| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08753566B1 |
Method for treating condensed vapor streams containing odorous compounds
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for treating a condensate stream from a condenser that contains odorous compounds, such as various condensate streams produced in a rendering process. In one embodiment, the condensate stream is treated by adding an oxidizer to the liquid condensate stream to oxidize odor-causing compounds in the stream prior to being treated in a waste water pre-treatment system. In this manner, the odor resulting from these compounds can be reduced or eliminated. |
| US08753562B2 |
Production method of fine grain polycrystalline diamond compact
[Problem]This invention aims to provide a production method of a fine grain polycrystalline diamond compact which is suitable for finishing cutting tool materials and/or ultra-precision machining tool materials. In the method, a freeze-drying process for preventing the growth of secondary particle formation is unnecessary, and an aid does not need to be mixed in advance.[Means for Resolution]Disclosed is a following production method of a fine grain polycrystalline diamond compact. Each of carbonate and a C—H based organic compound which is a solid at room temperature, is sandwiched between diamond powder layers to stack them up in layers in a Ta capsule. Particle size of the diamond powder is 4 μm or less in average; and the organic compound is preferably one or more selected from among polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. The layers in the capsule are sintered under the conditions of a pressure of 7.7 GPa or higher and a temperature of 2000° C. or higher.In the method, diamond powder as a raw material for sintering is prepared without any freeze-drying process; also the pre-mixture of an aid and an oxalic acid dihydrate which is a hazardous material, is not required. |
| US08753560B2 |
Mold for golf balls
Mold 2 includes a pair of mold halves (upper mold half 4 and lower mold half 6). A spherical cavity is formed by mating upper mold half 4 and lower mold half 6. A large number of pimples 10 are provided on the cavity face of the upper mold half 4 and lower mold half 6. The upper mold half 4 and the lower mold half 6 have flat plane 14, protrusion 16 and recess 18, respectively. The protrusion 16 projects from the equator Eq. The recess 18 is depressed from the equator Eq. The protrusion 16 includes a part of the pimple 10. The proportion P1 of the number of the protrusion 16 that is adjacent to other protrusion 16 belonging to other mold half distinct from the mold half to which itself belongs, to the total number of the protrusions 16 is equal to or greater than 50%. The proportion Pw of the sum total of the widths of the protrusions 16 measured along the equator, to the entire length of the equator is equal to or greater than 35%. |
| US08753559B2 |
Fabrication method of nanoparticle
A fabrication method of nanoparticles is provided. A substrate having a plurality of pillar structures is provided and then a plurality of ring structures is formed to surround the plurality of the pillar structures. The inner wall of each ring structure surrounds the sidewall of each pillar structure. A portion of each pillar structure is removed to reduce the height of each pillar structure and to expose the inner wall of each ring structure. The ring structures are separated from the pillar structures to form a plurality of nanoparticles. Surface modifications are applied to the ring structures before the ring structures are separated from the pillar structures on the substrate. |
| US08753556B2 |
Method for mining simulations
The present invention relates to an educational method and apparatus for the instruction of basic scientific principles relating to mining. The apparatus consists of a kit for science instruction that comprises a topographic mold, casting compound, and one or more components simulating materials found in nature beneath the surface of the earth. The kit may include a tool for obtaining core samples of the resulting topographic model and may include a topographic map. The components of the kit may be used in conjunction with weight measurement tools. |
| US08753550B2 |
Surface-modified pigment compositions
Pigment compositions containing organic pigments with an outstanding migration-free property and an excellent rheology at high concentration, and derivatives thereof containing heterocyclic substituents. The pigment compositions contains (a) carbon black or an organic pigment containing a chromophore Q1 of the following formula, wherein Z1 and Z2 are O or N—, C· is a carbon atom with an electron in a p orbital, and n is an integer from 1 to 4; and (b) a compound containing a chromophore of the following formula (II), wherein Q2 is an m-valent residue of carbon black or of the chromophore Q1; G1 is preferably and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R8 are preferably all H; m is an integer from 1 to 4. The pigment compositions can be used as rheology modifiers, preferably for pigmented coating compositions. |
| US08753548B2 |
Composite oxide sintered body and sputtering target comprising same
A composite oxide sintered body includes In, Zn, and Sn, and has a relative density of 90% or more, an average crystal grain size of 10 μm or less, and a bulk resistance of 30 mΩcm or less, the number of tin oxide aggregate particles having a diameter of 10 μm or more being 2.5 or less per mm2 of the composite oxide sintered body. |
| US08753547B2 |
Ternary thermoelectric material containing nanoparticles and process for producing the same
A thermoelectric material that comprises a ternary main group matrix material and nano-particles and/or nano-inclusions of a Group 2 or Group 12 metal oxide dispersed therein. A process for making the thermoelectric material that includes reacting a reduced metal precursor with an oxidized metal precursor in the presence of nanoparticles. |
| US08753543B2 |
Chemically functionalized submicron graphitic fibrils, methods for producing same and compositions containing same
The present invention provides a chemically functionalized submicron graphitic fibril having a diameter or thickness less than 1 μm, wherein the fibril is free of continuous thermal carbon overcoat, free of continuous hollow core, and free of catalyst. The fibril is obtained by splitting a micron-scaled carbon fiber or graphite fiber along the fiber axis direction. These functionalized graphitic fibrils exhibit exceptionally high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, high elastic modulus, high strength and good interfacial bonding with a matrix resin in a composite. The present invention also provides several products that contain submicron graphitic fibrils: (a) paper, thin-film, mat, and web products; (b) rubber or tire products; (c) energy conversion or storage devices, such as fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors; (d) adhesives, inks, coatings, paints, lubricants, and grease products; (e) heavy metal ion scavenger; (f) absorbent (e.g., to recover spill oil); (g) sensors; (h) friction and brake components; (i) radiation-shield components; (j) catalyst carrier; and (k) composite materials. |
| US08753542B2 |
Thermally stable conducting polymers, methods of making, and methods of use thereof
Disclosed herein are thermally stable conducting polymers prepared by template polymerization of a conducting monomer in the presence of a sulfonated poly(amic acid). The resulting conducting polymer-sulfonated poly(amic acid) complex can be thermally converted to a conducting polymer-sulfonated poly(imide) complex having high thermal stability and high conductivity. Also disclosed are articles prepared from the thermally stable conducting polymer. |
| US08753540B2 |
Method for preparing graphene sheets from turbostratic graphitic structure and graphene sheets prepared thereby
The present invention relates to a method for preparing graphene, and more particularly to a method of preparing graphene sheets, which can prepare graphene sheets from a turbostratic graphitic structure such as carbon fiber in higher yield without using a strong oxidizing agent, and to graphene sheets prepared thereby. |
| US08753537B2 |
Mixture for liquid crystal medium and liquid crystal display using the same
The present invention provides a mixture for liquid crystal medium and a liquid crystal display using the same. The mixture for liquid crystal medium comprises: at least one anisotropic liquid crystal material and a polymerizable monomer which will polymerize under UV irradiation. The weight percentage of the polymerizable monomer accounts for 0.1% to 1% of the total mixture for liquid crystal medium. In the mixture for liquid crystal medium and a liquid crystal display using the same according to the present invention, by using a polymerizable monomer which will polymerize under UV irradiation and the appropriate content ratio, the polymer bump with small size and good uniformity can be obtained within the mixture for liquid crystal medium after the polymerization, which avoids the bad liquid crystal alignment and the light spot occurred at the dark state of the liquid crystal panel, and then increases the response rapid of the liquid crystal panel to obtain high contrast ratio and stable mass production. |
| US08753530B2 |
Magnetic particle and method of preparing the same
An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a magnetic particle, which comprises attaching a transition metal-containing organic compound to a surface of a hard magnetic particle and then thermally decomposing the transition metal-containing organic compound to obtain the magnetic particle. |
| US08753528B2 |
Etchant for controlled etching of Ge and Ge-rich silicon germanium alloys
The present disclosure provides a chemical etchant which is capable of removing Ge and Ge-rich SiGe alloys in a controlled manner. The chemical etchant of the present disclosure includes a mixture of a halogen-containing acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Water is present in the mixture in an amount of greater than 90% by volume of the entire mixture. The present disclosure also provides a method of making such a chemical etchant. The method includes mixing, in any order, a halogen-containing acid and hydrogen peroxide to provide a halogen-containing acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture, and adding water to the halogen-containing acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture. Also disclosed is a method of etching a Ge or Ge-rich SiGe alloy utilizing the chemical etchant of the present application. |
| US08753525B2 |
Microporous carbons with aligned pores for supercapacitors
A microporous carbon matrix material composition for use in supercapacitor electrodes may be produced by depositing carbon on a sacrificial zeolite template via one of several methods (e.g., hydrothermal or solvo-thermal deposition, sub-atmospheric vapor phase deposition, or high-pressure infiltration of hydrocarbon vapors). The deposition produces a carbon-coated zeolite intermediary. A surface layer of carbon formed on the carbon-coated zeolite intermediary may then be refined and the refined carbon-coated zeolite intermediary may be etched to produce a microporous carbon matrix having a substantially uniform structure and substantially aligned pores. In some embodiments, the carbon-coated zeolite intermediary may be annealed after deposition. |
| US08753524B2 |
Composite media for water treatment processes and methods of using same
Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising a hydrocarbon liquid and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbon liquid and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbon liquid and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite. |
| US08753521B2 |
Offshore oil spill remediation and recovery system
An offshore water-hydrocarbon separator system is capable of entrapping spilled oil offshore, and recovering the oil to a usable state for subsequent refining. The kinetic energy of a towing vessel provides the energy for establishing a flow path of oil and seawater through the hydrocarbon separator. Annular venturi provided at each successive stage in the separator accelerate a core flow of sea water substantially down the center of the flow path, while drag associated with aggregated oil particles forces oil outward, away from the core, to flow along the walls of each stage. The energy that establishes the core flow of water is provided by the kinetic energy of the surface vessel and the acceleration of core flow at each successive venturi. No other source of energy is needed to induce the water hydrocarbon separation. |
| US08753515B2 |
Dialysis system with ultrafiltration control
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both. |
| US08753508B2 |
Installation for water treatment by flotation and corresponding water treatment method
A system and process for treating water wherein water to be treated is directed to an inlet zone and from the inlet zone to a mixing zone. A flotation zone receives water from the mixing zone. A clarified water collection area is disposed adjacent the flotation zone for receiving clarified water from the flotation zone. There is provided one or more spray nozzles disposed in the mixing zone for injecting pressurized water into the mixing zone and generating air bubbles in the mixing zone such that the air bubbles are mixed with the water to be treated. A perforated plate separates the inlet zone and the mixing zone and includes an array of openings through which water to be treated passes as the water to be treated moves from the inlet zone to the mixing zone. The openings in the perforated plate give rise to a homogeneous mixture of the water to be treated and the air bubbles that result from the pressurized water being injected into the mixing zone by the one or more spray nozzles. Suspended matter and particulate in the water agglomerates around or with the air bubbles and the air bubbles carry the suspended matter and particulate to the surface of the water to be treated. Once the water and air bubbles reach the flotation zone, the air bubbles with the associated suspended matter and particulate can be removed from the surface of the water by a flotation process. |
| US08753507B2 |
Artificial oil lifting unit using absorbent belts
An artificial oil lifting unit uses an endless olephilic absorbent belt, driven by a surface equipment and tensed by a down hole equipment placed in the well production casing. The said absorbent belt (1) is looped over a central pulley (2) from a driving and collecting module (C) and driven by a double toothed belt (4) looped over six pulleys from which five are free (6,7,8,9 and 10). One is a driving pulley (5) placed over an entry shaft (36), the double toothed belt (4) being looped also over the oil absorbent belt on the central pulley and tensed with two identical systems (I) with pulleys commanded from the exterior of the case (13). |
| US08753506B2 |
Apparatus for filtering sewage and wastewater
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for filtering sewage and wastewater. The filtering apparatus has a vertical structure including a filtering belt comprising a filter bag or a filter mesh that can filter out fine impurities. For this, the filtering apparatus includes a drive motor that receives power to drive the apparatus, an upper drive drum that is operated by the drive motor, a lower rotating drum that is interlocked with the upper drive drum, and a filtering belt that is wound and rotated around the upper drive drum and the lower rotating drum. The filtering apparatus cannot only filter out fine impurities less than from 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm but also separate earth and sand, unlike conventional filtering apparatuses that cannot conduct them. Furthermore, because the filtering apparatus can be placed upright or inclined at a predetermined angle, it can be used in a water inlet passage that is 4 m to 5 m underground, and impurities filtered out from water can be transferred to a height higher than 10 m above ground. |
| US08753504B2 |
Systems and processes for removing elemental sulfur compounds from desulfurized fuels
A system and process are disclosed for removing elemental sulfur compounds from hydro-desulfurization (HDS) treated hydrocarbon products including liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Low (sub-ppm) concentrations of sulfur remain in the hydrocarbons, providing, e.g., fuel products suitable for use in various modalities including, e.g., jet fuels and fuel cell Auxiliary Power Units (APUs). |
| US08753503B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing a reformate by introducing isopentane
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for producing a reformate by combining a stream having an effective amount of isopentane and a stream having an effective amount of naphtha for reforming. Generally, the naphtha has not less than about 95%, by weight, of one or more compounds having a boiling point of about 38-about 260° C. as determined by ASTM D86-07. The process may include introducing the combined stream to a reforming reaction zone. The combined stream can have an isopentane:naphtha mass ratio of about 0.10:1.00-about 1.00:1.00. |
| US08753501B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing diesel
A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product. |
| US08753500B2 |
Process and system for blending synthetic and natural crude oils derived from offshore produced fluids
A process and system are described for the processing of gas associated with crude oil production, i.e. associated gas. A separation complex is used to separate produced fluids produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir into crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, water, and natural gas. At least a portion of the natural gas is converted into synthesis gas in a synthesis gas generator. A combination of a synthesis gas conversion catalysts and hydroconversion catalysts are used in a synthesis gas reactor to convert the synthesis gas into a liquid effluent stream containing liquefied petroleum gas and a synthetic crude oil. The liquefied petroleum gas and synthetic crude oil from the synthesis gas reactor is sent to the separation complex. Liquefied petroleum gas is separated both from the synthetic crude oil and a natural crude oil obtained from the produced fluids. The system and process permits synthetic crude oil to be blended with the natural crude oil producing a blended stabilized crude oil having 2 wt % or more of the synthetic crude oil and with a pour point of 60° C. or less. Use of a common facility for separation operations on the natural crude oil and synthetic crude oil thus reduces capital costs and allows converted associated gases to be shipped with the natural crude oil on a conventional crude oil tanker. |
| US08753488B2 |
Advanced nano technology for growing metallic nano-clusters
An apparatus for growing nano-clusters includes a pair of electrodes separated by an electrode pair spacing and a field generation module that generates a corona discharge across the electrodes. The corona discharge generates an electromagnetic field near the electrodes. A voltage potential across the electrodes is a medium voltage. The field generation module includes a medium voltage module that generates a medium voltage waveform, which is transmitted to the electrodes to generate the corona discharge. The field generation module includes a broad frequency generation module that generates a broad spectrum of frequencies within the medium voltage waveform. A raw material feeder module feeds particles of a raw material through the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field with the broad spectrum of frequencies is operative to separate at least a portion of the raw material fed through the electromagnetic field into free atoms. |
| US08753486B2 |
Optimizing feed mixer performance in a paraffinic froth treatment process
The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. One process provides for operation of a bitumen froth treatment plant at optimum shear rates in the feed pipe carrying the bitumen froth to the froth settling unit. Another process provides for optimizing the design of a bitumen froth treatment plant by optimizing the diameter of the feed pipe to impart an optimum shear rate to the bitumen froth mixture and further optimizing the volume of the feed pipe to impart an optimum residence time for the bitumen froth stream in the feed pipe. An optimal plant design is also disclosed, the plant including optimal diameter and volume of the feed pipe. |
| US08753484B2 |
Ligno cellulosic materials and the products made therefrom
A process comprising treating a lignocellulosic material preferably pulp in the presence of a transition metal catalyst with a oxidizing agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid and any combination thereof to form a treated lignocellulosic material having a viscosity equal to or less than about 17 cp and having reducing functional groups selected from the group consisting of aldehyde and aldehyde type functional groups at the C6 and C1 positions but predominating at the C1 position. |
| US08753481B2 |
Powder composition and use thereof for paper production
The present invention relates to powder compositions whose particles comprise at least one inorganic pigment, wherein at least one biodegradable polyester polymer and/or polyalkylene carbonate polymer is arranged on the pigment surface, a process for producing these powder compositions and use thereof in the production of paper, card and board. |
| US08753477B2 |
BCTMP filtrate recycling system and method
A process for making bleached pulp comprises contacting an unbleached pulp mixture with a first recycled filtrate obtained from a first location of a first recycled filtrate loop, to obtain a first pulp mixture having a first consistency; bleaching the pulp mixture, to obtain a first bleached pulp mixture; pressing or dewatering the bleached pulp mixture, to obtain a first pressed bleached pulp mixture and a second filtrate; sending a portion of the second filtrate to a second location of the first recycled filtrate loop, wherein the second location is downstream of and in fluid communication with the first location; contacting the pressed bleached pulp mixture with a second recycled filtrate obtained from a third location of the first recycled filtrate loop, to obtain a second pulp mixture having a second consistency, wherein the second consistency is greater than the first consistency, and wherein the third location is downstream of and in fluid communication with the second location; bleaching the second pulp mixture, to obtain a second bleached pulp mixture; pressing or dewatering the second bleached pulp mixture, to obtain a second pressed bleached pulp mixture and a third filtrate; sending a portion of the third filtrate to a fourth location of the first recycled filtrate loop, wherein the fourth location is downstream of and in fluid communication with the third location; and recycling a portion of the third filtrate in the first recycled filtrate loop to the first location. |
| US08753475B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
Provided is a plasma processing apparatus featuring highly improved plasma ignition property and ignition stability by defining a positional relationship between a dielectric and the slots. A plasma processing apparatus 11 includes a processing chamber 12 having a top opening; a dielectric 15 which has inclined surfaces 16a and 16b on a bottom surface thereof so that a thickness dimension is successively varied, and is disposed so as to close the top opening of the processing chamber 12; and an antenna 24disposed on a top surface of the dielectric 15, for supplying microwave to the dielectric 15, thereby generating plasma at the bottom surface of the dielectric 15. Further, the antenna 24 is provided with a plurality of slots 25positioned uprightly above the inclined surfaces 16a and 16b. |
| US08753474B2 |
Method and apparatus for high efficiency gas dissociation in inductive couple plasma reactor
Embodiments of the present invention relate to method and apparatus for providing processing gases to a process chamber with improved plasma dissociation efficiency. One embodiment of the present invention provides a baffle nozzle assembly comprising an outer body defining an extension volume connected to a processing chamber. A processing gas is flown to the processing chamber through the extension volume which is exposed to power source for plasma generation. |
| US08753473B2 |
Composite structural elements and method of making same
A composite structural element and a method for making same are provided. The element includes a polymer foam core and at least one fibrous layer adhered to the polymer foam core by epoxy. Nano-particles are suspended in the epoxy prior to curing; preferably they are mixed with the hardener before it is mixed with the resin. The polymer foam core is preferably an exothermic foam such as polyurethane, and heat generated by the exothermic foam cures the epoxy, thereby causing the fibrous layer to adhere to the foam core. The nano-particles may be made from at least one of carbon, a ceramic, tungsten, a carbide, titanium, zircon, aluminum, silver, or boron. When carbon nano-particles are used, the strength of the composite is greatly increased, and the curing time of the heat-curable epoxy is significantly reduced. Ceramic nano-particles can be used to increase penetration resistance and provide increased ballistic protection. |
| US08753470B2 |
Analyte sensors and methods of use
Analyte sensors for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The sensors have a sample chamber having an inlet with a projection extending from an edge of the sensor for facilitating flow of sample into the sample chamber. |
| US08753465B2 |
Method for manufacturing composite parts comprising braided fibers
A method of fabricating a composite material part such as a link. The method comprises the successive operations of applying reinforcing fiber layers (14a, 14b, 14c) that are braided around a mandrel over all or part of the length of the mandrel, the layers being superposed one on another. The method includes a step of cutting an intermediate reinforcing fiber layer (14a, 14b, 14c) after it has been applied, a step of withdrawing a cut portion prior to applying the following braided layer (14b, 14c), thereby locally building up an extra thickness of reinforcing layers on each portion of the cut layer that has remained in place, the extra thickness constituting local reinforcement of the part. Resin is subsequently injected into the various braided layers prior to the resin being polymerized in order to prepare a blank. The method applies in particular to the field of aviation. |
| US08753457B2 |
Nitrogen alloyed martensitic stainless steel and process
The present invention comprises a process for nitriding martensitic stainless steel and the alloy produced thereby comprising heating a stainless steel alloy to a temperature of from about 900° F. (480° C.) to about 2500° F. (1370° C.) in a vacuum furnace in the presence of hydrogen or argon gas in order to clean the surface. After the hydrogen or argon gas is removed from the chamber, nitrogen gas, or a different nitrogen gas derivative is injected into said furnace as a pulsed injection at a partial pressure of from about 500 torr to about 1000 torr. The steel is nitrogen alloyed at a temperature of from about 1400° F. (760° C.) to about 2200° F. (1205° C.) and then quickly quenched at ambient temperature. Preferably, after a sufficient period of time, the temperature is raised a second time from about 900° F. (480° C.) to about 2500° F. (1370° C.) prior to cooling the final product. |
| US08753455B2 |
Brazing material containing a flux
A wire for use in a brazing or soldering operation is provided. The wire preferably includes a body formed of a metallic material. A flux solution is provided within a channel along at least a portion of the length of the body and a surface of the flux solution is exposed. The body is preferably formed into an annular ring having an inner wall and an opposing outer wall. The flux solution preferably includes a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent, and a powdered flux added to the polymer solution. |
| US08753451B2 |
Fuel and fuel tank treatment
Liquid hydrocarbon storage tanks are cleaned by transferring the most contaminated lower fuel layer to an external vessel on a treatment truck where separation into a contaminants portion and a fuel portion occurs. The remnant fuel in the storage tank is cleaned by multiple passes through an external circuit on the truck. The fuel from the vessel is sometimes returned to the remnant fuel to be cleaned. The contaminants are discarded. The initial separation shortens the cleaning cycle. A flexible dip tube stiffened by a guide rod allows probing of the storage tank floor. |
| US08753444B2 |
Reinforced sulphur concrete
Reinforced sulphur concrete wherein one or more metal reinforcing members are in contact with sulphur concrete is disclosed. The reinforced sulphur concrete comprises an adhesion promoter that enhances the interaction between the sulphur and the one or more metal reinforcing members. |
| US08753442B2 |
Roofing coating asphalt composition
A method of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a non-coating grade asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. The non-coating grade asphalt feedstock is partially blown to lower its penetration to a first penetration that is within or close to a target penetration range of the coating asphalt, and to raise its softening point to a first softening point that is lower than a target softening point range of the coating asphalt. A wax is added to the partially blown non-coating grade asphalt to further raise its softening point to a second softening point that is within the target softening point range to produce the coating asphalt. The wax may also be added during the blowing process. Resulting roofing coating asphalt compositions may comprise a paving grade asphalt and a wax, and yet still has desirable penetration, softening point and viscosity. |
| US08753432B2 |
Tiltable vacuum loader and receiver with blow-back
A vacuum loader for providing granular resin material to resin material processing equipment has a loader housing, a vacuum motor, a dust filter, an air blast generator, a dump flap, and a pivoting manually releasable latch for retaining the lateral web and the loader from tilting rotation of the loader about the shaft and supporting the loader when placed in a tilted orientation; the latch being weighted to pivotally return to a web-retaining position when released by an operator. |
| US08753430B2 |
Affixing a seal sheet to a rotor of a rotary valve
Rotary valves are disclosed, comprising a seal sheet affixed to a rotor. At least some area, namely a “rotor plate surface mating area” is provided, over which a seal sheet anchoring assembly can directly abut, along a planar portion, the rotor plate surface that is in contact with the seal sheet. This advantageously provides an area of direct contacting between the seal sheet anchoring assembly, or one of its components, and the rotor plate, with the abutting surfaces being defined by consistently rigid materials (e.g., metals such as stainless steel) that undergo substantially no deformation, compression, or softening over conditions of normal operation. |
| US08753429B2 |
Aircraft fuel tank ventilation
An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system includes a dehumidifying device disposed in flow communication between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank. A method of dehumidifying air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via a ventilation system includes directing atmospheric air through a dehumidifying device disposed in flow communication between a vent of the ventilation system and the fuel tank, which removes water vapor from the air flowing from the vent towards the fuel tank. A method of regenerating a desiccant medium used to dehumidify air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via a ventilation system includes directing air through the desiccant medium so as to dry the desiccant medium. |
| US08753428B2 |
Method and manifold for carrying reduced moment due to dimensional change in pressure vessel; removable insert with valve seat; pressure assisted valve arrangement and method
A pressure swing adsorption system includes a pressure vessel, a nozzle plate coupled to the vessel and sealed with respect to the pressure vessel, a backing plate that supports the nozzle plate, and a manifold including a plenum cavity and coupled to the nozzle plate via a neck such that the plenum cavity is in fluid communication with an interior of the pressure vessel. The neck is sealed with respect to the nozzle plate via a movable sealing surface. A method is provided in which pressure from the plenum cavity assists in closing valve coupled to the manifold. A removable insert is provided to the manifold to provide a removable sealing surface against which the valve closes. |
| US08753425B2 |
Method of making a gas separation molecular sieve membrane
A method of preparing a supported gas separation membrane, comprising: preparing crystalline seeds from a synthesis mixture comprising an aluminum source, a phosphorous source, a silicon source, at least one organic templating agent and water; applying the seeds to a porous support to produce a seeded porous support; contacting the seeded porous support with a synthesis gel under hydrothermal synthesis conditions to produce a coated porous support; and calcining the coated porous support is described. A supported gas separation membrane made by this method is also described. |
| US08753420B2 |
Method for selectively recovering americium from a nitric aqueous phase
A method with which americium may be selectively recovered from a nitric aqueous phase containing americium, curium and fission products including lanthanides and yttrium, but which is free of uranium, plutonium and neptunium or which only contains these three last elements in trace amounts. The method is applicable for treatment and recycling of irradiated nuclear fuels, in particular for removing americium from raffinates stemming from methods for extracting and purifying uranium and plutonium such as the PUREX and COEX™ methods. |
| US08753411B2 |
Methods for reforming carbonaceous matter using a high temperature reformer
A method of gasifying organic materials (carbonaceous compounds) such as coal and fossil fuel and their mixtures including gasifying wastes into syngas, and an apparatus thereof. The apparatus is suitable to gasify carbonaceous wastes without secondary pollutants formed from oxidation. Further, the apparatus can be used in a system to drive a fuel cell. |
| US08753410B2 |
Method for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal or blends of high moisture fine coal and biomass
An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets. |
| US08753405B2 |
Hip surgery neck and ball adjustment apparatus and method
The method of accurately and correctly fitting and axially positioning at implantable ball to the neck trunnion of a hip replacement device, as during surgery, the ball adapted to be received in a socket, the ball having a bore, the method including the steps providing the neck trunnion with deformable metallic surface ribs, providing a deformable adapter and fitting the adapter over the ribs, providing a trial ball having a non-metallic bore, and including axially forcibly fitting that bore over the deformable adapter to deform the adapter without deforming the ribs, as the trial ball adjustingly arrives at selected axial position on the neck trunnion corresponding to correct position of the trial ball in the socket, and correspondingly subsequent correct axial positioning of the implantable ball on the neck trunnion. |
| US08753398B2 |
Method of inserting an expandable intervertebral implant without overdistraction
A method of inserting an expandable intervertebral implant between vertebrae of a human spine without overdistraction of the vertebrae is described. The method includes removing a portion of a disc between the vertebrae to create a disc space between the vertebrae. The unexpanded intervertebral implant may be positioned in the disc space. The intervertebral implant may be expanded to increase a height of the intervertebral implant, thereby increasing a separation distance between the vertebrae or a separation distance between an upper body and a lower body of the intervertebral implant. The increased height of the intervertebral implant may be maintained at substantially the expanded height, wherein the maximum separation distance between the two vertebrae during the procedure is the separation distance created during expansion of the intervertebral implant. |
| US08753395B2 |
Monorail system
Systems providing improved methods of performing a spinal fusion procedure and including a monorail instrument that protects the medial neural structures, includes a sliding platform for additional instrumentation and allows controlled delivery of various instruments for disc preparation and implant insertion. The monorail instrument engages other instruments, including various instruments utilized to prepare the disc space as well as spinal fusion implants, for guided and controlled insertion into the disc space. The monorail instrument may be a distractor, and may include flutes for preparation of the disc space. |
| US08753392B2 |
Elements for versatility of a prosthetic anchor
A prosthetic anchor to be attached to a natural or prosthetic structure of a human or animal. The anchor includes a central layer with first and second surface. A plurality of fiber bundles, each with a medial portion, are concentrically embedded within the central layer to substantially define a horseshoe-shaped pattern. A substrate element is configured to be secured to the natural or prosthetic structure and to receive the second surface of the central layer. A securing element operably coupled to the second surface of the central layer is configured to secure the central layer to the substrate element in at least two positions. |
| US08753390B2 |
Methods for implanting a prosthesis in a human shoulder
A prosthesis for reducing injury to soft tissues of the body, comprising an implantable member adapted to simulate at least one of a size or a shape of a naturally occurring bursa, where the member may be inflatable or otherwise expandable, flexible or rigid, and may be composed of a biocompatible, biodegradable, or non-biodegradable material. The member is adapted to be implanted at a musculoskeletal attachment site or at a site between a muscle and a bone, and is shaped and sized to reduce injury to the site. The prosthesis may also include a plug which seals the prosthesis automatically upon removal of an inflation tube. |
| US08753389B1 |
Sterilization of intraocular lenses
A packaged, sterilized intraocular lens prepared by a process comprising providing a hydrophobic acrylic, or low water acrylic, intraocular lens and positioning the acrylic lens in a lens enclosure with an aqueous solution to provide a lens package. The lens package is then heated to a temperature sufficient for sterilization, however, the heating of the lens package must begin before the acrylic lens reaches an equilibrated, hydrated state following contact of the lens with the aqueous solution. The resulting sterilized acrylic intraocular lens will have less than sixty percent of total volume of disc-like features, or less than forty percent of total volume of water vacuoles, after 60 days following sterilization compared to an acrylic lens of the same composition, which was sterilized under the same conditions, but in an equilibrated, hydrated state. |
| US08753388B2 |
Delivery of ophthalmic lenses
An instrument (110) for rolling a thin ophthalmic lens and inserting the rolled lens into the eye comprises a body (112) in which a plunger (124) is slidable. A thin lens (156) is placed on a lens roller (130) which is slidable transversely of the instrument. The lens is rolled during the sliding movement into a tubular configuration. The rolled lens is then positioned in the instrument in a cylindrical cavity and ready for contact by a push-rod of the plunger (124) so that it is delivered from the instrument through a box in a tip portion (114) of the instrument. |
| US08753372B2 |
Anchoring device and its implementation
Anchor (115) particularly useful for providing ligamentory support between two spaced locations in the body of a patient includes a base (153), a head (157) having a configuration to facilitate insertion of the head into the tissue and retention of the head in the tissue once inserted. The base is formed with an aperture (161) adapted to receive a length of a filamentary element (127) and permit slidable movement of the filamentary element through the aperture in one direction. Movement of the filamentary element in the opposite direction through the aperture is prevented by a locking element. |
| US08753366B2 |
Catheters and related devices for forming passageways between blood vessels or other anatomical structures
The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter. |
| US08753364B2 |
Systems and methods for treatment of compressed nerves
Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body or tubular body is longitudinally displaceable to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. |
| US08753357B2 |
Devices and methods for suturing tissue
A suture applying device includes a shaft which carries a pair of needles near its distal end. The needles are joined by a length of suture, and the shaft is used to both introduce the needles into a lumen of a body structure and to draw the needles back through tissue on either side of the puncture site. After the needles have passed through the tissue, they are captured by a needle receiver and drawn outward through the tract, leaving a loop of suture behind to close the puncture site near the body lumen. The suture can then be tied or otherwise secured to close the puncture site. |
| US08753356B2 |
Surgical clip applier methods
A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. |
| US08753355B2 |
Umbilical cord tab
The present invention relates to a device and method for cleaning an infant's navel and umbilical cord stump. In particular, the present invention provides a device that eliminates the need for a user to physically hold the umbilical cord stump and allows trapped dirt and moisture to be accessed and removed easily, avoiding premature detachment of the umbilical cord stump and minimizing the risk of infection. The device of the present invention also protects the skin surrounding an infant's navel from cleaning solutions while the infant' navel and umbilical cord stump is being cleaned. |
| US08753342B2 |
Method of using electrosurgical device for restricting loss of blood during surgery
A device for generating localized heating in a selected body tissue includes an applicator having a source of microwave radiation and an array of retractable needles arranged so as to extend from one face of the applicator and, in operation, to confine the irradiated microwave energy field emanating from the applicator. The device has application for controlling excessive bleeding from severed tissue during surgical procedures. |
| US08753337B2 |
Diathermic cutter
There is disclosed a diathermic cutter including a cylindrical main body member having a central axis, an axially elongated member including a tip end portion movable so as to change a projected state from a tip end of the main body member along the central axis of the main body member, an electrode including a base end portion on which the tip end portion of the elongated member is disposed and extending in a direction deviating from the central axis of the elongated member, and an electrically insulating member with which the electrode is coated in such a manner that at least a part of a base-end surface of the base end portion of the electrode in the vicinity of the tip end of the main body member is exposed toward the tip end of the main body member. |
| US08753334B2 |
System and method for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical generator
A system and method for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical generator are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide high frequency electrosurgical energy at a fundamental frequency. The generator includes one or more circuit boards having a board ground. The generator further includes a inductor-capacitor filter connected in series with the board ground and an earth ground. The inductor capacitor filter includes a capacitor connected in parallel with an inductor and is tuned to be at an operational frequency which is resonant at or near the fundamental frequency. |
| US08753331B2 |
Adjustable valve setting with motor control
An implantable medical device is disclosed that includes a valve body and a valve rotor adjustable with respect to the valve body. A tool can be utilized to determine and control a position of the valve rotor with respect to the valve body. The tool can include a valve body position reader, a valve rotor position reader and a valve rotor position controller to determine a valve setting for the device and adjust the valve setting as desired. |
| US08753329B2 |
Coronary sinus lead delivery catheter
A guide catheter assembly includes an outer guide catheter and an inner catheter slidably and rotatably disposed in the outer guide catheter. The outer guide catheter has a proximal portion and a distal portion formed into a preformed shape including a curved segment. The preformed shape includes a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, a fourth arc, and a generally straight terminal portion. The preformed shape is generally a J-shape defining, a generally open arc. |
| US08753327B2 |
Methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea
The present invention relates to methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), alleviating a negative OSA symptom, reducing snoring, or improving quality of life in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising pyridostigmine before sleep. Also provided are related medicaments as well as methods for preparing the medicaments. |
| US08753320B2 |
Method to secure an elastic component in a valve
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to provide long-term access to the vascular system, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometrical feature for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component. |
| US08753314B2 |
Injection delivery system
An injection delivery system for automatically injecting fluid into an injection site includes at least one support element and a carriage moveably mounted to the at least one support element so that the carriage can move linearly relative thereto. The carriage has a support structure for removably receiving and carrying a syringe assembly for movement with the carriage, and a carriage actuator is operable to cause such linear movement of the carriage. A plunger actuator is carried by the carriage so as to move with the carriage, and is adapted to be operably coupled to a syringe plunger for causing linear movement of the syringe plunger within a syringe barrel. The carriage actuator and plunger actuator include respective inputs for receiving movement instructions, and may be coupled to an electronic controller that provides such instructions. |
| US08753313B2 |
Introducer handle notch design/concept
An improved splittable medical device introducer designed to introduce a medical device such as a lead or catheter, into a patient's vasculature without loss of blood or introduction of air is described. The introducer assembly is designed with a notch provided at the proximal end of the introducer housing. The notch, which may comprise a multitude of cross-sectional geometries, is designed to reduce the force required to separate the housing and the introducer sheath, thereby minimizing the possibility of unintentional dislodgement during separation. The notch also increases the repeatability and consistency of the amount of force required to separate the introducer housing and sheath. |
| US08753311B2 |
Propellant bag improvement
An improved propellant pillow and method for filling a propellant chamber of an implantable pump with propellant through the use of such an improved propellant pillow are disclosed. The propellant pillow includes an improved design that prevents the damage of such during evacuating and filling procedures. |
| US08753303B2 |
Delivery system having stent locking structure
A drainage stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medial device, a drainage catheter or stent, and a locking mechanism for selectively coupling the drainage stent to the elongate shaft. The drainage stent is selectively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft such that the proximal end of the stent is positioned proximal of the distal end of the elongate shaft. The locking mechanism includes an engaging feature of the elongate shaft which engages a portion of the stent such that the stent may be selectively coupled to the elongate shaft through rotational motion of the elongate shaft relative to the stent. In some instances, the engaging feature of the elongate shaft may be a tab which extends into an opening of the stent. |
| US08753302B2 |
Indwelling heat exchange catheter and method of using same
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system. |
| US08753298B2 |
Support structure
A support structure for fixating a patient to a treatment unit, and especially a support structure for fixating the patient to a cardiopulmonary resuscitation unit. An embodiment of the support structure comprises a back plate for positioning behind the patient's back posterior to the patient's heart and a front part for positioning around the patient's chest anterior to the patient's heart. Further, the front part can comprise two legs, each leg having a first end pivotably connected to at least one hinge and a second end removably attachable to the back plate. The front part can further be devised for comprising a compression/decompression unit arranged to automatically compress or decompress the patient's chest when the front part is attached to the back plate. |
| US08753296B2 |
Methods and apparatus for rehabilitation and training
A method of rehabilitation using an actuator type that includes a movement mechanism capable of applying a force that interacts with a motion of a patient's limb in a volume of at least 30 cm in diameter, in at least three degrees of freedom of motion of the actuator and capable of preventing substantial motion in any point in any direction in said volume, comprising: exercising a patient at a first place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home, using an actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; and second exercising said patient at a second place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home using a second actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; wherein said first exercising and said second exercising utilize a same movement mechanism design for moving the actuators. |
| US08753293B2 |
Control system for childbirth and method thereof
A childbirth control system is provided to control the labor process of a patient. The patient's physical information of the patient and her fetus is continuously obtained during the labor via a plurality of diagnosis devices connected to a user terminal. The system includes an analysis module, which generates a childbirth progress data by continuously comparing the series of patient's measurement data with a series of reference measurement data. The childbirth progress data is provided on the user terminal to show the current progress of the childbirth as well as suggestions as to alternative childbirth method and medical treatment options. The system also provides the childbirth progress data to the user terminal of remotely located medical service providers, and allows them to remotely assist the childbirth process. |
| US08753292B2 |
Method for locating a catheter tip using audio detection
A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body is disclosed. An audio sensor is positioned at a site on the human body. An audio signal is detected by the audio sensor, and transmitted to an audio signal processing unit. The audio signal processing unit determines if the audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip, and transmits a notification signal to a user notification unit. An infusion of fluid or an audio emitting element can be used to generate the audio signal at the catheter tip. |
| US08753288B2 |
Filter for fine needle biopsy
A biopsy needle comprises a first lumen open to a tissue penetrating distal tip of the needle for receiving a tissue sample therein and a second lumen in combination with a filter separating the first and second lumens from one another, the filter being configured to permit fluids to pass therethrough while preventing the sampled tissue from passing therethrough. |
| US08753275B2 |
Intelligent device to monitor and remind patients with footwear, walking aids, braces, or orthotics
A system is provided for monitoring whether a user is wearing and/or using a tagged device such as prescribed footwear, a walking aid, a brace or other orthotics. The system may detect whether the user is using a tagged device and can, in some embodiments, alert the user or the user's caregivers if the user ambulates without using the tagged device. |
| US08753267B2 |
Access assembly insertion device
An improved access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes an inflatable port and an inflation cannula operably connected to the inflatable port to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable port. The inflatable port may be tapered in a first configuration to facilitate insertion through tissue. The inflation port defines a substantially hour-glass shape when in a second configuration to create a seal within an opening in the tissue. |
| US08753266B2 |
Device to permit offpump beating heart coronary bypass surgery
A heart retractor links lifting of the heart and regional immobilization which stops one part of the heart from moving to allow expeditious suturing while permitting other parts of the heart to continue to function whereby coronary surgery can be performed on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the heart retractor of the present invention. The retractor includes a plurality of flexible arms and a plurality of rigid arms as well as a surgery target immobilizing element. One form of the retractor can be sued in minimally invasive surgery, while other forms of the retractor can accommodate variations in heart size and paracardial spacing. |
| US08753264B2 |
Fluid seal for endoscope
A seal is provided for effectively inhibiting the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed therein. The seal has a body portion with a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope. The seal includes a sealing element for sealing the region of the elongate device with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The sealing element conforms to the profile of the non-circular region. |
| US08753260B2 |
Prolapse repair
Surgical instruments for prolapse repair are disclosed. The surgical instruments have straight portions and helical portions. |
| US08753253B2 |
Separator for separating air and solids from a dental waste water mixture
The present invention relates to a separator for separating air and possibly present solids from a mixture of dental waste water, comprising an air-water separator, wherein a mixture supply tube opens into a centrifuge drum, an air discharge duct extends from the centrifuge drum to the mixture supply tube and the centrifuge drum includes an upper drain edge over which a water outlet is guided onto the outside of the centrifuge drum. In accordance with the invention, the separator is characterized in that the mixture supply tube opens onto a central turbine wheel arranged above the centrifuge drum bottom and an impeller of a waste water delivery pump, which communicates with the water outlet, is arranged on an outside of the centrifuge drum in the vicinity of the centrifuge drum bottom. |
| US08753249B2 |
Control apparatus for automatic transmission mechanism
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission mechanism including a continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt extending around the two pulleys. When beginning of the start of a drive source for driving a vehicle has been detected, a first command oil pressure as a command value of a first control oil pressure supplied to a cylinder chamber of the drive pulley is set to a first predetermined oil pressure substantially equal to 0, and a second command oil pressure as a command value of a second control pressure supplied to a cylinder chamber of the driven pulley is set to a second predetermined oil pressure higher than the first predetermined oil pressure. When the detected second control oil pressure has reached a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that filling of the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley has been completed. A control for increasing the first command oil pressure is performed from a time point when completion of the filling of the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley has been determined. |
| US08753248B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling the same
A vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle are capable of preventing slip of a belt of a continuously variable transmission at an appropriate timing. A control unit included in the vehicle includes a state information obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a state of a torque damping mechanism provided on a torque transmission path between a second pulley of a continuously variable transmission and a drive wheel, and a clamping force changing processing unit that changes the clamping forces of the first pulley of the continuously variable transmission and the second pulley, based on the state of the torque damping mechanism. |
| US08753244B2 |
Bearing pin for a planetary transmission and carrier arrangement for a planetary transmission
A bearing pin for a planetary transmission, which has a cylindrical base body with a radial bore formed in one axial end of the base body. A locking element is mounted with a salient radial portion in the radial bore and serves as an anti-rotation feature of the base body. The bearing pin creates a possibility of reliable fixing of a bearing pin in a planetary transmission with a low-complexity manufacturing procedure. Also, a carrier arrangement for a planetary transmission, which includes such a bearing pin is disclosed. |
| US08753241B2 |
Hybrid propulsion system
Disclosed is a hybrid propulsion system, comprising an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a power coupling device and a drive shaft. The power coupling device includes a first propeller shaft connected with said engine via a first clutch, a second propeller shaft connected with the rotor of said first motor, and a third propeller shaft connected with the rotor of said second motor. By a planetary gear mechanism with an inner ring gear, said first propeller shaft, said second propeller shaft and said third propeller shaft come into driving engagement with one another. Said inner ring gear and said third propeller shaft are individually selectively in driving engagement with said drive shaft. |
| US08753237B2 |
Alternator with decoupling device
An alternator assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The alternator assembly includes a rotor including a shaft. A torsion member is disposed inside a central cavity of the shaft. A pulley is connected to the torsion member to allow some decoupling between the pulley and the shaft. |
| US08753234B1 |
Portable goal post and method
A portable and collapsible goal post including a tubular base defining a T-shape perpendicularly and vertically affixed to an upright. A post is pivotably attached to the upright, and pivots between a position parallel to the base and a position perpendicular to the base. The goal post further includes a tubular cross bar perpendicularly affixed to the post in opposing relation to the upright with a pair of tubular arms pivotably attached in opposing relation to different ones of the cross bar ends, each of the arms defining an L-shape and a cup, each of the cups defining a square cross-section. The goal post also includes a pair of poles, wherein the poles are inserted into different ones of the cups and the post is pivoted into a vertical position in line with the upright. A method of using the goal post is also included. |
| US08753233B2 |
Swing trainer
The present invention provides for the first time a swing trainer having a sheath with a core end and a protective end, the core end of the sheath has a cover attached. |
| US08753230B2 |
Club head sets with varying characteristics
Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein. |
| US08753224B1 |
Golf club head with improved aerodynamic characteristics
A golf club head comprising a body having a crown, a sole, a face component, a heel side, a toe side, and a rear side, and an air spoiler affixed to the rear side of the body is disclosed herein. In particular, the air spoiler comprises an upper shelf that extends outwards from the crown and approximately parallel to a ground plane, and is supported by one or more ribs that extend perpendicularly from the upper shelf towards the crown. The air spoiler may be used in connection with any type of golf club head, and particularly a wood-type golf club such as a driver or fairway wood. |
| US08753218B2 |
Golf course for playing on at night
This golf course includes a fairway (11), tees (17), greens (1), holes (3) and bunkers (4), and other customary obstacles (6). As a particular feature, it has a special lighting arrangement, such that it also allows golf to be played during hours of darkness. To this end, at least the tees (17), the greens (1), the bunkers (4) and obstacles (6) are each equipped with a series of discrete or continuous light sources (12, 15, 18, 20, 36), preferably in the form of ground-installed LEDs or of OLEDs or LEDs. These lights extend along the edges of the objects in question and are installed flush with the ground. The holes (3) are illuminated internally by means of a light source, and the flagpoles (24) are designed as removable illuminating poles, such that the hole (3) remains lit even after removal of the flagpole. On a golf course equipped in this manner, the game of golf is played with an illuminating golf ball. The length of time it is possible to play on a golf course is extended substantially, and a highly attractive ambience is created on the course. |
| US08753214B2 |
Game device, method for controlling game device, program and information memory medium
A game device is provided. The game device includes a first execution section, a game screen updating section, and a game situation data acquiring section. In the case where a first execution time which comes every first time period is reached, the first execution section generates game situation data. In the case where a second execution time which comes every second time period is reached, the game screen updating section updates a game screen based on game situation data corresponding to an attention time which comes a time period before the second execution time. The game situation data acquiring section acquires the game situation data corresponding to the attention time by executing interpolation processing based on first game situation data corresponding to a time which comes before the attention time and second game situation data corresponding to a time which comes after the attention time. |
| US08753210B2 |
Game system and controller
A game system is provided in which a plurality of pairs, each consisting of: a first input device provided with a first operation section; and a second input device provided with a second operation section, are wirelessly connected to a game apparatus, and in which a game process is executed based on operation data obtained from the first input device and the second input device. As an example, each of the first input device and the second input device includes a display section, wireless communication means for performing communication for the operation data and information regarding each pair, and a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section. The display control section controls the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to each pair. The game apparatus executes the game process based on the operation data for each pair. |
| US08753209B2 |
Dedicated device ports for data exchange
An apparatus includes a handheld device that has a virtual machine configured to execute applications and a port dedicated to transmitting and receiving data for the virtual machine. The handheld device also includes an application manager for assigning an application instance identifier to an instance of an application executed by the virtual machine. |
| US08753202B2 |
Wagering game, gaming machine, gaming system and method with real-time position updates
A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view general and personalized real-time position updates. |
| US08753201B2 |
System, method and display for a table game
Systems, methods, and displays are disclosed for logging a player at a gaming table having a plurality of player positions for the purpose of tracking the play of the player. System can include a processor; a data structure storing account data for each player, the data including at least player identification data; a display configured to display a depiction of the gaming table, a plurality of player positions and a position locator, the locator positioned apart from the depicted player positions; a data input device to input data to position the locator to identify a player position; and a device to access the player account data, the processor associating player identification data with the identified player position. The locator can be configured as a pointer, e.g., a pointer and slide. The processor can be configured to highlight the position identified by the locator. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08753200B1 |
Evaluation and rectification system
Methods for customizing an educational experience of a gamer are provided. The method can include the generating of learning DNA which can include information relating to the gamer. The learning DNA can be generated by the aggregation of data received from the gamer, collected from other data sources, and generated based on the interaction of the user with an evaluation and rectification system. The method can further include selecting a mission for a user based on the learning DNA and/or information relating to the user. |
| US08753199B2 |
Instant player profiler
Described herein are processes and devices that automatically generate a player profile. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can present a plurality of pictures on a wagering game machine, kiosk, or other network device. The plurality of pictures includes aesthetic content. The wagering game system can receive player input indicating a preference for the aesthetic content of at least one of the plurality of pictures. The wagering game system can generate a wagering game player profile to store player preferences associated with wagering games and wagering game machines. The wagering game system can assign values to the player preferences based on the preference for the aesthetic content. |
| US08753197B2 |
Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards. |
| US08753193B2 |
Return-driven casino game outcome generator
The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. In RDOG, a method of determining a reward due to a player of a regulated game may include steps of enabling the player to interact with one or more reward generating assets within the regulated game; measuring a level of skill of the player in interacting with reward generating assets, and determining the reward due to the player for each successful interaction with a reward generating asset, the reward being determined according to the measured skill level, a random number and a time elapsed since a last successful interaction with any one of the reward generating asset. |
| US08753190B2 |
Gaming device having a re-triggering symbol bonus scheme
A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination of bonus symbols triggers the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game. |
| US08753186B2 |
System and method of providing a platform for providing sweepstakes and sponsored puzzles for crossword puzzles and other word-based games
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an integrated online platform for gameplay of word-based games, obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games such as crossword puzzle games and word search puzzle games, providing sponsored word-based games, and facilitating sweepstakes entries based on the word-based games. The systems and methods may provide an integrated online platform that facilitates the convergence of word-based games, sponsored brands, sweepstakes, prizes, and obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games across social networks, mobile networks, and/or other networks. The integrated online platform leverages the use of various puzzles such as puzzles from third party puzzle providers, custom puzzles, and/or other puzzles for gameplay of the word-based games. The sponsored word-based games may provide opportunities for the user to win items such as branded items and the sponsor to engage an audience. |
| US08753185B1 |
Systems and methods for implementing a degree of separation game in an interactive media application
Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate. |
| US08753182B2 |
Interactive learning using an advisory services network
Interactive learning techniques are provided for using serious games as a learning tool. Using serious games as a learning utility improves the ability of employees to learn complex business challenges facing its customers or employer by providing contextual data through play. Players evaluate evidence for relevancy in its ability to form solution concepts. Evidence can encompass first hand interviews, videos and documents rich in contextual data generated directly by a customer or other employees. Solution concepts can then be identified or generated that encompass relevant evidence items and disregard irrelevant evidence items. Players of the interactive learning game can implement solution concepts and provide feedback regarding the outcome. Feedback can be used to create a new evidence item allowing solution concepts to evolve in increasing efficiency. |
| US08753180B2 |
Methods and apparatus for stripping leaves from a stalk cured tobacco plant
A machine which provides for both leaf stripping and grading can be used to process plants, such as burley tobacco plants, by continuously moving the plants in a first direction while simultaneously varying the position of the plants in a second direction relative to a defoliating apparatus. The plants may be moved horizontally through a machine by a transporter engaging the plant stalks while the vertical distance between the transporter (and thus the plants) is varied relative to the defoliating apparatus. The transporter and defoliating apparatus may be positioned at an angle to one another. Due to the changing amount of vertical distance, leaves from different sections of the plants, such as leaves at different stalk heights, can be contacted and removed at different corresponding horizontal locations in the machine. Accordingly, leaves can be graded based on the location(s) from which they are retrieved after removal. |
| US08753177B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing a surface layer from a food product
An apparatus for removing a surface layer from food products includes a product feed which feeds a product to be processed along a product conveying direction to a removal tool. The product is pressed with a component perpendicular to the product conveying direction toward an operative surface of the removal tool. The relative position between the product feed and the removal tool is adjustable by means of an adjustment apparatus, with a control unit associated with the adjustment apparatus designed to adjust the position of the removal tool relative to the product feed in dependence on the contour of the product. |
| US08753173B2 |
Method and device for grinding the mutually parallel edges of glass plates
During grinding of mutually parallel edges of glass plates every edge of the glass plate is ground using a grinding tool or two grinding tools disposed one behind the other and cooling agent is directed from a side of the glass plate toward the grinding tool and supplied using a supply line divided via a redirection and separating segment into a plurality of fine streams of cooling agent, and a position of the grinding tool can be adjusted such that at least the position of the grinding tools relative to the assigned edge of the glass plate, which is passing through, is calibrated and the corners of the glass plate are ground to form a chamfer. |
| US08753171B2 |
Radiation treatment brassiere
A radiation treatment bra is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the bra includes adjustable elements and a medial window. During radiation treatment planning, the elements are adjusted to establish a reference breast geometry. The reference breast geometry is reproduced prior to an actual treatment session by repeating the original adjustment of the elements, as necessary. The medial window enables a light field to be projected onto the patient's chest, and read therefrom, thereby establishing proper alignment of the patient to the radiation treatment machine. |
| US08753166B2 |
Audio animation system
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for rendering audio animation, the system comprising: two or more non-biotic figures; an audio player, having two or more audio sources correspondingly to the two or more non-biotic figures, for simultaneously playing the audio signals associated with the two or more non-biotic figures; and two or more speaker units corresponding to the two or more audio sources. The system may further comprise means for wireless transmission of the audio signal of at least one of the audio sources to a remote speaker unit thereof. The means for wireless transmission may comprise a wireless transmission unit deployed at the audio player, and a wireless receiving unit deployed at the speaker unit. The non-biotic figure may be a two-dimensional, three-dimensional figure, and so on. |
| US08753164B2 |
Toy construction system
A toy construction system comprising a plurality of construction elements including one or more function construction elements for performing corresponding functions and including control connection means for communicating with one or more other construction elements; a data processing system providing a programming environment for generating one or more logic commands for controlling the one or more function elements; and an interface construction element comprising first connection means for providing a data-flow connection with the data processing system and for receiving said logic command from the data processing system, a processing unit adapted to convert said logic command into a control signal for controlling a function of said at least one function construction element, and second connection means for providing a control connection with the at least one function construction element via the control connection means of the function construction element, and for outputting the control signal. |
| US08753162B2 |
Building set for toy houses
The invention is a set for building toy houses, in particular doll's houses and the like, including wall panels (1, 2, 3, 4) with and without openings for windows and doors, and coupling elements (5, 6, 7, 8) for assembling the wall panels. Each wall panel has a reduced thickness section in each corner thereof for insertion into a coupling element. The reduced thickness section extends on both sides of the wall panel as a plane, recessed section (10). Each recessed section extends between staggered edges (11) and is provided with a depression (12, 13) provided centrally on both sides thereof, the coupling element being configured with parallel lateral faces (14, 15) for enclosing the corner area. |
| US08753160B2 |
Method for forming front electrode of PDP
A method is disclosed for forming a PDP front electrode by applying a particular type of photopolymerizable black paste, drying the black paste, and applying a particular type of photopolymerizable white paste on top of the dried black paste. |
| US08753155B2 |
Wheel with folding segments
A circular folding wheel has a center wheel section encompassing the center of a circle and adapted to be mounted to an axle at the center, with a side substantially corresponding to a chord of the circle. A wheel segment is pivotally attached to the center wheel section about a pivot axis extending along the side of the center wheel section. The wheel segment is movable from a rolling orientation, where the outer edge of the wheel segment is aligned with an outer edge of the center wheel section such that the folding wheel takes a rolling circular shape, to a folded orientation where the wheel segment extends laterally away from the pivot axis. Two, three, or more wheel segments can be pivotally attached to corresponding sides of the center wheel section. |
| US08753153B2 |
Variable canted coil spring cross section
A canted coil spring includes a plurality of canted coils generally canted relative to a centerline extending through the coils. At least one coil when viewed in the direction of the centerline appears to have a non-elliptical shape and a non-circular shape when the at least one coil is in the unbiased state. The plurality of coils is generally canted at a first coil angle relative to the center line. The at least one coil includes at least one section canted at a second coil angle relative to the centerline. The second coil angle is different from the first coil angle when the at least one coil is in an unbiased state. |
| US08753149B2 |
Universal plug adaptor
The universal plug adaptor contains a face plate and a casing joined to the face plate. The casing contains a first track element, a terminal set, two platform elements, and a first sliding element in the casing. Each platform element has a first limiting piece for locking the first sliding element when it is pressured from a side. The platform elements, the first tack element, and the first sliding element engage with each other. The universal plug adaptor is able to prevent the hazard when only a prong is inserted and a prong is left outside the universal plug adaptor, and the first ground piece allows proper grounding to plugs conforming to German and French specifications. |
| US08753148B2 |
Electrical connector having a shield plate with contact ends with neck portions
This invention relates generally to an electrical connector assembly for interconnecting printed circuit boards. More specifically, this invention relates to a high speed, high density electrical connector and connector assembly having wafers with an improved pin conductor. The connector contains a shield plate having at least one contact end that is bent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shield plate. |
| US08753147B2 |
Connector having a coupling member for locking onto a port and maintaining electrical continuity
A jumper comprising a first connector, wherein the first connector includes a post configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a connector body attached to the post, and a coupling member attached to the post, the coupling member having one or more resilient contacts, wherein the resilient contacts are configured to pass over the external threads in a first axial direction, and physically engage the external threads in a second axial direction, and a second connector, wherein the first connector is operably affixed to a first end of the coaxial cable, and the second connector is operably affixed to a second end of the coaxial cable is provided. |
| US08753141B2 |
Adapter for connecting a harness to magnet wires
An adapter for connecting magnet wires to a harness. A first housing of the adapter is secured to a housing of a motor assembly. The first housing has first terminals which are secured in terminal receiving passages of the first housing. The first terminals have insulation displacing slots and mating portions, with the insulation displacing slots configured for receiving magnet wires therein and the mating portions configured to mate with contacts of a mateable connector attached to the harness. A second housing of the adapter has contact receiving passages with receiving portions which configured to receive the mating portions of the first terminals and mateable connector receiving passages extending from the receiving portions. The mateable connector receiving passages dimensioned to receive the contacts of a mateable connector therein. |
| US08753139B2 |
Device for fastening and contacting actuators
A device for the mechanical fastening and electrical contact with at least one control element (2), having first electrical contacts (9a, 9b), within a housing (3). Mating second electrical contacts (11a, 11b) are arranged on a connecting element (4) which can also be plugged into the housing (3). During assembly, the at least one control element (2) and the connecting element (4) are both plugged into the housing (3) so that such plugging engagement achieves electrical connection between the first electrical contacts (9a, 9b) and the second electrical contacts (11a, 11b) and, at the same time, an interlocked fastening of the at least one control element (2) with the housing (3). |
| US08753135B2 |
Light string system
A lamp system used in a light string system comprises a light assembly and a socket assembly. The light assembly comprises a light source, a base in communication with the light source, and a bypass activating system. The socket assembly comprises a socket adapted to receive the light assembly and a bypass mechanism having a first position and a second position. The bypass mechanism is in the first position when the light assembly is not seated in the socket assembly. When the bypass mechanism in the first position, current flows across the bypass mechanism. When the light assembly is inserted into the socket assembly, the bypass activating system of the light assembly moves the bypass mechanism into the second position, and current flows through the light source instead of the bypass mechanism. |
| US08753134B1 |
Outdoor power socket having a recessed part to accommodate a connection element for attaching a protective lid
An outdoor power socket having protective lid structure is disclosed, comprising a socket body, a connection element including positioning pillars, a protective lid, a pivotal axle and a torsion spring. Herein the pivotal axle is used to combine the protective lid with the connection element, and the protective lid can be flipped over the connection element. Moreover, an electric power socket is installed on the front case of the socket body, and a combination part is set up on one side of the power socket. In this way, it is possible to combine the positioning pillar of the connection element into the positioning part of the front case of the socket body such that the fixation pillar on the connection element penetrates the fixation hole of the combination part thereby allowing the protective lid to cover or open the power socket. |
| US08753131B1 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector may include a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including a plurality of contacts, a plurality of wires coupled to the plurality of contacts on the PCB, a non-conductive pad extending across the PCB, a plurality of pins extending across the non-conductive pad, and an overmold. The plurality of pins may be coupled to the plurality of contacts. The overmold may cover at least a portion of the PCB and at least a first portion of each of the plurality of pins. The overmold may include a first aperture exposing at least a second portion of each of the plurality of pins. |
| US08753129B2 |
Electrical hinge connector
A hinge for an aircraft power distribution system unit is provided. The unit has a housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The hinge comprises a first hinge member for connection to the first housing part of the unit; and a second hinge member for connection to the second housing part of the unit, wherein the first and the second hinge members comprise an electrically conductive material and wherein the first and the second hinge members are connectable to one another to establish an electrical connection between the first and the second hinge members and to allow relative rotation between the first and the second hinge members. |
| US08753128B2 |
Method and apparatus for coupling portable communication devices
A method and apparatus couple portable communication devices. The apparatus (100) can include a coupling mechanism (130) including a first coupling mechanism connector (131) and a second coupling mechanism connector (132) mechanically coupled to the first coupling mechanism connector. The second coupling mechanism connector can be movable relative to the first coupling mechanism connector. The apparatus can include a first portable communication device (110) including a first portable communication device connector (112) detachably coupled to the first coupling mechanism connector. The apparatus can include a second portable communication device (120) including a second portable communication device connector (122) detachably coupled to the second coupling mechanism connector. The second portable communication device can be configured to communicate with the first portable communication device and move relative to the first portable communication device when coupled to the coupling mechanism. The first portable communication device can be adapted to be used independent from the second portable communication device. |
| US08753125B1 |
Language study game board
The submitted game with folding board stylized like a baseball field is uniquely associated with Baseball, providing entertainment about people or an original learning method to sustain interest and retention of any substituted subject. Rules in an instructive copyrighted Manual simultaneously enhance English use. Also boxed for two to twenty-two players aged five on, are two teams alternating at bat once an inning; laminated picture cards with removable holders represent team manager, umpire and nine members. Each of nine members has playing position originally correlated with the nine speech parts. Defense requires Offense to use speech parts designated at bases to fit the nine designated sentence parts for sentence construction to win with runs and walks. The subject's vocabulary is listed by speech parts, kindergarden through twelve on. After pitcher selects verb for each batter, Offense chooses vocabulary as designated to make and record sentences for reteaching. |
| US08753123B2 |
Driving support system and driving support managing device
A driving support system for giving a support to a driving operation of a vehicle includes a drive history database and a drive teaching unit for specifying a travel route of a vehicle subjected to a driving support. Vehicle information including information about vehicle operation is associated with pertinent route information and is registered as a drive history in the drive history database. The drive teaching unit is configured to extract a drive history corresponding to the specified travel route from the drive history database. The drive teaching unit is further configured as a guide for the driving support to teach information about the extracted drive history to a driver of the vehicle subjected to the driving support. |
| US08753122B2 |
Smoke simulator system for aircraft cockpit
A smoke simulator system (1) for an aircraft simulator cockpit said system (1) comprising a water tank (2), an ultrasonic generator (3), said ultrasonic generator (3) being inside said water tank (2), supply means (7) to said water tank (2) and outlet means (8) from said water tank (2) for smoke. The invention relates as well to a method to operate such a smoke simulator system (1) for an aircraft simulator cockpit. |
| US08753119B2 |
Mounting method of dental cast
A mounting method of dental cast is disclosed. The mounting method includes the steps of providing an articulator and a label module having at least a label and at least a reference object, generating a label coordinate information in accordance with the reference object and the label, providing a midface and mandible image information and generating a landmark coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of landmarks of the midface and mandible image information, generating a structure coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of structures of the articulator and the label, disposing a first dental cast connected with the label module on the articulator, and providing a detecting device to detect the label and adjust the position of the first dental cast in accordance with the midface and mandible image information, the label coordinate information, and the structure coordinate information. |
| US08753116B2 |
Dental hygiene device
An improved dental hygiene device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth and along gums has a flexible open-support structure. The flexible open-support structure has two opposing facing bases, an inner base and an outer base. Each base extends the length of the device and has a curvature to fit over the teeth and along gums of a wearer of the device. The inner base fits between teeth and the tongue, while the outer base fits between the teeth and the cheeks and lips region of the mouth. A plurality of arch-shaped ribs extends from the inner base over to the outer base joining the two bases to form the flexible open-support structure. The support structure has a means for receiving and holding a cream or paste and delivering the cream or paste to the teeth and gums. The cream or paste is automatically wetted by the production of saliva allowing the cream or paste to wick and migrate into the mouth. |
| US08753115B2 |
Device and method for the amelioration of recesses
The invention relates to a device (1) for the amelioration of a recess (8), e.g. a recess in a (human) bone (7). The device comprises an element (2) for producing or coupling mechanical energy, and a cylindrical collar (4) comprising a cylindrical lateral surface having an outside diameter and having a central recess (26) for accommodating a guide pin (3). The guide pin (3) is provided to be inserted substantially down to the base of the recess (8) before applying oscillations, and in the region of the end thereof facing the base of the recess it is surrounded by an amelioration sleeve (6) made from a material that can be liquefied by way of ultrasonic oscillations. The cylindrical lateral surface of the amelioration sleeve (6) substantially has the same outside diameter as the collar (4), and the guide pin (3) is accommodated in the central recess (26) in a displaceable manner such that the collar (4) upon applying ultrasonic oscillations can be displaced relative to the guide pin (3) in the direction toward the base of the recess (8) while liquefying and laterally and/or longitudinally displacing the material of the amelioration sleeve (6). |
| US08753114B2 |
Method for dental restoration and related kit
The disclosure generally relates to a method for forming a dental mold. The method generally includes: (a) scanning an existing dental structure to generate a three-dimensional first digital model of the existing dental structure, (b) modifying the first digital model of the existing dental structure to generate a three-dimensional second digital model of a planned dental structure; (c) generating a three-dimensional third digital model corresponding to a negative of the second digital model; (d) digitally sectioning the third digital model into at least one buccal model portion and at least one lingual model portion of the third digital model; and (e) creating a dental mold comprising at least one buccal mold portion and at least one lingual mold portion based on the sectioned third digital model. The disclosure also relates to (a) methods of assembling the dental mold over a tooth and a gum of a patient having an existing dental structure in need of dental restoration, (b) methods of performing a dental restoration on the existing dental structure of the patient using the dental mold, and (c) kits including components for forming the dental mold and/or for performing the dental restoration using the dental mold. |
| US08753113B2 |
Removable rodent intraoral device
A removable intraoral device is useful for longitudinal in vivo biofilm research. The device is adapted to allow it to be retained in the oral cavity long enough for biofilm to form and to affect the oral mucosa. The device is readily removable to facilitate longitudinal observations. The device is biostable. The device does not interfere with the animal's daily activities such as eating and drinking. The device can be fabricated and maintained at low cost. |
| US08753111B2 |
Swirl combustion air fuel torch
A torch is provided having a tube having an inside diameter, a body and an orifice tip having a bore, where the diameter of the bore of the orifice tip and the inside diameter of the tube have a particular ratio based upon the type of fuel used for the operation. |
| US08753109B2 |
Device for providing a gas/combustion air mixture for a gas burner
The invention relates to a device for providing a gas/combustion air mixture for a gas burner, comprising a fan (11) for providing a combustion air flow, a gas control device for providing a gas flow and a mixing device (13) for mixing the combustion air flow and the gas flow, thus providing the gas/combustion air mixture. Said mixing device (13) and the fan (11) are connected together on one side, and on the other side, the mixing device and the gas control device are connected together. According to the invention, the mixing device (13) and the fan (11) are connected together in such a manner that a vibration absorber (15) is arranged between a connecting section (12) of the mixing device (13) and a connecting section (10) of the fan (11). |
| US08753107B2 |
Apparatus for rotary molding
A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling. |
| US08753106B2 |
Billet carrier assembly
Methods and systems for producing thermoformed articles from pre-cut thermoformable billets are provided. The system may include a heating apparatus for heating the billets, a billet thermoformer for thermoforming the billet into an article, a discharge system for evacuated the formed articles from the thermoformer, and an inspection system for inspecting each of the formed articles for the presence of a defect. Conveyors and billet carriers are provided for transporting the billets between the various components of the system, and loaders are provided for loading the billets onto the conveyor and/or billet carriers. |
| US08753098B2 |
Refrigerant compressor
A refrigerant compressor includes: an electric motor including a stator and rotor inside a sealed vessel; a compressing mechanism driven by a crank shaft in the rotor; a lower portion oil pool storing in the sealed vessel lubricating oil that lubricates the compressing mechanism; an upper counterweight on an upper end of the rotor. Refrigerant gas compressed by the compressing mechanism is discharged inside the sealed vessel, passes through a gas channel formed on the electric motor, moves from a lower space to an upper space with respect to the electric motor, and is discharged outside the sealed vessel. An oil return flow channel is formed on the upper end of the rotor toward a lower end from a vicinity of a leading end portion of the upper counterweight in a direction of rotation, and oil expressed in a vicinity of the rotor is directed to the oil return flow channel. |
| US08753093B2 |
Bonded turbine bucket tip shroud and related method
A turbine bucket includes an airfoil portion and a tip shroud at a radially outer end of the airfoil portion. The tip shroud includes a first radially inner tip shroud component formed integrally with the airfoil portion and composed of a first metal material, and a second radially outer structural tip shroud component composed of a second metal material bonded to the first radially inner tip shroud component. |
| US08753090B2 |
Bladed disk assembly
A bladed disk assembly includes a disk, a blade, and a retaining clip. The disk is centered on an axis. The disk has at least one groove extending along the axis. The blade is received in the groove. The retaining clip contacts the blade and limits movement of the blade along the axis. The retaining clip is engaged with the disk through a snap-fit. |
| US08753088B2 |
Propeller blade retention device
A propeller blade retention system and method of manufacture are disclosed. Because of the design, a truly integral hub is able to house a set of variable pitch blades. Each hub socket establishes a substantially cylindrical interface with its respective blade, making the blade slidably receivable for installation. Each blade is allowed axial rotation, and held inside the socket by a set of angular contact bearings. A snap ring locks the blade against coming back out of the socket. An O-ring is provided in the interface to create a fluid seal. The hub alone accomplishes all of the required load-bearing and weather-seal functions. |
| US08753085B2 |
Device for changing a pitch of a blade of an impeller/propeller and a fan comprising the device
A device for changing a pitch of a blade of an impeller/propeller is disclosed. The device includes a linear actuator, a first bearing and a second bearing, allowing a relative axial movement between the first bearing and second bearing. The first bearing is mounted between a supporting structure of the rotor shaft and a non-rotary mechanical element, allowing a relative rotation between the supporting structure and the linear actuator. The second bearing is mounted between the second portion and a lever having a rotary point. Operating the linear actuator leads to an angular movement of the lever causing a change of the pitch of a blade, and when operating the at least one linear actuator, a force is generated that acts upon the non-rotary element, so that the rotor shaft is unaffected by the force. |
| US08753080B2 |
Upwind wind turbine and operation method thereof
An upwind wind turbine includes a tilting coupling mechanism configured to couple base end portions of blades to a hub such that the blades can tilt between a normal position and a retracted position in which the blades are tilted in a downwind direction relative to the normal position. The upwind wind turbine also includes a tilting drive operating in association with the tilting coupling mechanism to switch the positions of the blades and a rotation stop to stop the rotation of the rotor. When the blades are switched to the retracted position, the rotation stop is actuated to stop the rotor in a predetermined rotational position in which the blades can tilt without interference with the tower, and the tilting drive is actuated to tilt the blades to the retracted position after stop of the rotation of the rotor. |
| US08753077B2 |
Slinger shield structure
A slinger shield structure is provided and includes a first annular disc, having a body, opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body and through-holes extending through the body, which are arrayed around the aperture, a second annular disc having a body and opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body, a hub for connection with the first and second annular discs at the respective apertures and radial vanes suspended between the first and second annular discs at a distance from the hub to define radial channels between adjacent radial vanes and drainage channels between the radial vanes and the hub. |
| US08753074B2 |
Aspirator insert for a boundary layer in a fluid, a wall and a compressor equipped with said insert
A passive leakage device for an axial turbomachine, more particularly for a low-pressure compressor of an axial turbomachine, is adapted to reduce and/or eliminate the surging phenomenon within the machine. The passive leakage device includes an insert having a general cylindrical shape with a flange at one end and a bottom or membrane at the other end. The membrane comprises two cross-shaped notches, the notches being adapted to enable a deformation of the membrane under a pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold, so as to allow a leakage to go through the membrane. Several inserts are arranged through the wall of a compressor casing, distributed over one or several circumferences of the casing, facing one or several rows of rotor blades. In the case of a double-flow turbomachine, such as a jet engine, the beak for separating the primary and secondary flows is used to form a chamber for communication between the inserts and for compensation with the pressure present in the secondary flow. |
| US08753073B2 |
Turbine shroud sealing apparatus
A turbine shroud sealing apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) an arcuate shroud segment comprising a low-ductility material and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces of the segment; and (b) a first seal assembly received in at least one slot formed in the first end face, the first seal assembly comprising one or more spline seals which protrude from the first end face and which are arranged to define a continuous sealing surface around the perimeter of the first end face. |
| US08753071B2 |
Cooling channel systems for high-temperature components covered by coatings, and related processes
A method for providing a fluid cooling system within a high temperature component is described. At least one microchannel is formed in an external surface of the component; and one or more coolant passage holes are then formed, extending from at least one of the microchannels to an interior region of the component. A layer of a metallic structural coating is then applied over the external surface. At least one slot, or a set of relatively small passive cooling holes, are then formed through the metallic structural coating; extending into at least a portion of the microchannels. A second coating layer is then applied over the first layer. In some embodiments, a sacrificial material is deposited into the microchannels before the first coating layer is applied. Related articles are also described. |
| US08753070B2 |
Device and method for redirecting a leakage current
A device for redirecting a leakage current flowing between a stator and a rotor is disclosed. The device includes a sealing element for interrupting the leakage current, an outlet opening disposed on the rotor, and a guide which is configured to direct the leakage current past the sealing element to the outlet opening. |
| US08753068B2 |
Pump and heat pump apparatus
A highly efficient and long-life pump is provided through improvement of pump efficiency by extending an effective length of a blade of an impeller and through reduction of friction loss of a thrust bearing. In a pump 110, a suction direction X and a discharge direction Y of a liquid are approximately perpendicular to each other. The pump 100 includes a shaft 27 positioned downstream of a suction inlet 22; an impeller 25 configured in a disk shape that rotates around the shaft 27, the impeller 25 having a plurality of blades 25c formed radially in a radial direction from a center area located at a center portion of the disk shape as seen in the suction direction X, the plurality of blades 25c being positioned at an approximately same longitudinal position as a longitudinal position of a discharge outlet 23; and a bearing (18-1) that receives the shaft 27, the bearing (18-1) being positioned at the center area of the impeller 25 and having a through hole (18-1c) as a guide portion for guiding the liquid drawn in from the suction inlet 22 to the discharge outlet 23. |
| US08753066B1 |
Tank-to-tank penstock electric generator system
A tank-to-tank penstock electric generator system includes a water storage tank having a storage tank lower end with a water release port; a water receiving tank below the level of the water storage tank having a receiving tank upper end with a water receiving opening; a water wheel rotatably mounted on a water wheel mounting structure and having a water wheel rotational axis positioned substantially below the level of the water release port and extending above the level of the water receiving opening; and an electric generator having a generator rotor drivably connected to the water wheel through a drivable connection, so that rotation of the water wheel rotates the generator rotor; so that water flows out of the water storage tank through the water release port, over the water wheel and into the water receiving tank through the water receiving opening, thereby rotating the water wheel and the generator rotor and generating electricity. |
| US08753065B2 |
Method for setting a gear ratio of a fan drive gear system of a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section including a fan rotatable about an axis and a speed reduction device in communication with the fan. The speed reduction device includes a star drive gear system with a star gear ratio of at least 1.5. A fan blade tip speed of the fan is less than 1400 fps. |
| US08753061B2 |
Transport system having multilayer tracks and controlling method thereof
A transport system having multilayer tracks is presented. The system has a bottom track and at least one top track disposed above on the bottom track. Shuttle carriages are moving along the top and bottom tracks. The shuttle body of each shuttle carriage has a first locking portion on the top end thereof, and has a second locking portion on the bottom end thereof. The second locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the top track can be locked with the first locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the bottom track. Therefore, the two transports on different tracks are locked so that the object can be transported between the top and bottom tracks. |
| US08753056B2 |
Thread-tapping concrete screw
In the case of a thread-tapping screw (1), especially a concrete screw (2), including a screw head (3), a screw shank (5) and a thread (6) that is formed on at least part of the screw shank (5), whereby at least one longitudinal groove (9) is formed on a front section (7) of the screw (1), starting at the end (4) of the screw on the screw shank (5), and the at least one longitudinal groove (9) is delimited on the screw shank (5) by two lengthwise sides (10) running essentially radially relative to a longitudinal axis (8) of the screw (1), it is the objective that the tightening torque needed when the screw (1) is being screwed into a drilled hole should be slight, and that the screw (1) should be produced cost-effectively. Each longitudinal groove (9), at least one lengthwise side (10) is oriented at an angle α between 1° and 20° relative to a straight line running parallel to the longitudinal axis (8) of the screw (1), and/or the at least one longitudinal groove (9) is configured on the screw shank (5) so as to be helical. |
| US08753055B2 |
Device for connecting two components
A device for connecting two components, comprising: an anchoring element (12) with an elongated anchoring section (14) with an elongated hollow space (16) and a head section (18), a fastening element (38) with a head (44) and a pin section (40) with an outer thread, at least four elastic locking feet (22, 24) being provided on the anchoring section, wherein two locking feet are provided on opposing sides of the anchoring section, respectively and the locking feet (22, 24) each have at least two locking shoulders (28, 30) arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring section, for locking on openings of components of different thicknesses, and wherein opposing locking feet each have identically designed locking shoulders, which are however offset with respect to the locking shoulders of other opposing locking feet in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring section, and in the elongated hollow space of the anchoring section at least two diametrically opposed rows are provided, each with a plurality of fins (32) being directed radially inwards, wherein the axial distance between the fins (32) is not equal to the thread pitch of the pin section (40). |
| US08753054B2 |
Hollow element for attachment to a component comprising a composite material
A hollow element such as a hollow rivet or a nut element for attachment to a component consisting of a composite material such as a fiber reinforced plastic part or a fabric reinforced plastic part is presented. The element has a flange part and a shaft part extending away from the flange part and/or a rivet section, wherein the rivet section, is present, can also be formed at the free end of the shaft part, with the a hollow element furthermore having a central passage, which is optionally provided with a thread cylinder. The hollow element is used in combination with an auxiliary tip which is either inserted from the flange side of the element through the passage, or from the side of the free end of the shaft part of the rivet section into the passage, such that a conically converging region of the auxiliary tip projects from the free end of the shaft part or of the rivet section. |
| US08753052B2 |
Blind rivet
A head is formed so that the maximum diameter portion as viewed from the front is arranged in a different position axially with respect to the maximum diameter portion as viewed from the side. The horizontal cross-section of the head is such that a first ellipse is formed in the maximum diameter portion, and a second ellipse is formed in the maximum diameter portion with the long axis perpendicular to the long axis of the first ellipse. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the head is gradually changed in the axial direction so as to continue from the first ellipse to the second ellipse. Each one of the horizontal cross-sections has the same circumferential length at different axial positions on the head. |
| US08753050B2 |
Transport apparatus
The present disclosure concerns a transport apparatus for transporting a rotor blade of a wind power installation on a transport vehicle comprising a plurality of successively arranged and pivotably interconnected wagon elements. The transport apparatus may include a blade root carrier adapted to attach to a first wagon element for carrying the rotor blade in a region of a rotor blade root thereof on the first wagon element, a central carrier adapted to attach to a second wagon element for carrying the rotor blade in a central region thereof on the second wagon element, and a blade tip damper for making an elastic connection between a third wagon element and the rotor blade in a region of a rotor blade tip thereof for damping oscillations of the rotor blade tip. |
| US08753048B2 |
Hole saw
A hole saw that includes a saw body including a circular cutting edge having a cutting edge diameter, and the saw body is coupled to a guide member for rotation with the guide member. A pilot is coupled to the guide member for movement relative to the guide member and the saw body, and the pilot includes an outer guide surface having a diameter that increases in a direction from a second end portion of the guide member toward a first end portion of the guide member. The pilot is coupled to the guide member such that at least a portion of the outer guide surface extends past the circular cutting edge of the saw body in a direction from the first end portion of the guide member toward the second end portion of the guide member. |
| US08753044B2 |
L-valve construction for controlling solids flow in a liquid medium using standard pipe fittings
A new valve is designed for the transport of solids using a motive fluid. The valve includes an inlet conduit for carrying solids, where the solids are fed through gravity. The solids are carried by fluid transport out an outlet where the outlet conduit has a smaller diameter than the inlet conduit carrying the solids. The conduit should be sufficiently smaller to prevent instability in the flow. A second inlet provides the source of motive fluid to drive the transport of solids. |
| US08753039B2 |
Device for transporting and placing a bridge of an offshore oil rig for sea operation onto a floating or stationary structure
A device for transporting and placing a bridge (1) of an offshore oil rig onto a floating or stationary mounting structure (3). The device has two parallel floating barges (10) for mounting the bridge (1). Each barge has a set of vertical movement rams (11) that move the bridge between a position of bearing on the barges (10) and a position of bearing on the structure (3). Each barge (10) has at least one assembly (15) for controlling the roll of each barge (10) in relation to the bridge (1) during the placement of the bridge onto the mounting structure (3). The assembly includes at least two rams (16) that are carried by the barge (10) and are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the barge (10). Each ram (16) is connected to the bridge (1) by a connecting member (17) that has rigid pull and flexible compression. |
| US08753035B2 |
Asphalt concrete pavement containing wave absorbing material and maintenance process thereof
An asphalt concrete pavement containing a wave absorbing material and a maintenance process thereof are provided. The asphalt concrete pavement includes: 1. a coarse materials consisted of small stone with a grain size of 10-15 mm, macadam with a grain size of 5-10 mm and stone chip with a grain size of 0.1-5 mm; 2. fine materials consisted of sand; 3. a mineral powder containing a wave absorbing material which accounts for 10%-100% of the mineral powder by weight percentage. Furthermore, an asphalt concrete material for making asphalt concrete pavement, a mineral powder containing a wave absorbing material, and a use of the mineral powder or wave absorbing material in making the asphalt concrete pavement are provided. |
| US08753034B2 |
Auxiliary pressure relief reservoir for crash barrier
A crash barrier system is provided that generally includes a hydraulic actuator driven piston operably connected to a hydraulic circuit and the crash barrier. In general, the hydraulic circuit includes a normal-UP and normal-DOWN section, an emergency-UP section, and an overpressure relief sub-system. In order to automatically provide corrective action in the event of an overpressure condition, the overpressure relief sub-system includes an external pressure relief valve that is connected to the hydraulic circuit. Upon occurrence of condition that causes the hydraulic fluid pressure to exceed a predetermined value, hydraulic fluid is released through the pressure relief valve to maintain the pressure at or below the predetermined value. |
| US08753032B2 |
Friction controlled ball joint
A ball joint assembly may include a housing having a cavity, a friction seat received within the cavity, and a ball stud having a ball that frictionally contacts the friction seat. In one embodiment, a friction control mechanism moves the friction seat within the cavity to adjust the friction between the ball and the friction seat. In another embodiment, both the cavity and an outer surface of the friction seat may be substantially frustoconically shaped. |
| US08753031B2 |
Holding device for medical instruments
A holding device for medical instruments with a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed and with at least one joint to position the bracket and/or the medical instrument, so that the at least one joint is configured as a ball and socket joint that is equipped with at least one bearing shell and one pivot ball and whose pivot angle around the longitudinal axis of the joint is restricted by a pivot guard. The pivot guard is positioned inside the pivot ball to provide a holding device for medical instruments whose pivot guard allows for a compact structure of the ball and socket joint. |
| US08753030B2 |
Mounting knuckle
A knuckle assembly for mounting an electrical device includes a rotatable knuckle mount, an articulated knuckle and an electrical device mount. Two knuckle elements forming the articulated knuckle each include an open cavity, which together form a closed cavity. One of the knuckle elements is pivotally attached to the rotatable knuckle mount and the other includes the electrical device mount. A grommet is positioned in the closed cavity; and a fastener engages the knuckle elements and extends through the grommet. The grommet includes spherical or spheroidal segments complementary to the inner surfaces of the closed cavity and in interfering fit when assembled. The grommet is in non-rotational engagement with one of the knuckle elements. Wires extend through the grommet adjacent a central through hole. A fastener extending through the central through hole draws the knuckle elements together to fix the grommet and seal the assembly. |
| US08753025B2 |
Imaging device protector and cleaner
An imaging device enclosure for a vehicle including a housing having an image device aperture. A motor is disposed in the housing and is operably connected with a mobile wedge. The mobile wedge is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. An imaging device is slidably connected with the mobile wedge and is movable between the retracted position corresponding to the extended position of the mobile wedge and the extended position corresponding to the retracted position. A flexible boot is disposed over the image device aperture. The flexible boot defines a flexible opening. The imaging device protrudes through the flexible opening when the imaging device is in the extended position. |
| US08753023B2 |
Adapter transmitting with electrical and optical signals
An adapter (100) includes a printed circuit board (9), a first connector mounted onto the printed circuit board and having a room, a second connector mounted onto the printed circuit board and having a chamber (62), and an optical device (8) including a first optical module (81) and a second optical module (82) optically connecting with each other. The first connector includes a tongue portion (11) extending into the room and a set of terminals (212, 222) having contacting portions (2120, 2220) disposed on one side of the tongue portion and exposed to the room. The first optical module is disposed on another side of the tongue portion (11) opposite to the contacting portions. The second connector includes a set of contacts (66) having contacting sections (661) exposed to the chamber. The second optical module is disposed on the second connector and communicates with the chamber (62). |
| US08753015B2 |
Crossed-roller bearing
A crossed-roller bearing includes an inner ring having a first periphery and a first raceway groove formed on the first periphery, the first raceway groove being provided with a complete first raceway surface and a complete second raceway surface; an outer ring sleeved onto the inner ring and having a second periphery, an insertion hole, and a second raceway groove formed on the second periphery and corresponding to the first raceway groove, the second raceway groove being provided with a third raceway surface and a fourth raceway surface, a receiving space being jointly defined by the first, second, third, and fourth raceway surfaces; and a plug, the insertion hole running through one of the third and fourth raceway surfaces to form a breakage therearound; a plurality of rollers mounted in the receiving space to fill the breakage; a plug mounted in the insertion hole and fills the breakage. |
| US08753011B2 |
Easily openable fastener tape, packaging bag with easily openable fastener tape, and method of manufacturing easily openable fastener tape
A belt-shaped base of a male member of a zipper tape attached on an inner surface of a bag body includes a main body provided with an engagement portion, a thin portion connected to an opening-side of the main body, a thick portion connected to an opening-side of the thin portion and a projecting portion provided on the thick portion. A female member is also provided with the same arrangement. When the zipper tape is fused with the bag body, a gap is provided between the thin portion and a film of the bag body and between the thin portion and a film of the bag body, so that the thin portions are easily bent. |
| US08753007B2 |
Fuel cloud point or freeze point sensor with collinear optical geometry
A system includes a sensing cell having a walled structure configured to receive a fuel sample within an interior space of the walled structure. The sensing cell also has at least one cooling surface located on at least a portion of the walled structure and configured to cool the fuel sample. The sensing cell further has an optical port configured to couple to one or more optical fibers and to provide first radiation to the fuel sample. In addition, the sensing cell has a mirror configured to reflect the first radiation in order to provide second radiation to the optical port. The optical port defines a collinear optical geometry for providing the first radiation to the fuel sample and receiving the second radiation through the fuel sample. The system also includes at least one cooler configured to cool the fuel sample in the sensing cell by cooling the at least one cooling surface. |
| US08753006B2 |
Static mixer
A method for the manufacture of a static mixer in an injection molding process includes the steps: injecting a polymer melt containing a foaming agent into a passage at an injection point at an injection pressure of less than 500 bar; filling the passage with the polymer melt containing a foaming agent; at least partial foaming of the melt containing a foaming agent in the passage, with the ratio of flow path length to height amounting to at least 10. The installation body is made up at least partly of foamed plastic and has a ratio of longitudinal dimension to diameter larger than 1 and a ratio of longitudinal dimension to wall thickness of at least 10. |
| US08753004B2 |
Container for a blender
A container (15) for a blender (10) includes a bottom surface (16) having a non-symmetrically shaped perimeter. A side wall (17) extends upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom surface (16). A mixing blade assembly (20) having a plurality of blades (21) is located above the bottom surface (16) and is rotatable on an axis which is displaced from the center of the bottom surface (10). Nonuniform spaces (25, 26) are thus created between the ends of the blades (21) and the side wall (17). The bottom surface (16) is inclined at an angle relative to the plane normal to the axis of rotation of the blade assembly (20), and it, as well as the side wall (17), may be provided with a plurality of spaced vanes (31, 32). |
| US08752993B2 |
Backlight module with optic film assembly mounted through snap fitting
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, a light guide plate arranged inside the backplane, and an optic film assembly positioned on the light guide plate. The optic film assembly is connected to the backplane through snap fitting. The backlight module of the present invention includes a backplane that has side boards forming snap slots and an optic film assembly that forms fitting sections so that positioning and fixing of the optic film assembly and the backplane through snap fitting can be easily realized by means of a simple snap fitting arrangement. The drawback of the conventional way of using rivet that is adverse to bezel slimming can be eliminated and the problems of the conventional way that positioning through rivet may lead to easy detachment of the optic film assembly and deterioration of optic grade are also eliminated. |
| US08752992B2 |
Backlight module
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane, a light guide board arranged inside the backplane, and a plurality of elastic bodies arranged between the backplane and the light guide board. The backplane includes a bottom plate and a plurality of side plates perpendicularly mounted to a perimeter of the bottom plate. The light guide board includes a bottom surface facing the bottom plate, a top surface distant from the bottom plate, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting between the bottom surface and the top surface. The elastic bodies are respectively mounted to three of the side plates of the backplane and are set abutting against three of the side surfaces of the light guide board. The elastic bodies form contact surfaces that engage the side surfaces of the light guide board and are curved surfaces or spherical surfaces. |
| US08752986B2 |
Vehicle lamp assembly having uniform lit appearance
A vehicle lamp assembly includes a lamp housing, a primary lamp unit, and an auxiliary lamp unit. The primary lamp unit and the auxiliary lamp unit are provided within the lamp housing. The auxiliary lamp unit includes a first lighting device, a second lighting device and a supplemental lighting device. The first lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a first direction and the second lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a second direction. The supplemental lighting device is positioned in the lamp housing at an intersection of the first and second directions to provide a uniform lit appearance at a transition of the first lighting device and the second lighting device. |
| US08752983B2 |
Gas cooled LED lamp
In one embodiment, a lamp comprises an optically transmissive enclosure. An LED array is disposed in the optically transmissive enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical connection. A gas is contained in the enclosure to provide thermal coupling to the LED array. The gas may include oxygen. |
| US08752978B2 |
LED retrofit luminaire tubes
An LED retrofit tube that has an outer body that is substantially a lens so as to enable light generated by LEDs and light reflected therewithin to pass through substantially the entire tube. The tube includes an extrusion to support a circuit board having light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted thereto. The extrusion is located substantially with the lens. The circuit boards may include LEDs mounted on both sides to provide primary lighting and secondary lighting (backlighting). The extrusion may include grooves to allow the backlighting to pass therethrough. Rotational endcaps include an inner portion and an outer portion that can rotate with respect to one another to enable the tube to be rotated and the light dispersed therefrom to be focused. |
| US08752977B2 |
Flashlight with light focusing system
A twist push light focusing system for a flashlight includes a focus member movable in a longitudinal direction of the flashlight; a light source; a focus lens; and a rotational-to-longitudinal movement translation mechanism operably coupled to the focus member and at least one of the light source and the focus lens to translate longitudinal movement of the focus member into rotational movement in the rotational-to-longitudinal movement translation mechanism and relative longitudinal movement between the light source and the focus lens to achieve focus. |
| US08752974B2 |
Low glow
A pace setting device having a cylinder, top circular slab, a circular wall, an enclosed region; a piece of material connected at the top circular slab and a cuff at the cylinder base. The device has multiple springs connected between the cylinder and the piece of material holding the piece of material and the cylinder together. The piece of material serves as a large touching zone for athletic pace setting. A row of LEDs arranged within cavities that perforate the circular cylindrical wall are lighted by a battery having a snap terminal connected to a first jumper connection and a push button device operable to activate a lighting circuit made of the row. The first jumper connection is connected to two resistors that are respectively connected to two sets of differently colored LEDs and a second jumper connection having connections to both sets of LEDs and the push button device. |
| US08752972B2 |
Lighting system
Disclosed herein is a lighting system that may include a faceplate, a lighting component, a common electrical component, a battery, means for sensing that normal power is not available, means for triggering a connection between the battery and the light emitting device, means for displaying whether the battery is charged, and a means for triggering a test of the light emitting device and the battery. The faceplate may be sized to cover a single gang electrical box and may include a means to mount approximately flush to the electrical box. The lighting component may be permanently affixed to the faceplate and may include a light emitting device in a first portion of the faceplate such that when illuminated light may emit away from the electrical box. |
| US08752971B2 |
Color changeable lighting keyboard
A color changeable lighting keyboard includes a housing, a key assembly disposed on the housing, a lighting module disposed in the housing for lighting the key assembly, and a color changing mechanism. The color changing mechanism includes a movable element disposed in the housing and operable to perform a linear motion, and a plurality of colored pieces made of a light-permeable material and having different colors. The movable element is operable to move the colored pieces along a moving direction to align a selected one of the colored pieces with the lighting module. |
| US08752970B2 |
Compact high intensity solar simulator
A solar simulator for testing photovoltaic cells is disclosed herein. The solar simulator includes a housing having an opening through which light is emitted. The solar simulator employs a plurality of concave cylindrical mirrors and a plurality of flat mirrors that reflect and redirect images of an illuminated light source such that an observer at a target area outside the housing will perceive multiple instances of the illuminated light source. The housing also contains a flat top cover mirror and a flat bottom cover mirror that function to reflect additional light through the opening and toward the target area. |
| US08752968B2 |
Projector
A projector includes: alight source; a light modulation device configured to modulate light emitted from the light source according to image information; a projection lens configured to project the light modulated by the light modulation device; a holding unit that holds the projection lens; an external housing that accommodates the projection lens and the holding unit; and a clamping portion that projects from the inner surface of the external housing and clamps the projection lens or the holding unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection lens. |
| US08752967B2 |
Projection system and image processing method thereof
A projection system and an image processing method thereof are provided. The system includes a projector module, a photography module and a processing module. The projector module projects a first image frame to an object surface. The photography module photographs the object surface to derive a second image frame including the first image frame and an indication point, wherein the indication point is formed by light projected on the object surface by an external device. The processing module analyzes the second image frame to derive coordinate of the indication point in the second image frame, derives coordinate of at least a feature point of the first image frame in the second image frame according to a linear-approximation method, and transforms the coordinates of the indication point in the second image frame to the coordinates in the first image frame by using two-dimensional coordinate transformation equations. |
| US08752965B2 |
Stereoscopic display apparatus
A stereoscopic display apparatus includes an image projection module, a plurality of projection lenses and an optical path switching module. The optical path switching module is disposed between the image projection module and the projection lenses. The optical path switching module has a light-incident surface and different light-emitting surfaces. An image signal generated by the image projection module enters the optical path switching module through the light-incident surface. The optical path switching module includes a plurality of polarization beam splitters and a polarization adjusting module. The polarization adjusting module is disposed between the polarization beam splitters. The optical path switching module is used for switching the polarization adjusting module time-sequentially for guiding the image signal to those different light-emitting surfaces respectively, and accordingly a plurality of image formation beams are formed from the light-emitting surfaces though the projection lenses. |
| US08752964B1 |
System for clinical examination of visual functions using lenticular optics or programmable displays
A system having one or more lenticular units and more supplementary parts without lenticular properties. The lenticular units consist of lenticular plates that are capable of visualizing various clinically relevant examination objects. In all the examination positions, the system may visualize a fixation area that is shown alone or together with clinically relevant examination objects targeted at the examination of clinically relevant visual functions. Supplementary parts with various optical properties may be fixed or be moved relative to the lenticular units. Various clinically relevant examination objects may be visualized for the right eye and the left eye in that the examination objects of the system are provided with different colors or light polarizations and using eyeglasses with a differently colored glass for the right eye and the left eye or with polarization filters with a different direction for the right eye and the left eye. |
| US08752944B2 |
Cartridge and printing material supply system
A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal. The second device-side locking element is configured to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a negative X-axis side of the printing material supply tube. |
| US08752942B2 |
Multifunctional printer
A multifunctional printer including a body, a cover, a print head, an ink delivery module, an ink delivery pipe and a driving module is provided. The cover is pivoted to the body, such that the cover is open relative to the body, and therefore elements in the body are exposed. The print head and the ink delivery module are both disposed in the body, wherein the ink delivery module having multiple color cases is located adjacent to the cover. The ink delivery pipe is connected between the print head and the ink delivery module. The driving module includes a first driving element and a second driving element, wherein the first driving element is disposed on the ink delivery module while the second driving element is disposed on at least one of the body and the cover and engages with the first driving element. |
| US08752941B2 |
Fluid container having latching interface for micro-fluid applications
A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of fluid. Users orient a housing to deplete the fluid in a direction of gravity toward a bottom surface of the interior en route to an exit port. The imaging device has a rotating latch to keep in place the supply item during use Users activate the latch to eject the supply item. The latch mates with a notch on the supply item. A first face of the notch angles to allow the latch to swing into and away from contact with the notch while a second face substantially parallels a side of the latch when the latch is engaged with the first face. The faces have differing angles and differing lengths. Further embodiments note angular degrees, biasing members, container slots, and consumer features of the supply item, to name a few. |
| US08752938B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow channel forming substrate having pressure generation chambers communicating with a nozzle opening and arranged in parallel along a lateral direction. A piezoelectric element is provided on one surface of the flow channel forming substrate in correspondence to the pressure generation chamber, and has a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. In a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the pressure generation chambers, in boundaries between an active section that is a substantial driving section and an inactive section that is not a substantial driving section of the piezoelectric layer, the first electrode includes a taper section of which a width is gradually decreased toward the boundary from the active section side. |
| US08752936B2 |
Liquid ejection head and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid ejection head has recessed portions are formed in an ejection face, such that a distance d1 is between a center of an ejection opening in one recessed portion and an other-side side face of another recessed portion adjacent thereto on one side, where a distance d2 is between the center and a one-side face of another recessed portion adjacent to the one recessed portion on the other side, and where a distance x1 is between the center and a one-side side face of the one recessed portion, and a distance x2 is between the center and an other-side side face thereof. A central position of a bottom portion of the one recessed portion is positioned relative to the center, such that a relationship between distance d1 and distance d2 is the same as a relationship between distance x1 and distance x2. |
| US08752935B2 |
Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device includes a transport unit, a medium support unit, a liquid ejection head and a negative pressure generating unit. The medium support unit is arranged on a downstream side of the transport unit, and has a medium support surface on which the ejection medium is supported by suction using negative pressure. The medium support unit includes a plurality of first and second recesses arranged on the medium support surface and aligned in a width direction orthogonal to a transport direction. The first recesses are in communication with the negative pressure generating unit. The second recesses are configured and arranged to accept the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head. Each of the second recesses includes a communication unit communicating with one of the first recesses and a vent hole configured and arranged to allow ventilation without being in communication with the negative pressure generating unit. |
| US08752930B2 |
Suction-based recovery control method and ink jet printing apparatus
The amount of ink wastage is reduced, even in a case wherein a predetermined amount of air bubbles has grown in a print head at a specific internal temperature and the growth has been settled, and thereafter the temperature in the print head is increased. A suction-based recovery control method, for an ink jet printing apparatus that includes a print head, a temperature detection unit, and a suction-based recovery unit, comprising: a temperature detection step; a temperature judgment step for judging whether the internal temperature of the print head is higher than a reference temperature that is determined based on internal temperatures of the print head that were previously employed; and a suction-based recovery step for permitting the suction-based recovery unit when it is determined at the temperature judgment step that the internal temperature of the print head is higher by the predetermined number of degrees or greater. |
| US08752929B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus, including: a supply tray; a supply roller; a manual tray; a recording device; a motor; a supply driving power transmitter which transmits a reverse driving power of the motor to the supply roller; a conveyance driving power transmitter; a switcher switchable between a first state in which a driving power of the motor is transmitted to the supply driving power transmitter and a second state in which the driving power is not transmitted to the supply driving power transmitter; and a controller configured to, when an image is to be recorded on a sheet placed on the manual tray and when the switcher is in the first state, switches the switcher to the second state and rotates the motor reversely to rotate a conveyor roller in a second rotational direction reverse to a first rotational direction for conveying a sheet in a conveying direction. |
| US08752925B2 |
Driving pulse application method and apparatus of an ink jet head
According to one embodiment, a driving method of an ink jet head includes applying a first pulse for expanding volume of a pressure chamber in which an ink is accommodated to an actuator for applying oscillation to the pressure chamber and applying a second pulse for reducing volume of the pressure chamber to the actuator immediately before ink drops discharged from a nozzle which is communicated with the pressure chamber are separated from the nozzle. |
| US08752916B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided that may include a refrigerator body having at least one cooling chamber, and at least one cooling chamber door that opens or closes the at least one cooling chamber. The cooling chamber door may include a first door configured to open or close the at least one cooling chamber, a second door configured to open or close an open portion formed in the first door, and a support provided at the open portion that supports articles or food. The second door may be rotated around a rotational shaft that extends in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the at least one cooling chamber door. With this structure, food may be supported using the support when the second door is opened, thereby facilitating the putting in and taking out of food from the open portion. |
| US08752914B1 |
Dish rack mounted in kitchen cabinet
A dish rack installation kit including a pair of rigid vertical support members connected on each side of said dish rack, said dish rack having a plurality of frame members that can support a variety of different kinds of dishes, said dish rack mounted above a kitchen sink in an upper kitchen cabinet with an open bottom to allow drainage from the dish rack directly into the kitchen sink. The invention can include cabinet doors to hide the dish rack when not in use. The invention saves space in the kitchen. The rigid vertical support members include holes that receive fasteners for attaching the entire unit to the inside walls of a kitchen cabinet. |
| US08752911B2 |
Electronic apparatus and associated disassembly release tool
An apparatus comprises an enclosure having exterior walls defining an interior space; a top (10) having an interior surface (12) and a plurality of coupling clips (30) extending from the interior surface; and a base (5) having an inner surface (14). The base has a plurality of clip receiving members extending from the inner surface and reversibly engaging the coupling clips to secure the top to the base. The base further includes at least one aperture (7) adapted to permit a release fixture (50) having a plurality of decoupling members (40) extending from a plate (51) to simultaneously disengage the clip receiving members. |
| US08752908B2 |
Parking brake system for motor vehicles
A parking brake system for a motor vehicle comprising a control element and at least two electromechanical actuators. Each electromechanical actuator is configured for generating a parking brake force at one wheel of the motor vehicle. The electromechanical actuators are each provided with wheel electronic systems. The control element is connected via a brake controller to the wheel electronic system of a first electromechanical actuator by at least a first signal line. The control element is connected via a brake controller to the wheel electronic system of a second electromechanical actuator by a second signal line. At least a third signal line connects the control element directly to the wheel electronic systems or to one of the electromechanical actuators to convey a driver's request. |
| US08752907B2 |
Dual wheel centering system, method and kit
A centering system for centering the inner and outer wheels of a dual wheel assembly on a hub includes at least three centering sets. Each centering set has an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve. Each inner sleeve fits between a wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the inner wheel to center the inner wheel. Each outer sleeve fits between the wheel stud and a bolt hole in the outer wheel to center the outer wheel. The inner sleeves can also include a section that fits between the wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the brake drum to center the brake drum. |
| US08752905B1 |
Ice breaking / rubblizing machine
An ice breaking machine has a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, and two subframes rotatably connected thereunder. The subframes in turn carry axles on which are mounted a plurality of wheel assemblies each composed of a wheel with six point mounts carrying six standard heavy equipment teeth. The wheels are keyed to the axle, with a mathematical relationship between the angles of the keyways of adjoining wheels so that the teeth of each wheel are slightly out of line with the teeth of the wheels on either side. |
| US08752898B2 |
Main pivot assembly for incorporating into a seatback pivotly secured between first and second support plates
A seat assembly including a pair of spaced apart lower sectors, each exhibiting an annular extending inner surface defining first and second aligning apertures, and an upper sector interposed between the spaced apart lower sectors and exhibiting a further annular extending inner surface defining a further aperture positioned between the aligning apertures of the lower sectors and defining a pivot point of the upper sector. A bushing and collar spacer are incorporated into the pivot point to maintain a desired spacing between the upper and lower sectors. A bushing exhibits male and female subassemblies, each further exhibiting an outer annular projecting perimeter lip such that the male bushing is installed through the aligning apertures in the upper and lower sector plates from the exterior side of a first selected lower sector, whereas the female bushing is installed from an exterior side of the other lower sector. |
| US08752896B2 |
Rocking chair
Provided is a chair suited to the use of a keyboard or mouse, the chair has a seat 3 and a rocking backrest 4. The seat 3 comprises a first section 3a, 12a and a second section 3b, 12b. The first section 3a of the seat 3 is affixed to a seat-mounting shell 11 is attached to a base 9, via a seat-mounting fixture, so as to be slide forwards and backwards. The backrest 4 has a back cover 14, a back panel 15 and a cushion move downwards while rotating in a seesaw fashion during rocking. The front end of the back cover 14 is connected to the seat-mounting fixture 10 by means of a connecting pin 25. When the chair rocks, the seat 3 moves forwards as a whole while the second section 3b tilts backward. |
| US08752895B2 |
Child restraint for vehicle
A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat also includes a headrest mounted for up-and-down movement on the seat back relative to the seat bottom. |
| US08752889B1 |
Bench system
A bench system having a first and second panel mounted atop a first and second leg and a third and fourth leg, the panels are separated by a gap, the first leg and third leg and the second leg and fourth leg are pivotally connected via a pivot component, the legs are adjustable in length via an adjusting means, a sheet atop the panels, straps attached to the sheet at a first and second side, an extension sheet having a first and second side edge, and a top edge, wherein the top edge or a portion thereof is removably attached to the fourth side of the sheet via an attachment means, the first and second side edges of the extension sheet extend past the legs and sheet, and a pole on each side edge of the extension sheet. |
| US08752883B2 |
Automotive vehicles with front undercarriage protectors
An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline, an undercarriage, and a front portion. The drive system is disposed within the body. The plurality of protrusions extend from the front portion, and are positioned around the centerline for protection of the undercarriage. |
| US08752877B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing decorative lights
A tool for installing decorative lights may include a hook-placement head configured for attachment to a pole, and a string-placement head configured for attachment to the pole. The tool may be employed to decorate a structure with a string of decorative lights by placing an adhesive-backed hook onto a pole-mounted hook-placement head, raising the hook-placement head to position the hook at a desired location on the structure, placing a portion of the string onto a pole-mounted string-placement head; and raising the string-placement head to the positioned hook to engage the string with the hook. |
| US08752876B2 |
Post driver with grappler mechanism
A grapple mechanism is connected to a post driver on one side, rather than in the front of the post driver. The grapple connects to the post driver via a hinge which allows substantially 90 degrees of rotation between a horizontal position for picking up posts, and a vertical position for driving the post into the ground. A spring or other biasing mechanism preferably biases the grapple mechanism toward its horizontal position. However, the spring is preferably not so strong as to hold the grapple mechanism in the horizontal position even when a post is grappled. Preferably, the weight of a grappled post is sufficient to overcome the spring, causing the grapple mechanism to pivot about the hinge and into the vertical position. The grapple mechanism is therefore preferably sized, shaped and weighted so as to swing to a substantially vertical position when a post is grappled and lifted. |
| US08752875B1 |
Electronic device holding system
An electronic device holding system having a panel with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, a handle surface, and an attachment surface, a handle is pivotally attached to the handle surface and can pivot either in a first direction toward the third end of the panel and a second direction toward the fourth end of the panel, or in a third direction toward the first end of the panel and a fourth direction toward the second end of the panel, and a first half attachment means on the attachment surface and a second half attachment means for attaching to a smart phone, tablet, or electronic reader, the first half attachment means is adapted to temporarily engage the second half attachment means. |
| US08752873B2 |
Gripper device for transporting racks
The present invention relates to a gripper device for transporting a rack (3) for microscope slides (4), in particular in systems for preparing tissue samples for histological examinations, the gripper device having a gripping mechanism including a pair of gripping arms (2), whose ends are configured as gripping sections (7) for gripping the rack. In order to provide a gripper device which can be used in a versatile manner in automated stainers and coverslippers and contributes to reducing the cost of manufacture, it is proposed that the gripping sections (7) be provided with first profiles (17) for gripping the rack (3) in a vertical position and second profiles (18) for gripping the rack (3) in a horizontal position. |
| US08752868B2 |
Locking device for windows
The locking device for a window comprises a window side-locking unit which is installed in the window and a window frame side-locking unit which is installed in the window frame. For preventing intruder access to the window, a stop member of the window frame side-locking unit contacts a holding member of the window side-locking unit through vertical movement thereof in order to restrict the movement of the window. According to the present invention, the locking apparatus for the window comprises the window side-locking unit which is installed in the window and the window frame side-locking unit which is installed in the window frame. The stop member of the window frame side-locking unit contacts the holding member of the window side-locking unit through vertical movement. |
| US08752867B2 |
Sanitary hose coupling
A sanitary hose coupling (1) including a tubular coupling base body (2) which, in at least one of the base body end regions thereof, has a hose connector (3) profiled in at least one sub-region for a flexible water hose (4) to be pushed on, and also includes a crimp sleeve (6) which, when deformed, fixes an end (5) of the water hose (4) encompassed by the crimp sleeve (6) on the hose connector (3). The hose coupling (1) provides that the end (5) of the water hose (4) encompassed by the crimp sleeve (6) can be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner on the hose connector (3), and that the end (5) of the hose can be pushed onto a profiled section (7) of the hose connector (3) that is not round in the circumferential direction. Since the hose coupling permits a torque transmission between the water hose (4) and the coupling base body (2), the hose coupling is able to substantially facilitate the mounting and dismantling of a water hose (4) even under restricted spatial conditions. |
| US08752864B2 |
Ski transportation device
In principle, the device comprises a supporting element for a ski that is placed beside the outer side of a ski boot, the supporting element having a movable part formed by a rotatable body and a fixed part on which the movable part is coupled rotatingly, while the rotatable body includes a receptacle for receiving the rear end section of the ski. It is characterized in that the receptacle of the rotatable body is delimited by an elastic frontal retaining and support rim (7) for the ski and adjustable runners (8) that can be adapted to the width of the ski (6). |
| US08752863B2 |
Vehicle seat assembly with air bag module having integral protection member
A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag and a housing that receives the air bag. The housing has a main body that substantially encloses the air bag prior to inflation of the air bag, and an extension formed integrally with the main body. The extension is substantially enclosed by the main body prior to inflation of the air bag, and the extension has an end. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the extension is configured to extend outside the main body such that the end extends between the air bag and a component of the seat assembly. |
| US08752860B2 |
External air bag for vehicle
An external air bag apparatus may include a bumper cover having a tear line in a front portion thereof, a cushion disposed behind the bumper cover, wherein the cushion expands outwards by tearing the tear line when the cushion may be expanded so that the cushion surrounds a front surface of the bumper cover, and an expansion guide arranged between the bumper cover and the cushion to guide the cushion to expand forwards to the bumper cover. |
| US08752858B2 |
Ski, boot and binding between a ski and a boot
A binding (1) for disengagebly fixing a boot (20) into a cross-country ski (10), where the boot has a sole (22) with an outer surface (23) adapted to positioning towards a top surface (13) of the ski. The binding has a cleat (30) including a flange (31) at a lock distance (S1) from the outer surface of the sole, and a base (24) extending from the flange, whereupon the base has a smaller base cross-section (A2) than a flange cross-section (A1) of the flange. The binding further includes a single frame plate (9) having a frame opening (14) with an opening cross-section (A3) larger than the base cross-section (A2) and larger than the flange cross-section (A1); and a lever (8) or a slide (7) movable in directions (P1 or P2) parallel to the top surface (13) of the ski. The lever/slide is between the outer surface and the flange. |
| US08752855B2 |
Accessory mounting systems for non-highway vehicles
A height adjustable multiple implement mounting system for use with off-road vehicles such as zero-turn lawnmowers. A mount assembly is secured at a forward portion of the vehicle. A space frame extends from the mount assembly and supports one or more ground care implements at a location forward of the vehicle. An electric actuator has a first end that is pivotably connected to the mount assembly and a second end that is attached to the space frame. Operation of the actuator alters the elevation of the implement such that the implement can be moved between in-use and out-of-use positions relative to a ground surface. In a preferred aspect, the mount assembly allows lateral or side-to-side rotation of the space frame and actuator so that the implement can be laterally inclined or pitched with respect to the vehicle. |
| US08752846B1 |
Roller load support
A roller load support, for mounting on a load carrying vehicle such as a lift truck, has an elongate frame with a forwardly tapering vertical thickness and an upper surface for insertion beneath the underside of a load. Different longitudinally spaced pluralities of transverse upper rollers are movable upwardly to protrude through the frame's upper surface to engage the underside of the load during the insertion process. During the insertion process, the upper rollers are pushed upward by corresponding different pluralities of transverse lower rollers which rotatably engage the floor or other surface beneath the frame and frictionally counter-rotate the upper rollers. The lower rollers are spaced nonuniformly relative to each other along the length of the frame, with such spacings increasing progressively in size, within each plurality of lower rollers, in a forward direction toward the front end of the frame. Conversely, each such plurality of lower rollers has sequentially corresponding nonuniform spacings which decrease progressively in size, from plurality to plurality, in the forward direction. |
| US08752845B2 |
Snowboard binding
A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding. |
| US08752843B2 |
Collet having angled seal bores
A collet has seal bores formed in interspaces of the collet. The seal bores are oriented at an acute angle α to the longitudinal axis of the collet, and extend towards a tool end of the collet, from a clamping surface of the collet to a collet peripheral surface. Adjacent the clamping bore, the collet has stopping surfaces for accurately locating the seals. When inserted into the seal bores, the seals prevent fluid leakage between the clamping bore surface and the peripheral surface of the collet. |
| US08752840B2 |
Apparatus and method for playing poker-style games involving a draw
An apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently. |
| US08752839B2 |
Card game
An electronic card game is provided where a set of qualifying combinations is provided and as long as one qualifying combination is held by a player that is greater than a qualifying combination held by the dealer then paying the player winning amounts associated with all qualifying combinations held by the player. |
| US08752837B2 |
Sheet storage device and image forming apparatus
A sheet storage device is equipped with sheet storage portions which are provided in an upper portion of a copying machine body and receive sheets, conveyed in sequence from the copying machine body, from downward and store the sheets in such a state that the sheets stand. The sheet storage portions are relatively rotatably supported in sequence and parallel. Each sheet storage portion receiving the sheet from the copying machine body is rotated to be held in the rotational position. |
| US08752836B2 |
Paper delivery device
A paper delivery device includes a mounting shaft, a paper guide assembly attached to the mounting shaft, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a driving module configured to drive the first wheel and the second wheel to rotate in a first direction or a second direction that is reverse to the first direction. The paper guide assembly includes a first guide module attached to the mounting shaft and a second guide module attached to the mounting shaft. The first wheel abuts the first guide module. The second wheel abuts the second guide module. The first guide module and the second guide module is movable towards each other when the first wheel and the second wheel rotate in the first direction, or movable away from each other when the first wheel and the second wheel rotate in the second direction. |
| US08752835B2 |
Pillow block for feed roller, and feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing apparatus using the pillow block
A pillow block supporting a feed roller includes a pillow block main body; a wedge body adjusting a height position of the pillow block main body; and a bracket adjustably installing the pillow block main body in a sheet feeding direction on a mounting surface. Further, the pillow block main body includes a reception part to support the feed roller, a concave part though which the wedge body is inserted, and the bracket is temporarily fixed to the mounting surface. Further, the wedge body pushes up the height position of the pillow block main body upon being inserted into the concave part to determine the position of the reception part so that the reception part supports the feed roller from below. |
| US08752834B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a pair of first rotating members; a first transport path having a curved portion where a recording medium is curved, the first transport path being for transporting the recording medium to which the image is fixed by the pair of first rotating members; a first transporting section including a pair of second rotating members provided downstream from the curved portion of the first transport path; and a controller that controls so that, while the recording medium is interposed between the pair of first rotating members and the pair of second rotating members, a peripheral velocity of the second rotating members and a peripheral velocity of the first rotating members are reduced at the same time, or the peripheral velocity of the second rotating members is reduced before reducing the peripheral velocity of the first rotating members. |
| US08752833B2 |
Paper conveyance apparatus
A paper conveyance apparatus including a housing, a guide member for guiding a paper conveyed in a paper conveyance path, the guide member being attached to the housing, a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal in response to a sound detected through a sound receiving aperture disposed in a space between the housing and the guide member, and a vent path for cleaning the sound receiving aperture by an air blow to the sound receiving aperture, the vent path communicating with the interior and exterior of the space between the housing and the guide member. |
| US08752828B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet size detection method
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet feeding unit for feeding a sheet, a registration roller for transporting the sheet toward the image forming unit, a rotational member for transporting the sheet toward the registration roller, at least one detection member provided on an upstream side of the registration roller, and a sheet size detection unit configured to receive an output from the detection member. The rotational member is configured to continue rotation until transportation of the sheet is completed. The registration roller is configured to rotate when a predetermined waiting time period has elapsed since the detection member detects sheet arrival. The sheet size detection unit is configured to detect a size of the sheet using a time period from a time when the detection member detects the sheet arrival to a time when the detection member detects sheet passage. |
| US08752826B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a supply holding section that holds paper, which is supplied to a printing section, in an overlapping manner; a paper discharging roller that discharges the paper from the printing section; a discharge holding section that holds the paper, which are discharged from the paper discharging roller, in an overlapping manner, and is installed movably to the supply holding section, in an overlapping manner; and a moving unit that is moved to move the discharge holding section to the supply holding section so as to widen a difference of a height between the discharge holding section and the paper discharging roller according to a decrease of a holding amount of the paper in the supply holding section. |
| US08752825B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet transporting apparatus with cover and guide member pivotable with respect to apparatus body
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image forming unit, a guide member, and a cover. The guide member is configured to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus body and is configured to guide the sheet along a transporting path. The cover is configured to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus body and is configured to open and close at least a part of the transporting path. The guide member includes a first engaging portion and the cover includes a second engaging portion which engages the first engaging portion of the guide member. One of the guide member and the cover includes an engagement guiding portion which guides one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion toward the other one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, such that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engages with each other. |
| US08752824B2 |
Sheet inverting device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet inverting device includes a loop pathway including an entrance slot to which a recording medium is conveyed and an exit slot from which the recording medium is conveyed, the loop pathway forming a loop shape to convey the recording medium therethrough in a forward direction defined by a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the entrance slot travels, and a redirectable sheet conveyance member to convey the recording medium traveling through the loop pathway in the forward direction and a reverse direction that is the reverse of the forward direction. The exit slot is configured to convey the recording medium that is conveyed by the redirectable sheet conveyance member in the reverse direction outside the sheet inverting device therethrough. |
| US08752823B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
The sheet feeding apparatus includes a feeding roller that includes an arc-shaped friction portion and a notch portion, and causes the friction portion to feed the sheet; a feeding motor rotationally driving the feeding roller; a separation pad that presses the sheet fed by the friction portion on a surface other than a surface at the friction portion, and separates a double-fed sheet; and a feeding spring that causes the sheet supporting portion to wait below the feeding roller such that the sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion is not in contact with the friction portion until the friction portion reaches the separation pad, and, when the friction portion reaches the separation pad, moves up the sheet supporting portion to an abutting position at which the sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion is pressed against the friction portion and the friction portion feeds the sheet. |
| US08752822B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming system
A high productivity sheet feeding apparatus in which there is no occurrence of abnormalities related to sheet feeding irrespective of the size and type of sheet, and an image forming system having that sheet feeding apparatus are provided. This sheet feeding apparatus has the feature that it has, a stacking unit for stacking sheets, a conveying unit that is placed above and spaced from said stacking unit and that conveys the sheets, a flotation unit that makes the sheets in the upper part of the sheets stacked in said stacking unit float up towards said conveying unit, and a suction unit that sucks the air included in between the plurality of sheets that have been made to float up towards said conveying unit by said flotation unit. |
| US08752821B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form an image on a sheet and a sheet feeding unit to feed the sheet to the image forming device. The sheet feeding unit includes an endless, dielectric belt disposed facing an upper surface of a sheet stack to contact and attract an uppermost sheet to the surface thereof and feed the sheet in the sheet feeding direction, and an electric potential pattern forming unit to form an electric potential pattern on the surface of the dielectric belt. The electric potential pattern has multiple potential holding sections of identical absolute values and opposite polarities disposed adjacent to each other at a uniform pitch. The electric potential pattern forming unit forms the electric potential pattern to have equal numbers of positive potential holding sections and negative potential holding sections. |
| US08752820B2 |
Envelope warpage correcting device
An envelope warpage correcting device includes a sheet feeding portion, a correction means and a control portion. The sheet feeding portion feeds envelopes one-by-one in a state where the envelopes are stacked on a sheet feed table and a rear end portion opposite to a flap portion formed in a front end portion of each of the envelopes is set to a leading portion in a sheet feed direction. The correction means corrects warpage occurring at a side of the rear end portion of the envelope fed by the sheet feeding portion. The control portion controls processing for correcting the warpage occurring at the side of the rear end portion by the correcting portion at certain timing according to an attribution of the envelope. |
| US08752813B2 |
Fletching device
The present invention relates to a fletching device for adhesively bonding arrow feathers onto arrow shafts and quarrels, comprising a base plate (9) having a support for the nock of an arrow, retaining rods (8) extending upward therefrom at a distance from each other, an upper cover plate (12) having a passage opening directing upward and a centering means for the shaft of an arrow (1), and retaining clamps (3) arranged on the retaining rods (8) for the arrow feathers to be adhesively bonded. The fletching device is characterized in that the centering means for the arrow shaft is similar to the chuck (7) of a drilling machine or comprises an adapted chuck (7) of a drilling machine. |
| US08752809B2 |
Methods and apparatus to couple valve shafts and closure members
Methods and apparatus to couple valve shafts and closure members are described. An example coupling apparatus includes an expansion pin to be disposed in a bore defined by a first aperture of a valve shaft and a second aperture of a closure member. The first and second apertures are coaxially aligned when the valve shaft is coupled to the closure member. A first tapered pin is disposed in a first opening of the expansion pin adjacent a first end of the expansion pin and a second tapered pin is disposed in a second opening of the expansion pin adjacent a second end of the expansion pin. The first tapered pin causes the expansion pin to expand at a first location when the first tapered pin is disposed in the first opening and the second tapered pin causes the expansion pin to expand at a second location different than the first location when the second tapered is disposed in the second opening. |
| US08752806B2 |
Fluid-operated actuating drive on a valve
A fluid-operated actuating drive (1) on a valve, in particular a shut-off, safety or regulating valve, comprising a base unit (2) having control valves, two linear actuators (6, 7) which are located opposite of each other and can be actuated fluidically, and a mechanical converter (5) which is arranged between the two linear actuators and couples the gates thereof to each other, wherein the outlet of the converter is coupled to the inlet of the valve. To this end, the actuating drive is composed in a modular manner of individual components joined to form a functional unit in the form of the base unit, the two linear actuators and the mechanical converter. |
| US08752803B2 |
Standoff adaptor for push pin
A standoff adaptor for a push pin. A spacer has a hole formed in one end to complementarily receive a push pin with the pin of the push pin extending outwardly therefrom. A head is threadedly mounted to the opposite end of the spacer and may be adjusted to tightly grip an item between a spacer and head. |
| US08752798B2 |
Golf club bag support mechanisms and related methods
Embodiments of golf bag support mechanisms are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein. |
| US08752791B2 |
Fuselage employing multifunctional crown and method of making the same
A fuselage structure includes a fuselage body and framework for stiffening the body. The framework includes at least one frame member having a duct therein for routing a utility through the body. |
| US08752787B2 |
Electrical driven flying saucer based on magnetic suspension
A magnetic suspension electric rotor flying saucer comprises: a saucer shell (1), a saucer cabin (2), a rotor system (3), and a control system (4). The rotor wing system is a magnetic suspension electric rotor wing system (3) composed of a magnetic suspension rotor wing wheel (5), an electrodynamic ring (6), a magnetic suspension shaft (7) and magnetic suspension lead rails (8). The electrodynamic ring (6), the magnetic suspension shaft (7) and the magnetic suspension lead rails (8) are fixed on the saucer shell (1). The magnetic suspension rotor wing wheel (5) is suspended in space limited by the electrodynamic ring (6), the magnetic suspension shaft (7) and the magnetic suspension lead rails (8) and rotates around the magnetic suspension shaft (7) by the electromagnetic thrust. |
| US08752786B2 |
Low speed autogyro yaw control apparatus and method
Apparatus and methods for controlling yaw of a rotorcraft in the event of one or both of low airspeed and engine failure are disclosed. A yaw propulsion device, such as an air jet or a fan may be used. A pneumatic fan may be driven by compressed air released into a channel surrounding an outer portion of the fan. Power for the yaw propulsion device and other system may be provided by a hydraulic pump and/or generator engaging the rotor. Low speed yaw control may be provided by auxiliary rudders positioned within the stream tube of a prop. The auxiliary rudders may one or both of fold down and disengage from rudder controls when not in use. Apparatus for generating horizontal lift imbalance induced a tail boom positioned within the downwash of a rotor may also be used, including compressed air vents or lateral or trailing edge flaps. |
| US08752785B2 |
Semi-levered articulated landing gear system
The landing gear system for an aircraft includes a shock strut assembly that is coupled to the airframe with a universal joint. A tire member is mounted to the shock strut assembly. The landing gear system also includes a drag brace assembly coupled to an airframe of the aircraft with a spindle, the spindle being rotatable about a spindle axis. A radius rod is rotatably coupled to the airframe of the aircraft. The radius rod and the shock strut assembly are retractable about a retraction rotation axis. Further, the spindle axis has a common intersection point with the centerline axis and the retraction rotation axis. The orientation of the spindle axis causes a translation of the tire member to have a longitudinal component during a compression of the shock strut assembly. |
| US08752784B2 |
Aircraft rotary wing motion control and instrumented motion control fluid device
An aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device providing motion control and with wireless sensing of at least one fluid property inside the fluid device is provided. The wireless sensing system is integrated with at least one of the first and second aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device bodies. The wireless sensing system includes at least one fluid property sensor in sensing proximity to the at least one fluid chamber and a communications device for wirelessly conveying a measurement made by the at least one fluid property sensor to a remote location. |
| US08752781B2 |
Seat belt retractor with deactivatable locking system
A safety belt retractor for motor vehicles having a locking system controllable in a belt webbing-sensitive and/or vehicle-sensitive manner, a locking pawl (12) mounted on the belt shaft (1) which locking pawl can be moved into engagement with a housing-fixed tooth, wherein the locking system can be deactivated at least within a range of a predetermined belt extraction length, wherein a locking element (10) is provided for deactivating the locking system which locking element can be moved depending on the belt extraction length from a first position releasing the locking pawl (12) to a second position fixing the locking pawl (12). |
| US08752778B2 |
Mill and method of milling
A milling apparatus in which at least two independently driven axiaily mounted elements are eccentrically mounted one within the other so as to define a processing chamber (12) therebetween with the minimum radial gap between the elements at one position being diametrically opposite to the maximum radial gap. Stresses are applied to the material by passing it through the minimum radial gap, which is adjustable. The elements may be rotated in the same direction to apply compressive and extensional stresses to material within the minimum gap, or in opposite directions to apply shear stresses to the material within this gap. A third element may be incorporated within the chamber to provide heat transfer and distributive mixing to the stressed material. |
| US08752776B2 |
Apparatus and method for the processing of cellulose fibres
The invention according to the present invention relates to the manufacture of paper and or boards and/or binding agents and a method and apparatus related to the same by providing for the defibrillation of cellulose fibers into a form in which the same can be subsequently sued to form the finished product directly or can be used to bind other materials together and then be formed into the finished product. The apparatus includes a twin screw conveyor through the material and liquid passes to be processed. |
| US08752775B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing acoustic noise in a synthetic jet
A synthetic jet includes a first backer structure, one and only one actuator, a wall member coupled to and positioned between the first backer structure and the one and only one actuator to form a cavity, and wherein the wall member has an orifice formed therethrough, and wherein the orifice fluidically couples the cavity to an environment external to the cavity. |
| US08752769B2 |
Intelligent multimedia content synchronization
An intelligent synchronization tool ensures access to desired content in a manner that automatically keeps the content current on the portable media device. A variation threshold or user-specified degree of content variation may be introduced among content downloaded to a user's mobile device to prevent the user from becoming bored. Furthermore, intelligent synchronization may automatically populate the portable media device with popular content to save a user time and/or use passive monitoring techniques to ascertain a user's preferences for subsequent population. |
| US08752768B2 |
Systems and methods for reading color optical codes
Methods and systems are disclosed for producing color-image data representative of a color optical code or other color objects, particularly with a monochrome imager. Monochrome image-sensor data is produced by receiving a sequence of colored light emitted by an artificial light source and reflected from the color object. The sequence of colored light may be a red, green, and blue sequence of colored light emitting diode lights according to some embodiments. The monochrome imager produces the monochrome image-sensor data based at least in part on the portion of the reflected sequence of colored light. The monochrome image-sensor data is processed to produce color-image data representing the color optical code. |
| US08752767B2 |
Illumination system with prism for use in imaging scanner
An apparatus includes an illumination lens, an illumination light source for generating illumination light, and a prism made of optical transparent material. The first section on the first surface of the prism has a length that is at least four times as long as its width. The first surface of the prism includes a second section adjacent to the first section for defining the edge of an aperture. The third surface of the prism is configured to reflect the illumination light received from the first section onto the second surface of the prism. At least a portion of the illumination light received from the first section passes through both the second surface of the prism and the illumination lens for projecting illumination light onto a target object within an imaging field of view. |
| US08752766B2 |
Indicia reading system employing digital gain control
A laser scanning code symbol reading system includes an analog scan data signal processor for producing digitized data signals, wherein during each laser beam scanning cycle, a light collection and photo-detection module generates an analog scan data signal corresponding to a laser scanned code symbol, an analog scan data signal processor/digitizer processes the analog scan data signal to generate digital data signals corresponding thereto, and a synchronized digital gain control module automatically processes the digitized data signals in response to start of scan (SOS) signals generated by a SOS detector. The synchronized digital gain control module generates digital control data which is transmitted to the analog scan data signal processor for use in controlling the gain of at least one signal processing stage in the light collection and photo-detection module and/or analog scan data signal processor, during the corresponding laser beam scanning cycle. |
| US08752764B2 |
System for electronically sealing an item and verifying the authenticity of the item sealed
A system includes an apparatus for identifying an item with inclusion of a contact smart card to store the authenticity information of the item, and a card reader to allow examination of the authenticity being conducted locally and/or remotely. The identifying apparatus further has a locking means and a disabling means. The locking means prevents normal use of the item in a locked position. The disabling means will disable the contact smart card when the locking means is unlocked. The identifying apparatus further has a releasing means to be engaged with the locking means and disabling means. The card reader includes a central operating unit, an interface to the contact smart card, an interface to an external device and an interface to users. The interface to the contact smart card includes an adaptor of contact smart card and a fastening means to secure the identifying apparatus. |
| US08752762B2 |
Interactive color center display apparatus
A display unit comprising a plurality of display modules arranged in a row and having an upper display section and a lower display section. One of the display modules includes an interactive Kiosk, and a second of the display modules includes at least one computer controlled card reading video station. A consumer may pass a coded paint color sample card past a code reader in the video station and is thereafter presented with a display of a color present on the sample card followed by a selectable sequence of video display screens, which may comprise part of a color selection application program. |
| US08752758B1 |
Use of scannable 2-D bar codes to provide context-sensitive information for a weighing device
Systems and methods of using 2-D barcodes to provide information responsive to a particular error condition/event of, or need for operational or configuration assistance with respect to, a weighing device that is adapted to generate and display such 2-D barcode. The 2-D barcode contains a hyperlink to a context-sensitive web page that contains information relevant to the 2-D barcode. An image of the 2-D barcode is captured with a scanning device and the 2-D barcode is decoded by an appropriate scanning application of the scanning device. The scanning device is subsequently caused to request the web page as directed by the hyperlink in the 2-D barcode. The web page request is received at a server or similar location, and the requested web page is sent to the scanning device for viewing and use by a user. |
| US08752753B2 |
Wear piece element and method of construction
A method of construction of a tungsten carbide/TSP insert for hard facing a wear surface comprises the steps of forming a tungsten carbide body (12) in a mold. After the molding step, a channel section slot (24) or pocket (24′) is created in the body before it has hardened substantially. The body is then heat-treated to harden it. A TSP body (32) is fitted in the slot/pocket (24/24′) so that it is a close sliding fit between the sides (18) of the slot, and is of the same depth as the slot. The TSP is (preferably) brazed into the slot. The insert has pips (30) on its edges (18) to facilitate welding to a substrate prior to a final brazing step. |
| US08752751B2 |
Lead frame support plate and window clamp for wire bonding machines
A lead frame support plate 200 and a window clamp 400 for wire bonding machines are disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the lead frame support plate 200 includes a network of suction grooves 218 provided on a support surface 212, each suction groove 218 being arranged to be in fluid communication with at least a vacuum hole 216 to enable a suction force to be created, in response to a vacuum force, along the network of suction grooves for holding a lead frame against the support surface. A window clamp 400 having slots for compensating deformation of the window clamp and a method of fabricating the lead frame support plate are also disclosed. |
| US08752749B2 |
Robotically-controlled disposable motor-driven loading unit
A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a robotic system configured to generate control systems therefor. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the robotic system to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position. |
| US08752746B2 |
Combination skateboard shoulder strap and garment belt
A skateboard carrying strap is disclosed for holding a skateboard against a user's back, wherein the strap comprises two separable sections. Each section comprises a complimentary belt buckle end and a skateboard securement end. On each securement end are extendable elastic bands, are placed around the wheel trucks of a skateboard to support the skateboard. The user wears the assembly across his or her torso, crossing over the shoulder, while the skateboard deck lies against the individual's back with the wheel trucks facing away from the body and in connection with the elastic bands. The belt buckle end comprises a belt buckle or clasp engagement adapted to rest against the user's chest, while the disconnected securement ends of each section are adapted to secure each skateboard wheel truck. When the device is not in use, the strap lengths can be connected into a continuous section for use as traditional belt. |
| US08752744B2 |
Portable tools
The present invention includes a portable tool including a tool body having a handle, a hook including a hook body, and a mounting device. The mounting device enables the hook body to be mounted to the handle with the hook body oriented in any one of a plurality of different directions and positioned at any one of a plurality of different positions along the oriented direction. |
| US08752743B2 |
Article carrier for supporting multiple articles around a neck of a wearer
An article carrier has a first member including a top side and a first arch. The first arch optionally is for receiving a first article. The article carrier also has a moveable second member connected to the first member. The second member is moveable from a first position connected to a lateral side of the first member and to a second position where the moveable second member is not connected to the lateral side. The moveable second member may retain a second article on the moveable second member in the second position. The second member may capture a temple bar of a pair of glasses on the second member. |
| US08752741B2 |
Holster assembly and method using same
A holster assembly, and method using same, are disclosed. The holster comprises a base and a trigger housing mechanism slidably disposed on that base, wherein the trigger housing mechanism can be slidingly moved bidirectionally between a first position and a second position. The holster assembly further comprises a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring is attached to the base, and wherein the second end of the spring is attached to the trigger housing mechanism. |
| US08752736B2 |
Self actuating rotary dust valve
The present invention relates to a self actuating rotary dust valve particularly for discharging dust from an engine air cleaner. The rotary dust valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a rotor chamber interposed therebetween. A rotary dust ejection member is enclosed in the rotor chamber and supported for rotation about a fixed axis. A plurality of fin members are provided angularly spaced about and secured to the hub member. Adjacent pairs of the fin members define at least one dust pocket therebetween to receive dust from the air cleaner to be ejected. The rotor chamber and the fin members are cooperatively shaped and configured to maintain a continuous air lock closure. The dust valve is operable by any of: gravity and vibration to rotate and thereby to discharge the dust buildup through the outlet port or alternately by other drive means. |
| US08752734B2 |
Disposable assembly for a reusable urn or vessel
The present invention provides a tubing adapter assembly. The assembly includes a fitment having an annular flexible mounting flange having a planar surface, and a generally centrally disposed, generally cylindrical annular wall extending axially away from the planar surface defining a passage way therethrough; and a tubing adapter having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, a portion of the second end being positioned within the passageway, the second end having a first cylindrical wall having an outer surface having a member for fixedly attaching the tubing adapter to the fitment, the tubing adapter having a second generally cylindrical wall at the first end dimensioned to be inserted into a lumen of a tubing. |
| US08752733B2 |
Rolling apparatus
A roller apparatus for dispensing the contents of a flexible tube may include a housing, a shaft and a cap. The shaft being positioned in the housing and mounted to thereto by rotation in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The shaft may then be enclosed in the housing by placement of a cap on the housing that also functions to engage an end of the shaft. Following insertion of the sealed end of a flexible tube though openings in the housing and the shaft, the tube is taken up into the housing by further rotation of the cap, and thus the shaft. To remove the tube, the cap may be counter rotated to release the shaft (and the tube now wrapped around the shaft) from the housing. |
| US08752732B2 |
Fluid dispensing system
An apparatus including a fluid reservoir and a compressible metering chamber including a first end coupled to the fluid reservoir and a second end. The apparatus further including a valve coupled to the second end of the metering chamber and a nozzle coupled to the valve. A system including linearly translatable cartridge mounting assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations and a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges mounted to respective fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations. The system further including a plurality of compression assemblies coupled to respective fluid dispensing cartridges and a receiving assembly positioned beneath the mounting assembly. A method includes positioning a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising a fluid reservoir and a metering chamber over a sample retaining member, applying a compressive force to the metering chamber to eject a predetermined amount of fluid and removing the compressive force to refill the metering chamber. |
| US08752730B2 |
Viscous material selective packet method
A viscous material dispenser comprises a container having at least two opposing sidewalls; a first closure end; and a second closure end; the sidewalls and closure ends defining an enclosure, and at least one closure end comprising an expressing shape and at least one sidewall comprising a crease running from the expressing shaped closure end to the other closure end to permit folding the container at the crease to express a content from an interior of the container through the expressing shaped closure end to an exterior. |
| US08752729B2 |
Combination dispensing and disposal container
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a combination dispensing and disposal container (1) having a dispensing end (2) with a dispensing opening (3) for dispensing new items, such as facial tissue, wet wipes, candy, etc. On the opposite end of the container is a disposal end (4) with a disposal opening (5) for accepting trash. A bladder (6) located inside of the container separates a storage compartment (7) where new items are held from a disposal compartment (8) where trash is held. In addition to or in lieu of a bladder, a rigid partition (9) may also separate the storage compartment from the disposal compartment. One or more lids (10, 11) keeps the dispensing and end and the disposal end sealed when not in use. An additional feature is a strap (12) that allows a user to attach the tissue container to his or her wrist. |
| US08752725B2 |
Cruciform panels
The present invention concerns a cruciform construction element for use inside a tank to connect panels, which element is forged or molded in one piece and comprises intersecting webs. |
| US08752724B2 |
Insert for a container
A container system includes a container having an opening and an insert configured to be placed in the container through the opening. The insert includes a sleeve substantially corresponding in shape to a shape of an inner surface of the container adjacent to the opening. |
| US08752723B2 |
Waste disposal device having tubular film
The present invention relates to a device (1) for storing waste, which device (1) is adapted to receive a supply of tubular film (21) and comprises a chamber (15) for receiving waste deposited in the tubular film (21). The present invention also relates to a method for packaging waste in a tubular film (21) and storing the packaged waste in a chamber (15) of a device (1) provided with a cover (3). |
| US08752719B2 |
Baby feeding bottle
A baby feeding bottle (1) is provided that comprises a wall member (4) having an inner surface (6), a bottom part (2) and an upper part (7). Further a temperature indicator (11) is provided. The inner surface (6) of the wall member (4) defines an internal space (10). The bottle (1) further comprises a thermally conductive element (13) that is thermally connected to the temperature indicator (11) and extends from the bottom part (2) to the upper part (7) of the wall member (4) along at least part of the inner surface (6) thereof. The thermally conductive element (13) has a surface area that is significantly smaller than the surface area of the inner surface (6) of the wall member (4). |
| US08752713B2 |
Hollow porous membrane and process for producing the same
A hollow porous membrane with a reduced cost and excellent separation characteristic, water permeability, and mechanical strength and a process of producing the hollow porous membrane with an excellent adhesive property between a support and a porous membrane layer at a low cost are provided. The hollow porous membrane includes a porous membrane layer in which dense layers are disposed in the vicinities of an outer surface and an inner surface. In the process of producing the hollow porous membrane, membrane-forming dopes of a first membrane-forming dope and a second membrane-forming dope, which contain the material of the porous membrane layer and a solvent, are successively applied and stacked onto the outer circumferential surface of a hollow support and the applied membrane-forming dopes are simultaneously coagulated. In the process of producing the hollow porous membrane, a porous membrane layer is formed by applying a membrane-forming dope containing a material of the porous membrane layer and a solvent to the outer circumferential surface of the hollow support and coagulating the applied dope, and a hollow braid obtained by circularly knitting a yarn formed of multi-filaments is used as the support. |
| US08752712B2 |
Automated picking, weighing and sorting system for particulate matter
An automated method is used to direct seeds to desired locations. The method includes isolating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, for example, in a seed bin, and then measuring desired properties of the seeds. The measured properties are evaluated, and the seeds are then directed to desired locations, for example, based on the measured properties. The individual seeds are each contacted with a stream of air to move the seeds to the desired locations. |
| US08752708B2 |
Shipping carton convertible to display configuration
A shipping container convertible to a display configuration has a removable cover base removable along perforated lines of weakness to form a display opening. Packages of product in the carton are supported in a horizontal orientation during shipping and in an upright orientation when the removable cover base is removed for display of the products at a point of sale. Roll-over flaps on one wall at the bottom of the display opening capture tuck flaps on opposite side walls, and full overlapping top flaps folded inwardly from opposite side walls close the display opening during shipment. An outer top flap has an end extending over the roll-over flaps, and the end is free of attachment to the roll-over flaps. The top flaps are removed with the removable cover base. In one embodiment a flange extends inwardly over an edge of the display opening to keep packages from falling out. |
| US08752699B2 |
Implantable fastener cartridge comprising bioabsorbable layers
A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible, collapsible, and/or crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw, or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to compress, collapse, and/or crush the cartridge body and deform, or otherwise deploy, the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. In various embodiments, the cartridge body can comprise a plurality of bioabsorbable layers. These bioabsorbable layers can be comprised of materials which can be bioabsorbed at different rates. |
| US08752698B2 |
Conveyor belt with alignment features
A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link. |
| US08752696B2 |
Multi-translative roll assembly
A roll assembly according to one example embodiment includes a rotatable input shaft having a rotational axis. At least one gear is mounted on the input shaft that rotates with the input shaft. A carrier frame is mounted on the input shaft and rotatable independent of the input shaft about the rotational axis of the input shaft. A plurality of rolls is rotatably mounted about a periphery of the carrier frame. An axial direction of rotation of each roll is transverse to the rotational axis of the input shaft. Each roll has a contact surface and a gear face that is operatively coupled to the at least one gear. |
| US08752691B2 |
Switcher
A vertical switcher includes a first conveyor belt mobile in rotation about a first tilting axis and a second conveyor belt mobile in rotation about a second tilting axis. A movement device moves the first and the second conveyor belt between an aligned condition in which the mobile ends thereof (opposite the inlet end and the outlet end) are substantially flanked and a switching condition in which the mobile ends are distanced from one another in order to enable passage of one or more objects crossing between them. The movement device exhibits a main oscillating arm that is mobile about a rotation axis coupled slidably to respective surfaces of the first and the second conveyor element such as to define a resting relation with the respective conveyor element. |
| US08752689B2 |
Money input/output apparatus, replenishing/collecting apparatus, and method of running money input/output apparatus
A money input/output apparatus includes a bill accommodation unit, a mount unit, a detection unit, a second storage unit, an instruction reception unit, a conveyance unit, and a control unit. The control unit reads the denomination of the bill from the first storage unit and determines whether or not the read denomination of the bill corresponds to the denomination stored in the second storage unit in association with the mount unit on which mounting of the bill accommodation unit has been detected when the detection unit has detected that the bill accommodation unit has been mounted on the mount unit, starts reception of an instruction to input or output to the bill from the instruction receiving unit and makes the conveyance unit convey the bill in accordance with the instruction when the denominations have been determined to correspond. Thereby, a bill accommodation unit can be used for all denominations. |
| US08752688B2 |
Device for handling value notes
The invention relates to a device for handling notes of value, comprising at least one shaft (12) on which at least one transport element (16) for transporting the notes of value is arranged. The transport element (16) comprises a first segment (32a) and a second segment (32b) separated from the first segment (32a) in an unmounted state. In a mounted state the first segment (32a) and the second segment (32b) are firmly connected to each other and enclose the shaft (12). |
| US08752687B2 |
Elastomeric slide for a solids control system
The invention is directed to a flexible, elastomeric slide having two major edges and two minor edges and mounting holes on the major edges for suspension underneath a solids control system. The major edges may be reinforced by rigid edge strips. |
| US08752686B2 |
Multi-disc frictional engagement mechanism
A multi-disc frictional engagement mechanism includes driven plates and drive plates, a clutch piston including a radially extending first pressure receiving portion, a joint piston including a radially extending second pressure receiving portion and an engaging portion which is engaged with a clutch hub to engage the clutch hub and the clutch drum such that the clutch hub and the clutch drum are not relatively rotatable when the joint piston advances, a first oil chamber which causes a hydraulic pressure to act on the first pressure receiving portion, and a second oil chamber which communicates with the first oil chamber and to which the hydraulic pressure is supplied later than to the first oil chamber to act on the second pressure receiving portion when the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the first oil chamber. |
| US08752683B2 |
Lightweight, high-strength luggage
A piece of luggage including at least one section of a stiff shell material is provided. The at least one section of the stiff shell material defines a first face of the piece of luggage and has at least one corner. A portion of the at least one section has been removed to define at least one notch proximate the at least one corner. First and second edges of the at least one section adjacent the notch are folded inward relative an inner surface of the at least one section forming first and second sides. The first and second sides define second and third faces of the piece of luggage. The piece of luggage further includes at least one rigid corner piece secured to the first and second sides proximate the at least one notch. |
| US08752682B2 |
Piston assembly of shock absorber
Provided is a piston assembly of a shock absorber, which is simple in structure and is easy to fabricate. The piston assembly of the shock absorber includes: a piston body in which a piston rod reciprocating within a cylinder penetrates a central portion thereof, and a plurality of compression passages and a plurality of rebound passages alternately penetrating the piston body are formed around the piston rod; a compression retainer placed over the piston body, in which a plurality of connection holes corresponding to the compression passages penetrate the compression retainer; and a rebound retainer placed under the piston body, in which a plurality of connection holes corresponding to the rebound passages penetrate the rebound retainer. |
| US08752680B2 |
Multi-chambered, liquid-cooled disc brake
A braking system includes at least one rotating disc, and at least one brake disc having a front face and a rear face. The brake disc has at least four inner chambers disposed therein. Each of the at least four inner chambers has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and defines a liquid pathway. At least one biasing element is configured to move the front face of the at least one brake disc into contact with the at least one rotating disc. |
| US08752679B2 |
Modular brake pad
A modular brake pad is provided. The pad is made up of a brake backing plate and at least one pre-molded friction element. The friction element is releasably attached to the backing plate using an arrangement of guide rails. The friction element may also be locked to the plate by means of a releasable locking pin that extends through the plate into the friction element. An optional intermediary shim portion can also be provided on the friction element. |
| US08752677B2 |
Elevator system including monitoring arrangement to activate emergency braking procedure based on deceleration and method of operating the same
The invention relates to an elevator system and also to a method for monitoring the movement an elevator car. In the method a first emergency braking procedure is activated for braking the elevator car at a first deceleration if the speed of the elevator car exceeds the first limit value for permitted speed, and also a second emergency braking procedure is further activated for braking the elevator car at a second deceleration that is greater than the first, if the speed of the elevator car exceeds the second limit value for permitted speed that is greater than the first limit value for permitted speed. |
| US08752675B2 |
Vehicle elevator and lift therein
The invention relates to a vehicle elevator, comprising: at least one carrier with a length direction for carrying a load thereon, such as a vehicle, and a lift under the carrier, which lift comprises at least two rotating components in a single line of assembly, wherein the rotating shaft extends along the line of assembly. The invention also relates to a lift for assembly in a vehicle elevator. |
| US08752668B2 |
Track with stopping means
A track having a stopping means that can stop a puck member from descending an undesired distance. After stopping of the puck member, the user can relocate the puck member within a channel for continued downward movement within the channel. |
| US08752667B2 |
High bandwidth antiresonant membrane
A membrane is disclosed. The membrane contains a first weight disposed at a center portion of the membrane, and a first hinge structure disposed away from the center portion of the membrane. |
| US08752655B2 |
Rock bit having a labyrinth seal/bearing protection structure
A drill tool includes a cone mounted for rotation on a bearing shaft that extends from a bit head. The cone has a first planar base surface opposed to a second planar base surface of the bit head. A first annular groove is formed in the first planar base surface, and a second annular groove is formed in the second planar base surface. The first and second annular grooves are at least partially aligned with each other. The combination of the first and second annular grooves form a first annular gland. A protector ring is inserted into the first annular gland, and functions to divide a fluid path between the bearing shaft of the drill tool and an external environment into a plurality of parallel fluid paths that pass around the protector ring. Each parallel fluid path includes a convolution defined by a plurality of fluid direction changing corners. |
| US08752647B1 |
Mud motor
This application is directed to a pressure balanced mud motor. The mud motor includes a power section to rotate a passageway housing and propel fluid through a passageway disposed in the passageway housing. The mud motor also includes a hydraulic apparatus for balancing a pressure drop experienced across a bearing assembly due to frictional flow of fluid through the passageway. |
| US08752642B2 |
Implement height adjuster
An implement height adjuster is provided to allow for the adjustment of the height of an implement remotely from the tractor cab without requiring the user to stop the tractor to make individual adjustments. The implement height adjuster is configured to be coupled to a planter unit or other equipment towed behind a tractor and includes a motor, a gear reduction transmission coupled to the motor, and a flexible output shaft, that is coupled to the transmission at a first end and to the implement to be adjusted at a second end. The flexible output shaft allows the motor of the implement height adjuster to be mounted in various positions on the equipment. The gear reduction transmission or motor includes a position sensor that allows the operator of the tractor to know the position of a particular implement without requiring a visual inspection of the implement. A control panel is used to manage the vertical adjustment of one or a series of implements. The control panel provides power to the implement height adjusters and uses the output signals of the sensor to determine the exact location of each the tillage implement. |
| US08752641B2 |
Torque protection device for fire blanket and associated method
A fire blanket assembly includes a thermal insulation material defining an opening, a metallic foil layer positioned along a first surface of the thermal insulation material and over at least a portion of the opening, an insert disc positioned adjacent to a second surface of the thermal insulation material opposite the first surface and further being positioned at the opening in the thermal insulation material, and a detail. The detail includes a base positioned at least partially within the opening in the thermal insulation material, a sidewall extending from the base, and a flange extending from the sidewall at a location spaced from the base, a perimeter of the flange turned at least partially away from the metallic foil layer. |
| US08752639B2 |
Fire suppression system and method thereof
A fire suppression system and method thereof is provided. The fire suppression system includes at least one inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe, and a valve. The inlet pipe is at least partially filled with a fluid substance, wherein the fluid substance creates a first pressure in the inlet pipe. The outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and contains a gaseous fluid, wherein the gaseous fluid creates a second pressure in the outlet pipe. The valve is in fluid communication between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the fluid substance enters the outlet pipe through the valve when the second pressure is altered to a predetermined pressure. |
| US08752638B2 |
Downhole apparatus with a swellable centraliser
A downhole apparatus, for example a centralizer, comprises a swellable material which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid. In a first aspect of the invention, a centralizer comprises a body and a plurality of formations upstanding from the body. In another aspect, a downhole apparatus comprises a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, a swellable member, and a rigid assembly integrally formed with the swellable member. The rigid assembly provides stand off to the apparatus in use. In a further aspect, the downhole apparatus has a first condition before expansion of the swellable member in which a rigid assembly defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a second condition after expansion of the swellable member, the swellable member defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid assembly is designed to flex or deform under an axial or radial load. |
| US08752637B1 |
Extendable conductor stand and method of use
An extendable conductor stand allowing for rapid alignment and installation. The conductor stand having capacity to accept a BOP to protect against all blowouts, including behind the casing blowouts while drilling for “surface”. The extendable conductor stand having a diverter spool configured to allow secondary cementing or performing a “top job” with BOP protection in place. |
| US08752636B2 |
Tubular handling apparatus
A tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. The tubular gripping assembly may also include one or more of a swivel having selectively actuatable seals, a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up, or a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular. |
| US08752634B2 |
Segmented seal ring and support of same
A locking assembly for seals within inner and outer members. The locking assembly includes a segmented tube with an inner surface that is segmented into a plurality of pieces cut in radial or reversed angles to allow assembling segments in a circumferential groove machined in the internal diameter of a housing. The housing has an internal diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of the segmented tube. The segments that make up the segmented tubing are locked into place within the housing via a bushing or locking ring that match a profile on the inner surface of the segmented tube to lockingly engage. The bushing and segmented tube retain a lower inner seal in place and support an upper inner seal. The segmented design of the segmented tube allows for smaller diameter members to be used and minimizes leak paths. |
| US08752631B2 |
Annular circulation valve and methods of using same
Valves comprise a chamber having a piston disposed therein. One side of the piston defines a hydrostatic chamber in fluid communication with an outside environment, such as wellbore annulus, through a port. Operatively associated with the piston on the other side is a sleeve in sliding engagement with an inner mandrel. The inner mandrel comprises a port that is initially blocked by the sleeve. Upon an increase in pressure within the annulus, the piston is moved causing the port in the sleeve to align with the port in the inner mandrel thereby allowing fluid to flow from the annulus into the bore of the inner mandrel. As a result, fluid can be circulated through the valve, or pressure within the annulus can be reduced. A return member is operatively associated with the piston to urge the piston toward the closed position after pressure within the wellbore annulus is reduced. |
| US08752627B2 |
System and method for low damage fracturing
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising at least in part shale formation, comprises providing a carrier fluid; providing a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 microns and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.75; combining the carrier fluid and the particulate blend into a fracturing slurry; fracturing the formation with the fracturing slurry to create at least a fracture; and removing the second amount of particulates from the fracture. |
| US08752626B2 |
Compositions and methods for treatment of well bore tar
Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes contacting tar resident in a well bore with a tar stabilizer comprising an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer; and allowing the tar stabilizer to interact with the tar to at least partially reduce the tendency of the tar to adhere to a surface. |
| US08752625B2 |
Method of gravel packing multiple zones with isolation
A gravel pack system and method for zonal isolation includes a swellable element used in conjunction with a primary isolation device, such as a cup packer. The zones may be isolated by both the isolation device and the swellable element. Shunt tubes may be used to convey a gravel slurry to each zone. At least one upper shunt tube extends through the isolation device to provide the slurry to the zone therebelow. Once the gravel packing is completed, the swellable member may be activated to provide and supplement a hydraulic seal between adjacent zones. |
| US08752624B2 |
Aqueous formulations of hydrophobically associating copolymers and surfactants and use thereof for mineral oil production
A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising at least one water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer (A) and at least one nonionic and/or anionic surfactant (B) is injected through at least one injection borehole into a mineral oil deposit, and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer comprises at least acrylamide or derivatives thereof, a monomer having anionic groups and a monomer which can bring about the association of the copolymer, and aqueous formulation, which is suitable for execution of the process. |
| US08752623B2 |
Solvent separation in a solvent-dominated recovery process
In solvent-dominated recovery processes for recovering In situ oil, including bitumen, the produced fluid stream includes oil and solvent. The solvent is preferably recovered and reinjected into the reservoir. In previously described methods, solvent is removed from the oil/solvent mixture. In the present method, the oil/solvent mixture is first separated into a heavier stream and a lighter stream from which solvent is independently removed. |
| US08752622B2 |
Downhole tool for investigating perforations
To investigate the quality and nature of perforations in a downhole environment, a ‘pecking’ finger and depth measuring probe that can be axially and radially displaced enables the perforation to be located and its depth determined, through sequentially pecking around the wall lining. By swinging a pecking finger supporting a depth measuring probe tip and measuring the displacement of the finger, the edge and center of the hole can be determined with the largest displacement being when the tip is fully in the hole. The depth measuring probe is then deployed and the depth of the perforation established by an increase in the force required to push the probe and by the displacement of the pecking finger as it is pushed back by the reaction forces. Radially extendable clamps at the ends of the tool fix the tool with a surrounding bore. |
| US08752620B2 |
Systems and methods for single-phase fluid sampling
An assembly capable of being disposed in a subterranean bore for obtaining a fluid sample is described. The assembly can include an apparatus having a sample chamber and a housing encasing the sample chamber and providing a pressure source. The pressure source can be disposed of in an annulus defined by the sample chamber and the housing. The assembly can be attached to a slick line or wire line and conveyed into a wellbore. |
| US08752619B2 |
Apparatus for suspending a downhole well string
A clamping device for supporting a well string in a borehole includes a base plate with a central opening and primary clamp body clamp body supported for linear motion relative to the base plate. The clamping device further includes other clamp bodies supported for independent linear motion relative to the base plate. In certain embodiments, the clamping bodies are supported for pivoting motion to open and close the central opening. Each of the clamp bodies carries a gripping member on a face thereof for engaging a well string component received in the central opening. A drive mechanism is coupled to the clamp bodies and configured to move the clamp bodies relative to the base plate. |
| US08752616B2 |
Thermal management systems including venting systems
A system includes a primary evaporator facilitating heat transfer by evaporating liquid to obtain vapor. The primary evaporator receives a liquid from a liquid line and outputs the vapor to a vapor line. The primary evaporator also outputs excess liquid received from the liquid line to an excess fluid line. A condensing system receives the vapor from the vapor line, and outputs the liquid and excess liquid to the liquid line. The excess liquid is obtained at least partially from a reservoir. A primary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, and the vapor line, and provides a heat transfer path. Similarly, a secondary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, the vapor line, and the excess fluid line. The secondary loop provides a venting path for removing undesired vapor within the liquid or excess liquid from the primary evaporator. |
| US08752615B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling temperature in a vessel
Methods and systems for a vessel preheating system are provided. The system includes a pressure vessel including an area of excess heat and an area of deficient heat, a plenum defined between the area of excess heat and the area of deficient heat, and a conduit configured to couple a flow of purge fluid from external to the vessel into the plenum wherein heat from the area of excess heat is transferred to the flow of purge fluid in the plenum and the heat is carried by the flow of purge fluid into the area of deficient heat such that the flow of purge fluid purges the area of deficient heat. |
| US08752606B2 |
Awning with support system having articulated mounting arm
A retractable awning having a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or off the roller. Top and bottom mounting arms extend from a support arm for the roller, with the bottom arm being articulated, and with an extensible strut pivotally connected to and extending between each top and bottom mounting arm. |
| US08752603B2 |
Apparatus for connecting at least two plates
Apparatus for connecting at least two plates (1, 2) of which a supporting plate (1) comprises a higher strength than a supported plate (2) posed thereon. By means of a connecting element (5) rotated by a rotational feeder unit (11), the connecting element with a collar (6) presses the supported plate (2) onto the supporting plate (1). With a shaft (10) a friction welding connection to the supporting plate (1) is made. The rotational feeder unit (11) is provided with a measurement device with measures an axial force exerted by the rotational feeder unit as well as a respective feeding motion and which indicates, upon abutment of the shaft of the connecting element onto the supporting plate, the pressure increase encountered therein, which, thereby, advances the rotational feeder unit, the feeding motion of which is adjustable to at least three sequential connecting stages. Therein, the first stage is adjusted to the penetration of the supported plate, the second stage is adjusted to the friction welding of the shaft with the supporting plate. The third stage completes the friction welding process by putting up the axial force of the connecting element onto the supporting plate 1. |
| US08752598B2 |
Liquid drug transfer assembly
Liquid drug transfer assemblies for use with a drug vial having a drug vial opening stopped by a drug vial stopper. The liquid drug transfer assemblies include a drug vial stopper puncturing member for puncturing a drug vial stopper. The liquid drug transfer assemblies also include a drug vial adapter having a drug vial adapter skirt, an upright drug vial adapter port and a drug vial adapter sleeve downward depending opposite the upright drug vial adapter port and in flow communication therewith. The drug vial adapter is slidingly disposed on the drug vial stopper puncturing member such that on mounting the liquid drug transfer assembly on the drug vial, the drug vial stopper puncturing member punctures the drug vial stopper to form a throughgoing puncture bore and the drug vial adapter sleeve lines the puncture bore. |
| US08752594B2 |
In-store tintable non-infrared-absorptive paint and stain system
A custom color paint or stain tinting system employs at least one light-colored non-infrared-absorptive base paint or stain packaged in a point-of-sale container and an array of colorants including an infrared-absorptive black liquid colorant, a non-infrared-absorptive black liquid colorant, and one or more additional liquid colorants made with non-infrared-absorptive pigments. The infrared-absorptive black liquid colorant or non-infrared-absorptive black liquid colorant may respectively be used to make custom-tinted interior or exterior paints and stains. |
| US08752589B2 |
Method and apparatus for repairing the wall of a manhole
The present invention comprises a method and means for repairing the wall of a manhole wherein a material capable of curing and hardening is adhered to the wall. An expandable bladder engages the curable and hardenable material and presses against and smoothes the material. The bladder may be chemically bonded to the curable and hardenable material or it may be mechanically bonded. |
| US08752586B2 |
Fluid transfer device with lock
A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position. |
| US08752585B2 |
Pressure control valve
A pressure control valve includes a housing comprising a reference pressure connection, a reference pressure chamber, a preliminary pressure connection, a preliminary pressure chamber, a control pressure connection and a control pressure chamber which are configured to cooperate with a control member moveable in an axial direction within the housing so as to adjust a desired control pressure between a preliminary pressure at the preliminary pressure connection and a reference pressure at the reference pressure connection. A driving device is configured to act on the control member. At least one first sealing device is configured to seal the reference pressure chamber against the control member. At least one second sealing device comprising a second sealing element is configured to seal the preliminary pressure chamber against the reference pressure chamber. At least one third sealing device is configured to seal the control pressure chamber against the preliminary pressure chamber. |
| US08752584B2 |
Rocker valve mechanism and rocker valve
A rocker valve mechanism (125) is provided according to the invention. The rocker valve mechanism (125) includes a port portion (110) including a plurality of ports (113-115), a first plunger (130), and a second plunger (131) acting in opposition and moving substantially in parallel with the first plunger (130). The rocker valve mechanism (125) is biased toward a first position blocking a third port (115) and configured to be actuated to a second position blocking a first port (113). |
| US08752580B2 |
Vacuum chamber for processing substrate and apparatus including the same
A vacuum chamber for processing a substrate includes: a chamber body; and a chamber lid combined with the chamber body, wherein the chamber lid comprises: a frame having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of plates combined with the plurality of openings. |
| US08752579B2 |
Check valve for fluid injector
A backflow-prevention system that substantially prevents contaminant backflow at a treatment site. The system includes a fluid ejector tube for insertion into the patient's mouth and for removal of fluids when a threshold vacuum pressure is applied. A backflow prevention device receives fluid from the fluid ejector tube and includes an internally positioned valve. The valve prevents contaminant backflow upon release of the vacuum pressure or a reduction in the vacuum pressure. Upon application of vacuum pressure, the valve moves into an open position to allow fluid flow away from the treatment site. The system can also include a disposable cover member that extends over at least portions of the fluid ejector tip, the backflow prevention device, and other features such as an ON/OFF valve assembly of a suction system. Similar principles of backflow prevention can be applied to fluid dispensers (e.g., liquid soap dispensers) wherein prevention of backflow of the fluid into the fluid storage container is necessary, in order for the dispenser to function properly. |
| US08752578B2 |
Regulator
A regulator (108) comprising a first chamber (132), and second chamber (134) and an actuator (130). The second chamber (134) is coupled to the first chamber (132) through an aperture (156). The actuator (130) is arranged to the adjust the size of the aperture (156) according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber (132) and a pressure reference (36). The rate of change of the cross sectional area of the aperture (156) is arranged to have a non-linear response to a change in the pressure differential. |
| US08752577B2 |
Stepper motor gas valve and method of control
A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve. |
| US08752575B2 |
Faucet including cartridge assembly with radially offset key
The present invention provides a faucet including a cartridge assembly with a radially offset key. |
| US08752574B1 |
System for installing sealant in an industrial valve
A system for installing sealant into a stuffing box of an industrial valve with a first volatile organic compound injection valve providing a seal; a removable plug for sealingly engaging an end of the injection port bore forming an additional seal; a rotatable shut off pin for regulating flow through the injection port bore, a high pressure packing gland with packing gland bore, a threaded packing chamber, a threaded injection valve port, and a rotatable packing gland shut off pin to regulate sealant flowing through the packing gland bore or to stop flow of sealant. |
| US08752573B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with filling function, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte filling device used therefor
A secondary battery with filling function has a corresponding secondary battery and a filling device. The corresponding secondary battery has a housing defining an accommodation chamber for accommodating a power generation portion, an opening portion formed in the housing, a stopper body closing the opening portion, and a coupling portion formed around the opening portion. The filling device has a cap body forming a sealed space around the opening portion by covering the opening portion and the stopper body closing the opening portion as a result of coupling to the coupling portion, an attachment and removal portion for attaching and removing the stopper body to/from the opening portion in the sealed space, and a filling portion for filling the inside of the housing with a non-aqueous electrolyte through the opened opening portion. |
| US08752571B2 |
Heating and release valve assembly for a fluid receptacle
The valve assembly includes a body having a communication passage with an inlet and an outlet and a combustion chamber having a propellant and one or more openings, an igniter in communication with the propellant, and a valve means movable within the body. The igniter is adapted to ignite the propellant to provide a force to move the valve means from a closed position to an open position. The valve means has a first restricting element to restrict and permit passage of a pressurized gas through the outlet and a second restricting element to restrict and permit passage of heat from the burned propellant through the openings of the body, wherein the heat/gases cause a pressurized gas within the receptacle to expand causing the gas to quickly expunge from the receptacle. A biasing means may be used with the valve means to retain the valve means in the closed position. |
| US08752570B2 |
Valve for controlling the flow of steam and other fluids
A device for controlling fluid flow includes a conduit that defines a channel through which fluid flows opposing upstream and downstream directions of fluid flow. A rupture valve obliquely disposed in the channel to selectively prevent fluid flow through the channel, the rupture valve resisting rupture in response to pressure exerted on the rupture valve in the upstream direction and selectively rupturing in response to pressure exerted on the rupture valve in the downstream direction. |
| US08752564B1 |
System for covering a camper
The present invention features a system for covering a camper including a base frame and a support frame. The base frame lies on the ground and is secured to a pair of wheels of the camper. A launch pole is used to lift the cover from one side of the camper. The support frame is slidably secured to the base frame and used to support the cover when the support frame is pulled toward to the other side of the camper. Two soft star wheels are attached to the support frame on each side to provide protection to the camper by preventing the support frame or the camper cover from scratching the camper surface. |
| US08752562B2 |
Eyelash extensions and method for applying eyelash extensions
Eyelash extensions and a method for applying the same are described. The eyelash extensions comprise a first filament having both a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. The method for applying the eyelash extensions comprises acts of fastening the user's eyelashes against the user's face and attaching multiple layers of eyelash extensions (the proximal end) to the user's eyelashes. Each of the multiple layers is applied one layer at a time, thereby providing a user with eyelashes having eyelash extensions attached thereto. |
| US08752560B2 |
Eyelash spoon
An eyelash spoon (1) and a method for applying mascara to the eyelashes (19) on an eyelid (9) permit an easy and effective application of mascara to the eyelashes (19). The eyelash spoon (1) includes a dish-type body (3) with cut-out sections (11a, 11b) matching the shape of the eye. The convex exterior of the dish-type body (3) serves as a bearing surface for the eyelash brush. A handle for holding the eyelash spoon (1) can be attached permanently or in a detachable manner to the shell (3). |
| US08752557B2 |
Aerosol generator
An aerosol generator device for delivering an aerosol of a nicotine salt is provided. The aerosol generator comprises: (i) a mouth end; (ii) a first chamber containing a porous material wetted with liquid nicotine, (iii) a second chamber containing a porous material wetted with a solution of a volatile acid, (iv) a third chamber in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, leading to the mouth end, and (v) an outer housing defining a passageway for air through said device. A nicotine vapor can be produced by drawing air along the passageway and through the porous material wetted with liquid nicotine. An acid vapor can be produced by passing air along the passageway and through the porous material wetted with a solution of a volatile acid. Then, the nicotine vapor and the acid vapor can be admixed in the third chamber to form an aerosol of a nicotine salt, which can be drawn out through the mouth end. |
| US08752554B2 |
Mouth guards for treating of temporomandibular disorder and associated methods
A mouth guard that may be used to treat temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is configured to eliminate pressure on an individual's back teeth. Such a mouth guard may also be configured to prevent a subject's lower jaw from moving in a posterior direction, or from “distalization.” Methods for treating TMD include spacing the top teeth at the back of a subject's mouth from the bottom teeth at the back of the subject's mouth without applying pressure to either the top teeth or the bottom teeth. |
| US08752552B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods to fixate tissue within the regions of body, such as the pharyngeal conduit
Devices, systems and methods develop static and/or kinetic and/or pressure forces to fixate or brace tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit. |
| US08752550B2 |
Internal nose filter mounting device, method, and kit
Internal nose filter mounting devices, methods and kits are provided. The nose filter mounting device includes two substantially parallel elongated members having first and second ends, a first connecting member joining the two elongated members at or near the first ends, a second connecting member joining the two elongated members at or near the second ends, and first and second magnets connected to the first and second connecting members, wherein the first and second magnets are configured to mate with filter elements in the nostrils of a user. The device may be implanted in the nasal septum of a patient. |
| US08752545B2 |
Inhaler component
The invention relates to an inhaler component for forming a vapor-air mixture and/or condensation aerosol by vaporising a liquid material and optionally condensing the vapor formed, including: a heating element for vaporising a portion of the liquid material; a wick for automatically supplying the liquid material to the heating element, wherein the wick comprises at least two end sections arranged apart from each other; a first capillary gap for automatically supplying the liquid material to the wick, wherein a first end section of the wick projects into the first capillary gap. In order that the heating element can be supplied more quickly and more reliably with the liquid material, a second capillary gap is provided, which receives therein the second end section of the wick. |
| US08752543B2 |
Fluid dispensing device
A fluid dispensing device for dispensing a fluid having a viscosity of from 10 to 2000 mPas at 25° C., the dispensing device having at least one finger-operable lever pivotably moveable into the housing transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device, to apply a force to an actuating member connected to the neck of a container, the device having a pre-load to prevent pivoting until a pre-determined force is applied, wherein the actuating member and the lever have surfaces which slidingly interact, wherein the pre-load is formed by one of the surfaces of the actuating member or the lever having a dual-gradient profile. |
| US08752541B2 |
Heating system
A heating system can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel flowing into the feature. These features can include, fuel selector valves, pressure regulators, burner nozzles, and oxygen depletion sensor nozzles, among other features. |
| US08752538B2 |
Rotisserie oven with lifting wash arm
A rotisserie oven with a self-cleaning mechanism in the form of a lifting wash arm. The wash arm is driven to lift and rotate when washing the oven by the action of the pressure from the wash water used therein. By lifting, the wash arm negates the sealing action of fatty build-up around its base which would otherwise impede its rotation. |
| US08752535B2 |
Device for decocking a crossbow
A decocking device for use with a crossbow, the device including a resistance system, including a fluid containing cylinder having a movable piston and a shaft extending from the piston, the piston being movable between a first position and a second position, and the cylinder including an orifice having a size and extending through the piston to enable fluid to travel from one side of the piston to the other and to control the movement of the piston to a desired rate; a mounting system including a bracket securable to the crossbow for releasably securing the resistance system to the crossbow; and a bowstring coupling system coupled to the resistance system and including a cable having a first portion releasably securable to the bowstring and a second portion of the cable passing by a fixed location on the shaft of the resistance system. |
| US08752531B2 |
Supercharger cooling
A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and then loops around the supercharger housing proximal to a hot outlet end of the supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop cools the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger. |
| US08752530B2 |
Hydrocarbon storage canister
A system for a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a fuel vapor canister comprising a shell, a compression plate within the shell and an end cap. The end cap includes a double sided spring interface and a double sided shell sealing surface having double sided identical grooves, only one of which is sealed to the shell. The system further includes a spring coupled to the compression plate and only one spring interface. |
| US08752525B2 |
Flap device and intake system
A valve device for an intake system of an internal combustion engine may include a housing and a flap arrangement. The housing may have one inlet duct per cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The flap arrangement may have a flap for each inlet duct for varying the cross-section of the respective inlet duct through which a flow can pass. The respective flap may be a trough-shaped flap having a curved stirrup region. The respective flap may be arranged between the stirrup ends eccentrically with respect to a flap pivot axis. The flap arrangement may have a common actuating shaft for the common pivoting of the flaps about the flap pivot axis. The actuating shaft may be coupled with an adjusting drive via a lever element having a metallic insert and a plastic body injected onto the insert. |
| US08752524B2 |
Fuel injection systems with enhanced thrust
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for injecting a fuel using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to inject a fuel includes distributing a fuel between electrodes configured at a port of a chamber, generating an ion current of ionized fuel particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fuel, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized fuel particles into the chamber. In some implementations of the method, the accelerated ionized fuel particles into the chamber initiate a combustion process with oxidant compounds present in the chamber. In some implementations, the method further comprises applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized fuel particles within the chamber. |
| US08752523B2 |
Piston assembly having offset bearing
A piston assembly is disclosed for use with an engine. The piston assembly may include a first and second piston crown and a first and second connecting rod. The first and second connecting rods may each have a first end pivotally connected to the first and second piston crowns, respectively, and a second end with a circular opening configured to receive a throw of a crankshaft. The second connecting rod may have a running surface defining at least two outer lands and at least one inner land disposed between the at least two outer lands that alternately support a load of the second piston crown. The piston assembly may further include a bearing. Both the inner and outer lands may simultaneously support the load of the second piston crown against the bearing at a point of highest load on the second piston crown. |
| US08752521B2 |
Piston
A piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston head and a piston shaft. The piston shaft may have two shaft walls, one arranged on a pressure side and the other arranged on a counter-pressure side. Two box walls may have pin bosses and connect the shaft walls. Each of the box walls may have a first partial wall section and a second partial wall section. The first partial wall section may extend between the pin boss and the shaft wall arranged on the pressure side. The second partial wall section may extend between the pin boss and the shaft wall arranged on the counter-pressure side. A first longitudinal center line of the first partial wall section is may be convergent to a second longitudinal center line of the second partial wall section, wherein the first and second longitudinal center lines—intersect each other outside the piston. |
| US08752518B2 |
Switchable pressure supply device
A switchable device for supplying at least one consumer of an internal combustion engine with pressure. The device includes the following: a cavity formed inside a camshaft; a displacement element arranged in the cavity, which element can be displaced between a first end position and a second end position, the displacement element having a pressure surface which at least partially delimits a fluid connectible accumulator chamber together with the wall of the cavity, the accumulator chamber being connectible to a pressure source in a fluid-conducting manner; an energy accumulator interacts with the displacement element, the displacement element being displaceable against the force of the energy accumulator from the first end position into the second end position under the effect of pressure applied to the accumulator chamber; a locking mechanism by which the displacement element can be locked in the second end position; a switching mechanism which can be actuated by an actuator, has a switch element that can be brought into at least two switching positions and interacts with the locking mechanism in such a manner that the locked state of the displacement element is maintained in a first switching position and is released in a second switching position. |
| US08752516B2 |
Hydraulic control unit for use in valve timing control apparatus and controller for hydraulic control unit
A hydraulic control unit is configured to switch among a first state where a discharge passage of a pump driven by an internal combustion engine communicates with both a phase-advance passage and a lock passage and simultaneously a phase-retard passage communicates with a drain passage, a second state where the discharge passage communicates with both the phase-retard passage and the lock passage and simultaneously the phase-advance passage communicates with the drain passage, and a third state where the phase-advance passage, the phase-retard passage, and the lock passage all communicate with the discharge passage. The hydraulic control unit is further switchable to a fourth state where the discharge passage communicates with both the phase-advance passage and the phase-retard passage and simultaneously the lock passage communicates with the drain passage. |
| US08752514B2 |
Hydraulic valve for an oscillating motor adjuster
The invention relates to a hydraulic valve for an oscillating motor adjuster that utilizes camshaft alternating torques by means of non-return valves for more rapid adjustment. The non-return valve that is not used for the respective rotation is additionally closed by means of the piston of the hydraulic valve. |
| US08752511B2 |
Minature sludge lance apparatus
A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided. |
| US08752509B1 |
Method of using an A-Z livestock training rope
The A-Z Livestock Training Rope is a humane, effective animal training and handling apparatus which teaches leading, tying, trailer loading, ground manners, cinch and saddle pressure, pressure on reins, stops rearing-up and bucking, and is a safer alternative to standard drag lines. It consists of a rope attached to a ring looped around the animal's barrel then passed through the halter. As the operator applies pressure to the end of the rope, the loop tightens around the barrel which exerts pressure on the animal. When the animal yields to the direction of the operator, the rope slacks and the pressure is relieved. As this action is repeated, the animal will learn to yield without the need for pressure on the rope. |
| US08752504B2 |
Milking system shut-off and sensors
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets. Each inlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a dairy livestock, and each outlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a corresponding one or more inlets. The plurality of outlets include one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. Each milk collector outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a milk collector. Each drain outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a discard area. The apparatus further includes one or more valves each associated with one of the plurality of inlets. The one or more valves are adapted to direct the flow of milk received at the associated inlet to either a corresponding one of the one or more milk collector outlets or a corresponding one of the one or more drain outlets. |
| US08752502B2 |
Device for stabilization and visual monitoring of an elongated metallic strip in a transport direction along a predetermined transport path
A device and a method for visual monitoring and stabilization of an elongated metallic strip during continuous transport of the strip in a transport direction along a predetermined transport path, wherein the strip has been coated with a metallic layer by the strip having continuously passed through a bath of molten metal. The device includes an electromagnetic stabilizing device with at least one first pair of electromagnetic stabilizing means arranged on each side of the predetermined transport path, and a wiping device for wiping off superfluous molten metal from the strip by applying an air current in a line transversely of the transport direction of the strip and across essentially the whole width of the strip. A first image-reading apparatus takes images of the actual position of the strip in relation to the predetermined transport path. A second and third image-reading apparatus take images of the surface of the strip. |
| US08752501B2 |
Systems and methods for dispensing a fluid
A fluid dispensing system may include a first die portion having a first face defining a first edge and a second die portion spaced from the first die portion and having a second face facing the first face and defining a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge define a fluid outlet opening. The fluid dispensing system may also include a fluid inlet for introducing fluid to a region between the first face and the second face, and a cavity in flow communication with the fluid inlet, wherein the cavity opens to the region between the first face and the second face. The fluid dispensing system may further include a shim disposed between the first die portion and the second die portion to maintain the spaced positioning of the first and second die portions, wherein the shim defines a plurality of channels bounded by the first and second faces and extending from the cavity in a direction toward the fluid outlet. |
| US08752499B2 |
Water craft having open upper deck, AFT swim deck and collapsible bulwarks
Disclosed is water craft providing inventive features to achieve a double-decked vessel having: a.) substantially continuous, flat and open upper deck; b.) a substantially continuous and fiat lower deck with an enclosed fore section and an exposed aft section forming a swim deck; and c.) a system of collapsible bulwarks in the upper and swim decks that permit: the vessel to transition from a traditional configuration (better suited for travel) to an open configuration (better suit for entertainment activities while stationary). |
| US08752497B2 |
Anchor device
An anchor device includes a connecting member between an anchor and its anchor line, having a first part designed to be fastened to one end of the shank of the anchor and a second part extending axially and designed to be fastened releasably to the first part and to be connected to the anchor line; including a piston which is slidable in a cavity of the second part; and a body designed to be moved by sliding along the anchor line until it interacts with the piston, thus releasing the first part and second part. |
| US08752495B2 |
Floating foundation for mass production
A floating structure has an annular support as an underwater support with a buoyant body. A tower penetrates the annular support centrally and is connected to the annular support at a location underneath the annular support by slantedly outwardly ascending tension spokes and at a location above the annular support by slantedly outwardly descending tension spokes. Anchors on the ocean floor are connected by tension elements with the annular support. The structure is built by the steps of supporting by auxiliary devices the annular support on a floor of a basin that can be flooded; positioning the tower at the center of the annular support in vertical position; attaching the tension spokes at the annular support and at the tower; flooding the basin; towing the structure to its desired final position; and lowering and anchoring the structure in a submerged floating position. |
| US08752494B2 |
System for launching and recovering underwater vehicles, notably towed underwater vehicles
A system for launching and recovering marine or underwater vehicles from a carrier ship which remains under way which limits the amplitude of pitching and rolling movements. The system includes an inclinable articulated ramp including a bottom and edges, and hauling means for controlling sliding of the vehicle along the ramp during launch and for hoisting the vehicle up along the ramp. The ramp has a free end which varies between an immersed position in the water and an emerged position in a horizontal position. The system also includes buoyancy means allowing the free end of the ramp to float at or near the surface of the water when the ramp is lowered. The bottom of the articulated ramp also has an external face configured to form streamlining thus ensuring fluidity of the end of the ramp in contact with the water and limiting vertical dynamic movements caused by waves. |
| US08752493B2 |
Seventh bridle block system for a paravane
A bridle block system for a paravane for seismic equipment includes a main bridle block with a connecting point for a towing line from a seismic vessel, and with attachment points for first and second triples of bridle lines to first and second lugs at either ends of the paravane. The main block includes a pivot point for a pivot arm, which has an arm with an attachment point near its end for the first triple bridle lines, and an oppositely directed arm with an attachment point near its outer end for second triple bridle lines. An auxiliary moment arias at the second arm's side is connected to a seventh bridle line, further connected to an actuator arranged near the first bridle lines' forward lugs' of the paravane. The seventh bridle exerts a force imbalance between the fore and aft bridle lines to change the paravane's angle of attack. |
| US08752489B2 |
Lightweight pallet and container including mesh support surface and galvanized frame construction
The present invention discloses a pallet construction having a body including a plurality of interconnected structural members defining at least an upper support surface, a bottom and a plurality of interconnecting sides. A plurality of stand-offs extend from underside projecting locations of the body in order to elevate the bottom an upward distance from a ground supporting location. A mesh or other sheer material is provided and exhibits durable load carrying and anti-tear properties. The mesh is applied over at least the upper support surface and, in additional variants, along each of the extending side surfaces such that the body establishes a three dimensional volume defining interior. In order to support the mesh, the body includes upper and lower vertically spaced and rectangular perimeter defining members separated by spaced apart and vertically interconnecting members. |
| US08752487B2 |
Low profile discharge gate assembly for a railroad hopper car
A low profile discharge gate assembly having a frame defining a discharge opening and including a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling the discharge of commodity through the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from three sides of the frame is arranged beneath a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame further restrict the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. Less than 7.5 vertical inches separates a lower surface on the boot flanges from an upper surface on the mounting flanges of the gate assembly frame. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open an closed positions. Support structure further enhances rigidity and support for an end frame member through which the gate slidably moves. |
| US08752479B2 |
Indoor range-top grill
An indoor range-top grill allows a user to substantially duplicate outdoor grilling indoors. In some embodiments, the indoor range-top grill sits on top of a gas or electric burner of a stove and uses heat from the burner to grill and cook food. Typically, the indoor range-top grill comprises a grill enclosure having an opening at a top and a hole at a bottom, a burner shield positioned inside the grill enclosure, and a grate positioned above the burner shield. The hole allows heat and flame from the burner through to heat the burner shield. In some embodiments, the burner shield comprises a heat director integrally coupled to a grease ring. Preferably, the heat director burns grease, which thereby adds true BBQ taste/flavor to the food. The grease ring typically guides food residue away from the hole, trapping the food residue between the grease ring and the grill enclosure. |
| US08752477B2 |
Method for controlling a pressure of hot water which is used in a process of making espresso by adjusting size of brewing chamber
An Espresso making device includes a brew chamber for enclosing a quantity of coffee grind, and a tube for supplying pressurized hot water to the brew chamber. Espresso is obtained by conducting the hot water through the coffee grind, where the water and the coffee grind are forced to interact. During an Espresso making process, a pressure of the water in the water supplying tube is monitored and compared to a predetermined pressure. In case the measured pressure appears to deviate from the predetermined pressure, a size of an internal volume of the brewing chamber is adjusted, so that an extent to which the coffee grind is compressed and a flow through resistance of the coffee grind are adjusted. Due to this, it is possible to adjust the pressure in such a way that the predetermined pressure is reached. |
| US08752473B2 |
Adjustable gas block for an indirect gas operated firearm
A firearm including a barrel, receiver, indirect gas system and an adjustable gas block. Four positions of adjustment are provided for on the adjustable gas block, each of which provides a different setting to regulate gas flow into the host firearm's operating system. A position of adjustment is selected based on how the firearm is being used. The provided positions of adjustment are calibrated for the standard use of the host firearm, use of a silencer, use of the firearm under hard or adverse conditions or when it is necessary to increase the firearm's rate of fire, and to block the flow of gas into the operating system. The provided gas block is designed to function with an indirect gas operating system, but could be adapted for use with a direct gas impingement system as well. Excess gas from the operating system is not vented from the gas block thereby eliminating the generation of additional muzzle flash and sound. No tool is required to manipulate the adjustment mechanism of the gas block. |
| US08752471B2 |
Concentric cylinder gas-operated automatic firearm
A fixed-barrel, gas-operated firearm having its barrel concentrically mounted within a pressure tube enclosing substantially all of the moving parts of the firearm's action. A gas cup reciprocates under the influence of propellant gas pressure when the firearm is fired, driving slide members that link the pressure cup to the firearm's bolt rearward within the pressure tube, unlocking the breech, rotating and retracting the bolt, discharging the spent cartridge casing and then advancing the bolt to chamber a new cartridge. |
| US08752469B2 |
Air blast wave protection
Described embodiments include a system, device and method. A described device includes a layer of a first material configured to reflect a substantial portion of a specified incident air blast wave energy. The layer of the first material has an acoustic impedance substantially mismatched to air's acoustic impedance, and a thickness less than about 3 mm. The device includes a layer of a second material configured to attenuate a substantial portion of the specified incident air blast wave energy utilizing an inelastic response. At least a portion of a back surface of the first material is proximate to at least a portion of a front surface of the second material. |
| US08752467B2 |
Wearable air blast protection device having at least two attenuating regions
Described embodiments include a system, device and method. A described device includes a first material configured to reflect a substantial portion of a specified incident air blast wave energy. The first material has an acoustic impedance substantially mismatched to air's acoustic impedance. A second material is configured for wearing proximate to a human body. The second material includes attenuating-regions. A first attenuating-region is configured to attenuate a first range of overpressures utilizing a first inelastic response. A second attenuating-region is configured to attenuate a second range of overpressures utilizing a second inelastic response. At least a portion of the back surface of the layer of the first material is proximate to at least a portion of the front surface of the layer of the second material. |
| US08752466B1 |
Modular ammunition feed chute
A modular articulated guide assembly comprises a series of guide lugs disposed transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of flexure of the chute. The guide lugs have generally U-shaped bodies with laterally spaced side walls joined by bottom walls to define guide channels. Centerline tabs project forwardly from the bottom walls, with each centerline tab being slidably received in a central recess in the bottom wall of an adjacent guide lug. The centerline tabs are in an abutting relationship when the guide assembly is retracted on its axis of flexure, and are adapted to slide in their respective central recesses and to move apart when the guide assembly is extended along or flexed from its axis of flexure. The guide lugs are interlocked in a manner permitting their limited movement to accommodate extension and flexture of the guide assembly. |
| US08752463B2 |
Device for trimming the top and/or bottom edge of printed products moved through a cutting tool
A device for cutting printed products arranged successively spaced apart and transverse to a conveying direction. The device includes a conveyor to convey the print products in the conveying direction. The printed products rest on a flat side on the conveyor and convey with a bound edge forward. The device also includes a cutting tool synchronized with a timing of the conveyor so that the cutting tool cuts a top and/or bottom edge of the printed products. The device also including a cutter upstream of the cutting tool in the conveying direction so that the cutter is synchronized with the cutting tool and operative to make a cut to the bound edge. |
| US08752458B2 |
Cutting tool
Disclosed is a cutting tool that is capable of performing cutting operations on a variety of materials such as, for example, plasterboard, glass, wood, laminated wood, cardboard, plastics, such as PERSPEX®, tiles, or the like. The cutting tool comprises an upper and lower part with the upper and lower parts being separated by spacing means that are preferably retractable. The upper and lower parts include at least one cutting device. The upper and lower parts are held together by magnetic attraction. |
| US08752456B1 |
Device for deployment of alternate tool heads
Device for deployment of alternate tool heads having a tool bar, bias element, tool bar case, tool bar case removable cap, and tool bar locking pin. |
| US08752453B2 |
Automatic engagement and disengagement bicycle pedal
A bicycle pedal with automatic engagement and disengagement, including a body rotatably mounted on a pedal axle one side including a front hoop and a rear hoop, each hoop having two branches connected by a crossmember, at least one of the hoops being mounted to rotate about a geometrical axis parallel to that of the pedal and being spring-loaded toward the other hoop by spring means, the space between the hoops being adapted to receive and to clamp a cycling shoe cleat; the spring-loading means of the hoop are situated, in a direction orthogonal to the branches of the hoop, outside the space between the branches; the pedal body includes exterior arms spaced from the interior arms to form yokes having facing orifices in which two coaxial individual axles, respectively associated with each branch, are engaged and supported, and the individual axles composing the articulation axle of the rotary hoop. |
| US08752448B2 |
Actuating device with an additional switching element
An actuating device for a technical system, especially for selecting gears of a shift-by-wire speed-change gear. The actuating device includes an actuating element (1), which is movable in relation to a base area (3), with at least two switching positions. At least one additional switching element (5), which acts on a signal transmission (8) with a signal transmitter (6), is arranged at the actuating element (1). The additional switching element (5) and the signal transmitter (8) are connected by a mechanical transmission element. However, the signal transmitter (6) is connected to the base area (3) of the actuating device. The present invention makes it possible to embody a robust additional switching element, which is protected from disturbances, at an actuating element. Mobile and hence susceptible cablings to the additional switching element, which were hitherto necessary, are eliminated. |
| US08752442B2 |
Multi-clutch transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-clutch power shift transmission for a motor vehicle with at least one prime mover is provided, where a shaft brake unit is arranged to reduce the rotational speed of one of two input shafts, and a central synchronizing unit is arranged to make a first of the input shafts rotate faster or slower than a second of the input shafts. The shaft brake unit and the central synchronizing unit are arranged to be simultaneously activated in order to reduce rotating speeds prior to the engagement of tooth clutches when the output shaft is not rotating. The input shaft brake unit is arranged to be used when performing a multi-step power shift. |
| US08752440B2 |
Sample processing apparatus and method for transporting rack
A sample processing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of sample processing units each configured to process a sample; at least one transport device configured to provide a transport path along which a rack is transported to or from one of the plurality of sample processing units, wherein a rack comprises a plurality of positions configured to hold containers thereat, and at least some of the positions are correlated to at least some of the sample processing units; a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer programs executed by the at least one processor to: direct the at least one transport device to transport the rack to deliver a container held therein to a sample processing unit correlated to a position of the container at which the container is held in the rack. |
| US08752438B2 |
Sensor-enabled geosynthetic material and method of making and using the same
The present invention is directed to a sensor-enabled geosynthetic material for use in geosynthetic structures and geosyntapes, a method of making the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material and the geosyntapes, and a method of measuring geometric strains of a geosynthetic product made from the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material. The sensor-enabled geosynthetic material includes a polymeric material and an electrically conductive filler. The polymeric material and an electrically conductive filler are combined to provide a sensor-enabled geosynthetic material. The sensor-enabled geosynthetic material having a predetermined concentration of the electrically conductive filler so as to provide the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material with an electrical conductivity and a strain sensitivity within the percolation region or slightly above it. |
| US08752427B2 |
Functional capacity evaluator
A functional capacity evaluator has a strain block and a strain gauge attached to the strain block. A first pair of grips is attachable to the strain block such that when a user squeezes them together using a grip motion, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring the user's grip strength. A second pair of grips is attachable to the strain block such that when the user squeezes them together using a pinch motion, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring pinch strength. A deadlift bar is attachable to the strain block such that when the strain block is supported in a first direction and the user pulls on the bar in an opposing direction, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring deadlift strength. |
| US08752421B2 |
Flaw detection testing device for hub unit
A flaw detection testing device that carries out a flaw detection test on an outer peripheral surface of a clinched portion used to fix an inner ring member of a hub unit to a hub spindle includes: a flaw detection sensor; a clearance setting member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the clinched portion to set a clearance between the flaw detection sensor and the outer peripheral surface of the clinched portion at a predetermined value; a fixing device that fixes a position of the flaw detection sensor with the clearance between the flaw detection sensor and the outer peripheral surface kept at the predetermined value; and an actuating device that moves the clearance setting member in such a direction that the clearance setting member is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the clinched portion with the position of the flaw detection sensor fixed by the fixing device. |
| US08752416B2 |
Resonant conductor measurement system and method
A method of measuring properties of a fluid that uses a conductor electrically connected to a current source. A magnetic field is created about the conductor and the conductor is introduced into the fluid medium. A current waveform, having a frequency, is periodically passed through the conductor, so as to cause the conductor to move, due to force exerted on the conductor from interaction of the current and the magnetic field. The conductor movement is sensed, producing a sense signal that is amplified into an amplified sense signal. The phase relationship between the current waveform and the amplified sense signal is measured and the current waveform frequency is adjusted to create a phase lock loop. The frequency when the phase lock loop is in lock state is measured as the phase between the excitation and the measured sense signal is varied, and fluid properties are calculated from the measured frequencies. |
| US08752406B2 |
Security device for products on a display card
Security devices according to the present invention may be configured to secure merchandise supported by a display card. The security device may include a housing defining an aperture configured to receive a secured portion of the article, an engagement member disposed generally proximate the aperture, and a sliding member configured to move the engagement member from the release position to a capture position. The secured portion may be removed from the aperture while the engagement member is in the release position and the secured portion may be inhibited from removal while the engagement member is in the capture position. The engagement member may define an engagement aperture where the secured portion of the article that is received through the aperture of the housing is also received through the engagement aperture of the engagement member. |
| US08752405B2 |
Washing machine and control panel assembly thereof
Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel; a knob guide installed on the control panel; and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein. |
| US08752404B2 |
Drum for a laundry treatment machine
A drum for a laundry treatment machine that is rotatably mounted within the housing of the laundry treatment machine, and wherein the drum includes a bottom disk and a jacket which are individually or jointly provided with a curved structure. The curved structure includes at least two rows of prism-type embossings that have substantially rectangular base, and the at least two rows encompass at least partially the drum. A surface of embossings that is directed in a circumferential direction of the drum is arranged at a steep angle to the jacket; an opposing surface of the embossings is arranged at a flat angle to the jacket; and lateral surfaces of the embossings are arranged at least nearly at a right angle to the jacket. |
| US08752401B2 |
Method for producing a flow which is rich in methane and a cut which is rich in C2+ hydrocarbons from a flow of feed natural gas and an associated installation
This method comprises cooling the feed natural gas in a first heat exchanger and introducing the cooled, feed natural gas into a first separation flask.It comprises the dynamic expansion of a turbine supply flow in a first expansion turbine and introducing the expanded flow into a separation column. This method comprises removing, at the head of the separation column, a head flow rich in methane and removing a first recirculation flow from the compressed head flow rich in methane.The method comprises forming at least a second recirculation flow obtained from the head flow rich in methane downstream of the separation column and forming a dynamic expansion flow from the second recirculation flow. |
| US08752400B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a compressor to compress refrigerant, a condenser to liquefy the refrigerant supplied from the compressor, a capillary tube to decompress and expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, an evaporator to vaporize the refrigerant supplied from the capillary tube, a shutoff valve installed at an inlet of the capillary tube so as to prevent the refrigerant in the condenser during stoppage of the compressor from being moved to the evaporator, and a control unit to enable the shutoff valve to be blocked together so as to prevent movement of the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator during stoppage of the compressor, and to enable the shutoff valve to be opened together so as to move the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator during starting of the compressor. |
| US08752398B2 |
Refrigerating device, in particular for aircraft
The invention relates to a refrigerating device (10), in particular for an aircraft, having a refrigerant circuit, in which a refrigerant container (12), an expansion valve (14), an evaporator (16), a compressor (20) and a condenser (22) are disposed. To save energy during operation and to increase the reliability and availability of the refrigerating device (10), in the refrigerant circuit there is a compressor bypass line (26), in which a bypass valve (18) is disposed, and a refrigerant pump (30) that is disposed downstream of the condenser (22) and upstream of the evaporator (16). It is possible to dispense with the refrigerant pump (30) if the condenser (22) is disposed at a higher level than the evaporator (16) in the refrigerant circuit. |
| US08752397B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
In an air-conditioning apparatus, a heat source side heat exchanger 12, intermediate heat exchangers 15a and 15b, and use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d are separately formed and adapted to be disposed at separate locations, respectively. There are provided a defrosting operation function to melt frost attached around the heat source side heat exchanger 12, and a heating function during defrosting operation that drives a pump 21a to circulate a heat medium and supply heating energy to the use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d in need of heating to perform heating operation. The defrosting operation function can be executed by switching a four-way valve 11 to cooling side to introduce a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant flowed out of the compressor 10 into the heat source side heat exchanger 12. |
| US08752394B2 |
Determining fan parameters through pressure monitoring
A method for determining the speed of at least one rotating fan, such as a propeller, through sensing pressure waves generated by the blades of the fan. An apparatus operable to execute the method is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a fan having a hub portion and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub portion. The apparatus also includes an engine operable to rotate the fan about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes a sensor spaced from the fan along the axis of rotation. The sensor is positioned to sense at least one physical condition that is external of the engine and is changed by rotation of the plurality of blades. The sensor is operable to emit a signal corresponding to at least one physical condition. The apparatus also includes a processor operably engaged with the engine and the sensor. The processor is operable to receive the signal from the sensor and change the operation of the engine in response to the signal to change a speed of the fan. |
| US08752392B2 |
Device and a method for starting a turbine engine fitted to a helicopter, making use of an electrical energy source that includes discharge booster members
The invention provides a device and a method for starting at least one turbine engine (1) fitted to a helicopter. A starter (6) is fed with electrical energy from an electricity network (8) including at least one battery (9) and/or an electrical energy generator member. Discharge members (10) suitable for providing the starter (6) with a short-term boost of electrical energy in the form of a high-power pulse are incorporated in the network (8). The current pulse is delivered at a determined instant T starting from when the starter (6) is itself started, and/or from a determined threshold S for the speed and/or the variation in the speed with which the compressor (2) of the turbine engine (1) is driven, and/or from detecting D the ignition stage of the turbine engine (1), and/or from a manual control. |
| US08752388B2 |
Gas-turbine premix burner
The present invention relates to a premix burner of a combustion chamber of a gas turbine with at least one annular duct for supplying air and fuel, including a radially outer and a radially inner combustion chamber wall relative to a burner central axis and with at least one swirler arranged in the duct, said swirler including several flow-guiding elements distributed around the circumference of the duct cross-section, characterized in that at least one radially inner duct wall is provided in the area of the flow-guiding elements with a concave recess of the annular groove type. |
| US08752387B2 |
Fuel control arrangement
Fuel control arrangements for gas turbine engines generally comprise an injector and a fuel control valve. Typically the fuel control valve is controlled in terms of fuel demand through fuel pressure presented to the valve. Fuel demand may vary and in such circumstances stagnation of fuel adjacent to the valve may cause degradation of the fuel and therefore spurious operational performance. By providing a dedicated working fluid, and typically hydraulic, pressure to the valve a variable aperture port can be displaced to alter the fuel flow configuration within the valve. In such circumstances different fuel valve conditions can be generated by altering the available area of aperture in the port to divert or present fuel to the injector between and across first or primary fuel paths and second or pilot fuel paths as required. Thus more flexibility with regard to fuel presentation to the injector is achieved as well as consistency with respect to avoiding fuel degradation as fuel demand varies. |
| US08752385B2 |
Heat recovery system of the boiler with CO2 capture system
A boiler system including an electric power generation system having a boiler, a steam turbine for generating electric power by steams which received heat at a boiler, a condenser provided at the downstream thereof for condensing the steams, and a heater for heating condensed water by steams extracted from the steam turbine and, further, a CO2 capture system of sorbing and capturing a CO2 gas in an exhausted gas exhausted from the boiler by using a solid CO2 sorbent, and a chimney of exhausting an exhaust gas in the CO2 capture system after recovery of CO2 or an exhaust gas exhausted from the boiler, in which the temperature of a fluid concerned with the boiler system is increased by using the exhaust gas exhausted from the CO2 capture system. |
| US08752382B2 |
Dual reheat rankine cycle system and method thereof
A rankine cycle system includes a heater configured to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a hot fluid to vaporize the working fluid. A hot system is coupled to the heater. The hot system includes a first heat exchanger configured to circulate a first vaporized stream of the working fluid from the heater in heat exchange relationship with a first condensed stream of the working fluid to heat the first condensed stream of the working fluid. A cold system is coupled to the heater and the hot system. The cold system includes a second heat exchanger configured to circulate a second vaporized stream of the working fluid from the hot system in heat exchange relationship with a second condensed stream of the working fluid to heat the second condensed stream of the working fluid before being fed to the heater. |
| US08752380B2 |
Collapsible solar-thermal concentrator for renewable, sustainable expeditionary power generator system
A solar-thermal concentrator for a expeditionary power generator system including a portable power plant that utilizes a hybridized solar/fuel Stirling engine to supply electric power in an expeditionary setting. The concentrator includes a collapsible dish assembly that is pivotably and tiltably mounted on a portable base assembly, where the dish assembly includes a lightweight frame including a central mounting structure and multiple truss-like radial arms that are rigidly connected to and extend radially from the central mounting structure, and a reflector panel assembly including multiple flat, fan-shaped reflector panels that are secured to the frame and disposed in a semi-circular pattern. Each reflector panel includes multiple reflectors that collectively form a substantially flat Fresnelized reflective surface that redirects incident sunlight into a focal region. The power plant is maintained in the focal region by a support structure that extends perpendicular to the flat reflective surface. |
| US08752379B2 |
Hybrid solar/non-solar energy generation system and method
A hybrid solar/non-solar thermal generation system includes a solar concentrator and collector, and fiber optic cables that transfer collected solar radiation to a solar to thermal converter. The solar to thermal converter converts the solar radiation to heat that is used to augment the heating of a working fluid in a boiler. The system has particular application for use in Rankine cycle power generation plants that employ non-solar sources to heat the working fluid. |
| US08752378B2 |
Waste heat recovery system for recapturing energy after engine aftertreatment systems
The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system. |
| US08752377B2 |
Device for cooling charge air
A device for cooling charge air, specifically for cooling charge air which is compressed in a compressor of at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger and which is to be supplied to an internal combustion engine, wherein at least two charge-air coolers are arranged in a common housing, specifically in such a way that charge air to be cooled can be supplied separately to the charge-air coolers arranged in the common housing via in each case one separate incoming-air chamber provided by the common housing, and that cooled charge air can be discharged jointly from the charge-air coolers arranged in the common housing via a common outgoing-air chamber provided by the common housing. |
| US08752370B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment system
An exhaust aftertreatment system including a housing with two or more inlets configured to receive separate entering exhaust streams from an engine. The system may include two or more first exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate entering exhaust streams in a first direction. The system may further include two or more redirecting flow passages configured to combine the separate exhaust streams into a merged exhaust stream that flows in a second direction about 180 degrees from the first direction and an intermediate flow region configured to divide the merged exhaust stream into two or more separate exiting exhaust streams. The system also may also includes two or more second exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate exiting exhaust streams in a third direction about 90 degrees from the second direction. |
| US08752364B2 |
Techniques for optimizing engine operations during aftertreatment regeneration
A system is described for producing an elevated exhaust temperature and reduced NOx output for an engine. The system includes an internal combustion engine having a common rail fuel system, an exhaust pressure modulation device for the internal combustion engine, and a controller structured to functionally execute operations for elevating the exhaust temperature and reducing the NOx output. The controller determines a desired engine outlet exhaust temperature, an engine speed, and an engine load. In response to the desired engine outlet exhaust gas temperature, the engine speed, and the engine load, the controller determines an exhaust pressure increase command and a fuel injection command including at least one post-injection event. The common rail fuel system is responsive to the fuel injection command, and the exhaust pressure modulation device is responsive to the exhaust pressure increase command. |
| US08752360B2 |
Variable length header truss for harvesting header
A harvesting header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and a diagonal truss member. A first end of said diagonal truss member is structurally connected to the top beam and an opposing second end of said diagonal truss member is structurally connected to the bottom beam. The header frame also has a diagonal truss length adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the diagonal truss member to selectively lengthen or shorten the effective length of the diagonal truss member to modify the concavity of the header frame after the top and bottom beams and diagonal truss member have been connected. In one embodiment, the diagonal truss length adjustment mechanism is a telescoping compression member. |
| US08752359B2 |
Draper support of a crop harvesting header
A crop harvesting header with a cutter bar and a draper assembly has a draper driven by a drive roller at one end and an idler roller at the other end. The draper is carried on a plurality of support rollers parallel to the first and second rollers for supporting the upper run of the draper at spaced positions therealong. The draper includes a front edge of the upper run of the draper arranged at a position adjacent to but spaced from the cutter bar and there is provided an integral extruded sealing member extending along the cutter bar defining a first stiffer portion attached to the cutter bar and a second flexible blade portion which extends rearwardly from the first portion at the cutter bar to lie over and in contact with a bead along a front edge portion of the draper. |
| US08752357B2 |
Thermoform packaging machine and method of operating the same
A thermoform packaging machine comprising at least one cross cutting station that includes a punching device for cutting out strip cuts from a packaging film. The thermoform packaging machine also includes a receptacle for receiving a stack of a plurality of the strip cuts and a slide element for supporting the weight of the stack during operation of the punching device. The slide may be position to be inserted between two adjacent strip cuts in the stack in the receptacle. A method of operating such a thermoform packaging machine is also described. |
| US08752355B2 |
Hollow core block stabilization system
A system and method of stabilizing and strengthening wall structures constructed with hollow core cementitious blocks that have not been filled with concrete. Relatively small ports are drilled at the grout line every 4-6 courses along the vertical plain of one hollow core and this and every second core is then filled with a high density expanding resin thus filling the core there by providing sufficient strength and rigidity, yet flexibility to the wall structure to withstand significant seismic activity. |
| US08752351B2 |
Shingle with reinforced nail zone and method of manufacturing
A roofing shingle is provided. The roofing shingles includes an overlay sheet including a headlap portion and a tab portion and an underlay sheet secured to the overlay sheet such that a region of the underlay sheet overlaps a region of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet. A reinforcement material is secured to the headlap portion of the overlay sheet. The reinforcement material is configured to improve nail pull-through. The reinforcement material extends beyond the overlapping regions of the headlap portion and the underlay sheet a distance of about 0.12 inches or less. |
| US08752347B2 |
Reinforcement element for absorbing forces of concrete slabs in the area of support elements
A reinforcement element for absorbing forces of the concrete slabs to be supported in the area of support elements is formed from a longitudinally stable, flexible length element, its first end area being guided through a first flexural reinforcement layer of the concrete slab. The first area adjoining the first end area extends towards a second flexural reinforcement layer of the concrete slab at an acute angle α. The second area adjoining the first area is guided through the second flexural reinforcement layer and extends in the area of the support element along the surface of the second flexural reinforcement layer facing away from the support element. The second end area of the reinforcement element is guided through the second flexural reinforcement layer toward the first flexural reinforcement layer. This reinforcement element can be inserted into the concrete slab in many different ways according to the type of load. |
| US08752345B1 |
Apparatus and method for framing windows and doors
An apparatus and method for framing windows and doors. The apparatus includes buck blocks each having a block buck strip on one side, first furring strip, first finishing sheet, second finishing sheet, and optional second furring strip and buck lentil having a lentil buck strip extending along its bottom. The method includes the steps of laying buck blocks up opposing sides of an opening with their block buck strips facing into the opening, installing a window or door frame in the opening, installing a first furring strip, installing the first and second finishing sheets, and trimming the second finishing sheet flush with the first finishing sheet. The second finishing sheet proximal edge is wedged securely between the buck strip ramp and the frame outer side by virtue of a preferred embodiment buck strip ramp angle of 34 degrees±15 degrees. |
| US08752341B2 |
Wildlife flashover preventer for high voltage electrical transmission structures
A conventional grounded steel tower, or other structure, supports multiple wires (e.g., 6) carrying multi-phase high voltage electricity (e.g., >100 kV). Each wire is supported by a ceramic insulator connected to a horizontal arm of the structure, where an angled strut helps support the arm. There are usually three tiers of wires. The closest distance between a wire and ground is typically between the wire and an angled strut below the wire, where the angled strut helps support a lower-tier wire. A guard formed of a dielectric is affixed to and covers the lower portion of the steel strut as well as any steel that outward extends beyond the strut. The guard prevents flashover between a wire and the underlying grounded strut if a large bird perches on the guard, since the bird will not be grounded by the strut. |
| US08752340B1 |
Dome structure
A dome structure constructed of interlocking pieces constructed of plastic with a hollow or insulated interior. The pieces interlock via their alternating male and female edges and are secured at their vertices with wishbone locking connectors. The pieces are generally in the shape of simple polygons and overhang at their edges to prevent water leakage. In constructing a dome, the floor is first constructed from interlocking floor pieces and a perimeter track is constructed from special interlocking track pieces that can be filled with water or sand. A first row of pieces that will form the wall interlock with the perimeter track, and the dome is constructed by interlocking additional pieces after the initial row is in place. The last piece to be secured in place is modified so that it can be placed in the space remaining at the top of the dome. |
| US08752336B1 |
Inflatable blast proof structure
An inflatable blast proof structure in a pack proposed. The structure can easily be transported to a remote site. Air compressors can inflate the pack. The structures can be in different shapes. One of those shapes used is hexagon. Individual structures can be connected together to create a greater structure complex. |
| US08752332B2 |
Vehicle slide door pinch sensor assembly
A vehicle assembly comprises a motorized door movable between an open position and a closed position and a pressure-activated sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a switch component, a flexible component and an engagement component. The switch component actuates upon pressure contact with an associated obstructing object. The flexible component substantially surrounds the switch component. The engagement component is connected with the door and extends from the flexible component towards the door. An exterior garnish member is connected to the door and laterally offset from the flexible component. The garnish member is configured to at least partially inhibit contact of the flexible component by an occupant during occupant ingress and egress of the vehicle. |
| US08752329B2 |
Optimization of circulation of fluid in an algae cultivation pond
Provided herein are exemplary algae cultivation ponds having the circulation of fluid optimized for such factors as decreased energy consumption, decreased predators/competitors, decreased or eliminated flow dead zones (i.e., stagnant regions), and increased algae biomass production, such as for the production of biofuels and other algae-based products. |
| US08752327B2 |
Oxygen availability-based irrigation system
Irrigation systems (36) and methods are provided that are based on measurements of oxygen levels and availability to the root of the plant. The irrigation management system comprises at least one sensor (24) deducing data indicating the level of oxygen wherein the data collected from the sensors is used to determine irrigation amounts and timing. |
| US08752326B2 |
Decoy reflection and shadow
An artificial reflection or dark shadow to be used in avian or animal attracting activities is disclosed. The artificial reflection or shadow may be used by itself or attached as to a floating waterfowl decoy which simulates the colored reflection off of the water or the dark shadow as a live bird would have. The decoy reflection and shadow can be used either floating on the water surface or by itself. The Reflection and Shadow can be of varying lengths and widths to simulate the shadow and/or reflection at differing times of the day and at different sun positions. The Reflection and Shadow could be of the entire aerial view of the bird or just a side view. |
| US08752322B2 |
Body contoured handgun
A handgun curved to correspond more closely with the contours of a person's body, achieving a comfortable fit when the handgun is worn for any appreciable amount of time on the person's body. The handgun housing is inclusive of a top portion, an intermediate portion, and a grip portion, which may be separately connected or integrally formed parts sharing a radius of curvature to form asymmetric left and right sides, particularly a concave side and a convex side. This asymmetry extends beyond the grip portion and includes at least a portion of the trigger guard and a portion of the magazine securing clip. |
| US08752320B2 |
Firearm with keyhole-shaped rail mounting points
A firearm with keyhole-shaped rail mounting points has a forend element having an exterior surface and interior surface. The forend element defines a plurality of rail mounting apertures extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. Each of the apertures has a first portion with a first diameter to closely receive a fastener head of a first diameter. Each of the apertures has a second portion with a second width less than the first diameter size to receive a shank portion of a fastener. There may be a recess on the interior surface size to receive the fastener head, the recess positioned at the second portion. |
| US08752318B2 |
Magazine for firearm
A magazine for storing and dispensing cartridges to a firearm. In one embodiment, the magazine includes a tubular body, a compression spring, and a two-piece follower including a first follower moveable within the magazine and a second follower disposed below the first follower. The second follower may be movable independently of the first follower and is engaged by the compression spring which applies a biasing force towards an open top end of the magazine. The second follower includes a base plate having an upward extending flange configured and dimensioned for slidable insertion through a slot formed in the first follower. The second follower is operable to project the flange through the slot to contact and assist with ejecting the last spent cartridge case in the magazine. In one embodiment, the firearm may be a pistol. |
| US08752313B2 |
Blow sensor foam novelties
Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof. |
| US08752312B2 |
Canvas stretching system with corner clamps
A stretching system to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples. Special purpose corner clamps are used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. After alignment, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips. By rotating the stretchers axially 90 degrees into the final frame, thus closing the miters, and upon inserting U-shaped fasteners into the grooves placed on the back of the stretcher, the canvas or material is stretched and ready to display. |
| US08752311B2 |
System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
A system and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron. The iron has a sole plate and a water tank in fluid communication with the sole plate, a heater for heating the sole plate, a sensor for sensing a temperature of the sole plate, a user interface for setting a desired temperature for the sole plate, and a controller in communication with user interface and the sensor for controlling the heater. An illumination device under the control of the controller is provided to illuminate the water tank, particularly the interior thereof, in a color that is representative of a state of the iron, such as a power condition of the iron and/or a temperature of the sole plate. |
| US08752304B2 |
System and method for duplicating angles in nature
An angle finder method is disclosed. Said angle finder method comprises aligning a cross-point of a plurality of adjustable reticles with a vertex of an angle in an object, rotating said adjustable reticles from an initial angle to an aligned angle matching said angle in said object, and transferring said aligned angle to a transfer medium. Wherein, said plurality of adjustable reticles are held within a view window and an angle finder comprises said view window and said adjustable reticles. |
| US08752302B2 |
Processing apparatus
An apparatus for processing, in particular coating, workpieces which preferably consist at least in certain portions of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, having a radiation device for generating and/or transmitting radiation, preferably a laser beam, and a spindle unit with a shaft (4) rotatable in a shaft bearing section (4a) and a holder (5) for accommodating processing tools and/or processing units, characterized in that the shaft (4) and/or a unit (10) attached to the shaft has at least in certain portions a cavity (4b, 9a, 2b) and the radiation device is arranged in such a manner that the radiation runs at least in certain portions inside the cavity. |
| US08752300B2 |
Cutting members for shaving razors
A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter). |
| US08752296B2 |
Unitary safety scaffolding and method for one individual to install the same
A scaffold assembly permits a single individual to install the assembly on an open stud wall. The assembly includes a horizontally oriented walkway supporting member, a vertically oriented rail support member, and a support unit extending from the walkway supporting member to the ground. An attachment assembly is connected to the walkway supporting member and includes a pair of rotatable members, one of which bears against the outer edges of a pair of adjacent studs and the other of which bears against the inner edges of the adjacent pair of studs in order to secure the scaffold assembly in place. |
| US08752291B2 |
Method for marking tubes in a shell and tube heat exchanger
A method for marking a specific tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger includes inserting a marker into a second tube adjacent to the tube to be marked and directing a directional pointer on the marker toward the tube to be marked. |
| US08752289B2 |
Method of manufacturing a reinforcing edge for a turbo machine aerofoil
A method of manufacturing a reinforcing edge for attachment to a turbo machine aerofoil, wherein the reinforcing edge comprises a relatively thick nose portion contoured for fitting along the edge of the turbo machine aerofoil, and a pair of opposing, relatively thin, tail portions for overlapping the suction surface and pressure surface respectively of the aerofoil, the method comprising: pressure forming a predefined hollow workpiece under fluid pressure from a respective pre-form, the hollow workpiece incorporating the reinforcing edge; and cutting out said reinforcing edge from the hollow workpiece, wherein the pre-form is created by bonding a pair of relatively thin metal sheets to opposite faces of a relatively thick inner plate or bonded stack of inner plates, the inner plate or stack of inner plates having an opening which defines a closed cavity between the metal sheets for introducing said fluid pressure, each tail portion of the reinforcing edge being constituted by part of a respective one of the relatively thin metal sheets, and the nose portion of the reinforcing edge being constituted by a part of the inner plate or stack of inner plates running along one edge of the cavity. |
| US08752286B2 |
Method of manufacturing wire harness
A method of manufacturing a wire harness including a plurality of wires and a connector with a housing. The method includes arranging the plurality of wires in an insertion hole of an airtight block of the housing to have a gap between the plurality of wires and an inner surface of the insertion hole, supplying a molten resin having a fluidity into the gap through a flow channel in communication with the gap, and solidifying the molten resin inside the space to resin-seal the gap between the insertion hole and the plurality of wires. The supplying of the molten resin is conducted such that a tool for melting a solid resin member is attached to the airtight block, the resin member is melted by applying an ultrasonic vibration while being pressed against the tool, and the molten resin obtained by the melting is poured into the flow channel. |
| US08752283B2 |
Assembly of electronic and optical devices
A method for operating an assembly tool includes deposing a first component on an assembly surface with a first tool tip of a manipulator having a range of motion defined by a plane and an axis that is substantially normal to the plane, deposing a second component on the assembly surface, changing an orientation of the assembly surface relative to the axis from a first orientation to a second orientation, lifting the first component from the assembly surface with a second tool tip of the manipulator, and deposing the first component on the second component. |
| US08752282B2 |
Cable preparation tool
The present disclosure describes various embodiments of devices for preparing cables, such as devices for pulling back the shield on an end portion of a coaxial cable to prepare the end portion for attachment to a connector. A coaxial cable, with an exposed central conductor, a dielectric insulator, and a shield (e.g., a metallic shield) can be inserted into a bore of a shield pull-back device configured in accordance with the present disclosure. As the cable is inserted into the bore, one or more gripping members can engage the cable shield and pull it back evenly without damaging the central conductor or the dielectric insulator. |
| US08752279B2 |
Methods of protecting an aircraft component from ice formation
A method for protecting an aircraft component from ice formation uses a thermally conductive film. The film includes a polymer, an electrically conductive material, and a sufficient concentration of hexagonal boron nitride to provide adequate heat transfer properties, and have high thermal conductivity, peel strength, and shear strength. The films can include thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers, or blends thereof, and can also include reinforcing materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal mesh, and the like, and thermally conductive fillers, such as aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and the like. The films can be included in composite materials. The films can be used as part of a layered structure, and used in virtually any application, for example, various locations in aircraft, where heating is desirable, including nacelle skins, airplane wings, heated floor panels, and the like. |
| US08752276B2 |
Method of manufacturing rotating electrical machine
A method of manufacturing a rotating electrical machine has steps of a preparation step that accommodates the cap in a jig space while bringing the jig and the pulley in contact in an up-and-down direction so that an operation space is sealed, and a main step that decompresses the operation space to pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, moves the cap to an upper side in the decompressed operation space, and press-fits the cap into the pulley. By this, an inclination and a misalignment in the axial direction of the cap by the action of the reaction force can be suppressed since the reaction force acting downwardly on the cap can be weakened compared with the case where the cap is press-fit under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the press-fit-state of the cap can be stabilized. |
| US08752274B2 |
Method for manufacturing light bar that enhances central point brightness of backlight module
The present invention provides a method for mounting light bar that enhances central point brightness of backlight module, which includes (1) providing a PCB and LED lamps of different luminous intensities among which the difference is less than 20%; (2) positioning the LED lamps on the PCB in a spaced manner and electrically connected to the PCB; (3) providing a backlight module main body; (4) positioning the PCB with the LED lamps on the backlight module main body to form a the backlight module; (5) measuring central point brightness and illumination homogeneity; (6) adjusting the spacing distance between the LED lamps according to predetermined central point brightness and illumination homogeneity so as to have the central point brightness and illumination homogeneity of the LED lamps satisfying requirements; and (7) mounting the LED lamps to the PCB so as to form an LED light bar. |
| US08752273B2 |
Manufacturing method of foreign object detection apparatus
In a manufacturing method of a foreign object detection apparatus, an elastic insulator including an attaching section and an inner peripheral portion, on which a plurality of electrodes is disposed in such a manner that each of the electrodes is away from the others, is formed, a predetermined portion of the attaching section is removed, a feeding member is coupled with the electrodes, and a coupling portion of the electrodes and the feeding member and a portion of the elastic insulator are covered with a covering part. |
| US08752258B2 |
Mounting tool for loading a prosthesis
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for implanting a prosthesis into a heart of a mammal, such as a person. The disclosure includes a prosthesis that acts as a pressure vent between the left and right atria of the heart. The disclosure also includes a mounting tool for mounting the prosthesis onto a loading tool, the loading tool useful for loading the prosthesis onto a device for delivering the prosthesis into the patient's heart. Control devices and methods for using these devices are also disclosed. The intracardiac pressure vents disclosed allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to relieve elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms. The devices also limit the amount of flow from the right atrium to the left atrium to minimize the potential for thrombi or other embolic material from entering arterial circulation. |
| US08752253B2 |
Slide fastener
A slide fastener in which one of the fastener stringers is separable from a tape insertion path at one side of a body of each of sliders in the width direction when a lateral pulling force directed outward in the width direction of the fastener tapes is applied to a pair of fastener stringers. The rear ends of the upper and lower flanges at the one side of the body of the upper slider in the width direction are positioned forward with respect to the rear end of the upper slider at a side of a rear mouth. It is therefore possible to prevent fastener elements from being damaged and easily separate one of the fastener stringers from the upper slider using a simple structure. |
| US08752251B2 |
Cord release of window covering
A cord release for a window covering includes at least two cases engaged together to form a barrel with an opening at a top thereof. The cord release is defined with a frontal plane and a sagittal plane. A left side and a right side are defined at opposite sides of the sagittal plane, and a front side and a back side are defined at opposite sides of the frontal plane. The opening has a first collecting portion at the front side of the frontal plane and the right side of the sagittal plane, and a second collecting portion at the back side of the frontal plane and the left side of the sagittal plane. Therefore, the cords will be led to the first collecting portion and the second collecting portion to disengage the cases by the struggle force. |
| US08752247B2 |
Hinge with defined halt positions
Hinge for supporting and maneuvering doors, consisting of two wing-shaped elements, provided with means for the attachment to a frame part and to a door part, respectively, as well as with means for the mutual hinging of in a pivoting area, said means consisting of appendixes projecting from said wing-shaped elements, characterized in that at least one of said appendixes of a first one of said wings is shaped as a cylindrical body on the surface of which there are formed axial grooves, at a preset, mutual, circumferential distance, and in that with a second one of said wings, opposite to said appendix, there is associated at least one thrust-engagement element in one of said grooves, at least partly elastically yielding. |
| US08752245B2 |
Finger-safe door
A finger-safe door-hinge combination looks and feels like a conventional residential door. Finger protection is achieved through the use of soft, deformable materials on the hinge-side edge in combination with specialized hinges. The deformable materials are shaped to give the appearance of a traditional door yet provide clamping injury protection by yielding to fingers. The specialized hinges provide structural support across the deformable materials in a finger-safe manner such that hinge leaves do not cause clamping injury. |
| US08752241B2 |
Vacuum cleaner nozzle with magnetic lock
A suction nozzle has a housing, a tilting bearing, a connection nozzle, a lock for the tilting bearing, a connection nozzle, a lock for the tilting bearing, actuators and a housing duct. The tilting joint has a bearing connected rigidly to the housing and a connector piece which is pivotally mounted about an axis S. The lock has a first locking element, which is mounted rotatably on the housing, and a second locking element, which is rigidly connected to the connecting piece of the tilting joint. A restoring force for the first locking element is generated by magnets. |
| US08752231B1 |
Hair brush with slideable brush head
A hair brush with a slideable brush head that allows the brush head to be positioned on either end of the elongated handle to thereby providing ease of use by both right handed or left handed users. The elongated handle has different ways thereon to arrest the brush head in any desired position. The brush head may also be removed from the handle, if so desired, so that a brush head of a different circumference but the same inner diameter may be used. |
| US08752230B2 |
Device with handle actuated element
This disclosure may disclose, inter alia, devices, systems, and methods for cleaning or removing contamination from a lens, or for increasing visibility of a lens during surgery. For example, a device with a handle actuated element is disclosed. The device includes a shaft that includes a rod, an element coupled to a distal tip of the rod, and a handle coupled to a proximal end of the rod. Actuation of the handle into a first position may cause the handle to be configured in a substantially hexagonal shape and may cause deployment of the element from the shaft. Actuation of the handle into a second position may cause the handle to be configured in a substantially rectangular shape and may cause retraction of the element into the shaft. The device may be introduced into an abdomen, and an element on the device can be deployed during surgery. |
| US08752229B2 |
Pig launcher
An apparatus (10) for launching one or more pigs (5) for cleaning of production flow lines, or tubing, on the sea bed is shown. The apparatus includes a lifting frame (1) retaining a charging pipe (3) which is able to carry a train of pigs (51-510) resting stand-by in the charging pipe (3), a plurality of valves (V1-V4) which on the one side is in fluid communication with the charging pipe (3), and on the other side is in fluid communication with a high pressure drive fluid different from the production flow, a connecting means (2) for connecting of the apparatus (10) to a closable pipe sub leading to the production flow line to be pigged, and an actuatable piston (4) which is able to displace the train of pigs within the charging pipe (3). |
| US08752228B2 |
Apparatus for cleaning of circuit substrates
Silicon wafers and the like are cleaned using new scrubber-type apparatus in which measures are taken to compensate for differential cleaning of the central region of the wafer by: using rotary brushes having one or more non-contact portions arranged in the section thereof that faces the central region of the substrate, or toggling the relative position of the wafer and the rotary brushes, or directing cleaning fluid(s) preferentially towards the central region of the wafer. Another aspect of the invention provides scrubber-type cleaning apparatus in which the rotary brushes are replaced by rollers (110). A web of cleaning material (116) is interposed between each roller and the substrate. Various different webs of cleaning material may be used, e.g. a length of tissue, a continuous loop of cleaning material whose surface is reconditioned on each cleaning pass, adhesive material provided on a carrier tape, etc. |
| US08752227B2 |
Power driven duster and cleaner apparatus
A hand held dusting apparatus for use with a motor provided with a rotating axle, such as a variable speed drill, includes an elongated extension member attachable at one end to the rotating axle and a dusting member having a body section attachable to the opposite end of the elongated extension member and a dusting section constructed having multiple strands of synthetic fiber materials extending from the body section. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus further includes a tubular hand guide member fitted about the extension member and constructed to slide along the extension member. In another preferred embodiment the body of dusting section has a mid-section that can be pivoted to allow the dusting elements to rotate about an axis set at an angle to the axis of the extension member. |
| US08752225B2 |
Tunable load sharing arch bridge
A method and apparatus for adjusting the live and dead load balance between the arches of an arch bridge and the truss girder that supports the bridge deck. The method is achieved by providing hanger rods disposed between the arches and the top chords of the truss girder whose compression may be adjusted. In which the arch truss counter act the compression in the top chord of the truss. This interaction adds to the strength and safety of both elements of the structure. With this interaction there are no critical members which can cause catastrophic failure of the bridge by failing. By combining two of these bridges side by side, and then connected with the lateral members, both at top and bottom chord of trusses, it is possible to carry vehicular, train, and pedestrian lanes separated and accommodated with safety; all without a critical member. |
| US08752224B2 |
Composite pry bar and striking tool
A composite pry bar and striking tool having an elongated solid body core surrounded by a molded polymer sleeve. The ends of the tool may include varying combinations of working tips including a pointed tool, a curved chisel, a tapping cap, and/or a molded polymer cap. The working tips are preferably adhesively bonded to the ends of the tool. The molded polymer sleeve includes first and second molded grips and may be segmented to allow for shorter or longer body lengths. The solid body core is formed by a pultrusion fiber resin curing process. |
| US08752220B2 |
Systems for patient support, monitoring and treatment
A patient support system, such as a bed, stretcher, wheelchair or the like, has an electronic control system and a user interface. The electronic control system and the user interface control bed functions, such as articulation of the head, seat, and leg sections of the bed deck, and control and/or monitor the operation of medical equipment, such as heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, sequential compression therapy devices, chest wall oscillation devices, respiratory therapy devices, blood oxygen monitors, and the like. In some embodiments, the electronic control system and user interface communicate with patient personal digital devices, such as audio players, computers, and phones. The user interface is on the headboard, footboard, and/or on a siderail of the bed in some embodiments. |
| US08752213B2 |
Touchscreen-active protective covering for digit and method of using same, and dispensers therefor
Touchscreen-active protective coverings for single digit or finger of a human hand and methods of using same. |
| US08756707B2 |
Method of manufacturing security document and method for authenticating the document
A method of manufacturing a security document is provided, comprising: providing a first security element article having a corresponding predetermined first unique identification code which is detectable from the first security element article; incorporating the first security element article into a document; generating a machine-readable security feature containing document data representative of the first unique identification code corresponding to the first security element article and of at least a second unique identification code corresponding to a second security element applied to the document; and applying the machine-readable security feature to the document. |
| US08756706B2 |
Method for securing credentials in a remote repository
A method of securing user credentials in a remote repository is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising generating a first private key and a first public key pair from a registered password; generating a second private key and a second public key pair; generating a storage key from the second private key and the first public key; encrypting a set of credentials using the storage key; creating a encrypted credential signature from the encrypted set of credentials and the first private key; and storing the encrypted set of credentials, the encrypted credential signature, and the second public key in the remote repository. |
| US08756700B2 |
Custom data image building
A first server is configured to receive an image from a first client device. The image may include an instruction to provide a second client device with a computer file. The first server is further configured to store the image, receive a task query from the first client device, and provide a task query response to the first client device based on receiving the task query. The task query response may include an indication that the first server is storing a task associated with the second client device. The first server is further configured to receive an image request from the second client device, communicate with a second server to identify whether the second client device is authorized to receive the image, and provide, to the second client device, the computer file associated with the image based on identifying that the second client device is authorized to receive the image. |
| US08756690B2 |
Extensible authentication protocol attack detection systems and methods
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting attacks against authentication mechanisms that generate Transport Layer Security (TLS) tunnels using a server public key. Such attacks can include misconfigured wireless local area network (WLAN) clients that fail to authenticate the server public key prior to creating the TLS tunnels and exchanging credentials. In an exemplary embodiment, an intrusion detection system (IDS) or intrusion prevention system (IPS) is aware of the server public key and monitors for authentication handshakes to detect invalid keys. |
| US08756688B1 |
Method and system for identifying business listing characteristics
Aspects of the disclosure provide for detection of spam attacks. In order to filter spam listings among business listings associated with a particular geographical region, a method and system operate to analyze the frequency of particular characteristics of the business listings, such as words within a listing title, phone numbers, or websites, to identify a normal frequency of each characteristic. Business listings may be periodically analyzed to identify anomalous increases in the frequency of particular characteristics. Characteristics that exhibit these anomalies may be identified as suspicious characteristics, and listings that contain suspicious characteristics may be identified as possible spam listings. |
| US08756687B1 |
System, method and computer program product for tamper protection in a data storage system
Systems, methods and computer software utilized in the implementation of tamper protection, where unique information associated with data storage tapes and with particular revisions of these tapes is stored on the storage medium itself and on a memory of the tape cartridge, so that the data can be compared to determine whether unauthorized modifications have been made to the tapes. One embodiment is a system which includes an archive node appliance coupled between a set of hosts and a tape media library. The archive node appliance presents files stored on a tape of a media library as a directory. The archive node appliance maintains tamper prevention data on the tape and on an auxiliary memory on the cartridge of the tape, and determines from this data whether the tape has been altered by an authorized system. |
| US08756686B2 |
Communication protocol for a containment-aware discovery service
In general, methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a discovery service in a unique identifier network are described. Said discovery service is suitable for tracking and tracing a query item represented by a unique identifier in a unique identifier network. In particular, a communication protocol for a containment-aware discovery service is described. |
| US08756680B2 |
Biometric-enabled smart card
A biometrics-enabled smart card for use in transactional or identity applications (e.g., credit cards and identity cards). The biometric smart card includes a substrate, a biometric sensor capable of reading biometric information through the substrate, and a microprocessor to process, store, and authenticate biometric information. The substrate has a Young's modulus of at least abut 50 GPa and a thickness of up to about 0.5 mm. |
| US08756679B2 |
Electronic device and method for unlocking locked operating system
A method for unlocking a locked operating system of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a storage unit and a locking unit, the storage unit is configured for storing a preset password and preset unlocking request information. The method includes steps: receiving a message from a second electronic device; verifying the received message according to the preset unlocking request information; and sending the preset password to the second electronic device if the verification is successful. |
| US08756676B1 |
System and method for secure message reply
A system and method whereby an unregistered, anonymous user at an organization's website makes a submission/inquiry and is able to access a secure response containing private information without pre-registering or establishing an account with the organization. A response to the user is made via an unsecured e-mail notification that provides the user with an HTTPS link to an authentication page. The user then enters his/her user identification, for example, the user email address and password which was associated with the original submission/inquiry. Once the email address and password is authenticated, the secure response message is displayed on the user's web browser in SSL. Each response is provided on a per-submission basis. |
| US08756673B2 |
Techniques for sharing data
Techniques for sharing data between users in a manner that maintains anonymity of the users. Tokens are generated and provided to users for sharing data. A token comprises information encoding an identifier and an encryption key. A user may use a token to upload data that is to be shared. The data to be shared is encrypted using the encryption key associated with the token and the encrypted data is stored such that it can be accessed using the identifier associated with the token. A user may then use a token to access the shared data. The identifier associated with the token being used to access the shared data is used to access the data and the encryption key associated with the token is used to decrypt the data. Data is shared anonymously without revealing the identity of the users using the tokens. |
| US08756671B2 |
Information processing apparatus, security method, and storage medium storing security program
An information processing apparatus includes a key information table memory for storing, in a key information table, key information including first identification information identifying a first nearby device communicating with the information processing apparatus, a communication unit for communicating with a second nearby device present at a location where the second nearby device is communicable with the information processing apparatus, a nearby device information retrieval unit for retrieving nearby device information including second identification information identifying the second nearby device, a movement halt detector for detecting a movement status of the information processing apparatus, a functional limitation determiner for determining, based on the key information, the nearby device information, and/or the movement status, whether to limit execution of a process of a function of the information processing apparatus and a functional limitation executer for controlling the execution of the process based on the determination results. |
| US08756667B2 |
Management of hardware passwords
In the context of computer systems, the generation of preboot passwords at a server instead of at a client. Preferably, preboot passwords generated at the server are distributed to the client, and a process is offered whereby a user can establish his/her own proxy, not known to the server, that can be used to release the stored passwords to the client hardware. Since the passwords are generated at the server, management of the passwords is greatly facilitated since they are generated at the site where they are stored. This also makes it easy to implement management features such as a group policy, since the password generation software will be able to make logical connections between users and hardware. |
| US08756665B2 |
Authenticating a rich client from within an existing browser session
A user authenticates to a Web- or cloud-based application from a browser-based client. The browser-based client has an associated rich client. After a session is initiated from the browser-based client (and a credential obtained), the user can discover that the rich client is available and cause it to obtain the credential (or a new one) for use in authenticating the user to the application (using the rich client) automatically, i.e., without additional user input. An application interface provides the user with a display by which the user can configure the rich client authentication operation, such as specifying whether the rich client should be authenticated automatically if it detected as running, whether and what extent access to the application by the rich client is to be restricted, if and when access to the application by the rich client is to be revoked, and the like. |
| US08756661B2 |
Dynamic user authentication for access to online services
A dynamic authentication system that makes authentication stronger, while reducing the cost to business and the burden to users. The system includes a service that provides centralized, non-federated, proxied authentication. The system uses a two-pass authentication process that first receives a supposed identity of the user and then determines one or more authentication criteria for proving that supposed identity. When the user attempts to use an online service that relies on the dynamic authentication system for authentication, the service requests the user's identity. The system dynamically determines authentication criteria for the user to prove the provided identity belongs to the user. In the second pass, the service receives a response from the user containing additional authentication information, and forwards the received response to the system for verification. If verification succeeds, the service allows the user to access the requested resources. |
| US08756654B2 |
Trusted network management method of trusted network connections based on tri-element peer authentication
A trusted network management method of trusted network connections based on tri-element peer authentication. A trusted management proxy and a trusted management system are respectively installed and configured on a host to be managed and a management host, and are verified as local trusted. When the host to be managed and the management host are not connected to the trusted network, they use the trusted network connection method based on the tri-element peer authentication to connect to the trusted network respectively, and subsequently perform the authentications and the cipher key negotiations of the trusted management proxy and the trusted management system; when the host to be managed and the management host have not completed the user authentication and the cipher key negotiation process, they use the tri-element peer authentication protocol to complete the user authentication and the cipher key negotiation process, then use the tri-element peer authentication protocol to implement the remote trust of the trusted management proxy and the trusted management system, and finally perform network management. The present invention can actively defend attacks, reinforce the safety of the trusted network management architecture, and realize the trusted network management of distributed control and centralized management. |
| US08756643B2 |
Wireless information transfer and interactive television system
A system and method for controlling an interactive media system includes generating, by a first communication system, an information signal and a display signal for display by an electronic medium, transferring the information signal by a wireless signal transfer network, receiving and processing the information signal by a server, providing, by the server, data included in the information signal to a functional network, wherein the server retrieves return data from the functional network and provides the return data to a second communication system, generating, by the second communication system, a return information signal and providing the return information signal to the wireless signal transfer network, and transferring, by the wireless signal transfer network, the return information signal to the first communication system, which generates the display signal for display on the electronic medium. |
| US08756642B2 |
Non-real time push services
In certain embodiments, a method for receiving non-real time push content involves receiving a transport stream containing an Internet Protocol stream of packets containing non-real time content, non-real time service metadata and non-real time content metadata; demultiplexing the Internet Protocol stream of packets to produce: non-real time content, non-real time service metadata, and non-real time content metadata; where the Non-Real Time content metadata includes a Non-Real Time push NRT_Service_Category. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08756640B2 |
Cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver
The present invention relates to a cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver. In an aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method of a cable broadcast program receiver may include transmitting, at a cablecard, a diagnostic request containing diagnostic information regarding DiiVA connection status to a host according to a protocol of an interface between the cablecard and the host; and receiving, at the host, the diagnostic request and transmitting diagnostic confirmation information containing a diagnostic status report regarding the DiiVA connection status to the cablecard according to the protocol of the interface between the cablecard and the host in response to the diagnostic request. |
| US08756638B2 |
Method and device for displaying images of a video sequence
A method of displaying images of a video sequence during the spatial navigation in the video sequence in order to pass from a first to a second viewing mode, in which the video sequence comprises encoded images continuously transmitted from a server (23) to a client machine. The method comprises the following steps, performed by the client machine, during the navigation between the first and second viewing mode: sending to the server at least one request for obtaining supplementary data with respect to images to be displayed (S205) which were received beforehand, and, while awaiting the reception of a response to said at least one request: processing according to the second viewing mode at least one image of current resolution RN to be displayed (S203), which was received and decoded beforehand, and displaying said at least one processed image (S204). |
| US08756635B2 |
Remote control of program scheduling
A method and apparatus for a first video display coupled with a receiving system to display a video broadcast, and a computing device having a second display displaying an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) corresponding to the video broadcast, wherein the EPG and the video broadcast are displayed concurrently. |
| US08756631B2 |
Method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal having minor channels
A method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal includes a demodulator capable of receiving a major channel of the digital video signal. The major channel of the digital video signal includes one or more minor channels, wherein the minor channels are specific and separate channels of broadcast information. The method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal further includes decoders coupled to the demodulator, wherein the decoders receive the minor channels disposed within the major channel. The decoders thereupon generate minor channel video signals, wherein the minor channel video signal includes the video information for each associated channel. The method and apparatus further includes receiving the incoming video signals and format the video signals for simultaneous display of active video from multiple channels. A display configurator provides the minor channel video signals to an output display, to actively display the minor channels. |
| US08756628B2 |
Video representation delivery system and service and a method of operation thereof
A video delivery system and service for use with a video presentation and methods of delivering and receiving a video representation. In one embodiment, a method of receiving a video representation includes receiving a request to program a video viewing device to record a video presentation employing a selected content. The method also includes remotely programming the video viewing device employing the selected content to provide the video representation. |
| US08756626B2 |
Method and apparatus for using the host-pod interface of a digital television or other digital audio/video receiver for new services
To receive new services including audio or video content for presentation by a cable-compatible digital television or other digital audio/video receiver, a module may be connected to the HOST-POD interface of the digital television. The module has a receiver for receiving audio or video content in a first compression format, a transcoder for converting said audio or video content from the first compression format into a second, different compression format, and a controller for transmitting the audio or visual content in the second compression format to the digital television over a HOST-POD interface. By using such a module, front-end components of the digital television may be bypassed while back-end components may be utilized to decompress and present the content. The module may be a PC card or smart card for example. |
| US08756625B2 |
Systems and methods for determining subscription data
A media guidance application is provided by which users can view program listings associated with programming that the user may access using other user equipment devices. The media guidance application, implemented on, for example, a remote system, may determine through communications with television equipment whether or not the television equipment is authorized to provide a particular package of television programming to be viewed by the user. For example, an online program guide application may determine whether or not television equipment allows a user to view particular channels and, based on that determination, proceed to determine what packages of programming the user subscribes to. A customized program guide may then be displayed based on what programming the user subscribes to on various systems. |
| US08756618B2 |
Motor having a disk support member with air flow path portions and a disk drive device having the same
A motor including: a rotor case having a chucking device, on which a disk is mounted, press-fitted and coupled thereto; disk support members mounted on an upper surface of the rotor case to support a bottom surface of the disk, and having each of flow path portions therebetween allowing for airflow in a space between the disk and the rotor case; and a push portion disposed in at least one of the rotor case and the disk support members to accelerate the airflow through the flow path portions when the rotor case rotates. |
| US08756617B1 |
Schema validation for secure development of browser extensions
An extension schema validator may be executable within an extension process of an extension of a browser application, and may be configured to validate the extension with respect to an extension application program interface (API) that is provided in conjunction with the browser application for implementation of the extension. A browser schema validator may be executable within a browser process of the browser application, and may be configured to validate the extension with respect to the extension API. Successful validation of the extension by the extension schema validator prior to attempting validation of the extension by the browser schema validator may be required. |
| US08756615B2 |
Method and electronic device for synchronizing information of dual operating systems and recording medium
A method and an electronic device for synchronizing information of dual operating systems and a recording medium are provided. The method is used for synchronizing information of a first operating system and a second operating system when an electronic device is switching from a first operating system to a second operating system. First, the second operating system sends an information requesting message to a controller of the electronic device when the first operating system is switched to the second operating system. The controller checks if the first operating system operates in a work mode. If the first operating system operates in the work mode, the controller forwards the information requesting message to the first operating system, so as to obtain the information of the first operating system. Finally, the second system synchronizes the information recorded therein according to the obtained information. |
| US08756612B2 |
Send-side matching of data communications messages
Send-side matching of data communications messages in a distributed computing system comprising a plurality of compute nodes, including: issuing by a receiving node to source nodes a receive message that specifies receipt of a single message to be sent from any source node, the receive message including message matching information, a specification of a hardware-level mutual exclusion device, and an identification of a receive buffer; matching by two or more of the source nodes the receive message with pending send messages in the two or more source nodes; operating by one of the source nodes having a matching send message the mutual exclusion device, excluding messages from other source nodes with matching send messages and identifying to the receiving node the source node operating the mutual exclusion device; and sending to the receiving node from the source node operating the mutual exclusion device a matched pending message. |
| US08756608B2 |
Method and system for performance isolation in virtualized environments
A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer program product for allocating resources of one or more shared devices to one or more partitions of a virtualization environment within a data processing system. At least one user defined resource assignment is received for one or more devices associated with the data processing system. One or more registers, associated with the one or more partitions are dynamically set to execute the at least one resource assignment, whereby the at least one resource assignment enables a user defined quantitative measure (number and/or percentage) of devices to operate when the one or more transactions are executed via the partition. The system enables the one or more devices to execute one or more transactions at a bandwidth/capacity that is less than or equal to the user defined resource assignment and minimizes performance interference among partitions. |
| US08756605B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling multiple threads for execution in a shared microprocessor pipeline
An apparatus and method for scheduling execution of multiple threads on a shared processor resource is described in connection with a multithreaded multiprocessor chip. Using a thread selection policy that switches between available threads every cycle to give priority to the least recently executed or scheduled threads, different threads are able to operate in a way that ensures no deadlocks or livelocks while maximizing aggregate performance and fairness between threads. Prioritization is accomplished by monitoring and sorting thread status information for each thread, including speculative states in which a thread may be speculatively scheduled, thereby improving usage of the execution pipeline by switching a thread in with a lower priority. |
| US08756601B2 |
Memory coherency acceleration via virtual machine migration
A system and method for memory coherency acceleration via virtual machine migration comprises a plurality of processors. A first processor of the plurality of processors is configured to implement at least one virtual machine. A monitor is configured to monitor a number of memory requests between the first processor and at least a second processor of the plurality of processors. A virtual machine manager is configured to migrate at least a portion of the virtual machine from the first processor to the second processor based on the number of memory requests exceeding a threshold. |
| US08756600B2 |
Judging apparatus, method, and recording medium of program for estimating the effect of deployment of an application in a virtual machine environment
A judging apparatus including an obtaining unit to obtain a first value which indicates a capacity of a resource assigned to a virtual machine of a plurality of virtual machines deployed in a first computer, a first rate which indicates a rate of a resource used by the plurality of virtual machines in the first computer, a second value which indicates a capacity of a resource, assigned to processing of an application, in a second computer, and a second rate which indicates a rate of a resource used by the processing of the application, and a judging unit to judge whether or not a sum of the first rate and the second rate that is corrected based on a ratio between the first value and the second value is over a certain value corresponding to the amount of the resource of the first computer. |
| US08756597B2 |
Extending functionality of legacy services in computing system environment
Methods and apparatus involve extending functionality of legacy services. A legacy application has functionality designed for use on an original computing device. In a modern environment, virtual machines (VMs) operate as independent guests on processors and memory by way of scheduling control from a virtualization layer (e.g., hypervisor). At least one VM is provisioned to modify standard entry points of the original legacy application for new accessing of various system functions of the hardware platform. Representative functions include network access, processors, and storage. Policy decision points variously located are further employed to ensure compliance with computing policies. Multiple platforms and computing clouds are contemplated as are VMs in support roles and dedicated software appliances. In this manner, continued use of legacy services in modern situations allows participation in more capable environments and application capabilities heretofore unimagined. Other embodiments contemplate computing systems and computer program products, to name a few. |
| US08756594B2 |
Reactive anti-tampering system for protected services in an enterprise computing system
An enterprise computing system may utilize a management infrastructure that interacts with protected services in the system. The management infrastructure accepts requests through an anti-tamper procedure that specifies a tamper event, a crucial service to be protected, and a remedial action that may be applied when the tamper event occurs on the protected service. The anti-tamper procedure may be created by a system administrator and distributed to one or more client devices in the system. The management infrastructure monitors a protected service in accordance with the operations and actions specified in the anti-tamper procedure thereby ensuring that the integrity of the system is preserved. |
| US08756593B2 |
Map generator for representing interrelationships between app features forged by dynamic pointers
A first feature (e.g., chart or table) includes a reference to a dynamic pointer. Independently, the pointer is defined to point to a second feature (e.g., a query). The first feature is automatically updated to reflect a current value of the second feature. The reference to the pointer and pointer definition are recorded in a central registry, and changes to the pointer or second feature automatically cause the first feature to be updated to reflect the change. A mapping between features can be generated using the registry and can identify interrelationships to a developer. Further, changes in the registry can be tracked, such that a developer can view changes pertaining to a particular time period and/or feature of interest (e.g., corresponding to an operation problem). |
| US08756590B2 |
Binding data parallel device source code
A compile environment is provided in a computer system that allows programmers to program both CPUs and data parallel devices (e.g., GPUs) using a high level general purpose programming language that has data parallel (DP) extensions. A compilation process translates modular DP code written in the general purpose language into DP device source code in a high level DP device programming language using a set of binding descriptors for the DP device source code. A binder generates a single, self-contained DP device source code unit from the set of binding descriptors. A DP device compiler generates a DP device executable for execution on one or more data parallel devices from the DP device source code unit. |
| US08756589B2 |
Selectable dual-mode JIT compiler for SIMD instructions
A JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler performs dual-mode code generation by determining whether an application has opted-in to SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) code generation both at JIT-time and at runtime. The application may select the code generation mode by identifying whether it has opted-in to SIMD code generation. As a result, the underlying implementation guarantees application compatibility by allowing the application to select the code generation mode. Additionally, applications have the ability to select into different code generation modes during concurrent execution. |
| US08756588B2 |
Contextual exception management in multi-tenant systems
Methods and systems are provided for managing exceptions in a multi-tenant system providing instances of a virtual application over a network to multiple tenants. One exemplary method involves obtaining, from an instance of the virtual application, context information associated with an anomalous condition identified by the virtual application and automatically creating an exception record maintaining an association between the anomalous condition and the context information. |
| US08756585B2 |
Efficient monitoring in a software system
A monitoring of a server system during an execution of a server system processing logic, includes: during collection and storage of operational metrics by a given thread in a thread-local memory, determining that a checkpoint within the server system processing logic is reached; determining whether a threshold number of checkpoints have been encountered by the given thread; in response to the threshold number of checkpoints having been encountered, determining whether a threshold time interval since a last rollup of the collected operational metrics has been exceeded; and in response to the threshold time interval being exceeded, performing a rollup of the collected operational metrics from the thread-local memory to an accumulation point in a shared memory, where the accumulation point stores aggregated operational metrics from a plurality of threads. |
| US08756582B2 |
Tracking a programs calling context using a hybrid code signature
A method for a hybrid code signature including executing, via a processor, an application, the executing comprising executing a root instruction of the application; profiling, via the processor, the executing of the application, the profiling comprising storing a reference signature; determining, via the processor, a working signature of instructions executed subsequent to the executing of the root instruction, the determining comprising implementing a hashing function of the instructions in response to storing the reference signature; tracking the updating of the working signature by storing a value in a counter; and updating continuously, via the processor, the working signature with the hashing function while at least the working signature does not match the reference signature. |
| US08756579B1 |
Client-side and server-side unified validation
A system and method for validating code on a client-side and on a server-side in a Web environment utilizes a single validation code to validate JavaScript code on a client-side and JavaScript code on a server-side of a computer network system. The single validation code can help to correct errors in the client code and ensure the integrity of data stored on the server. |
| US08756578B2 |
Impact indication of thread-specific events in a non-stop debugging environment
A non-stop debugging environment includes a debugger configured to debug a multi-threaded debuggee, where encountering an event by one of the threads stops execution of only the one thread without concurrently stopping execution of other threads. In such a non-stop debug environment, impact indication of thread-specific events includes tracking, by the debugger, activity associated with a thread-specific event and displaying, by the debugger in a graphical user interface (‘GUI’), an indication of thread-specific event impact in dependence upon the tracked activity. |
| US08756577B2 |
Collaborative software debugging in a distributed system with private debug sessions
In a distributed system that includes a debug server and debug clients coupled for data communications through a data communications network, collaborative software debugging is carried out with private debug sessions. The debug server includes a debug administrator, a message router, a back-end debugger, and a debuggee. Collaborative software debugging includes receiving, by the debug server from the debug clients, application-level messages. Collaborative software debugging can also include routing, by the message router, the application-level messages among the debug clients, the debug administrator, and the back-end debugger. Collaborative software debugging can also include returning, by the debug server to the debug clients in response to the application-level messages routed to the back-end debugger, client-specific debug results, including establishing the private debug session of the debuggee for the requesting debug client. |
| US08756574B2 |
Using reverse time for coverage analysis
Coverage analysis may be performed using reverse time. The coverage analysis may be based on last hit data. The last hit data may comprise a timestamp indicating a last time in which a coverage event was covered. Utilizing last hit data instead of first hit data as is known in the art enables distinction between coverage goals that were never covered and coverage goals that were not covered lately. |
| US08756573B2 |
Digital item ingestion process
Disclosed are various embodiments for an ingestion process modifying digital items. A computing system receives an uploaded digital item configured to communicate with a testing server application when executed. The ingestion process reconfigures the digital item to communicate with a production server application when executed. |
| US08756571B2 |
Natural language text instructions
A computer can display a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes a control. The GUI can receive text instructions in a natural language that describe a location of the control on the GUI. The text instructions can instruct an application to perform a user interface (UI) event on the control. |
| US08756565B2 |
Modifying a target system configuration to utilize a different synchronization module for performing synchronization among multiple programmable hardware elements
Customizing a target system. The target system may include a first device with a first programmable hardware element (PHE) and a second device with a second PHE. Synchronization modules may be provided for implementation on the first and second PHEs. The synchronization modules may provide a standard interface for interacting with other code. A user may specify user-created code for the first and second PHEs which utilizes the synchronization modules. The user-created code may interact with the synchronization modules using the standard interface. Accordingly, hardware descriptions may be generated for the first and second PHEs of the target system. Different modules may be used for different interconnects. Additionally, multiple synchronization modules may be used, e.g., dynamically, during operation of the target system. |
| US08756561B2 |
Software model normalization and mediation
An apparatus, network and methods for software model derivation and normalization are provided. In one embodiment a meta-model is derived from a plurality of software applications. The meta-model is independent of any particular software application. A number of software models are derived each compliant with the meta-model. A customer specific software application may then be derived from the models and an enterprise resource planning software application. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08756556B1 |
Method for optimizing power flows in electric power networks
Power flow in an electric power network is optimized by first decomposing an optimization problem into a set of disjoint parameterized optimization problems. The disjoint optimization problems are independent of each other, and the decomposition is based on dualized coupled constraints having corresponding multipliers. Each optimization problem is solved independently to obtain a corresponding solution, and a sensitivity of each solution to changes in the parameter. The parameters are updated using the corresponding solutions and the sensitivities, and iterated until reaching a convergence. |
| US08756554B2 |
Identifying parasitic diode(s) in an integrated circuit physical design
A method comprises tracing a first and second terminal of a junction through a circuit layout to associated power supplies to determine their respective defined bias values. The method further comprises comparing the defined bias values of each terminal in order to determine, based on the comparison, whether the junction is forward biased. |