| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08741390B2 |
Metallic surface enhancement
A method and composition for enhancing corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and contact resistance of a device comprising a copper or copper alloy substrate and at least one metal-based layer on a surface of the substrate. The composition comprises a phosphorus oxide compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonate salt, a phosphonate ester, a phosphoric acid, a phosphate salt, a phosphate ester, and mixtures thereof; an organic compound comprising a nitrogen-containing functional group; and a solvent having a surface tension less than about 50 dynes/cm as measured at 25° C. |
| US08741387B2 |
Process and system for distributing particles for incorporation within a composite structure
A system and process is disclosed for binding particles to a carrier material in an isolated relationship for use in composite fabrication. A slurry comprising particles dispersed in fluid is created in particle suspension tanks, deposited as a uniform layer and filtered using reduced pressure applied to a filter belt to leave behind isolated particles, the reduced pressure further acting to overcome electrostatic and other forces of attraction between the particles until they can be permanently bound to the carrier with a binder or adhesive and collected on a take-up roll. |
| US08741386B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of quaternary chalcogenides
Methods and systems are provided for synthesis and deposition of chalcogenides (including Cu2ZnSnS4). Binary compounds, such as metal sulfides, can be deposited by alternating exposures of the substrate to a metal cation precursor and a chalcogen anion precursor with purge steps between. |
| US08741385B2 |
Thermalization of gaseous precursors in CVD reactors
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor processing and provides methods that improve chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of semiconductor materials by promoting more efficient thermalization of precursor gases prior to their reaction. In preferred embodiments, the method provides heat transfer structures and their arrangement within a CVD reactor so as to promote heat transfer to flowing process gases. In certain preferred embodiments applicable to CVD reactors transparent to radiation from heat lamps, the invention provides radiation-absorbent surfaces placed to intercept radiation from the heat lamps and to transfer it to flowing process gases. |
| US08741377B2 |
Method of contact coating a microneedle array
A method of coating a microneedle array by applying a coating fluid using a flexible film in a brush-like manner. A method of coating a microneedle array comprising: providing a microneedle array having a substrate and a plurality of microneedles; providing a flexible film; providing a coating solution comprising a carrier fluid and a coating material; applying the coating solution onto a first major surface of the flexible film; performing a transfer step of bringing the first major surface of the flexible film into contact with the microneedles and removing the flexible film from contact with the microneedles; and allowing the carrier fluid to evaporate. |
| US08741376B2 |
Nutriment containing arabinoxylan and oligosaccharides
The present invention provides nutritional compositions, more particularly food supplements and processed food products, enriched with arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides and further comprising either or both water-unextractable arabinoxylans or water-soluble arabinoxylans. Preferably said nutritional compositions comprises both arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides and water-unextractable arabinoxylans. |
| US08741371B2 |
Tea leaves for extraction of green tea beverage
Provided are tea leaves for green tea beverage extraction. A green tea beverage that can be stored without sediments precipitating and without turning brown, and also tastes good chilled, can be extracted from said leaves. Said leaves are characterized in that the relationship between X and Y fulfills condition (1), where X is the weight fraction of theanine content with respect to the total weight of dried tea leaves, and Y is the weight fraction of monosaccharide content with respect to caffeine content. −0.136X+0.35≦Y≦−0.136X+0.46. (1) |
| US08741370B2 |
Expanded products with high protein content
High protein expanded products are produced by extrusion with unique blends of ingredients, such as wheat protein isolates, modified wheat starch, salts, gums and moisture. The mixture is extruded in a twin-screw extruder with the temperatures in the range of 50 to 140° C., screw speeds of 250 to 450 rpm and with a back pressure of 350 to 1200 psi for different recipes. A range of expanded wheat crisps and other expanded products with wheat protein contents ranging from 30 to 90% are obtained from this process. The expanded products have good cell structure with varying cell sizes when viewed under a microscope. This process can be used to develop a varied range of products such as, wheat crisps, wheat curls, wheat loops etc. The products may be used in nutritional or health bars and other comestible having a high protein and low carbohydrate content. |
| US08741366B2 |
Treated paper product, combination food and treated paper product, and methods for manufacturing and using treated paper product
A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided. |
| US08741362B2 |
Phytocomplex from bergamot fruit, process of manufacture and use as dietary supplement and in the pharmaceutical field
The invention relates a phytocomplex obtained from the bergamot fruit albedo (Citrus Bergamia Risso & Poiteau), the production thereof and the use thereof, in particular under the form of dry extract, to be used as normalizer of the metabolic unbalances of lypemic and glycemic type, in the treatment of the cutaneous diseases with inflammatory or degenerative character, as painkilling/anti-inflammatory agent, as antineoplastic agent and dietary supplement. |
| US08741361B2 |
NGNA compositions and methods of use
The present invention relates to the field of viral disorders, and in particular to viral obesity. Compositions comprising nutraceutical agents are provided for treating viral obesity. Additionally, compositions comprising nutraceutical agents targeting adenoviruses are provided. |
| US08741357B2 |
Cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical composition comprising an euglena extract
The invention provides a cosmetic or dermopharmaceutic composition containing an Euglena extract, its use to activate the cellular metabolism and in particular to protect and/or improve the state of the skin and to reduce the signs of ageing in particular and/or cutaneous fatigue. |
| US08741356B2 |
Production of oil seed protein isolate
Oil seed protein isolates, particularly canola protein isolate, are produced at a high purity level of at least about 100 wt % (N×6.25) by a process wherein oil seed protein is extracted from oil seed meal, the resulting aqueous protein solution is concentrated to a protein content of at least about 200 g/L and the concentrated protein solution is added to chilled water having a temperature below about 15° C. to form protein micelles, which are settled to provide a protein micellar mass (PMM). The protein micellar mass is separated from supernatant and may be dried. The supernatant may be processed to recover additional oil seed protein isolate by concentrating the supernatant and then drying the concentrated supernatant, to produce a protein isolate having a protein content of at least about 90 wt %. The concentrated supernatant may be mixed in varying proportions with at least part of the PMM and the mixture dried to produce a protein isolate having a protein content of at least about 90 wt %. |
| US08741354B2 |
Composite extracellular matrix materials and medical products formed therefrom
Described in certain aspects are composite extracellular matrix material products including expanded collagenous materials in combination with non-expanded collagenous materials. Methods for their preparation and use are also disclosed. Certain expanded collagenous materials can be prepared by treating a first collagenous material with an alkaline substance under conditions effective to expand the first collagenous material, and recovering the expanded material. Expanded materials can exhibit beneficial persistence and tissue generation characteristics when implanted, and can be used in the formation of highly porous medical implant bodies which can be compressed to fractions of their original volume and will thereafter substantially recover their original volume. |
| US08741353B1 |
Ointment for healing burns and wounds
The ointment for healing burns and wounds includes a composition for treating skin burns, wounds, and other infection-prone skin complications. The composition includes honeycomb, sesame seed oil, myrrh, curcumin, mukul, and potassium alum. The ointment includes only natural ingredients that are unadulterated or minimally processed. Topical use of the ointment does not result in harmful side effects. |
| US08741351B2 |
Microspheres for active embolization
The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, substantially hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical polymeric material carriers which are capable of efficiently delivering bioactive therapeutic factor(s) for use in embolization drug therapy. The present invention further relates to methods of embolization gene therapy, particularly for the treatment of angiogenic and non-angiogenic-dependent diseases, using the injectable compositions. |
| US08741349B2 |
Antiviral material , antiviral film, antiviral fiber, and antiviral product
In one embodiment, an antiviral material includes at least one microparticles selected from tungsten oxide microparticles and tungsten oxide composite microparticles. The microparticles have an inactivation effect R of 1 or more expressed by [R=log C−log A], when there is evaluated a virus titer by inoculating on a specimen to which the microparticles are adhered, at least one virus selected from a low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H9N2), a high pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) and a swine influenza virus, and irradiating the specimen with visible light having a wavelength of 380 nm or more and illuminance of 6000 1× for 24 hours. |
| US08741346B2 |
Method for the preparation of molecular complexes
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of soluble molecular complexes, comprising one or more active substances which are poorly-soluble in an aqueous medium, included within one or more host molecules, characterized in comprising the following steps: (a) bringing one or more active substances into contact with one or more host molecules, (b) carrying out a molecular diffusion step by bringing a dense fluid into contact, under pressure, with the mixture obtained in (a), in static mode, in the presence of one or more diffusion agents and (c) recovery of the molecular complex thus formed. |
| US08741343B2 |
Method of administering amantadine prior to a sleep period
Methods of nighttime administration of amantadine to reduce sleep disturbances in patient undergoing treatment with amantadine are described, as well as compositions of extended release amantadine that are suitable for nighttime administration. |
| US08741342B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising entacapone, levodopa, and carbidopa
The present invention relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising entacapone, levodopa and carbidopa, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compositions. |
| US08741340B2 |
Cell lines and their use in encapsulated cell biodelivery
The present invention relates to generation of cell lines expressing recombinant proteins for use in naked and encapsulated cell biodelivery of secreted therapeutic molecules. In one embodiment the cell line is human. In another aspect of the invention the transposon system is used for generating a cell line for secretion of a biologically active polypeptide. |
| US08741337B2 |
Encapsulation of oxidatively unstable compounds
An encapsulated material containing an oxidation-sensitive core is covered by at least a dried phospholipid layer, and contains at least one phytosterol in the core, the phospholipid layer or in a further layer or layers. By using microencapsulation, oxidatively unstable materials may be provided with a synthetic protective barrier and rendered less susceptible to oxidative degradation. |
| US08741334B2 |
External plaster containing flurbiprofen
In a plaster for external use for transdermal absorption in which an adhesive layer is laminated on a plastic backing, the adhesive layer contains a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), a tackifying resin and a softener which are essential ingredients, and further contains flurbiprofen blended as an active ingredient. The present plaster for external use is a flurbiprofen containing plaster for external use enabling long-term stable release of contained flurbiprofen, and having excellent stability and very high drug releasing property. |
| US08741329B2 |
Drug delivery system
The subject invention provides a drug delivery system comprising at least one compartment comprising (i) a drug-loaded thermoplastic polymer core layer, (ii) a drug-loaded thermoplastic polymer intermediate layer and (iii) a non-medicated thermoplastic polymer skin covering the intermediate layer, wherein said core layer is loaded with crystals of a first (pharmaceutically) active compound and said intermediate layer is loaded with, crystals of the second (pharmaceutically) active compound. |
| US08741327B2 |
Method of maintaining therapeutic risperidone levels in a PLA:PLGA implant
The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention. |
| US08741325B2 |
Material for forming a multi-level antimicrobial surface coating and its preparation
The present invention provides a material for forming an antimicrobial surface coating with multi-level antimicrobial properties, which comprises one or more volatile or gaseous biocides, one or more nonvolatile biocides, and one or more polymers, wherein the volatile or gaseous biocides are encapsulated in the polymers to provide a sustained release of the volatile or gaseous biocides. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the material. |
| US08741323B2 |
External skin agent comprising modified clay for preventing inflammation
To provide An external skin agent that prevents onset of atopic skin inflammations and is low irritant to skin, which is characterized by including: 1) clay modified by a compound having a quaternary amino group; and 2) a polymer or copolymer that has a side chain including a structure similar to a biological component. |
| US08741319B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating anxiety disorders or symptoms thereof
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing distress dysfunction, including emotional and physical distress. The invention entails co-administration of at least one Receptor Switcher and at least one Endorphin Enhancer. Additionally, at least one Synergistic Enhance and/or at least one Exogenous Opioid are also administered to enhance or prolong the therapeutic effects. |
| US08741317B2 |
Slow-degrading polymers comprising salicylic acid for undelayed and sustained drug delivery
The invention provides polymers and methods for their use. Specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention provide a polymer that comprises a plurality of salicylic acid-adipic (SA-Adipic) units of the following formula and a plurality of salicylic acid-diethylmalonic (SA-DEM) units of the following formula Certain embodiments of the invention also provide slow degrading microspheres comprising polymers described herein for undelayed and sustained drug delivery. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods for treating a chronic eye disease or arthritis in a patient, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer or microsphere as described herein. |
| US08741313B2 |
Polypeptide vaccine and vaccination strategy against mycobacterium
A vaccine is provided wherein a polypeptide or combination of peptides from M. tuberculosis is administered to a subject to elicit an immune response. The polypeptide vaccine is administered as part of a prime-boost strategy with BCG vaccine to increase the immunoprotection in a subject such that prevention or elimination of disease is achieved. Finally, a pharmaceutical package is provided that encompasses a polypeptide vaccine for M. tuberculosis that when administered to a subject elicits immunoprotection. |
| US08741309B2 |
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome vaccine based on isolate JA-142
Substantially avirulent forms of atypical porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and corresponding vaccines are provided which result from cell culture passaging of virulent forms of PRRS. The resultant avirulent atypical PRRS virus is useful as a vaccine in that PRRS specific antibody response is elicited by inoculation of host animals, thereby conferring effective immunity against both previously known strains of PRRS virus and newly isolated atypical PRRS virus strains. The preferred passaging technique ensures that the virus remains in a logarithmic growth phase substantially throughout the process, which minimizes the time required to achieve attenuation. The present invention also provides diagnostic testing methods which can differentiate between animals infected with field strains and attenuated strains of PRRSV. |
| US08741306B2 |
Kidney specific tumor vaccine directed against kidney tumor antigen G-250
This invention provides an anti-cancer immunogenic agent(s) (e.g. vaccines) that elicit an immune response specifically directed against renal cell cancers expressing a G250 antigenic marker. Preferred immunogenic agents comprise a chimeric molecule comprising a kidney cancer specific antigen (G250) attached to a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The agents are useful in a wide variety of treatment modalities including, but not limited to protein vaccination, DNA vaccination, and adoptive immunotherapy. |
| US08741303B2 |
Immunogenic LHRH compositions and methods relating thereto
The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic LHRH composition and more particularly to an immunogenic LHRH composition comprising a LHRH C-terminal fragment of at least five amino acids. The present invention is useful, inter alia, as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for the modification of fertility and behavior patterns of animals, the achievement of livestock production gains such as increasing growth, decreasing feed conversion ratios or the control of unwanted organoleptic characteristics or the treatment of disorders of the reproductive organs. |
| US08741300B2 |
Immunoconjugates with an intracellularly-cleavable linkage
The present invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various diseased cells containing a targeting moiety (such as an antibody or antibody fragment), a linker and a therapeutic moiety, and further relates to processes for making and using the conjugates. |
| US08741299B2 |
Method for treating pathologies associated with hypoxia using MIF inhibitors
Methods are provided for treating pathologies associated with hypoxia with an MIF inhibitor. Methods are also provided for treating a subject having, or at risk for pulmonary hypertension, with an MIF inhibitor. Methods are also provided for treating a subject having, or at risk from, a CNS disorder associated with hypoxia, with an MIF inhibitor. Methods are also provided of treating severe chronic lung disease, hypoxia-induced right ventricular hypertrophy or hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling with an MIF inhibitor. Methods of diagnosing a subject with pulmonary hypertension are also provided. |
| US08741288B2 |
Protein markers for detecting liver cancer and method for identifying the markers thereof
The present invention relates to the diagnosis of liver cancer. It discloses the use of protein ERBB3 and protein IGFBP2 in the diagnosis of liver cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of liver cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ERBB3 protein and IGFBP2 protein in the sample. Measurement of ERBB3 protein and IGFBP2 protein can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of liver cancer. |
| US08741282B2 |
Method for treatment of tendinosis with platelet rich plasma
Methods are disclosed to promote vascularization of tissue in mammals using an autologous platelet-rich plasma composition. In particular, a method of treating a cardiac tissue lesion is disclosed. |
| US08741281B2 |
Compositions and soft tissue replacement methods
The specification discloses compositions and methods for treating a soft tissue defect of an individual. |
| US08741277B2 |
Soft tissue and bone augmentation and bulking utilizing muscle-derived progenitor cells, compositions and treatments thereof
The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. |
| US08741276B2 |
Comfortable, long wearing colored cosmetic compositions
The present invention is directed to a composition containing: (a) at least one tackifier component having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of greater than about 20° C.; (b) at least one film former chosen from a propylphenylsilsesquioxane resin having a molecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 30,000 and comprising at least about 70 mole % propyl siloxy units and at most about 30 mole % phenyl siloxy units, and a propylsilsesquioxane wax substituted with alkyl units having at least 30 carbons; (c) a liquid fatty phase comprising at least one volatile hydrocarbon compound; (d) at least one colorant; (e) optionally, water; and (f) optionally, at least one emulsifier. Also disclosed is a method of making up keratinous substrates involving applying the above composition onto the keratinous substrates. |
| US08741274B2 |
Acrylic polymer
The present invention relates to acrylic polymer beads having very low residual monomer content as well as to their use in hair care preparations in particular as styling agent. |
| US08741273B2 |
Agents for fibers containing keratin, containing at least one special cross-linked amphiphilic, anionic polymer and at least one further special non-cross-linked amphiphilic anionic polymer
Agents for treating fibers containing keratin containing in a cosmetically acceptable carrier (a) at least one cross-linked, amphiphilic, anionic polymer, comprising at least one structural unit of formula (I) and at least one structural unit of formula (II); and (b) at least one non-cross-linked, amphiphilic, anionic polymer, comprising at least one structural unit of the formula (III) and at least one structural unit of the formula (IV), said agents being suitable for temporarily deforming hair and for conditioning hair, in particular in the form of a hair cream or a hair gel. |
| US08741272B2 |
Use of novel amino acid derivatives as agents for treating human perspiration, and compositions containing them
The invention relates to the use, as an agent for treating human perspiration, in a cosmetic composition, of amino acid derivatives of formula (I) below: The invention also relates to a cosmetic process for treating perspiration and possibly the body odour associated with human perspiration, especially underarm odour. The invention also relates to novel amino acid derivatives of formula (II) that will be defined in detail hereinbelow, and to cosmetic or dermatological compositions containing them. |
| US08741269B2 |
Non-aqueous dentifrice composition with bioacceptable and bioactive glass and methods of use and manufacture thereof
The invention encompasses non-aqueous dentifrice compositions containing a bioacceptable and bioactive glass with improved mouth-feel, foam, and product stability. More particularly, the invention encompasses non-aqueous compositions including combinations including carrageenan and/or carboxymethylcellulose gums, glycerin, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, and a bioactive glass and methods of use the compositions in an oral care product, for example, a whitening tooth-paste, for hypersensitive teeth. |
| US08741268B2 |
Dental prophylactic paste
A dental prophylactic paste having excellent flowability during the manufacturing process, minimal to no splattering during use, and remineralization characteristics is provided. The prophylactic paste includes at least one water soluble calcium salt; a water soluble phosphate salt, a water soluble silicate; and a moisture retention agent. The paste has a splatter rating of less than 3. The splatter rating of the paste refers to the tendency of the paste to splatter during a dental cleaning procedure. The lower the splatter rating, the less the paste has a tendency to splatter. A paste having a splatter rating of less than 3 is considered to have good handability. |
| US08741259B2 |
Low molecular weight thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) agonists
Disclosed are oxo-hydroquinazolines that are useful as selective TSHR agonists. The compounds may be used for detecting or treating thyroid cancer, or treating a bone degenerative disorder. |
| US08741253B2 |
Process for preparing higher hydridosilanes
Process for preparing higher hydridosilanes of the general formula H—(SiH2)n—H where n≧2, in which—one or more lower hydridosilanes—hydrogen, and—one or more transition metal compounds comprising elements of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table and the lanthanides are reacted at a pressure of more than 5 bar absolute, subsequently depressurized and the higher hydridosilanes are separated off from the reaction mixture obtained. |
| US08741252B2 |
Process for producing porous object and apparatus therefor
Disclosed is a process for producing porous materials by replacing a first solvent in a wet material containing the first solvent with a second solvent in a high pressure condition and drying the resulting wet material which process comprises a mixed solvent feeding step for feeding a mixed solvent composed of a solvent identical to or of the same kind as the first solvent and the second solvent to the wet material. |
| US08741249B2 |
Utilisation of desalination waste
A process for producing soda ash from brine waste, the process including reacting brine waste with carbon dioxide and ammonia to produce soda ash, where in at least a portion of the ammonia is regenerated from the ammonium chloride produced during the reaction, the regeneration ideally be achieved by the use of a weak base anion exchange resin. |
| US08741244B2 |
Removing carbon dioxide from waste streams through co-generation of carbonate and/or bicarbonate minerals
Methods for removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from a gas stream are provided. The methods include obtaining hydroxide in an aqueous mixture, mixing the hydroxide with the gas stream to produce bicarbonate products or a combination of carbonate and bicarbonate products in an admixture, separating the products from the admixture, and using the products to perform ion-exchanges with one or more group-1 or group-2 salts to precipitate carbonates, wherein obtaining the hydroxide comprises obtaining a group-1 or group-2 salt; mixing the salt with acid and water, acid and steam, or acid, water, and steam to produce a protonated brine solution; and electrolyzing the protonated brine solution to produce a hydroxide; and wherein mixing the hydroxide with the gas stream comprises altering the product equilibrium to favor the production of bicarbonate products. |
| US08741240B2 |
Selective reduction catalyst, and exhaust gas purification device and exhaust gas purification method using same
The selective reduction-type catalyst effectively purifies nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas from a lean-burn engine such as a boiler, a gas turbine or a lean-burn engine, a diesel engine, even under high SV, as well as having small pressure loss, by supplying by spraying urea water or ammonia water, as a reducing component, to the selective reduction-type catalyst; and an exhaust gas purification apparatus along with an exhaust gas purification method using the same. The selective reduction-type catalyst for selectively reducing a nitrogen oxide by adding urea or ammonia as a reducing agent of the nitrogen oxide to exhaust gas discharged from a lean-burn engine, characterized by coating a catalyst layer including zeolite containing at least an iron element, and a composite oxide of silica, tungsten oxide, ceria and zirconia, as denitration components, at the surface of a monolithic structure-type substrate. |
| US08741233B2 |
Disposable cartridge for fluid analysis
A disposable blood analysis cartridge for analyzing a blood sample including an optical light scattering measurement channel is described. In use, processed sample may be introduced into a sheath fluid channel at an angle, α, of approximately 90 degrees, relative to the direction of flow of the sheath fluid. In addition, delivering the sample from the side into the sheath fluid may facilitate better positioning of the core within the hydrodynamic focusing channel for measurement. |
| US08741231B2 |
Flow passage control mechanism for microchip
A channel control mechanism for a microchip has a laminated structure formed of members including elastic members, and includes: a sample reservoir for packing a sample therein; a reaction reservoir in which mixture and reaction of the sample are performed; and a channel formed in a middle layer of the laminated structure, for bringing the sample reservoir and the reaction reservoir into communication with each other. The channel control mechanism performs the reaction and analysis in such a manner that the sample is delivered into the reaction reservoir through the channel. A shutter channel (pressurizing channel) is provided in a layer different from a layer in which the channel is formed so that the pressurizing channel partially overlaps the channel. The channel is closed through applying a pressurized medium to the shutter channel (pressurizing channel), and the channel is opened through releasing a pressure of the pressurized medium. |
| US08741227B2 |
Isolator
An isolator includes a workroom having a first sterilizing material supply port, a first sterilizing material discharge port, a first gas supply port and a first gas discharge port, a sterilization chamber having a second sterilizing material supply port, a second sterilizing material discharge port, a second gas supply port and a second gas discharge port, a sterilizing material supply unit, a first sterilizing material supply path connecting the sterilizing material supply unit to the first sterilizing material supply port, a second sterilizing material supply path connecting the sterilizing material supply unit to the second sterilizing material supply port, a first circulating path connecting the first sterilizing material discharge port to the sterilizing material supply unit, a second circulating path connecting the second sterilizing material discharge port to the sterilizing material supply unit, a first gas supply path, a second gas supply path, a first gas discharge path, a second gas discharge path, and a control unit. |
| US08741225B2 |
Carbon capture cooling system and method
A system and method is provided for capturing a carbonous gas and using the captured carbonous gas for cooling purposes. For example, a system may include a carbon capture system configured to collect a carbonous gas from a syngas, and a cooling system having a gas expander and a coolant circuit that receive the carbonous gas. The gas expander is configured to expand the carbonous gas to reduce a temperature of the carbonous gas to produce a reduced temperature carbonous gas, and the coolant circuit is configured to utilize the reduced temperature carbonous gas to cool at least one solvent of at least one gas purifier. |
| US08741224B2 |
Electrically heated catalyst
Electricity is suppressed from flowing through a case of an electrically heated catalyst. For this purpose, the case for accommodating a heat generating element includes a tubular portion which is formed in parallel to a central axis, an inlet portion which is provided on the upstream side from the tubular portion and which has an inner diameter smaller than that of the tubular portion , an inclined portion which connects the tubular portion and the inlet portion, and an introducing portion which extends from a connected portion between the inlet portion and the inclined portion toward inside of the case and which is curved so that a center of curvature is positioned at the outside; and an inner tube interposed by a mat for supporting the heat generating element includes a tubular portion which is formed in parallel to a central axis, and an inclined portion which is provided on the upstream side from the tubular portion, which has inner diameters that are decreased on the more upstream side, and which is curved. |
| US08741221B2 |
Chemical oxygen generator with chemical cores arranged in parallel
A chemical oxygen generator includes multiple parallel sequentially connected chemical core sections that extend the duration of operation of the chemical oxygen generator. An end of a first core section is contiguous with a chemical core high reactivity section, and a thermal insulation layer is disposed between an end of a second core section and the chemical core ignition plate, as well as between the bodies of the first and second core sections. A chemical core transition section is disposed between the other end of the first core section and the second core section, to insure that the reaction front propagates properly. |
| US08741219B2 |
Sample processing system, base for sample processing system, and sample processing apparatus
A sample processing system comprising: a transporting apparatus for transporting a sample; a plurality of sample processing apparatuses, arranged along a direction in which the sample is transported by the transporting apparatus, for processing the sample transported by the transporting apparatus; a base on which at least one of the sample processing apparatuses is placed; and a movement restricting section for restricting, on the base, a movement area within which the sample processing apparatus moves, wherein the movement restricting section allows the sample processing apparatus to move on the base so as to change orientation of the sample processing apparatus, is disclosed. A base for a sample processing system and a sample processing apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08741214B2 |
Sintering method, particularly for forming low ESR capacitor anodes
A method of making a sintered article in which a solid object is embedded includes forming a green body of compressed particles with the solid body is partially embedded. The green body includes an opening across which the solid body extends. The green body is sintered to form a sintered body and the opening permits deformation of the solid body in response to stress applied during the sintering process. A sintered article in which a solid body is at least partially embedded includes an opening. The solid body extends across the opening so that the solid body can deform within the opening. The opening in the solid body prevents distortion of the sintered body from a planar configuration during sintering, even when the green body is relatively thin. |
| US08741205B2 |
Apparatus and plant for the stretch blow moulding of plastics material pre-forms and use of a ceramic component
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for the stretch blow molding of plastics material pre-forms to form plastics material containers with a carrying device (2) for carrying a blow mold (3) comprising at least two shell parts (4, 5) and a base part (6) and with a base part clamping device (10) comprising a base part receiving means (11; 111) and holding devices (12, 13 and 14, 15; 114, 115 respectively) for holding the base part receiving means (11; 111), in which the base part receiving means (11; 111) is capable of being clamped to the holding devices (12, 13 and 14, 15; 114, 115 respectively) by way of a fastening with positive locking (18; 118), in which the fastening with positive locking (18; 118) has positive locking areas (22) produced from ceramic material. |
| US08741203B2 |
Device and method for processing light-polymerizable material for building up an object in layers
A method and a device for processing a light-polymerizable material (5, 55) for building up an object (27) in layers, using a lithography based generative manufacture having a construction platform (12) for building up the object (27), a projecting exposure unit (10, 60) that can be controlled for locally selected exposing of a surface on the construction platform (12, 62) to an intensity pattern having a prescribed shape, and a control unit (11, 61) prepared for polymerizing overlapping layers (28) on the construction platform (12, 62) in successive exposure steps, each having a prescribed geometry, by controlling the projecting exposure unit (10, 60), in order to thus successively build up the object (27) in the desired shape, said shape resulting from the sequence of layer geometries. The invention is characterized in that a further exposure unit (16, 66) for exposing the surface of the construction platform (12, 62) is provided on the side opposite the projecting exposure unit (10, 60), and that the construction platform (12, 62) is designed to be at least partially transparent to light, and that the control unit (11, 61) is designed for controlling the further exposure unit (16, 66) at least while building up the first layer (28), said layer adhering to the construction platform (12, 62), for exposing in the prescribed geometry. |
| US08741195B2 |
Method for manufacturing fiber absorber
A method for manufacturing a fiber absorber includes individuating preformed fibers, compressing the preformed fibers, housing the compressed fibers in a needle-punch processing case in which needle insertion holes are formed, and performing needle punching by inserting needles through the needle insertion holes from at least three directions having perpendicular relation to one another in the needle-punch processing case. |
| US08741193B2 |
Injection molding method, molded-article producing method, and injection molding apparatus
The injection molding method for injecting a resin into a cavity formed within a mold is provided with a heating step in which the temperature of a cavity surface forming the cavity of the mold is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a heat distortion temperature of the resin and an injection step in which after the heating step, during a decrease in temperature of the cavity surface of the mold, the resin is injected into the cavity. |
| US08741192B2 |
Method and device for producing micro-droplets
A method and an apparatus for producing various types of microdroplets. The apparatus has a cross intersection portion at which a first continuous phase, a first dispersion phase, and a second dispersion phase intersect with each other. A first liquid feed device controls the first dispersion phase and a second liquid feed device controls the second dispersion phase. A control device is connected to the first liquid feed device and the second liquid feed device. The first liquid feed device and the second liquid feed device are controlled by a signal from the control device so that microdroplets formed of the first dispersion phase and microdroplets formed of the second dispersion phase are sequentially produced. |
| US08741190B2 |
Process for producing water-resistant polarizing film
To obtain a water-resistant polarizing film free from deterioration in dichroic ratio caused by water-resistant treatment, it is critical that adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups in the organic dyes to be used for the polarizing film are spaced at moderate intervals. In a process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention, the polarizing film before water-resistant treatment includes an organic dye which comprises an azo compound 20 represented by the following general formula (2) |
| US08741187B2 |
Vegetable oil of high dielectric purity, method for obtaining same and use in an electrical device
A dielectric high purity vegetable oil—free from antioxidants and/or external additives to be used in electric equipment such as transformers, as isolating element and as cooling means and a method for obtaining the same in which the dielectric high purity vegetable oil—is obtained by means of the optimization of the bleaching steps—and deodorizing—from the Refining process—known as Modified Caustic Refining Long-Mix (RBD). |
| US08741185B2 |
Composite materials for wettable cathodes and use thereof for aluminum production
The invention relates to a composite material of formula: (C—N—B-MR)x(Al-MR)y(R)z in which C—N—B-MR is one or more carbides, nitrides or borides of one or more refractory metals of group IV, V or VI of the Periodic Table and/or one or more aluminium carbides, nitrides or borides chosen from Al4C3, AlN, AlB2 and Al1-67B22; Al-MR is one or more aluminides of one or more of the above refractory metals, it being understood that: if MR=Nb, Ta, Hf, Zr, Ti or V, then Al-MR=Al3MR; if MR=W or Cr, then Al-MR=Al4MR; if MR=Mo, then Al-MR=Al8Mo3 or Al17Mo4 (≅Al4Mo), and R is a residual component other than carbon, comprising one or more phases chosen from Al4C3, AlN, AlB2, Al1-67B22 and MRtAlu(C—N—B)v in which t, u and v are numbers greater than or equal to zero, and x, y and z are the volume fractions of the respective components with x>y; x+y>0.5; x+y+z+1 and 0.01 |
| US08741182B2 |
Methods and materials for AIGS silver-containing photovoltaics
This invention relates to methods for materials using 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. This invention further relates to thin film AIGS, AIS, and AGS materials made by a process of providing one or more polymeric precursor compounds or inks thereof, providing a substrate, depositing the compounds or inks onto the substrate; and heating the substrate at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 650° C. |
| US08741180B2 |
Process and burner for producing synthesis gas
This invention relates to the production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation of liquid or gaseous, carbonaceous fuel in the presence of an oxygen-containing oxidant, wherein the fuel, the oxidant and a moderator are separately supplied to a burner and wherein the fuel and the moderator are mixed in a mixing chamber of the burner, before they are brought in contact with the oxidant. To reduce the load of the burner in particular during operation with transient conditions, the oxidant is centrally introduced through an outlet opening of the burner into a combustion chamber and the mixture of fuel and moderator is introduced through the outlet opening into the combustion chamber concentrically around the oxidant. |
| US08741177B2 |
Method for producing aqueous compatible nanoparticles
A method for producing aqueous compatible semiconductor nanoparticles includes binding pre-modified ligands to nanoparticles without the need for further post-binding modification to render the nanoparticles aqueous compatible. Nanoparticles modified in this way may exhibit enhanced fluorescence and stability compared to aqueous compatible nanoparticles produced by methods requiring post-binding modification processes. |
| US08741174B1 |
Reduced weight decontamination formulation for neutralization of chemical and biological warfare agents
A reduced weight DF-200 decontamination formulation that is stable under high temperature storage conditions. The formulation can be pre-packed as an all-dry (i.e., no water) or nearly-dry (i.e., minimal water) three-part kit, with make-up water (the fourth part) being added later in the field at the point of use. |
| US08741172B2 |
Lithium-titanium complex oxide and manufacturing method thereof, and battery electrode using same
A lithium-titanium complex oxide whose total water generation amount and total carbon dioxide generation amount measured by thermal decomposition GC-MS are preferably 1500 wt ppm or less and 2000 wt ppm or less, respectively, is obtained by subjecting a mixture of titanium compound and lithium compound to a heat treatment at 600° C. or above, cooling the obtained reaction product to 50° C. or below, and then subjecting the cooled reaction product to a reheat treatment involving heating to the maximum temperature of 300 to 700° C. and then cooling, wherein the dew point of the ambience of the reheat treatment is controlled at −30° C. or below at a temperature of 200° C. or above. |
| US08741164B2 |
Methods for optimizing a plasma process
Methods for optimizing a plasma process are provided. The method may include obtaining a measurement spectrum from a plasma reaction in a chamber, calculating a normalized measurement standard and a normalized measurement spectrum of the measurement spectrum, comparing the normalized measurement spectrum with a normalized reference spectrum, and comparing the normalized measurement standard with a normalized reference standard to determine whether to change a process parameter of the plasma process or clean the chamber when the normalized measurement spectrum and the normalized reference spectrum are mismatched. |
| US08741162B2 |
Method of manufacturing nanoimprint stamp
Methods of manufacturing a nanoimprint stamp are provided. The method may include forming a pattern on a surface of a master substrate, depositing an etch barrier layer on a surface of a stamp substrate, coating a photoresist on one of the surfaces of the master substrate and the stamp substrate on which an etch barrier layer is formed, forming a photoresist pattern by pressing the master substrate against the stamp substrate, forming a hard mask by etching the etch barrier layer using the photoresist pattern, and etching the stamp substrate using the hard mask as an etch mask. |
| US08741154B2 |
Water denitrification
The described implementations relate to water denitrification. One method obtains nitrate levels in influent and effluent of a moving bed media filter and determines carbon levels in the effluent. The method also doses carbon feedstock into the influent based on both the nitrate levels and the carbon levels. |
| US08741151B2 |
Analysis of polymeric scale inhibitors
The scale inhibitors in a variety of aqueous systems, or a part or sample thereof, also including one or more dissolved interfering ions, are separated therefrom and analyzed, such scale inhibitors comprising a polymer containing at least one anionic functional group, e.g., a strong acid functional group or a phosphonate or phosphate ester, and such analysis including treating these aqueous systems with a cationic substrate or a free cation. |
| US08741150B2 |
Lithium recovery device using separator reservoir, lithium recovery method and lithium adsorption/desorption system using the same
The present invention relates to a lithium recovery device comprising a separator reservoir and manganese oxide, a lithium recovery method using the same, and a lithium adsorption/desorption system. The separator reservoir includes a vacant space therein and an outer wall made of a polymer or a membrane of other useful materials. The manganese oxide is contained, as an adsorbent, in the vacant space inside the separator reservoir. The lithium adsorption/desorption system enables lithium recovery through adsorption and desorption of lithium dissolved in seawater using a lithium adsorbent prepared with the manganese oxide in one system, wherein the manganese oxide can be used as a lithium adsorbent with high lithium selectivity. The invention uses a separator reservoir including an outer wall made of a porous polymer or a membrane of other useful materials. As a result, the invention can be directly applied to seawater by enabling free movement of the solution, especially seawater, without additional pressure from the outside. The invention ensures strong stability in seawater and the acidic solution using a polymer with high chemical resistance and mechanical strength, or other useful materials. Therefore, the invention can be widely used in technical fields requiring lithium recovery. |
| US08741147B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for a blood treatment equipment
A controller for blood treatment equipment comprising a treatment unit including a semipermeable membrane separating the treatment unit into a first compartment for the circulation of blood and a second compartment for the circulation of a treatment liquid is enclosed. The controller is adapted to receive one or more entries of information measured during the course of a treatment procedure, to calculate from said measured information a value of a significant parameter indicative of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried out by the equipment. The controller is also adapted to compare the calculated significant parameter to a prescribed reference value for the same parameter and to generate at least one output control signal responsive to said comparison for automatically controlling one or more operations performed by the equipment. Equipment comprising the controller and a control method the controller can be programmed to carry out are also disclosed. |
| US08741141B2 |
Membrane separator and membrane cassette
The wall member of a water collecting case forms a projecting portion projecting to the outer side and recessed portions recessed to the inner side. |
| US08741140B2 |
Surface modified filtration media
A filter media that inhibits the formation of static charge in a liquid flowing through the filter media comprises a filtration layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and comprising a non-conductive fibrous material having a plurality of fibers, the fibrous material comprising a metal layer deposited on at least a portion of the fibers through at least a portion of the thickness of the filtration layer. The filter media or a filter apparatus incorporating the filter media does not require means for dissipating static charge from the fluid and, therefore, does not require grounding. |
| US08741139B2 |
Cylindrical cartridge filter with detachable core
The present device is a detachable core for use with a cylindrical filter cartridge. The core includes a wire frame including at least two vertical struts oriented along a longitudinal direction. The wire frame includes an upper ring and a lower ring mounted to the distal ends of the vertical struts and further includes an upper flange and a lower flange mounted to the upper and lower rings respectively, wherein the lower flange is detachably mounted to the lower ring. Preferably the lower ring includes a gap in the lower ring to enable resilient compression of the ring by squeezing the lower ring in a radial inward direction prior to engagement with the lower flange. Preferably the cartridge filter includes elastomeric end caps and the cooperating rings and flanges are non-circular such that the elastomeric end caps conforms to the non-circular shape of the upper and lower flanges. |
| US08741132B2 |
Device for catching rainwater
Device (V) for catching rainwater from a downpipe (F) comprising an opening (11), a branch pipe (5) with a sickle-shaped water-catching blade (12) comprising two halves at the end, a support member (1) traversed by the branch pipe (5) and a retainer. The branch pipe (5) engaging into the opening (11) with the water-catching blade (12) placed in the downpipe, and wherein the downpipe (F) can be fixed in the area of the support member (1) covering the opening (11) by means of the retainer (H). The retainer (H) comprises at least one undercut engagement hook (17) that can be passed through the opening (11), and an engagement hook tensioning system (S) interconnected between the support member (1) and the engagement hook (17). |
| US08741128B2 |
Integrated desulfurization and denitrification process including mild hydrotreating of aromatic-lean fraction and oxidation of aromatic-rich fraction
Deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds containing undesired organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds to produce a hydrocarbon product having low levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds, is achieved by first subjecting the entire feed to an extraction zone to separate an aromatic-rich fraction containing a substantial amount of the refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds and an aromatic-lean fraction containing a substantial amount of the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The aromatic-lean fraction is contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone operating under mild conditions to convert the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The aromatic-rich fraction is oxidized to convert the refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds to oxidized organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. These oxidized organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds are subsequently removed, producing a stream containing reduced levels of organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. |
| US08741120B2 |
Humidity control apparatus for electrochemical sensors
Devices and methods are disclosed that can adjust a hydration level in an electrochemical sensor or an instrument which includes such a sensor. The device can include a chamber which can, at least in part, surround an inflow port of the sensor. An adjacent reservoir of water can provide a source of water vapor which can be infused into the sensor. |
| US08741117B2 |
Device and method for detecting redox reactions in solution
Described herein is a device comprising a plurality of first reaction electrodes arranged in an array, the plurality of first reaction electrodes configured to be exposed to a solution and having a capacitance; first circuitry configured to controllably connect the plurality of first reaction electrodes to a bias source and controllably disconnect the plurality of first reaction electrodes from the bias source; and second circuitry configured to measure a rate of charging or discharging of the capacitance. Also described herein is a method of using this device to sequence DNA. |
| US08741114B2 |
Hard film, plastic working die, plastic working method, and target for hard film
There is provided a hard film excellent in wear resistance. The hard film in accordance with the present invention includes (TiaCrbAlcLd) (BxCyNz) in terms of composition, in which the L is at least one of Si and Y, and the a, b, c, d, x, y, and z each denote the atomic ratio, and satisfy: 0.1≦a<0.3; 0.3 |
| US08741113B2 |
Method and electrode for defining and replicating structures in conducting materials
The present invention concerns an electrochemical pattern replication method, ECPR, and a construction of a conductive electrode for production of applications involving micro and nano structures. An etching or plating pattern, which is defined by a conductive electrode, a master electrode, is replicated on an electrically conductive material, a substrate. The master electrode is put in close contact with the substrate and the etching/plating pattern is directly transferred onto the substrate by using a contact etching/plating process. The contact etching/plating process is performed in local etching/plating cells, that are formed in closed or open cavities between the master electrode and the substrate. |
| US08741109B2 |
Method for purifying acetone
A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using two columns is disclosed. Crude acetone raw material is fed into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative agent into the first column to form high molecular weight impurities; removing a top fraction from the first column by distillation to form bottom fraction containing an acetone mixture containing high molecular weight impurities; feeding the bottom fraction containing the acetone mixture obtained to a second rectification column at a charge point on the column; adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction fed; and separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure. |
| US08741103B2 |
Biomass-derived polyester staple fibers and wet-laid nonwoven fabric formed from the same
The present invention has an object to provide staple fibers suitable for manufacturing a wet-laid nonwoven fabric having excellent adhesive strength and heat resistance at a reduced environmental burden, a manufacturing method of the same, and a nonwoven fabric using the staple fibers. The object can be achieved by polyalkylene terephthalate or polyalkylene naphthalate staple fiber wet nonwoven fabric having excellent adhesive strength and heat resistance that are provided by blending and thermal-compression bonding of low oriented yarn and fully oriented yarn, wherein a specific ratio of biomass-derived carbon, fineness, fiber length, and a weight ratio between fully oriented staple fibers and low oriented staple fibers in the wet-laid nonwoven fabric are used to obtain a fine low oriented yarn having excellent binder performance and a fine fully oriented yarn having an unprecedented level of fineness. |
| US08741101B2 |
Liquid concentrator
A liquid concentrator having an evaporator assembly and a cyclonic separator includes features designed to improve the performance of the liquid concentrator. A settling chamber is separated from a sump of the cyclonic separator. A liquid inlet opening into a mixing chamber of the evaporator injects wastewater at low pressures. Features to aid in the cleaning of the liquid concentrator include easy open doors and clean water injection ports for cleaning interior portions of the liquid concentrator. In one feature a settling tank is disposed below the cyclonic separator and has a width that is larger than the width of the cyclonic separator. In another variation, the cyclonic separator has a tubular body with an interior that is substantially unobstructed between an inlet from the evaporator assembly and an exhaust outlet. In yet another variation, the cyclonic separator has an upper chamber that is separated from a lower chamber. |
| US08741100B2 |
Liquid concentrator
A liquid concentrator having an evaporator assembly and a cyclonic separator includes features designed to improve the performance of the liquid concentrator. A settling chamber is separated from a sump of the cyclonic separator. A liquid inlet opening into a mixing chamber of the evaporator injects wastewater at low pressures. Features to aid in the cleaning of the liquid concentrator include easy open doors and clean water injection ports for cleaning interior portions of the liquid concentrator. |
| US08741099B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus
Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus that includes: a rotational unit configured to rotate a substrate to be processed while the substrate is being held horizontally; and a processing liquid supplying unit configured to supply a processing liquid to the bottom surface of the substrate to be processed which is rotating. The rotational unit includes an enclosing member surrounding the periphery of the substrate to be processed, the enclosing member includes a plurality of guide grooves formed on the bottom surface of the enclosing member and configured to guide the processing liquid, and each of the plurality of guide grooves elongates outwardly from the inner periphery and is arranged in the circumferential direction of the enclosing member. |
| US08741097B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber including a dielectric window; a coil-shaped RF antenna, provided outside the dielectric window; a substrate supporting unit provided in the processing chamber; a processing gas supply unit; an RF power supply unit for supplying an RF power to the RF antenna to generate a plasma of the processing gas by an inductive coupling in the processing chamber, the RF power having an appropriate frequency for RF discharge of the processing gas; a correction coil, provided at a position outside the processing chamber where the correction coil is to be coupled with the RF antenna by an electromagnetic induction, for controlling a plasma density distribution on the substrate in the processing chamber; a switching device provided in a loop of the correction coil; and a switching control unit for on-off controlling the switching device at a desired duty ratio by pulse width modulation. |
| US08741092B2 |
Production, forming, bonding, joining and repair systems for composite and metal components
Method and apparatus for the production, forming bonding, joining and repair systems composite and metal components utilizing at least one pressure chamber having a displaceable abutment face, wherein fluid is circulated at an elevated temperature and pressure through the pressure chamber. |
| US08741091B2 |
Method for thermoplastic welding and welded composite structures
A composite structure fabricated by thermoplastic welding, and a method for producing such structures. First and second composite parts are provided, having first and second surfaces, respectively, that define an interface where the parts are to be joined. The parts include a thermoplastic matrix. An insert is provided, which includes a film portion, which may include the same thermoplastic matrix. The insert is provided with an electric resistance heating element. The first and second parts are urged together using low fusion pressure while the insert is heated using the electric resistance heating element. After a selected period of time, the electrical supply to the resistance heating element is turned off. A high fusion pressure is then applied to urge the parts together. The weldment joint is allowed to cool. After cooling, excess material may be removed, to form a composite structure. |
| US08741088B2 |
Reinforced magnet
A magnet that includes a composite body and at least one reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is embedded within the body and increases the radial strength of the body. As a result, the magnet is able to rotate at higher speeds without fracturing. Additionally, methods of manufacturing the magnet are described. |
| US08741085B2 |
Method of making a resilient floor tile
A resilient floor tile includes a base layer, a film layer, a decorative film layer, and a topcoat. The resilient floor tile has a shaped edge formed on an upper surface thereof that extends about at least a portion of a perimeter of the resilient floor tile. In order to make the resilient floor tile, a continuous sheet of a base layer is conveyed into a press die. The press die is actuated from an open position to a closed position. The continuous sheet is cut with a blade of a cutting tool of the press die to form side surfaces of the resilient floor tile when the press die is in the closed position. A shaped edge is formed on at least a portion of a perimeter of an upper surface of the resilient floor tile with a forming tool of the press die when the press die is in the closed position. |
| US08741083B2 |
Elastic laminate and a method for producing an elastic laminate
A method for producing an elastically stretchable laminate having at least three layers, the method including the steps of: a) producing a first laminate having a first non-elastic fibrous nonwoven web and an elastic film; b) activating the first laminate by incremental stretching in at least one activation direction to render the first laminate elastically stretchable; c) stretching the activated first laminate to 10-200% in the activation direction; and d) laminating the stretched first laminate to a second non-elastic nonwoven web. An elastically stretchable laminate produced in accordance with the method is also disclosed. |
| US08741082B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display device
The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, the method including the steps of forming a plurality of partition walls defining unipixel regions on a first substrate; filling an electrophoretic medium in the unipixel regions; forming an adhesive layer on a second substrate to bond the first substrate to the second substrate; forming (i) a plurality of adhesive portions for contact with the partition walls and (ii) a plurality of hardening portions for sealing the unipixel region filled with the electrophoretic medium by hardening a part of the adhesive layer; and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other. |
| US08741078B2 |
Method for manufacturing an ultrahigh strength hot dip galvanized steel sheet having martensitic structure as matrix
The present invention relates to a hot dip galvanized steel sheet and a manufacturing method thereof. The hot dip galvanize steel sheet includes a steel sheet including a martensitic structure as a matrix, and a hot dip galvanized layer formed on the steel sheet. The steel sheet includes C of 0.05 wt % to 0.30 wt %, Mn of 0.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, Si of 0.1 wt % to 0.8 wt %, Al of 0.01 wt % to 1.5 wt %, Cr of 0.01 wt % to 1.5 wt %, Mo of 0.01 wt % to 1.5 wt %, Ti of 0.001 wt % to 0.10 wt %, N of 5 ppm to 120 ppm, B of 3 ppm to 80 ppm, an impurity, and the remainder of Fe. |
| US08741077B2 |
Homogeneous titanium tungsten alloys produced by powder metal technology
Titanium-tungsten alloys are described comprising tungsten ranging from about 9% to about 20% by weight, and titanium ranging from about 91% to about 80% by weight, exhibiting a yield strength of at least 120,000 psi, and a ductility of at least 20% elongation. Methods of making the alloy, and products made with the alloys are also disclosed herein. |
| US08741074B1 |
Chemical conversion coatings for corrosion protection of copper and other alloys in contaminated water
A non-chromate conversion coating for copper or other alloys. The conversion coating is composed of hydrotalcite-like compound (HTlcs). The conversion coating adheres well with the alloys, and provides excellent corrosion protection. In addition, corrosion inhibitive species were incorporated into the coating. The coating with inhibitors incorporated showed damage-responsive properties. The corrosion protection property of the conversion coating was further enhanced through applying a surface sealer. The coating has applicability in industrial heat exchangers that use reclaimed water. |
| US08741073B2 |
Implant and method for producing the same
A method for producing an implant, particularly an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a body, wherein the body comprises magnesium or a magnesium alloy. In order to control the degradation in a desired time window, such as between four weeks and six months, the following production method is carried out: a) preparing the implant body, b) applying a metallic coating onto at least a portion of the body surface, the primary constituent of the coating being at least one element of the group containing titanium and aluminum, c) plasmachemical treatment of the portion of the body surface provided with the coating in an aqueous solution in order to produce a layer created by plasmachemical treatment by applying a mixed voltage generating the plasma to the body of the implant, wherein the mixed voltage has sufficient energy to temporarily ionize both the metallic coating and a subjacent region of the implant body. The invention further relates to an implant that can be obtained by such a method. |
| US08741071B2 |
Semiconductor processing method
A process for treating the surface of a substrate in the manufacture of a semiconductor device. The process comprises providing a concentrated acid or base, a peroxide and water, and delivering the acid or base, the peroxide and the water to the surface of the substrate. The acid or base and the water are delivered separately to the surface of the substrate and allowed to mix on the surface, and the water is delivered in pulses. The present invention also provides an apparatus adapted to carry out this process. |
| US08741070B2 |
Liquid processing method, liquid processing apparatus and recording medium
Disclosed are a liquid processing method, a liquid processing apparatus, and a recording medium that can prevent convex portions of a target substrate from collapsing when a rinsing liquid is dried. A base surface of a target substrate is hydrophilized and the surfaces of convex portions become water-repellent by surface-processing the target substrate which includes a main body, a plurality of convex portions protruding from the main body, and a base surface formed between the convex portions on the substrate main body. Next, a rinsing liquid is supplied to the target substrate which has been subjected to the surface processing. Thereafter, the rinsing liquid is removed from the target substrate. |
| US08741063B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Substrate processing uniformity is improved in the surfaces of wafers and between the wafers. A substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate holder including a substrate stacking part configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked substrates and a cylinder part disposed under the substrate stacking part to enclose a lower portion of the substrate holder; an inner tube configured to accommodate the substrate holder wherein a space between the cylinder part and a lower portion of the inner tube is smaller than a space between the substrate stacking part and an upper portion of the inner tube; an outer tube configured to enclose the inner tube with a gap therebetween; a gas nozzle installed in the inner tube; a gas injection hole disposed in the gas nozzle; a source gas supply unit configured to supply a source gas to an inside of the inner tube through the gas nozzle; a gas exhaust outlet disposed in a sidewall of the inner tube such that the inside of the inner tube communicates with the gap through the plurality of gas exhaust outlets; an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the gap so as to create a gas stream inside the inner tube in a direction from the gas injection hole to the plurality of gas exhaust outlets. |
| US08741061B2 |
Vacuum carburization method and vacuum carburization apparatus
A method between a diffusion and a quenching process including normalizing by step cooling including alternating temperature lowering and temperature keeping treatment for a temperature history that satisfies a predetermined condition; after normalizing, maintaining the temperature of the whole workpiece so that the whole workpiece becomes the predetermined temperature, thereby producing fine crystal grains in the workpiece; then reheating the workpiece to raise its temperature to the second temperature. There is uniformity in temperature between the surface and the inside of a workpiece, and crystal grains are prevented from being coarse. |
| US08741057B1 |
Settable compositions comprising wollastonite and pumice and methods of use
Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations, including a method of cementing that may comprise providing a settable composition that may comprise wollastonite, pumice, a calcium-ion source, and water, wherein the wollastonite may be present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice, and wherein the pumice may present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice. Embodiments of the method further may comprise allowing the settable composition to set. |
| US08741054B2 |
Production of cement additives from combustion products of hydrocarbon fuels and strength enhancing metal oxides
The present invention provides combustion products of hydrocarbon fuels and controlled amounts of metal oxide strength enhancing materials. The combustion products are useful as additives to cementitious materials. A hydrocarbon fuel such as coal is introduced into a combustion chamber and selected amounts of materials comprising CaO, SiO2 and Al2O3 are also introduced into and/or downstream from the chamber. The hydrocarbon fuel undergoes combustion while the metal oxide strength enhancing materials react with each other and/or the ash or other reaction products of the hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion products have been found to significantly increase compressive strengths of cements such as Portland cement. A reduction in SO2 emission levels also results from the introduction of the metal oxide strength enhancing materials into the combustion process. |
| US08741053B2 |
Calcium phosphate cement composition and its kit for bone prosthesis
A calcium phosphate cement composition kit comprising (A) a powdery agent comprising 100 parts by mass of calcium phosphate powder, and 5-50 parts by mass of a powdery apatite/collagen composite, and (B) an aqueous blending liquid; a paste-like mixture being obtained by blending the powdery agent with the aqueous blending liquid, in such a proportion that the aqueous blending liquid is 15-50 parts by mass per the total amount (100 parts by mass) of the calcium phosphate powder and the powdery apatite/collagen composite, and filled in a predetermined prosthetic site in a human body to form a hardened calcium phosphate/collagen composite. |
| US08741051B2 |
Coating composition comprising polydextrose, process for preparing same and use of coating ingestible solid forms
Composition (C) for coating ingestible solid forms, comprising, per 100% of its mass—from 10% to 90% of a graft copolymer of polyvinyl alcohol and of polyethers (Pi), and—from 10% to 90% by mass of an auxiliary coating agent, characterized in that a non-zero mass proportion of said auxiliary agent is polydextrose. Processes for the preparation and use thereof. |
| US08741050B2 |
Dental articles using nanocrystalline materials
Dental articles are produced using relatively low sintering temperatures to achieve high density dental articles exhibiting strengths equal to and greater than about 700 MPa. Ceramic powders comprised of nanoparticulate crystallites are used to manufacture dental articles. The ceramic powders may include sintering agents, binders and other similar additives to aid in the processing of the ceramic powder into a dental article. The ceramic powders may be processed into dental articles using various methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, gel-casting, slip casting, or electroforming, hand, cad/camming and other various rapid prototyping methods. The ceramic powder may be formed into a suspension, pellet, feedstock material or a pre-sintered blank prior to forming into the dental article. |
| US08741045B2 |
Ink composition, inkjet recording method, and colored material
An aqueous black ink composition which enables the formation of an excellent black recorded image having extremely high ozone gas resistance and a neutral and achromatic color. The ink composition comprises: a dye which includes at least one compound represented by specific formula (1) or at least one tautomer or salt of the compound; a dye which includes at least one compound represented by specific formula (3) or at least one tautomer or salt of the compound; and a dye which includes at least one compound represented by specific formula (4) or at least one tautomer or salt of the compound. |
| US08741042B2 |
Phase change inks comprising linear primary alcohols
A phase change ink comprising an amorphous compound; a crystalline compound; an optional dispersant; an optional synergist; an optional colorant; and an alcohol having a long alkyl chain containing from about 10 to about 80 carbon atoms. |
| US08741039B2 |
Permanent ink compositions and writing instruments containing same
The ink compositions comprise at least one solvent, at least one colorant, and at east one oil, and may be delivered from any of a variety of writing instruments including but not limited to ball pens, fountain pens, felt tip pens, and markers. |
| US08741031B2 |
Hollow ceramic fibers, precursors for manufacture thereof utilizing pore formers, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same
A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic material and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic material. The fiber is made by extruding core and sheath suspensions from a spinnerette. The core suspension includes particles of the first ceramic material, a polymeric binder, a solvent, and a pore former material insoluble in the solvent. The sheath suspension includes particles of the second ceramic material, a polymeric binder and a solvent. The nascent hollow fiber is coagulated in a coagulant bath to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binders and pore former material are burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic material is sintered without fully sintering the core. |
| US08741027B2 |
Material supply apparatus and process
A material supply apparatus and process for co-injecting heated solid metalliferous material and solid carbonaceous material via a solids injection lance into a direct smelting vessel are disclosed. |
| US08741022B2 |
Controlled release fertilizer composition
A controlled release fertilizer composition and methods to produce the controlled release fertilizer composition are described. The controlled release fertilizer composition comprises a water soluble fertilizer core that is coated with a polymeric layer, intermediate layer, and a sulfur layer. If desired, the sulfur layer can be coated with an outer water-insoluble layer. |
| US08741017B2 |
Air cleaner assembly; components therefor; and, methods
Air filter cartridges for use in air cleaner assemblies are described. The air filter cartridges typically comprise a stack of strips of fluted media, having an inlet flow face and an outlet flow face. A projection is provided extending outwardly from adjacent the outlet flow face of the media pack, as a projection supporting a seal arrangement. The seal arrangement is typically rectangular, with four straight and four rounded corners. The projection can be configured with open corners, and in some instances comprises tabs, to facilitate flexing of the projection to accommodate variations in a housing seal surface, with which the cartridge is installed. Air cleaner assemblies and components therefor, using cartridges in accord with the descriptions herein, are described. |
| US08741014B2 |
Multi-stage steam-water separation device and steam-water separator
In a multi-stage steam-water separation device and a steam-water separator, a first swirl vane (6) which causes a gas-liquid two-phase flow to rise while swirling is provided in a first riser (5) of a first steam-water separator (2), and a second swirl vane (12) which causes the gas-liquid two-phase flow which has passed through the first swirl vane (6) to rise while swirling at a speed higher than that provided by the first swirl vane (6), is provided in a second riser (11). |
| US08741012B2 |
Avionic bay comprising a device for filtering cooling air for electrical equipment installed in such a bay and aircraft equipped with such a bay
An avionic bay with a device for filtering cooling air for aircraft electrical equipment. The device includes at least two filtration grilles provided with apertures and which are disposed successively one behind the other in order to filter the air drawn from a cooling air vein before distributing it to an aircraft electrical equipment item. The apertures of the second grille are offset transversely in relation to the apertures of the first grille. |
| US08741011B2 |
Coated cutting tool for metal cutting applications generating high temperatures
The present invention relates to a cutting tool insert comprising a body of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, high speed steel (HSS), polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN), a hard and wear resistant coating is applied, grown by physical vapour deposition (PVD) such as cathodic arc evaporation or magnetron sputtering. Said coating comprises at least one layer of (ZrxAl1-x)N with of 0.45 |
| US08741010B2 |
Method for making low stress PDC
A method for making PDC with excellent abrasion resistance at high pressure in a single HPHT step without introducing high residual internal stress. In one aspect of the method, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial high pressure to compact the mass. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to the application of heat to the reaction cell. In another aspect, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial pressure to compact the mass, followed by raising the temperature to melt the sintering aid. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to lowering the temperature below the melting point of the sintering aid. |
| US08741005B1 |
Superabrasive articles and methods for removing interstitial materials from superabrasive materials
A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material is disclosed. According to the method, a metal-solvent catalyst is leached from a polycrystalline diamond material by exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material to a leaching composition. The leaching composition includes water, a complexing agent, and hydrofluoric acid. |
| US08741003B2 |
Apparatus and method for presenting stereoscopic video
Provided is a stereoscopic video presenting apparatus including: an eye movement measurement unit configured to measure an eye movement of each of users viewing the stereoscopic video; a user count determination unit configured to determine the number of users viewing a same stereoscopic video; and a failure state determination unit configured to compare, when the user count determination unit determines that the number of users viewing the same stereoscopic video is plurality, eye movements of a plurality of users to determine a user whose eye movement is in a failure state among the plurality of users. |
| US08740996B2 |
Method for coloring an optical lens comprising a printing primer, and optical colored lens comprising such a printing primer
The invention concerns a method for coloring an optical lens comprising a transparent printing primer, capable of being colored by inkjet printing. Said coloring method uses a technique of inkjet printing of said printing primer to obtain a colored optical lens, independently of the chemical nature of the compounds constituting the substrate of said lens. The invention also concerns the resulting colored lens. |
| US08740995B1 |
Oxidative hair treatment with silicone and bleach
The subject matter of the present invention is a method for oxidative lightening and/or coloring of keratinic fibers, in particular of hair, wherein a) a pretreatment agent that contains at least one 4-morpholinomethyl-substituted silicone of formulas (V) is applied onto the keratinic fibers, in particular onto the hair, b) subsequently, within a time span from one second to 24 hours after step a), a coloring and/or lightening agent is applied onto the keratinic fibers, which agent is obtained by mixing a composition (A) that contains at least one alkalizing agent with a composition (B) that contains, in a cosmetic carrier, at least one oxidizing agent, where the composition (B) contains at least one acylpyridinium derivative of formula (Acylpyr-I), (Acylpyr-I). |
| US08740992B2 |
Afterclearing agents
A composition comprising (a) a homo- or copolymer obtainable by polymerisation of at least one ethylenically un-saturated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound and (b) a polyethyleneimine, is suitable for afterclearing a printed or dyed textile material, in particular cotton fibres dyed or printed with reactive dyes. |
| US08740988B1 |
Bariatric balloon apparatus
A bariatric balloon having a gas-filled antral chamber of a flexible sheet material, the antral chamber having an elastic superior wall joined peripherally with a less-elastic annular wall, the annular wall further joined peripherally with a non-elastic inferior wall, the inferior wall of a more rigid character than the superior wall and the annular wall. The superior wall has a convex shape, the annular wall has a cylindrical shape, and the inferior wall has a planar shape. Secured below the antral chamber, a gas filled pyloric chamber joined to, and contiguous with, the antral chamber, a pyloric wall encompasses the cyloric chamber. The gas-filled antral and pyloric chambers define a volume less than the volume of a human stomach. Safety arms are mounted on a gas inlet/outlet valve and extend radially from the valve in order to prevent the deflated balloon from passing through the pyloric sphincter. |
| US08740986B2 |
Finger joint prosthesis
A finger joint prosthesis includes a joint body 14 having first and second joint elements pivotably connected about an axis of rotation and anchoring bars 30, 32 extend from the joint body for securing to a proximal and a distal phalanx. The anchoring bars 30, 32 include one or more securing eyes 40, 42, 44 with openings for receiving fixing screws therein. To provide improved primary and secondary fixing, an end securing element is provided distally from the axis of rotation on the anchoring bar 30, 32 of at least one joint element. |
| US08740985B1 |
Knee prosthesis
Tibial inserts and tibial femoral systems are provided for improved knee reconstruction systems. External rotation of a knee joint implant is enhanced by modifications to the post, providing a recess that allows clearance of the post against the corners of a box wall within the femoral component. The rotation provides for a more natural knee joint motion of the implant. The depth, size, and location of the post relief may be modified for certain applications to provide both improved rotational motion and constraint against undesirable motion of the knee. |
| US08740983B1 |
Spinal fusion implants and related methods
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for use in spinal surgery. In particular, the disclosed system relates to an intervertebral spinal implant assembly sized and dimensioned for the lumbar spine implantable via an anterior or anterolateral approach. The device includes an implant, bone screws, and instruments for delivering the implant and bone screws. |
| US08740981B2 |
Nuclear implant
The nuclear implant according to this invention constitutes, between two overlying and underlying vertebrae Va, Vb of a spine segment Sr, an intervertebral support device that damps shock and ensures the mobility of the functional unit that is formed by the vertebrae of a vertebral column, whereby the nuclear implant includes a filling element (2) that includes at least one continuous wire (50, 51) that is arranged—inside a nuclear space Es that is obtained after nucleotomy of the intervertebral disk Di—along a profile in the shape of a ring whose stack of coils (55) makes it possible to delimit a central internal space (52). |
| US08740980B2 |
Expandable medical implant
An implant with an adjustable height for spacing apart skeletal structures. The implant includes a base with a hollow interior. Collars include threaded inner surfaces and are positioned within the hollow interior of the base and are rotatable relative to the base. Threaded posts extend outward from the base and are threaded into the collars. Rotation of the collars adjusts an amount that the threaded posts extend outward from the base. An overall height of the implant can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the space and for the posts to contact against and space apart the skeletal structures. |
| US08740979B2 |
System and method for restoration of nutrient flow to nucleus pulposa
Disclosed are methods and devices for restoring or establishing nutrient flow to the nucleus pulposa. An implant comprises a nutrient flow path for extending between a source of nutrients and the nucleus pulposa. The implant is positioned within the patient such that a first end is in nutrient flow communication with a subject nucleus pulposa, and the source end is positioned in nutrient flow communication with a source of nutrients. |
| US08740978B2 |
Intraocular lens having extended depth of focus
An ophthalmic lens for providing enhanced or extended depth of focus includes an optic having an aperture disposed about an optical axis. The optic includes a first surface having a first shape and an opposing second surface having a second shape, the first and second surfaces providing, a base power and, in some embodiments an add power. The optic further includes an extended focus mask disposed upon at least one of the first shape and the second shape that is configured to provide the enhanced or extended depth of focus for one or more foci of the optic, as compared to a similar optic not having the extended focus mask. |
| US08740977B2 |
Intraocular lens insertion tool
An intraocular lens insertion tool is presented. An introductory part in an insertion cylinder is provided, at a widthwise central portion of a bottom surface, with a central protrusion which extends in an axial direction of a tool body and protrudes toward an upper surface to get in contact with a center portion of a rear surface of an optical zone of an intraocular lens. The upper surface is provided, at its both widthwise ends, with a pair of lateral protrusions, which extend in the axial direction of the tool body and protrude toward the bottom surface to get in contact with both ends of a front surface of the optical zone of the intraocular lens. A lens pressing face of a plunging member is formed with a dimension spanning from the bottom surface to the upper surface at a tip end section of the insertion cylinder. |
| US08740969B2 |
Apparatus for and method of fitting a stent-graft or similar device
A fitting device (104) for fitting a stent-graft (100) into a lumen of a patient includes a catheter (110), a cannula (112) reciprocably carried in the catheter (110) and a pair of gripper claws (106) in the cannula (112). The gripper claws (106) grip onto a stent (102) at the proximal end (128) of the stent-graft (100) which a suture loop (108) is tied to a stent (102) at an intermediate position along the stent graft (100). The stent-graft (100) can be curved by pulling the end-most stent (102) backwards, that is by retracting the cannula (112) into the catheter (110) while the gripper claws (106) grip onto the stent (102). The proximal end of the stent-graft (100) can also be adjusted position-wise by moving the cannula (112) into and out of the catheter (110). Thus, precise positioning and curving of the stent-graft (100) can be achieved. |
| US08740965B2 |
Stent delivery system
A stent delivery system includes a self-expanding stent, an inner tube body which has a guide wire lumen, and a sheath which has the stent contained within the tip section thereof. The stent can be discharged by moving the sheath to the base end side relative to the inner tube body. The inner tube body is provided at a position within the base end section of the stent and is provided with an elastic member for pressing the stent in the direction to the sheath. The stent is gripped by the elastic member and the sheath and is adapted to be slidable relative to the sheath. |
| US08740964B2 |
Endoluminal delivery device
A highly flexible delivery device (2) for a stent graft (6) particularly for deployment into the thoracic arch of a patient. The delivery device has a distal handle (7), a pusher catheter (4) extending proximally from the handle to a proximal nose cone dilator (11), a guide wire catheter (3) extending from the proximal nose cone dilator to the pusher catheter. To give flexibility the guide wire catheter comprises a nitinol tube, the nose cone dilator has a high flexibility and the pusher catheter has a graded flexibility being more flexible at its proximal end than at its distal end. The graded flexibility can be provided by joined segments (4a, 4b and 4c) of different flexibility or by a inner metal tube (72) to give rigidity over some of the length. Alternatively the graded flexibility can be provided by tapering the wall thickness (80, 80a) of the pusher catheter. |
| US08740960B2 |
Device and method for the reduction of pain associated with needle sticks
A device that is used to reduce the pain of a needle stick to a person, the device having a casing containing a vibratory device and a temperature reducing device, and a method for using the device to reduce the pain of a needle stick by applying both thermal and vibration analgesia to a subject during a needle stick. |
| US08740958B2 |
Apparatus and method for laser treatment with spectroscopic feedback
A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system. |
| US08740953B2 |
Adjustable occipital plate
An occipital plate may include a central section, a pair of angled sections, and attachment assemblies comprising slide members configured to move along slots in the angled sections, and posts coupled to the slide members. Each post has a first and second cross dimensions. The first cross dimension of each post is less than a first cross dimension of a slide member. The second cross dimension of each post is approximately equal to a second cross dimension of a slide member. Rods may be coupled to the occipital plate at a variety of angles with respect to a midline of the plate. The angular adjustability may accommodate any misalignments in the rods. Further, the position of the attachment assemblies relative to the midline is adjustable to thereby provide for medial-lateral adjustability when attaching the rods to the occipital plate as part of an occipito-cervico-thoracic construct. |
| US08740949B2 |
Methods and apparatus for stabilizing bone
In some embodiments, a method comprises disposing a portion of a flexible fastening band into contact with a first bone portion and into contact with a second bone portion. The portion of the flexible fastening band having a substantially uniform shape configured to substantially compliment a shape of the first bone portion and a shape of the second bone portion. The method further includes inserting the portion of the flexible fastening band into a fastener and advancing the portion of the flexible fastening band through the fastener until the first bone portion and the and the second bone portion are stabilized. |
| US08740948B2 |
Spinal spacer for cervical and other vertebra, and associated systems and methods
Spinal spacers for cervical and other vertebra, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a hook member having a hook positioned to extend in a first direction, a post carried by the hook member and extending axially in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a cam surface carried by the hook member. An actuator device is movably engaged with the post, and a spinal spacer is pivotably coupled to one of the actuator device and the post. The spinal spacer is axially movable relative to the hook member and has a spacing element in contact with the cam surface to pivot outwardly away from the post as the actuator device moves. |
| US08740944B2 |
Vertebral stabilizer
A bio-compatible stabilization system includes one or more inserters and a connector for traversing a space between one or more bony structures. The stabilization system is designed to reduce or eliminate stress shielding effects while functioning as a tension band. The connector includes an extendable member and an over-extension limiter that limits extension of the extendable member. |
| US08740942B2 |
Vertebral facet joint prosthesis and method of fixation
Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided. |
| US08740941B2 |
Pedicle based spinal stabilization with adjacent vertebral body support
A fasterner and rod fusion device with extensions to support an adjacent vertebral body is provided. The extensions are connected to the fasterner and rod fusion device. The extensions include flexibly connected rods, bands, spacers, or the like to resist extension and/or flexion of the vertebral body(ies) adjacent a fusion site. Alternatively, the extensions may be coupled to a cross link between multiple rods. |
| US08740940B2 |
Compressible tissue anchor assemblies
Apparatus and methods optimize anchoring force in securing tissue folds. Over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable designs configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. |
| US08740939B2 |
Method and apparatus for soft tissue fixation
A positioning member may be released to move an anchor member to a holding position. The positioning member being operable to be held in a selected orientation until the anchor member is in a selected position. |
| US08740938B2 |
System, method, and device for closing an opening
Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for closing an opening. The methods, systems, and devices include a looped body. The looped body includes a first looped portion having a first apex and a second apex separated by a first distance while the looped body is in a pre-deployed state. The first looped portion is configured to resiliently move to a deployed state in which the first apex and the second apex are separated by a second distance, the first distance being greater than the second distance. |
| US08740936B2 |
Pinch vascular closure apparatus and method
A device for pinching an opening in a vessel wall, comprising an introducer sheath, a lumen having a distal opening and a bleed hole; an anchoring having a cylindrical shape in a first constrained state and a flared shape in a second unconstrained state; a pincher member slidably disposed between the anchoring member and the introducer sheath comprising at its distal end a plurality of elongate pincher arms, each of the plurality of elongate pincher arms having a free distal end such that when the pincher member distal end is unconstrained, the free distal ends of the elongate pincher arms are biased to expand radially; and an interior support member slidably disposed in the anchoring member comprising a plurality of elongate support legs, each having a free distal end such that when the distal end of the interior support member is unconstrained, the free distal ends curve outwardly. |
| US08740932B2 |
Surgical device
A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon. |
| US08740930B2 |
Embolic filter device independent of treatment device
A self-expanding filter for collecting emboli or thrombi in a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The filter has a tubular filter body that coils or spirals around an outer surface of an adjacently located, independent treatment device in a corkscrew fashion when deployed from a sheath delivery catheter. When fully deployed, an outer surface of the coiled tubular body conforms to the inner wall of the vessel and an inner surface of the coiled tubular body conforms to an outer surface of the treatment device. The treatment device is disposed within a longitudinal opening extending through the expanded, coiled tubular body of the filter during an interventional procedure. |
| US08740929B2 |
Spacing device for releasing active substances in the paranasal sinus
A spacing device for use in fenestrations of the paranasal sinus, the device including a sheath which forms a hollow body defining at least two apertures. The sheath includes at least one layer loaded with an active substance. The ratio q of the external diameter ra of the hollow body to the internal diameter ri of the hollow body is about 1.2 to 3.0. |
| US08740925B2 |
Trocar assembly
A surgical system comprising a cannula assembly and an obturator assembly for penetrating tissue is disclosed. A cover of the cannula assembly is mounted to a cannula housing and has a cover aperture therethrough. The cover has a trailing end face defining a predetermined geometrical configuration, at least a portion of the trailing end face is obliquely arranged relative to a longitudinal axis and terminates in, and leads toward the cover aperture to facilitate guiding of the surgical object through the cover aperture. The obturator assembly includes an obturator housing and an obturator member. The obturator housing has a housing base defining a leading end face, which defines a predetermined geometrical configuration corresponding to the predetermined geometrical configuration of the trailing end face of the cover to mate therewith upon assembly of the obturator assembly with the cannula assembly. |
| US08740919B2 |
Devices for dispensing surgical fasteners into tissue while simultaneously generating external marks that mirror the number and location of the dispensed surgical fasteners
A device dispenses surgical fasteners inside a body and generates marks outside the body indicating where the surgical fasteners have been dispensed inside the body. The device includes a first member having a surgical fastener dispenser opening, and a second member coupled with the first member, the second member having a distal end that opposes the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device includes a marking assembly secured to the distal end of the second member. The marking assembly is moveable away from and toward the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The marking assembly is adapted for generating marks on an external surface that mirror the location of each surgical fastener dispensed from the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device may include a clamp for compressing tissue between the marking assembly and the surgical fastener dispenser. |
| US08740918B2 |
Surgical device for connecting soft tissue
Provided is a surgical instrument including an external tube (2) and two elongated members (4) positioned in the tube (2), each of which includes a distal end (10a) for capturing one of the two tissue zones (M1, M2) to be attached. The instrument (1) may further include a catching member (22, 25) for each tissue (M1, M2) to be attached; a rod (15, 16) linked to each catching member (22, 25) enabling tension to move axially, the rod (15, 16) being separable from said catching member (22, 25) when a tension is exerted on it beyond a certain threshold; and a member (17a) forming a stop for locking axially each catching member (22, 25) during the tensioning. |
| US08740916B2 |
Uterine manipulator assemblies and related components and methods
A uterine manipulator includes an elongate shaft and a tip hub. The elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is configured to be inserted into a vagina. The tip hub is disposed at the distal end and is configured to releasably receive and support a tip mount for engaging a uterus. The elongate shaft includes one or more channels extending between the distal and proximal ends. The channels are configured to releasably receive catheter tubing. |
| US08740915B2 |
Bone fixation systems and methods of use
A bone fixation system that may be configured to move at least one of a first bone segment and a second bone segment relative to the other, is disclosed. The system may include a first lever and a second lever pivotally coupled to the first lever. The first lever may include a first handle, a first jaw extending from the first handle, and an aperture extending through the first jaw. The aperture may be configured to receive a fixation element to thereby fixedly couple the first lever to a bone plate. The second lever may include a second handle, a second jaw extending from the second handle, and an aperture extending through the second jaw. The aperture may be configured to receive a temporary fixation element to operatively couple the second lever to the second bone segment. |
| US08740908B2 |
Bone collection system
A bone collection system includes a plunger, a tube, and a manifold. The plunger has a bore therethrough, an insertion portion, and an inlet that accepts material being harvested from a patient. The insertion portion includes a filter to prevent passage of bone fragments. The tube accepts the insertion portion, defining a first and a second chamber of the tube. The filter separates the first and second chambers of the tube. The manifold is accepted by the tube, and has an outlet accepted by a suction source. The inlet of the plunger is in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first and second chambers are in fluid communication through the filter, and the second chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet. Material being harvested is drawn through the bone collection system, and bone fragments of the desired size collected in the first chamber. |
| US08740906B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireplasty bone resection
A cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two features on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting tool includes features that protect against soft tissue damage and minimize the incision size necessary to utilize the tool. Some embodiments feature details of the cutting tool that interface with a surgical cutting guide system. Other embodiments describe a cutting tool with a selectively changeable length of the cutting profile of the wire cutting member. In one embodiment, the wire cutting member of the cutting tool is energized by mechanical energy in the form of a unidirectional rotation of the cutting member, a mechanical vibration of the cutting member, or an oscillating movement of the wire cutting member. |
| US08740900B2 |
Mapping and ablation irrigated hybrid catheter
An embodiment of an open-irrigated catheter system comprises a tip section, a distal insert, and mapping electrodes. The tip section has an exterior wall that defines an open interior region within the tip section. The exterior wall includes mapping electrode openings and irrigation ports. The exterior wall is conductive for delivering radio frequency (RF) energy for an RF ablation procedure. The irrigation ports are in fluid communication with the open interior region to allow fluid to flow from the open interior region through the irrigation ports. The distal insert is positioned within the tip section to separate the open region into a distal fluid reservoir and a proximal fluid reservoir. The mapping electrodes are positioned in the mapping electrode openings in the tip section. |
| US08740898B2 |
Surgical forceps
A forceps includes an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members. At least one of the jaws is moveable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart position and at least one approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of energy for sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members. A chamber is defined within and extends longitudinally along at least one of the jaw members. The chamber is configured to retain a fluid therein and includes a series of apertures disposed on a tissue-facing surface thereof such that, upon application of energy to the jaw member(s), fluid within the chamber is heated to thermally expand within the chamber and forcefully exit the apertures to divide tissue disposed between the jaw members. |
| US08740897B2 |
Electrosurgical tissue treatment method and device
A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device. |
| US08740889B2 |
Ophthalmological laser system and operating method
An ophthalmological laser system and operating method wherein laser-supported operative interventions can be achieved with higher accuracy. The cornea is irradiated with an ophthalmological laser and a detection light confocally recorded, the cornea being scanned in three-dimensions by irradiation with an illuminating laser power using a scanner unit along several directions at several points. Using the simultaneously recorded detection light the position and/or shape of a posterior boundary surface of the cornea is determined. A lamella parallel to the posterior boundary surface can then be cut. |
| US08740881B2 |
Sterile barrier for a surgical robot with torque sensors
The invention relates to a sterile barrier (S) for a surgical robot (1) comprising at least one joint (12 . . . 15) with two opposing joint members (40, 42) that rotate relative to one another about a common joint axis (16 . . . 19) and a torque sensor (29) comprising: at least two sterile barrier sections (24 . . . 28) each with an end section (38, 39) for sealed attachment to a respective joint end section (41, 43) of the joint member (40, 42); and a sealing arrangement (30) for producing a sterile and sealed rotating connection of the end sections (38, 39) of the at least two sterile barrier sections (24 . . . 28); and a surgical robot (1). |
| US08740879B2 |
Instrumented orthopedic and other medical implants
Medical implants can comprise various instrumentation to impart desirable functionality to the implant. In some embodiments, the implants comprise functional structures, such as sensors, energy propagating transducers, drug delivery systems and the like. Additional instrumentation to facilitate the functionality of these devices can include, for example, microprocessors, communication systems, power sources or the like. Drug delivery systems can comprise, for example, an isolated reservoir with a control system to control the delivery of a biological agent from the reservoir. The implants can be orthopedic implants that are designed to interface with a patient's skeletal system wherein the orthopedic implant may itself embody sensors, processors, power supplies, memory and/or communication capability. |
| US08740877B2 |
Fluid connection assembly with locking mechanism
In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for implementation and use of a fluid connection assembly, having a locking mechanism, which may be connected to a medical fluid injection device. An example fluid connection assembly includes at least one fluid connector, a mating mechanism coupled to the at least one fluid connector and configured to connect the at least one fluid connector to a medical fluid injection device, and a locking mechanism coupled to the mating mechanism and movable into a locked position or an unlocked position. In this example, the fluid connection assembly becomes affirmatively coupled with the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and the fluid connection assembly becomes removably decoupled from the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. |
| US08740876B2 |
Device for external percutaneous connections
The present invention provides devices for creating an external percutaneous fluidic connections. In one embodiment, the device includes a first tube defining a longitudinal axis, and a first bolster supporting the first tube, a second tube, and a second bolster supporting the second tube. The first and second bolsters are magnetically attractable, and promote airflow to the skin. |
| US08740873B2 |
Soft body catheter with low friction lumen
The disclosure is directed to radiation catheter devices, methods for controlled application of irradiation to tissue at a body site, such as a cavity formed after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer, using such radiation catheter devices, solutions for forming a more lubricious luminal surface and method for lining lumens of such devices to improve the frictional characteristics thereof. The catheter device includes a flexible elongated shaft which is formed of low durometer polymeric material, which can be readily folded or coiled for securing the shaft to or under the skin of the patient and a radiation lumen lined with high durometer polymeric material to improve the frictional characteristics. The elongated shaft has at least one inner lumen for receiving a radiation source which has a layer of high durometer polymeric material that provides lower surface friction to facilitate advancement of a radiation source therein. |
| US08740862B2 |
Infusion flow regulator, infusion flow regulating set, and infusion flow regulating method
Disclosed is an infusion flow regulator, in which a reference point is set within a manipulating range of a manipulation unit for regulating a flow rate in the infusion flow regulator, so that a manipulating point of the manipulation unit can be tuned with reference to the ratio of a flow rate measured at the reference point in relation to a prescribed injection flow rate, whereby the flow rate can be quickly and accurately tuned to the prescribed flow rate. The disclosure also includes an infusion flow regulating set including the infusion flow regulator, and an infusion flow regulating method using the same. |
| US08740861B2 |
Valves, valved fluid transfer devices and ambulatory infusion devices including the same
Valves, valved fluid transfer devices and ambulatory infusion devices including the same. The valves may include a valve seat and a valve element, and be configured such that one of the valve seat and the valve element includes a main portion and a seal portion that is less tacky than the main portion and is in contact with the other of the valve seat and the valve element when the valve element is in a closed position. |
| US08740848B2 |
Large-volume bolus patient controlled drug administration device
A device for dispensing fluid to a patient enabling either or both of a continuous flow, as well as successive, large-volume boluses. A first reservoir provides a source of fluid under pressure. A bolus flow path provides for the delivery of a bolus dose of fluid and an optional continuous flow path provides a continuous flow rate of fluid. Both flow paths are in fluid communication with the source of fluid. A bolus delivery system in fluid communication with the bolus flow path receives fluid from the first reservoir, expands to pressurize fluid, stores the pressurized fluid, and dispenses the pressurized fluid while avoiding bolus refill until enabled to expand in a subsequent delivery cycle. An actuator releases fluid from the bolus delivery system such that when actuated by the patient, fluid is permitted to flow out of the bolus reservoir to the patient without further action by the patient. |
| US08740846B2 |
Treatment of tissue in sphincters, sinuses, and orifices
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treatment of a body part. More particularly, a method and apparatus for heat treatment of tissue using a catheter inserted into a body part is described along with means for positioning the catheter and means for positioning a set of electrodes relative to a tissue sample for treatment. Still more particularly, radio frequency energy at about 400 to 500 kilohertz is used to provide heat for the tissue treatment. |
| US08740845B2 |
Multi-layer film welded articulated balloon
A method of fabrication of a medical balloon, and a balloon device useful for various medical balloon procedures, such as gastrointestinal, vascular, reproductive system, urinary system and pulmonary applications. At least two layers of a thermoplastic film are sealed at their peripheral edges and heat sealed at one or more locations inside an area enclosed by the sealed edges at predetermined locations, in one implementation of the balloon device. Such configuration enables the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with the desired shape being selected to accommodate a specific medical application. |
| US08740844B2 |
Medical device with drug delivery member
The present invention generally relates to a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to an internal portion of a patient's body. The medical device includes a shaft and a self-expanding delivery member in operative communication with the shaft. The delivery member is shaped from a porous material that is capable of releasing a therapeutic agent to an internal portion of a patient's body. The medical device further includes a therapeutic agent delivery lumen in fluid communication with the delivery member to fluidly connect the delivery member with a therapeutic agent source. A retention member may also be provided to selectively collapse the delivery member. |
| US08740842B2 |
Kerstpiek tip for medical devices
An apparatus may include a medical device including an elongate shaft disposed about a guidewire, and a distal tip including a plurality of rounded protrusions, wherein adjacent protrusions are fixed directly to each other by a discrete, relatively flexible connector. The plurality of protrusions may each decrease in size from a proximalmost protrusion distally to distalmost protrusion. |
| US08740841B2 |
Extension tubes for balloon catheters
A balloon catheter may include a multi-lumen tube having an inflation lumen and a guide wire lumen. The multi-lumen tube may include a proximal end and a distal end and may terminate at a distal tip. The catheter may include an extension tube extending distally from the distal tip of the multi-lumen tube and a dilatation balloon disposed about the multi-lumen tube and the extension tube. The distal tip of the multi-lumen tube may be under the balloon. |
| US08740836B2 |
Pumping systems for cassette-based dialysis
A dialysis machine includes: a hardware unit including at least one pump actuator, at least one valve actuator and a cassette interface, the cassette interface including: (i) a plate that abuts the cassette; (ii) at least one pump aperture defined by the plate; (iii) at least one pump head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to operate a pumping portion of the cassette; (iv) at least one valve aperture defined by the plate; (v) at least one valve apparatus moveable out of and retractable into the at least one valve aperture to operate a valve portion of the cassette; (vi) at least one sensor aperture defined by the plate; and (vii) at least one sensor located in the least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor operable with a sensor portion of the cassette. |
| US08740834B2 |
Methods and systems for establishing retrograde carotid arterial blood flow
Interventional procedures on the carotid arteries are performed through a transcervical access while retrograde blood flow is established from the internal carotid artery to a venous or external location. A system for use in accessing and treating a carotid artery includes an arterial access device, a shunt fluidly connected to the arterial access device, and a flow control assembly coupled to the shunt and adapted to regulate blood flow through the shunt between at least a first blood flow state and at least a second blood flow state. The flow control assembly includes one or more components that interact with the blood flow through the shunt. |
| US08740829B2 |
Configurable subshell components in orthopedic devices
A coupling device for an orthopedic brace includes an anchoring member for securing to a frame and protruding therefrom, and a subshell arranged to connect to the frame by the anchoring member. The subshell has a locking element for selectively positioning the subshell on the frame at a plurality of locations. The subshell may include an end portion or contoured edge extending beyond a portion of the frame so as to flex relative to the frame. |
| US08740815B2 |
Guidewire
A guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration. |
| US08740814B2 |
Guidewire
A guidewire includes a core shaft, a coil body that covers the core shaft, and a joining portion formed of metal solder that couples the core shaft and the coil body. The coil body includes a tungsten wire and a noble metal plating layer that covers at least a portion of a surface of the tungsten wire. A surface of the noble metal plating layer has a first uneven shape, including at least one recess and at least one protrusion. |
| US08740813B2 |
Methods and apparatus for expressing body fluid from an incision
A sample of a body fluid such as blood or interstitial fluid is obtained from a body by lancing a portion of a user's skin, preferably in an area other than a finger tip, to form an incision. After the needle has been removed from the incision, a force is applied to depress the skin in a manner forming a ring of depressed body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision, causing the incision to bulge and the sides of the incision to open, whereby body fluid is forced out through the opening of the incision. A stimulator member is mounted to an end of a lancet-carrying housing for applying the force. The stimulator member can be movable relative to the housing, and can be either heated or vibrated to promote movement of the body fluid. |
| US08740810B2 |
Biopsy needle, sample extracting unit, biopsy apparatus, and method of controlling biopsy needle
The present invention relates to a biopsy needle, a sample extracting unit, a biopsy apparatus, and a biopsy needle control method. The biopsy needle includes an outer tube and an inner tube movably disposed within the outer tube. The inner tube has a plurality of inner openings defined in a side wall thereof. The outer tube has at least one outer opening defined in a side wall thereof. In response to movement of the inner tube, the outer opening selectively overlaps one of the inner openings thereby to define a communication port which communicates with an interior of the inner tube. The biopsy needle is incorporated in the sample extracting unit and the biopsy apparatus, and is controlled by the biopsy control method. |
| US08740809B2 |
Tissue excision device with a retractable backhook
A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle. |
| US08740806B2 |
Methods for detection of respiratory effort and sleep apnea monitoring devices
A sleep apnea diagnostic system includes a housing that is configured to be attached to near the nose of a patient's face to sense physiological information of a patient. The housing includes sensors to sense the physiological information. The physiological information may be, for example, air flow through the nose or the mouth or both. The physiological information further may be, for example, blood volume. The sleep apnea diagnostic system includes at least one processor in the housing or external to the housing or both to analyze the physiological information to determine whether the patient has experienced irregular or abnormal respiratory activity and to detect respiratory effort. The analysis may be real time or delayed. |
| US08740800B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer, method for manufacturing ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic endoscope
An ultrasonic transducer according to the invention includes a flexible sheet, a rigid body portion including a lower electrode made of at least a thin-film conductive material on a surface of the flexible sheet, a dividing portion which divides the rigid body portion into segments, and a plurality of transducer elements including the divided rigid body portion, has at least one transducer cell composed of one of the segments, an insulating partition portion bonded to the segment, an air gap portion surrounded by the partition portion, an upper electrode opposed to the lower electrode extending to the partition portion to sandwich the air gap portion therebetween, and an upper insulating layer formed on the upper electrode, and includes an upper protection film which continuously covers a surface portion of the transducer elements and the dividing portion. |
| US08740797B2 |
Ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus
An ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the present invention being provided with: an ultrasonic probe (102) provided with a group of ultrasonic transducers for diagnosis use and a group of ultrasonic transducers for therapeutic use of which at least apart of ultrasonic beam irradiation surfaces are arranged so as to overlap each other, a tomographic image producing means (8) that produces a tomographic image containing a diseased portion of a subject from reflection echoes received by the group of ultrasonic transducers for diagnosis use, a display means (10) that displays the tomographic image containing the diseased portion of the subject produced by the tomographic image producing means (8), a setting means (103) that sets an irradiation path of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves on the tomographic image containing the diseased portion of the subject displayed by the display means (10) and a control means (104) that produces irradiation path information corresponding to the irradiation path of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves set by the setting means (103) and causes to display the produced irradiation path information on the display means (10) while correlating with the tomographic image containing the diseased portion of the subject. |
| US08740795B2 |
Reflective non-contact ocular pulse analyzer for clinical diagnosis of eye and cerebrovascular disease
An instrument has been designed to study the pulsatile motion of the eye by analysis of a beam of light reflected from the corneal surface. A laser light beam probe of small spot size and low divergence strikes the cornea apex and the reflected movement is recorded by a sensor. Analysis of the beam movement reveals the energy in the eye pulse without the necessity of physically touching the eye. The value of the intraocular pressure is determined from the calculated power spectrum. The sensitivity, accuracy and efficiency of the light beam makes possible studying both eyes concurrently and comparison of the pulse parameters of onset, amplitude and duration reveals any delay in circulation to an eye. |
| US08740791B2 |
Biological information detector and biological information measurement device
A biological information detector includes a first sensor unit for detecting composite information including biological information of a test subject and first noise information originating in external light, having a first light-emitting part for emitting toward there, a first light-receiving part for receiving it including the biological information, reflected there, and the light including the first noise information obtained from the external light, transmitted through there, and a first reflecting and leading part for reflecting the light including the biological and the first noise information, leading it to the first light-receiving part, and a second sensor unit for detecting second noise information originating in the external light, having a second light-receiving part for receiving the light including the second noise information, obtained from the external light and transmitted through there, and a second reflecting, leading part for reflecting the external light and leading it to the second light-receiving part. |
| US08740790B2 |
Disease management system and method
One aspect of the invention is directed to a system and method for allowing a patient to access an automated process for managing a specified health problem called a disease. The system performs disease management in a fully automated manner, using periodic interactive dialogs with the patient to obtain health state measurements from the patient, to evaluate and assess the progress of the patient's disease, to review and adjust therapy to optimal levels, and to give the patient medical advice for administering treatment and handling symptom flare-ups and acute episodes of the disease. The medical records are updated, the progression of the disease is stored and tracked, and the patient's preferences for treatment are stored and then used to offer medical advice based on the current state of the disease. Subjective and objective health measurements are used to determine a metric, which can be used to adjust patient therapy. |
| US08740786B2 |
Method of using a surgical tissue retractor
A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision). |
| US08740782B2 |
Laryngoscope
The invention relates to a laryngoscope (1) that has been adapted to improve comfort during use. The important adaptations are that the laryngoscope handle (4) is offset and in one embodiment the handle (4) is pivotably connected to a receiving portion (5). |
| US08740773B2 |
Atraumatic arthroscopic instrument sheath
An arthroscopic inflow and outflow sheath providing an improved inflow and outflow system reducing the diameter of a continuous flow system while providing fluid management during arthroscopy. The improved arthroscopic inflow and outflow sheath comprises an elongated atraumatic tube having an inner surface, outer surface, proximal end, and distal end. The atraumatic sheath further comprises a plurality of ribs extending from the inner surface of the tube and designed to contact an outer surface of the arthroscope thereby creating outer lumens facilitating the inflow and outflow of fluid to a surgical site. The distal tip of the tube is made of an elastic material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the modulus of elasticity in the material of the proximal end of the tube. |
| US08740772B2 |
Position information estimation system
A position information estimation system includes: a body-insertable apparatus that is inserted into a subject and moves through an inside of the subject; a receiving unit that receives information from the body-insertable apparatus; and an information processor that performs processes on the information acquired from the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes an acquisition antenna that includes a plurality of receiving antennas and acquires information from the body-insertable apparatus. The information processor includes: a calculation unit that calculates difference values between signal levels acquired from the plurality of receiving antennas and corresponding signal levels acquired from the plurality of receiving antennas; a determination unit that compares each of the difference values with a threshold and determining whether to estimate position information; and a position information estimation unit that estimates position information of the body-insertable apparatus when the determination unit has determined that it is necessary to estimate the position information. |
| US08740769B2 |
Implantable medical device having a palpatable activation surface
An implantable medical device includes an inflatable member, a reservoir, a pump attachable between the inflatable member and the reservoir and operable to move fluid from the reservoir to inflate the inflatable member, and a deflation assembly attachable between the pump and the reservoir. The deflation assembly includes a valve that selectively restricts movement of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir, a base and an activation surface opposite the base. The activation surface has an outer peripheral rim surrounding a pad that is movable to displace the valve to allow the fluid to flow from the inflatable member to the reservoir. The pad is recessed relative to the outer peripheral rim such that the outer peripheral rim defines a maxima of the activation surface. |
| US08740768B2 |
Apparatus and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior after weight loss surgery
Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior. |
| US08740767B2 |
Intra-vaginal devices and methods for treating fecal incontinence
Devices and methods for intra-vaginal bowel control. |
| US08740764B1 |
Exercise apparatus employing magnets for therapeutic and exercise benefit
An exercise device having therapeutic properties is provided. The device includes a first element and a second element relatively movable with respect to the first element. A resistance-generating mechanism links the first and second elements to impede the relative motion of the first and second elements so that the user must exercise or expend energy to overcome the resistance of the first and second elements. A first magnet is disposed in at least one of the first or second elements in a location where a user's body part contacts the first or second element during use. The magnetic field of the first magnet is directed into the user's body part for therapeutic effect, preferably from the north pole of the magnet. A second magnet or set of magnets may be employed for therapeutic effect and/or to increase the resistance of the device by using magnetic interaction (either attraction or repulsion) to further impede the relative motion of the first and second elements. |
| US08740763B2 |
Multilumen brachytherapy balloon catheter
The disclosure describes a device for asymmetrical irradiation of a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or lumpectomy. The device includes an elongated tubular shaft having an inner lumen and a tubular wall with a plurality of lumens extending within the wall which are configured for receiving a radiation source. The distal portion of the tubular shaft is cut into a plurality of longitudinally separated wall segments with a lumen extending within at least one of the wall segments. A support member is positioned within the separated wall segments to support and position the wall segments in a desired configuration for brachytherapy. An expandable member such as an inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal shaft portion about the separated wall segments wall which when inflated secures the distal shaft portion within a desired intracorporeal site for brachytherapy treatment. |
| US08740760B2 |
Pivoting twin arm support for free weights
An apparatus for supporting a weight lifting dumbbell includes a riser and a cradle support arm pivotally attached to the riser at a first pivot connection. The cradle support arm may be selectively rotated around the first pivot connection between a raised position and a lowered position. The apparatus may also include a cradle for supporting a free weight. The cradle is pivotally connected to the cradle support arm at a second pivot connection. Moving the cradle support arm between the raised and lowered positions causes the second pivot connection to rotate around the first pivot connection in response to the cradle support arm being rotated around the first pivot connection. The apparatus may further include a cradle actuating link pivotally connected to the riser and the cradle. The cradle actuating link operates to cause the cradle to rotate counter to the rotation of the cradle support arm. |
| US08740758B2 |
Rehabilitation device for legs
A rehabilitation device for legs has a foot piece mounted on a set of track rails, the foot piece is movable through knee extension and flexion, as well as through an elastic band looped around the back. By moving the foot piece, users are able to redevelop and strengthen muscles in the lower leg. Accompanying the foot piece on the track is a slider. The slider measures the distance the user is able to move the foot piece through a plurality of numbered holes in line with the track. |
| US08740754B2 |
Adaptive exercise device
An adaptive exercise device provides for a foot motion in which the vertical component of the path of foot travel is mechanically decoupled from the fore-aft component of the path of foot travel so that a user may selectably control the ratio of these two components during the use of the device. The adaptive exercise device includes foot links which are supported on a track for motion therealong. The links are mechanically interconnected so that when a first link moves in a first direction along the track, the second link moves in an equal and opposite direction. The apparatus further includes a vertical motion control system which raises and lowers portions of each of the foot links along a vertical path of travel independent of their position along the track. |
| US08740752B2 |
Performance monitoring systems and methods
We have disclosed systems and methods for monitoring an individual's performance during a physical activity. The methods may include using a first component and second component each configured to be worn or carried by the individual during a physical activity. The methods may include the first component communicating wirelessly with the second component over a personal area network during the physical activity, the first component determining that the second component has ceased communication with the first component during the physical activity, and the first component adapting a function in response to determining that the second component has ceased communication with the first component. |
| US08740748B2 |
Control system and method for a dual clutch transmission
A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio. |
| US08740746B2 |
Method for controlling the power transmission in a drive train and drive train
The invention relates to a method for controlling the power transmission in a drive train, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein the drive train comprises: an internal combustion engine which drives an output shaft at an engine speed and generates an exhaust gas stream; an exhaust gas turbine which is arranged in the exhaust gas stream and is engaged in or can be switched to a drive connection with the output shaft in order to transmit the drive power of the exhaust gas turbine to the output shaft; a compressor which is arranged in a fresh air stream supplied to the internal combustion engine and which is engaged in and driven by a drive connection with the exhaust gas turbine in order to charge the internal combustion engine at a predefined charging pressure; a power-controlled hydrodynamic clutch, which is arranged in the drive connection between the exhaust gas turbine and the output shaft and by means of which drive power of the exhaust gas turbine is transmitted to the output shaft depending on the power controller, and which has a primary wheel that is driven by the exhaust gas turbine and a secondary wheel that is driven hydrodynamically by the primary wheel and in turn drives the output shaft. The method according to the invention for controlling the power transmission in a drive train, in particular of a motor vehicle, controls the power transmission of the hydrodynamic clutch depending on certain input variables. |
| US08740745B2 |
Vehicle drive device
In a vehicle drive device including a transmission mechanism 54, a range changing mechanism 55, a motor generator MG1 or MG2, and a control device 200, 300, when a clutch sleeve 553 becomes unable to slide during a range changing process, the clutch sleeve 553 is restored as quickly as possible so that the clutch sleeve 553 can slide, whereby changing of ranges can be completed. The control device 200, 300 causes a connection target gear piece 551 or 552 to rotate in the same direction as the direction of input rotation to the transmission mechanism 54 in response to a range change request, and causes the clutch sleeve 553 to slide. When determining that the clutch sleeve 553 has become unable to slide during the range change process, the control device 200, 300 causes the motor generator MG1 or MG2 to rotate the connection target gear piece 551 or 552 in a direction opposite to the direction of input rotation to the transmission mechanism 54. |
| US08740742B2 |
Running device for dump truck
A dump truck has a flange on an inner peripheral wall of a spindle. The flange arranges a support bearing for supporting a shaft. The spindle is formed of a chassis-side member and a reduction gear unit-side member joined together by welding. The chassis-side member is fixed on a chassis of the dump truck, and the reduction gear unit-side member is located closer to a side of the reduction gear unit than the chassis-side member. The reduction gear unit-side member is located on a side of an outer periphery of the shaft portion, where a distance to a coupling between the motor and shaft and a distance to a first sun gear between the reduction gear unit and shaft are equal to each other. On an inner peripheral wall of the reduction gear unit-side member, the flange is cast together with the reduction gear unit-side member. |
| US08740741B2 |
Effective cooling system for limited slip differential assembly
A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances. |
| US08740738B2 |
High load transmission V-belt
In a high load transmission V-belt, a plurality of blocks 20 are attached and fixed to a tension band 10 extending in a belt length direction in a state in which each of the blocks 20 are arranged so as to sandwich an engagement section 18 of the tension band 10 in an inter-beam clearance portion 26 formed between upper and lower beam portions 23, 24. An increased amount of change ΔT in dimension T of the engagement section 18 of the tension band 10 in a belt thickness direction due to thermal expansion is equal to or less than an amount of change ΔG in dimension G of the inter-beam clearance portion 26 of the block 20 in the belt thickness direction while running the belt (ΔT≦ΔG). |
| US08740732B2 |
Discus training device
A training device for use with a regulation discus includes a glove body sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of a hand of a discus thrower therein and an attachment for securing the regulation discus to the glove body at a front of the glove body such that the discus thrower can grasp the regulation discus and practice throwing the discus without releasing the regulation discus from the glove body. The glove body has a wrist opening, at least one thumb opening, and at least one finger opening. Thus, even if the discus thrower inadvertently lets go of the regulation discus, the regulation discus is not thrown because it is secured to the glove body worn by the discus thrower. The attachment can be straps that are secured about the regulation discus. |
| US08740731B2 |
Training device and method of using the same
A training device includes a plate assembly pivotally connected to a support member. The plate assembly includes an angled top plate that is removably mounted onto a flat balance plate. The support member includes a rectangular mounting bracket that is transversely disposed across an enlarged base, the balance plate directly teetering on the mounting bracket. In use, the training device can be used to train a hitter to maximize lower body power using sensory and auditory feedback. Specifically, the hitter centers his rear foot on the angled top plate which promotes weight loading on the inner portion of the rear leg. The hitter then initiates the hitting process by driving the lower body forward until the balance plate pivots forward and strikes the base, thereby providing the user with audible and tactile response. This lower body drive creates significant momentum that powers rotation of the bat through the hitting zone. |
| US08740727B2 |
Colored golf ball
In a colored golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost cover layer and/or the paint layer is colored with a fluorescent dye and titanium oxide, and the golf ball itself has a color tone which satisfies specific ranges in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and elegance, and an excellent weather resistance. |
| US08740723B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center, a bottom portion, a top portion including an exterior surface, a hosel including an imaginary vertical hosel plane, a forwardmost point, and a rearwardmost point. In an imaginary vertical plane perpendicular to the hosel plane and passing through the face center, the exterior surface includes a path having a first point and a second point rearward of the first point. An imaginary infinite straight line passes through the first point and the second point, but does not penetrate the exterior surface. A segment of the imaginary straight line is delimited by the first point and the second point. A maximum distance between the segment and the exterior surface of the top portion is no greater than 0.70 mm and a distance between the first point and the second point is no less than 22 mm. |
| US08740717B2 |
Varied profile alignment aide golf club head
A golf club head in which a top surface of the body includes an actual top surface visible profile region and a varied top surface visible profile region is provided. The varied top surface visible profile region may provide a visual impression of a varied profile of the body distinct from an actual profile of the body. The visual impression is oriented in a manner that allows the golfer to address the ball at the heel region of the golf club. The perimeter of the top surface visible profile region may be complementary in shape to the perimeter of the top surface of the body and the varied top surface visible profile region and the actual top surface visible profile region may be distinct in shape, size, color, and/or finish etc. An associated golf club and a method for fitting a golf club are also provided. |
| US08740715B2 |
Connection and illumination apparatus for a levitating system
A system and method of performing a mystical card flying illusion or ‘trick’ is provided. In accordance with the innovation, an invisible (or near invisible) levitation means (e.g., string, thread, etc.) can be used to create the illusion of a levitating and/or spinning playing card. The levitation means can be pre-attached or fixedly attached to an ear piece that is configured to fit over and behind a user's ear. Further, an illumination system can be provided in connection with the levitation illusion system. Moreover, spinning aides can be provided to assist a user in rotating or spinning a levitation item (e.g., card). |
| US08740714B2 |
Apparatus and method of making a heel-less nail
A full-round head nail having an offset head is configured with a gusset formed integrally between an undersurface of the offset head and a superior portion of a shank. The head of the nail is relatively thin, and the shank is positioned radially off center of the round head such that no heel is formed at a point tangential to both the head and the shank. The gusset has a lofted surface tapering radially from a roundness at the zero heel to a taper at the toe. The gusset reinforces the junction of the shank with the head, supports the toe of the head, and distributes the force of a load on the head through a longitudinal axis of the shank, preventing the toe from bending or yielding and prevents the shank from yielding to the stresses of the load applied. |
| US08740711B2 |
Extended plunge constant velocity joint
An outer race assembly for a constant velocity joint may include an outer race defining a plurality of tracks and a piston selectively moveable along the tracks of the outer race. The outer race assembly may further include a seal disposed about the piston and abutting the outer race about substantially an entire perimeter of the piston. The seal thereby generally seals an interface between the piston and the outer race. |
| US08740704B2 |
Game device, control method for a game device, and a non-transitory information storage medium
Provided is a game device which executes a game configured such that a position of a body part of a player is detected, including: a first determination unit for determining whether or not a reference position and a player position information acquired at a first determination time point, which is earlier than a reference time point, satisfy a first criterion; a second determination unit for determining whether or not the reference position and the player position information acquired at a second determination time point, which is later than the first determination time point, satisfy a second criterion; a first processing execution unit for performing processing relating to effects on the game based on a determination result from the first determination unit; and a second processing execution unit for performing processing relating to evaluation of the player based on a determination result from the second determination unit. |
| US08740700B2 |
Game system, game processing method, game apparatus, handheld gaming device, and storage medium
An object control section individually moves, in a virtual space, a plurality of first objects each associated to a direction input section among a plurality of direction input sections disposed on a first operating device, in accordance with directions inputted through the associated direction input sections. A virtual camera control section controls a first virtual camera in the virtual space. A game image generation section generates a first game image based on the first virtual camera. The virtual camera control section rotates the first virtual camera in accordance with the positions of the plurality of the first objects in the virtual space, such that a certain one of the first objects first game image is displayed on a predetermined side with regard to a displayed position of another one of the first objects. |
| US08740699B1 |
Slot machine with sliding symbols
A slot machine that has a bonus feature related to the “15 puzzle.” An empty space symbol can appear, thereby allowing other symbols to slide around the matrix, creating different payout combinations. The symbols can slide around to create an optimal arrangement of the symbols, and then the player can be paid on paylines. |
| US08740697B2 |
Interface for a gaming machine
A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event. |
| US08740683B2 |
System and method for using draft position information to aid player selection in a fantasy league draft
In a fantasy league draft, prior to a user-participant making a player selection at a given draft position, a programmatic determination is made as to a likelihood that a particular player will be available for selection in one or more subsequent draft positions. The draft positions may be ones assigned to a particular user-participant, or any draft position a user-participant wants to consider. In one embodiment, the determination is then communicated to the user-participant prior to the user-participant making the payer selection in the given draft position. |
| US08740679B2 |
Combine harvester unloading system
A combine harvester unloading system is provided in which an unloading auger (20) is swingable between a stowed position and an unloading position around an upright pivot axis disposed at one end of the auger. A pivotally mounted auger support cradle (26) is moveable between a reception position to engage the underside of the auger when transitioning into the stowed position and a supporting position under the auger when in the stowed position. |
| US08740674B2 |
Guard for a hand-held power tool and hand-held power tool with a guard
The invention relates to a protective hood for a hand tool, in particular for an electrical hand tool which has a support area for the attachment of a flange of the hand tool, and with a clamping device for fastening the protective hood to the flange as well as an anti-twist device to secure the angle position of the protective hood relative to the hand tool. It is provided that the support area (9) has at least one anti-twist device element (18) working in conjunction with at least one anti-twist device mating element (47) of the flange (34). |
| US08740673B2 |
CMP retaining ring with soft retaining ring insert
A wafer carrier adapted to further reduce the edge effect and allow a wafer to be uniformly polished across its entire surface, with a retaining ring made from very hard materials such as PEEK, PET or polycarbonate with a hardness in the range of 80 to 85 Shore D, while the inner surface or insert is made of polyurethane or other material with a hardness in the range of 85 to 95 Shore A. |
| US08740672B2 |
Power tool
The present invention provides a power tool in which the permanent set of an elastic member is suppressed and the vibration reduction effect is maintained over a long period of time. A rubber ring is disposed as the elastic member between a wheel washer mounted on a spindle and a substrate of a diamond wheel, and these are secured by a locknut screwed to a tip of the spindle. This rubber ring absorbs the vibrations applied to the diamond wheel at grinding work. A mounting hole of the substrate is mounted on a boss portion of the wheel washer with a clearance fit, and spring pins whose both ends are supported by the wheel washer and a portion of a holding plate in the locknut are inserted into insertion holes of the substrate and insertion holes of the rubber ring with a clearance fit. |
| US08740670B2 |
Sapphire substrates and methods of making same
A sapphire substrate includes a generally planar surface having a crystallographic orientation selected from the group consisting of a-plane, r-plane, m-plane, and c-plane orientations, and having a nTTV of not greater than about 0.037 μm/cm2, wherein nTTV is total thickness variation normalized for surface area of the generally planar surface, the substrate having a diameter not less than about 9.0 cm. |
| US08740665B1 |
Portable cockpit yoke assembly for mounting on a radio controlled transmitter used with a model airplane
A cockpit yoke assembly adapted for mounting on top of a RC transmitter for controlling the operation of a model airplane. The yoke assembly includes a first control arm with a throttle knob. The first control arm is attached to a first ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment a first joystick on the transmitter. A rudder control lever is attached to the first control arm. The yoke assembly includes a second control arm with an elevator knob. The second control arm is attached to a second ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment to a second joystick on the transmitter. An aileron control lever is attached to the second control arm. The first and second ball and socket linkage are used for moving the first and second joysticks fore or aft and left or right during the operation of the model airplane. |
| US08740664B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an organic light-emitting element where a lower electrode, an organic compound layer and an upper electrode are laminated on a substrate, wherein the upper electrode of the organic EL element is formed by a laminate of at least a conductive first inorganic film, a conductive organic film and a conductive second inorganic film, in order to suppress the occurrence of dark spot, so that the occurrence of pinholes in the upper electrode leading to dark spots is suppressed. Here, pinholes refer to holes in the upper electrode that penetrate upper electrode from the organic compound layer underneath to the atmosphere above. |
| US08740663B2 |
Light emitting devices and systems having tunable chromaticity and methods of tuning the chromaticity of light emitting devices and systems
A light emitting device package assembly includes a light emitting device package body, and first, second and third white light emitting devices on the package body, each of the first, second and third white light emitting devices emits light when energized having a chromaticity that falls within a respective one of first, second and third non-overlapping chromaticity regions in a two dimensional chromaticity space. The first, second and third chromaticity regions are spaced apart in the two dimensional chromaticity space by respective regions having at least the size of a seven step MacAdam ellipse. Related solid state luminaires and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08740661B2 |
Marine propulsion device
A marine propulsion device includes an engine, a propeller, a drive shaft, an exhaust path, a water intrusion detecting portion and a recording portion. The drive shaft is configured to transmit driving force from the engine to the propeller. The exhaust path allows exhaust air from the engine to pass therethrough. The water intrusion detecting portion is configured to detect a water intrusion potential indicating a possibility of water intrusion into the engine through the exhaust path. The recording portion is configured to record a detection result of the water intrusion detecting portion. |
| US08740659B2 |
Outboard motor control apparatus
In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor that has an internal combustion engine equipped with a plurality of cylinders and is configured to switch a shift position between an in-gear position that enables engine's driving force to be transmitted to a propeller and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force, it is configured such that a neutral operation detector detects a neutral operation in which the shift position is switched from the in-gear position to the neutral position; a driving force controller conducts driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force when the neutral operation is detected; and a cylinder number changer detects an engine speed variation range during the driving force decreasing control and, of the plurality of the cylinders, determines and changes the number of the cylinders with which the control is to be conducted based on the variation range. |
| US08740658B2 |
Outboard motor control apparatus
In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to control operation of the transmission to change the gear position to the first or second speed in response to a speed change command outputted upon an operator's manipulation, determine whether a throttle valve of the engine is at a fully-opened position or thereabout when the speed change command to the first speed is outputted, and determine whether the engine is under a predetermined operating condition when the throttle valve is determined to be at the fully-opened position or thereabout, wherein the transmission controller changes the gear position from the first speed to the second speed when the engine is determined to be under the predetermined operating condition. With this, it becomes possible to mitigate load on a transmission gear to improve durability of the transmission. |
| US08740655B2 |
Low height connector and method of producing the same
A method of producing a low height connector, includes: removing an insulating covering from a first part of an electric wire; forming the electric wire into a predetermined shape in which the first part of the electric wire is bent; joining a terminal to a second part of the electric wire; and molding the electric wire to surround at least the first part and the second part of the electric wire with a housing to obtain the low height connector. |
| US08740654B2 |
Flexible organizational connect
A flexible organizational connect is shown and described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a flexible receiver assembly for receiving an interchangeable test adapter for a mass interconnect device. Typically, the flexible receiver assembly includes an integral structural unit and an interchangeable connection assembly. In other embodiments, a mass interconnect device includes an interchangeable test adapter and a flexible receiver assembly. |
| US08740652B2 |
Receptacle connector and assembling method thereof
A receptacle connector including a ladder-like insulative body, a plurality of first conductive contacts and a plurality of second conductive contacts. The first conductive contacts and the second conductive contacts are exposed toward the same side over one end of the insulative body. The first conductive contacts and the second conductive contacts can be soldered to a transmission wire for data transmission. The instant disclosure further comprises an assembling method of a receptacle connector. |
| US08740649B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector adapted for being soldered to a circuit board includes an insulating housing, a shielding shell enclosing the insulating housing, a first terminal pack and a second terminal pack. The first terminal pack includes a first main body, and a plurality of first terminals molded to the first main body. The second terminal pack includes a second main body, and a plurality of second terminals molded to the second main body. The first terminal pack is engaged with the second terminal pack with first soldering portions of the first terminals and second soldering portions of the second terminals being alternately aligned in line to make all of the soldering portions show a single-row arrangement for being soldered with the circuit board. The first and second terminal packs are assembled to the insulating housing together with the shielding shell. |
| US08740644B2 |
Dual stacked connector
A connector has a housing and two edge card-receiving slots disposed in a stacked arrangement on a first face of the housing. The housing supports a plurality of wafers, each wafer supporting a plurality of terminals and including two grooves, the grooves aligned with the terminals supported by the wafer. The housing may be positioned in a cage that includes receptacles on a front face of the cage. A light pipe may extend toward the front face of the cage. |
| US08740643B2 |
Electrical receptacle connector compatible with existing electrical plug and complementary plug
A low profile connector having a first mating slot and a second mating slot vertically stacked above and backwardly offseted from the first mating slot, and a complementary electrical plug. The electrical plug has a first mating card and a second mating card horizontally stacked above the first mating card forwardly offseted from the first mating card. The electrical connector is matable with an existing SFP or QSFP plug, and the first mating slot are used to receive a front card edge of the existing SFP or QSFP plug. |
| US08740639B2 |
Structure for removable processor socket
A socket has top side pins that may form electrical connections to a central processing unit chip, and a bottom side ball grid array of discrete, electrically-conductive metal surfaces. Differently-keyed setoff apertures are formed through the socket that when disposed about corresponding standoffs projecting upward from a planar circuit board align the socket ball grid array surfaces with grid array pad connections on the circuit board. Retaining screws passing through the socket setoff apertures, when tightened into the planar board standoffs, bring a heatsink downward with compressive force against the socket top side. The socket responsively brings the ball grid array into compressive electrical contact connections with the grid array pad connections on the circuit board, and also compresses against the planar board. The resilient ring may thereby form a seal about the compressively-connected ball grid array and circuit board pads. |
| US08740636B2 |
Connectors for electrically active grid
The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices. |
| US08740632B2 |
Vehicle-side connector
A vehicle-side connector (10) to be connected to a charging connector in charging a battery of a vehicle includes a receptacle (33) which is made of synthetic resin and to be connected to the charging connector, a mounting piece (31) which is made of synthetic resin and integrally provided to the outer peripheral surface of the receptacle (33), collars (34) each including a flange (34A) engageable with the mounting piece (31) in a connecting direction, and reinforcing portions (41) integrally connected to the mounting piece (31) and the receptacle (33). |
| US08740631B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly is provided with an insulating housing, a PCB, and an FFC. The insulating housing includes a plurality of terminals. The FFC and the terminals are electrically connected together by the PCB. The PCB is vertically secured to a rear end of the insulating housing. A plurality of contacts of the PCB are provided on a rear surface of the PCB. |
| US08740629B1 |
Header assembly
A header assembly includes a conductive outer housing holding a center contact and a dielectric body. The outer housing has a rear shell and an outer contact extending forward from the rear shell. The outer contact has a catch extending therefrom positioned forward of the rear shell. The header assembly includes a nose cone coupled to the outer contact. The nose cone is manufactured from a plastic material. The nose cone surrounds the outer contact. The nose cone has keying ribs along an exterior thereof. The nose cone has a latch engaging the catch to secure the nose cone to the outer housing. |
| US08740628B2 |
Lamp plugs providing enhanced functionality
Lamp plugs are disclosed, in which single intensity marker lamps that are desired to be flashed can be connected to a lamp driver employing an exclusive OR (XOR) logic circuit. In one embodiment, the lamp plug is an overmolded subsystem that is installed between the lamp and the lamp driver and allows the installer to use existing wire harnesses. In some embodiments, the overmolded subsystem is installed under a standard lamp where a plug is typically plugged in; therefore staying on the vehicle and not needing to be replaced with the lamp. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08740626B2 |
Rotational connector device including a spacer disposed in an annular space formed between a rotor and a stator
A spacer arranged in an annular space between a rotor and a stator for supporting a roller reversing a winding direction of a flat cable is made of plastic having high lubricating properties. First guide portions on an annular plate portion are spaced by equal intervals from each other. The first guide portion includes an inner guide rib having a semicircle cross section projecting inward, an outer guide rib having a semicircle cross section projecting outward, and a tension wall connecting the inner guide rib and the outer guide rib. A second guide portion is provided between the first guide portions, and includes three parallel plate ribs extending from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the annular plate portion, and circumferential connecting walls connecting the three parallel plate ribs. |
| US08740625B2 |
Systems and methods for stochastic regression testing of page description language processors
Systems and methods consistent with embodiments presented pertain to the stochastic regression testing of software PDL processors. Test input for PDL processors, which include language processors and raster image processors, may be generated by randomly altering the values of one or more of text, graphical object parameters, image object parameters, graphical combination parameters in an existing PDL input file. In another embodiment, test input for PDL processors may be generated by randomly selecting a first token from a lexical token dictionary and combining the first token with at least one of a plurality of second tokens randomly selected from the lexical token dictionary, so that the combination of the first token and the plurality of second lexical tokens satisfies the syntactical rules for the PDL. In a further embodiment, existing tests in a test pool may split and recombined in a syntactically correct manner to generate new tests. |
| US08740623B2 |
Method and apparatus for developing a person's behavior
An embodiment of an apparatus, or corresponding method, for developing a person's behavior according to the principles of the present invention comprises at least one visual behavior indicator that represents a behavior desired of a person viewing the at least one visual behavior indicator. The apparatus, or corresponding method, further includes at least two visual choice indicators viewable with the at least one visual behavior indicator that represent choices available to the person, the choices assisting in developing the behavior in the person by assisting the person in choosing an appropriately adaptive response supporting the desired behavior or as an alternative to behavior contrary to the desired behavior. |
| US08740617B1 |
Methods, systems, kits and computer usable media for simulating financial transactions
A method of teaching personal financial skills to a student includes providing a balance of simulated funds within a simulated bank account. Simulated bills are transmitted to a student on a periodic basis via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission, wherein at least some of the simulated bills are transmitted on different dates and impose different due dates. Simulated payments are received from a student corresponding to the simulated bills via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission. The simulated payments are processed upon receipt and the balance of the simulated funds is reconciled within the simulated bank account to reflect the simulated payments. A computer usable media having encoded thereon a computer implemented method for simulating financial transactions is also provided. System and kits are also provided. |
| US08740614B2 |
Treatment of teeth by aligners
A method for treating a subject's teeth. A target configuration for the subject's teeth is determined. Receiving features are produced on a dental base in response to the target configuration, the receiving features being configured to receive physical tooth models. The physical tooth models are assembled on the dental base to form a physical arch model. A dental aligner is produced using the physical arch model to move the subject's teeth to the target configuration. |
| US08740613B1 |
Purge air control for a regenerative thermal oxidizer
A purge air control for a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) having a plurality of exhaust towers containing a heat-exchange media includes a controller to determine an amount of clean air needed to purge the media. The controller opens a balancing damper to draw the determined amount of air into the RTO to purge the solvent-laden air from the heat-exchange media. As such, by determining the precise amount of air needed to purge the heat-exchange media, energy consumption associated with the purge process is reduced. |
| US08740604B2 |
Imprint apparatus and article manufacturing method
An imprint apparatus for coating a substrate with a resin by a coating mechanism, and curing the resin while pressing at least one of the substrate and a mold against the other, includes a measurement device configured to detect a position of the coating mechanism, a substrate stage configured to hold a substrate, a positioning system configured to position the substrate stage, and a controller configured to control positioning of the substrate stage by the positioning system, based on the measurement result. |
| US08740595B2 |
Gear pump
A gear pump includes: a first pump constructed from a first drive gear rotated by driving of a drive shaft and a first driven gear rotatably arranged coaxially with a rotary shaft; and a second pump constructed from a second drive gear rotatably provided coaxially with the rotary shaft and a second driven gear. The rotary shaft allows the first driven gear and the second drive gear to engage with and disengage from each other in a rotation direction by movement to an axial direction. When the discharge pressure is higher than predetermined pressure, rotation of the first driven gear is not transmitted to the second drive gear and only the first pump operates. When the discharge pressure becomes the predetermined pressure or less, the rotation of the first driven gear is transmitted to the second drive gear and the first and the second pumps operate. |
| US08740591B2 |
Food storage bag vacuum pump
A vacuum pump comprises a casing having a bottom forming an aperture therein and a chamber slidably coupled within the casing. The chamber has a bottom forming an aperture therein. The vacuum pump further comprises a piston slidably coupled within the chamber. The piston includes an upper portion generally parallel to the chamber bottom. The piston further includes a hollow shaft extending from a bottom surface of the upper portion. The shaft has a first end adjacent to the upper portion and a second opposing end. The shaft is configured to fit within the chamber aperture and the casing aperture. The shaft includes at least one aperture positioned at the first end. The second end of the shaft is coupled to the casing at the casing aperture. The vacuum pump is configured to evacuate air from a flexible storage container by pushing the chamber in a downward direction. |
| US08740584B2 |
Induction motor and hermetic compressor
An induction motor includes a stator having a winding to be inserted to a plurality of stator slots formed along an inner circumferential edge of a stator iron core; and a rotor placed inside of the stator via a gap, the rotor includes a plurality of double squirrel-cage rotor slots formed along an outer circumferential edge of the rotor iron core and filled with conductive material and at least three air hole parts provided around a rotating shaft hole of the rotor iron core to which the rotating shaft is fitted and having an opening which is open to the rotating shaft hole; and an inner diameter part of the end ring which short circuits both edges of the conductive material filled to the double squirrel-cage rotor slot is placed to be adjacent to the air hole part in at least the end ring of one side. |
| US08740580B2 |
Refrigerant compressor
A hermetically encapsulated refrigerant compressor has a hermetically sealed compressor housing, in the interior of which operates a refrigerant-compressing piston-cylinder unit, a suction duct, via which refrigerant is conveyed into the compressor housing, and a pressure duct, via which refrigerant is conveyed out of the compressor housing by the piston-cylinder unit. In order to prevent contact of oil flowing down the compressor housing wall with the suction duct or the pressure duct, a deflection element is on the compressor housing, and in the operating position of the compressor housing the deflection element is above the passage of the suction duct or pressure duct through the compressor housing wall. The heating of the refrigerant is thus prevented and the efficiency of the refrigerant compressor is increased. |
| US08740576B2 |
Pumping system for pumping liquid from a lower level to an operatively higher level
A pumping system and a method for pumping liquid from a lower level to an operatively higher level are disclosed. The pumping system includes a pumping device, a bent delivery conduit, a single control port opening and control elements. The conduit has an operatively inclined ascending conduit section; an operatively inclined descending conduit section and an operatively horizontal peak section between the inclined sections; one end of the ascending conduit fitted to the outlet of the pumping device and one end of the descending conduit being below liquid level of the higher level. The single port opening is provided at the junction between the horizontal peak section and the descending conduit section, and spaced apart from the ascending conduit junction. The control elements introduce pressurized air into and evacuate air from the delivery conduit through the single port opening. |
| US08740575B2 |
Liquid ring pump with liner
A liquid ring pump is provided that includes an annular housing having an inner surface forming a housing cavity. The annular housing is filled with an operating fluid during operation of the pump. The operating fluid forms an eccentric liquid ring in the annular housing during operation of the pump. A rotor is disposed in the housing cavity and includes a plurality of rotor blades. A shaft extends into the annular housing into the housing cavity. The plurality of rotor blades extend radially outward from the shaft toward the inner surface of the annular housing. A liner formed from a corrosion resistant material is disposed substantially flush with at least a portion of the annular housing inner surface opposite a plurality of rotor blade ends. |
| US08740574B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting a pump drive so that a pump flow corresponds with an incoming flow
A method in connection with a pump drive connected to a container or the like, wherein a frequency converter is arranged to supply power to a pump in such a manner that a pump flow (Qp) is responsive to an estimated mean incoming flow (Qest) to the container. The method includes draining the container, allowing the container to fill during a predefined filling time (tfill) while the pump is inactive, draining the container again at a known pump flow (Qp,nom), defining the drainage time (tdrain), defining an estimated mean incoming flow (Qest) on the basis of the filling time (tfill), drainage time (tdrain) and known pump flow (Qp,nom), and setting the power supplied by the frequency converter to the pump to be such that the pump flow (Qp) corresponds to the produced estimated mean incoming flow (Qest). |
| US08740556B2 |
Structural and aerodynamic module for a turbomachine casing and casing structure comprising a plurality of such a module
A structural and aerodynamic module including two blades each extending along a longitudinal axis, in which each blade includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a radially inner edge, and a radially outer edge, is provided. The module also includes a radially inner platform mechanically connecting the radially inner edges of the two blades, and a radially outer platform mechanically connecting the radially outer edges of the two blades such that the two blades and the radially outer and inner platforms delimit a flow stream. The two blades and the platforms are made from a composite material and the two blades are fixed on the radially outer and inner platforms using screw-nut assemblies. |
| US08740551B2 |
Blade outer air seal cooling
A blade outer air seal (BOAS) segment has a plurality of cooling passages axially extending through a platform of the BOAS segment. The passages each have an inlet defined in a radially outer surface and an exit defined on a leading edge of the platform. At least one of the passages positioned close to respective circumferential sides of the platform extends linearly from one of the inlets and is skewed away from the axial direction to cool a corner area of the platform. |
| US08740546B2 |
Guide vane for a condensation steam turbine and associated condensation steam turbine
A guide vane of a condensation turbine steam turbine is provided, wherein the guide vane includes a heating resistor. The guide vane includes fiber composite material at least in some regions. The heating resistor may be embodied as a heating wire or as a heating film. A condensation steam turbine having a guide vane as described above is also provided. |
| US08740545B2 |
Maintenance system of helical turbine
Disclosed is an assembled helical turbine system, which can strengthen weakenings of a housing assembly, and simultaneously can be easily assembled/disassembled. The assembled helical turbine system comprises the housing assembly including a plurality of bearing spiders for rotatably supporting a rotating shaft of a helical turbine, and a plurality of side posts for connecting and fixing the respective bearing spiders to each other, the side posts being fixed in such a manner as to radially protrude by a predetermined length from peripheral surfaces of the bearing spiders; filling members for filling and reinforcing spaces between the peripheral surfaces of the bearing spiders and outlines of protruding portions of the side posts; and a housing supporter for supporting the housing assembly in such a manner that the housing assembly can be inserted into and withdrawn from the housing supporter, the housing supporter having catch grooves that are recessed in a shape corresponding to stoppers. |
| US08740543B2 |
Offshore wind turbines and deployment methods therefor
A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities. |
| US08740542B2 |
Method for introducing loading auxiliary means of transport device
In a method for introducing loading auxiliary structures with a transport device into a shelf compartment with storage spaces arranged one behind the other, a loading auxiliary structure is conveyed by the transport device into the shelf compartment to the front storage space in the direction of introduction, after which a further loading structure is moved by the transport device into the shelf compartment to the front storage space and in this way the preceding loading auxiliary structure is moved to the storage space that is behind and the additional loading auxiliary structure is moved into the front storage space. The transport device includes a removing unit with a stop device adjustable at its front end in the introduction direction into the movement path of the loading auxiliary structure and a drive member on a side facing the loading auxiliary structure. |
| US08740541B2 |
Method and apparatus for a card dispenser
A card dispensing system for dispensing cards along a conveying surface which conveys sliced products downstream of a slicer for packaging the sliced products. A hopper contains a stack of cards which are withdrawn from the hopper by a suction force provided via at least one suction cup. The suction cup is moveable vertically to retrieve and remove the card from the hopper. The suction cup is moveable laterally to move the card into a receiving position where a card clamp on a damp carriage arrives to receive the card. Suction force on the card is released when the card damp damps down on the card. The clamp carriage moves the card from the receiving position to the staging position where a nip engages with the card to feed the card through a junction in the conveyor line just as a food product passes over the junction. |
| US08740540B2 |
Fork apparatus for handling cotton bales
A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis. |
| US08740536B2 |
Method and device for introducing and removing substrates
The invention describes a method and a device for introducing and removing substrates. Substrates (5) are transported into a lock (2) by a transport element (4). A collection container (3) is located in the lock below the substrates (5) for collecting possible substrate fragments (19). The substrates (5) are removed together with the collection container (3) and the lock cover (18) once the lock (2) has been flooded. The lock cover (18) and the collection container (3) form an almost closed box around the substrates (5). After the substrates (5) have been replaced and the collection container (3) has been emptied, the new substrates (5) are introduced together with the collection container. All the steps are carried out in the machine cycle to ensure an effective production process. |
| US08740535B2 |
Delivery position aligning method for use in vacuum processing apparatus, vacuum processing apparatus and computer storage medium
In a vacuum transfer chamber, a position detecting mechanism for detecting the positions of semiconductor wafers is arranged. The semiconductor wafers disposed at predetermined positions in a load lock chamber and vacuum processing chambers are transferred to the position detecting mechanism by a vacuum transfer mechanism and the positions of the wafers are detected. Then, based on the detection results, aligning between the load lock chamber and the vacuum processing chambers is performed. |
| US08740532B2 |
Stud fasteners for fastening a cylinder head to an engine block and kit containing said stud fasteners
The present invention relates generally to fastening systems, and more specifically, to high tensile or high strength studs. The studs are adapted to be utilized in original manufacture or in the repair or retrofit of internal combustion engines. The improved stud technology can be utilized in the fabrication of new engine builds to improve reliability, extend product life, and the like. Likewise, the stud technology can be used to repair and/or upgrade a failed, compromised, or questionable cylinder head to engine block fastening system. Additionally, a repair or retrofit a kit can be assembled with the improved studs at its foundation. Optionally, any combination of additional items or components useful in the cylinder head to engine block fastener modification can be added to such a kit. |
| US08740531B2 |
Screw
A screw includes a positioning member defined on inclined cutting planes of a drilling portion of the screw for stably allowing a cutting edge constructed at a convergence of the cutting planes to cut efficiently. A threaded section formed on a shank of the screw is extended toward the cutting edge and connected with one end of the cutting edge. The positioning member helps the screw fixedly stand on an object. The cutting edge and the cutting planes allow cutting debris to be swiftly and smoothly extruded therefrom into the threaded section for avoiding the piling of the considerable cutting debris. Thereby, the screwing torque is reduced and the drilling speed is promoted. Preferably, the fastened screw is sunken in the object, and the fastening operation is completed successfully. |
| US08740530B2 |
Captive panel fastener assembly
A fastener assembly for installation within a work piece, the fastener assembly including a bolt, a retainer ring, and a housing that houses the retainer ring. The housing is positioned at and engages one side of the work piece, while the bolt is inserted into a hole of the work piece on an opposite side thereof. The retainer ring engages the bolt such that a plurality of pressure pads extending from a plurality of corresponding spring beam elements of the retainer ring reside in an annular groove of the bolt. The housing captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt. |
| US08740528B2 |
Precision positioning and fastening system
A locator/fastener has a first outer member with a precision-machined external body portion, a retention head protruding from a first end, and a multi-diameter throughbore. A fastener, which may take the form of a cap screw, floats in the throughbore of the locator with the threaded portion protruding from a second end of the locator. A receiver has an internal precision-machined surface which contacts the precision-machined body portion of the locator and a threaded bore which receives the protruding fastener. By separating the locating and fastening functions, a quick connect disconnect device is created which does not bind or gall. A hangar system allows a sub-base plate to be attached to a base using the locator-fastener disclosed herein. |
| US08740525B2 |
Cargo restraint system
A cargo restraint system for securing cargo within a truck bed having fixed anchors includes a plurality of adjustable-length straps attachable to the truck bed, and a cargo net attached to the straps and slidable along at least a portion thereof. Hooks are fixed to the straps for attaching the straps to the truck bed anchors, and each strap includes a cam buckle for selectively adjusting the length of the strap. |
| US08740520B2 |
Multi-purpose beveller
There is provided a beveller for processing an edge of a member to be processed into a slanted surface (a bevel), and, more particularly, to a multi-purpose beveller which improves a level of completion of bevel process through thoroughly processes an edge positioned at a corner by using a beveling tool for a corner mounted onto the beveller and which expands the application fields of the beveller through processing a curved section by simply replacing a rotary cutter for a corner coupled to an adapter with a cutter for a curved section. The present invention is realized by providing the technique of thoroughly processing an edge deeply positioned at a corner by selectively mounting a beveling tool for a right angled corner or a beveling tool for an acute angled corner onto the beveller, the technique of smoothly processing an edge in a corner section by sequentially separating the beveling tool for a corner and a rotary cutter for a corner coupled to an adapter and thereafter coupling a new rotary cutter for a curved section to the adapter, and the technique of applying the beveling tool for a right angled corner and the beveling tool for an acute angled corner to processing an edge in a straight-line section. |
| US08740517B2 |
Only partly ground tool rod made of sintered material
A tool bit (1) ready for use consists of a sintered material. It has a longitudinal axis (3). At least one swarf chamber (4) spaced from the longitudinal axis (3) land extending along the longitudinal axis (3) is formed in the tool bit (1). The tool bit (1) has at least one cutting edge (8, 10), which is formed in the tool bit (1) by grinding the already sintered tool bit (1), adjoining the swarf chamber (4). According to the invention the swarf chamber (4) is ground only partly and is otherwise unground. |
| US08740514B2 |
Method of drilling holes in a glass plate and apparatus thereof
An apparatus for drilling holes in a glass plate has a supporting member for sucking and supporting a glass plate which is used for an automobile window or the like, as described later, and the supporting member is comprised of a suction pad for sucking the glass plate and a pair of supports for supporting the glass plate on an outer side of the suction pad. The supports are detachably mounted on the outer side of the suction pad, and the supporting member is adapted to rotate about the suction pad in an R direction. The apparatus for drilling holes in a glass plate further includes a hole forming means for forming in the glass plate holes shown in FIG. 7; a supporting means having the supporting member and for supporting the glass plate in which the holes are to be formed by the hole forming means; and a transporting means for transporting onto the supporting means the glass plate in which the holes are to be formed. |
| US08740512B2 |
‘O’ flute multipurpose bit
A tool bit providing a combined drill bit and milling bit is disclosed herein. The tool bit in one embodiment includes a working section having a longitudinally extending central axis, an O-flute extending along the working section, and a tooth formed at a tip portion of the working section, the tooth offset from the central axis. |
| US08740508B2 |
Milling tool with clamping screw having male grip at end thereof
A milling tool includes a toolholder having an insert-receiving pocket, a cutting insert having a hole provided therein, the cutting insert being disposed in the pocket and a clamping screw having a male key grip at a first end and zero or more key grips at a second end. The clamping screw extends through the hole in the cutting insert into a threaded hole in the toolholder so that threads on the clamping screw mate with threads in the threaded hole. The male key grip is remote from the cutting insert. The second end of the clamping screw includes an enlarged head including a clamping surface that abuts a clamping surface in the hole of the cutting insert. A clamping screw suitable for a milling tool is also provided. |
| US08740507B2 |
Milling tool, particularly face-milling cutter
The invention relates to a milling tool, particularly a face-milling cutter, with a rotationally symmetrical tool base body which can be driven in rotation and in which at least one pocket-like recess is made on the periphery, with a cutting body which is inserted in the recess, which projects radially and/or axially on the tool base body and which is held by at least one clamping element, on the outer periphery of the milling tool at least one chip guide chamber being made with chip deflecting surfaces for controlled chip removal away from the workpiece surface to be machined. According to the invention, the chip guide chamber is assigned at least one chip guide web which separates the chip guide chamber from the surface of the workpiece. |
| US08740506B2 |
Positioning apparatus
A positioning apparatus includes a stage on which a piezoelectric element is set, a stop unit having a stop face to which the piezoelectric element set on the stage is pushed so that the piezoelectric element is positioned at a target position corresponding to an attaching part of, for example, a head suspension to which the piezoelectric element is attached, and a pushing unit to push the piezoelectric element toward the stop face, the pushing unit blowing a gas to push the piezoelectric element. The positioning apparatus is capable of correctly positioning the piezoelectric element to the target position without damaging the piezoelectric element. |
| US08740499B2 |
Passive ocean current deflector
A passive ocean current deflector has an elongated conduit positionable in an ocean with its lower inlet end below the euphotic zone and anchored in place and its upper outlet end positioned in the euphotic zone and retained in place. Ocean currents direct cooler, nutrient rich ocean water into the inlet end and upwardly through the conduit to exit out the outlet end to intermix with water in the euphotic zone. |
| US08740496B2 |
Conduit for pervious pavement
A conduit for the formation of pervious pavement includes a first connector and a second connector joinable to the first connector. The first connector includes a pair of first receiving notches. The second connector includes a pair of second receiving notches oriented perpendicular to the first receiving notches. When the first and second connector are joined to one another, the pair of first receiving notches cooperates with the second connector to define a pair of first attachment openings for receiving a first structural member of a reinforcing mesh, and the pair of second receiving notches cooperates with the first connector to define a pair of second attachment openings for receiving a second structural member of the reinforcing mesh. First and second tubes are inserted into the first and second connectors to complete the conduit assembly. |
| US08740489B2 |
Liquid applicator
There is provided a liquid applicator allowing a liquid to be easily replenished and replaced, as well as capable of containing a large amount of liquid. The liquid applicator includes a main body provided with a tank inside thereof, a tip shaft that is coupled to the tip end side of the main body, and a brush that is fixed in the tip shaft and projecting from the tip end of the tip shaft. A liquid may be sucked into a tank by releasing the coupling of the main body and the tip shaft, sinking a tip end opening of the main body in the liquid, and sliding a sliding cylinder attached to the rear portion of the main body. |
| US08740486B2 |
Recording apparatus having an advanced feed more
A recording apparatus includes a feed unit that transports a recording medium from a setting position, a record head that performs recording on the recording medium, a first detection unit that detects passage of a rear end of the recording medium at a predetermined position on the downstream side of the feed unit, and a control unit that controls the feed unit such that the recording medium of a next page reaches a predetermined position until a predetermined timing after detection of the rear end of a preceding page by using the first detection unit for performing an advance feed mode in which the recording medium of the next page is transported from a setting position to the predetermined position without waiting for completion of recording on the preceding page, when the rear end of the preceding page is detected by the first detection unit. |
| US08740479B2 |
Optical connector and method for assembling same
An optical connector to which an optical fiber cord including an optical fiber ribbon and a sheath is to be attached includes: a ferrule member a fusion splice protection sleeve, housing and a fixing member. The ferrule member holds a plurality of embedded fibers which are to be fusion-spliced respectively to a plurality of optical fibers constituting the optical fiber ribbon. The fusion splice protection sleeve protects a fusion-spliced portion. The housing houses the ferrule member and the fusion splice protection sleeve. The housing has, at the rear end, a recess for receiving a bifurcated portion of the sheath. The fixing member fixes the sheath to the housings and by holding it. |
| US08740478B2 |
Optical module with bare fiber clamp
An optical module includes a housing, an actuator and a fiber clamp having at least one spring member. The actuator and housing are moveable in a sliding manner relative to one another such that the actuator can assume a first actuator position or a second actuator position relative to the housing. The spring member has a first portion in sliding contact with a ramped surface of the actuator and a second portion movable between a first clamp position and a second clamp position in response to sliding movement of the actuator between the first actuator position and second actuator position, respectively. Movement of the second portion of the spring member to the second clamp position reduces a dimension of a fiber passage in the module to frictionally engage an optical fiber in the fiber passage. |
| US08740474B2 |
Methods for processing a multi-fiber ferrule
A method for processing ferrules for fiber optic connectors is disclosed herein. The method involves ablating a distal end face of the ferrule with the plurality of laser beam pulses to remove a distal layer of the ferrule without removing an optical fiber secured within the ferrule. By removing the distal layer from the ferrule, the optical fiber is caused to protrude distally outwardly from the distal end of the ferrule by a desired amount. |
| US08740473B2 |
Optical connector and connector connection system
An optical connector includes: an engaging member having a pair of elastic pieces that can be engaged with locking portions on both sides of a receiving-side optical connector; and a movable tubular housing externally fitted to the engaging member, wherein the pair of elastic pieces approaches each other by an engagement with the locking portions on both sides of the receiving-side optical connector, and thereby, the housing becomes movable forward with respect to the portion of the engaging member that engages with the locking portions, and wherein an engagement state between the elastic pieces and the locking portions on both sides of the receiving-side optical connector is maintained as the pair of elastic pieces abuts an inside of the housing thereby regulating a movement in a direction of being separated from each other when the housing has moved forward with respect to the engaging member. |
| US08740470B2 |
Retainer for radial roller bearing
A pair of rim portions (4a) and (4b) is formed in the shape of a discontinuous segmental circular ring, which includes cutout portions (8a) and (8b), respectively, at one position. The cutout portions of the respective rim portions are concentrically disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined interval therebetween in an axial direction while having the same phase in a circumferential direction. A plurality of pillar portions (6) form pockets (10) where rollers (14) are retained. An expandable elastic connecting portion (12), which connects one end portion (84a) of one rim portion in the circumferential direction to the other end portion (82b) of the other rim portion in the circumferential direction, is provided at the pair of rim portions. |
| US08740467B2 |
Wheel bearing retainer
A knuckle-hub assembly including a knuckle and wheel bearing, and a retainer that is preferably arranged within a radial recess of the knuckle and a radial recess of the wheel bearing. The knuckle includes an inner radial surface defining a passage, the inner radial surface having a first radial recess. The first radial recess is preferably located in an intermediate region along a longitudinal axis of the passage. The wheel bearing includes an outer radial surface defining a second radial recess that is located in an intermediate region along the length of the bearing. The radial recesses of the knuckle and wheel bearing are generally axially-aligned upon installing the bearing in the knuckle's passage. The retainer has a generally constant cross-sectional profile about its circumference and includes an inner wall surface having a second portion and the first portion that is disposed at an angle relative to a first portion. |
| US08740466B2 |
Rolling bearing for a shaft
A roller bearing for a shaft that has a cylindrical peripheral surface, the bearing including a race (12) to be fitted onto the shaft, and roller bodies (16) arranged to roll on the race (12), the race (12) having a polygonal internal cross-section, so that it engages the peripheral surface of the shaft only in the vicinity of the center of each side (28) of the polygon. |
| US08740463B2 |
Integral spherical bearing and lug for aerospace applications
A bearing assembly and a method of forming a bearing assembly is provided including a housing having a bore. The bore has a generally concave inner surface. The bearing assembly also includes a bearing having an inner member. The inner member is movable about a central axis and is dimensioned to fit within the bore. The inner member has a generally convex outer surface complementary to the concave inner surface of the bore. The housing functions as an outer member of the bearing. |
| US08740462B2 |
Seal assembly
A seal assembly is disclosed for use between a housing and a rotatable shaft protruding exteriorly from the housing, with the shat being journalled for rotation in an eccentric cartridge which in turn is rotatably adjustable. The seal assembly comprises a circular flinger mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The flinger has radially outwardly projecting flanges defining an axial space therebetween. A seal carrier surrounds the flinger and has axially spaced first and second inner rims projecting radially inwardly into the space between the flanges of the flinger. Ring seals are carried by the seal carriers. The inner rims are resiliently urged to maintain the ring seals in contact with the flinger flanges. |
| US08740457B2 |
Paint tray bag with extended drop sheet
A paint tray bag is provided. The paint tray bag comprises a bag comprising dimensions for containing a paint tray, and optionally painting tools, therein. The paint tray bag further comprises a sealing apparatus for releasably sealing the bag, the sealing apparatus around at least portion of a perimeter of the bag such that the bag comprises a closed position for containing the paint tray therein when the sealing apparatus is closed and an open position when the sealing apparatus is open, the bag enabled to lay flat in the open position to act as a drop sheet for the paint tray. The paint tray bag further comprises an extended drop sheet which unfolds from the bag to provide an extended area for the drop sheet. |
| US08740455B2 |
System and method for distributed environmental parameter measurement
An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters includes: an optical fiber sensor configured to be disposed along a path in an environment to be measured, the path of the optical fiber sensor defining a longitudinal axis; and at least one section of the optical fiber sensor configured so that an entire length of the at least one section is exposed to an at least substantially homogeneous environmental parameter, at least part of the at least one section extending in a direction having a radial component relative to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08740453B2 |
Microcalorimeter systems
In one embodiment, a microcalorimeter system includes a first microfluidic channel coupling a calorimeter with a sample chamber. A second microfluidic channel couples the calorimeter with a waste chamber. An inertial pump includes a fluid actuator integrated asymmetrically within the first microfluidic channel, and the fluid actuator is capable of selective activation to pump fluid from the sample chamber to the calorimeter and from the calorimeter to the waste chamber through the first and second microfluidic channels, respectively. |
| US08740451B2 |
Watch case including an orientation memory crown
A watch case comprising: a middle (3), a first tube (1) provided with first indexing elements (1a), a control crown (C) including: a cap (4) having a distinctive sign (S) on a front face (4′), and a bushing (5) intended to be connected to the movement of the watch, a second tube (2) adapted to be fastened to the middle (3) and to receive the bushing (5), the control crown (C) and the first tube (1) including respective screwing elements (1b,4b) for screwing them together. Second indexing elements (3a,3a′,3a″) fastened to the middle (3) are provided to cooperate with the first indexing elements (1a) of the first tube (1). The first tube (1) and the second tube (2) are conformed so that fastening the second tube (2) to the middle (3) ensures axial immobilization of the first tube (1) relative to the middle (3). |
| US08740450B2 |
Static fluid mixer capable of ultrafinely mixing fluids
A static fluid mixer which can perform processing such as generation of ultrafine uniform bubbles and has small pressure loss. A static fluid mixer has mixing units having outflow openings for allowing fluid having passed through mixing flow paths to flow through the outflow openings. The mixing units are arranged in a tubular casing body at intervals in the axis direction of the casing body. Adjacent mixing units and the casing body form a flow path forming space. Each mixing unit has an annular outflow path communicating with the end of each mixing flow path. The annular outflow path is open in a ring-like form having a substantially constant width along the entire circumference. The opening at the end of the annular outflow path functions as an outflow opening connecting to the flow path forming space. In the outflow path forming space is formed a collection flow path into which liquid having passed through the mixing flow path collects after flowing from the entire circumference of the outflow opening which is open in the ring-like form and moving toward the axis of the casing body. |
| US08740440B2 |
Planar lighting device
A light guide plate has a light guide plate body and at one side thereof a curvedly descending portion formed by curving front and rear surfaces of the light guide plate, with the surface to surface distance kept uniform, to a coaxial arcuate configuration so as to extend towards a direction of a rear surface of the light guide plate body. Spot light sources disposed in face to face relation with a free end face of the curvedly descending portion are arranged to be displaced towards the front surface of the light guide plate from a mid-center plane between the front and rear surfaces of the curvedly descending portion. |
| US08740439B2 |
Thin illumination system
The present invention introduces a new class of thin doubly collimating light distributing engines for use in a variety of general lighting applications. Output illumination from these slim-profile illumination systems whether square, rectangular or circular in physical aperture shape is directional, square, rectangular or circular in beam cross-section, and spatially uniform and sharply cutoff outside the system's adjustable far-field angular cone. Some embodiments provided include thin light distributing engines which provide input light collimated in one meridian and a light distributing element that maintains input collimation while collimating output light in the un-collimated orthogonal meridian, in such a manner that the system's far-field output light is collimated in both its orthogonal output meridians. The present invention can also include optical films that process the engine's doubly collimated output illumination so as to increase its angular extent one or both output meridians without changing beam shape or uniformity. |
| US08740437B2 |
Lighting module and lighting apparatus including the same
A lighting module includes a case having a main base, a first and a second extension parts extending from both sides of the main base in perpendicular direction to the surface of the main base, and a first and a second auxiliary bases extending from the first and the second extension parts respectively toward the center of the main base, a substrate seated in a cavity formed by structurally connecting the main base, the first and the second extension parts and the first and the second auxiliary bases, a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on one side of the substrate in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and a driving driver disposed on the other side of the substrate. At least one of the first and the second extension parts has an opening such that the driving driver is inserted into the first and the second extension parts. |
| US08740436B2 |
Display assembly and methods
A display assembly is disclosed providing a panel display, a light guiding element having a first surface and a second surface and a light source operable to illuminate the light guiding element. The display further includes a layer of reflective material in contact with the first surface of the light guiding element, wherein the first surface receives light from the light source and transmits the light towards the panel display and the second surface of the light guide. |
| US08740432B2 |
Transmission of laser pulses with high output beam quality using step-index fibers having large cladding
An apparatus and method for transmission of laser pulses with high output beam quality using large core step-index silica optical fibers having thick cladding, are described. The thick cladding suppresses diffusion of modal power to higher order modes at the core-cladding interface, thereby enabling higher beam quality, M2, than are observed for large core, thin cladding optical fibers. For a given NA and core size, the thicker the cladding, the better the output beam quality. Mode coupling coefficients, D, has been found to scale approximately as the inverse square of the cladding dimension and the inverse square root of the wavelength. Output from a 2 m long silica optical fiber having a 100 μm core and a 660 μm cladding was found to be close to single mode, with an M2=1.6. Another thick cladding fiber (400 μm core and 720 μm clad) was used to transmit 1064 nm pulses of nanosecond duration with high beam quality to form gas sparks at the focused output (focused intensity of >100 GW/cm2), wherein the energy in the core was <6 mJ, and the duration of the laser pulses was about 6 ns. Extending the pulse duration provided the ability to increase the delivered pulse energy (>20 mJ delivered for 50 ns pulses) without damaging the silica fiber. |
| US08740425B2 |
Low glare lighting for a transit vehicle
A low glare overhead lighting fixture for a transit vehicle comprises a lighting fixture base assembly for mounting one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs or fluorescent tubes), and a light permeable cover adapted to reduce glare. The light permeable cover may include a light guide embodied as a grid-like structure with holes or perforations for directing the light from the light source in a manner reducing light spread. The light guide may be disposed between a front and rear lens covers. The lighting fixture may also utilize a light permeable cover having an anti-glare surface element, such as a privacy filter screen or mesh which may be formed using microlouver technology. The lighting fixture base assembly may have separate compartments, each lined with a highly reflective coating, housing one or more deeply set LEDs. |
| US08740424B2 |
Light for an aircraft
A light for an aircraft comprises a holder for carrying a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged along a curvilinear line and a first optical unit comprising an elliptic reflective partial surface defining a plurality of focal points forming a first curvilinear focal line extending along the light emitting sites of the light emitting diodes, and a plurality of second focal points. The light further includes a second optical unit comprising a single further focal point or a plurality of further focal points forming a further curvilinear focal line. The plurality of the second focal points of the first optical unit coincide and are identical to the single further focal point of the second optical unit or are located along the further curvilinear focal line of the second optical unit. |
| US08740422B2 |
Bulb and luminaire
In a bulb and a luminaire according to one embodiment, plural fins for thermal radiation are provided on the outer circumferential surface of a main body in which a lighting circuit is attached, a light-emitting module is attached to a module attaching section integrated with the front of the main body, and a cylindrical section that surrounds the light-emitting module is protrudingly provided on a light extracting side. |
| US08740417B2 |
Secondary light distribution lens for multi-chip semiconductor (LED) lighting
A lens comprising: a lens body; a total reflection surface provided on an outer side of the lens body, the reflection surface being in the form of a scalelike polyhedron; a recess formed on a bottom side of the lens body at a central region thereof for accommodating a LED, the recess having a side surface and a central surface; a micro lens array formed at the central surface of the recess; and a light-emitting surface provided at a top side of the lens body; wherein a substantially uniform circular light spot is formed by the lens. |
| US08740414B2 |
Lamp
A lamp includes a dichroic filter, a light emitting diode, and a lampshade. The light emitting diode emits light towards the dichroic filter. One portion of the light within a predetermined frequency range passes through the dichroic filter. The other portion of the light is refracted by the dichroic filter. The lampshade is used for shading the light. Therefore, the lampshade shows two colors of light. |
| US08740413B1 |
System and method for providing color light sources in proximity to predetermined wavelength conversion structures
An optical device includes a light source with at least two radiation sources, and at least two layers of wavelength-modifying materials excited by the radiation sources that emit radiation in at least two predetermined wavelengths. Embodiments include a first plurality of n radiation sources configured to emit radiation at a first wavelength. The first plurality of radiation sources are in proximity to a second plurality of m of radiation sources configured to emit radiation at a second wavelength, the second wavelength being shorter than the first wavelength. The ratio between m and n is predetermined. The disclosed optical device also comprises at least two wavelength converting layers such that a first wavelength converting layer is configured to absorb a portion of radiation emitted by the second radiation sources, and a second wavelength converting layer configured to absorb a portion of radiation emitted by the second radiation sources. |
| US08740412B2 |
Composite lighting systems and methods of making same
A method for retrofitting a lighting system includes providing a lighting assembly with a screw-terminal-base connector disposed in a lamp housing. A power-supply conductive wire includes a second length coupling the screw-terminal-base connector to a transformer and a first length coupled to the transformer and coupleable to a power supply. The first and second lengths of the power-supply conductive wire are severed and the transformer is removed. The severed first and second lengths are spliced together. An Edison-base receptacle is mounted to the lamp housing. The second length of the power-supply conductive wire is electrically coupled to the Edison-base receptacle. |
| US08740411B2 |
Plastic leaded chip carrier with diagonally oriented light sources for fine-pitched display
A Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) package is disclosed. The PLCC package is configured to support a plurality of light sources. The light sources may be mounted on a mounting section of the PLCC package's lead frame and the mounting section of the lead frame may extend diagonally with respect to the housing of the lead frame. |
| US08740408B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) module
A light emitting diode (LED) module is provided. The LED module includes a substrate on which an LED is mounted; a heat radiation unit configured to include an insertion hole for passage of a power supply cable that supplies power to the substrate; a lens plate configured to include a lens corresponding to the LED and to cover the substrate; a rubber seal configured to be disposed between the heat radiation unit and the lens plate; and a waterproof structure configured to be inserted in the insertion hole and to include a through hole to receive the power supply cable, wherein the substrate is received in an inner space constructed as the lens plate, the rubber seal, and the heat radiation unit are connected, and the inner space has a waterproof structure. |
| US08740407B2 |
Method and apparatus for lighting involving reflectors
A variety of lighting apparatuses are described that utilize reflection as a basis for lighting a desired area. |
| US08740406B2 |
Method and apparatus for solid state illumination
A light source includes two excitation light sources generating two respective excitation lights, a filter, and a wavelength conversion material. The second excitation light has a peak wavelength shorter than that of the first excitation light. The transmittance curves of the filter are dependent on the input angle. The first and second excitation lights are inputted to the filter at angles smaller than a first threshold angle, and angles between the first and a third threshold angle, respectively. Both excitation lights pass through the filter to excite the wavelength conversion material, which generates a converted light but reflects some of the excitation lights. Part of the reflected first excitation light reaches the filter at input angles greater than a second threshold angle and is reflected by the filter back to the wavelength conversion material for recycling. The third and second threshold angles are greater than the first threshold angle. |
| US08740401B2 |
Housing and electronic device using the same
A housing for an electronic device includes a ceramic patterned light transmitting portion and a ceramic light resistant portion surrounding the light transmitting portion. A thickness of the light transmitting portion is in a range from 0.2 mm to 1 mm. A thickness of the light resistant portion is at least 0.3 mm thicker than that of the light transmitting portion. |
| US08740395B2 |
Projection unit and method of controlling a first light source and a second light source
A projection unit comprises a first light source outputting light that is used to project an image during normal projection unit use, and a second light source outputting light of a different intensity that is used to project an image outside of normal projection unit use. |
| US08740393B2 |
Guiding device and projector comprising the same
A guiding device and a projector comprising the same are provided. The projector comprises a blower and a bulb. The blower is used for cooling the bulb. The guiding device is disposed between the blower and the bulb, and comprises a body and a flapper. The body of the guiding device is formed with a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet and the second outlet are adapted to guide the blower to form a first airflow and a second airflow, respectively. The flapper is disposed in the second outlet and moves along a direction of gravity to partially cover the second outlet to force the second airflow to flow towards a portion of the bulb away from the direction of gravity. |
| US08740379B2 |
Eyeglasses retention system
An eyeglass retention system for coupling eyewear and headwear through the use of magnets attached to the temples or arms of glasses and magnetic or metallic elements attached to headwear. Vertical supports and other attachment structures prevent inserts from falling out while multi-point magnetic coupling and safety features enhance performance. |
| US08740375B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus including a head section which discharges a color ink which is cured due to irradiation of light and a clear ink which is cured due to the irradiation of light, an irradiation section which irradiates the light, and a storage section which stores a relationship between a total amount of color duty which is an amount of the color ink which is discharged per unit region and clear duty which is an amount of the clear ink which is discharged per unit region, and glossiness of an image which is printed using the color ink and the clear ink which have been discharged, wherein, according to the color duty in a certain region in the image, the clear duty in the region is determined based on the relationship so that the glossiness of the image is a predetermined value. |
| US08740374B2 |
Ink jet recording method, ink jet recording apparatus, and ink jet recorded matter
An ink jet recording method including: applying at least two energy beam curable liquids different from each other in surface tension on a recording medium to form an energy beam curable liquid layer having a distribution pattern of different surface tensions; ejecting an energy beam curable ink on the energy beam curable liquid layer formed on the recording medium; and irradiating the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink with energy beams to cure the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink to form an image. |
| US08740370B2 |
Liquid composition, set, liquid cartridge, inkjet recording method, and inkjet recording apparatus
A liquid composition used in combination with an ink containing a coloring material is ejected by the action of thermal energy from a recording head including a heating resistor having a protecting layer that is to come into contact with the liquid composition and that contains at least one of a metal and a metal oxide. The liquid composition contains at least either an organic compound having a carboxy group and an amino group or an amine oxide compound, an organic acid having a carboxy group, and water. |
| US08740366B1 |
Printhead including coanda catcher with grooved radius
A printhead includes a jetting module, deflection mechanism, and catcher. The jetting module includes a nozzle array extending along a length of the jetting module. The jetting module forms drops travelling along a first path from liquid jets emitted from the nozzles. The deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path to a second path. The catcher, positioned to intercept liquid drops travelling along one of the paths, includes a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication by a Coanda surface including a radial surface including an array of grooves. The liquid removal conduit includes a surface that is positioned opposite and spaced apart from the radial surface such that the opposite surface of the liquid removal conduit does not contact the radial surface that includes the array of grooves. |
| US08740361B2 |
Liquid container, liquid supplying system and circuit board for liquid container
A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes an apparatus antenna and photoreceptor means, the liquid container includes a container antenna communicatable with the apparatus antenna without physical contact therebetween; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; and a controller for controlling light emission of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative individual information supplied through the container antenna and the information stored in the information storing portion. |
| US08740356B2 |
Ink-jet recording head, recording element substrate, method for manufacturing ink-jet recording head, and method for manufacturing recording element substrate
An ink-jet recording head includes a plurality of recording element substrates each having an ejection pressure generating element configured to generate pressure for ejecting ink from an ink discharge port. The plurality of recording element substrates each include a first surface on which the corresponding ejection pressure generating element is disposed and a second surface, serving as an end surface intersecting with the first surface, being at least partially formed by etching. |
| US08740350B2 |
Inkjet recording head substrate and drive control method, inkjet recording head, inkjet recording head cartridge and inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording head substrate having an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy used to discharge ink and a drive element for driving the electrothermal transducer mounted thereon includes a first circuit portion for outputting selection signals for selecting the electrothermal transducer to be driven at a amplitude level of a second voltage higher than a first voltage based on an input signal of the amplitude level of the first voltage, a second circuit portion for inputting the selection signals from the first circuit portion and controlling the drive element corresponding to the electrothermal transducer to be driven based on the selection signals subject to the second voltage, and a plurality of signal lines for transmitting the selection signals between the first and second circuit portions. |
| US08740348B2 |
Liquid collection receptacle and liquid ejecting apparatus
A waste ink tank capable of collecting discharged ink includes: an ink absorption member having a receiving area that receives the discharged ink and causes the ink to be absorbed; a recess that causes a suction force to act within the ink absorption member; and a recess, disposed in a position that is closer to the receiving area than the aforementioned recess, that causes a pressurizing force to act within the ink absorption member. |
| US08740347B2 |
Liquid discharge apparatus
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including a head including a nozzle surface having a plurality of liquid discharge holes formed thereon, the nozzle surface being directed downward, a liquid receiving part including a liquid receiving surface directed downward to oppose the nozzle surface and configured to receive liquid discharged from the liquid discharge holes, a base, a first blade attached to the base with a tip end thereof being directed upward to wipe the nozzle surface, a second blade attached to the base with a tip end thereof being directed downward to wipe the liquid receiving surface, and a moving mechanism configured to move the base in a predetermined advancing direction between the head and the liquid receiving part. The base is provided with a prevention structure configured to prevent the liquid wiped off by the first blade flowing to the second blade. |
| US08740344B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus
In an ink-jet recording apparatus, when a controller receives an image recording command for a sheet placed on a manual feed tray in a state in which a cap is in a first posture in which the cap covers a nozzle face, the controller is configured to rotate the motor in a first direction by a first rotation amount smaller than a complete switch rotation amount required for the image recording. And, the controller is configured to rotate the motor in a second direction by a second rotation amount equal to or less than the first rotation amount. Then, the controller is configured to rotate the motor in the first direction by a difference rotation amount between the complete switch rotation amount and the first rotation amount. |
| US08740339B2 |
Defective recording element detecting apparatus, defective recording element detecting method, and image forming apparatus
A defective recording element detecting apparatus includes: an image signal acquiring device which acquires read image signals obtained by reading, a linear test pattern recorded by an image recording apparatus having: a recording head and a medium conveying device which causes relative movement between a recording medium and the recording head in a signal decomposing device which sequentially assigns reading pixel numbers 0 to n to the acquired read image signals, divides the reading pixel numbers by an analysis pitch unit PS to obtain remainders, and decomposes the read image signals into an image signal of each of the obtained remainders; a fluctuation signal calculating device which calculates a fluctuation signal of each of the remainders; and an identifying device which identifies a defective recording element among the plurality of recording elements based on the fluctuation signal of each of the remainders. |
| US08740337B2 |
Wrinkle elimination for solid inkjet web printer
A solid inkjet web printer for reducing wrinkles on a web including a solid ink jet engine for jetting a patterned layer of solid jettable ink and a system having a processor, and a spreader, the spreader having a pressure roller and a spreader roller forming a nip and means for adjusting the force applied at the nip. The processor controls the adjustment of the force applied by the pressure and spreader rollers to the printed portion on the web causing the spreader to reduce the force when the non-image portion is in the nip. A sensor for providing a signal to the processor indicates the location of the image and non-image portions of the web. |
| US08740336B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method, whereby high-permeation ink and low-permeation ink are employed to prevent a reduction in optical density is provided. The ink jet printing apparatus controls ejection of ink from print heads, so that only low-permeation ink is ejected onto the edge area of a print medium that is adjacent to a non-printing area, and this time, high-permeation ink is not employed. Further, the ink jet printing apparatus controls ejection of ink from the print heads, so that both low-permeation ink and high-permeation ink are employed for the non-edge area that is adjacent to the edge area, and to perform printing, the low-permeation ink is ejected onto the non-edge area prior to the high-permeation ink. |
| US08740332B2 |
Inkjet head drive method and inkjet head drive device
An inkjet head driving method is a method for driving an inkjet head having a property in which heat is generated when a drive waveform is applied to a piezoelectric element section connected to a plurality of discharge nozzles. Based on drawing data, a discharge waveform, which is a drive waveform that causes discharging of ink, is applied to a driven nozzle for discharging the ink in a predetermined drive cycle, and a non-discharge waveform, which is a drive waveform that does not cause discharging of the ink, is applied to a non-driven nozzle other than the driven nozzle in the predetermined drive cycle. |
| US08740331B2 |
Inkjet printhead and method of printing with multiple drop volumes
A printhead and a method of ejecting liquid droplets are provided. The method includes providing a printhead operable to eject liquid drops having a plurality of drop volumes Vi, for i equal to 1 through n, where n≧2, with Vj>Vi when j>i. One of the plurality of drop volumes is a minimum drop volume Vmin, and a difference in drop volumes between successively larger drops equals (Vk+1−Vk) which is less than Vmin, for k equal to 1 through n−1. The method also includes ejecting liquid drops through the printhead. |
| US08740330B2 |
Liquid ejecting method, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid ejecting method, including: ejecting a liquid from a liquid ejecting head, wherein the viscosity of the liquid is in a range from 6 mPa·s to 20 mPa·s, wherein the liquid ejecting head includes: nozzles which eject the liquid; a pressure chamber which applies a pressure variation to the liquid in order to eject the liquid from the nozzles; and a supply unit which communicates with the pressure chamber and supplies the liquid to the pressure chamber, and wherein the opening area of the nozzles on the side in which the liquid is ejected is 1/10 or less of the opening area of the opening of the supply unit on the pressure chamber side. |
| US08740329B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and method for controlling drive of nozzles in inkjet printing apparatus
An inkjet printing apparatus that prints each raster in a multi-pass printing mode by causing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles forming a nozzle array to scan in a direction intersecting with the nozzle array is provided, in which the nozzles are divided into groups, each including adjacent nozzles, one nozzle selected from each group is united into one block, drive of nozzles is controlled such that drive timings of nozzles differ among a plurality of blocks in each group, and a sequence in which nozzles are driven is determined for each scan in the multi-pass printing mode such that printed dots are most equally printed in the raster. |
| US08740326B2 |
Recording medium lift detection apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus
A recording medium lift detection apparatus for detecting a lift of a recording medium that is conveyed on a predetermined conveyance surface along a predetermined conveyance path, includes: a light projection/receiving, a light projection parallel flat plate, a light projection turning device, a control device and a recording medium lift detection control device. |
| US08740325B2 |
Method for printing in a printer having an inoperable ink reservoir
A method for operating a printer includes supplying liquid ink from two ink reservoirs to a printhead to enable the printhead to eject ink drops onto an image receiving substrate. A substrate transport moves the substrate past the printhead at a first speed. In response to detecting an interruption in the supply of liquid ink from one of the two ink reservoirs, the substrate transport moves the image receiving substrate at a slower second speed past the printhead. |
| US08740324B2 |
Image forming device and image forming method
In a stand-by state, when an instruction unit issues the printing instruction, a control unit is switched in a maintenance state, in the maintenance state, the control unit closes an air valve and operates a first pump, and when a sensor detects that the ink of a second tank is reduced by discharging the ink from a nozzle by the pressure of a second tank, the control unit opens the air valve to be switched in a printing state, and when a predetermined time elapses after an operation of the first pump before the sensor detects the reduction of the ink of the second tank, the control unit excludes the solidified ink from the nozzle, and in the printing state, the control unit is switched in the stand-by state when the ink is discharged from the nozzle of the head based on a printing instruction. |
| US08740320B2 |
Dishwasher with ergonomic closure device
A dishwasher comprises a compartment to hold items to be washed and/or dried, the compartment including a front opening; a closure device to sealingly close the opening, the closure device being movable between open and closed positions; and an insert having a front side with a portion that is flush or substantially flush with a front surface of the closure device. The insert includes a recessed handle that is inwardly recessed into the front face of the closure device. The handle is elongated in a horizontal sense and to such an extent that the handle is accessible by a user when standing at a position laterally adjacent the dishwasher, (e.g., in front of a sink) to better avoid the need for the user to lean over to access the center of the dishwasher. |
| US08740319B1 |
Recessed ganging lock and storage cabinet therewith
A lockable cabinet comprising a case, a drawer, a ganging lock mechanism, and a lock box recessed into the case. The lock box contains an external lock for securing the cabinet through a hasp style locking structure. The ganging lock mechanism prevents drawers from slidably moving from the cabinet when in the locked position and allows the drawers to be slidably moved to an open position when in the unlocked position. |
| US08740318B2 |
Portable bar with interchangeable canopy tops
A folding portable bar with interchangeable canopies is provided, the bar comprises: at least one umbrella comprising at least one post and a plurality of canopies, each of the canopies comprises a design and at least a portion of each of the canopies is constructed of a material that allows light to pass through the canopy and project image of the design. |
| US08740313B2 |
Cutting tool holding device
A cutting tool holding device includes a base, a cutting tool holder and a fastening member. The base includes an abutting portion and a transverse dovetail groove, wherein the abutting portion is defined between a first wall with a mounting surface and a second wall, and the transverse dovetail groove is formed on the mounting surface. The cutting tool holder has a transverse dovetail portion, wherein the cutting tool holder is abutted against the abutting portion, and the transverse dovetail portion is detachably engaged into the transverse dovetail groove on the mounting surface of the second wall. The fastening member is for fastening the cutting tool holder to the base. |
| US08740312B1 |
Mining sled with movable bed
A mining sled with a movable bed. The movable bed nests within the sled and is slidable with respect to the sled. Stops are located on the sled to limit the distance the movable bed can travel with respect to the sled. The movable bed includes brackets at a first end for attachment to the pull-out rope of a pull-out winch. The second end of the movable bed includes a mount for attachment of a pulley. The pulley on the movable bed facilitates attachment to a pull-in rope that is connected to a pull-in winch for transporting the sled toward the continuous miner. |
| US08740311B2 |
Cutting apparatus for concrete or the like
A cutting apparatus has a main body including a body frame, wheels, a motor and a blade; a blade cover; and a slide guide. A cutting depth of the blade is adjustable. A blade cover casing entirely covers the blade. A slider having left and right linear portions is attached to a rear surface of the casing. The slide guide has circular-arc portions and flaps for sandwiching the linear portions of the slider. A gap is formed between the flaps and a side surface of the body frame. By sandwiching the linear portions of the slider between a flap and the body frame, and sandwiching the circular-arc portions between the left and right linear portions, the blade cover can slide in the up-down direction with respect to the slide guide and the body frame and can rotate about the circular-arc portions. |
| US08740309B2 |
Seat gap hiding structure
There is provided a seat gap hiding structure in a vehicle seat where a cutout portion is formed on a seat cushion to arrange a seat belt therein, and a strip-shaped member is provided on a seat cover to correspond to the cutout portion at a part of the cutout portion, which is other than an arrangement position of the seat belt to cover a gap around the seat belt. One end portion of the strip-shaped member is fixed to the seat cover and the other end portion thereof is movably fixed to the seat cover using an elastic member. When the strip-shaped member is moved from an original position where the strip-shaped member covers the gap of the cutout portion, the elastic member generates an elastic force to return the strip-shaped member to the original position. |
| US08740305B2 |
Soldier platform system
A soldier platform system and method includes a soldier platform system in a vehicle. In an embodiment, the soldier platform system includes a soldier platform system in a vehicle. The soldier platform system includes a seat assembly comprising a seat and straps. The straps are attachable to the vehicle. In addition, the soldier platform system includes a restraint harness belt. The restraint harness belt is attached to the seat assembly. The soldier platform system also includes a ratchet platform. The ratchet platform includes a platform upper assembly and a platform lower assembly. The platform lower assembly comprises a platform upper assembly actuator. The platform upper assembly actuator comprises a pedal sub assembly. |
| US08740304B2 |
Assistant standing seat
The invention discloses an assistant standing seat comprising a base having a positioning nest and a locating recess, a driving module installed in the positioning nest of the base, a shearing device mounted in the locating recess of the base and a seat mounted on the shearing device, wherein the shearing device has a top plate, a bottom plate pivotally mounted to a front part of the top plate, a U-shape bracket pivotally mounted to a middle part of the bottom plate and a translational device moving between the U-shape bracket and the bottom plate. With the above seat, a user's weight can be distributed to the top plate and the U-shape bracket to decrease a resistance force of the translational device when the translational device moves, and further avoid a difficult elevation of the assistant standing seat. |
| US08740300B2 |
Toolbox seat for pickup truck bed
A combination toolbox and seating assembly is provided. The toolbox seating assembly is installed in the bed of a pickup truck, wherein the toolbox includes a hinged lid, and wherein a bench style seat may be stored the toolbox when not in use, and may be positioned within the upper portion of the toolbox when in use to provide comfortable rearward seating within the bed of the truck. |
| US08740296B2 |
Sunroff apparatus
To provide a sunroof apparatus including a front panel and a rear panel closing a roof opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, capable of keeping a large distance in a back-and-forth direction between the supporting portions supporting the front and rear portions of the rear panel in a fully closed state of closing the roof opening by the front panel and the rear panel.In a fully closed state of panels, a rear forward supporting portion supporting the front portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear portion of a front slider and a rear backward supporting portion supporting the rear portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear slider. |
| US08740295B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting paring line of panoramic sunroof
An apparatus adjusts a parting line of a panoramic sunroof comprising a moving glass and a rail. The apparatus includes a fixing bracket, a moving bracket, and a slide structure. The fixing bracket is disposed on a side surface of a rear end of the moving glass to be tiltable and movable in a straight line. The moving bracket is disposed on a curved path of the rail to be movable along a curved trajectory. The slide structure is connected between the fixing bracket and the moving bracket to enable curved movement by allowing the moving bracket to spread from the fixing bracket when the fixing bracket moves in a straight line. |
| US08740294B2 |
Roller blind arrangement for a motor vehicle
The invention proposes a roller blind arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a roller blind web by means of which a transparent portion of the motor vehicle can be at least partially shaded, and comprising at least one winding device for winding up the roller blind web. The roller blind web is formed from a knitted spacer fabric which comprises a support layer formed from a knitted fabric and a decorative layer formed from a knitted fabric and connected to the support layer via connecting threads which maintain a spacing. |
| US08740293B1 |
Clamshell acoustic insulator assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle
An acoustic insulator assembly for disposition adjacent a rear wall of a vehicle body, between the rear wall and a trim panel includes a substrate formed as a single unit from an acoustic fiber. The substrate includes a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is rotated about the living hinge into interlocking engagement with the first portion to define at least one air pocket with at least one baffle. The air pocket and the baffle limiting sound intrusion between a pressure relief valve in the wall of the body and a passenger compartment of the vehicle. |
| US08740292B2 |
Vehicle body superstructure
A vehicle body superstructure includes a first side rail member, a second side rail member, a roof member, and a gusset. The gusset includes a rail side surface, a roof side surface, a first claw, a second claw, and a bead. The rail side surface extends along a vertical direction of a vehicle body and is connected to the first and second side rail members. The roof side surface extends along a breadthways direction of the vehicle body and is connected to the roof member. The first claw is provided at a first longitudinal end of the gusset and locked in a first locking portion provided in the first side rail member. The second claw is provided at a second longitudinal end of the gusset and is locked in a second locking portion provided in the second side rail member. |
| US08740288B2 |
Cab
A cab includes a driver's seat for an operator to sit and an air conditioner in its internal space. A floor plate forming the floor includes a tapered portion on a front side with respect to an operator sitting on the driver's seat and a rectangular portion on a rear side with respect to the operator as seen in a plan view, and the tapered portion is in a tapered trapezoidal shape having two parallel sides and a dimension in a width direction decreasing frontward. A through hole is formed in the floor plate of a region of the tapered portion and connects the internal space of the cab and an external space of the cab to each other. Accordingly, the pressure in the cab can effectively be reduced. |
| US08740285B2 |
Vehicle airfoils for safety, efficiency, and performance
One or more airfoils, mounted above the upper surface of an automobile or other vehicle, optionally with variable angle of attack and/or camber, under the continuous automatic control of the vehicle's computer (electronic control module), for the purpose of providing well-distributed vertical thrust with minimum drag, or strong downward thrust with drag, depending on driving circumstances, thereby increasing the safety of the vehicle as well as improving its efficiency and performance. |
| US08740284B2 |
Motor vehicle comprising an actuator for opening the side door
A motor vehicle has a side door opening that can be closed off by way of a front side door. For opening the front side door from the vehicle interior, the front side door has an actuator on the side facing the vehicle interior for the opening of the front side door. In addition, a second actuator is arranged in the vehicle interior rearwardly of the first actuator, by which second actuator the closed front side door can also be opened. This provides a motor vehicle that permits comfortable entering and exiting of all vehicle occupants. |
| US08740282B2 |
Vehicular sun visor
A coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 that extendingly projects in the radial direction of a shaft 3 throughout the entire periphery is formed in an insertion-side part 3a of the shaft 3 that turnably supports a sun visor body 1, and a contacted piece 7 with which the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 contactingly engages is formed on the sun visor body 1 side to prevent the sun visor body 1 from coming off the shaft 3. Thereby, even if the sun visor body 1 receives a high expandingly deploying force of a curtain airbag, the concentrated load per unit area applied to the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 is kept low, and therefore the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 is restrained from being broken. |
| US08740279B1 |
Multi-functional tailgate for a vehicle
A tailgate can include first and second frames, doors and sets of touchpads. The frames can be coupled to the vehicle to selectively pivot about a first axis, and can be selectively coupled to the vehicle via respective frame latches. The doors can be coupled to the respective frames to selectively pivot about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and relative to the frames, and can be selectively coupled to the frames via respective door latches. The sets of touchpads can be operably connected with the respective doors and frame and door latches. Actuation of one or both sets of touchpads in different configurations can facilitate opening one or both of the doors independent of or with each other in a first configuration pivoting about the first axis with the respective frames, or in a second configuration pivoting about the second axis relative to the respective frames. |
| US08740271B1 |
Reusable container handle
An ergonomic handle is used in conjunction with a ductile material, e.g., straps, for securing, lifting and carrying objects. The handle comprises four legs perpendicular to each other and joined at a center routing bowl. The center bowl includes an angled tab arm over its top. Each flat surfaced leg with side rails provides a channel for the strap material. Each leg includes a locking tab fixed to one side of the leg. Integral gripping teeth are on one face of the locking tab and mate with similar integral gripping teeth on the channel surface of each leg. The strap is placed on a leg surface, secured with the locking tab, then wrapped around the object to the second leg and secured. At the center bowl, the strap is re-directed to a third leg, secured, then wrapped around the object for securing on the fourth leg. |
| US08740268B2 |
Bumper structure
A bumper structure includes a bumper beam that extends in a vehicle width direction and a bumper absorber that is provided along a front surface of the bumper beam and that has an opening in a top center portion of the bumper absorber in the vehicle width direction. The bumper beam includes a center portion that extends parallel to the vehicle width direction and a pair of oblique portions that obliquely extend backward and outward in the vehicle width direction from respective ends of the center portion. The bumper absorber includes a pair of load receiving portions outside the opening in the vehicle width direction, and the load receiving portions are arranged at positions corresponding to a pair of bent portions that are formed at boundaries between the center portion and the respective oblique portions. |
| US08740265B2 |
Dual pawl latch mechanism for a dual door assembly
A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position. |
| US08740258B2 |
Two-axis adjustable mud pipe joint
A pipe having a cylindrical inner wall, a rig end, the rig end having an inner wall having an inside diameter and a remote end. The remote end further comprises a first hemispheric extension that extends from the remote end to at least an outer diameter. A second hemispheric extension connects a surface at an outer cylindrical surface to a pipe exterior wall, wherein the first hemispheric extension and second hemispheric extension form a partial sphere through which, a cavity defined by the inner wall extends. |
| US08740254B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting storz fire fighting hose couplings
An apparatus and method for protecting Storz fire fighting fittings from damage associated with being dropped, or dragged, or from colliding with other equipment or the like during deployment and operation, and including a bumper. |
| US08740250B1 |
Flexible seat belt adjuster
A seat-belt adjusting apparatus mounted on the seat below the head rest of a vehicle's seat which catches a seat-belt buckle such that it sits closer to the passenger's shoulder when disengaged. The adjuster has two parallel rods connected by a seat-belt buckle guard for catching a seat-belt buckle and two adjustable plates each having two parallel, hollow, cylindrical-shaped sides through which the parallel rods can be inserted such that the plates can freely slide between the ends of the rods and the seat-belt buckle guard. Each plate includes an aperture through which a pin from a head rest can be inserted such that the seat belt adjuster can rest on a vehicle seat and receive a seat belt having a seat belt buckle. |
| US08740249B1 |
Combine header transport trailer
A combine header transport trailer for transporting a combine header. The trailer includes mechanical jacks for raising and lowering the header bar thereon and for moving the header bar inwardly and outwardly with respect to the trailer. |
| US08740248B2 |
Supporting foot for vehicles
A supporting foot for vehicles, such as semi-trailers or the like, comprising a foot element with a resting portion for resting on an underlying surface, and a compensating element for receiving a support unit and for compensating a positional offset of the supporting unit with regards to the foot element, wherein the support unit comprises a first supporting element and a second supporting element telescopingly coupled with the first supporting element, the second supporting element is movable between a first and a second position with respect to the first supporting element, and wherein the first supporting element is in engagement with the foot element when the second supporting element is in the second position. |
| US08740247B1 |
Airbag assembly
An airbag assembly for use in a vehicle includes at least one airbag panel that defines an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion. An external panel is connected to the at least one airbag panel at the non-inflatable portion thereof such that at least a portion of the external panel is positioned adjacent to the inflatable portion defined by the at least one airbag panel, wherein the external panel is non-inflatable. |
| US08740242B2 |
Posterior walker
A posterior walker has an anteriorly open, wheeled frame having a transverse posterior structural member, a left and right forearm support member attached to the frame, and adapted to be aligned with the forearms of a user at an angle wherein the user's wrist is lower than the elbow, and left and right hand grips associated with the left and right forearm support member. |
| US08740240B1 |
User-operated mobility apparatus
A user-operated mobility apparatus includes a base unit having a drive assembly and wheels mounted thereto for enabling selective movement of the base unit along a surface. A plurality of support members extend from the base unit, define an interior area therebetween that is configured to receive a user, and each includes a plurality of spaced-apart engagement features for releasably engaging at least one accessory at various different positions along the support member. A user support assembly is mounted adjacent the free ends of the support members and includes a support cord extending into the interior area. The support cord is configured for releasably engaging a user to support the user within interior area. |
| US08740237B2 |
Bicycle with suspension
A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere. |
| US08740236B2 |
Infant scooter
A vehicle for infants includes a footboard, a front and rear chassis support fixed to it, wherein each chassis support supports at least one wheel, a steering bar which is connected to the front chassis support, and gripping at the upper portion of the steering bar. The vehicle furthermore includes a seat which is preferably fixed to the steering bar. The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle for infants with two front wheels and at least one, preferably two, rear wheels, wherein the vehicle includes a seat which is preferably fixed to a steering bar of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle includes gripping at the steering bar which, however, does not function as handle bar, and wherein at least the front chassis support of the vehicle includes a steering mechanism which permits to steer the vehicle by ways of shifting of weight. |
| US08740235B2 |
Vehicle with a shock absorber
A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another. |
| US08740234B2 |
Suspension of vehicle wheel for rough terrain driving
The present disclosure relates to the suspension (1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the wheel (3) of vehicle, especially of vehicle for rough terrain driving, including the helical spring (11, 65, 71, 81, 91) arranged between two members of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the wheel (3). Hereat one end of the spring (11, 65, 71, 81) is coupled with moveable member (2) of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8) of the wheel (3), and the second end of spring (11, 65, 71, 81) is coupled with the controlled member (102) of rolling kinematic couple, whose rolling surface engages with convex rolling surface (5) of controlling member (101) of rolling kinematic couple, which is mounted on the basic member (4) of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8) of the wheel (3). Or one end of the spring (91) is coupled with the basic member (4) of suspension (9) of the wheel (3), and the second end of the spring (91) is coupled with the controlled member (102) of rolling kinematic couple, whose rolling surface engages with convex rolling surface (5) of the controlling member (101) of the rolling kinematic couple, which is mounted on the moveable member (2) of suspension (9) of the wheel (3). |
| US08740231B2 |
Light-alloy vehicle suspension member
A light-alloy vehicle suspension member integrally made from a light alloy, including a sectional shape formed by an upper wall, a front wall, and a rear wall so as to have an open bottom, the upper wall being substantially horizontal, the front wall and the rear wall being erected in a substantially vertical manner on a front edge and a rear edge of the upper wall respectively, wherein: one end of a torque rod is connected to a center portion, in a vehicle width direction, of the upper wall, another end of the torque rod is connected to an engine; a vertical position of the upper wall substantially corresponds to a vertical center position between the front wall and the rear wall, and substantially corresponds to a height position of the torque rod. |
| US08740229B2 |
Slope traversing system for zero turning radius vehicles
A zero turning radius vehicle is disclosed having a power transmission operatively and independently engaged to each one of at least two driven wheels, and including at least one caster, supporting a portion of said vehicle weight, rotatably connected to the vehicle whereby the caster is operatively biased while the vehicle is operating at a side angle such that the caster neutralizes the gravitational force that would tend to drive the vehicle downward when traversing a slope. |
| US08740225B2 |
Hydrodynamic bore seal
The disclosed finger seals are designed to be operational under rotational velocity or a stationary condition. The contact surface of the finger seals is inclined in an axial direction. The rotational velocity of the bore does not affect the hydrodynamic lift and the finger seals can operate at any rotational speed, unlike prior finger seal where the hydrodynamic lift is generated by rotational velocity. Each finger seal is pressure balanced. The pressure chambers on the two sides of each finger seal are connected through the finger cutouts. The finger seal design is such that the fingers lift and move away from the bore surface in radial direction. In one form, each finger seal is designed with the specific required length to allow sufficient surface area for the hydrodynamic force such that the finger seals would be lifted from the bore surface at the design pressure. |
| US08740218B2 |
Modular system for handing out playing cards and a module for handing out cards for such system
A modular system for handing out playing cards, including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players. |
| US08740213B2 |
Image forming apparatus, sheet feed control method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus capable of printing a non-standard size image on a sheet of a size as desired by the user as possible, and preventing stoppage of printing the image even when there is no sheet of the size desired by the user in a sheet feeder. When image data is for a non-standard size, if there is a sheet feeder accommodating recording sheets of which vertical and lateral lengths corresponding to vertical and lateral lengths represented by the image data are designated, a control unit feeds the sheets from the sheet feeding cassette. If there is no such a sheet feeder, the control unit feeds recording sheets of a free size from a manual feed tray accommodating the recording sheets of the free size. |
| US08740209B2 |
Method and apparatus for ex-situ lift-out specimen preparation
A specimen carrier for use with an ex-situ lift-out (EXLO) milling process includes a carrier top surface having at least one specimen support area and at least one aperture formed through the specimen carrier top surface. The aperture includes a first opening having an open wider upper end and a narrower lower end. The first opening is bounded by opposed sidewalls in spaced-apart orientation that are inwardly inclined from the wider upper end to the narrower lower end. The aperture is configured to enable a specimen to sit over the opening and can be wedged between the first opening opposed sidewalls so that a region of interest to be milled is centered about the open end of the opening. Specimens so mounted can then be re-thinned via charged particle instruments such as focused ion beam (FIB) milling, broad beam ion milling, or via laser ablation. |
| US08740208B2 |
Clamping device with removable handles
A clamping device has a removable handle to move a clamp between an opened and clamped position. A receiving member is on the clamp to receive the handle. The handle has a latching member to couple with the receiving member. An actuating member is coupled with the handle to move the clamp from an opened to clamped position. A release mechanism is coupled with the clamp or handle to move the clamp from a clamped to an opened position. |
| US08740206B2 |
Life enhancement of ring assembly in semiconductor manufacturing chambers
The present invention generally relates to a ring assembly that may be used in an etching or other plasma processing chamber. The ring assembly generally includes an inner ring and an outer ring disposed radially outward of the inner ring. The inner ring will correspond to the location where the majority of erosion occurs during use. This inner ring can be flipped and reused until both sides have eroded beyond their service life. Collectively, the two rings generally have the shape of a single piece ring, but the service life of the ring assembly is longer than a conventional single piece ring. |
| US08740204B2 |
Pin for positioning of parts made of composite material
A pin for the production and positioning of parts made of composite material and glued together in an aircraft, the pin including an elongated body (1), which is inserted in the holes purposely provided on parts of the aircraft or of the assembly jig. The pin also includes a head (2) that limits insertion of the pin in the holes, the body and the head being integrated in a single body made of a thermoplastic material. The process of production of the pin is a molding process. |
| US08740199B2 |
Spring assembly and manufacturing method therefor
According to one embodiment, a spring assembly includes: a substrate; a coil spring having an end turn portion fixed to the substrate; an inner wall provided at an inner peripheral side of the coil spring; and an outer wall provided at an outer peripheral side of the coil spring, wherein one of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a spring fixing wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from coming off in an axial direction of the coil spring, and wherein the other of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a support wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from moving in a radial direction of the coil spring. |
| US08740196B2 |
Drawbar spring coupler
A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring. |
| US08740195B2 |
Systems and methods for diffusing gas into a liquid
Systems and methods for diffusing gas into a liquid are disclosed. In some cases, the methods include tangentially introducing a liquid into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall such that the liquid develops a spiral flow. In some cases, gas bubbles are orthogonally introduced into the liquid as the liquid flows through the chamber. In some cases, a flow of the liquid and the gas bubbles is controlled such that a ratio of a liquid flow rate to a gas bubble flow rate does not exceed values which convert non-bacteria enriched, clear water into froth. In such cases, a mixture of the liquid and the gas bubbles to exit the chamber near an output end. While the liquid can include clear water, in some instances, the liquid also includes bacteria (e.g., surfactant-producing or non-surfactant-producing bacteria) and/or bacterial nutrients that allow for improved bioremediation. |
| US08740194B1 |
Buoyant aerator array with remote air supply
The buoyant aerator array with remote air supply has a plurality of aerators disposed in a body of water and supplied with air from a single remote source. The remote source may be land-based or based upon a floating vessel. An air supply line extends from the remote air source to each aerator. Each line is supported by one or more rigid poles or columns anchored into the floor of the body of water. Two aerator embodiments are described herein, with each having a toroidal float. In one embodiment, the entire aerator structure floats to hold the aerator at a constant level, and is held in position by restraining cables. Another embodiment has a plurality legs anchored to the bottom, the float and attached aerator riding along the legs to maintain a constant aerator level below the surface as the water level changes. |
| US08740192B2 |
Wedge locking unit for a rail assembly
The invention provides an easy to assemble railing assembly used for residential and commercial purposes. The railing assembly includes a plurality of locking components, a plurality of upright members and a plurality of locking pins. A locking component includes a plurality of wedge shaped locking slots. An upright member is configured to receive the locking component therewithin. The locking pin of the plurality of locking pins has each end connected to one or more wedge shaped locking slots of the plurality of wedge shaped locking slots. |
| US08740190B2 |
Vehicle support assembly and method of using same
A support assembly includes a frame, a first ratchet, a second ratchet, a lift structure, a bridge member, and a saddle. Each of the first and second ratchets includes a linear rack attached to first and second side members of the frame, and a slide structure slideably mounted with one of the side members. Each slide structure includes a pawl that successively engages with teeth in the linear rack as the lift structure of the support assembly is extended upwardly and as the slide structure slides along the linear rack. The support assembly may be a jack stand that is co-located with a vehicle jack. A head of the vehicle jack pushes against a bottom surface of the bridge member of the jack stand to cause the lift structure to extend upwardly and the ratchet systems to engage in a locked position to hold a vehicle in a raised position. |
| US08740187B2 |
Split valve
A split valve apparatus for the control, charging, discharging and/or regulating the flow of powders, liquids, slurries and/or fluids. The valve has two valve portions complementarily shaped such that the first can sealingly engage with and co-operate with the second to allow the flow of material therethrough. Each valve portion comprises a housing, a valve seat and a valve closure member, which is movable between two positions. |
| US08740184B2 |
Magnet valve and driver assistance system
The invention relates to a magnet valve having a valve body, in which at least one inlet conduit and/or at least one outlet conduit of the magnet valve is provided in at least some regions in the valve body. The inlet conduit and/or outlet conduit are in fluidic communication with a valve seat of the magnet valve. According to the invention, the valve body is provided with a receptacle region, in which an insert part embodying the valve seat is disposed. The invention also relates to a driver assistance system having such a magnet valve. |
| US08740181B2 |
Servo-positioner for a micro-regulating valve
The invention relates to a positioning system which is suitable for micrometric regulating valves. The invention comprises a micro-regulating valve which is connected to the shaft of a servomotor by a flexible coupler and which is fixed to the same using a support. The aforementioned motor is, in turn, coupled to a potentiometer which transmits the position of the shaft of the motor and, consequently, of the rod of the valve to a control system which compares a signal received from an external control system with the position of the value, the position of the valve being corrected with a movement of the motor. In this way, a quick and precise positioning system can operate at high pressures and with very low flow rates. |
| US08740177B2 |
Eccentric diaphragm valve
An irrigation valve has a valve body with an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a valve seat intermediate the inlet passage and the outlet passage. A diaphragm includes a valve seat engaging portion that cooperates with the valve seat to control flow through the valve. The valve seat and the valve seat engaging portion of the diaphragm are offset relative to the inlet passage to improve flow through the valve to reduce pressure and energy loss. |
| US08740171B2 |
Hanging system for pictures or objects
A hanging system having a panel with a front and back surface, wherein an adhesive component is on the front surface, and a pin on the back surface, the pin extends outwardly from the back surface at an angle with respect to the back surface, the angle being between about 50 to 80 degrees, the pin has an outer end, wherein the outer end is pointed so as to allow for a puncturing effect when pressed into a wall material. |
| US08740167B1 |
Container holder system and method use
A container holder system for attachment to a lawnmower handle assembly. In operation, the container holder system receives a beverage container and pivots with respect to the ground to prevent spilling from the beverage container. Optionally, the container holder system rotates with respect to itself to provide ease of use. The container holder system includes a cage assembly and a mounting device for securing the cage assembly to the lawnmower handle assembly. The cage assembly includes cage arms and a flange interface defined by the cage arms. The mounting device includes a gripping sleeve positioned between the cage arms and the lawnmower handle assembly and includes a clamp for drawing the cage arms and the gripping sleeve against the lawnmower handle assembly. |
| US08740166B2 |
Keyboard and mouse support
A support device including a keyboard platform and a bracket for mounting the keyboard platform a work surface to elevate the keyboard platform above the work surface. The keyboard platform is mounted on the bracket for sliding movement relative to an edge of the work surface along a horizontal fore-aft axis. The keyboard platform is mounted on the bracket for tilting movement about a tilting axis perpendicular to the fore-aft axis. The support device includes a lock movable between a locked position wherein sliding/tilting movement of the keyboard platform is prevented and an unlocked position wherein sliding/tilting movement of the keyboard platform is permitted. One aspect includes a clamp provided on the bracket and engageable with the work surface to elevate the keyboard platform above the work surface. One aspect provides a mouse platform pivotally attached to the keyboard platform and configured to support the mouse at a tilted position. |
| US08740164B2 |
Attachment device for suspended member
The attachment device has a fixing member fixed to an attachment surface, first and second operating parts are configured to be manipulated from one side in the first direction parallel to the attachment surface, a first member fixed movably in the first direction relative to the fixing member, the first member being configured to move the display device in the first direction relative to the fixing member based on the operation amount of the first operating part, and a second member fixed rotatably relative to the first member, the second member being rotated based on the operation amount of the second operating part and being configured to move the display device in the second direction relative to the fixing member. |
| US08740159B2 |
Lid holder for a slow cooker
A lid holder for use with a slow cooker. The lid holder has a tray supported on a strap from the rim of the slow cooker. The tray has inner and outer walls between which a lid from the cooker may be interposed. The lid is supported in the tray above a well for drips on fins between the inner and outer walls. |
| US08740152B1 |
Rivetless nutplates for aircraft
Methods for attaching a window to an airframe, methods of maintaining structural integrity of an airframe while attaching a window to the airframe, and portions of an aircraft are set forth herein. One method for attaching a window to an airframe comprises the steps of: applying to a bonding surface of a nutplate an adhesive; inserting through an airframe hole a fixture attached to a nut of the nutplate, and applying tension to the fixture to hold the adhesive-coated bonding surface of the nutplate adjacent an interior surface of the airframe; allowing the adhesive to cure; removing the fixture from the nut of the nutplate; and installing a bolt through a hole of a retainer, through the hole in the airframe, and into the nutplate; the retainer being in contact with and securing the window to the airframe. The adhesive is selected such that very specific conditions are met. |
| US08740143B2 |
Compartment for accommodating at least one flight crewmember
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a compartment for accommodating at least one flight crewmember, comprising a first module and a stowage area, wherein the first module comprises a first rest facility, wherein the first rest facility is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, as well as substantially parallel to the traverse axis of the aircraft, and wherein the stowage area is substantially arranged under the first rest facility. |
| US08740139B1 |
Leading edge snag for exposed propeller engine installation
An airplane powered by exposed propeller engines has a swept wing configuration comprising a leading edge snag coincident with the exposed propeller engine mount. The portion of the leading edge disposed inboard of the exposed propeller engine is offset in an aftwise direction relative to the outboard portion of the leading edge. As a result of this construction, the point of closest approach of the blades of the exposed propeller engines is moved aft, allowing for a more compact engine installation. |
| US08740138B2 |
Aircraft engine supporting pylon
An aircraft pylon support system for mounting and supporting aircraft propulsion systems to a fuselage section of an aircraft that includes an internal, central support box disposed within and extending across the interior of an aircraft fuselage, and external support boxes extending laterally into pylons disposed at both sides of the aircraft, each of the internal and external support boxes being made of a composite material and structured as multi-spar boxes containing lateral spars and at least one central spar, wherein the central and lateral support boxes are connected together to provide a continuous interface therebetween with a full transfer of loads therebetween and between any interrupted, intermediate frame members. |
| US08740133B2 |
Aircraft including an engine controlled by synchrophasing
An aircraft including at least one engine having counter-rotating rotors, the engine or at least one of the engines having imbalances associated with at least one ellipse. The aircraft includes at least one vibration damper attached in an arrangement such that, at a given engine speed and for at least one given common direction of a large axis of the ellipse or at least one of the ellipses, a speed related to the two ends of the damper is higher than for any other arrangement of the damper. |
| US08740131B2 |
Printer web medium supply with drive system
Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end. |
| US08740129B2 |
Handle operated switch for paper towel dispenser
Control apparatus for controlling operation of a paper towel dispenser includes control switches and a handle having two relatively movable handle portions rotating when a paper toweling support drum rotates. One of the handle portions has projections which engage the switches when the handle rotates. |
| US08740121B1 |
Rotary grinder/shredder
A cutting tool for a bolt-in toolholder assembly in a shredding device including a rotor and a bolt-in toolholder, comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side and a second side extending between ends of the upper and lower surfaces, the upper, lower and first and second side surfaces defining a polygon shaped cutting tool, the cutting tool having a forward side and a rearward side, a cutting surface having by an upper portion and opposed side portions, the cutting surface disposed on at least one of the forward side and the rearward side, the cutting surface being offset from a well, the well having a flat inner surface for seating the cutting tool in a first dimension, the well being polygonal in shape, the well size determining a width of the cutting surface, a bolt-in aperture disposed in the well. |
| US08740110B2 |
Apparatus for delivering a volatile material
An apparatus for delivering a volatile material in a continuous manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a delivery engine having a reservoir for containing a volatile material; a rupturable substrate secured to the reservoir; a rupture element positioned adjacent to the rupturable substrate; and a breathable membrane enclosing the reservoir, rupturable substrate and rupture element. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a notch for compressing the rupture element and breaching the rupturable substrate as it is inserted into the housing. |
| US08740109B2 |
Apparatus producing superheated water and /or steam for weed killing and other applications
Apparatus producing superheated water and/or steam for weed (36) killing, etc. has diesel fired boiler (30), which, via pump (32), generates hot water at a pressure of 40-52 bar and temperature of 90-115° C. This passes down tube (12) and encounters the constriction provided by nozzle (14). Passing through nozzle (14) into depressurization chamber (16), which is at atmospheric pressure, the water boils. When the super heated water exits ports (20) of distribution pipe (18) it encounters ambient temperature and is transformed into high temperature water vapor and/or water droplets. The apparatus controls or kill weeds (36) using a smaller volume of water and less energy. |
| US08740107B2 |
Liquid atomiser with piezoelectric vibration device having an improved electronic control circuit, and activation method thereof
A liquid atomizer (1) with battery-powered (1) piezoelectric vibration device (4), of the type timed to occur between alternate activation cycles and rest cycles and including a first electronic supply circuit (2) with an impulse current generator (9) at a relatively high voltage and a second supply circuit (5a) of the piezoelectric vibration device (4) at a relatively low voltage, as well as a switch device (10, 11) apt to connect in alternate phases the supply of the piezoelectric vibration device (4)—in a same actuation cycle—to the first circuit and to the second circuit. An actuation method of the atomizer is also described. |
| US08740104B2 |
Variable electric auxiliary heater circuit pump
A heating and ventilation system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The system having a heater core supplied with engine cooling fluid via a variable flow pump for heating an air flow supplied to the passenger compartment. The system additionally having a controller for controlling the pump to increase engine cooling fluid mass flow-rate in response to a detected temperature decrease of the engine cooling fluid when the engine is off. |
| US08740102B2 |
Gas turbine engine valve
A gas turbine engine valve is disclosed. In one form the valve includes two inlets in fluid communication with an outlet. The valve can include a spool having two lands capable of selectively closing either of the two inlets. The valve can include energy storage devices that initially position the spool within a valve housing. A temperature motor is provided to position the spool based upon a temperature of a mixture of working fluid from the two inlets. A working fluid flowing into the first inlet can be in fluid communication with a second end of the valve; and a working fluid flowing into the second inlet can be in fluid communication with a first end of the valve. A relatively high pressure condition at one or the other of the inlets can be used to alter a position of the valve. |
| US08740101B2 |
Backup control for HVAC system
An equipment interface module that can operate one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with instructions received from a properly operating thermostat, yet can also operate the HVAC equipment when communications between the thermostat and the HVAC controller are lost due to, for example, low battery power at the thermostat, malfunctioning thermostat sensor(s), malfunctioning communication and/or thermostat circuitry, electrical interference, and the like. In some instances, the equipment interface module may regulate the HVAC equipment in accordance with a signal from a remote sensor when communication with the thermostat is lost. |
| US08740089B2 |
Medical information device and system and method of use
A medical information device (1) and two dimensional bar code (2) for storing an individual's emergency medical information on and/or providing remote access to the medical information. The medical information device may be updated by an individual over the Internet by sending updated information to a central location that updates the information in a central database. The medical information device is capable of storing medical information directly therein and/or of providing remote access to medical information stored in a central database. This is accomplished by using a two-dimensional barcode 2, such as a Quick Response Code (“QR code”) (3) or other matrix barcode, that is capable of storing text and/or URL information that may be opened by an electronic device or other imaging device, such as a smart phone. |
| US08740083B2 |
Focus adjustment apparatus for a code reader
A focus adjustment apparatus (10) for a code reader (100) is provided which has an objective (12) having at least one lens and a drive (18) with a cam plate (16) for the positional adjustment of the objective (12). The objective (12) is supported in a parallel guide (14) having a coupling unit (32, 34) for the coupling of the cam plate (16) so that a rotational movement of the cam plate (16) adjusts the position of the objective (12) in the parallel guide (14) with a parallel shift of the objective plane. The coupling unit (32, 34) has a press-on element (32) for the play-free coupling of the parallel guide (14) to the cam plate (16) and a counter-bearing element (34) between the press-on element (32) and the drive (18) for relieving the drive (18) from the press-on element (34). |
| US08740082B2 |
Laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having intelligent scan sweep angle adjustment capabilities over the working range of the system for optimized bar code symbol reading performance
Method of and system for reading bar code symbols a laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having the capacity to intelligently control the scan sweep angle of a laser scanning beam in a user-transparent and intuitive manner. In the event that two or more bar code symbol indications are represented in a buffered line of scan data, then the scan sweep angle of the laser scanning beam is automatically reduced so that the resulting laser scanning beam will be shortened and only a single bar code symbol will be scanned, most likely with the center portion of the laser scanning beam. |
| US08740075B2 |
Apparatus for and method of reading targets arbitrarily oriented in imaging workstations
An apparatus for and method of electro-optically reading targets arbitrarily oriented in a workstation, such as a dual window workstation, employs a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the targets over a field of view. The imager has an array of sensors arranged along mutually perpendicular array axes. An optical system splits the field of view into a plurality of subfields of view that extend through a workstation window to a target. One subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along one array axis. Another subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along the other array axis. A controller processes the captured light in both the one and the other subfields to enable the reading of the arbitrarily oriented target in the workstation independently of target orientation relative to the array axes. |
| US08740074B2 |
Imaging apparatus for reading information
A liquid crystal panel includes an iris unit for limiting the incident range of light from an object to be shot, and a filter unit for assigning a exposure energy distribution varying with the position to incident light whose incident range is limited by the iris unit. The control unit controls the ON time and the OFF time of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel, and then a low pass filter operation on the captured image as an image processing can be optically replaced. |
| US08740072B1 |
Contact array in a card reader
A card reader, comprising: a frame having a slot for insertion of a chip card that has a plurality of card contacts, wherein the slot has open sides that allow the chip card to move laterally during the insertion; a plurality of reader contacts coupled to the frame and positioned in the slot in a position to be contacted by the card contacts when the chip card is inserted in the slot, and circuitry configured to communicate with the chip card through the plurality of card contact, wherein there are more reader contacts than card contacts and the circuitry is configured to determine which subset of the reader contacts engages the card contacts and to communicate with the chip card through the subset of reader contacts. |
| US08740071B1 |
Method and apparatus for shockwave attenuation via cavitation
A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method and system may include providing a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, which may include detecting an explosive device or detecting an explosion from an explosive device, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, calculating with a computer control a firing plan, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a protected asset if cost effective to do so. The second medium may be different from the first medium and the shockwave may be reflected, refracted and dispersed, or absorbed as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the protected asset, and thus may be attenuated in force as it reaches the protected asset. |
| US08740063B2 |
Cash dispensing apparatus
Disclosed is a cash dispensing apparatus (10) comprising at least two cash compartments (20, 22) and a cash delivery mechanism operable to deliver cash notes from either compartment to a recipient, each compartment (20, 22) being independently lockable and arranged to prevent access therefrom to cash in the other compartment(s). |
| US08740061B2 |
Recording information for a web manufacturing process
A web manufacturing process includes recording, onto an excess trim region of a web that is a subject of the web manufacturing process, information relating to a processing stage of the web manufacturing process. |
| US08740057B2 |
Device for interfacing a point-of-sale system and a cash drawer
Provided is a device for interfacing between a POS system having a first connection requirement, such as a serial connection requirement, and a cash drawer having a second connection requirement different from the first connection requirement. The device includes a circuit adapted to receive a signal from the POS system and open the cash drawer, or else generate a signal to the cash drawer that is recognized by the cash drawer as the signal to open. |
| US08740055B2 |
Cup made of paper material and method for the production of a cup made of paper material
A cup made of a paper material and having a fillable interior formed by a conical tubular wall and a bottom wall is provided. The bottom wall is joined at a bottom end of the interior to a peripheral edge frame of the tubular wall in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The tubular wall has a peripheral deforming entity around at least part of a perimeter, which peripheral deforming entity is reinforced in order to avoid deformation of the paper cup. |
| US08740047B2 |
Method of manufacturing electronic apparatus, electronic component-mounting board, and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus including a first and a second components, includes: forming a first solder bump on one of the first component and the second component; forming a second solder bump on the other one of the first component and the second component; bringing the first solder bump into contact with the second solder bump at a temperature higher than the liquidus temperature of any of the first and the second solder bumps such that the first and the second solder bumps are fused together to form a solder joint of an alloy having a lower liquidus temperature than any of the first and the second solder bumps; and solidifying the solder joint between the first and the second component. |
| US08740042B2 |
Friction-welded part and method of friction welding
The invention provides a friction-welded part featuring easy design as well as a method of producing said part. The friction-welded part 1 is produced by friction-welding a first member 10 and a second member 20 together. The first member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 11 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. The second member 20 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 21 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. According to the invention, the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21 are friction-welded together to form the part 1. A heat affected zone “H” caused by friction welding is formed only in the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21. The uniform cross-section portion 11 of the first member 10, and the uniform cross-section portion 21 of the second member 20, respectively, have a cylindrical shape, preferably having the same sectional dimension. |
| US08740036B2 |
Surgical instrument with actuator spring arm
A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a housing, a drive element, an actuator, a spring arm, and a biasing element. At least a partial actuation of the actuator distally translates the drive element from a proximal position where a portion of the drive element is in contact with the spring arm to a distal position where the drive element is not in contact with the spring arm. |
| US08740034B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with interchangeable staple cartridge arrangements
A surgical stapling instrument that is configured to be used in connection with different sizes of interchangeable end effectors. The end effectors are removably couplable to an elongated shaft assembly that protrudes from a handle assembly. The end effectors are configured to support different sizes of implantable staple cartridges therein. The staples within the staple cartridge are formed as an anvil portion of the end effector is compressed into the staple cartridge. The surgical stapling instrument further includes removable adapters that facilitate attachment of different sizes of end effectors to the elongated shaft assembly. |
| US08740033B2 |
Nailing gun
A nailing gun includes a swing arm having a first end pivoted to a frame, and a second end movable between a first position proximate to a flywheel to drive a hammer rod to hit a nail, and a second position distal from the flywheel. A spring plate has a spring end portion resiliently supporting the second end of the swing arm. The stop member limits the spring end portion and the second end of the swing arm from moving relative to the frame. When a safety member is subjected to an external pressure, the stop member permits the second end of the swing arm to move together with the spring end portion to the first position. The spring end portion can stably retain the second end of the swing arm at the second position in case of no external pressure. |
| US08740032B2 |
Electric stapler
An electric stapler (10) is disclosed as including a stapling head (12) with a driver (28), an intermediate magazine (14) for carrying staples each with two legs, a base part (16) carrying two anvils (44), cams (24), and eccentrically mounted wheels (52), in which the stapling head (12), intermediate magazine (14) and base part (16) are movable relative to one another, the eccentrically mounted wheels (52) are rotatable to move the stapling head (12) and intermediate magazine (14) relative to each other and relative to the base part (16) whereby the driver (28) of the stapling head (12) drives a staple away from the magazine (14), and the cams (24) are rotatable to move a movement transmission assembly (30) to move the anvils (44) to bend the legs of the staple. |
| US08740031B2 |
Trigger structure for switching one shoot mode or repeat shoot mode
A trigger structure for switching one shoot mode or repeat shoot mode includes a trigger member and a switching member. The trigger member has a recess defined laterally. Two protrusions are defined in the inner wall of the recess. The switching member has an adjusting member and a trigger plate. Under this arrangement, when the adjusting member is pressed into the recess, the trigger plate is at one position to allow the trigger to shoot in a repeat shoot mode; when the adjusting member is turned to abut against the two protrusions, the trigger plate is at another position to allow the trigger to shoot in a one shoot mode. |
| US08740030B2 |
Glass breaking device
A device for breaking glass, arranged to be mounted on a pane of a breakable substrate, and being actuatable to break the pane. In one embodiment, the device comprises a base, a plunger moveable relative the base and a pin extending from and axially moveable relative the plunger, wherein the plunger is moveable relative the base from a retracted to an extended position so when the base is placed against a first pane, a distal end of the pin strikes and breaks the first pane, and the pin is moveable relative the plunger from a retracted position to an extended position, with the plunger in its extended position, such that the distal end of the pin strikes and breaks a second pane parallel to the first pane. Preferably, the plunger and pin are biased to an extended position each by a biasing means. |
| US08740027B2 |
Backpack for filter bag used in combination with a pneumatic sander
A backpack for use in combination with a filter bag and a pneumatic sanding tool is described. The backpack comprises a backpack strap, a back panel, and an opening or a first mesh panel located in the back panel. The opening or the first mesh panel is positioned to direct exhaust air from the filter bag onto a person's back during use. |
| US08740026B2 |
Safety system and method for remotely disabling a weapon
A weapon including a first portion of a disarming protection circuit integrated into a removable magazine clip. The first portion of the disarming protection circuit is integrated into the magazine clip and includes, a high voltage source, a receiver for receiving a signal from a transmitter and an output. A second portion of the disarming protection circuit includes a conductor assembly including an electrode that extends adjacent to an inside wall of a magazine compartment. The first end of the electrode is electrically connected to a conductor connection adjacent to the output of the first portion of the circuit. A second end of the electrode is disposed through the handle and is exposed from outside the handle. An actuator generates the signal that connects the high voltage source in the circuit to the electrode in response to the output from the receiver. In response to the actuator being activated, the high voltage current source produced is electrically communicated through the electrode into the handle of the weapon with a sufficient shock to cause a person to release the weapon. |
| US08740023B2 |
One-way valve for discharge regulation in tubes, tube with such a one-way valve and method for manufacturing such a one-way valve
The invention relates to a one-way valve (1; 1′) for discharge regulation of a tube, the one-way valve (1; 1′) comprising a sealing means (9) and a ring support (8), with the sealing means (9) being at least partially inserted in the ring support (8), wherein the sealing means (9) comprises a sealing element (11) and a support element (12) that has at least one opening (10), wherein the sealing element (11) is connected to the support element (12) by anchoring means (13) and rests on the ring support (12) in a closed state of the one-way valve (1; 1′) thereby covering the at least one opening (10), and wherein the sealing element (11) is of lower bending stiffness than the support element (12) and the ring support (8). The invention furthermore relates to a tube with a tube head (2; 2′) and a container (6), wherein such a one-way valve (1; 1′) is inserted in the neck (4) of the tube head (2; 2′). Moreover the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a one-way valve (1; 1′). |
| US08740020B2 |
Post-mix beverage system
A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage. |
| US08740019B1 |
Foam dispensing systems with multiple liquid supplies, and related refill units
An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a plate located in the housing, a first dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The first dispensing wheel has a plurality of pinch members and is rotatable about an axis. The exemplary dispenser includes a second dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The second dispensing wheel having a plurality of pinch members and rotatable about the same axis as the first dispensing wheel. Rotation of the first dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a first flexible tube against the plate and to move a first liquid through the first tube; and rotation of the second dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a second flexible tube against the plate and to move a second liquid through the first tube. The exemplary dispenser includes a motor for rotating the first and second dispensing wheels and a motor controller for starting and stopping the motor. |
| US08740015B2 |
Spray dispenser activated by sensed light level
A dispenser incorporates, or can receive, a containment portion holding a quantity of dispensable material (e.g., a pesticide). The dispenser has an indicator and a sensor, which can sense a level of light in an environment immediately surrounding the dispenser. The dispenser is formed such that when it is in use it can be set to dispense the dispensable material in response to the sensor sensing a predetermined level of light. The dispenser is formed such that once it is activated to dispense the dispensable material it cannot be deactivated until the dispensable material has been dispensed in accordance with settings of the dispenser, and when the dispensable material has been dispensed in accordance with the settings the indicator indicates that this has occurred. |
| US08740010B1 |
Cooler with locking capabilities
An insulated cooler with an integral padlock system comprises a hinged lid and a padlock receiving loop located on the lid. A second, corresponding receiving loop is disposed on the cooler. When closed, a user can apply a padlock to the first and second receiving loop simultaneously to lock the lid in a closed position to enable a user to leave the cooler unattended while full of food or beverages in a public location and prevent unauthorized persons and animals from getting into the cooler. |
| US08740006B2 |
Portable drip containment device apparatus and method
A portable drip containment device comprises a tray formed of fuel and chemical resistant fabric. Side walls of the tray are supported by removable bolster segments formed of resilient open cell foam members enclosed within sleeves. The bolster segments are wrapped within a flap of material extending from under the side wall of the tray and around the bolster segments to secure them to the side walls. The outer edge or end of the flap is secured to the side wall. The bolstered side walls may be repeatedly driven across by industrial vehicles without harming the bolster or side wall. The modular bolster segments may be removed and easily stacked, and the tray folded and rolled into a compact modular form, for transport, storage, and reuse of the portable containment tray. |
| US08740003B2 |
Dispensing containers
A dual-purpose seal is provided that forms part of a container for storing and dispensing consumer products. The container can be used in place of conventional blister packs for the packaging of pills, tablets, or capsules or in place of conventional multi-cavity containers for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensing according to a predefined dosage regimen. The container includes a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed one or more discrete cavities. The seal includes a cover film having pre-formed lines of separation defining a removable portion, and a barrier film that is secured to the cover film by a layer of peelable adhesive. The barrier film has pre-formed lines of separation defining a barrier patch. The barrier film also includes a heat-sealing adhesive such that the dual-purpose seal can be adhered to the tray in two different ways. |
| US08740000B2 |
Opening device for liquid food container and liquid food container
An opening device of a liquid food container includes a bottom, a main body, and a top part joined to an upper end of the main body and formed with thermoplastic resin. The top part has a lid integrally moulded with thermoplastic resin. The lid divides the top part and includes weakening lines, a first lid part, a second lid part, and a gripper. A first hinge is formed between the first lid part and the second lid part, the weakening lines are cut when the gripper is pulled up, and the-first lid part rotates on the-first hinge such that the weakening lines open narrowly. A second hinge is formed in an edge of the second lid part, the weakening lines are cut by further pulling the gripper, and the second lid part rotates on the second hinge such that the weakening lines open more widely. |
| US08739998B2 |
Outdoor telecommunications equipment enclosures having slide lock assemblies
An outdoor telecommunications equipment enclosure includes a dome, a base for receiving the dome, and a slide lock assembly for coupling the dome to the base. The slide lock assembly includes a housing coupled to one of the dome and the base and defining a channel and a slider positioned within the channel. The slider is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for engaging the other one of the dome and the base. In one example embodiment, one of the slider and the housing includes multiple protrusions in contact with the other one of the slider and the housing. The protrusions inhibit surface contact between the slider and the housing. In another example embodiment, the slide lock assembly includes a gasket, seal and/or plug to inhibit ingress of debris into the slide lock assembly. In yet another example embodiment, the slide lock assembly includes a rotator having an actuator head accessible to a user such that when the rotator is rotated in a first direction via the actuator head, the rotator moves the slider into the extended position. |
| US08739993B2 |
Container for spillproof container assemblies
A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body. In addition, the wing portions of the lid body are designed to slightly interfere with and cam over respective upper platforms on the wing portions of the container body so that a user will be provided with a tactical feedback as a lid body is approaching an optimal amount of tightness with respect to the container body. |
| US08739991B2 |
Stainless steel lid portion of a fluid dispenser system
In an embodiment, the device comprises a stainless steel container portion, a stainless steel annular portion, and a silicone mouthpiece portion. Fluid or other contents stored in the device only come in contact with the stainless container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion. The stainless steel container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion all do not contain plastic, therefore the fluid in contact with these surfaces is not exposed to any toxins or other compounds found in plastic and therefore the leaching of plastic toxins and compounds cannot occur while the fluid is stored in the device. The mouthpiece portion can be any of a number of different varieties, sizes and shapes. |
| US08739989B2 |
Counterweight loading and unloading device and movable crane
A counterweight loading and unloading device and a movable crane have a freestanding pallet (10) with two ends whose upper end faces are used for holding a counterweight (61). The two ends of the freestanding pallet (10) are both equipped with a cavity, and at least one telescopic oil cylinder (11, 12, 13, and 14) is provided in the cavity. A fixed end of the telescopic oil cylinder is fixed with the freestanding pallet (10), and a telescopic end of the telescopic oil cylinder is coupled with a pallet lifting mechanism for lifting the freestanding pallet. The device is not limited by a planar space of a vehicle frame and a turntable height of the movable crane. An integral dimension of the movable crane is not increased, thus preventing integral dimension of the movable crane from exceeding a road traveling standard. The structure of the device is more compact, and the telescopic oil cylinder plays a role of the counterweight, thus enabling stress of the turntable to be more reasonable. |
| US08739987B2 |
Method and device for attaching and removing an additional device to the main boom of a mobile crane
A method and a device for attaching and removing an additional device having individual elements to and from a main boom of a mobile crane using no auxiliary crane is provided. In the method, a partial piece of the additional device having partial pieces is raised into an inclined position while being rotated about an upper pivot point, and a head of the main boom is bolted to a lower end of the inclined end of the partial piece of the additional device facing the mobile crane so as to be able to rotate. Using a hoist cable, all partial pieces are raised in alignment with respect to each other and the main boom, and are bolted to each other in this position and to the main boom. A displacement device for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US08739984B2 |
Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam. |
| US08739981B2 |
Anti-sweep hook device
There is provided a display device for supporting a plurality of items for selection by an individual, comprising: at least one elongate member for receiving said items thereon; and a head member pivotally mounted to a free end of the elongate member, the head member having an arm portion and an end projection extending substantially perpendicular to the arm portion: the head member being movable between a biased position wherein the arm portion extends substantially parallel to said elongate member to permit sliding movement of an item past said arm portion and an engaged position wherein the arm portion extends outside of a planar axis of the elongate member to prevent sliding movement of an item past the arm portion; wherein movement of said head member between said biased position and said engaged position is facilitated by sliding movement of a leading item over said end projection. |
| US08739980B2 |
Pusher hook with limited stroke
A pusher hook with limited stroke is provided. The pusher hook includes a first and a second hook. A pusher mechanism is mounted on one of the first and second hooks and operable to bias merchandise carried by one of the first and second hooks. A slidable stop is also provided to limit the forward-most travel of a pusher body of the pusher mechanism along the one of the first and second hooks. |
| US08739974B2 |
Mattress package
A mattress package having a barrier layer which encapsulates the entire mattress, two skid pads which cover and protect the top and bottom portion of the mattress, and two side trays which cover and protect the left and right sides of the mattress. The side trays cover a portion of the skid pads and the entire assembly is banded by two or more securing bands. Two or more handles are positioned on the front and back surfaces of the side trays on both the left and right sides. The handles provide grips for the mattress package to facilitate handling. The mattress package provides sufficient strength and protection to the mattress while utilizing a minimal amount of packaging materials. |
| US08739972B1 |
Insulated beverage holder with integrated alcohol beverage counter
The insulated beverage holder with integrated alcohol beverage counter includes an insulated beverage holder that is outfitted with a beverage counting mechanism. The beverage counting mechanism is able to count the number of times a beverage is consumed by counting the number of times a beverage container is replaced thereby informing the end user of the number of alcohol drinks consumed. A perimeter surface of the insulated beverage holder is adorned with a diagram that correlates the number of drinks to the applicable weight of the end user in order to calculate the approximate blood alcohol percentage. The beverage counting mechanism includes a switch in wired communication with a processing member. The processing member counts the number of times a signal is transmitted from the switch, and is further wired to a powering member, reset button, and a display. |
| US08739971B2 |
Stopper storage case
A stopper storage case has openings and drill blade insertion paths. The openings are large enough to allow a spring-like engagement portion of the stopper to pass. Each drill blade insertion path is large enough to allow a drill blade to pass. Concave parts extend from the respective openings to the drill blade insertion paths and can store stoppers of different lengths. Each of the concave parts has a protrusion to be engaged in a groove in the outer peripheral surface of the stopper. Stopper holding overhangs formed at the top of each concave part are elastic enough not to interfere with insertion of the stopper from above into the concave part and removal of the stopper from inside the concave part. |
| US08739970B2 |
Golf bag with mechanism to secure clubs
A mechanism cooperable with the stand mechanism in a stand golf bag secures the clubs in position when the bag is not on the ground and releases the clubs when the bag is set on the ground. |
| US08739968B2 |
Drain clog remover
An apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe includes a container comprising a product chamber, a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, and a shaft coupled to the container, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end. Projections extend outwardly from the shaft. The product chamber is adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition and the product chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The pressurization assembly has a canister of pressurized fluid and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister. The shaft has an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. The shaft also has a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. |
| US08739957B2 |
Acceleration and deceleration device and acceleration and deceleration escalator including the same
An acceleration and deceleration device includes: a chain 19 that is endlessly guided along a predetermined first track; a U-shaped member 40 of which a terminal end portion is attached to the chain 19 so as to be swingable and a part from an intermediate portion to a front end portion is formed as two parallel members and which has a long and narrow U-shaped groove between the parallel members; and a subject moving body 102 that has a driving shaft sliding inside the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40, wherein the driving shaft of the subject moving body 102 is rotatable with respect to the U-shaped member 40 within a predetermined range in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40 and the driving shaft of the subject moving body is slidable with respect to the U-shaped member in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40. |
| US08739955B1 |
Discriminant verification systems and methods for use in coin discrimination
Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, sampling the sensor signal, generating a fingerprint of the coin from the sampled sensor signal, and calculating an appraisal using the fingerprint and a linear discriminant vector. The appraisal can be compared to a threshold to determine whether the coin is valued or impostor. In some embodiments, the linear discriminant vector can be calculated using the valued and impostor coin populations' covariance and means. |
| US08739950B2 |
Auxiliary pump system for hybrid powertrains
An auxiliary pump system for a hybrid powertrain includes a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic transformer, a plurality of control devices, a sump, and a plurality of fluid flow paths. The accumulator is charged by a high flow, high pressure hydraulic fluid by opening a first of the control devices and closing a second of the control devices. The accumulator is discharged by closing the first of the control devices and opening the second of the control devices. A high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid is communicated from the accumulator to the hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic transformer converts the high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid into a high flow, low pressure hydraulic fluid that is employed by systems within the hybrid powertrain. |
| US08739948B2 |
Support washer for shock absorber valve with blow-off tunability
A valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a valve body defining a fluid passage. A valve disc engages the valve body to close the fluid passage. A fulcrum disc engages the valve disc at a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. The fulcrum disc is designed such that the second position is closer to the valve body. In one embodiment, the fulcrum disc is concave with respect to the valve body. |
| US08739947B2 |
Brake lining for a drum brake assembly
An improved drum brake assembly for reducing braking vibrations and noise. The improved assembly includes a pair of shoes, each extending through an arc and presenting an outer shoe surface. A pair of brake linings of a friction material are coupled to the outer shoe surface. Each of the brake linings has an upper surface and a pair of oppositely facing chamfered edges. Each chamfered edge has an arc length of no less than one inch and is disposed at an angle of between ten and twenty-five degrees from the tangent of the upper surface where it meets the chamfered edge. |
| US08739945B2 |
Disc brake adjusting device having an output side coupling ring with a defined working rotational angle
A wear adjustor adjusts the wear of brake pads and a brake disc of a pneumatic disc brake having a rotary lever brake application device. The wear adjustor is insertable into an adjusting spindle and attached to a caliper of the disc brake by a bearing disc. An axial bearing is formed axially on a side of a drive ring, and a ball ramp coupling with a freewheel function is formed axially on the opposite side of the drive ring. The ball ramp coupling includes balls and a drive socket which is arranged axially, on the drive side, between the axial bearing and the balls thereof, a cone coupling being arranged between the coupling ring on the output side and an elastic sleeve for a cylinder spring. The output-side coupling ring is designed for a working rotational angle defined by at least one fixed abutment. |
| US08739936B2 |
Elevator control of an elevator installation
An elevator control of an elevator installation having at least two elevator cars movable independently of one another in a common elevator includes a control device for maintaining a defined minimum distance between two successive ones of the elevator cars and a defined maximum distance between two successive ones of the elevator cars. |
| US08739934B2 |
User-powered water heater
Water heaters are described that are user-powered, such that external sources of power are unnecessary. The water heaters include a heating device and a generator coupled to a crank such that power is generated as the crank is rotated, which can be used to power the heating device. |
| US08739933B2 |
Oil pump for a refrigeration compressor
An oil pump is applied to a compressor which comprises a shell (1) inferiorly defining an oil reservoir (3) and carrying: a cylinder block (2) in which is journalled a crankshaft (4) carrying a pump body of the oil pump, said pump body (11) having a lower end (lib) immersed in the oil (3) and comprising: at least one collecting wall portion (12) eccentric in relation to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft (4) and which is deformed to present at least one open step (13) disposed in a plane secant to a cross section of the pump body (11) in the region of said collecting wall portion (12) and defining an opening (13a) for admitting oil to the interior of the pump body (11); and an inner impeller wall portion (14) defining a deflector transversal to the direction of admission of the oil through the open step (13) and which, with the rotation of the pump body (11), impels said oil axially and ascendingly. |
| US08739929B2 |
Retractable horizontal lifeline assembly
A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline windable about and paid out from a rotatable drum and a housing. The housing includes a first connector and is configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about a base of the drum. The first connector is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure, the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum, a second connector operatively connected to the lifeline is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure, and the lifeline is tensioned using a crank that rotates the drum to increase the tension in the lifeline and provides indication when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level. |
| US08739924B2 |
Acoustic panel
An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved acoustic panel comprising a sound absorbing member defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edges. A sound blocking member is defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edge. The first face surface of the sound blocking member is secured relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for blocking the transmission of sound therethrough. In another embodiment, the first face surface of the sound blocking member is spaced relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for decoupling the sound blocking member from the sound absorbing member. |
| US08739921B1 |
Sealing, absorbing, and decoupling speaker ring kit
An acoustic system kit for a vehicle speaker and associated methods of installation and manufacture are disclosed. A drum of open-cell foam, preferably several inches thick, having a peel-and-stick pressure-sensitive adhesive backing is cut with two concentric circles to create an outer ring, and inner ring, and a core. The parts are sized to correspond in diameter, respectively, to the front edge, rear edge, and back disc of a particular size of speaker. The inner ring is cut circumferentially to reduce its height to a thin strip relative to the outer ring and drum. Using the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the core is affixed to the inside wall of vehicle door directly behind the door's speaker mount, the inner ring is affixed to the rear edge of a speaker to be installed, and the outer ring is affixed to front edge of the speaker. The speaker is then installed on its mount. |
| US08739916B2 |
Gas delivery device and vehicle
A scent delivery device includes two substrate units and a drive voltage power supply unit. A gap is provided between the two substrate units. The substrate units are placed so that the principal surfaces of their respective substrates face the gap. Each of the substrate units includes a plurality of linear electrodes. The linear electrodes are formed and arranged in the width direction on the principal surface of each of the substrates, and are electrically connected every predetermined period in their arrangement order. The drive voltage power supply unit applies drive voltages having the same repeating pattern to each set of electrically connected linear electrodes, with a predetermined phase difference. This configuration causes the frequencies of drive voltages applied to the respective substrate units to differ from each other, thereby setting the blowing direction to an arbitrary direction. |
| US08739915B2 |
Drivetrain and method for controlling a drivetrain
A drivetrain for a motor vehicle, which has a permanently driven rear axle and a front axle which is driven on demand. The drivetrain comprises a drive unit whose output is connected to an input member of a differential of the rear axle and to a clutch arrangement for driving the front axle. The clutch arrangement has a first and a second friction clutch which can be controlled substantially independently of one another. The input members of said friction clutches are connected to the output of the drive unit. The output members of said friction clutches being connected respectively to a left and to a right driveshaft of the front axle. |
| US08739910B2 |
Power supply system for electric vehicle
A power supply system for an electric vehicle includes a battery, a first power line, a first connector, a first shock absorbing member, a first rigid member, and a second rigid member. The first rigid member includes a first front connection portion and a rear portion. The second rigid member includes a first rear connection portion and a front portion. The rear portion of the first rigid member is contactable with the front portion of the second rigid member at a contact point when a front-end collision of the electric vehicle occurs. The first connector is disposed within a first triangular region defined by the first front connection portion, the first rear connection portion, and the contact point in a plan view of the electric vehicle. |
| US08739908B2 |
Motor driven vehicle
A motor driven vehicle can include a swing arm swingably mounted to a vehicle body of a motor driven vehicle, and housing an electric motor driving a drive wheel of the vehicle. A pipe-like duct can have one end side connected to a hole communicating with an inside space of the swing arm, and another end side extending toward a vehicle body side. A harness, configured to drive the electric motor, can be inserted through the duct. |
| US08739906B2 |
Hybrid-type construction machine and control method for hybrid-type construction machine
A hybrid-type construction machine includes a controller configured to control a revolution speed of an engine; a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the engine; a motor generator configured to assist the engine; and a hydraulic circuit configured to supply an operating oil discharged from the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic load, wherein when the controller determines that the hydraulic circuit is in an excessive output state, the controller controls the revolution speed of the engine so as to be lower than an ordinary revolution speed of the engine while controlling the motor generator to generate electricity. |
| US08739905B1 |
Drive assembly
A drive apparatus driven by a prime mover that has a prime mover output shaft is disclosed. The drive apparatus has a housing and a power take off. The power take off is driven by the prime mover output shaft and selectively drives a power take off output shaft. The drive apparatus further has a variable speed transmission disposed within the housing. The variable speed transmission drives a transmission output shaft, which in turn drives a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. A first drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the first clutch mechanism and a second drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the second clutch mechanism. |
| US08739895B2 |
Machine tool
The machine tool includes a pneumatic percussion mechanism having a cup-shaped exciter cylinder (21) with an inner chamber (31) which is open in the direction of impact (26), and a free piston (22) which is movable in the inner chamber (31). A recess (32) and at least one ventilation opening (35), spaced at a distance from the recess (32) in the direction of impact (26), are provided in a shell-type wall (39) of the inner chamber (31). The free piston (22) includes a sealing element (53) which seals off the at least one ventilation opening (35) when the sealing element (53) is oppositely situated from the at least one ventilation opening (35), and which in the region of the recess (32) is separated at a distance from the shell-type wall (39) when the sealing element (53) is oppositely situated from the recess. |
| US08739894B2 |
Handheld work apparatus
The invention relates to a handheld work apparatus having a handle. A throttle trigger and a throttle trigger lock are arranged on the handle. An operating-mode selector having an off position, an operating position and a starting position is provided. The selector, trigger lock and the trigger are pivotally mounted. A first latching element is provided on the selector and a second latching element is provided on the trigger element, which coact in the starting position of the selector and the starting position of the trigger and hold the trigger in its starting position. To ensure that the starting position of the selector can only be engaged when the trigger is actuated, the second latching element lies outside of the pivot path of the first latching element in the non-actuated position of the trigger. |
| US08739883B2 |
Internal tree cap and ITC running tool
Internal tree cap (201) (ITC) adapted to be installed in the bore of a subsea well unit (301) or to an internal tubular element (303) of the same, comprising a locking element (209) for releasably locking the internal tree cap (201) to said subsea well unit (301) or internal tubular element (303). The ITC further comprises a fluid channel (215) extending through a fluid barrier between the lower and upper part of the internal tree cap (201), which fluid channel (215) is blocked by a burst element (217) adapted to break and open for fluid flow through the fluid channel (215) when exposed to a predetermined pressure difference over the burst element (217). The invention also relates to an ITC running tool (101) and a locking mechanism (117) for supporting the ITC in the tool. |
| US08739876B2 |
Nanohybrid-stabilized emulsions and methods of use in oil field applications
Methods of using nanohybrid-stabilized emulsions in a well are provided that include the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion comprising: (i) a nanohybrid; (ii) water or an aqueous solution; and (iii) a water-immiscible liquid; (b) introducing a well fluid comprising the emulsion into a well; and (c) after the step of introducing, modifying the nanohybrid to break the emulsion in the well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations. |
| US08739874B2 |
Methods for heating with slots in hydrocarbon formations
Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation. |
| US08739871B2 |
Thermally-activated, high temperature particulate suspending agents and methods relating thereto
A particulate suspending agent may be useful for mitigating particulate settling in wellbore applications with high-temperature and/or at near-neutral and higher pH values. Methods of treating a wellbore may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous liquid, a plurality of particulates, and a particulate suspending agent, wherein the particulate suspending agent comprises a crosslinked polymer particulate formed by a reaction comprising a first monofunctional monomer and an orthoester crosslinker, the orthoester crosslinker comprising an orthoester linkage and at least two crosslinking moieties; and placing the treatment fluid in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. |
| US08739870B2 |
System and method for sealing gravel exit ports in gravel pack assemblies
A system having a sealing assembly for a gravel port in a gravel pack apparatus. The sealing assembly includes a sealing element around an outer circumference of the gravel pack assembly above the gravel pack and below the gravel port. The sealing element is on the outside housing of the gravel pack apparatus or on a separate piece of equipment located above the gravel pack and below the gravel port, permitting a larger flow bore through the gravel pack apparatus. The sealing element may be selectively actuated after the gravel pack operation has concluded, thus maintaining the gravel pack in the desired location. The removal of a gravel pack tool may permit the sealing element to be actuated. |
| US08739869B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced waterfloods
Methods for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation including adding a first salt to a first aqueous stream to form a first injection stream with an increased concentration of a first ion. A second salt is added to a second aqueous stream to form a second injection stream with an increased concentration of a second ion. The second injection stream is of different composition than the first injection stream and the first injection stream and the second injection stream have substantially the same interfacial tension with a hydrocarbon and substantially the same kinematic viscosity. The first injection stream is injected into the formation at a first time and the second injection stream is injected into the formation at a second time. The first injection stream and second injection stream contact at least some overlapping portion of the formation. Oil is recovered from the overlapping portion of the formation. |
| US08739868B2 |
System and method of strain measurement amplification
A technique physically amplifies strain to facilitate measurement of strain/displacement. A strain amplifying mechanism is mounted to a component being monitored for strain and comprises an input port and an output port. The strain amplifying mechanism is attached to the component such that the input port moves when the component undergoes strain. Movement of the input port causes movement of the output port over a distance greater than the physical movement of the input port. A strain sensor is coupled to the output port to detect its movement over the greater distance. |
| US08739866B2 |
Method for extracting bitumen and/or ultra-heavy oil from an underground deposit, associated installation and operating method for said installation
A method for extracting bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil from an underground deposit is provided. The energy for producing the steam and for the electric heating is generated in situ, for which purpose part of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil is burned in an industrial turbine with a downstream generator coupled to the turbine. The industrial turbine may be a gas turbine or a steam turbine. In particular the industrial turbine with downstream generator is assigned a waste heat recovery steam generator which serves for generating the steam and accordingly takes the form of a boiler. Through intermediate storage of the bitumen and/or ultra-heavy oil produced it is possible to implement a self-contained closed circuit which operates autonomously, independently of any external energy supply, using approx. 20% of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil for the purposes of extraction. |
| US08739861B2 |
Electrical wiring for drill pipe, casing, and tubing
An apparatus includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has a first joint section. The first joint section has first holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a first preload face. The second pin has a second joint section. The second joint section has second holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a second preload face. The second joint section is adapted to receive the first joint section and the first holes match the second holes when the first pin and the second pin are mated. |
| US08739859B2 |
Reversible thermal rectifiers, temperature control systems and vehicles incorporating the same
Reversible thermal rectifiers for selectively controlling the direction of heat flow include a plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects disposed in a fluid medium, wherein each of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects include a refractive side and a reflective side such that heat flows past the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the refractive side, and heat is reflected from the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the reflective side, and a bidirectional field actuator system that selectively orients the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects between a first orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a first direction, and a second orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction. |
| US08739858B2 |
Evaporator and vapor production method
An evaporator includes a double pipe provided between an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member. The double pipe includes an inner pipe as a passage of water and an outer pipe as a passage of raw fuel. The inner pipe has a plurality of small holes connected to the outer pipe for maintaining the pressurized state of the water in the inner pipe. When the water gushes out of the small holes of the inner pipe in the outer pipe, phase transition of the water from the liquid phase to the gas phase occurs, and the water vapor is mixed with the raw fuel in the gas phase in the outer pipe. |
| US08739850B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A side wall portion including, in a specific region in a tire radial direction, a decorative region including two or more decorative portions that are continuously disposed so as to be contiguous in a tire circumferential direction, the decorative portions including multiple convex ridges that are disposed on an outer surface so as to be adjacent in the tire circumferential direction. The ridges in the same decorative portion have a same ridge arrangement angle, and the ridge arrangement angle of the contiguous decorative portion differs therefrom not less than 20° and not more than 160°. In all regions in the tire circumferential direction, at least one side in the tire radial direction of the decorative portion overlaps with the contiguous decorative portion. A distance between a first imaginary boundary line and a second imaginary boundary line is less than 1 mm. |
| US08739847B2 |
Heavy duty tire
A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with a central circumferential groove, a crown circumferential groove on each side thereof and crown axial grooves extending therebetween so as to for crown blocks. The crown block is circumferentially subdivides into two block pieces by a crown narrow groove. The crown axial groove is provided in the groove bottom with a tie bar rising therefrom and connecting the circumferentially adjacent two crown blocks each other. The crown axial grooves are inclined at an angle α of from 10 to 30 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction.The central circumferential groove and an axially inner part of the crown axial groove which part is axially inside the tie bar, are shallower than the crown circumferential groove. |
| US08739842B2 |
Method for adjusting air to liquid ratio in vapor recovery system
An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible. |
| US08739837B2 |
Insulating molded part
An insulating molded part for a hot gas conducting component, in particular an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, is described, which exhibits increased mechanical strength by using an insulating fibrous tissue. |
| US08739836B2 |
Refrigerant-transporting hose
A refrigerant-transporting hose includes a tubular inner layer 1 in contact with a fluorine refrigerant, an intermediate layer 2 formed on an outer periphery surface thereof, and at least one rubber layer 3 and 5 formed on a further outer periphery thereof, and the inner layer 1 is made of a inner layer material including maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene as a main component and the intermediate layer 2 is made of a intermediate layer material including polyamide resin as a main component. |
| US08739831B2 |
Self-reset valve
A self-reset valve has a fixed unit, a water diversion body, a stop mechanism, a drive shaft and a clutch. The fixed unit is disposed with an inlet waterway and at least two waterways. The water diversion body is rotatably connected to the fixed unit inside. The water diversion body is disposed with an outer revolution surface having an outer ratch and an inner revolution surface. The stop mechanism is connected to the fixed unit and acted on the outer ratch. The drive shaft is rotatably connected to the fixed unit. The drive shaft is disposed with a control end and a drive end. The clutch is connected between the drive end of the drive shaft and the inner revolution surface of the water diversion body. The reset elastic body is connected between the drive shaft and the fixed unit. |
| US08739827B2 |
Single-lever mixing gear for a plumbing fixture
Conventional single-lever plumbing fixtures include a so-called cartridge in which the cold and hot water streams fed to said plumbing fixture are discharged into sanitary equipment or are blocked and are mixed with each other. |
| US08739825B2 |
Device for burst pipe safety
A device for the protection against the rupture of pipes carrying a fluid includes two or more flow channels and a closing element which interrupts the flow of fluid if a predetermined permissible volume flow is exceeded. At least one of the flow channels can be closed by a test closure in order to increase the flow speed in the remaining flow channels and for test purposes to bring about a movement of the closing element into the closing position. In this way, devices for the protection against the rupture of pipes integrated into complex systems carrying a fluid can be tested in situ to verify their proper functioning. |
| US08739821B2 |
Fuel tank
A fuel introduction member is connected to an open end of a siphon tube which constitutes a part of a fuel tank. The fuel introduction member is provided with an opening through which a fuel is introduced from the tank into the siphon tube and from the siphon into the tank, a lid portion which is swung by the hydraulic pressure from the siphon tube so as to open the opening, and a float member which floats on the fuel in accordance with the rise of a fuel liquid surface in the tank to displace the lid portion in order to open the opening. |
| US08739819B2 |
Fluid regulator having pressure registration flow modifier
A fluid regulating device includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a valve port, and a control element shiftable within the valve body. A control assembly includes an actuator coupled to the control element and includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent a diaphragm chamber. A sense tube has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end positioned to communicate with the diaphragm chamber, the second end disposed adjacent the outlet, and the intermediate portion disposed adjacent an intermediate portion of the outlet. The sense tube includes a shoulder and a flared portion, with the flared portion disposed adjacent the second end. |
| US08739816B2 |
Fire hydrant box
A fire hydrant box accommodates a hand held firefighting spray gun, a water inlet pipe with a rotary connector and a connection unit. A positioning member capable of bearing gravity is installed on the sidewall inside the box. A rotary member is movably connected with the positioning member, from which two supporting members extend to engage and support a rotary base of a firefighting hose assembly. The rotary base includes a rolling mechanism used to roll the fire hose thereon. Two rolling disks are provided to two sides of the rolling mechanism. One rolling disk is provided with a handle to roll and release the fire hose, and the other rolling disk is connected to the water inlet pipe. The connection unit can be easily rotated out of the accommodating space in order for the fireman to easily access the fire hose and the firefighting spray gun. |
| US08739814B2 |
Wall-mounted faucet control module
A wall-mounted faucet control comprises: a control handle and three joints. Each joint has an insertion aperture. Each insertion aperture has a different cross-sectional shape such that the control handle can be installed with the various control rods. Each insertion aperture has a limiting aperture at one end, and the limiting aperture further provides a locking member and a washer. An assembling slot is disposed adjacent to the insertion aperture of each joint, and the assembling slot engages with a screwing member of the control handle. Two joints further have the securing aperture connected to the insertion aperture adjacent to the assembling slot, and the securing aperture engages with a securing member. The joints of the control handle can be correspondingly alternated for the various valve rods. The control handle can be installed with the various water valves, which can provide variety and convenience. |