, a stab incision is made within the hairline of the temple region of the patient and the device is applied from the temporal area to the peak of the ipsilateral cheek to capture the malar fat pad to correct midface abnormalities or the ptotic tissue causing the jowl. |
| US08721665B2 |
Method and apparatus for circulatory valve repair
An apparatus for the repair of a cardiovascular valve has leaflets comprising a grasper capable of grabbing and co-apting the leaflets of the valve. In a preferred embodiment, the grasper has jaws that grasp and immobilize the leaflets, and then a fastener is inserted to co-apt the leaflets. The apparatus is particularly useful for repairing mitral valves to cure mitral regurgitation. |
| US08721663B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transpericardial left atrial appendage closure
Methods and apparatus for closing a left atrial appendage are described. The methods rely on introducing a closure tool from a location beneath the rib cage, over an epicardial surface, and to the exterior of the left atrial appendage. The closure device may then be used to close the left atrial appendage, preferably at its base, by any one of a variety of techniques. A specific technique using graspers and a closing loop is illustrated. |
| US08721662B2 |
Skin treatment system and method of use
A device, a system employing the device, and method of performing skin treatment are provided for skin treatment. The device includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening that is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially nonabrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum. A tissue stop member is located within the chamber. It may have an abrasive surface for exfoliating skin cells, or a smooth surface for traversing the skin without substantial abrasion. |
| US08721657B2 |
Medical instrument
A medical instrument for performing a medical procedure within a body cavity includes: an insertion part which is inserted into the body cavity and has a bending part capable of bending in a predetermined range; a manipulating part which manipulates the bending part; a wire which connects the bending part with the manipulating part; and a clutch which is provided in the manipulating part and maintains a bending state of the bending part. |
| US08721653B2 |
Implantable cross-pin for anterior cruciate ligament repair
A novel cross-pin for use in ACL reconstructive surgical procedures. The cross-pin has an elongated body having a distal tapered end. A guide wire opening in the distal end is in communication with a tunnel contained in the distal end. There is a trough extending into the outer surface of the trough for receiving a guide wire. The trough is in communication with the tunnel. |
| US08721649B2 |
Hip joint access using a circumferential wire and balloon
The devices disclosed herein can provide access to the central compartment by accessing the medial-inferior side of the acetabulum, where a gap in the labrum exists. A distending device access the peripheral compartment of a hip joint. The device can then be circumferentially looped around the femoral head, and further tightened. Tightening the circumferential device can cause a balloon of the device to be placed within the gap. The balloon may then be inflated within the gap to distend the femoral head from the acetabulum. |
| US08721647B2 |
Systems, devices and apparatuses for bony fixation and disk repair and replacement methods related thereto
The present invention features new methods, apparatuses and devices for fixing adjacent bone segments, segments of a bony structure and adjacent vertebrate of a spine. The methods, apparatuses and devices utilize a new apparatus for forming a channel in a surface of the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra or a channel submerged within the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra. In more particular embodiments such apparatuses and methods including forming an arcuate channel and which channel can receive therein a curved rod or implant member, which also preferably is arcuate, and avoids the associated problems with prior cage or straight rod and screw systems. Also featured are systems, apparatuses and methods for repairing, replacing or augmenting the nucleus and/or annulus of a disc. |
| US08721645B2 |
Bone fixing system and method of use
A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of a body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the body. |
| US08721643B2 |
Telemetric orthopaedic implant
An instrumented orthopaedic implant, such as an intramedullary (IM) nail, is disclosed. The implant has the capacity to provide an accurate measurement of the applied mechanical load across the implant. The implant includes sensors and associated electronic components located in recesses on the outer surface of the implant. The implant houses the sensing apparatus, the interface circuitry, the data transmitter, and the power receiver. The hermetically sealed housing is adapted for implantation in the body of a patient. The implant is used with a controller which communicates with it by telemetry, and there is an acting unit connected to the electronic components which is adapted to carry out a function based upon a condition detected by the sensors. |
| US08721639B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures
An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a generally spherical or toroidal geometry. |
| US08721635B2 |
Bipolar chondroplasty device
A system and method for convectively heating tissue to smooth the surface of the tissue. A fluid, such as saline is distributed across a tissue surface. A bipolar tool is placed within the fluid, but not touching the tissue. An RF signal is sent from a generator through the electrodes to rapidly boil the fluid. Heat is then transferred from the boiling fluid to the tissue resulting in minimal heat damage to tissue. An impedance matching system is used to maximize power received at the bipolar from the generator. Additionally, a control system monitors the boiling fluid to limit arcing. |
| US08721632B2 |
Methods for delivering energy into a target tissue of a body
An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery. |
| US08721631B2 |
Twister fiber optic systems and their use in medical applications
An improved device and method for safe, accurate and efficient surgical procedures are disclosed. The disclosed device is an optical fiber set with an asymmetric distal end configuration, comprising a bent tip fiber with a fused sleeve as an integral part of it, placed at the fiber's distal (output) end and with a rotatable connector at the proximal (input) side. Fiber tip and tissue-contacting surface located at the distal end of the tip may be constructed with different shape configurations, such as convex tip to improve focusing characteristics, concave tip to achieve diverging irradiation or an expanded beam tip to achieve an effect similar to that obtained by electrosurgical tools. A grip guarantees and enhances the ability to twist and rotate it easily. In another preferred embodiment, twisting maneuvers are enhanced through a special configuration. Both special features (bent tip and rotatable connector), allow for improved and enhanced treatment of diverse pathologies, making possible to efficiently and easily reach and treat specific tissues. Optical fiber's steerability, twistability and rotation lead to a more precise and improved effect on tissues. |
| US08721629B2 |
System and method for mechanical closure of wounds
Devices for treating wounds and methods of treating wounds are described. In use, the devices allow both mechanical force and negative pressure therapy. |
| US08721628B2 |
Medical coupling system
An adapter that bridges the connecting ends of a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. |
| US08721626B2 |
Catheter for conducting a procedure within a lumen, duct or organ of a living being
In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire. |
| US08721623B2 |
C-channel to O-channel converter for a single operator exchange biliary catheter
A catheter system for use during biliary procedures, including a first elongate member carrying a guidewire lumen, and a channel extending longitudinally along the member which provides access to the guidewire lumen and defines two edge surfaces. A second elongate member is also included which is disposed within the guidewire lumen and mates with the cross-sectional profile of the guidewire lumen of the first elongate member, thereby converting a guidewire lumen having a C-shaped design into one having an O-shaped design. The catheter may be used in rapid exchange catheter procedures requiring the use of small diameter guidewires which would otherwise slip out of the channel during use. |
| US08721618B2 |
Device for actively removing a target cell from blood or lymph of a vertebrate subject
Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling the level of one or more target cell types in the blood fluid and/or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; one or more sensor configured to detect one or more target cell types in blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; at least one reactive component disposed in the at least one treatment region; and at least one controller in communication with the one or more sensor and in communication with the at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen. |
| US08721617B2 |
Liquid component collecting device
A liquid component collecting device capable of more easily collecting a liquid component. A liquid component collecting device (100) is provided with: a flexible cylindrical liquid component storage container (21) having an opening at one end thereof; a cylindrical first housing container (22) for housing the liquid component storage container (21) and having an opening at one end thereof; and a first cap (23) connected to the opening in the liquid component storage container (21) and fitted to the opening in the first housing container (22). A pressure regulating space (26) independent of the internal space of the liquid component storage container (21) is formed between the outer side of the liquid component storage container (21) and the inner side of the first housing container (22). The first cap (23) is provided with a liquid component inlet channel (27) for introducing blood into the liquid component storage container (21), a first communication channel (28) communicating with the internal space of the liquid component storage container (21), and a second communication channel (29) communicating with the pressure regulating space (26). |
| US08721616B2 |
Packaging system for pharmaceutical compositions and kit for intravenous administration
The invention refers to a new system for packaging pharmaceutical compositions comprising active principles that may be administered intravenously, in particular it concerns a system for packaging in bottles which makes it possible to ensure the complete transfer of the content of the bottle into the liquid for intravenous infusion and at the same time prevent any accidental contact with the active principle by the health-care personnel preparing said intravenous infusion, and a complete kit for intravenous administration. |
| US08721612B2 |
System and method for intermixing the contents of two containers
A system and method for intermixing the contents of two containers. The system includes a first container, a second container, and a connector for providing fluid communication between the first and second containers. The connector includes at least one resilient retention member for securing the first container to the connector. In addition, the connector accommodates standard vials containing, for example, medicaments, and prevents the unwanted discharge of the contents of the vial into the environment. |
| US08721609B2 |
Absorptive article
An absorptive article (1) has: an absorptive body (10) which includes an absorption body; and an exterior body (20) which is provided to the outer surface side of the absorptive body (10) and which is provided with a belly-side portion (F) and a back-side portion (B). The belly-side portion (F) and the back-side portion (B) are joined together at joint sections (21, 22). Reduced strength regions (T) and unreduced strength regions (S) are disposed between the belly-side section (F) and the back-side section (B) at the positions of the joint sections (21, 22). A reduced strength region (T) includes a joint strength-reducing material for reducing the joint strength between the joint sections (21, 22), and an unreduced strength region (S) includes no joint strength-reducing material. |
| US08721608B2 |
Body waste collecting device comprising a layered adhesive construction
A body waste collecting device comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive construction for attaching a collecting pouch on human skin containing at least two layers of adhesive. The two layers differ in that the skin facing layer of adhesive is softer and more dissipative in nature than the non-skin facing layer of adhesive. |
| US08721606B2 |
Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site
Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with reduced pressure. A dressing for distributing reduced pressure to a tissue site includes a plurality of liquid-impermeable layers that are stacked and a plurality of spacers disposed at least partially between adjacent liquid-impermeable layers. The plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are fenestrated at least in part. The plurality of spacers and plurality of liquid-impermeable layers form a plurality of flow paths for allowing fluid flow under reduced pressure. Adjacent layers of the plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are stacked without foam between at least a majority of coextensive surfaces. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08721595B2 |
Surgical suction wand
A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, and a positive pressure conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris. |
| US08721588B2 |
Noncircular inner lumen guiding catheter with assisted variable support
A noncircular inner lumen guiding catheter with assisted variable support has an inner wall defining a noncircular cross-sectional shaped lumen for use in delivery of multiple microcatheters or other devices for treatment of neurovascular defects, such as for treatment of aneurysms. The noncircular inner lumen guiding catheter with assisted variable support includes torque transmittal guidance walls that are flexible linearly but not circumferentially, and that are neither collapsible nor kinkable. The noncircular shaped cross-section of the inner lumen may extend along the entire length of the catheter or a portion thereof, including distal or proximal. |
| US08721584B2 |
Methods and systems for determining an intravenous insulin infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient, to maintain euglycemia of a patient, and to prevent hypoglycemia of a patient
Methods and systems for determining an intravenous infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient, to maintain euglycemia of a patient, and to prevent hypoglycemia are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for determining an intravenous insulin infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient includes estimating an insulin infusion maintenance rate to maintain euglycemia in a patient. Further, a relationship between a current blood glucose concentration of the patient and a target blood glucose concentration may be determined. An insulin infusion rate may be determined based on the estimated insulin infusion maintenance rate and based on the relationship between the current blood glucose concentration and the target blood glucose concentration. A glycemic response of the patient may be measured while using the determined insulin infusion rate. The insulin infusion maintenance rate is re-estimated based on the glycemic response of the patient at a previous insulin infusion rate. |
| US08721582B2 |
Internal dry powder delivery system and method thereof
An internal dry powder delivery system through a working channel of an endoscopic cannula for directly applying the powder form medication to an internal tissue/organ site, includes an elongated tubular delivery channel and a powder supply device for producing pressurized gas mixing with the dry powder for feeding to form a mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas delivering to an internal tissue/organ site through the delivery channel via endoscopic cannula. It ensures a smooth powder release by preventing liquid from accumulation at the tip of the delivery channel and offers physicians a new powder form drug delivery method via endoscope. Also, it offers new minimal invasive application by directly and precisely applying the powder format drug to the internal sites of human gastrointestinal organ via endoscope to achieve hemostasis, anti-inflammation, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor treatment, etc. |
| US08721574B2 |
Skin stimulator
A skin stimulator which can be produced through a simple process in which a circular disc of a drum is formed by integrating a metal disc having needles on a circumferential surface thereof with a reinforcing resin material using insert injection molding and layering a plurality of metal discs and retainers, thus increasing productivity and economic efficiency, realizing stable operation and preventing foreign substances from being jammed in the drum, and which is configured such that, when pricking the skin with the needles, the needles do not give severe damage to the skin and can be prevented from being broken, thus being effectively used for a lengthy period of time, and in which each of the needles forms a polygonal cross-section of at least six sides instead of a circular cross section, so that, when pricking the skin with the needles, the contact surface of each needle relative to the skin can be reduced, thus minimizing the pain. |
| US08721573B2 |
Automatically adjusting contact node for multiple rib space engagement
A vibratory attachment interface enabling transmission of oscillations generated by an oscillation source upon an external human body surface. The interface comprises a first contact node and a second contact node slideably mounted alongside the first contact node, wherein the contact nodes are each sized and shaped to enable seating within a human rib-space, and whereby upon forced engagement of the first contact node within a first rib-space, the second contact node automatically slides and conforms to the contour of a second differing rib-space thereby optimally nestling within the second rib-space. The attachment interface is for use in contoured application to preferably the anatomic left sternal border, third and fourth intercostal space, such as to enable and ensure an optimized vibratory transmission pathway from the chest wall to the base of the heart and coronary arteries thereupon. |
| US08721572B1 |
Systems, devices, kits and methods for therapy of the eye
Modularized eye treatment devices, systems, kits and method are disclosed which include therapy delivery modules that are combined in a housing to deliver one or more therapies to a patient. Therapy modules include temperature control modules, moisture delivery modules and massage delivery modules. A controller can be provided that identifies which therapy modules are provided and therapy is adjusted based on the identification of which modules are provided in the housing. |
| US08721569B2 |
Physical therapy device
A physical therapy device is disclosed. An example of the physical therapy device includes a cuff for attachment to a patient's limb. The example physical therapy device also includes a light emitter mounted to the cuff. The example physical therapy device also includes a tracking pattern corresponding to at least one physical therapy exercise. The patient performs the physical therapy exercise by moving the patient's limb in such a manner so as to track light from the light emitter on the tracking pattern. |
| US08721567B2 |
Mobile postural screening method and system
A mobile, hand-held communication device with a display screen and a camera is programmed to perform a postural screening method. An image of a patient is acquired on the display screen having an array of pixels. A pixel to distance ratio of the displayed image is determined. A postural displacement of the patient in the displayed image is calculated using the determined ratio. A gyroscope, accelerometer and/or a level of the device is used to level the camera before capturing the image with the camera. Reference lines are overlaid on the display screen and the image to enable alignment of the image. A reference line on the display screen is used for normalizing a known distance in the aligned image to a reference distance of a known number of pixels on the screen for determining the ratio. |
| US08721565B2 |
Device for forming an effective sensor-to-tissue contact
A device for tissue characterization, comprises a structure; a first mechanism, associated with the structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to the structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and a second mechanism, associated with the structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue, wherein at least a component of the first force is in opposition to at least a component of the second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against the sensor, and forcing the sensor against the immobilized tissue, bringing about an effective contact between the sensor and the immobilized tissue. |
| US08721562B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters
Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel. |
| US08721561B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing pulmonary performance
A pulmonary testing device and method are provided that measure an inspired volume of a selected gas component. In one configuration, the selected gas component is injected into the device in an airway of the device upstream of a gas analyzer. The device has opposing open ends, one for the patient's mouth and the other for inspiration of air. |
| US08721558B2 |
Device for determining the flow rate of a blood flow, and cardiovascular assist device
A device for the in vivo determination of the blood flow rate in a patient's blood vessel includes a microelectrode arrangement provided for placement in the blood vessel, an electrical power source which provides excitation energy having physiologically harmless parameters for obtaining a measured signal, a signal detector for detecting an electrical measured signal resulting from the blood flow in the presence of the excitation energy at measuring electrodes of the microelectrode arrangement, and a signal evaluation device, connected to the signal detector, for determining the blood flow rate on the basis of the measured signal. |
| US08721557B2 |
Pattern of cuff inflation and deflation for non-invasive blood pressure measurement
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method for determining a physiologic parameter of a patient. Specifically, embodiments provided herein include methods and systems for non-invasive determination of blood pressure. Information from a photoplethysmography sensor may be used to determine a systolic pressure, which in turn may be used to control a deflation pattern of a blood pressure cuff. |
| US08721556B2 |
Arterial pressure-based, automatic determination of a cardiovascular parameter
One or more cardiovascular parameters is estimated as a function of the arterial pressure waveform, in particular, using at least one statistical moment of a discrete representation pressure waveform having an order greater than one. Arterial compliance, the exponential pressure decay constant, vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume are examples of cardiovascular parameters that can be estimated using various aspects of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, not only are the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the pressure waveform used to estimate the cardiovascular parameter(s) of interest, but also heart rate, statistical moments of a set of pressure-weighted time values, and certain anthropometric patient measurements such as age, sex, body surface area, etc. |
| US08721554B2 |
Random body movement cancellation for non-contact vital sign detection
A method and system for cancelling body movement effect for non-contact vital sign detection is described. The method begins with sending on a first electromagnetic wave transceiver a first electromagnetic signal with a first frequency to a first side of a body, such as a person or animal. Simultaneously using a second electromagnetic wave transceiver a second electromagnetic signal is sent with a second frequency to a second side of a body, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies. A first reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the first electromagnetic wave on the first transceiver is received and a first baseband complex signal is extracted. Likewise a second reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the second electromagnetic wave on the second transceiver is received and a second baseband complex signal is extracted. The first baseband complex signal is mathematically combined with the second baseband complex signal to cancel out a Doppler frequency drift therebetween to yield a periodic Doppler phase effect. |
| US08721552B2 |
Compressive surfaces for ultrasonic scanning
Automated ultrasonic scanning of a chestwardly compressed breast of a supine patient uses a scanning assembly that moves down to compress the breast through a membrane that is secured to the assembly across a bottom opening. A motorized ultrasound transducer moves across the breast while the breast remains downwardly compressed against the patient's chest, sending and receiving ultrasound energy through the membrane. The membrane is porous with respect to an acoustic coupling liquid that impregnates it. The transducer outputs ultrasound information that is processed to form initial planar images and then reconstructed slice images of breast tissue. |
| US08721547B2 |
Ultrasound system and method of forming ultrasound image
The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images. |
| US08721546B2 |
Intravenous catheter insertion and blood sample devices and method of use
Devices and methods for guidewire assisted placement of catheters into blood vessels are described. Some of the devices and methods relate to automated or partially automated or assisted insertion and placement of an intravenous catheter into a vein or artery of a patient. Other of the devices are blood draw devices and methods for insertion and placement of an intravenous device into a vein or artery of a patient or to withdraw a blood sample from the patient. The devices also provide for guide wire tip inspection after use. |
| US08721541B2 |
Physiological monitor
A patient monitor has multiple sensors adapted to attach to tissue sites of a living subject. The sensors generate sensor signals that are responsive to at least two wavelengths of optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood within the tissue sites. |
| US08721536B2 |
Arcuate surgical guidance system and methods
This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems used through small access portals to minimize trauma to structures adjacent the treatment site. The access device includes a guide frame and a cannula support washer movebly coupled to the guide frame. The washer has a cannula port aperture extending therethrough and a surface geometry complementary to the surface geometry of the guide frame. The complementary surface geometries limit movement of the cannula port aperture to arcuate movement along a surface segment of a sphere. |
| US08721535B2 |
Tracheal intubation device
A tracheal intubation device for placing an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patient includes a bar-shaped camera, a handle portion, a guiding portion, and a display device. The bar-shaped camera for capturing images is placed inside the endotracheal tube. The display device is electrically connected to the bar-shaped camera for displaying images captured by the bar-shaped camera. The guiding portion connected to the handle portion has a front end and a rear end. The rear end is connected to the handle portion, and the bar-shaped camera and the endotracheal tube are movably situated in the guiding portion. |
| US08721533B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An actuator has a magnet moved together with a moving lens frame, an SMA wire capable of extending and contracting in a moving direction I of the moving lens frame with execution or non-execution of energization thereof, a fixing member made of a magnetic material attached to a distal end of the SMA wire, a pressing spring which urges the fixing member toward the magnet along the moving direction I, and a stopper member and a stopper portion which limits the movement of the magnet along the moving direction I at a first position or a second position. |
| US08721530B2 |
Tendon-driven endoscope and methods of use
A steerable, tendon-driven endoscope is described herein. The endoscope has an elongated body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled, segmented proximal portion. The steerable distal portion and the segment of the controllable portion are actuated by at least two tendons. As the endoscope is advanced, the user maneuvers the distal portion, and a motion controller actuates tendons in the segmented proximal portion so that the proximal portion assumes the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. By this method the selected curves are propagated along the endoscope body so that the endoscope largely conforms to the pathway selected. When the endoscope is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves can propagate distally along the endoscope body. This allows the endoscope to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body. |
| US08721526B2 |
Insertion assisting device and endoscope apparatus
An insertion assisting device 60 has an insertion path 70 into which an insertion portion 12 of an endoscope 100 is inserted and has a substantially tubular shape. The insertion assisting device 60 includes a ventilation opening 90 that is formed on a distal-end surface or outer circumferential surface thereof, a ventilation duct 74 that communicates with the opening 90 and is different from the insertion path 70, and a liquid reservoir tank 116 that is connected to a base-end side of the duct 74 and stores liquid flowing out of the duct 74. |
| US08721525B2 |
Endoscope system with a modulated radiation source
An endoscope system includes a radiation source which emits a modulated radiation and is applied in a manner such that an object to be examined by an endoscope may be illuminated with the radiation. A sensor is provided for detecting the radiation reflected by the object,at at least one picture point. An evaluation device obtains readings of the detected radiation from the sensor, determines phase differences on the basis of these readings, and computes the distance of the object to the sensor device on the basis of these phase differences. A corresponding supplementary module for an endoscope and endoscope optics with these features are also provided. |
| US08721523B2 |
Mechanized dildo
A mechanized dildo, including a motor driven coaxial plurality of longitudinally spaced drive cams, and corresponding sets of passive cams that operate within an elastic phallic sleeve to locally cyclically expand a girth of the sleeve. Optional vibratory elements are positioned proximate a distal extremity of the sleeve, and in a laterally extending arm that is formed for clitoral stimulation. A battery powered control handle provides multiple operating modes and speeds. |
| US08721519B2 |
Implantable mesh combining biodegradable and non-biodegradable fibers
Disclosed are mesh materials adapted for use in an implantable sling. The mesh materials include biodegradable and non-degradable components that may be adapted to facilitate scar-tissue in-growth as the biodegradable components degrade. |
| US08721518B2 |
Implantable microphone for hearing systems
An implantable microphone for use in hearing systems includes a housing having a sidewall, a first membrane coupled to a top portion of the housing and configured to move in response to movement from an auditory ossicle, and a second membrane coupled to the sidewall such that an interior volume of the housing is divided into a first volume and a second volume. The second membrane has an opening that permits fluid to flow from the first volume to the second volume. The implantable microphone also includes a vibration sensor adjacent to the second membrane and configured to measure the movement of the second membrane and to convert the measurement into an electrical signal. The vibration sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor and/or a MEMS sensor. |
| US08721517B2 |
Impeller for catheter pump
An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub. |
| US08721515B2 |
Rigid body aortic blood pump implant
An implantable aortic blood pump includes a rigid body having wall extending along a long axis and defining an inflation port portion with an inflation aperture therethrough. The aperture is fluid communication with an inner surface of the body and on a fluid supply, the body is preferably independent of an external brace or an external stiffener, yet still has a cantilevered deformation of less than 8 millimeters in response to a 200 gram weight suspended from a front body edge. A deflecting structure of a membrane deflects in response to fluid pressure so as to pump blood when the pump is secured to a subject aorta. |
| US08721512B2 |
Tool magazine device for a machine tool
A tool magazine device includes a magazine body adapted to be disposed on a machine body of a machine tool to confront a working space, a plurality of insertion openings formed in a right side wall of the magazine body and each extending towards a left side wall of the magazine body to form a storage chamber, a plurality of gripping members fitted in the insertion openings for grippingly engage cutting tools, an inlet disposed in the magazine body for introducing therein a flow of pressurized air, and an air duct unit disposed on the left side wall and coupled to communicate the inlet with the storage chambers so as to permit the pressurized air to flow out of the insertion openings to thereby clean swarf from the cutting tools. |
| US08721511B2 |
Reformer exercise apparatus
A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame. |
| US08721510B2 |
Foldable skateboarding fitness equipment
The present invention discloses a foldable skateboarding fitness equipment having a dual-rail track bar in a circular arc shape and slidably sheathed on a cushion frame by a pulley, a turnable cushion seat pivotally coupled to the cushion frame by a ball bearing, a front support frame of an elbow support cushion fixed separately on both sides of the top of the track bar by a pivoting base, a link rod pivotally coupled between the bottom of the front support frame and the top of the track bar, such that a user can kneel on the cushion seat and push the cushion seat to drive the cushion frame to slide back and forth along the track bar, as well as contracting and bending the waist or abdomen to rotate the cushion seat to the left and the right. |
| US08721509B1 |
Tiltable multi-purpose variable resistance exercise gym apparatus
A table is slidably supported on a chassis which is tiltably supported on a base or support frame whose angle may be adjustable via a motorized tilt control device that allows the chassis and table to be tilted and the weight of the user made available to produce a load against which exercising can be carried out. Said weight may be increased by the addition of one or more elastic resistance bands at various geometric points of said slidable supported device and the fixed base on which it is mounted, and whose geometry serves to apply a pre-tension force to said band(s). By pre-tensioning the material, the resistance band then provides a more linear force to the end user. |
| US08721508B2 |
Counterbalance device for weight training
A counterbalance device for weight training includes a brake unit and a control unit. The brake unit includes an outer cylinder, a resistant spring received in the outer cylinder, and a screw rod extending through the outer cylinder and the resistant spring. The screw rod is connected with a steel cable of a weight training apparatus. An adjusting member is coupled around the screw rod and movably threaded into the resistant spring. A gear is provided at a front end of the resistant spring. The control unit includes a transmission gear which can be driven by a motor and is engaged with the gear. When the motor is actuated, a position of the adjusting member relative to the resistant spring can be changed, so that a number of spring coils of the resistant spring for compressing are changed, therefore a counterbalance of the weight training apparatus can be adjusted. |
| US08721505B2 |
Training assembly
Training equipment includes a punch bag suspended on a tensioned flexible resilient suspension cord between two vertically spaced apart fixed points, such as an overhead point and the floor. A pair of stop members limits sliding movement of the punch ball along the suspension cord. A bounce member is secured between the stop member(s) and the punch ball to impart unpredictability to the movement of the punch ball during horizontal and vertical displacement of the ball following a punch or a kick by a trainee. |
| US08721504B2 |
Cushioning mechanism of a treadmill
A cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is interposed with an auxiliary plate between a base frame and the running board. The cushioning mechanism includes two hanging support pieces, two hanging swing pieces, and a flexible elastic element. When the running board is subject to a downward force and sinks, the flexible elastic element will be pulled and expanded externally. When the external force is eliminated, the running board will be returned back to its original position by the self-restoring ability of the flexible elastic element. In this way, an expected and optimal cushioning effect is achieved. |
| US08721503B2 |
Training method and device
A training method and device. Signals are received from a training transducer. Training schedule data of exercises for a user is received from a remote correspondent. The training schedule data is stored in a first memory. A human perceptible signal, which is outputted in accordance with a feedback template, includes data content relating to performance of exercise by the user, said feedback template specifying a manner in which the data content is to be conveyed to the user. Output status data from which the human perceptible signal is generated is stored in a second memory. A determination of whether the received signals satisfy criteria of conforming to the training schedule data is continuously carried out in real time as the user is performing the exercises. The training schedule data is updated as a function of a result of the determination. The training device includes the first and second memory. |
| US08721498B2 |
Method for crankshaft torque modification during transmission shifts using multiple torque actuators and control system for same
A method of controlling engine crankshaft torque on a vehicle requests crankshaft torque modification using multiple types of torque actuators prior to and during a single commanded shift, such as an upshift. Appropriate levels of torque modification for the request, as well as appropriate times to make determinations regarding actuator type and make crankshaft torque reduction requests are determined in light of timing of key events during the shift. |
| US08721497B2 |
Automatic speed control system for manual transmission
Disclosed therein is an automatic speed control system for a manual transmission. Clutch operating means using a combination of a motor and gears, transmission lever operating means using a combination of a motor and gears, and a control part, which check a driving state of a vehicle in real time and controls the motor if gear-shifting is needed, are additionally mounted to a general manual transmission, so that the general manual transmission can automatically shift the gear like an automatic transmission. |
| US08721496B2 |
Transmission control during regenerative braking
A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. |
| US08721493B2 |
Drive train for a motor vehicle
A drive train system comprising a power transfer unit configured to selectively transfer power from a front driveshaft of a vehicle by providing an output torque through a ring gear, wherein the power transfer unit includes an input shaft that receives torque from a first device, and a first clutch configured to selectively couple the input shaft to the ring gear when activated; a cardan shaft in rotational communication with the ring gear and configured to transfer the output torque; and a rear drive unit coupled to the cardan shaft and configured to selectively transfer the output torque received from the cardan shaft to a rear driveshaft of the vehicle, wherein the rear drive unit includes a torque shaft that is driven by the output torque received from the cardan shaft, and a second clutch that is configured to selectively transfer the output torque from the torque shaft to the rear driveshaft when activated. |
| US08721489B2 |
Automatic transmission
Provided is an automatic transmission capable of reducing friction loss. The automatic transmission is provided with an input shaft (2) coupled with a sun gear (Sa), an output member (3), a first to third planetary gear mechanisms (4, 5, 6), a first engagement mechanism (C1) coupling the input shaft (2) with a ring gear (Rc) releasably, a second engagement mechanism (C2) coupling a carrier (Ca) with a carrier (Cc) releasably, a third engagement mechanism (C3) coupling the carrier (Ca) with a second coupling body (Rb-Sc) releasably, a fourth engagement mechanism (B1) fixing a first coupling body (Ra-Cb) to a transmission case (1) releasably, a fifth engagement mechanism (B2) fixing a sun gear (Sb) to the transmission case (1) releasably, and a sixth engagement mechanism (B3) fixing the ring gear (Rc) to the transmission case (1) releasably. |
| US08721488B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. |
| US08721486B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission having a variator (5) comprising input discs (2) coupled to an input shaft (12) and an output disc (3) providing a rotary variator output. The input and output discs are mounted for rotation about a common axis and at last one roller (4) is arranged between the discs to transfer drive from one to the other at a continuously variable variator drive ratio. The roller is mounted in a carrier (30) in a manner which permits it to spin about its own axis and to tilt relative to the disks to vary the variator drive ratio. A hydraulic actuator (22) is arranged to apply to the carrier (30) a reaction force determined by a hydraulic pressure difference acting on the actuator. The reaction force opposes a traction force applied to the roller (4) by the action of the discs (2, 3). Power-recirculation gearing (6), preferably in the form of planetary gearing, receives as inputs the rotation of the input shaft (12) and the rotary variator output, and produces an output speed which is a function of both its inputs. |
| US08721483B2 |
Arrangement comprising at least one dog clutch
An arrangement which comprises at least one claw clutch that can be connected to at least one component of a transmission, such that the claw clutch is arranged substantially within a bearing support (1) of the transmission. |
| US08721482B2 |
Hybrid drive system
A hybrid drive system configured with a power split device that performs a differential operation with at least three rotating elements including an input rotating element, a reaction force rotating element, and an output rotating element that is connected to the output member so that driving force is transmitted. A reduction gear that performs a differential operation with at least four rotating elements including an input rotating element, a stationary element, a first output rotating element, and a second output rotating element. A control portion selects an operating mode of the hybrid drive system, from among a first split mode, and a second split mode. |
| US08721480B2 |
Bicycle crankset with two chainrings
The bicycle crankset includes a bottom bracket axle, two cranks and a chainring carrier bearing first and second different toothed chainrings. The chainring carrier has the shape of a star, of which each arm is provided with a mounting hole aligned with a mounting hole in the first and second chainrings respectively. These holes accommodate elements for fastening chainrings to the chainring carrier, and they are arranged on a first circle with a predetermined diameter. Each arm of the chainring carrier is provided with a second mounting hole arranged on a second circle with a diameter that has been reduced relative to the first circle to match the chainring carrier to two other toothed circular chainrings with a size that is respectively reduced relative to the first and second chainrings and of which the mounting holes are located on the second circle. |
| US08721475B2 |
Golf ball and method for producing the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel golf ball that controls the spin rate on the approach shots while suppressing the change in the spin rate on the driver shots and a method for producing the same. The present invention provides a golf ball having a cover containing a resin component and a filler, wherein the filler is oriented roughly parallel to a surface of the cover. The cover having anisotropy behaves like a hard material against the deformation in the compression direction on the driver shots and behaves like a soft material against the deformation in the shear direction on the approach shots. The present invention also provides a method for producing a golf ball, comprising compression molding a cover composition containing a resin component and a filler to mold a shell, and compression molding a core covered with a plurality of shells to mold a cover. |
| US08721472B2 |
Golf club head
An adjustable golf club incorporates instructions into the golf club, and more particularly, in connection with the club head. More specifically, encoded information is visibly provided on the club head, the encoded information relating to the performance of the club head. In addition to the encoded information, a decoder or device for interpreting the encoded performance information is also provided on the club head. The encoded information, in conjunction with the decoder, allows the golfer to easily adjust his or her club head based on playing conditions or his or her swing. Typically, the encoded information relates to a weight of the club head, and may be used to vary the weight of the club head. A method of configuring a putter-type golf club head adaptable to a plurality of configurations is described, as well as a kit for selectively configuring components of a golf club head. |
| US08721464B2 |
Biaxial suspension type dynamic simulator
A dynamic simulator includes a carrying platform, a movable platform, a load carrying seat, a first actuator pivotally coupled to carrying platform, and a second actuator pivotally coupled to movable platform, and an included angle is formed between the first actuator and the carrying platform, and an included angle is formed between the second actuator and the load carrying seat, and an included angle is formed between the second actuator and the first actuator, so as to simplify the dynamic simulator. |
| US08721460B2 |
Toy laser gun and laser target system
The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser beam and/or an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gun also has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controller within the gun tracks the number of shots fired, the type of light beam fired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun also has unique features available through the use of lasers, including detecting the distance to a target. The present invention further relates to an interactive electronic targeting system for use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic multi-colored backlit board with light detecting sensors positioned within the board. The targeting system is programmed with multiple interactive games for use with a toy gun. |
| US08721457B2 |
Secure offline interactive gambling
A secure offline interactive gambling system includes a subscriber unit operative, through interaction with a user, to execute an offline interactive gambling application, a secure processor operatively associated with the subscriber unit and a central gambling facility. The secure processor includes a random gambling input generator operative to randomly or pseudo-randomly generate gambling input to the offline interactive gambling application during execution of the offline interactive gambling application, and a secure memory operatively associated with the random gambling input generator and operative to securely store information related to the execution of the offline interactive gambling application. The information, that is securely stored and the user cannot modify, typically includes the gambling input and user selections made in response to the gambling input and can be used to derive at least one result of the offline interactive gambling application. The information is transmitted to the central gambling facility that re-executes the offline interactive gambling application with the information replacing the gambling input actually generated and the user selections actually entered. By re-executing the offline interactive gambling application at the central gambling facility the at least one result is derived and validated and the user may be credited or debited based on the at least one result. Related apparatus and method are also described. |
| US08721451B2 |
Game play skill training
Embodiments of the present invention provide a library of video related to game play involving the use of particular objects. By observing game play of users in a game play environment, determinations may be made as to users who excel at the use of a particular object. Video of game play related to these users and a particular object may be created, cataloged, and stored for later use by users that lack proficiency with that object. By observing video of game players with particular skill as to an object, less skilled players may improve their game play thereby avoiding frustration with a game, which may lead to a loss of interest. Acquisition and proffering of video may be facilitated through the use of an analytics server or functional software module that observes game play and identifies players of particular skill or lack thereof. |
| US08721450B2 |
Systems and methods for determining a level of reward
A gaming system and method which includes enabling a player to initiate a play of a game, for the initiated play of the game: (i) randomly generating a game outcome, (ii) displaying to the player the randomly generated game outcome, (iii) determining any award associated with the displayed game outcome, and (iv) displaying to the player any determined award, enabling the player to invite a quantity of other players to each initiate a play of at least one game, the quantity of other players being greater than zero, and if the player invited the quantity of other players, providing the player a benefit, an amount of the benefit being based on the quantity of other players invited. |
| US08721444B2 |
Game device for performing operation object control and non-operation object control
A frame image acquiring unit acquires a captured image of an input device that is provided with an illuminator. A device information deriving unit derives position information of the input device from the captured image. An input receiving unit acquires attitude information of the input device. An operation object control unit controls the motion of an operation object in accordance with the position information and the attitude information of the input device. A non-operation object control unit controls the motion of a non-operation object. A collision control unit determines the motion of at least one of the operation object and the non-operation object in accordance with a collision mode for the collision between the operation object and the non-operation object. |
| US08721443B2 |
System and method for interaction in a virtual environment
A system and method for implementing game play are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining, in a game play controller object, at least one game play rule of a virtual multiplayer game, maintaining, in the game play controller object, at least one game play state, maintaining, in a virtual object controller object, at least one state of a virtual object in a virtual multiplayer game environment, wherein the virtual object is one of a plurality of object types, receiving, over a network, user commands regarding the virtual object, and executing the game play rule based on the received instructions and the object type of the virtual object, wherein the execution of the game play rule modifies the game play state. |
| US08721438B2 |
Wagering apparatus, methods and systems
A system, method and apparatus provides a unique pool betting product where players make selections in a number of different events which occur in sequential legs or time periods. After some and preferably most of the legs have been completed, players who have correct “win” predictions for each of the events or legs that are completed and thus remain in contention for the Jackpot Pool, and potentially those still eligible for consolations prizes, will be offered an opportunity to sell their tickets, in whole or in part, to the game operator or through the game operator. |
| US08721429B2 |
Gaming device and method for providing player selection of modifiers to game components
In one embodiment, the gaming device and method disclosed herein provides a player one or more modifiers to apply to different components or characteristics of a game. In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each game component with at least one applied modifier, the gaming device disclosed herein modifies said game component based on each applied modifier. The gaming device generates any awards based on any modified game components and any unmodified game components and provides any generated awards to the player. |
| US08721428B2 |
Gaming machine with random symbol selection
A gaming machine includes a display and a game controller that provides a wagering game in which a plurality of symbol display positions are provided on the display. When a player stakes a wager on the outcome of the wagering game the game controller selects symbols for display sequentially. The set of symbols is dynamic, wherein at least two symbols from the symbol set are changed between at least certain symbol selections depending on a characteristic of a symbol selected in a previous selection. The display positions may be arranged in rows and columns. |
| US08721425B2 |
Gaming system and method of use
A gaming system and method involving a fixed bonus code and dynamic game code wherein one or more players playing multiple designated electronic gaming machines attempt to match a dynamic game code to the bonus code to win a fixed jackpot or progressive jackpot. The game code symbols adjust randomly (i.e., change) responsive to each play of a corresponding electronic gaming machine. Once a game code symbol matches a corresponding bonus code symbol, the game code symbol locks up such that the matching game code symbol cannot adjust again until the jackpot is won based on each game code symbol matching a corresponding bonus code symbol. Different electronic gaming machines may be re-assigned to drive different game code symbols as needed. |
| US08721418B2 |
Video poker game with a bet doubling option
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a video poker game allowing a player to double (or increase) his or her initial bet. After the initial deal, the player can decide to double the initial bet before drawing new cards. Both the initial bet and optional doubled bet are paid to the player. |
| US08721417B2 |
Method and system for protection against a bad beat during a poker game by utilizing a bad beat cutoff percentage
A system and method of conducting a poker game in a manner which contends with bad beats. It comprises the steps of: selecting a distinct percentage (e.g. 70.0% or 80.0%) as a Bad Beat Cutoff %; selecting a specified amount as the Bad Beat Amount; conducting the selected poker game variant in accordance with conventional rules of play; calculating and recording the win probability of each player if an all-in bet occurs; awarding the Bad Beat Amount to any remaining player that lost despite having a win probability greater than the Bad Beat Cutoff % at the point of said all-in bet; and awarding the remainder of each pot to the high hand. By contending with bad beats in all-in situations, the systems and methods disclosed herein will help alleviate bad beat frustration and make poker more enjoyable for many players. |
| US08721414B1 |
Card game and method for playing a card game
A card game and method for playing a card game are provided for a plurality of players. A pre-determined number of cards are included in the card deck. A preset number of cards from the card deck are dealt to each player. Each card has a face with a variety of characters, written instructions, numeric fractional values, shapes, mathematical symbols, special characters, or lines. In embodiments of the card game, a designated winning word is spelled or a designated number of matching cards are obtained, with consideration to the operation instructions of a number of cards that can alter the arrangement of the cards in a player's hand or can alter the order of play of the card game. Once a current designated player obtains the designated word or the designated number of matching cards and has a winning combination of cards, that player wins and the game is over. |
| US08721409B1 |
Airflow control system with external air control
A cooling system includes one or more air channeling sub-systems that provide cooling air to electronic equipment, at least one heat removal sub-system that removes heat from the cooling air in at least one of the air channeling sub-systems, at least one temperature sensor measures a wet bulb temperature of outside air, and at least one controller. At least one of the air channeling sub-systems includes an outside air damper operable allow outside air into the air channeling sub-system. The at least one controller at least partially opens the outside air damper if a wet bulb temperature measured at the at least one temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature. |
| US08721407B2 |
Vehicle having fresh air intake
A vehicle includes an air intake that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet. The air intake receives ambient air through an aperture in a window in the vehicle, thereby reducing the size of the air intake. |
| US08721406B2 |
Air duct for supplying ambient air in an aircraft
An air duct for supplying ambient air in an aircraft includes an air inlet, a flow duct portion and a feed device that is devised to feed ambient air through the air inlet and the flow duct portion. A flow control flap closes the air inlet in a first position, releases a first flow cross-section of the air inlet in a second position and releases a larger second flow cross-section of the air inlet in a third position. The flow control flap is designed to not increase drag significantly in the second position while still enabling flow through the flow duct portion, while increasing drag to increase air fow through the flow duct portion in the third position. |
| US08721402B2 |
Dust collection device for sanding tool
A dust collection device for a sanding tool includes a bag having a sidewall with an inner surface and a coupler attached to the bag. The sidewall comprises at least one filter layer and an outer support layer. A sleeve having an outer surface, a sleeve sidewall, a first end, a second end, and at least one gap at either the first end or the second end is positioned within the bag. The sleeve's first end is positioned adjacent the coupler to direct incoming air towards the sleeve and the sleeve is positioned within the bag such that a bypass volume is present between the outer surface and the inner surface. |
| US08721401B2 |
Method for cleaning a polishing pad
A method for cleaning a polishing pad includes dispensing a first amount of deionized water on the polishing pad; cleaning the polishing pad with an acidity/alkalinity solution after dispensing the first amount of deionized water on the polishing pad; rinsing the polishing pad with a second amount of deionized water after cleaning the polishing pad with the acidity/alkalinity solution; removing the acidity/alkalinity solution from the polishing pad. In a subsequent CMP process, the method includes polishing a GST material device for obtaining an improved performance of the GST material device. |
| US08721394B2 |
Polishing pad and polishing method
A polishing pad and a polishing method for polishing a substrate are described. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer and at least two grooves. The grooves form polishing tracks respectively. The polishing tracks collectively construct an even tracking zone. A better polishing uniformity of a substrate surface is achieved with the even tracking zone. |
| US08721391B2 |
Carrier head with narrow inner ring and wide outer ring
A carrier head for a chemical mechanical polisher includes base, a substrate mounting surface, an annular inner ring, and an annular outer ring. The inner ring has an inner surface configured to circumferentially surround the edge of a substrate positioned on the substrate mounting surface, an outer surface, and a lower surface to contact a polishing pad. The inner ring is vertically movable relative to the substrate mounting surface. The outer ring has an inner surface circumferentially surrounding the inner ring, an outer surface, and a lower surface to contact the polishing pad. The outer ring is vertically movable relative to and independently of the substrate mounting surface and the inner ring. The lower surface of the inner ring has a first width, and the lower surface of the outer ring has a second width greater than the first width. |
| US08721390B2 |
Method for the double-side polishing of a semiconductor wafer
A method for double-side polishing of a semiconductor wafer includes situating the semiconductor wafer in a cutout of a carrier that is disposed in a working gap between an upper polishing plate covered by a first polishing pad and a lower polishing plate covered by a second polishing pad. The first and second polishing pads each include tiled square segments that are formed by an arrangement of channels on the pads, where the square segments of the first pad are larger than the segments of the second pad. The square segments of the polishing pads include abrasives. During polishing, the carrier is guided such that a portion of the wafer temporarily projects laterally outside of the working gap. A polishing agent with a pH that is variable is supplied during polishing at a pH in a range of 11 to 12.5 during a first step and at a pH of at least 13 during a second step. |
| US08721382B2 |
Reusable piñata
A reusable piñata including a first container intended to contain gifts to be given, the first container being provided with a top filling mouth and a horizontal axis for its hanging and knocking down. A second container able of vertical displacement and provided with a upper mouth for introducing inside this various elements by participants or players, in order to cause the descent of the second container. An actuating cord can be mounted on support elements and describing an inverted U-like general path. One of the ends of the cord being externally fixed to the bottom of the first container and on top to the second container for its hanging fastening and causing during the descent of the second container a dump of the first container and the fall of the gifts contained therein. |
| US08721380B2 |
Method for manufacturing display panel
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a display panel, which employs a vacuum bonding method. A display material is dispensed such that the height distance from the upper surface of a lower substrate to the top of the display material is larger than the height distance from the surface of either upper or lower substrate on which the seal pattern is formed to the apex of the seal pattern. The upper substrate is placed at a position where the upper substrate and the top of the display material in the height direction are in touch with each other and the seal pattern on one substrate is not in touch with the other substrate, then, air is released. Thus, volatilization of the display material is reduced easily at small cost to prevent drying of the surface of the display material, and the display qualities can be prevented from being degraded. |
| US08721377B2 |
Outboard motor
In an outboard motor having an engine and an engine cover adapted to cover the engine, the engine having an air intake passage that opens at the engine cover, it is configured such that a secondary air passage having an inlet disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and an outlet connected to the air intake passage at a position downstream of a throttle valve of the engine. The inlet of the secondary air passage is disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and near a belt cover that covers a timing belt adapted to transmit rotation of a crankshaft of the engine to a cam shaft of the engine. |
| US08721373B2 |
Connector
A connector (A) includes a resiliently deformable resilient receiving portion (35) arranged to traverse an opening area of a lock hole (32) formed in a holder (30) and linked to an inner surface of the lock hole (32) at links (36) on opposite ends in a longitudinal direction. A locking rib (15) projects from a lock projection (12) formed in a housing (10) and extends along the longitudinal direction of the resilient receiving portion (35). The locking rib (15) causes the resilient receiving portion (35) to curve and deform in the process of assembling the housing (10) and the holder (30). Escaping edges (18) are formed on opposite longitudinal ends of a projecting edge (16) of the locking rib (15). The escaping edges (18) are oblique to the longitudinal direction of the resilient receiving portion (35) that is not resiliently deformed, and substantially face the links (36). |
| US08721372B2 |
Contact and electrical connecting apparatus
Respective plungers are slidably supported in a stable manner without fluctuation, and reliable electrical contact is achieved.In a contact of the present invention, a first plunger and a second plunger include tip end portions provided on tip end sides, slidably supported, and contacting two respective members and sliding portions provided on proximal end sides, formed in halved shapes of the respective plungers, slidably overlapped with each other, and inserted in a compression coil spring. Each of the sliding portions is set to have a length to be slidably supported together with the tip end portion of the other plunger. |
| US08721369B1 |
Multi-connector power or power and signal transmission cable
A multi-connector power or power and signal transmission cable includes a connection cable, a first connection head connected to one end of the connection cable and at least one connector to mate with the first connection head. The first connection head includes a first plug at a front end thereof. The connector includes a second plug and a socket at front and rear ends thereof. The first plug is detachably connected to the socket of the connector. The connector includes a connection arm thereon. The connection arm has a protruding block at a distal end thereof. The first connection head has a pivot hole for connection of a rotation disc. The rotation disc includes a rotation axle and a receiving hole on the top end of the rotation axle. The connection arm of the connector is detachably connected to the receiving hole of the first connection head. |
| US08721368B2 |
Power terminal connector and system
A power terminal connector includes a multi-layered buss bar that has a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and a flexible section between the first and second mounting portions. The flexible section has multiple layers of metal sheets in a stacked configuration. A first terminal assembly is coupled to the first mounting portion and a second terminal assembly is coupled to the second mounting portion. The first and second terminal assemblies are coupled to corresponding pins of corresponding power terminals. The multi-layered buss bar is configured to electrically interconnect the power terminals coupled to the first and second terminal assemblies. |
| US08721367B2 |
Fuse unit
A fuse unit includes a fuse element and an insulative resin part. The fuse element includes a power supply connecting part fixed to a battery post of a battery so as to receive power supply and arranged along an upper surface of the battery, a terminal connecting part to which a terminal is connected, and a fusible part provided between the power supply connecting part and the terminal connecting part. The insulative resin part is arranged on outer surface of the fuse element. The fuse element is bent upwards at a position between the power supply connecting part and the terminal connecting part. The terminal connecting part is arranged at a position above the upper surface of the battery and along a side surface direction of the battery. |
| US08721363B2 |
Systems and methods for a power adapter
In accordance with one embodiment, an adapter for connecting a network device is provided. The adapter includes adapter housing. The adapter housing further includes a base and a wall, such that the wall extends axially from the base. The base of the adapter housing also includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The adapter includes a plurality of socket openings that extend across the base between the inner surface and the outer surface. The plurality of socket openings extend axially, the socket openings continue across the inner surface of the base through the first end of the rim and the second end of the rim. In one embodiment, the adapter includes a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit allows a network device to get power from a line side of a power meter and the consumer to get power from the load side of the power meter. |
| US08721361B2 |
Low profile cable connector assembly
A cable connector assembly (100), comprises: a plurality of first contacts (2), an insulative housing (1) molding outside the first contacts (2), a plurality of second contacts (3) received in the housing (1), a flat cable (4) connecting with the first contacts (2) and the second contacts (3), and the cable (4) comprising a plurality of inner conductors (40) arranged on upper and lower row, the upper row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the second contacts (3) and the lower row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the first contacts (2), a metallic shell (5) shielding outside the insulative housing (1). The two inner conductors (40) are soldered to a single power contact (21). |
| US08721359B1 |
Heat sink socket
A heat sink socket for cooling electronic devices has a heat conducting body having an upper surface for receiving an electrical component and a lower surface for engaging a supporting circuit board. An insulated terminal has an electrical insulating body supporting a first electrical terminal within the heat conducting body. The first electrical terminal connects an electrical contact of the electrical component to the circuit board. The heat sink socket may include a ground plane on the heat conducting body. The ground plane may have a second electrical terminal that connects an electrical contact of the electrical component to the circuit board. |
| US08721357B2 |
Electronic device connector
A connector includes a body and a socket extending from the body. A blocking wall is located on the body. The socket includes a top wall, a resilient piece located on the top wall. The blocking wall is surrounded the resilient piece for preventing the resilient piece from destroying. |
| US08721351B2 |
Sensor
The object of the present invention is to provide a sensor which has an advantage in reduction of the noise and for down sizing, and also which are capable to produce easily. A sensor comprising: a case member housing a resistance substrate and a mobile element which slides against said resistance substrate and formed with an aperture leading to said resistance substrate; a connector member having a connector terminal, a cover unit which is a part of a resin covering said connector terminal and covers said aperture of said case member, and a connector unit which is other part of the resin covering said connector terminal and is connected with an external terminal; and a clip resiliently contacting with said connector terminal and said resistance substrate, and electrically connecting said connector terminal and said resistance substrate. |
| US08721350B2 |
Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
Disclosed is an electrical connector comprising: at least one flexible electrically connecting element having a plurality of terminals at each end thereof; a first insulation element and a second insulation element configured to position said terminals for electrically connecting with a socket located on a printed circuit board, wherein said first insulation element has a first sidewall and said second insulation element has a second sidewall; and a supporting element having at least one sidewall, configured to engage with said first insulation element and second insulation element. Wherein a displacement space is defined between said at least one sidewall of said supporting element and at least one of said first sidewall and second sidewall to allow said first and second insulation elements to move relative to said supporting element. This present invention also provides an electrical connector assembly. |
| US08721347B2 |
RF receptacle connector having central conductor firmly retained with insulative housing
An RF connector (100) for receiving a mating connector along a mating direction, includes an insulative housing (1), an outer conductor (3) retained with the insulative housing, and a central conductor (2) retained with the insulative housing. The outer conductor includes a tubular section (31) defining an axial line along the mating direction and a number of leg sections (32, 33) extending outwardly from a bottom of the tubular section. The central conductor includes a contact section (22) positioned within the tubular section along the mating direction, a radial section (21) extending outwardly from a bottom of the contact section along a radial direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and an extension section (24) extending out of the insulative housing. The extension section is connected with the radial section via a declined connection portion (23). The insulative housing extends below the radial section. |
| US08721346B2 |
Signal transmission module
A signal transmission module is provided. The signal transmission module includes an electrical connector, a linked unit, a data connector, a sliding block, a link and a lock block. The data connector rotates and expands according to a first shaft and a first elastomer of the linked unit, and electrically connects to the electrical connector. During retraction of the data connector, the data connector pushes the sliding block. Then the sliding block moves against the lock block so that the lock block rotates. The lock block rotates to lock and secure the data connector by the lock piece, while a cam of the link moves to a secure location along an incline plane of a track of the sliding block. |
| US08721339B2 |
System and method for detecting a point of originality in a writing
This paper proposes a new method for the objective evaluation of student work through the identification of original content in writing assignments. Using WordNet as a lexical reference, this process allows instructors to track how key phrases are employed and evolve over the course of a student's writing, and to automatically visualize the point at which the student's language first demonstrates original thought, phrased in their own, original words. After sketching the method for isolating “points of originality,” the paper provides a method for visualizing the resulting information. By visualizing otherwise subjective information in a way that is objectively intelligible, the goal is to provide educators with the ability to monitor student investment in concepts from the course syllabus, and to extend or modify the boundaries of the syllabus in anticipation of pre-existing knowledge or trends in interest. |
| US08721333B2 |
Air-driven rotary cutting tool
An air-driven rotary cutting tool including a grip part, a head part provided at a distal end of the grip portion, and a rotor of double-wheel type rotatably installed in a hollow portion formed in the head part. The rotor has a first turbine blade portion provided with a plurality of first turbine vanes surrounding the rotary axis and a second turbine blade portion integrally formed with the first turbine blade and having a plurality of second turbine vanes surrounding the rotary axis. The first turbine vane has, on its side when seen in a direction into the rotary axis, a concave shape concaved in a direction of rotation of the rotor, and the second turbine vane has, on its side, a concave shape concaving in a direction opposite from the first turbine vane. |
| US08721331B2 |
Oral transmucosal drug delivery device
A drug delivery device 10 has a support structure 20 and a medicine-laden member 100 affixed or otherwise attached to the support structure 20. The device 10 is sized to fit into the mouth and upon exposing the medicine-laden member 100 to saliva, medicaments 101 are released into the mouth. The drug delivery device 10 permits a new method of medication delivery. The method of oral transmucosal drug delivery has the steps of providing a drug delivery device 10 that fits into the mouth, the device 10 having a medicine-laden member 100; wearing the drug delivery device 10; activating release of medicine 101 by contact with saliva; and transmitting the released medicine 101 transmucosally to the bloodstream. |
| US08721330B2 |
Device and method for locating a pulp chamber in a tooth
A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator. |
| US08721329B2 |
Gum tissue guide, systems and methods of producing and utilizing the same
A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device. |
| US08721328B2 |
Patch for oral health care
The present invention is directed to a U-shaped patch for oral health care, comprising a thin film layer and a support layer, and the inner and outer margin of the U-shaped patch have at least one notch or cut line so that the patch can be folded as a three-dimensional concave shape, wherein the thin film layer comprises a health care agent. The present invention uses a two-layered design comprising a thin film layer and a support layer, and a health care agent in the adhesive layer effective for caries prevention, whitening and/or remineralization. The patch of the present invention can closely cover teeth with the thin film layer to enable the health care agent to tightly contact the teeth so as to increase the efficacy on tooth care. |
| US08721326B2 |
Orthodontic appliance for bite correction
A bite-correcting orthodontic appliance attaches directly to the elements of braces (i.e., brackets and archwires); flexes in its distal 25-45% to stay away from the food bolus; has a reduced elliptical profile for patient comfort; and introduces gentle force vectors to the patient's upper and lower teeth that sweep in an arch to lift up on the front of the molar and down on the lower front teeth as the appliance tries to return to its preinstalled (passive) state, resulting in rapid, yet gentle changes unseen in the orthodontic industry. Various attachment members are disclosed allowing for ease of installment in the patient's mouth. |
| US08721323B2 |
Lever-type mold ejection mechanism of injection molding machine
A lever-type mold ejection mechanism is arranged on a platen of a mold in the injection molding machine. The lever-type ejection mechanism includes a base body arranged on the platen; an actuating cylinder having a motion shaft; a link rod having a first end and a second end opposite to each other, wherein the first end is pivotally disposed on the base body through a first pivot axis, and the second end is pivotally disposed on an end of the motion shaft of the actuating cylinder through a second pivot axis, and the link rod has a movable ejector pin at its bottom surface adjacent to the first end; and a ejector rod resisting between the ejector pin and the mold. The actuating cylinder is operated to push the mold through the link rod in a lever manner so as to obtain enough pushing force. |
| US08721315B2 |
Method of handling liquid to prevent machine contamination during filling
A mold device for injecting a fluid into a container where the mold device comprises a first mold portion having a first mating surface and a second mold portion having a second mating surface. The second mating surface is shaped complementary to the first mating surface. A mold cavity is disposed within the first mold portion and the second mold portion. The mold device further comprises an interlocking mating surface system disposed between or made a part of the first mold portion and second mold portion to define a fluid seal therebetween and align the first mold portion to the second mold portion in at least a first direction. |
| US08721312B2 |
Kneading extruder
A kneading extruder includes a barrel having an extrusion port through which kneaded material including first and second liquid raw material is extruded, and a screw shaft placed in the barrel, the screw shaft kneading the first and second raw material to produce the kneaded material in melted state. A screw driving device continuously rotates the screw shaft at a constant speed, and a die communicates with the extrusion port of the barrel, the die having an extrusion port through which the kneaded material in a pressurized state is extruded. An ejection device ejects a portion of the kneaded material between the extrusion port of the barrel and the extrusion port of the die, the ejection device including an ejection quantity regulating unit for regulating the ejection quantity of the kneaded material so that the pressure of the kneaded material at the extrusion port of the barrel is kept constant. |
| US08721306B2 |
Pump unit
A pump unit includes an electric motor, located in a stator housing (6), a terminal box being arranged on an axial face of the stator housing (6). The terminal box (12) includes a tubular housing element (44) having a first axial face to which the axial face of the stator housing (6) is connected. An opposite second axial face (46) of the tubular housing element (44) is closed by at least one cover element (40) into which operating and/or display elements (38) are integrated. An electrical connecting element (42) is arranged on the outer periphery of the tubular housing element (44). |
| US08721303B2 |
Piezoelectric micro-blower
A piezoelectric micro-blower includes a blower chamber located between a blower body and a vibrating plate, a first wall portion of the blower body arranged to face the vibrating plate across the blower chamber so as to vibrate with vibrations of the vibrating plate, a first opening in the first wall portion, a second wall portion on the opposite side of the first wall portion with respect to the blower chamber, a second opening in a portion of the second wall portion which faces the first opening, and an inflow passage located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. Each of the first and second openings includes a plurality of holes, and each hole of the first opening and each hole of the second opening are arranged to face each other. Thus, noise is significantly reduced while the flow characteristic is maintained. |
| US08721302B2 |
Fan assembly
A fan assembly includes an active fan, a supporting base and a passive element. The active fan includes a first impeller and a motor. The passive element is driven to rotate by an airflow from the active fan. The passive element includes a impeller and at least one load. The load is connected to the impeller. |
| US08721301B2 |
Smart blow-down system for variable frequency drive compressor units
A method and apparatus for blowing down a compressed air system when temperature is at or below a predefined temperature threshold is provided. Temperature sensors in the compressed air system monitor temperature and a control processor determines when the temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold. When it is determined temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold, the control processor operates a solenoid blow-down valve that depressurizes the compressed air system. |
| US08721298B2 |
Air blower
An air blower comprises a motor including a rotor, a stator, and an output shaft fixed to the rotor, a fan that rotates by receiving power from the motor, a casing that retains the motor and the fan, and a handle provided at the casing. The rotor has a coil disc including a plurality of substantially annular coils arranged in the circumferential direction around the output shaft as viewed from the direction of the axial line of the output shaft. The stator has a magnetic flux generating mechanism that generates magnetic fluxes passing through the coil disc in the direction of the axial line of the output shaft. |
| US08721294B2 |
Airfoil with galvanically isolated metal coating
An airfoil component includes an aluminum alloy body having at least an airfoil portion and a root portion. A metallic layer is located on at least a portion of the aluminum alloy body and an electrochemically insulating layer is located between and adjoining the aluminum alloy body and the metallic layer. |
| US08721291B2 |
Flow directing member for gas turbine engine
In a gas turbine engine, a flow directing member includes a platform supported on a rotor and includes a radially facing endwall and at least one axially facing axial surface extending radially inwardly from a junction with the endwall. The flow directing member further includes an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the endwall and a fluid flow directing feature. The fluid flow directing feature includes a groove extending axially into the axial surface. The groove has a radially inner groove end and a radially outer groove end, wherein the outer groove end defines an axially extending notch in the junction between the axial surface and the endwall and forms an opening in the endwall for directing a cooling fluid to the endwall. |
| US08721289B2 |
Flow balancing slot
A cover of an airfoil having opposing pressure and suction sides of a rotatable turbine stage to prevent fluid from crossover-flowing from a pressure side of a leading airfoil to a suction side of a trailing airfoil is provided. The cover includes pressure and suction side edge portions, one of which having a shape that is discontinuous relative to that of a complementary one of suction and pressure side edge portions of an aft cover of a corresponding one of a trailing and a leading airfoil, respectively. |
| US08721282B2 |
Active twist hollow beam system
A system for actively controlling the span-wise rotational twist of a hollow beam along its longitudinal axis, including a hollow beam structure having a leading edge and a trailing edge region, the beam being split along its length, an actuator arranged between split surfaces of the beam, the actuator adapted to move the split surfaces in a longitudinal direction relative to each other, inducing a twist in the beam. The hollow beam is affixed to an external structure at one or both ends, with only the zero warping displacement points of the beam being attached to the external structure, material or device. In one embodiment, the actuator is a plurality of solid blocks with high thermal expansion coefficients arranged between frames of the split surfaces of the beam, with alternating blocks being heated by resistance heaters to cause expansion in the spanwise longitudinal direction. |
| US08721277B2 |
Unit for locking ring sectors on a turbomachine casing, comprising radial passages for gripping it
A unit locking a ring sector attachment device onto an aircraft turbomachine casing, the unit including two clamping arms connected to each other at their aft ends by a connecting arm extending approximately parallel to the general direction between the two clamping arms. The unit also includes a passage enabling gripping of the unit on each side of a fictitious median plane orthogonal to the circumferential direction, each passage being formed in the connecting arm, extending along a direction line approximately parallel to the direction between the arms. |
| US08721271B2 |
Oil cooler
An air-cooled oil cooler for the wall of an air flow passage of a gas turbine engine is provided, the oil cooler allowing improved heat exchange performance to be obtained. This is achieved by: (I) diverting air flow from the inner side of the oil cooler towards the outer side of the oil cooler, (ii) enhancing heat exchange performance at the leading edge of the cooler, and/or (iii) suppressing airflow wake at the trailing edge of the cooler. |
| US08721270B2 |
Passage wall section for an annular flow passage of an axial turbomachine with radial gap adjustment
A passage wall section of an annular flow passage of an axial turbomachine is provided. A guide ring has a first toothing arrangement which is in contact with a second toothing arrangement arranged on a sidewall of a circumferential groove which accommodates the guide ring, wherein for axial displacement of the displaceable guide ring, the guide ring is rotatable in a circumferential direction. |
| US08721259B2 |
Planet wind sail mechanism
A planet wind sail mechanism includes a main axis, a first driving unit, and a wind sail body. The first driving further includes a rotation frame with a plurality of ribs, a transmission gear attached on the rib, a fixed gear which is disposed on the main axis and engaged with the transmission gear and a rotary gear is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame and engaged with the transmission gear. The wind sail body includes one rotation axis and the rotation axis is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame. When the wind sail body revolves along the main axis, both the rotary gear and the wind sail body also rotate itself. And the fixed gear rotates in an opposite direction with the rotary gear. |
| US08721258B2 |
Wind turbine
A wind turbine having a nacelle being rotatably disposed on a tower is proposed. The nacelle has a first cavity, a generator housing portion disposed upstream to the nacelle having a second cavity, a hub disposed upstream to the generator housing portion with attached rotor blades at it having a third cavity. The first, second and third cavities communicates with one another. A rail-system has at least one rail-element having a device for lifting and/or transporting. The device for lifting and/or transporting is movable along the rail-system. The rail-system at least partially extends through at least two adjacent cavities. |
| US08721256B2 |
Turbomachine optimized for fastening a rotary shaft bearing, A method of mounting said bearing on said turbomachine
A turbomachine including a shaft, a bearing for supporting the shaft and including an outer ring, and a support for the bearing, the support having a flange to which the outer ring is fastened by fasteners, is provided. Each fastener includes a fastener bolt and a nut screwed together. The turbomachine further includes, for each fastener, a position-retention device for retaining the bolt, and suitable for retaining the bolt in a position that is stationary relative to the bearing support or the outer ring, even in the absence of the nut. The head of the fastener bolt and the position-retention device may be of small dimensions, thereby enabling the fastening of the flange to the bearing support to be optimized, and in particular enabling the weight of the fastening to be optimized. A method of mounting the bearing of the turbomachine is also provided. |
| US08721255B2 |
Methods and apparatus for freight container loading
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for use thereof for loading bulk material into freight containers. One apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially en do sable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a ram. The ram comprises a plate and a driver configured to move the plate from a back end of the hopper to an open end of the hopper to expel material into a container. Another apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk, material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a reciprocating conveyor floor system. Optionally, the apparatuses further include a stand and/or collapsible legs to further support the hopper. |
| US08721252B2 |
Work aligning system and method of moving work
A work aligning system capable of easily altering the kind of works to be aligned. The work aligning system (1) comprises a storage device (10) in which nuts (11) are stored, a take-out base (30) on which the nuts (11) are placed, and a robot (20) for grasping and taking out the nuts from the take-out base (30) and aligning the nuts. An electromagnet (53) is provided at the tip end of the robot arm (23) of the robot (20). The storage device (10) is equipped with a plurality of buckets (131-134) in which nuts (11) of different kinds are stored, and a feed screw mechanism (14) for moving one bucket selected from the plurality of buckets (131-134) to a position near the take-out base (30). The take-out base (30) is equipped with a part (31) on which the nuts (11) are placed and a drive device (32) for discharging the nuts (11) on the part (31) to one bucket selected from the plurality of buckets (131-134). |
| US08721249B2 |
Apparatus and method for loading a pack storing device
A method for loading a pack storing device of an order-picking line with packs, particularly packs of one or a plurality of beverage articles, including providing at least one group of packs, particularly a pallet, especially the at least one group of packs comprising packs at least of a single article, particularly beverage article; and manually loading the pack storing device with at least one pack from the at least one group of packs, particularly a pallet, by one or more operators. |
| US08721248B2 |
Rotator
The invention relates to a rotator (10) for jib-carried tools (1), for example tree working units, wherein the rotator (10) includes a stator (20) and a rotor (30), wherein the rotator (10) is connected to a tip (2) of the jib or arm (3) and to the tool (1). The rotator (10) has or includes in its surroundings means (70, 71) for determining the relative position of rotation between rotor (30) and stator (20). The means for determining the relative position of rotation comprises a pulse emitter (70) and a number of pulse generating elements (71), such as grooves or teeth. Limitation of the angle through which the rotator (10) can turn and control of the direction of rotation prevents, for instance, hoses and/or cables (7) from twisting or rotating away from their respective connections, while enhancing the extent to which automation can be achieved at the same time. |
| US08721246B2 |
Fasteners
A fastener may include an anchor that is configured to be inserted into an attaching hole formed in a panel. The anchor includes a pillar, at least one engagement strip positioned in at least one side of the pillar, and a guide block formed in a distal end of the pillar and having a planar shape corresponding to a shape of the attaching hole. The at least one engagement strip is capable of passing through the attaching hole while being flexed inwardly and engaging a periphery of the attaching hole when the anchor is inserted into the attaching hole. The guide block is configured to pass through the attaching hole only when an axis of the anchor is positioned substantially perpendicular to a surface of the panel. |
| US08721245B2 |
Penetration load reduced staple
A penetration load reduced staple includes a pair of leg portions configured to penetrate sheets of paper, a crown portion connecting the pair of leg portions. Each of the leg portions includes a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the leg portion, from a portion of a side surface of the leg portion between the crown portion and a distal end portion of the leg portion and near the distal end portion. |
| US08721243B2 |
Anchor with structured clamping section
In an anchor for installation into a lightweight construction panel including at least a cover plate, wherein the anchor includes a radial clamping section for firm engagement with the cover plate when installed in a bore formed into the construction panel, the radial clamping section comprises an upper zone provided with axial grooves and a lower zone having transversely extending grooves both in engagement with the walls of the bore in the area of the cover plate. |
| US08721240B1 |
Cargo bracing device
A cargo bracing device includes a fixing member and a driving member. Mainly the fixing member possesses a connecting plate easily fitted with one end of an elastic device, and a locking plate easily fitted with another end of the elastic device. So the locking plate can be restored with dynamic force provided by the elastic device deposited between the connecting plate and the locking plate. The driving member includes two wings respectively having one end formed as a hook collaborating with a latch of a driven plate to enable the driving member combined with or detached from the fixing member. Similar to the fixing member, an elastic device is easily installed between an actuating plate and a connecting bar of the driving member, providing dynamic force for restoring the actuating plate. Therefore the cargo bracing device can be easily assembled, even with automatic equipments. |
| US08721237B2 |
Device for fabricating dental prosthetics and method
A machining device for a workpiece wherein a first feed axis extends through a workpiece holder, a first machining tool is disposed on a first side of the feed axis, and a second machining tool is disposed on a side of the feed axis opposing the first side. Between a first feed axis and perpendicular to a second feed axis, at least one machining tools has a predetermined fixed angular offset. |
| US08721234B2 |
Depth gauge for drill bit
A depth gauge for use with a drill bit includes a body configured to receive a drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and configured to removably couple the body to the drill bit, and a cap configured to be removably coupled to the body. The cap can be coupled to the body in one of a first position relative to the body where the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a first depth, and a second position relative to the body where the cap contacts the workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a second depth that is different from the first depth. |
| US08721230B2 |
Method of filling large-capacity storage silos with a fluidizable material, and arrangement therefor
The invention relates to a method of, and an arrangement for, filling a large-capacity silo with a fluidizable material while preventing air-flow or gas-flow separation, in the case of which the material-charging operation takes place in a controlled manner via a delivery line, feed channel and air- or gas-delivery channels into the top part of the large-capacity silo, towards the silo wall, and downwards to the surface of the material above the base of the large-capacity silo. The material-charging operation is combined with a uniform and controlled suction-extraction operation for air or gas, which is carried out by means of one or more essentially annular suction-extraction lines, arranged directly beneath the silo top, or via annular suction gaps on the material-outflow heads. |
| US08721227B2 |
Yielding bolt and assembly
A mine roof bolt includes an elongated rod and a polymer coating layer. The elongated rod has a first end and a second end with a protruding portion extending radially outward from the elongated rod. The polymer coating layer covers at least a portion of the elongated rod between the first and second ends. The elongated rod is movable relative to the polymer coating layer in an axial direction. The elongated rod has a first position where the elongated rod has a predetermined axial position relative to the polymer coating layer and a second position where the elongated rod has a displaced axial position relative to the first position. |
| US08721224B2 |
Protective apparatus for marine structures
An apparatus for inhibiting damage from impact between a marine structure and an adjacent watercraft, and a related method, are described. The apparatus includes a cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, and attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure. The cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft. |
| US08721213B2 |
Seal assembly for track pin joint assembly
A seal assembly can be incorporated into a track pin joint assembly including a pin defining a longitudinal axis, a first member and a second member both coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis. The first member is pivotable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the second member and includes a load ring engagement surface defining a seal cavity disposed in proximal relationship to the second member. A seal assembly including a seal ring and a load ring is disposed in the seal cavity and sealingly engages the first and second members. An axial segment of a seal ring engagement surface of the load ring extends over at least half the length, measured along the longitudinal axis, between a radial segment of the seal ring engagement surface and a radial segment of a first member engagement surface of the load ring. At least one of a load ring engagement surface of the first member and an axial segment of the first member engagement surface of the load ring includes a convex rounded portion. |
| US08721210B2 |
Cosmetic multi-layered wiper
A multi-layered wiper for removing a product (e.g., a cosmetic product) from an applicator. The multi-layered wiper comprises a wiping body having a wiping face, an acute wiping tip, and vertical slits, formed of a first material, over-molded to a retention body, formed of another material harder than the first material. By virtue of having a multi-layered wiper comprising a wiping body, formed of a first material, over-molded to a retention body, formed of another material, harder than the first material, the multi-layered wiper is capable of providing exceptional installation characteristics, while simultaneously providing exceptional wiping characteristics. |
| US08721208B2 |
Portable printer and methods
This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint. |
| US08721207B2 |
Paper discharge apparatus, paper discharge method, image forming apparatus and image forming method
A paper discharge apparatus includes a conveying path configured to convey a paper from an upstream portion to a downstream portion. A preventing mechanism is provided on the conveying path. The preventing mechanism is configured to prevent the paper from being conveyed to the downstream portion by pushing the paper or blocking the conveying path. A control unit is configured to bend the paper by preventing the conveyance of the paper by using the preventing mechanism, and then convey the paper to the downstream portion of the conveying path for discharge of the paper from the conveying path. |
| US08721206B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes: at least one roller pair which has a driving roller and a driven roller facing the driving roller and which rotates while interposing the recording medium therebetween to transport the recording medium in a first direction; a recording section which records an image on the recording medium transported by the roller pair; a position detecting section which detects a position of the recording medium with respect to the roller pair in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction before the recording section starts recording; a determining section which determines a rotation amount of the driving roller before the recording section starts the recording depending on the position in the second direction of the recording medium detected by the position detecting section; and a control unit which controls the driving roller based on the rotation amount determined by the determining section. |
| US08721203B2 |
Memory system and method for consumables of a printer
A print head for use with a printer. The print head includes an input that receives data or commands associated with printing from the printer. A memory component of the print head is connected in communication with the input and is configured to bi-directionally communicate information to the printer via the input. For example, the memory component may be soldered to a circuit of a print head and connected to a data line normally used to communicate print data to the print head. In this manner, the print head may hold configuration information in the memory module for easy upgrades without an additional dedicated communication line. Also, printers may be upgraded, and print heads retrofit, with the memory component without installation of a dedicated input or communication line. |
| US08721202B2 |
Two-sided thermal print switch
In one embodiment, a two- or dual-sided thermal print switch is provided to direct printing of received print data on one or both sides of thermal media such as a receipt, document, or label. In a further embodiment, a dual-sided thermal print switch is provided to select custom or predefined data for printing on one or both sides of thermal media with or without received print data. Dual-sided print switch operation may be defined using commands implemented with, for example, setup configuration settings in hardware or software, escape sequences, real-time printer commands, and the like. |
| US08721200B1 |
Protector for camera lens
A protector for camera lens includes a shell, a lens, and a positioning member. The shell is formed with an aperture. The lens and the positioning member are received in the aperture, and the lens is restricted from dropping by the positioning member. The positioning member is formed with several axial notches, so that the positioning member is formed in a wave-shaped appearance. Thus, space between the lens and the shell is occupied by the positioning member. Acceptable tolerance of the lens and the shell is increased, and manufacturing precision requirement can be relaxed. |
| US08721199B1 |
Slide-able mount for an image device
A camera slider system that supports a camera for longitudinal sliding. The camera sliding system comprises a pair of longitudinal rail members and a carriage system. The rail members are spaced at a substantially constant distance apart. The carriage system further comprises of a base plate upon which a camera mounting plate is fixed, along with a pair of wheel support assemblies. Each wheel support assembly engages the corresponding rail member to support longitudinal movement. Each wheel assembly further comprises of three rollers, wherein two rollers engage the interior surface of the corresponding rail member, and one roller engages the exterior surface of the same rail member. The arrangement of rollers is coplanar with the plane of the rail members. The exterior roller of each wheel assembly is adjustable relative to the corresponding rail member to accommodate any flaw in the rail profile. |
| US08721197B2 |
Image device, surveillance camera, and mask method of camera screen
In a microcomputer included in an image device, a mask 2D 3D converting section expresses coordinates of a 2-dimensional image plane defined by an imaging element having a rectangular contour in a 3-dimensional coordinate system. The image plane is positioned in the state that a focal length corresponding to a zoom position is adopted as a Z coordinate value of the image plane in the 3-dimensional coordinate system. A mask display position calculating section 165 calculates a 2-dimensional position of a mask on a camera screen by utilizing a similarity of the size of the image plane and the size of the camera screen when a position of a mask on the image plane in the 3-dimensional coordinate system after PAN, TILT rotations and a zooming is converted into the 2-dimensional position of the mask on the camera screen. |
| US08721194B2 |
Optical transceiver module
The present invention provides an optical transceiver module, comprising: a circuit substrate; a z-axis positioning base connected to the circuit substrate that, wherein the z-axis positioning base comprises two first sides respectively provided on two lateral sides of the optical transceiver sub-module, a second side provided between and connecting the two first sides, an opening corresponding in position to a side of the optical transceiver sub-module that faces away from the second side, and a step difference provided on each of the two first sides and the second side; a fiber-optic lens element provided on the z-axis positioning base and comprises a cover and a fiber-optic lens sub-module, wherein the cover comprises a recess and step differences surrounding the recess and respectively corresponding in position to the step differences provided on the z-axis positioning base, so as for the cover to be fitted on the z-axis positioning base. |
| US08721193B2 |
Electronic module having multiple flex circuit connectors
In one example embodiment, an electronic module comprises a plurality of components and flex circuit connectors each electrically connected to respective components of the electronic module. The electronic module may be an optical subassembly of an optical transceiver. Moreover, one of the flex circuit connectors may be physically connected to another of the flex circuit connectors. |
| US08721192B2 |
Optical connecting structure
An optical connecting structure has an optical fiber, a pressing member having a circular outer cross section, and an optical member, wherein the optical member has an optical element, an optical fiber stopper structure, and an optical fiber holding groove, wherein the optical fiber stopper structure is positioned between the optical element and the optical fiber holding groove, wherein the optical fiber is inserted along the optical fiber holding groove so as to contact with the optical fiber stopper structure, and wherein the pressing member is arranged on the optical fiber holding groove mutually perpendicular, the pressing member presses the upper surface of the optical fiber to a direction of a bottom of the optical fiber holding groove, and the optical fiber and the optical element are thereby optically connected. |
| US08721190B2 |
Optoelectrical connector
An optoelectrical connector is composed of a plug to which a wire and an optical fiber are assembled and a receptacle to which the plug is inserted and connected. A receptacle includes insulation sleeves and conductive contacts in openings of receptacle housings, and plugs include a ferrule assembled bodies which are composed of an insulation ferrule which holds an optical fiber and a conductive cylindrical member which holds the ferrule and to which a wire is assembled, in an opening of the plug housing. When the plugs are inserted into the receptacle, the contacts and the cylindrical member contact with each other and the ferrules are inserted into the sleeves. Parts which serve electrical connection are not exposed. |
| US08721189B2 |
Optical fiber connector assembly
An optical fiber connector assembly includes a first, and second plug connectors, and a socket connector. The first plug connector includes a first main portion and a first plate with a first front surface defining alignment holes. A first distance is defined between the first front surface and the first main portion. The second plug connector includes a second main portion and a second plate with a second front surface. A second distance is defined between the second front surface and the second main portion. The socket connector includes a side surface defining a recess with a bottom surface. A third distance is defined between the side surface and the bottom surface. Alignment pins extend from the bottom surface. The length of each alignment pin is defined as a fourth distance. The third distance is equal to the first distance and greater than sum of the second and fourth distances. |
| US08721188B2 |
Cage for a rolling element bearing and method for the production thereof
A cage for a rolling element bearing and a method for the production thereof. The cage has either an increased number of rolling elements or improved load-bearing capacity. A The cage has a plurality of cage pockets for receiving the rolling elements, two side rings and a plurality of cross-ribs. The cross-ribs connect the side rings such that the cage pockets are formed. The cage pockets have milled-out or drilled-out corner regions. hereinafter collectively referred to as milled-out corner regions, The corner regions, in a cutting plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cage, have a radial milling course in the direction of the axis of rotations. The milling course, at least in a partial section, is configured at an incline with respect to a radial vector placed through the partial section and the axis of rotation, and is configured at an incline in the direction of the cage pocket. |
| US08721185B2 |
Constructive arrangement added to a support for assembling agricultural tilting bearings
Constructive arrangement added to a support for assembling agricultural tilting bearings with new constructive form applied to the assembly support, which comprises the arrangement of multiple and contiguous openings practiced on its upper portion, so as to allow the use, in different diameters and different inter centers, of fastening elements. Alternatively, the multiple openings can be of analogous conformation and not contiguous, so as to allow the desirable interchangeability among different brands and models of agricultural equipment. The new constructive form of the support foresees the arrangement of hollow ears at opposite side ends, and also the arrangement of openings practiced on its lower ends, preferably with recesses tied in one of the ends of the fastening methods for their retention at the tilting bearing. |
| US08721183B2 |
Bearing assembly
A bearing assembly is formed by coupling at least two units together in an axially abutting manner. Each unit has two connection portions on two opposite ends and a mounting portion on a largest outer periphery. The connection portions between two adjacent units form at least one set of interfaces, each set having complementary shapes contact with each other. The mounting portion is securely encased in an inner periphery of a jutting chamber located at each end of a motor housing. At least one groove and notches are formed on at least one of two abutting connection portions between the two adjacent units. The notches communicate with the groove and an axle hole. In the assembly, the groove forms at least one storage chamber to store lubricating media, and the notches form at least one set of passages communicating with the storage chamber and an axial hole. |
| US08721182B2 |
Bent bearing assembly for downhole mud motor
A downhole drilling assembly which includes a drill bit assembly, and a mud motor, and a bearing assembly disposed between the drill bit assembly and the mud motor, wherein the bearing assembly includes an offset portion. |
| US08721181B2 |
Keyless bearing sleeve for subterranean applications
A sleeve is retained to a shaft without the use of a keyway through at least one end connection that has a preferably flat face with one or more projections from the flat face. Rounded projections are preferred. The projections go into shape matching depressions on the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can have the projections and the end retainer can have the depressions. The end retainer is spring loaded for axial deflection in the event of an over-torque. If that happens there is planned for slippage until the condition is alleviated at which point the spring bias is able to again match a projection to a depression for continuing tandem driving of the shaft and the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably carbide and resides in a carbide bushing. |
| US08721175B2 |
Fastening apparatus with engine and cartridge thermistors
The fastening apparatus for fastening elements includes a combustion chamber, a housing for a gas cartridge, means for injecting gas from a cartridge into the combustion chamber and a management module. An engine thermistor is provided to be subjected to the temperature of the chamber, as well as a second cartridge thermistor intended to be subjected to the temperature of the gas cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing. Both thermistors are mounted for transmitting their temperature information to the management module. The management module is operable for managing temperature information and determining the opening time of the injection means. |
| US08721173B2 |
Temperature calibration device, a calibrator block, and a method for calibrating a temperature probe
A temperature calibration device 1, comprising a calibrator block 3 having a cavity 4 and one or more heating elements and at least one temperature sensor being thermally coupled to the calibrator block 3, and where the heating elements and the temperature sensor is connected to a control system being adapted for controlling the temperature of the calibrator block 3, and where the calibrator block 3, at least partly, is surrounded by thermally insulating material 5. A number of channels 9 are arranged in the calibrator block 3 or the insulation material 5, and being connected to a gas supply 6, and where the control system is adapted for activating or deactivating the gas supply. |
| US08721172B2 |
Method for calibrating an electronic chip, electronic chip and heat pattern detector for this method
A method for calibrating an electronic chip comprises: the placing of a calibration transducer of a chip to be calibrated in contact with a first element and the measurement of a corresponding temperature variation ΔTc with this calibration transducer, the calibration thermal transducer having thermal characteristics different from those of the normal transducer so as to measure a temperature variation ΔTc that is different from a variation ΔT1 measured by the normal transducer, and the calibration of the chip to be calibrated on the basis of the measured variations ΔT1 and ΔTc. |
| US08721170B2 |
Stepping motor control circuit, movement, and analogue electronic timepiece
A rotation detection unit configured to detect the condition of rotation of a stepping motor on the basis of an induced signal generated in a drive coil of the stepping motor in a detection period in which the condition of rotation of the stepping motor is detected and a control unit configured to rotationally drive the stepping motor by supplying a drive signal to the drive coil of the stepping motor within the driving period in which the stepping motor is rotationally driven are provided. The driving period and part of the detection period are configured to overlap with each other in a first time interval, and the control unit stops supply of the drive signal to the drive coil of the stepping motor in the first time interval. |
| US08721163B2 |
Agitator release for a food mixer
A machine (10) for mixing food products includes a motor (22) which turns a hollow shaft assembly (28) that carries an agitator (40). An assembly (70) for releasing the agitator (40) from the shaft assembly (28) includes a solenoid (71) which pivots an arm (74) that engages a plunger (80). The plunger (80) includes a pin (81) which is received in the hollow shaft assembly (28) and which engages the agitator (40) upon activation of the solenoid (71) to release the agitator (40) from the hollow shaft assembly (28). |
| US08721157B2 |
Backlight module structure preventing light leakage from protrusion in optical sheets
A backlight module comprises a frame, a light source, an optical film and a light blocking element or a light reducing element. The frame has at least one recess formed on a sidewall thereof. The light source is disposed in the frame and located on one side thereof. The optical film is disposed in the frame and has at least one protrusion portion corresponding to the recess. The light blocking element or the light reducing element is disposed corresponding to the recess. By utilizing the light blocking element or the light reducing element, the light emitting from the light source can be block from leaking through the recess or the amount of the emitting light being reflected by a bezel of the frame can be reduced, whereby the amount of light leaking though the recess can be reduced. |
| US08721154B2 |
Backlight module and manufacturing method thereof, and liquid crystal display device
The invention discloses a backlight module, a manufacturing method thereof, and an LCD device. A backlight module comprises an LGP; the light emergent surface of the LGP is covered with more than two material layers with different refractive indexes. In the invention, coatings of different refractive indexes are covered on the light emergent surface of the LGP, P light selectively transmitted, S light is reflected to the LGP for being reflected and converted to P light and then is transmitted again. The transmittance of the P light is increased by such repetition. The utilization rate of light energy is increased, and the brightness of LCDs is increased. In addition, that the material layers with different refractive indexes are covered on the light emergent surface of the LGP can be carried out using various processing modes, such as making general adhesive membranes in advance, or directly coating coatings onto the light emergent surface of the LGP, etc. The mode has the advantage of simple process, and is suitable for manufacturers to select the technical scheme of lower cost in accordance with self situation to reduce production cost. |
| US08721153B2 |
Backlight reflectors having a prismatic structure
A back reflector for a lightguide in a turning film backlight includes a prism film layer in direct contact with a reflective layer. The lightguide includes a light guiding region having a refractive index that is substantially spatially uniform. The reflective layer may be specular or diffuse and may include a multilayer polymeric film. |
| US08721152B2 |
Light emitting devices and applications thereof
In one aspect, the present invention provides light emitting devices, including light fixtures and luminaires. In some embodiments, a light emitting device comprises at least one light source, a lightguide operable to receive light from the at least one light source at a first location on the lightguide, at least one light extraction region optically coupled to the lightguide and a substantially non-scattering region along a portion of the lightguide. |
| US08721147B2 |
Supplemental brake light
The present invention is a supplemental brake light in communication with a brake of a vehicle that includes an existing brake light, a triangular or inverted triangular casing that is disposed within the existing brake light and a plurality of LED lights that are housed within the casing. A second embodiment of the supplemental brake light includes an existing brake light, a plurality of LED lights that are housed within the existing brake light and a center LED light disposed within the center of the existing brake light. A third embodiment of the supplemental brake light includes a pair of existing brake lights, a generally rectangular casing positioned between the existing brake lights and a plurality of LED lights that are disposed within the generally rectangular casing. The LED lights become brighter and flicker as the brake is increasingly depressed in all three embodiments. |
| US08721144B2 |
Method and device for illuminating roadsides
A method and a device for illuminating an edge region of a roadway by headlights of a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes a camera. Activating takes place of at least one additional illuminating device or a masking of an headlight that is present on the vehicle. An additional illuminated region is generated which extends in the vertical and the lateral direction with respect to the vehicle. Activating the at least one additional illuminating device or headlight masking at least one headlight present in the vehicle takes place by a navigation system of the vehicle or in response to a decrease in the speed of the vehicle and/or by an object/traffic sign detection using the camera. |
| US08721136B2 |
10 foot multi directon splitter light
A construction lighting apparatus having a plurality of lighting modules, each comprising an electrical cord having approximately a 10 foot length, the electrical cord comprising an integral molded light source located midway, one end having a male electrical plug and the other end having a three-directional three-way female electrical outlet plug, the male electrical plug further having at least two pliable loops, the three-directional three-way female electrical outlet having at least two hooks. If two lighting modules are attached the pliable loops of the male electrical plug of one lighting module will be secured to the hooks of the three-directional three-way female electrical outlet of the other lighting module. |
| US08721135B2 |
Fluid cooled lighting element
A fluid cooled lighting element is disclosed. A fluid, preferably a liquid, cools and stabilizes the p-n junction of a light emitting diode thereby reducing the energy required to power the light emitting diode, lengthening its usable lifetime, and outputting more consistent light. The fluid can cool a heat sink, printed circuit board, metal plates to which the light emitting diode is mounted, the lens surrounding the light emitting diode, or other heat transferring elements proximate to the light emitting diode. |
| US08721132B2 |
Flow sensing system and method
A visual display is provided through the combined effect of many devices that individually illuminate in response to wind flow. The devices are distributed at different locations within a three-dimensional space, so as to provide an overall illumination effect throughout the space that visually indicates wind (air) or other fluid flowing through the space. Each device can include a housing, at least one light source, a sensor system, and a device controller. The sensor system can include any of various types of sensor subsystems, each having one or more sensors, but includes at least a flow sensor subsystem. The device controller is configured to activate the light source in response to the sensor system detecting a change in an environmentally-related input, such as air flow, sensed by the sensor system. |
| US08721131B2 |
Lighting unit
A lighting unit comprises a slender substrate; a plurality of semiconductor light sources arranged in a row in the lengthwise direction on the substrate; and a light reflector disposed along one long side of the substrate, the light reflector has a multi-reflector in which a plurality of small pieces are combined. |
| US08721130B2 |
Vehicle headlamp with cut-off line forming reflector
A lighting apparatus including a light source having a light emitting surface, and a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source to form a light distribution pattern having a first cutoff line and a second cutoff line such that the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line form an angle with each other. The reflector is configured to form the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line by reflection images of the same edge of the light emitting surface. |
| US08721126B2 |
Slim type backlight unit with through-hole adhesive heat dissipating means
A backlight unit includes a flexible printed circuit board having a least one through hole perforated therein, and an LED package disposed on a top portion of the flexible printed circuit board corresponding to the through hole. The LED package is directly bonded onto a bottom plate by a heat conductive adhesive. |
| US08721123B2 |
Pattern generator for a light fixture
An apparatus includes a first flexible material that has a first area with a first texture that produces a first predetermined amount of diffusion of a beam of light, where the first texture produces at least some diffusion in the beam of light. The apparatus also includes a second flexible material attached to a first portion of the first area, where the second flexible material reduces the amount of diffusion of the beam of light produced by the first texture of the first portion of the first area. A light fixture includes a light fixture and the first flexible material coupled to a scrolling mechanism. The scrolling mechanism is operable to position a selected area of the first flexible material such that a beam of light from the light source passes through a first area of the first flexible material. |
| US08721116B2 |
Light element seal module and method for same
An LED panel assembly includes a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs. An LED seal louver is coupled over the circuit board. The LED seal louver includes a substrate and a pliable seal membrane. The substrate includes one or more substrate cavities. The pliable seal membrane is coupled with the substrate, and the pliable seal membrane includes a pliable material partially extending across the one or more substrate cavities. One or more LED passages extends through the pliable material adjacent to the substrate cavities. Each of the LED passages is sized and shaped to receive a single LED. Bulbs for one or more of the plurality of LEDs are correspondingly received within the LED passages, and the pliable material seals around each bulb with an interference fit. The bulbs are directly visible through the LED seal louver while the pliable seal membrane is sealed around the bulbs, and the circuit board is concealed by the LED seal louver and isolated from an environment exterior to the LED panel assembly. |
| US08721110B2 |
LED explosion-proof light
An LED explosion-proof light comprises a front casing, a light source support disposed at a center of a space enclosed by the front casing, and cooling plates disposed between the front casing and the light source support; the cooling plates are in railing shape; a power supply is electrically connected with light emitting components in the light source support. The light emitting components comprise: an LED chip integrally packaged on a front side of a metal base panel; back of the metal base panel is securely attached to a light source backing panel, and their contact surface is applied with high-performance cooling cream. Lens components are disposed at a front side of the LED chip. |
| US08721105B2 |
Incapacitating high intensity incoherent light beam
An optical device for incapacitating individuals exposed to generated light. It has a housing with a head portion and window opening, a reflector with a focus facing the window opening, a power source, an electric lamp mounted at the reflector's focus. It emits a high intensity incoherent light beam of between 380-780 nm. It has a switching and isolation circuit connected to a pulse mode power conversion and a first control circuit to the electric lamp, and connected in parallel to a steady state mode power conversion and a second control circuit to the electric lamp. Both the pulse mode power conversion and control circuits are connected in common to the power source. The circuits apply pulses of power to the electric lamp temporarily increasing the total luminous flux to incapacitate one of more targeted individuals within a duration of less than 2 seconds. |
| US08721103B2 |
Utility helmet with integrated lighting system
A welding shield includes a durable shell body having a front viewing window pivotally attached to a headband, a welding shield lens attached to the shell body covering the front viewing window of the shell body, a first light source disposed to the front area of the shell body, a second light source disposed to the front area of the headband, and at least one control device for controlling the light sources. |
| US08721101B2 |
Light emitting device comprising a light guide plate with reflective shielding with glare reduction
The present invention relates to light emitting devices and more specifically to light emitting devices comprising light guides making use of total internal reflection (TIR). The light emitting device (100, 600) comprises a substrate (3), a plurality of light sources (2) mounted on the substrate (3) and a light guide plate (4). Reflective shielding (5) is arranged to shield the light guide plate (4) at positions were the flux of the direct light of the light sources (2) towards the light guide plate (4) have their maximum density in a powered state of the light sources (2). The reflective shielding (5) enhances the mixing of light and avoids glare problems. In-coupled is transmitted within the light guide plate (4) by total internal reflection so that light from different light sources (2) is mixed within the light guide plate (4). Further, at least a part of the lower surface is provided with an optical structure (6) for out-coupling of light. |
| US08721087B2 |
Light source device and projector
A light source device includes: light sources arranged in a plane; collimator lenses disposed in the vicinities of corresponding each of the light sources, each of the collimator lenses collimating a light beam emitted from the corresponding light source, and a holder that holds the light sources and the collimator lenses. The holder holds the light sources and the collimator lenses so that optical axes of the collimator lenses are respectively shifted parallel to optical axes of the light sources by shift lengths that are set so that light beams emitted from the light sources via the collimator lenses are focused on a certain region of an illumination subject body. The light beams emitted from the light sources are refracted by the collimator lenses and focused on the certain region. |
| US08721085B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes: at least one illumination system adapted to emit a light beam; at least one light modulation element adapted to modulate the light beam emitted from the illumination system; and a projection optical system adapted to project the light beam modulated by the light modulation element, wherein a proceeding direction of a principal ray of the light beam modulated by the light modulation element is nonparallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system when the light beam modulated by the light modulation element enters the projection optical system. |
| US08721084B2 |
In-vehicle spotlight projecting apparatus for switch operation guidance to vehicle occupant
An apparatus includes a laser projector and a laser beam ECU that is connected to a vehicle communication apparatus for communicating with an information center that provides a guidance service by an operator. According to an operation guidance by the operator, information indicating a switch to be operated is sent from the information center to the laser beam ECU through the vehicle communication apparatus. Then, the laser beam ECU identifies the switch to be operated based on the information and controls the laser projector to direct a laser beam to the switch to be operated. |
| US08721080B2 |
Systems for imaging structures of a subject and related methods
Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject. |
| US08721078B2 |
Fundus photographing apparatus
An ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes an optical coherence tomography device provided to imaging a tomographic image of an examinee's eye. The device includes: an irradiation position changing unit for changing an irradiation position of measurement light emitted from a light source on the eye to change an imaging position on the eye; and a detector for detecting a interference state between the measurement light reflected from the eye and reference light, and a displacement detecting unit provided to detect displacement in continuity between a tomographic image having already been obtained in a first imaging region and a tomographic image to be obtained in a second imaging region different from the first imaging region. |
| US08721076B2 |
Process for controlling a lens manufacturing process
A process for controlling a lens manufacturing process comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a master lens according to a manufacturing process using a manufacturing device, b) measuring by using at least a measuring device at least one parameter of the master lens of step a), c) recording the value of the parameter, d) repeating regularly step a) to c) and checking the evolution of the parameter over time, wherein the evolution of at least one parameter of the manufacturing device used during the lens manufacturing process is checked over time and the evolution over time of at least one parameter of the master lens is related with the evolution over time of the at least one parameter of the manufacturing device. |
| US08721074B2 |
Electrical interconnects in an electronic contact lens
Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses may be enhanced through the incorporation of both active and passive electrical components. Electrical interconnects and die attachment configurations are required to ensure electrical connectivity between the components and the optic portion of the lens as well as providing a means for mounting planar devices on spherical surfaces. Electrical interconnects and die attachment for powered ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses includes realizing conductive traces on optical plastic, attaching planar dies to spherical surfaces and underfilling, overmolding and light blocking to complete the lens. |
| US08721072B1 |
Vision correction method
A vision correction method is disclosed wherein a purchaser selects, obtains, and assembles a custom pair of over-the-counter, non-prescription reading glasses having different diopter magnification for each eye. A display of left lenses and right lenses in various diopters and lens frame components are available in a retail store. The purchaser conducts a self-test of reading ability to determine the correct lens diopter for each eye. The purchaser then assembles the selected lenses with supplied components according to the model selected. |
| US08721071B2 |
Protective spray painter eyewear
A binocular snap on lens for conventional safety glasses having slits located in front of a user's eyes through which the user can see. The snap on lens is configured to snap onto the safety glasses, and preferably stagnantly sealingly conforms to the safety glasses to create a stagnantly sealed interior space between the snap on lens and the safety glasses. The air in the interior space creates a stagnant air barrier that creates air resistance against airborne particles traversing the interior space and contacting the safety glasses. Another preferred embodiment comprises two monocular snap on lenses, each configured to snap onto a corresponding side of the safety glasses. |
| US08721068B2 |
Nail print apparatus
Disclosed is a nail print apparatus including a printing finger fixation section which fixes a printing finger and a printing section, and the printing finger fixation section includes at least on finger insertion member which is provided so as to slide along a finger inserting direction according to a length of the printing finger when the printing finger is inserted, and the finger insertion member includes a nail portion exposure window which is provided for exposing the nail portion in a side of the printing section, a finger pressing section for pressing a vicinity of a base of the nail portion from above when the printing finger is inserted, and an abutment member which is arranged in a back side in the finger inserting direction than the nail portion exposure window so that a tip portion of the printing finger abuts when the printing finger is inserted. |
| US08721066B2 |
Image recording device
An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position. |
| US08721060B2 |
Liquid circulation system
A liquid circulation system includes an inkjet head formed with a common ink flow passage, an ink cartridge, a supply flow passage through which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to an inlet of the common ink flow passage, a return flow passage through which the ink is returned from the outlet of the common ink flow passage to the ink cartridge, a tube pump sending the ink in the supply flow passage, a tube pump sending the ink in the return flow passage, a pressurization bellows unit pressurizing the ink in the supply flow passage, a pressure reduction bellows unit depressurizing the ink in the return flow passage, a pressurization regulator maintaining the inlet being a center value “+α” of a designated head value, and a differential pressure regulator by which a differential pressure of the ink between the inlet and the outlet is maintained to be “2α”. |
| US08721059B2 |
Printing material cartridge and printing material supply system
A printing apparatus has a cartridge attachment section including a terminal block having apparatus-side terminals disposed on its inclined surface, and a printing material supply pipe. Among the apparatus-side terminals, one apparatus-side ground terminal located on their center in Y direction is protruded to a greater height than the other plural apparatus-side terminals. A printing material cartridge has a circuit board, a printing material supply port, and a board mount portion that is inclined at an acute angle relative to a plane extended from an opening face of the printing material supply port. The circuit board is arranged such that one cartridge-side terminal on the circuit board comes into contact with the apparatus-side ground terminal prior to the other cartridge-side terminals in the process of attachment of the printing material cartridge to the cartridge attachment section. This arrangement enables the printing material cartridge to be attached in an adequate correct orientation or alignment to the printing apparatus. This arrangement also reduces the possibility of failure caused by application of a high voltage to the circuitry of the printing material cartridge. |
| US08721058B2 |
Inkjet head device and method of controlling inkjet head
According to one embodiment, an inkjet device includes: an ink circulating device configured to communicate with an inkjet head to form an ink circulating system; an arithmetic unit configured to calculate, on the basis of pressure detected from the ink circulating system, pressure in an ink discharge port section according to an arithmetic expression set in advance; a pressure determining unit configured to determine, with proper nozzle pressure in the ink discharge port not discharging ink set as a reference value, whether a value calculated by the arithmetic unit is positive pressure or negative pressure with respect to the reference value; and a negative pressure regulator configured to communicate with the ink circulating system and perform, if the pressure determining unit determines that the value is the positive pressure, an ink reducing operation in the ink circulating system and increase a negative pressure value on the ink discharge port. The pressure determining unit changes the reference value to a negative pressure side. |
| US08721046B2 |
Ink jet printing head, ink jet printing device, and ink jet printing head manufacturing device
An ink jet printing head includes a head portion, an ink tank, a first rigid circuit board, a second rigid circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, and a connector. The connector is disposed on a top surface of the ink tank, the first rigid circuit board is disposed on a side of the ink tank, the second rigid circuit board is disposed between the ink tank and the head portion, and the flexible printed circuit board is disposed in a bent condition between the first rigid circuit board and the second rigid circuit board. |
| US08721040B2 |
Liquid collection container and liquid ejecting apparatus
A waste ink tank which is capable of collecting discharged ink includes an ink absorbing material which absorbs discharged ink and a recess which makes a suction force act on the ink absorbing material. |
| US08721039B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a print head, including nozzle heads, configured to discharge ink droplets upward and movable between an image forming area in which images are formed on a recording medium and an idle discharge area in which idle discharge of the ink droplets is performed to clean the nozzles; an endless belt ink receiving member, disposed above the print head in the idle discharge area in which the print head performs idle discharge and configured to hold the idly-discharged ink; an ink receiving member driver operatively connected to the ink receiving member to circularly drive the ink receiving member; and a cleaner disposed downstream of the idle discharge area in the direction of rotation of the ink receiving member and configured to remove the ink from the ink receiving member. |
| US08721038B2 |
Methods for in situ applications of low surface energy materials to printer components
In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil. |
| US08721037B2 |
Composite ink absorber
In one embodiment, a composite ink absorber includes a porous layer and an absorbent layer integrated together into a single part. The porous layer is configured to trap inky sludge while simultaneously allowing ink liquids to pass through to the absorbent layer and the absorbent layer is configured to absorb ink liquids passing through the porous layer. In one embodiment, a printer platen assembly includes a platen and a composite, single part ink absorber covering the floor of the platen for capturing ink overspray in the platen area. |
| US08721036B2 |
Geographically based humidity adjustment of printhead maintenance
A method of controlling a maintenance operation of an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer, the method includes providing at least one parameter of the maintenance operation as a function of humidity condition; providing a table of average humidity conditions for a geographic locale in which the printer is located; providing a current date; determining a humidity condition corresponding to the current date; and controlling the maintenance operation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined in accordance with the determined humidity condition. |
| US08721034B2 |
Inkjet recording method
The inkjet recording method includes ejecting an inkjet ink toward a recording medium to form an ink image on the recording medium. The inkjet ink includes a pigment, water, a surfactant, and at least one of 3-methoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide and 3-n-butoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide. When Dp represents the diameter of a pigment portion in a dot image formed by dropping a droplet of the inkjet ink with a volume of 0.5 μl on the recording medium, and Dv represent the diameter of a vehicle portion in the dot image, the ratio Dv/Dp is from 1.4 to 1.7. |
| US08721031B2 |
System and method for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer
A method and apparatus for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer, and more particularly analyzing images deposited on a surface of an imaging drum in an inkjet printer. A photoelectric sensor supported by a sled in contact with the surface of the imaging drum can be used to detect missing jets in the printhead, to align the printhead, to reduce the amount of purged ink, and to determine run out of the imaging drum. |
| US08721028B2 |
Printhead maintenance based on ink supply interruption
A method of controlling a maintenance operation in an inkjet printer, the method includes detecting that ink supply connection to a printhead has been interrupted; detecting that ink supply connection to the printhead has been restored; measuring a time interval between the interruption and the restoration of the ink supply connection to the printhead; and selecting a level of the maintenance operation, depending upon a length of the time interval. |
| US08721022B2 |
Digital printing method and a system therefor
Images, one per page, are printed by a digital printer consecutively on a web of paper fed to travel forward. A timing mark is printed for each image. In case printing is temporarily halted, the web of paper is first fed backward, and then it is fed forward again. The number of timing marks in each of the backward feed and forward feed of the web of paper are counted. When the number of counts of the timing marks counted in the forward feed coincides with the number of counts of the timing marks counted earlier in the backward feed, printing of consecutive images is reinitiated from a position immediately following an image last printed before printing was temporarily halted. |
| US08721019B2 |
Apparatus and method for treatment of printed ink images
An inkjet printer ejects ink drops onto a surface of a print medium to form an ink image. A fluid emitter sprays fluid onto the ink image. The fluid sprayed on the ink image reduces or eliminates an offset of ink from the ink image during additional processing of the print medium after the ink image is printed on the print medium. |
| US08721013B2 |
Grille cover assembly for domestic refrigerator
A domestic refrigerator includes a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment defined therein, and a base grille secured to a lower front of the cabinet. The base grille has an opening defined therein that is sized to receive a hinge bracket. A cover is positioned in front of the opening defined in the base grille. The cover is formed from a semi-flexible elastomeric material. |
| US08721012B2 |
Reinforcement and adjustment device for slide assembly
A reinforcement and adjustment device includes a rail, a reinforcement member, an extension support and an installation support which is movably connected to the extension support. The rail has a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall connected between the top and bottom walls. The sidewall has a first face and a second face which is located opposite to the first face. A space between the top wall, the bottom wall and the first face of the sidewall define a slide path. The second face of the sidewall defines a recessed reinforcement path. The reinforcement member is movably located in the reinforcement path of the rail. The extension support is fixed to the reinforcement member and engaged with the rail. The rail is reinforced by the reinforcement member and the extension support. The installation support is adjustable by the cooperation of the extension support, the reinforcement member and the rail. |
| US08721011B2 |
Assembly of an automatic opening and closing device and a retaining device for a displaceable part of an article of furniture
The assembly of an automatic opening and closing device and a retaining device for a displaceable part of an article of furniture. The automatic opening and closing device includes a first cursor (8) mobile such as to be selectively engageable with drawing pins (39, 40, 43) operatively connected to the displaceable part of the article of furniture; a first elastic elements (9), and a second elastic element. The retaining device includes a second cursor (21), mobile along a first sliding guide (20) on a base body (19) such as to be selectively engageable with the drawing pins; a hooking element (23) connected movably to the second cursor (21) and selectively slidable along a second sliding guide (22) or along a third sliding guide (24) provided in the base body (19), and blocking elements in the base body (19), associated to the third sliding guide (24) for releasably blocking the hooking element (23). |
| US08721010B2 |
Equipment cabinet
An equipment cabinet having a corrugation in the side panels is disclosed. The panels are affixed to a base by bolting or welding so as to be disposed opposite each other. Holes are provided in opposing surfaces the so that cross members may be secured in a position between the opposing side panels of the cabinet to form a support structure for equipment, such as batteries. Equipment may also be attached using mounting brackets. An equipment retaining bracket includes a retaining cross member, an L-shaped bracket and a bolt to joint the retaining cross member and the L-shaped bracket so as to secure the battery in two dimensions. Retaining brackets may be provided at the front and the rear surfaces of the equipment and, in cooperation with the cross members, retain the equipment in the cabinet. |
| US08721009B1 |
Anti-skid braking system for an aircraft
An anti-skid braking system for an aircraft having a brake pedal in communication with a master cylinder and fluid reservoir, and a brake caliber engaged with a wheel. The system includes a three way hydraulic valve controlled by a solenoid wherein the hydraulic valve is in fluid communication with and between the master cylinder and fluid reservoir and the brake caliper. A double acting spring loaded accumulator has an accumulator piston wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with and between the three way hydraulic valve and the brake caliper. A hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with and between the three way hydraulic valve and the brake caliper. |
| US08721008B2 |
Hub device for bicycle
A hub device for a bicycle includes a hub case which is attached to a center of a wheel for receiving a load exerted from a rim to which a tire is fitted, and formed to have each inner diameter of both end portions larger than a diameter of a center portion, a sleeve with plural slits in a circumferential direction and a cylindrical shape integrally attached to the hub case at the inner diameter side, which serves to transfer the load exerted to the hub case to a shaft, a bearing for receiving the load exerted to the sleeve and rotatably supporting a whole structure of the wheel, a shaft for rotatably supporting the whole structure of the wheel via the bearing, and spherical washers attached to both end portions of the shaft. |
| US08721007B2 |
Highwall mining system, conveyor segment and method for providing such a mining system
The invention relates to a highwall mining system comprising: a cutterhead (2), a train of conveyor segments (6) connecting to the cutterhead (2), a base structure (5), and a gas guide (P1-P4) running from the base structure (5) to the cutterhead (2) for guiding inert gas to the environment of the cutterhead (2). The invention also relates to a conveyor segment (6) for use in a such a highwall mining system, and to a method for providing this highwall mining system. |
| US08721001B2 |
Headrest
A headrest includes a front casing, a rear casing fixed to the front casing, and a headrest support fixed between the front casing and the rear casing. The headrest support includes a metal plate and a stationary rod. The metal plate is fixed to the top of the stationary rod and clamped between the front casing and the rear casing, and the stationary rod is fixed to the rear casing and extends downward out of the rear casing. The headrest has a certain degree of pressure resistance and softness at the same time, and it retains its original profile after long periods of use. |
| US08720998B2 |
Fitting for a vehicle seat
A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a first fitting part (11) on which a ring gear (17) is formed, a second fitting part (12) on which a gear (16) is formed, the gear meshing with the ring gear (17). The two fitting parts (11, 12) are in a transmission connection with each other. A rotatably supported rotating eccentric (27) drives a relative rolling motion of the gear (16) and of the ring gear (17) and is driven by a carrier forming a driver (21). A bearing (28) for the eccentric (27) is arranged on the edge (12b) of a receptacle (12a) of one of the two fitting parts (11, 12), wherein the edge (12b) of the receptacle (12a) is partially extended along the circumference of the edge by means of individual axial projections (12c). |
| US08720996B2 |
Folding seat
A dual front linkage system for a adjusting a vehicle seat includes a seat sub-frame member, a first linkage member, a second linkage member, and a base member. The first end of the seat sub-frame member is coupled to the second end of the first linkage member and the second end of the seat sub-frame member is coupled to the seat base, the first end of the first linkage member is coupled to the first end of the second linkage member, the second end of the second linkage member is coupled to the first end of the base member, and the second end of the base member is coupled to the vehicle. The linkage system enables the seat base and seat back to be folded forward and downward into a stowed position and allows the seat to be tumbled forward to enhance vehicle ingress and egress. |
| US08720994B2 |
System for adjusting the relative position between two furniture parts
A system for adjusting the relative position between two furniture parts includes a first part provided on one side with at least two parallel guide surfaces at a prefixed distance X apart, a second part facing the first part, an eccentric multi-lobe cam, the continuous profile of which is composed of tangential curves disposed such as to form an odd number n of pairs of opposing arcs, each pair of arcs having the same center of curvature with the sum of the radii of curvature being equal to X, the cam being housed between said two parallel guides and being pivoted to said second part on the eccentric pin, and means for rotating the multi-lobe cam. |
| US08720991B2 |
Seat divider with recessed top panel and two-way viewing window
A seat divider for an automobile configured to create a barrier between children seated in the back seat of an automobile also allows visual contact and communications between them through a two-way viewing window and a top divider panel that can be raised and lowered when needed. The seat divider holds recessed desk top tables that can be extended and supported through their legs or by the armrests on the back seat for use by the children to read, write, watch DVD's, or play with toys. The seat divider also has storage space and trays to hold toys, books and other material as well as pen and pencil holders. The seat divider has specially configured seat belt and shoulder strap hooks that allow the middle seat belt and shoulder strap to be inserted through them to firmly secure the seat divider to the back seat of the vehicle. |
| US08720990B2 |
Combination bench and table
A combination bench and table may include a platform that is movable between a bench configuration and a table configuration. The platform may form a backrest in the bench configuration and a table in the table configuration. The platform may be supported by a cantilever support member that extends upwardly at an angle and a connecting assembly preferably connects the platform and the cantilever support member. The connecting assembly may allow the platform to pivot about an axis and the axis may be disposed proximate a front edge of the table and the lower portion of the backrest. The axis may also be generally vertically aligned with a midpoint of a connecting member of the frame. Further, the axis may be generally horizontally aligned with a lower edge of the backrest when the combination bench and table is disposed in the bench configuration. |
| US08720985B2 |
Side body structure for vehicle
A side body structure for a vehicle includes a side sill. The side sill includes a closed cross sectional shape which is formed by a side sill inner and a side sill outer, the side sill inner includes an upper inner member and a lower inner member which are separate members, a tensile strength of the upper inner member being higher than a tensile strength of the lower inner member, the side sill has. At a front portion of the side sill, a deforming portion which is to be deformed by a load applied in a longitudinal direction of the side sill is provided. The upper inner member and the lower inner member are connected together by a reinforcing member which is disposed close to the deforming portion and in the closed cross section. |
| US08720984B2 |
Vehicle-body structure of vehicle and manufacturing method of the same
In a vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which comprises at least one vehicle-body forming member forming a closed-section portion continuously in a specified direction, a partition member extending in the specified direction and partitioning an inside of the closed-section portion, and a bulkhead provided in the closed-section portion and joined to the vehicle-body forming member, the bulkhead is joined to an inner face of the vehicle-body forming member at specified positions which are located on both sides of the partition member, and the bulkhead is joined to a specified portion of the partition member which is located in the vicinity of opening portions formed at the partition member or to an end portion of the partition member in the specified direction. |
| US08720982B2 |
Arrangement for a front portion of a motor vehicle
An arrangement for a front portion of a motor vehicle, including at least one structural box element including two substantially longitudinal intermediate beams and two upper substantially longitudinal elements at an end of which is attached a transverse technical element and supporting parts of the vehicle, the front portion supporting at least two headlights of the vehicle, a bumper, and two abutments for closing an associated hood. The transverse element includes at least two opposing upper transverse arms extending from a central portion and an end of each of which is attached to the upper longitudinal elements and includes a mechanism attaching at least one attachment tab of an associated headlight, at least one attachment point of the bumper, and the hood-closing abutment. |
| US08720980B2 |
Vehicle body structure in the floor region of the occupant compartment and associated manufacturing method
The invention relates to a vehicle body structure in the floor region of the occupant compartment having on both sides a respective longitudinal beam (3) in the floor region of the occupant compartment between a transmission tunnel and a side sill. According to the invention each longitudinal beam (3) extends longitudinally continuously over the entire footwell length from the front end (4) to a heel plate. The longitudinal beam (3) is here formed on the bottom side as a closed longitudinal hollow beam by virtue of a longitudinal beam stepped edge (9) of the floor panel (10AB) and on the top side as a longitudinal beam closure part (11SW) by virtue of a longitudinal beam angle section connected to the top side. |
| US08720977B2 |
Door attached to cabin for work vehicle
In a door (25) of a cabin for work vehicle, which door (25) opens and closes an entrance of the cabin and includes a door main body (25A) having a plurality of accessories (A), the door main body (25A) is formed as a hollow welded unified structure having a door cavity (25B), by welding an inner panel (27) to an outer panel (28) each made of a press-molded sheet-metal. An accessory attaching portion (B) is integrally molded with the inner panel (27), and the outer panel (28) has an opening (28J) formed therein for part assembly which allows the accessories (A) to be brought into the door cavity (25B) and assembled to the accessory attaching portion (B). The outer pane (28) is further provided with a decorative cover (60) for closing the opening (28J). |
| US08720971B2 |
Fan and canopy assembly for riding vehicle
A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator. |
| US08720969B2 |
Cargo area protector with hinged outboard flaps
A vehicle cargo compartment assembly is provided that has a vehicle floor defining an opening for a storage compartment and a lid sized for covering the opening and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A cargo mat has a body portion overlaying the lid and is moveable with the lid between the closed position and the open position. An outboard flap extends beyond the lid to overlay a portion of the vehicle floor bordering the opening when the lid is in the closed position. The outboard flap is supported by the vehicle floor when the lid is in the closed position, and the outboard flap is hinged to the body portion such that the outboard flap extends downward at a hanging angle with respect to the body portion when the lid is in the open position. |
| US08720968B2 |
Charge port door with electromagnetic latching assembly
A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open. |
| US08720964B2 |
Self-adaptive mechanical finger and method
A mechanical finger comprises at least three phalanges, with a base phalanx pivotally connected at a proximal end to a base. At least one intermediate phalanx is pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the base phalanx. An end phalanx is pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of a distal-most one of the at least one intermediate phalanx. The phalanges pivot about parallel pivot axes. A transmission linkage is between the base and the end phalanx. The transmission linkage has links and joints unconnected to any of the phalanges other than the end phalanx, the transmission linkage being configured so as not to constrain the degrees of freedom of the mechanical finger. |
| US08720960B2 |
Door lock with anti-ligature function
A lock device comprising a lock mechanism configured to be mounted on a door, the lock mechanism including a locking member having extended and refracted positions relative to the door for releasably securing the door relative to an adjacent structure, and the lock mechanism including a pivoting member operably connected to the locking member such that pivotal movement of the pivoting member about an axis moves the locking member between the extended and retracted positions, and an assembly including a handle manually pivotable about the axis, and a clutch mechanism connecting the handle to the pivoting member, the clutch mechanism at all times transmitting a torque below a predetermined value from the handle to the pivoting member, and the clutch mechanism at all times allowing the handle to pivot relative to the pivoting member when the torque exceeds the predetermined value. |
| US08720955B2 |
Connecting device for connecting a flexible container to a flange or a connecting ring
A connecting device for connecting a flexible container to a flange or a connecting ring includes an outer ring, which has an inner surface radially inside and a connection side facing the flange or the connecting ring, and an inner ring, which has an outer surface radially outside and over which an end section of the container can be turned. The outer and inner surfaces are at least partially congruent so that the end section can be clamped between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring can be inserted into the outer ring from the connection side. The outer ring has an accommodating groove radially inside. The accommodating groove extends completely around the outer ring, is open radially inwardly, and has a round cross-section. The inner ring is one-piece and has a round cross-section in an area of the outer surface and is made of a single flexible material. |
| US08720953B2 |
Riser bending relief joint
A connector for use with a subsea riser installation is provided. The connector comprises a body, wherein the body comprises a first connecting face comprising a through-passageway and adapted for connection to a first external conduit element and a ball joint within the body, wherein the ball joint comprises a through-passageway which is substantially aligned with the through-passageway in the first face, and a second connecting face on an opposite side of the connector to the first connecting face and adapted for connection to a second external conduit element. The connector further comprises at least one detent mechanism adapted to engage a corresponding locating feature on the ball joint, wherein the through-passageway are maintained in alignment and wherein the ball joint is prevented from moving relative to the body until a predetermined bending moment is applied to the ball joint across the axis of the through-passageway in the ball joint. |
| US08720952B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a female member, and a checking member. The female member has a housing being provided with paired windows. The checking member is assembled outward with and retained onto the housing from the axially perpendicular direction, and has a letter “C”-shaped portion and paired locker protrusions. The locker protrusions have a first locker, a leading-end contact, and an inclined second locker, respectively. The first lockers inhibit an assembly-line worker or robot from pulling the checking member from out of the housing. The leading-end contacts expand the letter “C”-shaped portion diametrically when a male member is inserted into the female member completely. The inclined second lockers inhibit elastic force, which arises in the letter “C”-shaped portion, from removing the checking member from the housing. The housing further has a fitting dent. The checking member's letter “C”-shaped portion has a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting dent. |
| US08720951B2 |
Method for producing a film element
The invention concerns a process for producing a film element having mutually registered metallic layers (11, 16) and a film element which can be produced by such a process. A first metallic layer (11) provided on a first surface of a flexible single-layer or multi-layer carrier film (10) and a masking layer (13) provided on the second surface of the carrier film (10), opposite to the first surface, are structured in accurate register relationship with each other by means of mutually synchronized structuring procedures. After structuring of the first metallic layer (11) and the masking layer (13) one or more further layers are applied to the first metallic layer (11). Applied to the one or more further layers (15) is a second metallic layer (16) to which a first photoactivatable layer (17) is applied. The first photoactivatable layer (17) is structured by means of trans-exposure through the masking layer (13), the first metallic layer, the one or more further layers and the second metallic layer (16) from the side of the masking layer (13) by means of electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength to which the first photoactivatable layer (17) is sensitive, or the first photoactivatable layer is exposed controlledly through the masking layer from the side of the film body that is opposite to the masking layer. |
| US08720942B2 |
Steering wheel
Provided is a steering wheel in which, even in the case where a moving part of a horn switch exists in a space formed between a pad and a main body, harness can be prevented from getting caught in a gap. The steering wheel includes a first horn plate secured to the main body, a second horn plate secured to the pad, guide pins arranged vertically on the second horn plate and inserted through openings of the first horn plate, flange-shaped stoppers formed on the guide pins, an insulators disposed so as to be slidable along the guide pins, and coil springs that urge the insulators toward the stoppers. The insulator covers an outer periphery of the stopper and has a wall surface portion, the height of which is substantially equal to an offset distance between a fixed contact and a moving contact. |
| US08720928B2 |
Adjustable rake and height triple tree
This invention allows motorcycle owner to easily change the rake and height of a motorcycle by the providing an upper tree assembly with spherical bearing connected by a center stem internally to the frame neck bearing housing. The lower tree assembly with a spherical bearing and an interchangeable degree rake puck being connected to the center stem. Tube extensions inserted into the motorcycle stock factory fork tubes and attached to the upper tree and lower tree allows height adjustments. A removable screw in the top of tube extensions inserted into a hollow bore through the center of tube extension allows service of the motorcycle fork tube hydraulic oil. |
| US08720920B2 |
Sleeve, sub-assembly, vehicular suspension assembly and methods for forming/assembling the same
A sleeve for assembling into a sub-assembly including a control arm of a vehicular suspension assembly prepared by a process is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a tubular segment; firstly shaping a first portion of the tubular segment to include a proximal flange; secondly shaping a second portion of the tubular segment to include a distal flange. A third portion of the tubular segment forms an intermediate body extending between the proximal flange and the distal flange. The length of the tubular segment includes a substantially constant and uniform thickness after the firstly shaping step and the secondly step. A sleeve is also disclosed. A sub-assembly. A portion of a vehicular suspension assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08720919B2 |
Suspension subframe
Disclosed is a suspension subframe (1) in which highly rigid side-end members (10) are attached to opposite side end sections of a flat plate-like main body member (2) so as to extend in the front-rear direction of a vehicle. The subframe (1) has extremely high rigidity against forces acting thereon from the front, rear, left, right and the like with the aid of the side-end members (10). The subframe (1) makes it possible to cut out materials with almost zero waste, and is made lightweight and inexpensive. |
| US08720918B2 |
Foldable scooter
A foldable scooter includes a pedal, front and rear wheel assemblies, a riser and two handlebars. The pedal includes front and rear parts hinged together and has a latch rod at an underside thereof to prevent the two parts from rotating toward each other. The front and rear parts respectively have a front shaft and a rear shaft extended in a front-rear direction along the pedal. The front wheel assembly includes a head tube, a front fork, a front wheel and a connecting base positioned to a rear side of the head tube and the front shaft. A positioning lever between the connecting base and the front part secures the front wheel assembly. The rear wheel assembly is positioned to the rear shaft, and a locking mechanism between the rear wheel assembly and the rear part prevents them from rotating relative to each other about the rear shaft. |
| US08720917B1 |
Skateboard accessory for performing ollie maneuver
A spring-loaded skateboard accessory is configured to assist a rider in the performance of an ollie maneuver. The accessory includes a mounting plate for attaching the accessory to a skateboard truck, a rotatable kick plate assembly and a spring component coupled between the mounting plate and the rotatable kick plate. The spring component compresses as the kick plate assembly contacts the ground during the beginning of an ollie maneuver. As the rider forces the board off the ground, the tension in the spring is released and provides energy to provide increased lift (“air”) to a skateboard maneuver. |
| US08720915B2 |
Device for transporting a user with an injured leg
The present application is directed to a device for transporting users having an injured leg across a surface and a method of adjusting the device. An embodiment of the device includes a frame, at least two wheel assemblies, and a support for supporting the knee of the injured leg of the user. The frame may have a top portion and at least two legs. The wheel assemblies may be operatively connected to the legs of the frame. The support may be at least partially supported by the top portion of the frame. The device may include an anti-rotation arrangement that increases the resistance to the rotation of a wheel of at least one of the wheel assemblies to assist alignment of the device with a forward direction when a force is applied by the non-injured leg of the user in a direction that is parallel to the forward direction. |
| US08720910B2 |
Reformable closure device strap
Various mechanical closure systems and securing systems are disclosed, such as snowboard bindings and car rack systems. The systems include a mechanically reformable strap. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures. |
| US08720905B2 |
Sealed t-joint assembly
A sealed t-joint includes a first component having a first sealing surface, a second component having a second sealing surface, and a third component including a channel characterized by a channel height, channel width, and a channel depth. The t-joint also includes a gasket having a thickness and a protrusion characterized by a protrusion height, a protrusion width, and a protrusion depth. The protrusion height is less than the channel height, the protrusion width is less than channel width, and the protrusion depth is less than the channel depth. The t-joint additionally includes a polymer sealant. The gasket is compressed between the first and second sealing surfaces to generate a first and second component sub-assembly. Additionally, the polymer sealant is applied into the channel. The third component is subsequently assembled with the first and second component sub-assembly such that the protrusion extends into the channel to seal the t-joint. |
| US08720903B2 |
Fluid seal assembly
A fluid seal assembly (the assembly) of the present invention is disposed between an outer surface, i.e. engine block or any other part that requires application of the assembly and a rotatable member, such as, for example a shaft, wherein the assembly circumscribes the shaft and lubricated the shaft and the same rotates around the axis. The assembly includes at least three members: a casing unit, a sealing ring unit, and a collar. The assembly eliminates problems associated with prior art designs such as static leakage of oil, clogging up the spirals with carbonized oil that negatively impact lifecycle of the fluid seals. |
| US08720902B2 |
Pressure balanced radial rotary shaft seal
In combination with a body defining an annular space and a member received for rotation or linear movement within the annular space, an annular seal includes a first sealing member defining a first sealing portion disposed in constant engagement with a peripheral surface of the member during the rotation or the linear movement thereof, a second sealing member defining a second sealing portion disposed in constant engagement with the first sealing member and radially aligned only with the first sealing portion, and a fluid pressure directed at least onto the second sealing member, whereby the second sealing portion is configured to bias the first sealing portion into the constant engagement with the peripheral surface of the member. |
| US08720900B2 |
Magnetic fluid seal with shunt element
A magneto-fluidic seal includes a shaft, a pole piece, and a plurality of sealing fluid rings located between the shaft and the pole piece. The sealing fluid rings may be defined by the shaft and/or the pole piece and contain a ferromagnetic fluid. At least one channel having a bottom is defined by either the shaft or the pole piece. A shunt is located directly adjacent to the bottom of the channel. The thickness of the shunt is based on the energy differential in the plurality of sealing fluid rings as the fluid is displaced from one side of the sealing fluid rings to the other side of the sealing fluid rings. |
| US08720899B2 |
Dynamic sealing
A dual seal accommodates radial and axial movement, and accommodates positive and negative pressure differentials, when in sealing engagement about a rotating shaft. |
| US08720896B2 |
Portable archery target support
In a preferred embodiment the present invention contemplates a system for selectively coupling a shooting target to a target mount device. This system includes a target mount device having a T-shaped mount body. The mount body has three mount holes defined on an underside of the mount body and each mount hole terminates at a solid wall portion provided by an underside of a top surface of the mount body. Three legs selectively attach to the mount body, one leg at each corresponding mount hole. At least one leg includes an adjustment mechanism for extending the length of the leg. A conventional target attaches to the mount device by a mechanism for suspending the target from the mount block coupled to the mount block. |
| US08720893B2 |
Three trumps card game
A card game and a method of playing a card game. There is a dealer and at least one player, who must make a base wager. The dealer deals a hand of three cards to all players, who must then make a further wager in order to participate in play. A trump suit is determined. The dealer leads a card from his hand, and the players try to beat this card by playing a higher card of the same suit, or a trump card. The payout is calculated by a pre-determined formula based on the number of tricks won per player. An optional bonus wagering scheme is disclosed, whereby players can wager on the cards in their hands before having sight of them. |
| US08720892B2 |
Playing card shuffler
An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop. |
| US08720887B2 |
Conveying mechanism and image forming apparatus incorporating conveying mechanism
Conveying mechanism includes first conveying element including upstream end on which feeding assembly for supplying sheet; and second conveying element for defining conveying path to guide sheet with the first conveying element, wherein the second conveying element has turning element including pivotal first and second ends, and displacement element coupled to turning element, pivotal first end is held near first conveying element, pivotal second end is coupled to the displacement element, displacement element along first conveying element defines conveying path when turning element is in a first position where turning element extends along first conveying element, and displacement element translates away from first conveying element while forming corner with turning element when turning element turns from first position to move away from first conveying element. |
| US08720883B2 |
Recording apparatus
There is provided a recording apparatus including: a first member having a first sliding surface formed into a comb shape along the direction of movement of an object; a second member having a second sliding surface formed into a comb shape opposing the first sliding surface of the first member with the intermediary of a viscous member, the second member sliding between a first position which causes a restricting member to be positioned at a restricting position and a second position which causes the restricting member to be positioned at the releasing position in a state of engaging the restricting member; and a urging device configured to apply an urging force which causes the second member to slide from the first position to the second position, the urging device being arranged at least partly between tips and roots of teeth of the comb shape of the second sliding surface. |
| US08720875B2 |
Carrier for holding microelectronic devices
One embodiment is a carrier for holding devices that includes a tray having one or more sites in which a device may be held, and a frame resiliently coupled to the tray so the tray is movable with respect to the frame. |
| US08720874B2 |
Ball actuated lock pin
A lock pin assembly used for clamping two plates together, that have aligning bores for receiving the lock pin assembly. The lock pin assembly includes radially extending pins that can be forced outwardly from the center of a lock pin housing forming a part of the lock pin assembly. The actuator pins are forced outwardly and cooperate with a tapered surface on a bottom plate to create a clamping force relative to an end of the lock pin housing supportable on a top plate. The lock pin housing has cam tracks on an outer side thereof, and an actuator ring surrounds and supports the pin and carries cam followers sliding in the cam tracks. The cam tracks are made such that relative rotation of the lock pin housing and the actuator ring changes the axial location of the actuator ring along the housing. The actuator ring rests on the top plate and when the actuator pins are released so they can retract and the lock pin housing and the actuator ring are relatively rotated, the lock pin housing is raised relative to the two plates to aid in removing the lock pin assembly. |
| US08720871B2 |
Dual-hinged spring
A dual-hinged spring assembly. One assembly comprises two elastomeric arcs including an upper arc having downward ends, and a lower arc having upward ends, the upward ends of the lower arc being movably connected to the downward ends of the upper arc, thereby forming an ovoid spring. Further, when the lower arc is secured against a supporting surface, pressure against the upper arc causes the dual-hinge spring to compress. |
| US08720864B2 |
Fifth wheel hitch removal device
A device is provided to install and remove a fifth wheel hitch from a vehicle. This device includes an attachment bar connected to the kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer. The attachment bar is in communication with an extension arm. The extension arm includes a hoist with a cable to be attached to the fifth wheel hitch. Operation of the hoist will lift or lower the fifth wheel hitch to its desired position. |
| US08720862B2 |
Trash can lifting device with lever
The apparatus is to assist in the removal of trash receptacles and or bag liners from under counter single, double, or multiple slide-out trash can cabinets. By stepping on the lever located below the trash can, the trash-can will be raised approximately one inch which will allow a person to remove the plastic trash bag (bag liner) from the rim of the trash can. It will also allow easy removal of the trash receptacle itself once it is raised by allowing a person to grasp the rim of the trash can. The unit can be retrofitted onto existing pull-out trash can cabinets or mounted in new. |
| US08720861B2 |
Pedal pumper tool
A tool for pumping the brake pedal of a vehicle does not require a person in the vehicle to pump the brakes. The tool permits a person to bleed the hydraulics when doing a brake job without the need for a second person. The tool, also referred to as a pedal pumper, or a pedal pumping device, may include straps on each end for extending the tool between the steering wheel and the brake pedal. When air is supplied to the tool, the air pressure may cause the tool to extend and depress the brake pedal. When the air pressure is released, the force of the tool is released and the brake pedal is allowed to return to its un-depressed position. |
| US08720860B2 |
Hammer with leverage No. II
A hand tool includes an elongated plunger assembly and a locking assembly. The locking assembly has a catch assembly with a release actuator. The release actuator is movable in a direction generally not aligned with the tool head plane of motion. The locking assembly catch member is structured to engage the plunger assembly body and maintain the plunger assembly body in a selected position. Further, the plunger assembly is disposed in a socket within the tool head and biased toward an extended position by a spring. The release actuator is, preferably, disposed on the neck of the hand tool just above the user's thumb. When the plunger assembly body is disposed within the tool head and a user desires to extend the plunger assembly, the user actuates the release actuator thereby removing the engagement of the catch member and allowing the socket spring to move the plunger assembly body to the extended position. |
| US08720856B2 |
Valve with a two-piece sealing gasket
Valve comprising a gasket interposed between a body (1) and a closure member (2), which is in two pieces (6), each piece (6) has a curved part (12), and the two pieces are fixed within the body (1) and within the closure member (2), in such a way as to come into contact via the convex face of their curved part (12). |
| US08720851B2 |
Valve apparatus
When a valve body is rotated toward a full-close position in a valve-close mode, a control portion controls an electric motor so that the rotating speed of the valve body is lower than that in a valve-open mode. A rotating speed of the valve body around the shaft in the valve-close mode is lower than that in the valve-open mode. Thus, when the seal ring is brought into contact with the inner wall surface, an impact generated therebetween can be moderated. While the valve body is rotated toward the full-close position, a seal ring is gradually elastically deformed. A sliding friction between the seal ring and the inner wall surface can be reduced. |
| US08720850B2 |
Suck back valve system and valve-closing-operation control method for the same
There is provided a suck back valve system in which problems in the suck back function are resolved. In a suck back system including an integral-type suck back valve in which an on/off valve that performs opening and closing operations by a first pneumatic actuator has a suck back function of preventing liquid dripping by means of a diaphragm that moves with the closing operation and a protective on/off valve provided at the upstream side adjacent to the integral-type suck back valve as a measure against malfunction in the integral-type suck back valve and performing opening and closing operations by a second pneumatic actuator, an opening and closing control unit is provided that, during the fully closing operation of the integral-type suck back valve, completes the fully closing operation of the protective on/off valve earlier than full closing of the integral-type suck back valve. |
| US08720846B2 |
Television safety strap
A safety strap for securing flat panel displays to a support structure to prevent the flat panel display from tipping forward or side-to-side. |
| US08720842B2 |
Hanger device for a car mat
A hanger device is made of a rigid plastic material and includes a hooked portion and a plate formed below the hooked portion. The plate includes a coupling portion and a plurality of annular portions. A car mat is coupled with the coupling portion. At least one fixing device is integrally formed on at least one of the annular portions. The at least one fixing device includes a through-hole. The at least one fixing device is separable from the at least one of the annular portions. The at least one fixing device is to be mounted to the car mat. |
| US08720830B1 |
Efficient solar panel wing-stowage on a space launch vehicle
An adapter assembly for interconnection with a launch vehicle is provided. Generally, the adapter assembly is positioned between two separable components of a launch vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the launch vehicle to structurally interconnect the components. In an embodiment, a solar panel having a stowed state and a deployed state is interconnected to the adapter assembly. In a stowed state, the solar panel can be positioned within the interior space of the adapter assembly to utilize space within the launch vehicle that would otherwise not be fully utilized. |
| US08720827B2 |
Dual function lavatory door
A dual function lavatory door and methods are presented. A hinged door panel comprises a doorway hinge coupled to a first side of a lavatory doorway of a lavatory. The doorway hinge positions the hinged door panel to couple to a first interior side-wall of the lavatory in a deployed position. An extendable door panel is coupled to the hinged door panel by a vertical hinge and can couple to a second side of the lavatory doorway opposite to the first side. The extendable door panel folds along the vertical hinge into an interior space of the lavatory in the deployed position. An extension panel is coupled to the extendable door panel and extends from the extendable door panel to couple to a second interior side-wall of the lavatory opposite to the first interior side-wall in the deployed position. |
| US08720825B2 |
Composite stiffeners for aerospace vehicles
An aerospace vehicle includes a plurality of composite stiffeners. Each stiffener of the plurality has a stack of plies of reinforcing fibers. At least some of the plies in the stack have reinforcing fibers oriented at ±α with respect to an axis of primary loading, where α is between 2 and 12 degrees. At least some of the plies in the stack have reinforcing fibers oriented at ±β with respect to the axis of primary loading, where β is between 50 and 85 degrees. |
| US08720818B1 |
Thrust reverser and nacelle for aircraft equipped with at least one such reverser
A thrust reverser for a double-flow nacelle that has a cowling, with the thrust reverser having an internal door and an external door designed to be made within the thickness of the cowling. The reverser also has means for simultaneously displacing the doors between a first position called the rest position, in which the doors are integrated into the cowling so as to form an aerodynamic continuity with the external wall and the internal wall of the cowling, and a second active position, in which the doors are open so that the internal and external doors extend toward the inside and toward the outside of the nacelle, respectively, thus at least partially blocking the annular channel of the secondary flow, to deflect the secondary flow and to generate a thrust reversal, with the means being designed to be received in a compartment arranged inside the cowling formed by the doors in the rest position. |
| US08720817B1 |
Twin-boom empennage
Apparatus and methods provide for an aircraft empennage that utilizes two torque tube members to create opposing sides of the empennage. The torque tube members are connected using a bridging member that is attached at opposing ends to the top portions of the torque tube members. The torque tube members and bridging member provide structural support for access cut-outs within the aircraft skin between the torque tube members for access to a payload space within. The torque tube members may include any number of walls, any of which may provide a pressure barrier to the payload space. |
| US08720815B2 |
Aircraft propulsion system
An aircraft propulsion system is disclosed herein. The aircraft propulsion system includes a core engine having an intake, a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section arranged along a centerline axis. The aircraft propulsion system also includes a nacelle surrounding the core engine. The aircraft propulsion system also includes at least one free power turbine driven to rotate by exhaust gases exiting the turbine section. The aircraft propulsion system also includes at least one rotor module driven to rotate by at least one free power turbine. The aircraft propulsion system also includes first and second pylons extending away from the nacelle and operable to mount the core engine to an aircraft. The first and second pylons are spaced from one another on opposite sides of at least one plane containing the centerline axis and mirror one another across the at least one plane. |
| US08720812B2 |
Winding apparatus providing steady tension
A winding apparatus providing steady tension includes: a loading unit rotatably supporting a roll of a sheet, releasing the sheet, and outputting an angle signal and a torque signal; a winding unit adapted to collect the sheet into a roll form; a dancer roller and a tension sensing unit separately arranged between the loading unit and the winding unit and outputting a shift signal and a tension signal respectively; and a control module having a calculating unit and a command unit. The calculating unit electrically connects with the loading unit, the dancer roller and the tension sensing unit to receive the signals and generates a torque command signal. The command unit electrically connects with the calculating unit and the loading unit to receive the torque command signal and produces a control signal by the torque command signal or a velocity signal. |
| US08720811B2 |
Apparatus and method for storing and dispensing a pressure hose
An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum. |
| US08720810B2 |
Spool for telecommunications cable and method
A spool system for a telecommunications cable. The spool system winds-up and pays-out the cable without accumulating twist in the cable. The spool system can also pay out a distal end of the cable and mount a proximal end of the cable. Because no twist is accumulated in the cable, the first end and/or the second end of the cable can remain connected while the spool system is winding-up or paying-out. The spool system includes a base, a cable unwrapper, and a hub. The cable unwrapper and the hub rotate in opposite directions from each other. A first cable wrapping area is provided on the base and a second cable wrapping area is provided on the hub. |
| US08720807B2 |
Pill crusher assembly and methods
A pill crusher includes a base and a handle. The base has a bottom resting surface that includes an at least partially molded friction-enhancing portion. The handle includes an upper region, a gripping region, and a column. The gripping region includes an at least partially molded friction-enhancing portion. A method of crushing a pill includes placing a pill within a pill chamber, inserting a column into the pill chamber, and then crushing the pill by exerting force on the pill by the column. The handle and the base include at least partially molded friction-enhancing portions. |
| US08720801B2 |
Spray device and process for manufacturing the same
A lightweight spray device with spray body that is suitable for precision cast molding, solving general casting problems, such as shrinkage and bubbling; and a process for manufacturing the same. The spray device is one with magnesium spray body provided with a spray part and a handle part, characterized in that the magnesium spray body is one formed with the use of a mold for magnesium spray body wherein a first slide pin is provided at a region where the spray part and the handle part cross each other and wherein around the first slide pin, there is provided a product melt orifice. |
| US08720800B2 |
Shower head
A shower head includes a main body seal seat fixed to a main body. The main body seal seat is fitted in a rotation seat in a rotation way and located above a cover seal seat. The cover seal seat is fixed to a cover unit. The joint of the main body seal seat and the rotation seat has a groove to receive a first seal ring. The main body seal seat has at least one water inlet. The water inlet is provided with a spring and a second seal ring therein. The spring is located between the second seal ring and the water inlet of the main body seal seat. The cover seal seat has at least one through hole corresponding in position to the water inlet. The cover unit has at least one water outlet. |
| US08720795B2 |
Shower device
Providing a flush bowl capable of discharging a planar shower-like water discharge flow in a wide range while changing the water discharge trajectory is directed. The shower device according to an embodiment of the invention is a shower device including: a water discharger including a plurality of water discharge ports; a rotator including a channel at its center; a coupling section coupling the inside of the water discharger to the channel of the rotator; a receiving section receiving the rotator; a driving mechanism configured to rotate and revolve the rotator in the receiving section; and a decelerating section provided inside the water discharger. The plurality of water discharge ports is provided asymmetrically with respect to a central axis of the rotator, or discontinuously in a peripheral direction, the water discharger is configured to rotate and revolve by rotation and revolution of the rotator caused by the driving mechanism, the plurality of water discharge ports is configured to cause rotational trajectories of water discharged from the water discharge ports to undergo a periodic rotary motion associated with the rotation of the rotator, the decelerating section has an area larger than a cross-sectional area of the coupling section, and the water discharge ports have a smaller total cross-sectional area than the decelerating section so as to accelerate water decelerated by the decelerating section. |
| US08720794B2 |
Gas permeation devices
A system used for permeating or emitting a gas or a chemical at a constant, predictable and controllable rate uses an amorphous fluoropolymer material as a gateway. The system may comprise a tube assembly which holds a gas or liquid. The gas or liquid permeates though the fluoropolymer material to be released in precise quantity, resulting in known concentrations of the gas, when mixed with a flowing or carrier gas such as air or nitrogen. |
| US08720789B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC element, a power supply circuit substrate including a laminate of a plurality of base layers and a power supply circuit connected to the wireless IC element, and a radiating element connected to the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit includes a first coil element connected in series with the wireless IC element, and a second coil element connected in parallel with the wireless IC element. The first coil element and the second coil element are wound and arranged such that winding axes of the first and second coil elements coincide or substantially coincide with each other and directions of magnetic fields generated in the respective first and second coil elements are opposite to each other. |
| US08720788B1 |
RFID tag
An apparatus for temporarily attaching an RFID device to a mobile object, includes an RFID tag comprising an enclosure, attachment mechanism, handles, and an RFID device. The handles may be rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The attachment mechanism may comprise magnets, which are used to attach the RFID tag to a metal support surface. |
| US08720779B2 |
Method of reading pattern image, apparatus for reading pattern image, information processing method, and program for reading pattern image
Disclosed is a method of capturing and reading a pattern image having three or more pages generated from predetermined information using a capturing section provided in a reading apparatus. The pattern image is configured such that each page includes relevant page information indicating a position of the relevant page and the pages are displayed on a display screen sequentially and successively at a time interval and cyclically and repetitively. The method includes a step of, when two pages of the pattern image have been read, causing the reading apparatus to predict a capturing timing by the capturing section for each remaining unread page from a capturing time interval between the two pages and the relevant page information of each of the two pages, and to perform control such that each remaining unread page of the pattern image is captured and read by the capturing section with the predicted capturing timing. |
| US08720765B2 |
Nailing machine
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nailing machine including: a housing; a motor that is accommodated in the housing; a plunger that plunges a nailing member; and a spring that is expanded or compressed by the motor to store an elastic energy therein and that accelerates the plunger by releasing the elastic energy, wherein a spring constant of the spring at one end of the spring in an expanding/compressing direction is set smaller than that of the spring at a center in the expanding/compressing direction. |
| US08720764B2 |
Fuel cell adapter
A fuel cell adapter to be received in a combustion tool fuel cell cavity, the cavity having a predetermined diameter, and the adapter having a post extending longitudinally along an axis. First and second platforms are positioned at a first and second end of the post and they extend laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance slightly less than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity. A flange extends from the post between the first and second ends of the post and has at least one portion extending laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance, when combined with the post, slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity. The flange is formed of a resilient material and a thickness so as to permit the flange to be deformed as the adapter is inserted into the fuel cell cavity. |
| US08720762B2 |
Load carrier systems and associated manufacturing methods
Embodiments of the invention relate to load carrier systems and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, a load carrier system can include a unitary piece of material. The unitary piece of material can include a body portion comprising a first face side, an opposing face side, a first peripheral edge and an opposing second peripheral edge; and one or more straps comprising a respective extended end, wherein the straps are an integral part of the body portion; wherein the one or more straps are folded over onto the first face side adjacent to the first peripheral edge; and wherein at least one respective end of the one or more straps is fastened to the opposing second peripheral edge. |
| US08720759B1 |
Bicycle accessory storage system
A bicycle accessory storage device and system are described. The device is comprised of an elongated bowl that is sized and shaped to mate to the bottom of a bicycle seat. The system includes the bowl and the bicycle seat. |
| US08720758B2 |
Shoe holder system for bicycle saddle
Embodiments of the disclosed systems are useful to participants in triathlons who wish to transport their own running shoes while bicycling. Athletic shoes are transported behind a bicycle saddle by use of an arm bracket 300 attaching to saddle rails 101. The arm bracket comprises an attachment section 307, a neck section 317 and two antler 301 styled sections. Each antler section includes an outer prong area 313 and an inner prong area 314. A shoe holder 200 attaches to each antler section wherein voids within the shoe holders match the voids found within the arm bracket components. The side components of the shoe holders assist in preventing rotational movement of a shoe. Each shoe holder further comprises a rear retainer section 208 having an upper arch edge 209, useful in allowing the shoe holder to flex inwardly or outwardly to facilitate the ingress or egress of a shoe. |
| US08720751B2 |
Lifesaver backpack
The lifesaver backpack includes an inflatable life raft folded into a pack. A plurality of straps is attached to the pack for securing the pack onto a user's back. The pack is inflated by a gas canister attached to the pack and selectively operable by a pull cord. Upon inflation of the pack, the pack transforms into the life raft that surrounds the user. A canopy stretches across the stern of the life raft to provide shade and protection against the elements. The lifesaver backpack can be provided with paddles and hoops on the sides of the life raft for rowing. An embodiment for submarine emergencies is also provided. |
| US08720750B2 |
Non-slip metal wire clothes hanger
Metal wire coated with a thermoplastic elastomer has non-slip properties, especially suited for textile and paper. The coated metal wire is further mechanically deformable for use as a clothes hanger or a paperclip. |
| US08720749B1 |
Portable mouthwash carrying device
A portable mouthwash carrying device is provided for transporting and using a single use portion of mouthwash. The device includes a pouch having a closed bottom. A perimeter wall extends upwardly from the closed bottom. The closed bottom and the perimeter wall define an interior space of the pouch. A tab is coupled to and extends from the pouch. The interior space extends into a bottom of the tab. The tab is removable from the pouch to form an opening into the interior space. A fluid, more particularly mouthwash, is contained in the interior space. |
| US08720747B2 |
Sleeve activated compressed fluid dispensing device with internal seal
A dispensing device for dispensing compressed fluid from a can through a valve stem of the can has a hollow tube with a channel extending through it from an entrance end to an opposing dispensing end, a connector defining a conduit therethrough that is in fluid communication with the channel of the hollow tube and that attaches to a valve stem of a can, a plug located within the channel of the hollow tube that forms a sealing configuration within the channel when pressed towards the dispensing end of the channel, and a sleeve that wraps at least partially around the hollow tube and that has a protrusion that upon activating the sleeve extends through the dispensing end of the hollow tube and prevents the plug from establishing a sealing configuration with the hollow tube. |
| US08720743B2 |
Dispensing package
A paperboard carton for receiving articles in two or more layers separated by a divider pad is provided. The divider pad is secured relative to an end panel arrangement at one end of the carton. The carton has a top panel, a base panel and a pair of opposite sides. One of the side panels has a removable portion adjacent one end, which, when removed, defines a roll out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on the end panel arrangement. |
| US08720734B2 |
Plate with features that cooperatively interact with utensils
A food serving plate with features that cooperatively interact with utensils to provide fun assistance to children with their effort to load food onto their utensils. The features on the plate include either or both of: a vertically slotted ramp that accepts the tines of an eating utensil, such as a fork, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by pushing the food up the ramp and then sliding the utensil under the food when it has reached sufficient height; and a ramp with a nested depression that accepts the leading perimeter contours of a utensil with a food-receiving bowl, such as a spoon, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by positioning the utensil within the nested depression and by pushing the food up the ramp and over the nested depression with a second utensil with a blunt profile, such as a pusher. |
| US08720729B2 |
Foil for providing a peel-seal valve, package comprising the foil, and method of manufacturing the foil
A foil made of two plastic films and an adhesive layer laminating the two films together, wherein the first plastic film has a first side and a second side and comprises punctures therebetween. The foil is of a dual peel-seal type such that the first plastic film realizes a first peel-able seal within the foil at its first side in the form of an adhesion peel seal in an open state and/or in the form of a cohesion peel seal in a sealed state, and wherein the adhesive layer leaves open the punctures such that gas can penetrate through the punctures in-between the two films towards the first peel-able seal. |
| US08720728B2 |
Trash can
A trash can with a lid can include a lock for the lid. The lock can include a latch that cooperates with the trash container body to lock the lid over the opening of the body. The latch can be configured to slide with respect to the edge of the opening of the body from an unlocked position to a locked position. This latch can be integrated into, built into or self contained in the lid. The trash can can also include a pedal actuator for opening the lid. The trash can can also include a damping mechanism mounted to the body of the trash can with a mounting plate. The mounting plate can be made from a material that is harder than the material used for the body of the trash can. Additionally, the trash can can have wheels. |
| US08720727B2 |
Dual tab lid
A packaging system includes a lid having a permanent portion and a removable portion. The permanent portion includes a first tab. The removable portion includes a second tab. In one embodiment a partially cut line extends between the permanent portion and the removable portion. In one embodiment the removable portion includes a latching region for latching to a container. In one embodiment the first tab is coplanar with the second tab. In one embodiment the lid includes a planar region and the second tab is coplanar with the planar region. |
| US08720726B2 |
One-piece lid for cartons
A one-piece or monolithic body flat plastic lid for carton packages with thin walls and membrane or a web breaking under pressure, with a semicircular skirt provided with rectangular shaped entrance housing and locked to a closing and opening pivoting tab, joined to the border of a pouring orifice by means of a rupture horizontal perimeter membrane and a vertical breaking or tearing by means of pressure exerted in the vertical or transversal direction to the surface of the tab, which is locked by means of a hinge line to a transverse wall making the rectangular channel. |
| US08720725B2 |
Container reclosure device having a flexible band
An attachable closure device for reclosing contains a base member, a resilient expandable band coupled to and extending from the base member, an adhesive layer on a surface of the base member, and a release agent on the adhesive layer. The release agent is housed in a coating on a release support layer, which may be coupled to the base member and unitary with the base member. The resilient, expandable band may be coupled and retained to the attachable closure device solely by a portion of the unitary base member-release support layer. |
| US08720724B1 |
Protective cover assembly for electronics
A mechanism is provided for physically protecting an interface on an electronic device having first and second protrusions, each having a surface. The mechanism includes first and second clamping mechanisms, a hinge assembly and a cover plate. Each clamping mechanism has a pair of blocks that are detachably fastenable together. As assembled along the protrusion surface of the device, the blocks form a channel that rigidly engages that surface. The hinge assembly forms a pivotable joint and can be removably attached to the first clamping mechanism to orient the pivotable joint substantially parallel to the interface. The cover plate can be removably attached to the hinge assembly for disposal to swing on the pivotable joint between closed and open positions. In the closed position, the cover plate securely connects to at least the second clamping mechanism. |
| US08720723B2 |
Modular rainwater storage tank system
A modular rainwater storage tank configured to allow storage capacity in a small area when positioned around the corner of a rectangular house or other structure utilizing run off from a roof top. The storage tank may be designed as a three-dimensional quarter-round such that three units will fit in a tight configuration around a right angle. Each storage tank has opposing overflow channels in a raised rim enclosing a recess in the lid. Downspout water is directed to an opening in the raised rim. When the storage tank is full, excess water in the recess in the lid may be directed to an adjacent storage tank in a cascaded configuration. In this manner, three storage tanks may be positioned and cascaded around a corner. |
| US08720722B2 |
Venting mechanism for containers
The presently disclosed device provides a method and means for ensuring that containers of all types and sizes are vented or purged to atmospheric or environmental conditions upon the interior or exterior of the container reaching a critical temperature pressure, or humidity. Specifically, the presently disclosed invention integrates shape memory polymer (SMP) based, thermally activated fasteners into the venting systems. The result is a venting system that increases munitions safety without compromising the venting effectiveness, structural integrity, or the required bullet/fragment impact resistance requirements of the system. |
| US08720721B2 |
Capless refueling system
A capless refueling system is provided which utilizes snap-in attachment of a multi-stage valve assembly within a fuel pipe. The valve assembly includes a lower body portion and a cover independent from the lower body portion. The lower body portion and the cover are configured to be lockingly adjoined to one another. The cover is adapted to be adjoined to the fuel pipe. The system is sealed at a position above the primary shutoff valve thereby eliminating the need for a spring pin support bracket. |
| US08720720B2 |
Housing and method for manufacturing same
A housing includes a plastic panel and a metal insert. The plastic panel includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the plastic panel defines a through groove through the outer surface and the inner surface. The metal insert is integrally molded to the inner surface of the plastic panel covering, the through groove so it is capable of seeing a metallic pattern corresponding to the through groove viewing through the through groove. |
| US08720718B2 |
Foldable carrying case
A foldable carrying case is described that has an integrated one-piece body of hingeably connected panels, and flexible gussets hingeably connected to the panels. The body is further provided with releasable fasteners. The body converts from a plane configuration to a container configuration, and vice versa. The container configuration is formed by folding the panels and the gussets, and the panels and gussets are connected by the releasable fasteners to prevent the container from unfolding. Also described is a method for making and using such a foldable carrying case. Also described is a kit including such a foldable carrying case and at least one storage container. |
| US08720712B1 |
Feeding bottle
A feeding bottle includes a hollow container having an inner surface, a top cap having a center opening, the top cap removably attached to a top portion of the hollow container, a nipple disposed through the top cap's center opening and held in contact by the top cap against the top portion of the hollow container, a collapsible liner disposed within the hollow container and configured to hold food, and a vacuum plate disposed within the hollow container, the vacuum plate having a shape and size such that the vacuum plate remains in moveable contact with the inner surface of the hollow container. |
| US08720711B2 |
Railcar coupler core with vertical parting line and method of manufacture
A method of casting a core includes the steps of preparing a first half of a corebox, preparing a second half of a corebox such that the parting line of a core formed from the first and second coreboxes runs along the vertical axis of the core. |
| US08720709B2 |
Crane and method for erecting the crane
A method for telescoping a main boom includes guying the erected main boom during the telescoping operation, the main boom consisting of a telescopic boom which is guyed via a spatial boom guying. Further, a crane may include a telescopable main boom, a spatial guying and a crane controller, wherein the crane controller determines the necessary guy dimension of the spatial guying in dependence on the current main boom length during the telescoping operation. |
| US08720707B2 |
Frame using interior connectors for holding highly-concentrated solar cells
A frame is provided for highly-concentrated photovoltaic cells. The frame uses vertical and horizontal rods. Connectors are fixed at where the vertical and horizontal rods connect. The frame is constructed with the rods and connectors coordinated with fixing components. Thus, solar cell receivers can be directly set at any place on the frame; and the frame can be easily constructed and safely moved. Furthermore, location space is effectively used and weather resistance is achieved. |
| US08720706B2 |
Display stand
A display stand has a base, a vertical pole having a lower end fixed to the base. The pole includes two sections having a stem projecting upward from each section. A bearing is coupled each stem of the pole. A pair of racks, each having a central tube with a bearing race fixed within a lower end contacts an outer surface of the bearings for rotation around the tube. Each rack has a generally square perimeter with rounded corners formed of wire, with a plurality of radial support members coupled between the central tube and the rounded corners. Each side of the square perimeter portion includes a pair of hooks adjacent the rounded corners to engage products to be displayed on the stand, the hooks projecting a limited distance outward below the plane of the rack square perimeter. |
| US08720702B2 |
Merchandise pusher tray with adjustable side barriers
A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm. |
| US08720692B2 |
Pallet
A collapsible bin includes a base having a floor from which a plurality of spaced apart columns extend downwardly. A plurality of walls are hingeably connected to an upper surface of the base. A lid is securely received on upper edges of the walls when the walls are in the erected position. The lid can also be secured to the base when the walls are in the collapsed position. The bin is securely stackable in the collapsed and erected positions, with and without lids. |
| US08720690B2 |
Musical pizza box
A musical pizza box includes a box material foldable into a pizza box having a lid hingedly attached to a base and a pizza box audio module. The pizza box audio module preferably includes a speaker, a microchip board capable of receiving a microchip mounted on the microchip board, at least one power source, electrical wiring electrically connecting the speaker, the microchip board, and the power source, and an activation mechanism. When the box material is folded to form the pizza box, the microchip is mounted to the microchip board, and the lid is moved from a closed state to an opened state, the activation mechanism is triggered to cause any recorded audio message stored on the microchip to be emitted by the speaker. Methods of manufacturing a musical pizza box and methods of advertising are also disclosed. |
| US08720685B2 |
Packaged ready-to-use product and method
A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element. The activation of at least some of the hydrophilic coating occurs solely by reason of exposure of the outer surface of the catheter to a vapor produced by the vapor donating liquid. The distribution of the catheter following manufacture is delayed for a time sufficient to permit the vapor to complete hydration of the entire hydrophilic coating on the surface. |
| US08720684B2 |
Packaging system for a floor panel
A packaging system and a method of packaging a plurality of floor panels in a box includes floor panels having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface with a visible decorative pattern and a bottom surface adhered to a top surface of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. The floor panels are stacked in the box in pairs. Each of the pairs is stacked such that the top surfaces of the top layers of each of the pairs of the floor panels are facing each other. |
| US08720679B2 |
Container for orally ingested pharmaceutical composition
A container for an orally ingested pharmaceutical composition has, in a container body, a pharmaceutical composition chamber, a chamber for an auxiliary substance for the pharmaceutical composition chamber, and a chamber for the auxiliary substance for a cap. The container for an orally ingested pharmaceutical composition is provided with said cap in addition to a container body. An inter-chamber portion seals the pharmaceutical composition chamber from the chamber for the auxiliary substance for the chamber. A boundary portion seals the chamber for the cap auxiliary substance from the inside of the cap. By the inter-chamber portion and the boundary portion being bent, one end of the container body is removably inserted into the cap. |
| US08720674B2 |
Sorting apparatus
A sorting apparatus sequentially receives and holds a plurality of transported items that are transported and sorts and supports the transported items, and includes an endless movement member disposed so as to form a constant revolving movement pathway, and a plurality of support members that are attached to the movement member so as to be arranged along the direction in which the movement member revolves and that are capable of supporting respective transported items. In a support region that is a region of the revolving movement pathway of the movement member in which the transported items are supported by respective support members, the highest position of the support members decreases the closer the support members are to the downstream side of the direction in which the movement member revolves. |
| US08720673B2 |
Transport apparatus
The invention relates to a transport apparatus for conveying a product, comprising a moveable conveying element (2) for conveying a product, a stationary sliding rail (3) that is arranged around the circumference for guiding the conveying element (2), and a drive device (5) for a linear motor for driving the conveying element (2), wherein the conveying element (2) comprises a main body (2a), a pusher finger (15) that can be brought into contact with the product, and a permanent magnet (6) that is operatively connected to the drive device (5) for the linear motor, wherein the conveying element (2) comprises a first running device (10), which is arranged on a side of the conveying element (2) in the running direction (A) of the conveying element (2), and a second running device (11) which is arranged on the other side of the conveying element (2) in the running direction (A) of the conveying element (2), and wherein the conveying element (2) comprises a guiding device (12, 22) that is arranged such that a resulting pre-stressing force (F) guides the conveying element (2) on the sliding rail (3) between the permanent magnet (6) and the drive device (5) for the linear motor. |
| US08720672B2 |
Device for inputting securities into a container
The invention relates to a device for the input of notes of value into a container. The device comprises a supply unit for supplying the notes of value and a stacking unit for stacking the supplied notes of value. Further, the device has a vane wheel (10c) for handling the notes of value. The vane wheel (10c) comprises a rotatably mounted basic body (12c) and at least one vane (14c, 16c) firmly connected to the basic body (12c) at a first end of a connecting area (20c, 22c). A support area (38, 40) of the vane (14c, 16c) contacts the circumferential surface of the basic body (12c) when the vane (14c, 16c) exerts a force on a note of value. |
| US08720671B1 |
Conveyor system with pivotal flight members
A conveyor system for transporting material from an origin to a destination includes a conveyor surface that moves a plurality of pivotal flight members along a continuous, predetermined path. The pivotal flight members allow the conveyor surface to freely travel along rollers positioned both within and outside of the conveyor loop for various applications. For example, various obstructions along the predetermined path pivot the flight members in either of two directions to trap, transport and release the material at desired locations. The flight members may be scraped and compressed to remove residual fluids if the conveyor system is used to collect liquids, such as released oil or other contaminants. |
| US08720668B2 |
Conveyor belt apparatus including magnetically actuated rollers
A conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having rollers with metallic or magnetic rotors. A magnet or metallic element next to the conveyor belt is positioned to rotate the rotor. A magnetic field produced by the magnet or by the magnetic rotor rotates the rollers as they pass the magnetic field or as the magnetic field is changed. |
| US08720664B2 |
Apparatus and method for characterizing items of currency
In one aspect, a validation apparatus comprises a light source capable of emitting a broadband spectrum of light for illuminating an item of currency. The validation apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive light emitted from the light source. In another aspect, the validation apparatus also includes a transportation unit configured to transport the item of currency within the validation apparatus. In a further aspect, the validation apparatus also includes a processor configured to reconstruct a spectral response of the item of current. In this design, the light received by the receiver comprises at least a portion of light reflected by or transmitted through the item of currency. |
| US08720656B2 |
Combination rolling cart and suitcase
The present invention is a combination rolling cart and suitcase that includes a base suitcase, an external support frame, a plurality of steel stabilizers, a plurality of permanent adjustable straps and plurality of attachment points where the attachment points receive and removably couple the permanent adjustable straps to secure one or more suitcases across a top portion of the combination rolling cart and suitcase. The combination rolling cart and suitcase also includes a pair of telescoping handles, a telescoping stem, a releasable handle lock, a plurality of omnidirectional casters and a lid releasably fastened to the base suitcase. |
| US08720655B2 |
Luggage case with large folding wheels
A wheeled luggage case may include first and second shells connected together at their perimeter edges to define a generally parallelepiped packing volume. A wheel device may be attached to each of the first and second shells. Each of these wheel devices may include a hub rotatably attached to a respective shell. A tire may be attached to the hub for rolling on the supporting surface when the tire portion and hub are rotated about this axis of rotation. The tire portion may include a series of tire segments. At least some of the segments may be attached to the hub portion by a hinge. The hinge may include a hinging axis of rotation at a substantially right angle to the axis of rotation of the hub itself. |
| US08720654B2 |
Brake disc pot for motor vehicles
A brake disc pot for a motor vehicle disc brake having one or two brake discs includes a device for the centered attachment of the brake disc and a device for guiding cooling air in the radial direction toward the brake disc. The brake disc pot has recesses on its periphery. |
| US08720651B2 |
Reversible hydraulic caliper brake for a bicycle
A bicycle hydraulic caliper brake apparatus includes a first brake arm with a first bearing surface, a second brake arm with a second bearing surface, and a hydraulic control device that includes a housing and a piston unit. The first bearing surface non-lockingly engages the piston unit, and the second bearing surface non-lockingly engages the housing. At least one of the piston unit or the housing engages a corresponding first or second bearing surface so that the piston unit or the housing rotates at least in part around an axis that is substantially parallel to at least one of the rotational axes of the brake arms. The housing is carried by the first brake arm and the second brake arm so that the housing moves together with the first brake arm and the second brake arm relative to a bicycle frame member. |
| US08720648B1 |
Check valve and method and apparatus for extending life of check valves
A device and method are described for extending the life of check valves. An improved check valve having a double poppet and tapered guides is more robust, and a check valve protection device between the check valve and the environment into which fluid is injected protects the valve from a contaminating or corrosive environment. The check valve and check valve protection device are small and light weight to prevent vibration-induced failures. The check valve protection device preferably has an interior volume that fills quickly by relatively few cycles of the lubricant pump to reduce delay of lubricant to the injection point. |
| US08720643B1 |
Aquatic ladder for marine applications
The aquatic ladder has wide, deep treads, arranged like a staircase, with side and upper railings to make it easy to enter or exit the water, even by elderly people, tired individuals, those carrying aquatic equipment, such as SCUBA gear or water skis, and, even, by pets. The ladder is preferably made from aluminum, although it can be made of other materials, such as steel (e.g., stainless or galvanized), fiberglass, plastic, or other composites. |
| US08720642B1 |
Acoustic element and method for producing an acoustic element
An acoustic element has at least two board-shaped elements (1, 2). A dampening element (3), preferably a nonwoven element, is arranged between the two board-shaped elements (1, 2). The board-shaped elements (1, 2) exhibit bore holes (1c, 1d, 2c, 2d). The bore holes each exhibit a diameter of not more than 3 mm. |
| US08720640B2 |
Method and apparatus for a loudspeaker assembly
A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver. The loudspeaker assembly can be used to replace ceiling tiles having any size or configuration, and can also me mounted in other surfaces, such as ceiling walls, floors, table tops, etc. made of drywall, hard decking, wood, stone, cement, glass, or any other material or type of construction, or configured in a stand-alone loudspeaker frame or cabinet. The loudspeaker assembly of the present invention can be mounted in any orientation. |
| US08720634B2 |
Working vehicle
The invention is a working vehicle that has high practicality and a high degree of freedom of a turning operation. A lawn mowing vehicle includes a lawn mowing unit that includes drum wheels driven so as to rotate about an axis Ax1 extending in a vehicle width direction as a rotational center, a frame that is connected to the lawn mowing unit, and a steering drive device that is provided in the frame. The steering drive device includes a pair of steered wheels that is disposed in the vehicle width direction, steering units that can independently steer the pair of steered wheels respectively, and wheel driving units that can rotationally drive the pair of steered wheels. |
| US08720633B2 |
All wheel drive speed synchronization and connection
A vehicle driveline includes a power source, a transmission connected to the power source and including an output driveably connected to primary road wheels, a driveshaft, a synchronizer that opens and closes a drive connection between the output and the driveshaft, and a clutch that alternately opens and closes a drive connection between the driveshaft and secondary road wheels. A control executes synchronization and connection strategies using one of singular, overlapping and sequential activation of the driveline components that produce all-wheel-drive on-demand. |
| US08720629B2 |
Power control apparatus and power control method of construction machine
The present disclosure provides a power control apparatus of a construction machine, including: an engine connected to a hydraulic pump to drive the hydraulic pump; and a controller for calculating an engine load ratio defined as a ratio of a load torque of the engine for an engine maximum torque calculated from an input engine target RPM, and calculating an engine RPM command value according to the engine load ratio such that the engine is driven at the target RPM to output the calculated engine load ratio and engine RPM command value to the engine. |
| US08720626B2 |
Motor drive system
System and methods for driving a blower motor of a vehicle such as a mining truck or locomotive are provided. A drive system includes a blower drive circuit configured to receive power from an alternator and use the power from the alternator to drive the blower motor. The blower drive circuit is further configured to receive power from at least one traction motor of the vehicle during a retarding operation of the vehicle and use the power from the at least one traction motor to drive the blower motor. The drive system further includes a bypass circuit configured to electrically isolate the blower motor from the blower drive circuit when a fault is detected in the blower drive circuit and to provide power from the alternator to the blower motor such that the blower motor remains operable without use of the blower drive circuit. |
| US08720623B1 |
In-wheel motor system
Disclosed is an in-wheel motor system including: an in-wheel motor mounted inside a wheel and generating a driving force; an oil pump provided adjacent to the in-wheel motor and supplying cooling oil into the in-wheel motor; and an oil tank provided under the in-wheel motor and collecting cooling oil discharged from the in-wheel motor, wherein the oil pump and the oil tank are arranged at a lower end of the in-wheel motor and between the in-wheel motor and a steering tie-rod in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle so as to be located at a more inner position than a knuckle in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. In the in-wheel motor system, the oil tank and the oil pump may be efficiently arranged to minimize the size of the oil tank and to improve the cooling performance. |
| US08720622B2 |
Internal motorized bicycle hub
An internal motorized bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a motor, a partitioning wall section and at least one soundproofing member. The motor includes a stator. The partitioning wall section has least one opening and the stator mounted thereon. The at least one soundproofing member is disposed adjacent the partitioning wall section and blocking the at least one opening. |
| US08720619B2 |
Method for operating a drive device of a hybird vehicle
In a method for operating a drive device of a hybrid vehicle, in particular a hybrid motor vehicle, having at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine, the torques of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are added. A torque/torque component which, with respect to a request, is not deliverable by the internal combustion engine because of the system-related inertia of the internal combustion engine, is compensated at least partially by a torque/torque component delivered by the electric machine. |
| US08720617B2 |
Electric bus
An electric bus is disclosed, comprising a body including a floor, a rear cabin, and two front wheel wells. The front wheel wells are disposed in a middle section of the body. The body further includes a seat area having one or more seats arranged in one or more rows. The rear cabin is disposed behind a back row of the seats. The electric bus further includes a chassis and a battery system for providing electric power to the electric bus. The battery system further comprises a first battery group disposed above the respective front wheel wells; a second battery group disposed under the floor and proximate to an intermediate row of the seats; and a third battery group disposed under the floor and proximate to a back row of the seats and in the rear cabin behind the back row of seats. |
| US08720612B2 |
Cutting element and a method of manufacturing a cutting element
The present disclosure relates in one aspect to a cutting element comprising a substrate and a cutting layer disposed on a surface of the substrate. The cutting layer comprises an ultra hard material. The substrate comprises tungsten carbide and a metal binder. The substrate has a magnetic saturation value in the range of from 80% to less than 85%. In another aspect, the magnetic saturation value may increase within the substrate along a gradient, wherein proximal to the interface with the cutting layer, the substrate has a magnetic saturation value in the range of from 80% to less than 85%. Also included are drill bits incorporating such cutting elements. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to methods of manufacturing cutting elements. |
| US08720611B2 |
PDC bits with cutters laid out in both spiral directions of bit rotation
Downhole drilling tools designed and manufactured to reduce bit axial force and torque and to enhance drilling efficiency comprising laying out some cutters in one spiral direction of rotation about a bit rotational axis and other cutters in an opposite spiral direction of rotation; evaluating forces acting on cutters during simulated engagement with a downhole formation (straight and transitional drilling); and modifying cutter layout with respect to a spiral direction of rotation. Some embodiments further comprise, prior to simulation, placing cutters in cutter groups/sets at respective locations to obtain a level of force balance. Multilevel force balanced downhole drilling tools may be designed using five respective simulations: cutter group level, neighbor cutter group level, cutter set level, group of N (N=3 or N=4) consecutive cutters level and all cutters level. Cutter layout procedures and algorithms to minimize respective bit forces and in some embodiments to obtain force balance are described. |
| US08720610B2 |
Resilient bit systems and methods
A drill bit for subsurface drilling includes a body; a blade extending from the body and having a front, a back side, and a formation facing surface between the front side and the back side. The blade is configured to have a plurality of cutting elements mounted to it. In addition the drill bit includes a first flex cut extending into the blade from the formation facing surface and positioned between the front side and the back side of the blade. The first flex cut is configured to allow at least a portion of the blade to flex. |
| US08720608B2 |
Wellbore instruments using magnetic motion converters
A directional drilling system, a drilling hammer and a fluid flow telemetry modulator use a plurality of magnets arranged to convert rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion. Various types of motor can provide rotational motion to a part of the magnets and various linkages and other devices can cause steering or operation of a modulator valve. A torsional drilling hammer uses a plurality of magnets arranged to convert reciprocating linear motion into reciprocating rotational motion. A motor and linkage drives the linearly moving part of the magnets, and the rotating part provides torsional impact be striking the linearly moving part of the magnets. |
| US08720606B2 |
Locking mechanism for a ground drill
A locking mechanism for locking an insertable device relative to an outer tube of a ground drill comprises at least one latch, which is arranged to releasably retain the insertable device in a substantially fixed axial position relative to the outer tube. The locking mechanism comprises a cam and a cam follower, which are arranged to control a radial position of the latch. The locking system may be used in a ground drill system. |
| US08720604B2 |
Method and system for steering a directional drilling system
A drill bit direction system and method is disclosed that modifies or biases the stochastic movement of the drill bit to change a drilling direction of a drilling system. The direction of the drill bit is monitored to determine if the direction happens to align in some way with a preferred direction. If the direction isn't close enough to a preferred or desired direction, stochastic motion of the drill bit in the borehole may be controlled and/or motion of the drill bit under a side force acting on the drill bit to direct the drilling may be focused or biased to modify the direction of drilling closer to the preferred direction. Any of a number of stochastic motion control mechanisms or biasing mechanisms can be used. Some embodiments can resort to conventional steering mechanisms to supplement the stochastic motion control or side force biasing mechanisms. |
| US08720603B2 |
Underwater drilling arrangement and method for making a bore
The invention relates to an underwater drilling arrangement for making a bore in the bed of a lake, sea or river with a platform which can be lowered for positioning on the bed of the lake, sea or river, a drill drive which is arranged on the service platform and a drill rod with drill head which can be driven in rotation via the drill drive. It is provided that the service platform comprises a guide tube, on the inner side of which at least one linear guide is arranged, along which at least one part of the drill drive is guided axially displaceably and the guide tube is held so that it can be adjusted and fixed in a mount of the service platform. The invention further relates to a method for creating a bore in the bed of a lake, sea or river. |
| US08720600B2 |
Method of detecting a fault attack
A method of detecting a fault attack including generating a first signature of a first group of data values by performing a single commutative non-Boolean arithmetic operation between all the data values of the first group; generating a second set of data values by performing a permutation of the first set of data values; generating a second signature of the second group of data values by performing said single commutative non-Boolean arithmetic operation between all the data values of the second group; and comparing the first and second signatures to detect a fault attack. |
| US08720598B2 |
Power drill
The invention relates to a power drill, having a tool-clamping device that is coupled to a drive motor via a drive shaft and a torque clutch equipped with a transmission element. The torque clutch has a clutch-adjusting ring that cooperates at least indirectly with at least one clamping element that exerts a prestressing force on the transmission element. An end of the drive shaft oriented toward the tool-clamping device is guided in a bearing that axially fixes the drive shaft in a drilling or screwdriving position and axially releases the drive shaft in an impact drilling position. The bearing cooperates with a bearing holder, which moves the bearing axially via a user-actuatable actuating element. According to the invention, the actuating element is coupled to an adjusting element that axially fixes the transmission element and axially releases the bearing in the impact drilling position and axially releases the transmission element and axially fixes the bearing in the drilling or screwdriving position. |
| US08720594B2 |
Beach cleaner
A beach cleaner has a frame formed by a longitudinal member and a lateral member, a ski member that is secured to a front portion of the frame and grounded to a sand surface GL, a trailing target portion that is trailed by a trailing vehicle, a separator that is provided at a front lower portion of the frame and scrapes up trash from a sand area while separating the trash from sand, a trash withdrawing member that is provided to the frame at a rear side of the separator to collect the trash scraped up by the separator onto a mesh member, and a wheel at a rear side of the frame. The trash withdrawing member has a fixed withdrawing body that is located at a front end portion and fixed to the frame, and a swing withdrawing body. |
| US08720592B2 |
Expansion nozzle assembly to produce inert gas bubbles
A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end. |
| US08720589B2 |
Apparatus and method to support a tubular member
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein relating to an apparatus to support a tubular member. The apparatus includes a bowl having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, in which the bowl includes an inner wall formed about the longitudinal axis that is tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes a plurality of slip assemblies movably disposed within to the bowl and having a tapered outer surface and a tapered inner surface with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tapered outer surface of the plurality of slip assemblies is configured to engage the tapered inner wall of the bowl. Further, the bowl may include a shoulder disposed on the inner wall that extends towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the inner wall. Each of the plurality of slip assemblies may be configured to engage the shoulder of the bowl. |
| US08720588B2 |
Method and system for fixing an element in a borehole
A method is provided of fixing at least one element, preferably a sensor or a valve, in a borehole formed in an earth formation. The method comprises positioning each element in the borehole, positioning a swellable body in the borehole, the swellable body being susceptible of swelling upon contact with a swell fluid, wherein the swellable body is arranged to press the element against a wall of the borehole upon swelling of the swellable body, and allowing the swell fluid to contact the swellable body thereby inducing the swellable body to swell and to press the element against said wall of the borehole. |
| US08720587B2 |
Control mechanism for subsurface safety valve
A control mechanism for use with a safety valve adapted to seal a wellbore is described. The control mechanism comprises at least one valve actuator for engaging with the safety valve, the at least one actuator being moveable, in use, between a valve open position in which the safety valve is open and a valve closed position, in which the safety valve is closed. The control mechanism further comprises biasing apparatus adapted to bias the at least one valve actuator to the valve closed position, wherein, in use, the at least one valve actuator extends from the safety valve up to a wellbore wellhead. In one described embodiment, the safety valve is moved between the open and closed positions by movement of the at least one valve actuator with respect to the wellbore. |
| US08720586B2 |
Hybrid seal
A casing hanger seal assembly is lowered into a pocket between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing while in a run-in position. The seal assembly has a metal-to-metal upper seal ring and an elastomeric and metal lower seal ring carried by and below the upper seal ring. The upper and lower seal rings are movable from a run-in position to a set position sealing between the sidewalls of the casing hanger and the wellhead housing by applying a downward force. The downward force required to move the lower seal ring to the set position is less than the downward force required to move the upper seal ring to the set position. A downward force applied to the upper seal ring after the lower seal ring has landed in the pocket transfers to the lower seal ring to cause the lower seal ring to move to the set position before the upper seal ring moves to the set position. |
| US08720582B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing tubing into a subsea well
In some embodiments, apparatus useful for providing tubing into an underwater well includes at least one surface injector configured to control movement of the tubing into and out of the well and at least one underwater injector configured to apply pushing and pulling forces to the tubing. |
| US08720581B2 |
Production manifold accessory
A production flow base (1) for possible future branched connection onto a production manifold (10) in order to provide for the connection of at least two production jumpers extending from respective subsea Xmas trees onto the production manifold (10), is shown. The production flow base (1) is arranged as a retrofit module connectable to a single inboard hub (11) prearranged on the production manifold (10). The production flow base (1) includes a frame structure (2), piping (3), at least one connector (4) and guiding means (9). The frame structure (2) is arranged for landing on a supporting arrangement (12) projecting from a manifold structure (10). The piping (3) forms a branch terminating in a connector (4) and at least two outboard hubs (6). |
| US08720574B2 |
Subsea connector
A subsea connector that includes a connector capable of selectively connecting to a spool body to form a connector assembly. The subsea connector may include an adapter ring that is capable of connecting the spool body to the connector. The connector assembly may be lowered onto a wellhead member and locked into place by a movable piston and split lock ring. While the connector assembly is in the unlocked state, the adapter ring may be rotated moving the connector up or down with respect to the spool body, which lands on the wellhead member. The movement of the connector may be used to vary the alignment of the connector locking means with respect to the locking profile of the wellhead member. This change in position may be used to modify the preload force applied to the connector when locked onto the wellhead member. |
| US08720573B2 |
Method for sampling and analysis of production from a subsea well for measuring salinity of produced water and also volumetric ratio between liquid fractions
A permanent subsea sampling and analysis system is integrated into a replaceable equipment module for a choke valve of a subsea production well. The analysis system is self-contained, and separates a sample into liquid fractions consisting of crude oil, condensate and produced water and then measures the salinity of the water as well as the volumetric ratio between the liquid fractions all in the same sampling container. |
| US08720565B2 |
Tubular severing system and method of using same
A method for severing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The method involves positioning a blowout preventer about a tubular, the blowout preventer having a plurality of rams slidably positionable therein and a plurality of blades carried by the rams for engaging the tubular. The method further involves piercing the tubular with a piercing point of at least one of the blades such that a portion of the tubular is dislodged therefrom, and raking through the tubular with a cutting surface of at least one of the blades. |
| US08720563B2 |
Calcium aluminate cement composition containing a set retarder of an organic acid and a polymeric mixture
A cement composition for use in an oil or gas well, the cement composition comprises: a calcium aluminate cement; water; an organic acid; and a polymeric mixture comprising: (A) water; (B) citric acid; (C) a first polymer, wherein the first polymer: (i) comprises a cellulose backbone and carboxymethyl functional groups; and (ii) has a molecular weight of less than 100,000; and (D) a second polymer, wherein the second polymer: (i) comprises a lignosulfonate; and (ii) has a molecular weight of less than 100,000, wherein a test composition consisting essentially of: the cement; the water; the organic acid; and the polymeric mixture, and in the same proportions as in the cement composition has a thickening time of at least 5 hours at a temperature of 300° F. (148.9° C.) and a pressure of 10,000 psi (68.9 MPa). |
| US08720561B2 |
Sliding stage cementing tool and method
A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes a sleeve in the tool that selectively slides downward under pressure to expose ports formed in a side wall of the tool. Also, an annulus through the tool is selectively blocked so that cement in the casing string flows radially outward through the ports and into an annulus between the tool and a wellbore. An inflatable packer is included that is integral to the body of the tool and is inflated with a fluid that is pushed into the packer as the sleeve slides downward. An optional expanding agent can be included in the packer that is a metal oxide and is activated with the addition of water. |
| US08720560B2 |
Apparatus and method for cementing a borehole
In aspects, the disclosure provides a method for cementing a borehole that includes selecting a location in the borehole for cementing. The method further includes providing a cement slurry comprising a cement and shape memory members having a first shape, the shape memory members configured to expand from the first shape to a second shape upon application of heat to the shape memory members, placing the cement slurry in the selected space and heating the shape memory members in the selected space to attain the second shape. |
| US08720559B2 |
Cementing method and apparatus for use with running string having an obstruction
A cementing assembly is mounted to a lower end of a running string. The running string has an obstruction in it such as a cable preventing a wiper dart from passing through. A production string liner wiper plug is secured to the running tool with a shear pin or other device. A dart is temporarily suspended above the liner wiper plug in a manner that cement can be pumped around the dart and through an open bore in the wiper plug. Picking up to let dogs extend followed by setting down releases the dart. Picking up again exposes a lateral port to circulate out contaminated cement. Setting down closes the port and pressure launches the plug to push the cement into the annulus surrounding the string being run in. A passage without restrictions results at the top of the cemented string after the running tool is pulled out of the hole. |
| US08720554B2 |
Apparatus and methods of flow testing formation zones
A method of flow testing multiple zones in a wellbore includes lowering a tool string into the wellbore. The tool string includes an inflatable packer or plug and an electric pump. The method further includes operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a first zone from one or more other zones; monitoring flow from the first zone; deflating the packer or plug; moving the tool string in the wellbore; and operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a second zone from one or more other zones; and monitoring flow from the second zone. The zones are monitored in one trip. |
| US08720549B2 |
Process for enhanced production of heavy oil using microwaves
A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil. |
| US08720548B2 |
Process for enhanced production of heavy oil using microwaves
A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O and sulfur hexafluoride within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O and sulfur hexafluoride contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil. |
| US08720547B2 |
Process for enhanced production of heavy oil using microwaves
A process for utilizing microwaves to heat solvent within a subterranean region wherein the heated solvent, vapor, contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil. |
| US08720545B2 |
Continuous flow drilling systems and methods
A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s). |