| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08765097B2 |
Ligands to radiation-induced molecules
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands. |
| US08765096B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating and diagnosing kidney disease
The invention relates to a method for diagnosing a kidney disease state. The method comprises the steps of administering to a patient a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula V-L-D where the group V comprises a vitamin receptor binding ligand that binds to kidney proximal tubule cells and the group D comprises a diagnostic marker, and diagnosing the kidney disease state. The invention also relates to a method for treating a kidney disease state. The method comprises the steps of administering to a patient suffering from the disease state an effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula V-L-D where the group V comprises a vitamin receptor binding ligand that binds to kidney proximal tubule cells and the group D comprises an antigen, a cytotoxin, or a cell growth inhibitor, and eliminating the disease state. |
| US08765093B2 |
Expanded graphite sheet
An object is to provide an expanded graphite sheet at the use stage that can prevent can prevent degradation in product quality and deterioration in product yield by inhibiting the expanded graphite sheet from containing impurities even when the expanded graphite sheet is actually used.An expanded graphite sheet at the use stage in a condition in which the expanded graphite sheet is packed with a packing material and thereafter removed from the packing material, characterized in that all of the amounts of Al, B, Be, Ca, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Ni, S, Ti, V, and Zn as determined by an ICP emission spectroscopy method, the amounts of K and Na as determined by an atomic absorption spectrometry method, and the amount of Si as determined by an absorption spectrophotometry method are at a level less than the detection limit. |
| US08765087B2 |
Method for reforming exhaust gas generated from metallurgical furnace, method for cooling exhaust gas and apparatus therefor
A reforming method of a metallurgical furnace generated exhaust gas includes reforming a high temperature exhaust gas discharged from a metallurgical furnace by adding a reducing agent to the gas, wherein addition of the reducing agent is initiated when an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is 1 vol % or less, and a reforming reaction is completed when a temperature of the exhaust gas is 800° C. or higher, and an apparatus thereof. The reducing agent is blown from a reducing agent blowing nozzle having a double pipe structure. |
| US08765082B2 |
Combined carbon dioxide and oxygen process for ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene
Processes for using a combination of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon feedstock, carbon dioxide and oxygen are fed to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor system containing one or more catalysts that promote dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feedstock to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product. The processes of the present invention may be used, for example, to produce styrene monomer by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene using carbon dioxide and oxygen as oxidants. |
| US08765081B2 |
Micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas
The present invention relates to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas, and more particularly, to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas containing methane gas from synthetic gas, including a porous nickel plate catalyst part. |
| US08765080B1 |
Colorimetric chemical analysis sampler for the presence of explosives
A tester for testing for explosives comprising a body, a lateral flow swab unit operably connected to the body, a explosives detecting reagent contained in the body, and a dispenser operatively connected to the body and the lateral flow swab unit. The dispenser selectively allows the explosives detecting reagent to be delivered to the lateral flow swab unit. |
| US08765073B1 |
Wall socket aroma diffuser using aroma capsule
A wall socket aroma diffuser using an aroma capsule is provided, including a wall socket aroma diffuser having a transparent receiving unit and an aroma capsule received in the wall socket aroma diffuser. The aroma capsule is heated to diffuse scent, and is disposable after the aroma thereof is diffused into an ambient environment completely. It is thus easy, safe for a user to replace the used aroma capsule with a new one because the aroma capsule will not be broken and the aroma thereof will not flow to a region outside of the aroma capsule. The user does not need to wash the aroma diffuser. The wall socket aroma diffuser further includes a light emitting diode that emits and projects light onto the transparent receiving unit. The light is guided and diffused by the receiving unit to generate color that pleases people's eyes. |
| US08765070B2 |
System and method for rejecting heat from equipment via endothermic isomerization
A system for rejecting heat from equipment using endothermic isomerization. includes a heat exchanger configured to receive an elevated-temperature process fluid and an isomerization compound capable of endothermic isomerization. When the system is in operation, heat from the elevated temperature process fluid is transferred to the isomerization compound and the isomerization compound endothermically isomerizes to a higher energy state form. A vehicle includes an engine and a body. The body houses a catalytic heat exchanger having an output in fluid communication with the engine, a pump for urging an isomerization compound into the heat exchanger, and a heat sink controller for controlling the pump. A method for rejecting heat from equipment using endothermic isomerization includes providing a compound capable of endothermic isomerization and transferring heat from a process fluid to the compound, such that the compound endothermically isomerizes to a higher energy level isomer. |
| US08765064B2 |
Sterile substance supplying apparatus
A sterile-substance-supplying apparatus comprising: an atomization unit including a reservoir unit to reserve hydrogen peroxide, and an ultrasound vibrator to impart ultrasound vibration to the reserved hydrogen peroxide to be atomized; an evaporation unit, provided above the reservoir unit, that heats the atomized hydrogen peroxide to be evaporated; a connecting member connecting the evaporation unit and the atomization unit to each other; a hydrogen-peroxide-supply port to allow the hydrogen peroxide to be supplied to the reservoir unit; a carrier-gas-supply port, provided at the connecting member, that allows carrier gas for allowing the atomized hydrogen peroxide to flow to the evaporation unit to be supplied; and a container portion to reserve a substance for transmitting the ultrasound vibration generated by the ultrasound vibrator, and a metal vibrating plate, provided at a bottom portion of the reservoir unit, that transmits to the hydrogen peroxide the ultrasound vibration transmitted through the substance. |
| US08765059B2 |
Blood glucose tracking apparatus
A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion. |
| US08765058B2 |
Exchangeable consumable with integrated air filter
The invention concerns an analyzer, typically for analyzing body fluids, which has one or several exchangeable cassettes (consumables) that contain operating liquids, operating materials and/or consumables and can be inserted into corresponding holders of the analyzer, wherein the analyzer has a system for exchanging ambient air which has a filter unit on the inlet side of the analyzer to filter the ambient air that needs to be exchanged. The filter unit is integrated into at least one of the exchangeable cassettes in order to minimize the amount of maintenance for the analyzer. |
| US08765056B2 |
Method for detecting optical signals, microfluidic mixing chip having light emitting compound and system thereof
A method for detecting optical signals, a microfluidic mixing chip having light emitting compound and a system thereof are provided. The microfluidic mixing system comprises the microfluidic mixing chip, an electrode pairs and a power supplier. The microfluidic mixing chip comprises a first side cavity, a second side cavity and a mixing cavity. The mixing cavity is disposed between the first side cavity and the second side cavity. The mixing cavity further contains the light emitting compound, a catalyst and a redox reagent. The electrode pair is respectively disposed to the first side cavity and the second cavity. The power supplier supplies a power source with high frequency alternating current electric field. By utilizing the power source with alternating current electric field, the light emitting compound, the redox reagent and the catalyst are mixed in the mixing cavity to generate a chemiluminescence or bioluminescence optical signal to detect. |
| US08765051B2 |
Method and device for producing pig-iron based stainless steel without using a supply of electrical energy
An installation for producing stainless steel for all stainless steel products both in the austenitic and the ferritic range, based on liquid pig-iron and FeCr solids, without using a supply of electrical energy. The liquid pig-iron, after being pre-treated in a blast furnace, is subjected to a DDD treatment (dephosphorisation, desiliconisation and desulphuration), is heated, finished or alloyed and deoxidated. The quantity of slag-free liquid pig-iron that has been pre-treated in the blast furnace is separated and introduced into two classic “twin” AOD-L converters, where the required chemical process steps (of the DDD treatment and of the heating, decarburization and alloying stages) take place in parallel contrary processes using autogenous chemical energy, the DDD treatment being carried out first in the first twin AOD-L converter and the decarburization being carried out first in the second twin AOD-L converter. |
| US08765050B1 |
Fluid injector to metal enclosure
A portable fluid injector is a device that burns through and injects a fluid into a metal enclosure. A miniature cutting torch mounted to a magnetic frame. The cutting torch has a minimum of three cylinders, two for cutting gases like oxygen and acetylene, and one for an injection fluid, such as a sleep-inducing gas. The device can be started remotely after it is attached to the metal enclosure. The miniature cutting torch has a nozzle mounted to the end of a pivot arm. An igniter or spark generator is activated to ignite the cutting gases. A guide tube extends below the nozzle such that the guide tube can progress into a hole cut below the nozzle. The guide tube may serve as a means to tell when the hole is complete. The guide tube may also convey the injection fluid through the hole. |
| US08765049B2 |
Control of clay crystallite size for shrinkage management
A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is greater than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in reduced shrinkage of green ware during the clay dehydroxylation stage of firing. |
| US08765048B2 |
Manufacture of composites by a flexible injection process using a double or multiple cavity mold
The present invention generally relates to a mold assembly (32, 34) and a method of using the mold for the manufacture of composite parts which, more particularly, are generated from a strengthener in a generally solid phase and a matrix in a generally liquid phase. Various types of molds and processes may be used in order to impregnate a strengthener with a matrix such that a composite part may be manufactured, but the efficiency rate and the duration of the manufacturing process significantly varies depending on the chosen type of mold and process. The present invention relates to a mold assembly and to the manufacture of composites by using the mold assembly which includes the injection of the matrix in the mold assembly containing the strengthener and a deformable member (36) which favors the impregnation of the matrix toward the strengthener. |
| US08765039B1 |
Implantable micro-textured scar inducing ePTFE structures
Bio-implantable textured tubular and sheet structures of un-sintered ePTFE are described. Such micro-textured structures stimulate robust development of beneficial bio-integrative scar attachment to adnexal soft tissues. Methods for texturing one side of an un-sintered extruded ePTFE tube or sheet are also described. A select length of tubing of any thickness or diameter is applied over a matching mandrel and adhesively stabilized thereon by applying intense suction. The texture is made by “RIGDA tooling” into the wall thickness of the material and by removing undesired material by distraction and avulsion tooling and methods assisted by vibration, leaving intact the finished product. Disclosed is an implantable, non-attached, enveloping, conforming and supportive drainage cover for breast and other soft implants. The drainage cover has numerous through and through cut lucencies which allow for liberal ingress and egress of interstitial biologic fluids enabling efficient drainage postoperatively, especially under the influence of active wound suction. |
| US08765037B2 |
Process for preparing ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition, and process for producing ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer pellets
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) composition preparation process is provided, which comprises the steps of: feeding an EVOH alcohol solution into a tower type apparatus, the EVOH alcohol solution comprising 100 parts by weight of an EVOH and not less than 300 parts by weight of an alcohol having a carbon number of not greater than 4; bringing the EVOH alcohol solution into contact with water, and feeding out a part of the alcohol together with water from the apparatus to provide an EVOH water/alcohol mixture solution comprising 100 parts by weight of the EVOH, 10 to 200 parts by weight of the alcohol and 50 to 200 parts by weight of water; bringing the EVOH water/alcohol mixture solution into contact with water in an agitator container with stirring, and feeding out a part or all of the alcohol together with water from the container to provide an EVOH composition comprising 100 parts by weight of the EVOH, less than 10 parts by weight of the alcohol and 20 to 100 parts by weight of water. This preparation process makes it possible to efficiently replace the alcohol in the EVOH alcohol solution with water to provide a lower water content EVOH composition. |
| US08765034B2 |
Pattern formation method, pattern formation apparatus, and recording medium recorded with alignment program
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes placing a master on a substrate including a concave-convex pattern, performing alignment between the master and the substrate, curing a photosensitive resin applied onto the substrate, with the pattern brought into contact with the resin, and removing the master from the resin. The performing alignment includes measuring amount of misalignment of first marks provided at least three of four corners of the shot region and performing alignment of the corners, after the alignment of the corners, measuring misalignment of a second mark, calculating a target value of amount of movement of the corners so as to minimize the amount of misalignment of the first marks and amount of misalignment of the second mark, and performing alignment between the master and the substrate so that the amount of movement of the corners is made close to the value. |
| US08765033B2 |
Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for absorbent
An absorbent manufacturing device forms an absorbent by depositing a liquid absorbent fiber and a super absorbent polymer in a deposition part. The absorbent manufacturing device includes: a plurality of suction holes that are provided in the deposition part, wherein the liquid absorbent fiber and the super absorbent polymer flowing inside a scattering duct are deposited in the deposition part by suction; a suction duct that is provided in communication with the suction holes and draws air so that the suction holes perform suction; and a separator that separates a super absorbent polymer of size equal to or larger than a certain size from a flow of air flowing in the suction duct and returns the separated super absorbent polymer to the scattering duct. |
| US08765029B2 |
Light transmissive articles and methods thereof
The present invention provides methods for controlling the optical properties of a light transmissive article. The method includes identifying a target window in an Abbe diagram comprising reference polymeric materials. The method further includes selecting a first polymeric material from the reference polymeric materials and compounding the first polymeric material with a stable UV chromophore to provide a first polymer composition. The method further includes transforming the first polymer composition to provide the light transmissive article, wherein the light transmissive article has an Abbe number and a refractive index which falls within the target window. Light transmissive articles prepared using the above methods are also provided. |
| US08765023B2 |
Composition for preparing separator, method for preparing separator, and electrochemical device having separator prepared therefrom
The present invention relates to a composition for preparing a separator for an electrochemical device, a method preparing a separator for an electrochemical device, and an electrochemical device having a separator prepared therefrom, more particularly, a composition for preparing a separator for an electrochemical device, comprising a polyolefin, a first diluent, and a second diluent, wherein an interaction energy between the first diluent and the second diluent is in the range of 2 to 3.5 cal/cm3, a method preparing a separator for an electrochemical device using the composition, and an electrochemical device having a separator prepared therefrom. In accordance with the present invention, the pore size of a polyolefin separator can be suitably controlled into a size desired by a user, and the high-temperature stability and mechanical property of the separator can be remarkably improved, thereby enhancing the life time and stability of an electrochemical device having the same. |
| US08765020B2 |
Method for reducing metal corrosion
Mitigating or preventing corrosion of metal may be achieved in systems that are alkaline, such as carbon dioxide capture systems. The method may include adding an additive to a system wherein the system is at an alkaline pH; the system has both O2 and CO2 present; or the system is at an alkaline pH and has both O2 and CO2 present. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of: quaternary aromatic amines; quaternary alkyl substituted aromatic amines; and combinations thereof. The corrosion inhibiting properties of the additives may be increased by use of synergistic combinants. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08765018B2 |
Method for controlling a reforming reaction by measurement of the temperature of the reforming tubes and functional parameter modification
The invention relates to a method for controlling a hydrocarbon vapor reforming reaction using a combustion chamber containing burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalysts and capable of being crossed by a mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor, the burners being arranged so as to transfer their combustion heat to the mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor through the walls of the tubes, wherein the temperature T of the wall of each tube is measured in the downstream part of the tube, and if for at least one tube, the measured temperature“is higher or equal to the MOT (DTT-15° C.), DTT being the design temperature of the measured tube, the functional parameters of the reforming method are then modified so as to decrease the measured temperature T of this tube down to a value lower than the MOT. |
| US08765017B2 |
Gasification systems and associated processes
Gasification systems and associated processes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a gasification process includes simultaneously supplying a carbonaceous material and steam to a gasifier, the gasifier containing a liquid volume containing at least about 10% by weight of iron oxide (FexOy where x and y are positive integers). The gasification process also includes performing a gasification reaction between the carbonaceous material and steam in the liquid volume, facilitating the gasification reaction with the iron oxide in the liquid volume, and producing a gas from the gasification reaction, the gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2). |
| US08765013B2 |
Nematic liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device using the same
A polymerizable compound-containing liquid crystal composition includes at least one of compounds represented by general formulae (I) to (IV). A liquid crystal display device uses the liquid crystal composition. |
| US08765009B2 |
Process for preparing nitric acid with a concentration in the range from 50 to 77.8% by weight
A process for preparing nitric acid by: catalytically oxidizing ammonia, to obtain a gas mixture containing NO and O2; cooling and condensing the gas mixture, thereby further oxidizing NO with O2, to obtain a gas stream containing NO2/N2O4 and an aqueous solution containing nitric acid; and countercurrently absorbing the NO2/N2O4 from the gas stream in an absorber with process water (H2O), to obtain nitric acid and an NOx-containing absorber offgas, wherein the water content of the nitric acid is regulated to a concentration in the range from 50 to 77.8% by weight and the NOx content of the absorber offgas to a concentration in the range from 20 to 500 ppm, by continuously measuring the water content of the process air supplied to the catalytic gas phase oxidation and, as a function of this, adjusting the amount of process water (Q-H2O) fed to the absorber. |
| US08765006B2 |
Refrigerant compositions having a siloxane solubilizing agent
Provided are refrigerant compositions which are blends of one or more hydrofluorocarbons, siloxanes, hydrocarbons and lubricants, as well as methods for using these compositions in applications such as the recharging of refrigeration systems and for replacing a chlorofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon in a refrigeration system. |
| US08765002B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A substrate processing apparatus includes a first processing chamber and a second processing chamber, a first substrate holding unit that holds a substrate in the first processing chamber, a chemical solution supply unit that supplies a chemical solution containing an etching component and a thickening agent to the substrate held by the first substrate holding unit, a substrate transfer unit that transfers the substrate from the first processing chamber to the second processing chamber in a state in which the chemical solution is held on the substrate, and a second substrate holding unit that holds a plurality of substrates on each of which the chemical solution is held in the second processing chamber. |
| US08765001B2 |
Texturing of monocrystalline semiconductor substrates to reduce incident light reflectance
Monocrystalline semiconductor substrates are textured with alkaline solutions to form pyramid structures on their surfaces to reduce incident light reflectance and improve light absorption of the wafers. The alkaline baths include hydantoin compounds and derivatives thereof in combination with alkoxylated glycols to inhibit the formation of flat areas between pyramid structures to improve the light absorption. |
| US08764997B2 |
Surface treatment of an organic or inorganic substrate for enhancing stability of a lithographically defined deposited metal layer
A method of metal deposition may include chemically modifying a surface of a substrate to make the surface hydrophobic. The method may further include depositing a layer of metal over the hydrophobic surface and masking at least a portion of the deposited metal layer to define a conductive metal structure. The method may also include using an etching agent to etch unmasked portions of the deposited metal layer. |
| US08764995B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) photomasks, and fabrication methods thereof
Embodiments of EUV photomasks and methods for forming a EUV photomask are provided. The method comprises providing a substrate, a reflective layer, a capping layer, a hard mask layer, and forming an opening therein. An absorber layer is then filled in the opening and over the top surface of the hard mask layer. A planarizing process is provided to remove the absorber layer above the top surface of the hard mask layer and form an absorber in the opening, wherein the absorber is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the hard mask layer. |
| US08764989B2 |
Ozone purification system for water
An ozone purification system for fluids that includes a pump having an inlet for receiving the fluid. The pump includes at least one opening. An expansion tank is in communication with a first of the at least one opening of the pump, wherein the fluid may flow from the pump through the at least one opening to the expansion tank. The system includes an ozone generator having an ozone impregnator, which is in fluid communication with the expansion tank and is adapted to inject an amount of ozone into the fluid. A holding tank is in communication with the pump. A valve is in communication with the pump and includes a first and a second position. The valve directs the fluid to exit the system when valve is in the first position, and the valve recycles the fluid to the expansion tank when the is in the second position. |
| US08764981B2 |
Dialysis treatment devices for removing urea
Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including: 1) a first filter having a filtration membrane, 2) a urea removal unit having urease and in fluid communication with the first filter, and 3) a second filter having an ion rejection membrane and in fluid communication with the first filter and the urea removal unit. |
| US08764977B2 |
Sump filter restraining device
A sump filter assembly for filtering hydraulic fluid supplied by a transmission sump includes a filter housing, a support member, a retainer member, and a biasing member. The filter housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface opposes a bottom surface of the transmission sump. The support member includes a first end portion attached to the filter housing. The retainer member is slideably connected to the support member and includes a first end portion having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface opposes the top surface of the filter housing. The biasing member has a first end in contact with the retaining surface of the retainer member and a second end in contact with the top surface of the filter housing. |
| US08764969B2 |
Methods for operating chemically sensitive sensors with sample and hold capacitors
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis. |
| US08764966B2 |
Electrochemical process and device for hydrogen generation and storage
Both the reaction of hydride-forming compositions with hydrogen to form hydrides, and the decomposition of such hydrides to release hydrogen may be promoted electrochemically. These reactions may be conducted reversibly, and if performed in a suitable cell, the cell will serve as a hydrogen storage and release device. |
| US08764964B2 |
Electrochemical formation of hydroxide for enhancing carbon dioxide and acid gas uptake by a solution
A system for forming metal hydroxide from a metal carbonate utilizes a water electrolysis cell having an acid-producing anode and a hydroxyl-producing cathode immersed in a water solution of sufficient ionic content to allow an electric current to pass between the hydroxyl-producing cathode and the acid-producing anode. A metal carbonate is placed in close proximity to the acid-producing anode. A direct current electrical voltage is provided across the acid-producing anode and the hydroxyl-producing cathode sufficient to generate acid at the acid-producing anode and hydroxyl ions at the hydroxyl-producing cathode. The acid dissolves at least part of the metal carbonate into metal and carbonate ions allowing the metal ions to travel toward the hydroxyl-producing cathode and to combine with the hydroxyl ions to form the metal hydroxide. The carbonate ions travel toward the acid-producing anode and form carbonic acid and/or water and carbon dioxide. |
| US08764959B2 |
Electro-formed sheath for use on airfoil components
A method of manufacturing a sheath for protecting an airfoil component includes the steps of establishing an electro-forming solution having cobalt and phosphorus and electro-forming the sheath with a composition that includes the cobalt and the phosphorus using the electro-forming solution. |
| US08764958B2 |
High-voltage microfluidic droplets actuation by low-voltage fabrication technologies
A bi-state-switch low-voltage fabrication technique is able to be used to construct microfluidic systems leveraging well-established low-voltage semiconductor fabrication technologies to achieve high-voltage droplet actuation applications with lower costs, smaller device sizes, and also less time. Also, the electrode cells are able to be made using the well-established low-voltage CMOS fabrication technologies, which can be used to make large-scale integrated microelectronics and microfluidics. |
| US08764957B2 |
Water treatment using a bipolar membrane
A method of water treatment comprising: providing an electrolysis device comprising an electrolysis vessel; providing feed streams to the first salt water chamber of the vessel, second salt water chamber of the vessel, acidic chamber of the vessel, and alkalic chamber of the vessel, the acidic chamber producing an acidic solution and the alkalic chamber producing an alkalic solution; directing at least a portion of the contents of the first and second salt water chambers into a precipitation tank; directing at least a portion of the alkalic solution into the precipitation tank, thereby increasing the pH in the precipitation tank to produce precipitate; and removing the precipitate from the precipitation tank. |
| US08764948B2 |
Processing biomass containing materials
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation. |
| US08764945B2 |
Industrial continuous cracking device of rubber
This invention is regarding an industrial continuous cracking device of rubber. The technical program of this invention is as following: including the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder, and the internal cylinder has promoting mechanism; the heating mechanism is provided in one of the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder, wherein the internal cylinder wall is fixed with heat plates. These heat plates adopt different forms, such as separated plate, intermittent or continuous helical ribbon, and so on. According to the instance of other structures of the equipment, they not only are adapted to be fixed in the internal cylinder, but also adapted to be fixed in the wall of the internal cylinder. The simple structure used in this invention has realized the effect of improving the heat efficiency, reducing the energy consumption and decreasing the running cost. |
| US08764943B2 |
Industrial fabric including spirally wound material strips with reinforcement
An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric, belt or sleeve may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water. |
| US08764941B2 |
Base paper of aramid fiber honeycomb core and manufacturing method thereof
A base paper of aramid fiber honeycomb core and its manufacturing method are provided. The base paper comprises 11-90 parts by weight of structural fiber, 10-70 parts by weight of crosslinking fiber, and 0-19 parts by weight of additive fiber, wherein the structural fiber is poly(p-phenylene terephthal amide) fiber, the crosslinking fiber is poly(m-phenylene isophthal amide) fibrid, and the additive is polyester fiber. |
| US08764931B2 |
Method of manufacturing cushioning elements for apparel and other products
A method for manufacturing a cushioning element may include securing a plurality of pad components to pins that extend outward from a base, each of the pins having a non-circular short-axis cross-sectional shape. The pad components are then compressed between the base and a material layer to bond the pad components to the material layer. In some configurations, the pins may have an elongate short-axis cross-sectional shape. In some configurations, the pins may have an elliptical short-axis cross-sectional shape. Additionally, in some configurations, the pins may have a short-axis cross-sectional shape selected from triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, and semi-circular. |
| US08764930B2 |
Manufacturing method of flat-panel display device and adhesive-resin application apparatus therefor
An embodiment of manufacturing method of a flat-panel display device having a display panel and a transparent protector sheet; comprises: setting a bi-directionally Y-shape branched line pattern within a rectangular to-be-bonded area, which is formed of two Y-shaped intersections of a center line and angle bisector lines of the corners, of the to-be-bonded area; and applying adhesive resin onto the protector sheet or onto the display panel by forming circular or ellipsoidal dot patterns of applied adhesive resin so that: the dot patterns are arranged on the center-line segment and on the branch lines or their vicinities; and the dot patterns are arranged in symmetry with respect to the center line and to its perpendicular bisector. |
| US08764929B2 |
Method of promoting adhesion and bonding of structures and structures produced thereby
The disclosure provides in one embodiment a method of promoting adhesion on a composite surface. The method comprises providing a composite structure having at least one composite surface to be bonded. The method further comprises preparing the at least one composite surface. The method further comprises providing a chemical derivatization compound containing active functional groups that promote adhesion. The method further comprises depositing the chemical derivatization compound on the prepared composite surface to form a functional group-adhesive promoter derivatized layer. The method further comprises applying an adhesive layer to the derivatized layer. The method further comprises heat curing the adhesive layer to result in a bond with another structure made of a composite, a metal, or a combination thereof. |
| US08764924B2 |
Tire carcass building method and drum
To build a tire carcass, a tubular carcass body is formed about a building drum, which has a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface coaxial with the longitudinal axis and defined at least partly by a ring of longitudinal articulated rods lying in respective planes of a sheaf of planes through the longitudinal axis; the building drum locking two bead bundles to the tubular carcass body and torus-shaping the tubular carcass body by moving and/or deforming the articulated rods in their planes. |
| US08764922B2 |
Method of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article orientated in the machine direction with reduced curl
The present disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article oriented in the machine direction wherein the body adhering absorbent articles have reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, stretching the web of shell material in the longitudinal direction, deadening at least one region of the stretched web of shell material, attaching at least one absorbent article component to at least a portion of the longitudinal deadened zone to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article. |
| US08764920B2 |
Aluminum-copper alloys containing vanadium
New 2xxx aluminum alloys containing vanadium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy includes 3.3-4.1 wt. % Cu, 0.7-1.3 wt. % Mg, 0.01-0.16 wt. % V, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The new alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as in the T39 or T89 tempers. |
| US08764914B2 |
Aqueous quenching media and use thereof in quenching metal substrates
Aqueous media for quenching metal substrates are provided and contain (i) a polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyvinylcaprolactam copolymer and (ii) one or more of a second polymer, which is selected from (a) a substituted oxazoline polymer; (b) a poly(oxyethylene-oxyalkylene) glycol; or (c) a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer. The quenching bath provides reduced cooling rates through the martensite temperature ranges. Also provided are processes for quenching metal substrates using these quenching media. |
| US08764912B2 |
Method of cleaning nozzle and device for cleaning nozzle
The present invention provides a nozzle cleaning method and a nozzle cleaning device which allow to surely perform cleaning of a dispensing nozzle and which allow reduction in cleaning time. For this purpose, a nozzle cleaning method for cleaning a dispensing nozzle (50) for suctioning and discharging a liquid includes: a first cleaning step in which, after termination of dispensing, an inner wall surface of the dispensing nozzle (50) is cleaned in an upper portion of a storage tank (62) overflowed with a cleaning liquid (L2) by discharging a liquid for preload (L1); and a second cleaning step in which at least an outer wall surface is cleaned by lowering and immersing the dispensing nozzle (50) into the storage tank (62) overflowed with the cleaning liquid (L2). |
| US08764909B2 |
Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system that has a dosing device
A water-conducting appliance, including a compartment for receiving items therein for washing; and a cleaning agent dosing system having a dosing device for dosing at least one cleaning agent, in particular a liquid cleaning agent, into the washing compartment, the dosing device including a dosing chamber for holding a cleaning agent, an outlet, a gate for opening and closing the dosing chamber, and an actuator system for actuating the gate to move between an opening position and a closing position, the actuator system including transfer means operably connected to the gate such that a predetermined movement of the transfer means moves the gate, opening means for moving the transfer means in a first direction operable to open the gate, and return means for moving the transfer means in a second direction to close the gate. |
| US08764908B2 |
Method of controlling the operation of a dishwasher
A method of controlling the operation of a dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid toward the dish rack. |
| US08764898B2 |
Adhesive composition for the non-permanent adhesion of finger and thumb picks for the play of stringed instruments
A water-based non-permanent adhesive solution composition comprised of water, gum arabic powder, sodium benzoate, citric acid and denatured alcohol capable of being applied directly to the thumb and playing fingers for players of stringed instruments including, but not limited to, banjos, steel guitars, and Dobros. When applied to the thumb and playing fingers the solution quickly and safely binds the picks to the skin to prevent the picks from slipping or falling off during prolonged periods of play. |
| US08764897B2 |
Oil type release agent for die casting method for getting solvent mixing ratio, casting method, and spray unit
An oil type release agent is provided, containing 70 to 98 parts by weight of solvents having dynamic viscosity of 2 to 10 mm2/s at 40° C. and a flash point in the range of 70 to 170° C., 1 to 10 parts by weight of high viscosity mineral oils and/or synthetic oils having dynamic viscosity of 100 mm2/s or higher at 40° C., 15 parts by weight or less of a silicone oil having dynamic viscosity of 150 mm2/s or higher at 40° C., and 1 to 5 parts by weight of additives having a lubricating function. The flash point of the agent is in the range of 70 to 170° C., and the dynamic viscosity of the agent is 2 to 30 mm2/s or higher at 40° C. |
| US08764895B2 |
Metallic dispersions for inkjet printing
A dispersion of silver particles and a method of making the dispersion and ink are described. The dispersion or ink may be an aqueous dispersion or ink and may produce silver images having improved properties such as an improvement in gloss. |
| US08764894B2 |
Ink dispersion
An ink dispersion includes an ink vehicle and a colorant dispersed in the ink vehicle. The ink vehicle includes a non-ionic surfactant and a solvent. The non-ionic surfactant has an HLB value ranges from about 5 to about 16, and is chosen from: i) a material represented by one of the formulas R1—O—(OR2)n—H, R1—(OR2)n—OH or R1—C6H4—(OR2)n—OH, wherein: R1 is chosen from a) a linear or cyclic alkyl group including from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, or b) a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group including from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is chosen from CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2, and n is an integer chosen from 2 to 100; or ii) a diester having at least one ethylene oxide repeating unit; or iii) an octylphenol having at least one ethylene oxide repeating unit. |
| US08764887B2 |
Methods for electrochemically induced cathodic deposition of crystalline metal-organic frameworks
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for preparing crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The method includes the steps of providing an electrolyte solution in contact with a conductive surface, and applying a current or potential to the conductive surface in contact with the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution includes a protonated organic ligand, a metal ion, and a probase. Application of the reductive current or potential to the conductive surface produces the crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) deposited on the conductive surface. The MOFs produced by the method may be incorporated into a gas separation membrane, a purification filter, and/or a sensor. |
| US08764885B2 |
Systems and methods for separating condensable vapors from gases by direct-contact heat exchange
Condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide are separated from light gases in a process stream. The systems and methods employ a direct exchange heat exchanger to desublimate the condensable vapors from the process stream. The condensable vapors are condensed by directly contacting a heat exchange liquid in the direct contact heat exchanger while the uncondensed light gases from the process stream form a separated light-gas stream. The separated light-gas stream can be used in a recuperative heat exchanger to cool the process stream. |
| US08764884B2 |
CO2 recovery system and method
A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate. |
| US08764880B2 |
Phosphinic acids and their sulfur derivatives and methods for their preparation
The present invention provides phosphinic acids and their sulfur derivatives, in accordance with the following formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are different and each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from an organic radical that branches at the alpha carbon and an organic radical that branches at the beta carbon, and each of X and Y is independently O or S, and wherein said compound is a liquid at room temperature. Compounds of formula (I) find utility for example as metal extractants. Also provided are methods for making compounds of formula (I) and their corresponding phosphine intermediates. |
| US08764879B2 |
Process for slag foaming a non-stainless steel melt in an electric arc furnace
During the production of non-stainless steel, slag containing a high proportion of metal oxides, primarily iron oxide, is formed during the smelting of the solid material in the electric arc furnace. The concentration of the iron oxide often reaches values of more than 20%. This slag has a poor foaming capability and does not permit the typical characteristics of a carbon steel slag to be achieved. In order to cause such a slag to foam, according to the invention it is proposed to load the electric arc furnace with pellets or briquettes (8) which consist of a defined mixture of an iron oxide carrier and an iron carrier as ballast material, of carbon as reducing agent and also of a binder material, which react in the electric arc furnace in a reducing manner, floating under the slag (7) in the steel melt (6). The reaction gases (12) produced in this way consist primarily of carbon monoxide and advantageously support the foaming of the slag. |
| US08764873B2 |
Nutrient yielding bio-renewable controlled release fertilizer coatings
Animal waste is processed to form a biomaterial that is employed as a coating layer for typical fertilizer particles. The biomaterial coating layer can be used neat or with additives and serves to do one or more or any combination of the following: (a) impart a slow or controlled release property to the fertilizer, (b) prevent or reduce the tendency of the fertilizer particles to cake together, or (c) prevent or reduce the tendency of the fertilizer particles to create dust. The biomaterial coating layer can also release nutrients when used as part of a fertilizer composition. |
| US08764872B2 |
Honeycomb filter and manufacturing method of the same
A honeycomb filter includes a honeycomb base material, plugged portions, and a porous collecting layer disposed on the surface of the partition wall parent material in at least the remaining cells. The collecting layer has a constitution in which a plurality of particles combine or intertwine with one another, and the collecting layer includes fibrous fiber particles as the plurality of particles, and includes the particles having an average fiber diameter of 0.1 to 15 μm and an average aspect ratio of 3 or larger. An open area ratio of the surface of the collecting layer is 20% or larger. |
| US08764871B2 |
High efficiency paint arrestance filter
Various examples of the inventive subject matter include a method and corresponding system for fabricating a combination paint arrestance filter for use in the painting industry. Embodiments of the system include a single-stage combination filter having a number of first layer media pockets and a number of second layer media pockets arranged downstream of the first layer pockets. An opening of each of the first layer media pockets is arranged in parallel with one another to receive an incoming airflow into the single-stage combination filter. Each of the second layer media pockets is at least 99.97% efficient at removing 0.3 micron and larger particles at a face velocity on the filter of about 37 meters per minute. |
| US08764870B2 |
V-shaped filter and fixture
A V-shaped filter includes a pair of filter media panel elements having respective root ends and diverging therefrom to distal ends in a V-shape. A single unitarily molded fixture is provided, securing the pair of filter media panel elements in the V-shape. |
| US08764869B2 |
Gas cleaning separator
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet. |
| US08764866B2 |
Engine device
An engine device is disclosed in which a gas purifying filter can be disposed, with high rigidity, in an engine as one constituent part of the engine and the need of countermeasures against exhaust gas for each of the devices of a vehicle is eliminated, and general versatility of the engine can be enhanced. The engine device includes a diesel engine having an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas purifying device which purifies exhaust gas discharged from the diesel engine. A plurality of filter supporting bodies which support the exhaust gas purifying device are provided on an upper portion of a flywheel housing in the diesel engine. The exhaust gas purifying device is connected to the exhaust manifold and connected to the flywheel housing through the plurality of filter supporting bodies. |
| US08764865B2 |
Shaped abrasive particles with grooves
Abrasive particles comprising shaped abrasive particles each having a sidewall, each of the shaped abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina and having a first face and a second face separated by a sidewall and having a maximum thickness, T; and the shaped abrasive particles further comprising a plurality of grooves on the second face. |
| US08764857B2 |
System and method for downdraft gasification
A downdraft gasifier for producing a gaseous fuel to be used in an engine from a carbonaceous material with a pyrolysis module, a reactor module, and a heat exchanger system that cooperate to produce the gaseous fuel from the carbonaceous material and to extract particulates from the gaseous fuel from the reactor. The heat exchange system includes a first heat exchanger coupled to the dryer module that heats the carbonaceous material with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to dry the carbonaceous material; a second heat exchanger coupled to the pyrolysis module that heats the dried carbonaceous material with the exhaust from the engine to pyrolyze the dried carbonaceous material into tar gas and charcoal; and a third heat exchanger coupled to the reactor module that heats air used to combust the tar gas with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to preheat the air. |
| US08764854B1 |
Reference fuel composition
In some embodiments, a deposit-forming reference fuel composition comprises a high sulfur base fuel composition in an amount greater than 50 weight % based on total weight % of the deposit-forming reference fuel composition, wherein the high sulfur base fuel composition comprises greater than or equal to 200 ppm sulfur based on total sulfur content of the base fuel composition. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition also comprises a reactive diolefin dopant; and a reaction initiating peroxide. The reaction initiating peroxide has an active oxygen content greater than or equal to 2 weight % based on total oxygen content of the reaction initiating peroxide and a half-life temperature of 80° C. to 200° C. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition is free from a detergent additive and has a concentration ratio of greater than 1:1 for the reactive diolefin dopant to the reaction initiating peroxide. |
| US08764852B2 |
Battery pack including an electric harness and method of manufacturing the same
A battery pack including an electric coupling assembly. The battery pack includes a top housing, a bottom housing, a cell pad, a plurality of battery cells, a harness, and a circuit board. The harness includes a frame and electric coupler assembly having a plurality of internal and external electric couplings. The internal and external electric couplings include cell couplings and circuit board couplings. The internal and external couplings are held in place during manufacturing by links which are cut after the electric coupler assembly is molded into the frame. |
| US08764851B2 |
Antimicrobial fabrics made using sol-gel/N-halamine chemistry, and methods of making same
Methods of treating fabrics using sol-gel halamine chemistry to impart antimicrobial properties thereto are described, as well as fabrics produced by the described methods. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial fabrics may be used to fabricate antimicrobial divider curtains for use in hospitals and medical facilities. |
| US08764846B2 |
Hip prosthesis
The present invention relates to a hip prosthesis (1) comprising a femoral stem (20) that can be inserted within the medullar channel of a patient femur, the medial side (21) of said femoral stem (20) having, in the proximal portion (40), the shape of an arc, said femoral stem (20) being provided with substantially longitudinal lateral reliefs (60, 61), so that said stem (20) can be fixed to the bone tissue by pressure, and a prosthetic neck (30), provided with means for coupling with a morse cone type spherical head (31), said prosthesis (1) being characterized in that the cross section of said longitudinal reliefs (60, 61) has an apex portion (60′), having the lateral walls included within a first angle (c), and a base portion having the lateral walls included within a second angle (d), which is minor or equal to said first angle (c), and in that grooves (63) are provided between said longitudinal reliefs (60, 61), that can be homogeneously filled with spongious bone tissue. |
| US08764843B2 |
Cotyle comprising a sterile interface
A cotyle including a metallic insertion acetabular shell having an outer, essentially hemispherical, convex anchoring face formed in such a way as to be anchored in a cotyloid cavity of the pelvis of a patient, and a concave receiving face. The cotyle also includes a fixed definitive articular ceramic insert having an outer face engaging in the concave receiving face of the metallic insertion acetabular shell, and an inner receiving face including a concave, essentially hemispherical, articular surface for allowing the engagement and pivoting of a femoral prosthesis head or a mobile articular insert. The cotyle is packed in its assembled sterile state, with the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert engaged in the metallic insertion acetabular shell having a peripheral receiving structure that can receive means for fixing an impacter for positioning a cotyle and is designed in such a way that the impacter can be fixed to the cotyle in the presence of the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert. |
| US08764840B2 |
Tibial prosthesis
A tibial prosthesis has a bearing component configured for an anterior-medial insertion, which advantageously avoids the extensor mechanism of the knee. A tibial tray may include a banana-shaped boss that corresponds to a notch formed in the bearing component. After the bearing component is inserted along the anterior-medial path, the boss is received within the notch by rotating the bearing component with respect to the tibial tray. This rotation seat the bearing component upon the tibial tray in the manner of a fixed-bearing prosthesis. Alternatively, the boss and notch may define angled central axes which allow straight anterior-medial insertion of the bearing component and locking engagement to the tibial tray. |
| US08764838B2 |
Tibial bearing component for a knee prosthesis with improved articular characteristics
An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with articular features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee, promote and/or accommodate desired articulation with an abutting femoral component, and facilitate expedient and effective implantation by a surgeon. |
| US08764835B2 |
Intervertebral disc treatment methods and apparatus
Instrumentation and methods facilitate reconstruction of the anulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposus (NP). An intra-aperture component is dimensioned for positioning within a defect in the AF, with one or more components being used to maintain the intra-aperture component in position. The intra-aperture component may be porous and flexible while being intentionally non-expandable in cross section following its positioning within the defect. A component used to maintain the intra-aperture component within the defect includes a flexible longitudinal fixation component that passes through the intra-aperture component and a region of the AF apart from the defect. If available, this may be a region of the AF having overlapping layers with intact fibers in different directions. The flexible longitudinal fixation component may be anchored to one of the upper and lower vertebral bodies. |
| US08764834B2 |
Intervertebral disk prosthesis
A method of limiting the movability of an intervertebral disk prosthesis with regard to pivoting movements, and an intervertebral disk prosthesis. The method includes the step of asymmetrically limiting at least one of a flexion-extension movement, a lateral bending, and a rotation about a vertical axis in order to limit the movability of the prosthesis. The prosthesis comprises articulated prosthesis components, and movement-limitation measures configured to limit movability of the components with respect to flexion-extension movement, lateral bending and a rotation about a vertical axis of the prosthesis in a defined manner. |
| US08764832B2 |
Anterior hybrid implant
An implant configured for placement through an anterior surgical approach made of at least two different materials. The implant may include materials with varying radiolucency and mechanical properties. Such a hybrid implant may offer controlled radiographic visibility and optimized structural properties for implant placement, including placement for use in spinal arthrodesis. |
| US08764831B2 |
Intervertebral implant
An intervertebral implant having a three-dimensional body and a securing plate. The intervertebral implant also includes a front plate (8) displaceably disposed as an insert with a front side of the three-dimensional body. |
| US08764830B2 |
Disc-shaped orthopedic devices
Methods and apparatuses for treatment of various joint conditions include a device inserted into a joint space. During delivery, the profile of the device is constrained in at least one dimension to minimize invasive impact on tissue and/or bone. The device may be restrained for implantation by a thread or a rigid elongate member. After insertion, the device may expand at the implantation site. |
| US08764822B2 |
Method of calculating the required power of a toric implant
A method for calculating the required power of a toric implant by using both the measured pre-operative corneal astigmatism and the predicted surgically-induced post-operative astigmatism. The surgically-induced post-operative astigmatism is predicted using power vector analysis of the surgical technique employed by the surgeon. Such a method provides a more accurate method of calculating the required post-operative refractive power of the implant. The method can be implemented manually, but preferably is automated by implementation on a computer through appropriate software. |
| US08764820B2 |
Transapical heart valve delivery system and method
A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus. The system includes a balloon catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve through an introducer in an antegrade fashion to the aortic annulus. The balloon catheter passes through an introducer that accesses the left ventricle through its apex and a small incision in the chest wall. The balloon catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to the distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the aortic annulus. A slider in a deflection handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment. The method includes using two concentric rings of purse-string sutures around the puncture in the left ventricular apex to maintain a good seal around instruments passed therethrough. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized. |
| US08764819B2 |
Arterial device, system and method for removing embolic debris
An arterial device, system and method are provided for use with a patient undergoing a cardiac procedure. The system is configured for enabling one or more arterial devices to be accommodated in the aorta of the patient in use of the system, and a perfusion lumen arrangement provides therethrough a target perfusion flow into the aorta having a target perfusion flow rate that is significantly greater than a nominal perfusion flow rate, by an excess perfusion flow rate. A suction lumen arrangement provides therethrough a suction flow out of the aorta at a suction flow rate. The target perfusion flow rate and the suction flow rate may be concurrently and selectively controlled to cause embolic debris that may be present in the aorta to be diverted to the suction inlet, while providing the nominal flow rate to the body circulation of the patient. |
| US08764818B2 |
Heart valve replacement
A prosthetic heart valve includes a radially expandable stent and a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes a coaptation portion, an arcuate edge, and a belly. The coaptation portion is movable relative to respective coaptation portions of the other leaflets. The arcuate edge has a first end and a second end and is coupled to the stent. The belly extends from the arcuate edge to an axis defined by the first and second ends of the arcuate edge, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the belly to the outer cross-sectional area of the expanded stent is about 0.09 to about 0.16. |
| US08764817B2 |
Methods for securing strands of woven medical devices and devices formed thereby
Disclosed are methods for securing the intersection formed by two or more crossed strands. The intersection defines at least two sections. The practice of the disclosed methods includes bending a securing material, such as a suture or other suitably biocompatible material, through at least two of the sections formed by the intersection, and joining them to secure the intersection. Also disclosed are devices formed by using securing material to secure the intersection of crossed strands of a medical device, such as a woven stent. The secured intersection or intersections of the resultant device enhance the structural integrity of the device, and may serve to eliminate the possible unwinding or release of unsecured, or free, strand ends. Radiopaque materials, in addition to polymers, may be used as securing material. |
| US08764814B2 |
Tissue penetration device and method
A medical device for canalization of a tissue comprises a radially expandable and crimpable or collapsible substantially tubular member that has a rear end, a front end, and a pattern of struts or a mesh of wires arranged in-between the rear end and the front end, arranged around an interior of the device. The tubular member has extensions, which are arranged towards the interior of the device in a first state of the device, and towards an exterior of the medical device in a second state of the device, wherein the second state of the medical device is the tubular member turned inside out. During storage, the device is restrained in a delivery catheter in the second state. During delivery the device turns outside in and digs into the tissue to create a channel therein, thus preventing or fixating debris or other matter to spread from the channel. |
| US08764813B2 |
Gradually self-expanding stent
A gradually self-expanding stent includes a first plurality of stent cells including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The stent also includes a second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The circumferentially adjacent structural members of the first and second plurality of stent cells have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A restraining material is attached to each of the circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells such that it substantially covers an entirety of each of the second plurality of stent cells in the compressed configuration. Over time, the restraining material releases the structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells, thereby allowing the second plurality of stent cells to assume the expanded configuration. |
| US08764812B2 |
Bifurcated graft deployment systems and methods
A method for deploying an endoluminal vascular prosthesis using a deployment catheter that has at least a main graft portion and a first branch graft portion. The deployment catheter preferably comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an outer sheath and an inner core that is axially moveable with respect to the outer sheath. The catheter preferably comprises a main graft restraint that has a main graft release mechanism comprising a main graft sheath and a suture threaded through a plurality of the openings in the main graft sheath. The catheter further comprises at least one branch graft restraint comprising at least one branch graft release mechanism. |
| US08764810B2 |
Bone anchoring device
A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shaft and a head; a receiving part for receiving the head and a rod, the receiving part being formed in one piece and having a top end and a bottom end, a bore extending from the top end to the bottom end, an inner wall defined by the bore, a substantially U-shaped channel adjacent to the top end for receiving the rod and a seat adjacent to the bottom end for accommodating the head; a pressure element; and a spring element having a spring force. The anchoring element is inserted from the top end and is pivotable with respect to the receiving part. The pressure element is movable in the bore so as to be able to fix the anchoring element at an angle with respect to the receiving part by exerting pressure onto the head. The spring element acts between the pressure element and the receiving part and allows the pressure element to be introduced from the top end but withstands against removal of the pressure element through the top end. |
| US08764807B2 |
Calcaneus step plate
A calcaneus plate provided with two vertically-spaced plate sections, with corner-located screw holes. An intermediate wall connects the plate sections. An arcuate protrusion extends from the intermediate wall and contains an internal sliding mechanism for a compression screw. The sliding mechanism includes an arc-shaped compression hole with an elongated opening that includes a ridge upon with the compression screw head can slide. |
| US08764804B2 |
Bone fastener and methods of use
A bone fastener comprises a proximal portion including an inner surface that defines a cavity. A carrier is disposed in fixed engagement with the inner surface and includes at least one arm defining a proximal face. A pivoting member is disposed with the carrier. The pivoting member defines an implant cavity with the proximal portion. A distal portion defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to penetrate tissue. The bone fastener further includes a first coupling member. The proximal portion is rotatable relative to the distal portion in a first plane of a body and the pivoting member is rotatable relative to the proximal portion in a second plane. The first coupling member is engageable with the proximal face such that the carrier engages the distal portion to fix the bone fastener in an orientation. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US08764803B2 |
Apparatus and method for aligning a spine
The present invention broadly comprises an assembly for performing a gradual lateral spinal alignment of a spine. The assembly includes a toggle bolt that includes a shaft and a toggle wing, a rigid stabilizing rod with an orifice, a cable attached to the toggle bolt and a tube enclosing the cable and extending out of the patient's back. The toggle bolt extends through the stabilizing rod and is positioned against the misaligned spine. The toggle bolt is placed in a bore through the body of a vertebra and deployed. The attached cable is pulled using the stabilizing rod as a brace to pull the spine into alignment. The device allows the spine to be gradually placed into alignment helping to avoid trauma on the spine and surrounding tissue. |
| US08764801B2 |
Facet joint implant crosslinking apparatus and method
A crosslink is provided for securing orthopedic implants, such as facet joint replacement implants, together. The crosslink has a pair of implant coupling components, a pair of rod coupling components, a rod, and a pair of fasteners. Each facet joint implant may include a semicylindrical interface received in a resilient member of the corresponding implant coupling component to permit relative cephalad/caudal adjustment between the crosslink and the implants. The resilient members grip the semicylindrical interface of the implant to enable at least temporary attachment of the implant coupling components to the implants independently of the rod. Clocking features on the semicylindrical interfaces and on the interfacing areas of the implant coupling components and rod coupling components may limit assembly of the crosslink to discrete relative orientations and prevent play after assembly. The fasteners secure the rod coupling components to the rod at the desired positions along the rod. |
| US08764800B2 |
Displacement device, use and system therefore
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a systems, devices and methods for displacing bones of a living mammal. In some embodiments, a device is provided which includes at least two engagement elements positioned at a distance from each other for engagement with two separate bones Each of the engagement elements may be carried by a support part which in turn is supported in a support portion of a distance unit (5). The said support part and support portion form a support unit, where each engagement element extends at an angle (α) with respect to a straight line (L) between two support units. At least one of the support units includes an arrangement for altering the angle which includes an actuating unit maneuverable for adjustment of the angle (α). Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a system for engagement with vertebrae including such devices (noted above), as well as uses of the device and associated methods of treatment. |
| US08764799B2 |
Device and method for nasal surgery
Methods, devices and systems for the treatment of nasal valve collapse or other conditions of the ear, nose or throat. |
| US08764796B2 |
Suture method
A method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure. |
| US08764791B2 |
Implantable graft to close a fistula
An implantable graft, which may be inserted into a fistula tract to occlude the primary opening of the fistula, is provided. The graft may have a curved, generally conical shape with a trumpet-like head end that continuously tapers to a smaller tail end. The graft may be an integral unit made of a single material, such as a heterograft material. Methods of closing single and multiple fistulae are also provided. |
| US08764789B2 |
System for performing remote ischemic conditioning
A system for performing remote ischemic conditioning includes an inflatable cuff configured to encircle a limb of a subject and a controller removably attached to the cuff. The controller includes a pump; a manifold in fluid communication with the pump; a connector in fluid communication with the manifold and in removable fluid communication with the inflatable cuff; a pressure sensor; and a control circuit configured to implement a remote ischemic conditioning treatment protocol. |
| US08764784B2 |
Tattoo needle housing and assembly
The present invention provides a tattoo needle housing, including: a substantially hollow structure configured to surround a plurality of tattoo needles, wherein the substantially hollow structure includes a bottom edge portion at one end thereof that has a shape that substantially matches and conforms to a collective shape of the tips of the plurality of tattoo needles taken as a group, wherein the substantially hollow structure includes one or more ports manufactured into one or more of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, and wherein the substantially hollow structure includes an end wall adjacent to the tips of the plurality of tattoo needles configured to form a reservoir to retain ink adjacent to the plurality of tattoo needles. |
| US08764780B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for forming incisions in ocular tissue
A surgical tool includes a surgical blade configured to be moved to form an incision. The surgical tool also includes a wire configured to cause movement of the surgical blade. The surgical tool further includes an actuator configured to shorten a length of the wire to cause the movement of the surgical blade. The surgical tool could be configured to move the surgical blade in a first direction and then in a second direction in response to a single shortening of the wire. Also, the wire could represent a first wire, the surgical tool could include a second wire, and the surgical tool could be configured to move the surgical blade in a first direction in response to shortening the first wire and to move the surgical blade in a second direction in response to shortening the second wire. |
| US08764776B2 |
Anastomosis method using self-retaining sutures
An anastomosis procedure utilizes a self-retaining suture to secure one vessel to another vessel. One or more self-retaining sutures are deployed around the interface between the vessels. The self-retaining sutures have tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the sutures in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. The self-retaining sutures may be deployed using a needle attached to the end of the sutures. The anastomosis technique may be performed without using knots. |
| US08764773B2 |
Surgical port for notes procedures
A dual use compression clip and surgical port device where the device serves as a surgical compression clip and surgical port in surgical procedures. The device comprises two compression elements each constructed having a bounding surface which when taken together form the boundary of a surgical port and one or more hinge elements in mechanical communication with the compression elements allowing the compression elements and the device to move from an open arrangement to a closed arrangement. The device also includes one or more apertures on each of the compression elements sized and configured to receive the insertion elements of an applicator instrument so that a force applied by the applicator instrument brings the device and compression elements from their open arrangement to their closed arrangement. A system and method for use of the device is also discussed. |
| US08764766B2 |
Insertion device
There is provided an insertion device allowing a doctor to alone perform an operation to insert a medical linear body. The insertion device, operated to insert a delivery wire (104) into a human body (131) through a blood vessel (132), includes a foot switch (41, 46) generating and outputting a signal to control starting/stopping a drive device (1) moving the delivery wire (104) in its longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the insertion device includes an insertion force sensor (60) operative to measure longitudinally compressive force exerted to the delivery wire (104), and a speaker (92) and a display (93) informing an operator of the compressive force measured by the insertion force sensor (60). |
| US08764764B2 |
Surgical plate puller devices and methods for use with surgical bone screw/plate systems
A plate puller device can include a head portion and extension rod portion. The device enables the fastener receiving member to be pulled against a bone surface before a head section of the fastener is advanced within the fastener receiving member into a locked position. The head portion can be positioned between the head section of the fastener and a surface of the fastener receiving member not adjacent to the bone surface. Also, a plate puller device can include a screwdriver, a grasper portion and a grasper sleeve. The grasper portion and grasper sleeve can be threadingly mated wherein rotation of the grasper sleeve forces a head portion of the grasper portion to grip the head section of the fastener to prevent the head section from advancing within the fastener receiving member. |
| US08764758B2 |
Orientation device for surgical implement
Orientation device for surgical use includes a frame and a level device attached to the frame. The feature may be oriented with a reference such as the Antero Superior Iliac Spine, the acetabulum or the operating table to position the pelvis or the device. The level device is adapted to define a reference plane. The device thus allows precise orientation with respect to the pelvis through use of a reference plane. |
| US08764755B2 |
Method for using a guard for creating a socket posteriorly in the lumbar spine
A method for guiding a bone removal device to form a socket in the human spine and for inserting a cortical bone implant into the socket. The method includes placing a guard against the posterior aspect of the spine, the guard having a passage therethrough, inserting the bone removal device into the passage, removing a portion of a facet joint with the bone removal device to create the socket having a maximum height, and inserting the cortical bone implant into the socket. The cortical bone implant has a leading end, a trailing end, a mid-longitudinal axis through the ends, and a height transverse to the mid-longitudinal axis, the height of the cortical bone implant being greater than the maximum height of the socket. |
| US08764750B2 |
Foot, ankle and lower extremity compression and fixation system and related uses
The present devices, systems and processes can simultaneously reduce a malady of the foot, ankle, and/or lower extremity and provide compression and stabilization through the use of a combined internal fixation device, external fixation device and a lower extremity stabilizing device. The various embodiments of the system are capable of providing adequate compression in the medial, central and/or lateral columns and/or sides of the foot, ankle, and/or lower extremity, as well as treating Charcot neuroarthropathy, fractures, revisional foot and combination of ankle surgeries. The external fixation device and/or lower extremity stabilizer can be removed after a certain period of time, leaving the internal fixation system within the body for prolonged stabilization and maintenance of the arthrodesis site(s). |
| US08764745B2 |
Cryoprobe clamp having transmurality assessment window
A cryoprobe clamp for creating a lesion in a target tissue comprises a housing portion, a handle extending from the housing portion, a clamp assembly including a distal blade and a proximal blade structured for clamping a target tissue therebetween, a trigger mechanism positioned adjacent the handle and operably coupled to the clamp assembly, and an ablation tool extending between the housing portion and the clamp assembly. The distal blade includes receiving means structured to receive a distal portion of the ablation tool, and the proximal blade includes an outer frame surrounding an open window portion. Upon clamping the target tissue between the distal and proximal blades, a lesion formed by the distal end of the ablation tool is visible through the window portion of the proximal blade. |
| US08764742B2 |
Irrigated catheter
A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication. |
| US08764739B2 |
Satellite-platformed electromagnetic energy treatment device
A satellite platform facilitates the dividing of a laser system into functional modules, and operates to provide one or more of the functional modules directly into (e.g., closer toward) a user's operational space. In a typical implementation, the satellite platform pairs two or more of the functional modules into a combination and places it in the user's operational space. The two or more functional modules can be two of the major components of the laser-system user interface, namely, the handpiece and the control panel. The combination is provided by way of the satellite platform directly into the user's operational space, while part, all, or a majority of, the laser system may remain away from the use's operational space (e.g., on the wall, on the counter-top or at the walk-way). A particular embodiment of the satellite platform takes the form of an articulated arm similar to that used for components in conventional dental chairs. |
| US08764731B2 |
Connector for fluid conduit with integrated luer access port
A connector (900) for fluid conduit includes a connector body (901) having a lumen (902) passing along a longitudinal axis (903), and a luer access port (800) extending distally along a transverse axis (905). The luer access port (800) is made from a thermoplastic elastomer (500) having a domed interior portion (501) and a stair-stepped perimeter (502) that is coupled to a cylindrical wall (600). The thermoplastic elastomer (500) and cylindrical wall (600) can be integrally coupled in an insert molding process. |
| US08764728B2 |
Sacrificial catheter
A sacrificial catheter assembly and method of use for placing a functional catheter within the body of a patient, such as into the patient's vasculature, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sacrificial catheter assembly comprises a sacrificial catheter including an elongate body that defines a longitudinally extending lumen. A stylet is removably received within the lumen of the sacrificial catheter such that the catheter and stylet can be advanced together to a target destination within the body of the patient. The sacrificial catheter is configured so as to then be proximally slid over the stylet to remove the sacrificial catheter from the body while the stylet remains in place at the target destination. A functional catheter can then be distally slid over the stylet to place the functional catheter at the target destination. The stylet can then be removed from the body of the patient. |
| US08764723B2 |
Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user. |
| US08764722B2 |
Absorbent article with cushioned waistband
A waistband structure for an absorbent article is disclosed. The waistband structure extending across at least one of the front and back waist regions and is composed of a filler material and a waistband material positioned over the filler material. The waistband structure may be bonded to at least one of the front and back waist regions via a bond pattern. The bond pattern may vary position in the longitudinal direction and have at least one peak and one valley across the respective waist region. Typically, a distance between the peak and the valley in the bond pattern is between 5 and 100 mm. The bond pattern results in a z-directional height of the waistband structure varying on the respective waist region. |
| US08764717B2 |
Seal for an ostomy appliance
The present invention relates to a sealing wafer (1) adapted to be arranged in a stoma receiving hole (5) of a base plate (2) comprising an attachment platform extending from an outer edge adapted to be attached to the base plate towards an inner edge defining a through-going hole (17) for receiving a stoma, the sealing wafer further comprising at least a first urging part extending transversely from the proximal surface facing towards the user during use of the attachment platform and wherein the first urging part is resilient in the direction transverse to the proximal surface. This provides a sealing wafer which is particularly suitable for use with a stoma around which the skin has an uneven curvature, such as a retracted stoma wherein the stoma has pulled back resulting in a crater-like area. |
| US08764712B2 |
Micro-needle array and method of use thereof
A micro-needle array is provided that may be used to deliver a bioactive agent to a therapeutic target. The micro-needle array preferably includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, and a bioactive agent. At least one micro-needle preferably includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a cavity defined by an inner surface. The bioactive agent may be disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles. The at least one micro-needle may further include a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. |
| US08764710B2 |
Blood exposure prevention in vascular access devices
An apparatus for preventing blood exposure or contamination upon withdrawal of a hypodermic needle is provided. The apparatus may include a needle having a tip and a shield configured to at least partially entrap the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle. The apparatus may further include a blood stabilizing material disposed such that upon withdrawal of the needle the blood stabilizing material is disposed in operative association with the needle tip such that blood carried by the needle is prevented from escaping the apparatus. In some exemplary implementations, the blood stabilizing material may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the shield. The shield of the hypodermic needle may include protective device and/or a housing for shielding the needle tip upon withdrawal. The housing may be adapted to at least partially cover the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle. In some implementations, the housing may be adapted to allow the protective device to shield the needle before the needle is completely withdrawn. |
| US08764707B2 |
Insertion device
An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle. |
| US08764702B2 |
Dialysis system having dual patient line connection and prime
A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument; a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument; a dual lumen patient line including dual lumens, the dual lumen patient line connected to the disposable cassette; and a priming sequence in which ends of the dual lumens are connected together, a first pump chamber of the disposable cassette pumps fluid through the dual lumens until fluid reaches a second pump chamber of the disposable cassette. |
| US08764700B2 |
Sheath for use with an ultrasound element
An apparatus for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site in a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow sheath having a distal opening and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material that transmits ultrasound energy. The apparatus also includes a drug delivery lumen positioned along at least a portion of the sheath, the drug delivery lumen having at least one drug delivery port within the energy delivery section. The apparatus further includes an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be movably positioned within the sheath, such that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section. |
| US08764697B2 |
Systems and methods for an advanced medical device
The present invention relates to a biologically active medical device, which includes a matrix seeded with progenitor cells, and then covered by ciliated tissue. The matrix is capable of enabling cellular migration. The ciliated tissue is ependymal cells that express at least one of tight junctional complexes, zonula adherens, and gap junctions. The progenitor cells include subpendymal progenitor cells. In some cases the progenitor cells include stem cells, and the ciliated tissue includes at least one of Choroid cells, tanacytes, and circumventricular organs. In some embodiments, the medical device is oriented into a tubular structure in order to form a cerebrospinal shunt. Additional cells and structures may be imbedded within the matrix, such as glia, endothelial cells, stem cells, and blood vessels. The medical device may also be incorporated into a bioreactor including a flexible inner tube defining an anthropomorphically shaped lumen. |
| US08764695B2 |
Reduction of galectin-3 levels by plasmapheresis
The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer. |
| US08764684B2 |
Guide wire for use with a catheter
A guide wire (1) for use with a catheter comprises a core wire (3) terminating in a distal portion (18) of flat ribbon-like construction having respective opposite major surfaces (29,30). A spring (24) is brazed to a distal end (27) of the distal portion (18) and to the core wire (3) at a tapering portion (14). A reinforcing member (38) extends axially along the distal portion (18) from a proximal end (26) of the distal portion (18) to a location (40) for reinforcing the distal portion (18) for in turn increasing its torsional rigidity in order to minimise axial twisting of the distal portion (18). A guide portion (42) of the distal portion (18) between the location (40) and the distal end (27) is provided to be bent at a desired set curved configuration for offsetting a distal tip (9) of the guide wire (1) from a central axis (8) thereof, so that by rotating the guide wire (1) at its proximal end (5) the distal portion (18) is also rotated for aligning the distal tip (9) with a branched vessel into which it is desired to direct and urge the guide wire (1). |
| US08764683B2 |
Medical device guidewire with a position sensor
A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an elongate shroud disposed about the corewire, the shroud having a distal end, and a plug coupled with the distal end portion of the corewire and the distal end of the shroud, the plug having a distal, non-traumatic tip portion, an interior between the corewire and the shroud being configured to receive a sensor. |
| US08764677B2 |
Implantable surface acoustic wave devices for long term clinical monitoring
A surface or bulk acoustic wave device can be implanted in or worn on a human or animal body to monitor various parameters thereof. The device comprises a pair of interdigitated transducers spaced apart over the surface of a piezo-electric substrate that is exposed to the parameter to be monitored. The device is interrogated by a radio-frequency signal being supplied to one of the transducers and detected after reflection by the other transducer. The parameter is measured by comparison of the supplied and received signals. |
| US08764674B2 |
Heart sound monitoring of pulmonary hypertension
A medical device system and method that includes receiving an A2 heart sound signal from a first external acoustic sensor, receiving a P2 heart sound signal from a second external acoustic sensor, determining at least one A2 heart sound signal parameter from the A2 heart sound signal, determining at least one P2 heart sound signal parameter from the P2 heart sound signal, and based on the at least one P2 heart sound signal parameter, estimating pulmonary arterial pressure. |
| US08764673B2 |
System and method for facilitating group coherence
Group coherence is facilitated in a group environment, such as a gaming, competitive, cooperative or collaborative environment. In one embodiment, a graphical representation of a scenario may be presented to a plurality of individuals. A physiological measure for each of the plurality of individuals may be sampled and used to track the individuals' heart rhythm patterns. A current group coherence level for the plurality of individuals may then be determined, where the group coherence level corresponds to a collective degree to which said plurality of heart rhythm patterns exhibit a sine waveform. In one embodiment, an appropriate modification to the scenario may be determined, where the modification is based on the current group coherence level. The updated graphical representation of the scenario may then be presented to the plurality of individuals. |
| US08764670B2 |
Blood pressure information measurement device
During a period of servo control, an artery volume of a peripheral site is detected by an artery volume sensor arranged at a peripheral site (site on the peripheral side than a measurement site) of a person to be measured. If an amount of change in the artery volume of the peripheral site or a value of the artery volume is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio of a reference value at the beginning of the measurement, the servo control and a blood pressure determination process are continued. When detected thereafter that the amount of change in the artery volume of the peripheral site or the value of the artery volume is smaller than the predetermined ratio of the reference value at the beginning of the measurement, the measurement is stopped at the relevant time point. |
| US08764669B2 |
Blood pressure information display device, blood pressure information display system, blood pressure information display method, and recording medium recorded with blood pressure information display program
A blood pressure information display device for calculating a blood pressure value based on a pulse wave amplitude through the oscillometric method and the like, and displaying the calculated blood pressure value as blood pressure information performs a process of changing a magnitude of a specified pulse wave amplitude of a plurality of extracted pulse wave amplitudes according to the operation by a user (medical staff) when a predetermined instruction is input. A predetermined algorithm is applied to the plurality of pulse wave amplitudes reflecting the change to calculate a reference blood pressure value, and the calculated reference blood pressure value is displayed as the blood pressure information. |
| US08764668B2 |
Disposable blood pressure transducer and monitor interface
A medical blood pressure transducer that provides an identifier to a monitor that conveys characteristics of the transducer. The monitor can use the information to decide whether to function, or in calibration of the system. The transducer may be part of a disposable blood pressure monitoring system, and may include two transducers closely-spaced to provide two separate but identical outputs. In this way, the transducer may be connected to both a patient monitor and a cardiac output monitor at the same time measurements from a single line can be simultaneously supplied to two separate monitoring devices (for example a patient monitor and a cardiac output monitor). The identifier for the transducer may be circuitry, specifically a resistance/capacitance (RC) combination that possesses a characteristic time constant. |
| US08764666B2 |
Ultrasound guided optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic probe for biomedical imaging
An imaging probe for a biological sample includes an OCT probe and an ultrasound probe combined with the OCT probe in an integral probe package capable of providing by a single scanning operation images from the OCT probe and ultrasound probe to simultaneously provide integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound imaging of the same biological sample. A method to provide high resolution imaging of biomedical tissue includes the steps of finding an area of interest using the guidance of ultrasound imaging, and obtaining an OCT image and once the area of interest is identified where the combination of the two imaging modalities yields high resolution OCT and deep penetration depth ultrasound imaging. |
| US08764665B2 |
Methods and apparatuses of microbeamforming with adjustable fluid lenses
An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium. |
| US08764660B2 |
Methods and apparatus for combined audible and ultrasound inspection of objects, including patients
An acquisition component is provided that includes an audible sound sensor configured to receive audible sounds within a sensing area and a multi-element ultrasound transducer configured to emit ultrasound signals and to receive reflections of the ultrasound signals in the same sensing area. The audible sound sensor and the multi-element ultrasound transducer may be configured to be simultaneously operable. |
| US08764659B2 |
Ultrasound image generating apparatus
An ultrasound image having a good image quality is generated in the neighborhood of a puncture needle without lowering the image quality of the whole ultrasound image. A first echo signal received by transmitting first ultrasonic waves focused on an imaging target position and a second echo signal received by transmitting second ultrasonic waves having the depth of the focal point positioned at a uniform position are obtained, the weights of the first echo signal and the second echo signal are determined according to the focal point positions of the respective ultrasonic waves, and weighted addition is performed to generate a corrected image. |
| US08764651B2 |
Fitness monitoring
A heart monitoring system for a user includes a body wearable appliance placed on or near the user skin and having one or more sensors to capture fitness data and a wireless transceiver to communicate fitness data; and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver to receive fitness data. |
| US08764650B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring and communicating pain and distress level
Systems and methods are described for communicating the distress or pain experienced by an infant or a non-communicative patient. The systems and methods can provide an objective quantification of pain and/or distress in conjunction with, e.g., various distressing procedures commonly found in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). The systems may include a processor in communication with a distress level input device and a display configured to provide a representation of a pain or distress score calculated in the processor. The processor may include executable code to translate data from the distress level input into the distress score. |
| US08764649B2 |
Surgical access system and related methods
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. |
| US08764644B2 |
Endoscope light source unit and endoscopy system
An endoscope light source unit comprising: a first light source section emitting a first illumination light composed of white light; a second light source section emitting a second illumination light orthogonally to a direction in which the first illumination light travels; a light combining member transmitting the first illumination light through a transmission section and, at the same time, reflecting the second illumination light by means of a reflection section to form a combined light so that a beam of the second illumination light may be located in a central part of a beam of the first illumination light; a shaping lens for modifying the beam of the second illumination light emitted; and a condenser lens for converging the combined light. |
| US08764643B2 |
Autofluorescence imaging system for endoscopy
A system and method for imaging tissue autofluorescence through a video endoscope is described, comprising a light source capable of providing both ultraviolet light capable of inducing tissue autofluorescence and visible light which induces little or no autofluorescence, an optical system to deliver both wavelength bands to the tissue with the same apparent spatial and angular intensity distribution, a means for digitally acquiring the resulting, visible fluorescence and visible reflectance images using a single imaging detector at the distal tip of the endoscope and a means for digitally processing said images to generate a final, false-color image for display which indicates regions of tissue dysplasia. This system can either be added on to an existing video endoscope or integrated into its structure. The combined system can be electronically switched between normal white light imaging and fluorescence imaging. |
| US08764642B2 |
Combined irrigation and rinsing tube set
A combined tube set for a disposable water bottle for a medical instrument includes a cap with threads suitable for attachment to various water bottles. The combined tube set provides a first tube set for rinsing that includes an air and water tubes, and air/water connector The combined tube set also provides a second tube set for irrigation that includes an irrigation connector, backflow valve(s), and flexible tubing section. In some embodiments, the tube set can provide warm and/or humid gas to the endoscope. |
| US08764638B2 |
Endotracheal intubation device
A detachable stylet assembly for endotracheal intubation of a patient is disclosed. The stylet comprises an elongated tube defining: a longitudinal axis, a proximal end for detachably mounting the stylet to a hand grip, and a distal end for entering the trachea of the patient. The tube comprises an articulation section adjacent the distal end adapted to curve into the trachea upon actuation. An actuator housing is mounted on and adjacent to the proximal end of the tube. An actuating assembly is constructed inside the actuator housing having connection means for engaging the hand grip. A control wire is mounted within the actuator housing and connected to the actuating assembly. The control wire extends through the tube to the distal end of the tube and is adapted to curve the articulation section upon actuation. The hand grip comprises a base handle and a trigger for manual actuation of the actuator assembly. The trigger comprises finger grooves for convenient gripping. The base handle comprises a hand stop to prevent slippage. |
| US08764634B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An endoscope system 100 is provided with an optical fiber cable 31 and an electrical cable 32a that transmit pixel information output by a light receiving part 28, an image processor 42 that generates an image based on the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 or the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a, and a control unit 55 that controls a display unit 71 to display the image generated by the image processor 42, determines whether or not a transmission abnormality is present in the optical fiber cable 31, and selects, as pixel information as a target to be processed by the image processor 42, one of the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 and the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a depending on a presence of the transmission abnormality in the optical fiber cable 31. |
| US08764631B2 |
Rotate to advance catheterization system
A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs. |
| US08764630B2 |
Endoscopic surgical procedure and surgical apparatus
A minimally invasive endoscopic surgical procedure or an endoscopic surgical procedure through natural orifices which includes: introducing a spacial structure in a shrunken state into a body cavity by a spacial structure introduction portion; enlarging the spacial structure in the body cavity; setting the enlarged spacial structure in a predetermined position in the body cavity and supporting the tissues inside of the body cavity with the set spacial structure; inserting a distal end of at least an endoscope or a treatment instrument from at least a part of an opening portion of the spacial structure, and orienting the distal end to a pathological lesion located on the inner side of the tissues inside of the body cavity which is supported by the spacial structure. |
| US08764628B2 |
Device to help alleviate reduced penile erection firmness
A device to help alleviate any reduced penile erection firmness may include a plurality of strands, each having a first end, a first keeper for gathering the first end of each of the plurality of strands, and a first loop operably coupled to the first keeper. A method to help alleviate any reduced penile erection firmness may include fitting a pair of strands around a user's scrotum, the pair of strands having first ends gathered by a first keeper and second ends gathered by a second keeper, moving one of the pair of strands upwards towards the base of the user's penis, so that the one of the pair of strands is situated at the base of the user's penis, pulling the first keeper and the second keeper over the top of the user's penis; and interlocking the first keeper and the second keeper over the top of the user's penis. |
| US08764625B2 |
Contoured elastomeric barrier for bowel retention and method of use
The invention provides a device for bowel packing having an essentially elliptical shape that is essentially symmetrical along a minor axis of the ellipse, and the device includes a notch located on the minor axis below the major axis. The device is composed of material comprising an elastomeric polymer and the device is appropriately sized for retaining the intestines of a mammal. The invention further provides methods of use of the devices of the invention for bowel packing. The invention further provides methods for increasing bowel packing speed, increasing effectiveness of bowel retention, decreasing the formation of post-operative intraperitoneal adhesions, and increasing temperature of the abdominal cavity during surgery by use of the device. |
| US08764624B2 |
Inductively powered remotely adjustable gastric banding system
A power management system provides wireless power to operate components of a remotely adjustable gastric banding system. The power management system comprises an external power component transmitting power, and an implantable power management component receiving power and converting the power for use in powering one or more components of the remotely adjustable gastric banding system, such as a pump. The internal power management component and the external power component may be tunable. By utilizing the power management system, implantable batteries may be eliminated. |
| US08764620B2 |
Multi-polar magnetic devices for treating patients and methods therefor
A system for treating patients includes a first magnetic device including a set of four magnetic discs arranged in an array, the four magnetic discs including two having negative magnetic poles lying in a first plane and two having positive magnetic poles lying in the first plane, wherein the two magnetic discs having negative magnetic poles extend along a first diagonal line and the two magnetic discs having positive magnetic poles extend along a second diagonal line that crosses the first diagonal line, and a housing containing the four magnetic discs for maintaining the magnetic discs in the array arrangement, the housing including an alignment marker for aligning the first magnetic device on a patient. |
| US08764617B2 |
Back stretching device
A back stretching device includes a handle unit including two parallel handgrip units. A support unit includes a lower cross bar connecting between front ends of the two handgrip tubes. A hold-down unit includes two parallel guide rods and an upper cross bar connecting between upper ends of the guide rods and parallel to the lower cross bar. The adjustment unit couples the guide rods to the handgrip tubes to define a distance-adjustable constraint space between the upper and lower cross bars. The constraint space receives the legs of a user to extend therethrough in a closely juxtaposed manner with the lower cross bar supporting the underside of the legs and with the upper cross bar constraining the upper side of the legs. The hands of the user are allowed to hold the two handgrip tubes to support the legs and body of the user for carrying out a desired stretching and exercise operation. |
| US08764608B2 |
Apparatus for applying torque for vibration reduction in vehicle parking system and method for controlling torque
A method for applying a torque for vibration reduction and controlling the torque in a vehicle parking system may include detecting a driver's intention to release a parking state of a vehicle being parked on a slope and applying an offset torque to the parking gear to offset the torque generated by the weight of the vehicle and the gradient of the slope. An apparatus for applying the method may include a torque converter and a gear unit for amplifying and applying the output torque from an engine in an idle state to the parking gear, and/or a drive motor which is directly connected to the parking gear, generates a torque using a power of a battery, and applies the torque to the parking gear. |
| US08764607B2 |
Fuel type based start-stop catalyst heating systems
A start-stop system includes a fuel type module that determines a fuel type of a fuel supplied to an engine. A threshold module determines a first threshold based on the fuel type. A temperature module estimates a temperature of a catalyst of an exhaust system of the engine. A comparison module compares the temperature to the first threshold and generates a comparison signal. A power module adjusts power to a heating circuit based on the comparison signal. The heating circuit is configured to increase temperature of the catalyst. The power module adjusts the power to the heating circuit to increase the temperature of the catalyst when the engine is shutdown. An engine control module shuts down and restarts the engine to reduce idling time of the engine. |
| US08764601B2 |
Carrier with center backbone and dual lateral cases
A carrier assembly includes a backbone having an internal cavity configured to receive a differential. A first lateral case is attached to a first end of the backbone and a second lateral case is attached to a second end of the backbone. |
| US08764599B2 |
AWD vehicle with active disconnect coupling having controlled lubrication
A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode. |
| US08764596B2 |
Auxiliary transmission oil pump integration
A transmission system of a vehicle comprises a pump, an auxiliary pump, and a transmission. The pump pressurizes transmission oil when an engine is operating. The auxiliary pump operably coupled to the pump and located parallel to the pump that pressurizes the transmission oil when the engine is not operating. The transmission selects a gear ratio based on the pressurized transmission oil. |
| US08764590B2 |
Light emitting archery device
A device for illuminating the impact point of an arrow. The device contains at least one light source. Upon impact with a target, the device detaches from the arrow and attaches to the target to illuminate the impact point. When the target is live game, the illumination highlights the impact point and assists in tracking the game. |
| US08764583B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
A multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer formed of an inner envelope layer, an intermediate envelope layer and an outer envelope layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover having a plurality of dimples on a surface thereof, arranged in that order. The three envelope layers, intermediate layer and cover are each formed primarily of a resin material of the same or different types. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material, and has a material hardness same as or lower than the core center hardness. One of the inner layers has a material hardness higher than the cover material hardness and/or the average core hardness. The golf ball has excellent flight performance, excellent controllability in the short game, a good feel on impact and excellent scuff resistance. |
| US08764582B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
A multi-piece solid golf ball has a solid core, an envelope layer that encloses the solid core, an intermediate layer that encloses the envelope layer, and a cover that encloses the intermediate layer and has a plurality of dimples on a surface thereof. The diameter of the solid core, the center hardness, surface hardness and hardness difference between the center and surface of the solid core, the thickness and surface hardness of the envelope layer, and the thickness and surface hardness of the intermediate layer are each optimized within specific ranges. Moreover, the intermediate layer is formed so as to be harder than the envelope layer and the cover. In addition, the thickness and surface hardness of the cover, and the combined thickness of the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover are each optimized within specific ranges. |
| US08764581B2 |
Systems and methods for manufacturing a golf ball
Embodiments provide systems and methods for manufacturing a multilayer golf ball having strong inter-layer bonding and desired structural characteristics, provided by including temporary, removable particles in a golf ball substrate and then removing the particles to form voids in the substrate, including the outer surface and interior of the substrate. Golf balls having the resulting strong inter-layer bonding and structural characteristics are also disclosed. |
| US08764575B1 |
Trampoline arena
A trampoline arena includes a framework assembly having a plurality of frame elements defining an outwardly sloping outer wall, and a deck, a plurality of voids being defined between the framework elements. The arena also includes a plurality of trampolines connected to the frame elements along peripheries thereof and extending across the plurality of voids to further define the outwardly sloping outer wall and deck, and a padding assembly including a plurality of pads overlying the frame elements and the peripheries of the trampolines. |
| US08764573B2 |
Gaming machine cabinet
A gaming machine, including a first cabinet including a first display for displaying a first game or information for the gaming machine, a second cabinet including a second display for displaying a second game, and a third cabinet including an input device for playing the game, wherein an area of a top surface of the third cabinet is wider than an area of a bottom surface of the second cabinet or a bottom surface of the first cabinet. |
| US08764571B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for using near field communication to implement games and applications on devices
A game kit of components for playing an electronic game or application and an apparatus and method of using the components of the game kit is provided. The game kit may include a plurality of near field communication game pieces including one or more items of data. At least one of the near field communication game pieces is configured to enable transmission of the items of data, via a near field communication, to a device to enable the device to decode the data and translate at least one item of the data to at least one item of virtual data that is included in an electronic game or an application currently being displayed. The near field communication may direct the transmission of the data to the device in response to a detection of the device entering a proximity of the game piece. |
| US08764570B2 |
Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing game program, and game system
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a reception process; a battle process; and a notification process. The reception process is for receiving a first operational input from a first player and a second operational input from a second player who is associated with the first player. The battle process is as follows: a battle between the first player and an opposing character starts based on the first operational input; a hit point parameter of the opposing character changes through the battle; an outcome of the battle is determined; a battle between the second player and the opposing character starts The notification process is for, before the outcome of the battle with the opposing character is determined in the battle process, notifying participation information to a third player. |
| US08764569B2 |
Systems, methods and computer software for live video/audio broadcasting
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to computer software for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). |
| US08764566B2 |
Internet remote game server
A gaming system, including a game outcome server, an account handling device and a client device communicatively coupled via network, is described. The game outcome server may be operable to send command, instructions, data or combinations thereof that allow an interface for a wager-based game to be generated on the client device, generate a game outcome for the wager-based game that is displayed on the client device and generate an update to a player balance maintained on the account handling device. The account handling device is operable to provide gaming services related to the game play on the client device including a) web-site hosting where the web-site lists available gaming services including games provided by the game outcome server, b) accounting, c) money handling including player account management and d) player eligibility functions. |
| US08764562B2 |
Method of providing a player interface in a gaming system
A method of providing a player interface for a gaming system comprising: displaying an object to a player comprising at least two faces, each face of the object associated with a game playable with the gaming system and having an image thereon corresponding to the game, the object being displayed such that at least one face is visible; providing to the player at least one view manipulation function to allow the player to manipulate viewing of the object to view each face of the object. |
| US08764560B2 |
Image integration with replaceable content
A video game adapter interface apparatus has a user input device and an associated video display. The user selects a distinguishable visual image representation for association into a video game's audiovisual presentation, such as where that user is identified. For example, color, size graphics or shape can be used to distinguish users. In one embodiment a digitized image of each user's face is used as the distinguishable representation. Alternatively, the user can create an original image or select one of a predetermined set of visual images as the user's identification for use in the video game audiovisual presentation. In a preferred video game embodiment, the video game adapter interface system is coupled to a video game system and a storage card containing User Images. The video game adapter interface system then integrates a selected User Image from the Storage Card into the video game's audiovisual presentation, and can also integrate the User Image into the video game play. For non-User Image video game software and for non-video game and audiovisual presentations, an Intercept Adapter Interface Systems permits the integration of User Images into the audiovisual presentation in place of and/or in addition to predefined character images otherwise present in the audiovisual presentation. |
| US08764553B2 |
Real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes
Systems and methods for real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes are presented. Clients are first qualified and given wagering limits before being allowed to interactively wager on event outcomes. Event outcomes may be based on, for example, financial markets and indices, sporting and entertainment events, casino performances, and natural phenomena such as weather and earthquakes. Events on which wagers can be placed include both those with known and unknown outcome probabilities, and wagers can be a fixed-odds type or a spread-bet type. Wager transactions, including acceptances and confirmations, are executed in real time. Clients can customize displays of events on which they are authorized to wager. Real-time client credit management, automatic dealer hedging, automatic price-spread adjustments, and automatic client and dealer defined wagering limits are also provided. |
| US08764549B2 |
Gaming machine and reel device thereof
A gaming machine includes: a reel having an outer circumferential surface on which symbols are lined up; a reel driving mechanism which rotates the reel to rearrange the symbols; a magnet which is provided in the reel driving mechanism to change an external magnetic field in accordance with the rotation of the reel; a magnetic force detecting mechanism which detects a magnetic force of the external magnetic field so as to output a magnetic force detection signal; a reel setting unit by which the magnetic force detection signal and arrangement positions of the symbols are associated with one another; and a reel drive control unit which controls the reel driving mechanism so that the symbols are rearranged in a predetermined arrangement based on the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement positions of the symbols. |
| US08764545B2 |
Multi-level wager games with autocomplete
Multi-level wager games are described in which play at higher levels in the game continues even if the player does not achieve a winning result for play at a given level. Such play at the higher levels may be completed automatically in an autocomplete mode, without any additional player interaction. A payout is awarded if the outcome of play at any of the higher levels is a winning result in accordance with a special pay table designed for such autocomplete mode. In one embodiment, the special pay table is constructed such that the odds of obtaining a winning result in the autocomplete mode are less than the odds of obtaining a winning result for play at the first level. For example, in a two level poker game, if the player loses in the first level with only a pair of sixes (pair of Jacks or better needed for a winning hand in the first level), the cards in the second hand are revealed and the player obtains a winning result for second level hand only if the hand is dealt a Royal Flush. |
| US08764544B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a Keno game including an additional number triggering event that causes at least one additional number to be added to a selected number set to form a modified number set
The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a keno game including an additional number triggering event that causes at least one additional number to be added to a selected number set to form a modified number set. A player number set and a gaming system number set are selected from a plurality of numbers. Upon an occurrence of an additional number triggering event, the gaming system adds at least one of the numbers to one of: the player number set to form a modified player number set, and the gaming system number set to form a modified gaming system number set. The gaming system determines any awards based on a comparison of the player number set (or the modified player number set) with the gaming system number set (or the modified gaming system number set), and provides any determined awards. |
| US08764541B2 |
Secondary game
In various embodiments, a secondary player may make a bet that pays based on aggregate data from multiple games of primary players. |
| US08764534B1 |
System and method for maintaining user engagement in a realm-building game
Disclosed herein is technology for extending a user's play of a realm-building game. A user playing the realm-building game may have an existing realm built from one or more basic assets. A value may be assigned to the existing realm based on basic assets used to build it. Then a difference may be determined between the value of the realm and a threshold value. If above the threshold value, the user may be offered the option to improve the realm for a cost. The cost may be based on the difference between the value assigned to the realm and the threshold value. If the user decides to improve the realm, the realm may be removed, including all assets used to build it and the user may be provided with one or more advanced assets to build a second realm. |
| US08764533B2 |
User interface processing apparatus, method, and medium for selecting an object in an application
Spotlight information that contains at least coordinate information indicating a coordinate at which an object is positioned is generated in accordance with a selection operation for selecting the object. A spotlight screen, including a spotlight illuminating region for receiving an operation input and a darkened region for receiving a request to cancel the selection operation, is displayed in accordance with the generated spotlight information. The received selection operation is determined in a case where a selection of the spotlight illuminating region is received. A predetermined region having its center at a coordinate at which the object is positioned is determined as the spotlight illuminating region. A predetermined region including a coordinate on which an object, for which the selection operation is not received, exists is determined as the darkened region in a case where there is the object within the spotlight illuminating region. |
| US08764523B2 |
Macerator having automated roller spacing control
The present invention is a processing device, such as a macerator for use in processing various types of food products, that includes an automatic adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a roller disposed within the macerator. The mechanism includes a controller operably connected to a motor that can move the roller within the macerator to vary the position of the roller with respect to another roller located in the macerator. Inputs to the controller are used to control the operation of the motor to move the roll into a desired configuration associated in a storage medium in the controller with a particular food product to be processed. The input to the controller can also be used to simultaneously adjust the position of other components of other processing devices in a food processing system, such as an injector to remove the need for individually adjust each device in the system. Also, the controller can utilize other devices on the macerator to dynamically adjust the position of the rollers in response to the individual food products being treated in the macerator. |
| US08764519B2 |
Grinding wheel
A grinding wheel includes: a disc member; and an annular grindstone member fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the disc member, wherein the disc member has a fluid-supply hole formed therethrough from a first side surface to a second side surface thereof, wherein the fluid-supply hole has an outlet opening through an outer peripheral portion of the first side surface; and an inlet opening which is open through the second side surface and which is disposed at an inner position of the outlet opening in a radial direction of the disc member, and wherein the second side surface is formed with an outer peripheral wall which is disposed at an outer position of the inlet opening in a radial direction of the disc member and projects along an outer peripheral portion of the disc member. |
| US08764518B2 |
Dust shroud for a grinder
A dust shroud apparatus for a work tool includes a housing having at least two perpendicularly aligned side walls, an exhaust tube coupled to the housing, and a mounting system coupled to the housing. The mounting system is adjustable to permit the housing to be secured to a plurality of different sized work tools. The apparatus also includes a cut wheel having an outer edge substantially aligned with the at least two perpendicularly aligned side walls. |
| US08764514B2 |
Shot blasting particles and method of using
Shot blasting particles are constituted by a ceramic material having an apparent relative density of more than 4.0 and less than 5.0 and comprising more than 5% of silica, as a percentage by weight based on the oxides. |
| US08764513B1 |
Media recycling apparatus and process for wet media blast operations
An apparatus and process used in a wet blasting cleaning operation to deliver and recycle wet media mixed with minimal liquid content to a media accelerator and maintain sizing and composition of the wet media, maximizing the efficiency of the media acceleration device, including a blast wheel or pressurized nozzle. |
| US08764511B2 |
Toy vehicle
A toy vehicle has a frame pivotally supporting for side to side movement, front and rear carriages each having at least one road wheel to support and steer the vehicle. A steering control member is slidably supported between the carriages and moved sided to side by a steering actuator subassembly to simultaneously pivot facing ends of the carriages in the same lateral direction to steer the vehicle in the opposing lateral direction. The actuator subassembly simultaneously moves the vehicle body and a structure that simulate a pair of eyes in a front windshield area to simulate animated responses of the toy vehicle. |
| US08764510B1 |
Fighting toy
A toy comprises two robots. There is a lever with a shaft connecting at least one robot to a handle. The robot is responsive to movement of the handle through a physical mechanical connection with the handle whereby movement of the handle moves the robot. The movement of the handle by a player controls at least one of swing or turn movement of the robot. A supply of electricity to the robot is provided so that a motor with each robot permits making robot motions in response to movement from the motor. The motor movement is responsive to a signal from the player. The robots are for interaction with each other. An effective engagement between the robots is at least one of recorded or indicated. There is a control base, and a fighting stage. There is a lever system with a shaft connecting each respective robot to the handle. |
| US08764506B2 |
Manually pivoting wings on a toy airplane
An embodiment of the invention includes a flying vehicle having a fuselage, a pair of wings, the ability to manually apply a force against a portion of the wings causing the leading edge of each wing to sweep outwardly, the ability to mechanically holding the wings in a predetermined swept position, and the ability to bias the wings towards an initial inwardly swept position. A launcher rod with a rubber band is used to launch the vehicle. |
| US08764504B2 |
Lighting device and method for manufacturing the same
The lighting device includes a first resin layer having a first refractive index and a second resin layer having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index and higher than the refractive index of the air, which are over a light-emitting element layer, a plurality of granules provided at the interface between the first resin layer and the second resin layer and each having the second refractive index or a plurality of projections each having an apex provided inside the first resin layer and a flat surface in contact with the interface between the first resin layer and the second resin layer and having the second refractive index, an uneven structure provided at the interface with the air, and a resin substrate having the second refractive index. |
| US08764503B2 |
System and method for removal of hazardous substances from liquid crystal displays
A process for removing hazardous substances from a LCD display (1) includes incision through off set lines (10) around the front of the panel (3). Top components are then removed to expose the fluorescent tubes (5) which contain hazardous substances. The incisions are parallel to the recessed lips, at a distance in the range of 0 to 20 mm from the recessed lips. The cuts are to a depth of 20 mm to 50 mm. Preferably, at least two incisions are made simultaneously. The fluorescent tubes (5) are crushed after the access operation, by rollers, chains or by plates. During crushing there is suction of the particles and gases which are released, thereby removing the hazardous substances by filtration. |
| US08764502B2 |
Fin devices
A fin module for a surfboard having a bore extending through the core between the top deck and the underside, including: a fin comprising a core and extending base portion, and a cover forming a fin blade made of resilient material; and a fin box having a cavity for receiving the base portion and adapted to receive an engagement end of a connector having a head anchorable at the top deck and an elongate member extendable through the core of the surfboard to pull the fin box toward the connector head. |
| US08764501B1 |
Outboard motor
An outboard motor includes an engine, exhaust ports, an exhaust passage, a catalyst member, and a water capture member. The exhaust passage includes a first passage, a second passage, a third passage, and a fourth passage. The first passage is connected to a plurality of exhaust ports, extends in a vertical direction, and collects exhaust discharged from the exhaust ports. The second passage extends laterally from the first passage. The third passage is connected to the second passage, extends downward from the second passage, and is disposed on a side of the cylinders. The fourth passage is connected to the third passage and guides the exhaust to below the engine. The catalyst member is disposed in the third passage and includes a carrier on which a catalyst is provided. The water capture member is disposed in the third passage and includes a carrier on which a catalyst is not provided. |
| US08764498B2 |
Wave-powered device with one or more tethers having one or more rigid sections
Many of the known wave-powered devices (“WPDs”) comprise (1) a float, (2) a swimmer, and (3) a tether connecting the float and the swimmer. The swimmer generates thrust as the float moves up and down due to surface waves. A WPD is provided with a rigid tether that can be moved from (a) a first position (“adjacent position”) in which at least a part of the tether is adjacent to the float to (b) a second position (“extended position”) in which the tether (i) is extended below the float and (ii) is at least in part substantially rigid. The WPD can if desired be transported, stored, or launched while the tether is in the adjacent position, and the tether can be moved into the extended position after the device has been launched and remain in the extended position while the device is being operated. |
| US08764497B2 |
Electrical contact part
An electrical contact arrangement includes a planar conductive metal blank having sections that are foldable to define pairs of orthogonally arranged component contacts and bus blade contacts. Connected with a first pair of opposed side edges of a horizontal rectangular core section of the blank are a pair of rectangular component contact sections that are upwardly bent to define a pair of component contacts for receiving therebetween an electrical component, such as a printed circuit board. Connected with the orthogonally arranged second pair of opposed side edges of the core section are a pair of rectangular support sections that are bent downwardly, whereby a corresponding pair of bus blade contact sections connected with corresponding edges of the support sections extend in vertical parallel spaced relation to define a pair of bus blade contacts adapted for insertion between the downwardly bent support sections of a corresponding second electrical contact arrangement. |
| US08764495B2 |
Power circuit electrical connection system and method
A connector system is provided for use in power applications, such as for conveying three phase power in electrical enclosures. The system comprises plug assemblies in which a power conductor is mounted in a floating arrangement with elastically deformable conductive structures extending from either side thereof. A mating receptacle may be mounted on a bus conductor. Three such arrangements may be provided for conveying three phase power. The structures allow for plug-in mating of the system components while accommodating considerable translational and angular misalignment between the connector parts. |
| US08764494B2 |
Power terminal block
A power terminal block that accommodates busbars with various lengths and terminal positions is provided. The power terminal block includes a pair of insulators and a busbar. Each insulator includes a base, a shelf, and an insulating partition. The shelf is coupled to the base and is configured with a busbar mounting stud. The insulating partition is coupled to the base and the shelf. The busbar is configured to attach to the busbar mounting stud in each insulator. The insulators are spaced apart at a predetermined distance to receive a busbar of any length. |
| US08764493B2 |
Integrated connector apparatus and methods
An electrical connector mountable on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the electrical connector comprises an insulative housing comprising one or more electronic components, a plurality of electrical conductors in signal communication with the electronic components and adapted to interface with a plug and a plurality of terminals in signal communication with the one or more electronic components. In one aspect, the plurality of terminals are adapted to interface with one or more externally mounted electronic components on the printed circuit board thereby filtering signals passing between the electrical conductors and the printed circuit board, with the externally mounted electronic components mounted within the footprint of the electrical connector. Methods of manufacture for the aforementioned electrical connector and business methods are also disclosed. |
| US08764488B2 |
Connector having bridge member for coupling ground terminals
A connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a first and second ground terminals (211, 212), a first differential pair (213) and a bridge (3). The first differential pair is supported by the insulative housing (1) and positioned between the first and the second ground terminals. The bridge couples the first and the second ground terminals and disposed at an inner side of the insulative housing. |
| US08764486B2 |
Shielded connector and method for assembling the shielded connector
A shielded connector includes an inner housing that has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers into which terminals which are crimped to ends of a plurality of shielded wires of a shielded electric wire are inserted, and a shield shell that includes a shield part which covers the inner housing and a barrel part which fixes a sheath part of the shielded electric wire. The inner housing has divided constructions into which the terminals can be inserted for each of a plurality of terminal groups. |
| US08764485B2 |
Electrical plug connector
An electrical plug connector has a housing for accommodating conductors and a separate adapter part with an outer contour matched to an inner contour of the housing and an inner structure for connecting a sleeve conductor serving to encase the conductors. The adapter part additionally contains measures for accommodating a ground contact. |
| US08764484B2 |
Electrical connector with multilayer surface treatment and method for fabricating the same
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (3), a number of contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (3) and a metallic shell (1) enclosing the insulative housing (3). The metallic shell (1) includes a number of peripheral walls and a soldering tab (15) extending therefrom. Each of the soldering tab (15) and the peripheral walls includes an intermediate layer (20), a first plating layer (21), a second plating layer (22) and a third plating layer (23). The third plating layer (23) covers both inner and outer sides of the second plating layer (22) of the peripheral walls for enhancing anti-wear properties while leaving the second plating layer (22) of the soldering tab (15) uncoated for wetting. Besides, a method of surface treatment of the metallic shell (1) is also disclosed. |
| US08764483B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a connector housing, a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the housing, including respective pluralities of signal contacts and ground contacts configured as crosstalk shields. Electrical characteristics exhibited by the electrical connector during operation can be tuned by modifying physical characteristics of one or more of the crosstalk shields, for instance by modifying the respective shield body of one or more of the plurality of crosstalk shields so as to alter a corresponding shield area defined by the shield body of each of the plurality of crosstalk shields. |
| US08764478B2 |
Multi-serial port connection device and connection card thereof
A multi-serial port connection device has a connection card and a cable. The connection card has a serial signal transceiving control module and at least one Mini DisplayPort connector. The serial signal transceiving control module has at least two sets of serial I/O pins compatible with DB9 connector standard. The two sets of serial I/O pins are connected to twenty contacts of the Mini Display Port connector. The cable has a plug, at least two DB9 sockets for the connection of two external electronic devices with DB9 connectors. The multi-serial port connection device can reduce the space occupied by connectors on the connection card. |
| US08764474B2 |
Connector with lever and wire cover
A lever-type connector having a cover and a lever. The cover includes a body and a lock with a spring section connected to the body and an engaging section connected to the spring section. The lever connects to the body and includes a rotatable pair of arms facing each other and a coupling part connecting the rotatable pair of arms together. The coupling part is engageable with the lock when the lever is rotated toward the lock and includes a cover section covering the engaging section and a portion of the spring section when the lock engages the lever. |
| US08764472B2 |
Motor programming tool
A motor programming tool is disclosed for associating with a connection block of a motor and sending signals to a programmable controller of the motor, where the connection block includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the controller. The programming tool includes a tool body with an interface generally corresponding with the connection block of the motor, wiring operable to carry the signals, and a plurality of terminal connecting assemblies to associate with the motor terminals. The tool body includes a shiftable locking mechanism operable to selectively secure the tool body relative to the electrical connection block of the motor. The locking mechanism includes a pivotable latch moveable between an open position, wherein the connecting assemblies are freely moveable into and out of contact with the motor terminals, and a closed position, wherein at least a portion of the pivotable latch is in contact with the motor and the connecting assemblies are restricted from moving out of contact with the motor terminals. |
| US08764471B2 |
Electrical connector for high-speed data transmission
An electrical connector system includes a pin connector and a socket connector that each attach to a cable having multiple twisted pairs of wires. The connectors include features for shielding each pair of pin or socket contacts from the other pairs of pin or socket contacts to reduce interference and crosstalk. A contact-retaining shell of one of the connectors includes an integrally formed insertion plug having cantilever elements that electrically contact a conductive surface of the mating connector to provide a low-impedance pathway between the shell and the mating connector for purposes of grounding and/or shielding. The electrical connector system is designed to be readily disassembled and reassembled for repair or re-work without the use of special tools. |
| US08764469B2 |
Power supply system including panel with safety release
A power supply system for use with a power source. The system includes a safety circuit panel with a safety circuit and a power cable with a safety release in the form of a safety ejection subsystem. The safety ejection subsystem includes a latch connected to the wall receptacle connector of the power cable and a tension line connected to the latch and to the power cable. When the power cable is placed in tension, such as when the power cable has not been disconnected from the wall receptacle in the ordinary way, the safety ejection subsystem forces the disconnection of the power cable from a plug, thereby ensuring that no live wiring is exposed to the environment. |
| US08764468B1 |
Adaptive connector assembly
An adaptive connector assembly may include two or more conductors and at least one compliance member configured to allow for three dimensional movement of the two or more conductors with respect to a frame assembly. The frame assembly may be configured to be mounted within an information technology (IT) cabinet. |
| US08764466B2 |
Electrical device
An electrical device comprising a housing for electrical circuitry, the housing defining a cavity opening to the exterior of the device. The cavity includes a first and second fixing arrangement capable of mechanically interlocking with a power connection insert to fix the power connection insert in position. The power connection insert provides a power cable or power connector that couples the electrical circuitry to an external electrical power supply for the device. The use of different power connection inserts allows a wide range of connector types to be provided using a single design of the housing. |
| US08764463B2 |
Waterproof simplex receptacle with additional watershedding
A waterproof simplex receptacle includes a main body and a front portion. The front portion includes a front surface and rear surface. Terminals are recessed rearwardly from openings formed in the front surface, and are connected to wires extending rearwardly from the main body. The front surface includes a first surface portion, in the vicinity of the openings, which is positioned forwardly from a second surface portion that is located generally outboard of the first surface portion. Optionally, the first surface portion may be in the form of outwardly-extending ridges around the terminal openings, a convex surface, or a sloped or slanted surface, for example, and configured to direct water or other liquids away from the terminal openings associated with the terminals. |
| US08764460B2 |
Electrical connector with grounding bar
An electrical connector has a first row of contact pins. The first row of contact pins comprises a first grounding pin, a second grounding pin and a first signal pin arranged between the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin. A grounding bar electrically connects the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin. |
| US08764457B2 |
Circuit board device and a combined circuit board and electronic card assembly
A circuit board device for fixing an electronic card, which is formed with at least one aperture, includes a circuit board and a securing member. The circuit board includes a board body formed with two through holes, and a socket connector provided on the board body for mating with the electronic card. The securing member includes a pressing plate for pressing against the electronic card, at least one engaging stud projecting from a bottom end of the pressing plate for engaging the aperture, and two resilient engaging arms provided respectively on left and right sides of the pressing plate. The engaging arms extend respectively through the through holes and engage releasably the board body. |
| US08764455B1 |
Comprehension instruction system and method
A reading comprehension system and method that uses language micro-variables is disclosed. The system provide training using these language micro-variables in order to provide reading comprehension training. This training also is highly impactful for the instruction and improvement of reading fluency and vocabulary. |
| US08764452B2 |
Portable laparoscopic trainer
A portable surgical training device is provided. The trainer includes a top cover spaced apart from a base to form a simulated body cavity for locating model organs that are substantially obscured from the field of view of the user. The top cover includes a video display, fixed insertion ports and interchangeable inserts containing simulated tissue layers. The training device has open sides for demonstrating and training lateral surgical techniques including a simulated or live tissue colon attached to a support leg for simulating transanal minimally invasive surgery. A training endoscope with an adjustable focal length for use with the trainer and, in particular, with optical trocars is disclosed. The surgical trainer can be angled and is well suited for training laparoscopic surgery techniques and demonstrating surgical instruments. |
| US08764449B2 |
System for cosmetic and therapeutic training
Systems and methods are disclosed for an apparatus and method for practicing injection techniques through an injectable apparatus. The injectable apparatus may contain a camera that is configured to detect the intensity and color of light attenuated from a testing tool after it is injected into a simulated human or animal body parts. A training tool may be connected to a user display device to generate a display of the injection apparatus as well as the performance parameters of a trainee. |
| US08764447B2 |
Drug-free method and system for reduction of lactic acid while training athletes using ph balancing
A drug-free method for training athlete(s) using ph balancing including the steps of eating from a trainer-specified meal plan; training according to a trainer-specified training plan; and pH testing of the athlete(s). The athlete's diet is maintained according to the trainer- specified meal plan, followed by the athlete training in accordance to the trainer-specified training plan. The athlete then undergoes pH testing to determine if they have a proper body pH balance to maximize training results. Further, a kit is disclosed having a set of charts, a saliva ph tester; a urine ph tester; pre-train and post-train supplement drinks; a set of vitamin supplements; and user instructions. |
| US08764444B2 |
Dental fixture
The invention relates to a dental fixture for insertion into a human jawbone. The fixture comprises a bone-contacting surface, wherein a resulting filtered set of data presents a surface roughness having the roughness average parameter Sa≧1 μm and the two-dimensional mean slope parameter Rsl≧tan 30° for at least 15% of the bone-contacting surface. |
| US08764442B2 |
Pre-charged prophy angle
A prophy angle is provided that includes a housing with a prophy cup at the distal end, a first drive mechanism positioned within the housing and including a drive shaft for delivering mechanical energy to the prophy cup, a chamber enclosed within the housing to store paste in a controlled releasable manner, and an independent second drive mechanism within the housing to control the delivery of paste from the chamber to the prophy cup in a manner to reduce friction in paste delivery and to avoid contact of the paste with the first drive mechanism and its associated gears. |
| US08764440B2 |
Method for realizing an axial trajectory in a surgical drilling process
A drill guide uses a hole in a layer to guide a drill along an axial trajectory while permitting off-axis excursions of the drill during use. A number of such drill guides at varying heights from a target surface may be used sequentially or concurrently to enforce the axial trajectory in three dimensions during a surgical operation. A drill guide may include a hole in a layer that establishes a single point along the axial trajectory, or the drill guide may include multiple layers in a single device to establish two or more points along the trajectory while allowing off-axis insertion of a drill into the guide. The drill guide may be cuttable to accommodate intraoperative changes to the axial trajectory. In embodiments, a window or the like may be provided to permit a surgeon to view drill depth, drill orientation, the surgical site and the like during a procedure. |
| US08764438B2 |
Cement system and method for operating a cement system
In the method according to the invention for operating a cement plant, the raw meal is preheated in a preheating zone, the preheated material is precalcined in a calcining zone and the precalcined material is finally sintered in a sintering zone. The cement plant is operated in such a manner that the precalcined material which is supplied to the sintering zone has an SO3 concentration of at least 5.5% by mass and a CaSO4 proportion of at least 75%, preferably 90%, of the total salt content. |
| US08764435B2 |
Burner firing rate determination for modulating furnace
A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like. |
| US08764434B2 |
Mounting device for a rotatable center part in an injection molding device
The invention relates to a mounting device (1) for a center part (4) rotatable about a rotary axis (6) in an injection molding device. The mounting device comprises at least one lower mounting device (2) having a modularly constructed lower cross member (7). The cross member (7) comprises a center block (9) and at least one side block (11) fastened to the center block (9). The center block (9) comprises operative connection means for fastening a lower rotary unit (24) for rotatably mounting the center part (4) about rotary axis (6). |
| US08764433B2 |
Mold apparatus
The present disclosure relates to a mold apparatus, and according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mold apparatus including a cavity mold comprising a cavity mold plate formed with a cavity at a front surface thereof and provided with a heating means at an inner portion thereof, and a cooling plate brought into contact with or separated from a rear surface of the cavity mold plate and provided with a cooling means at an inner portion thereof; and a core mold configured to determine the cavity together with the cavity mold plate, wherein the cooling plate is formed with at least two or more divided surfaces. |
| US08764421B2 |
Scroll type fluid machinery
Scroll type fluid machinery, in which two stationary scrolls (2A, 2B) are fixed onto a housing (1), and form volume changing mechanisms (50A, 50B) with matching orbiting scrolls (3A, 3B). Three orbiting units (40) are located between the two volume changing mechanisms. Each orbiting unit comprises a rotating member (10) and a thrust-cancelling shaft (20). Assembly sets of the thrust-canceling shaft consist of turning elements and a connector, which in turn connects with orbiting scrolls through threads. There exists only circumferential constraint but no axial constraint between the connector and the turning element. Rotating turning element will rotate the connector, and thus move the two orbiting scrolls closer or farther through the threads on the connector. The rotating member of this invention further provides a larger space to the supporting bearings (14A, 14B) of the thrust-canceling shaft, and also eases component manufacturing, machinery's assembly and adjustment, and bearings' cooling. |
| US08764419B2 |
Fuel pump module for damping vibration
Provided is a fuel pump module for a vehicle in which a fuel pump, which is a vibration body, is physically coupled to an intank filter, a primary filter, and the like, which are other components of the fuel pump module, to have increased mass, such that unique harmonic acceleration of the fuel pump is reduced, a unique vibration area of the fuel pump or the fuel pump module is changed, and harmonic vibration of the fuel pump is thus positioned at the unique vibration area of the fuel pump or the fuel pump module, thereby making it possible to remove noise generated in a fuel tank due to abnormal vibration of the fuel pump module. |
| US08764412B2 |
Fan
A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a bladeless fan assembly including a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage and a mouth receiving the air flow from the interior passage. A Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, that is, the air flow is created by a bladeless fan. |
| US08764411B2 |
Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a transmission hydraulic circuit including a transmission mechanical pump coupled to an engine though a gearbox. One example method comprises, during an engine start, adjusting a speed ratio between the transmission pump and the engine between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio, the pump rotating faster relative to the engine at the first speed ratio as compared with the second speed ratio. In this way, the pump may be driven at different speed ratios relative to the engine to provide better pressurization in the transmission. |
| US08764408B2 |
User interface and controls for a pump device
A pump system selectably and dynamically controls the flow rate of a fluid being delivered to a patient's body over a wide range of flow rates. The pump system includes an infusion tubing, a pumping mechanism, a motor drive assembly in mechanical communication with the pumping mechanism, a user input control, and an electronic controller in electrical communication with and at least partially controlling the motor drive assembly. The electronic controller include a digital signal processing controller in electrical communication with the motor drive assembly that is configured to receive a signal from the user input control and to cause power to be supplied to the motor drive assembly in response at least partially to the signal from the user input control. The pump system may selectably deliver fluid at rates from about 1 milliliter per hour to at least about 3000 milliliters per minute. |
| US08764407B2 |
Fluid level control mechanism
A fluid level control mechanism comprising a reservoir assembly, a flow line assembly, and a resilient force assembly. The flow line assembly has a main flow line capable of passing a fluid, a diverter flow line, and a diverter valve. The diverter valve is connected to a lower end plate of the reservoir assembly via a lever arm, such that the reservoir assembly is capable of sliding along the length of the main flow line in response to a fluid level. Downward movement of the reservoir assembly opens the diverter valve and upward movement of the reservoir assembly closes the diverter valve. The resilient force assembly is attached to the main flow line and the reservoir assembly and is capable of exerting a vertical force against the reservoir assembly to close the diverter valve. |
| US08764403B2 |
Fan and propeller performance enhancements using outsized gurney flaps
The present invention relates to enhancing performance of fans and propellers using outsized Gurney flaps. Specifically, the current invention proposes the application of ‘outsized Gurney flaps’ (OGFs) to the trailing-edges of fan blades. According to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention, the Gurney flaps are larger than 10% of the fan blade chord length. Attaching OGFs is not only non-obvious; it seems counterintuitive, because it is akin to placing a large bluff body onto a flow. Preliminary experimental data acquired at Reynolds numbers typically exist during fan operation on idealized blade profiles showed a 100% increase in the generated lift and 40% to 60% increase in aerodynamic efficiency. This translates to significant improvements in fan performance at a given rpm, and/or significant saving in power and noise reduction for the same aerodynamic performance. The current invention may increase performance, may decrease energy consumption, may decrease size, may decrease cost, and may increase performance of: computer cooling fans, personal upright and ceiling fans, refrigeration fans, air conditioning fans, automotive fans, ventilation, vacuuming, small-scale propellers, etc. |
| US08764402B2 |
Turbomachine blade locking system
Systems are disclosed herein for enhancing the longevity of turbomachine components. Such systems include a turbomachine blade that has a blade portion extending from a base portion. The base portion includes an axial rail configured to extend into an axial groove disposed in a rotor of a turbomachine. The axial rail includes a first locking recess configured to align with a second locking recess along the axial groove. The system also includes a blade locking assembly having a first locking insert and a second locking insert. The first locking insert is configured to be inserted in both the first and second locking recesses. The second locking insert is configured to be inserted in the first or second locking recess adjacent the first locking insert. |
| US08764398B2 |
Concentrated-mass device for reducing vibration generated by a rotorcraft lift rotor, and a rotor hub fitted with such a device
A concentrated-mass device including a main oscillating mass held radially in a horizontal plane by main resilient means inside a casing suitable for being secured to the hub is provided. The device includes a secondary main oscillating mass suspended by secondary resilient means inside a recess in said main oscillating mass to oscillate along a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the secondary oscillating mass being constrained to move in translation together with the main oscillating mass in the horizontal plane. |
| US08764397B1 |
Method and system for stall-tolerant rotor
A rotor system is provided wherein coaxial, closely spaced multi-bladed rotors counter-rotate at extremely low RPMs while their pitches are controlled to account for wind gusts and velocity conditions, thereby eliminating many of the deficiencies of conventional helicopters. The embodiments can dramatically decrease the power required to lift a given quantity of weight, even beyond the level required by a typical airplane. |
| US08764395B2 |
Blade for a gas turbine
The blade for a gas turbine includes a blade airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending in the blade longitudinal direction up to a blade tip, and at the blade tip the blade airfoil merges into a shroud segment, wherein on the shroud segment a first rib, projecting upwards, is arranged in the flow direction, extending transversely to the flow direction, and upstream of the first rib, in the region of the leading edge of the blade airfoil, a winglet is formed on the shroud segment for guiding of the hot gas flow in this region. With such a blade, a longer service life is achieved by provision being made for direct cooling of the winglet. |
| US08764393B2 |
Method for the operation of a wind power plant
A method for operating a wind power plant (WEA) before or during the performance of maintenance work on the wind power plant (WEA). At least one physical condition of the surroundings outside the wind power plant (WEA) induced by wind movement outside the wind power plant (WEA) is detected as an external physical condition. At least one physical condition of a component of the wind power plant (WEA) influenced by wind movement outside the wind power plant (WEA) is detected as an internal physical condition. The at least one external physical condition and/or at least one internal physical condition are evaluated. The at least one external physical condition is compared with a predetermined reference value for the external physical condition. The at least one internal physical condition is compared with a predetermined reference value for the internal physical condition. Depending on the comparison, at least one warning message is generated. |
| US08764392B2 |
Blade retention at a compressor rectifier stage for impact resistance
A rectifier stage of an axial turbine engine compressor is placed directly downstream of the input blower of a turbo-reactor or turboshaft engine compressor. The blade roots of the rectifier stage are housed inside the inner shroud by insertion into respective slots. The blade roots include at least one opening protruding from the slot of the shroud, so as to receive a spiral ring having at least two loops so as to prevent the blade roots from escaping from the respective slots of the inner shroud, and so as to form a connection between the blade roots. A method for retaining blades of a rectifier stage of an axial turbine engine compressor on an inner shroud, in particular a rectifier stage placed directly downstream of the input blower of a turbo-reactor or turboshaft engine compressor, includes positioning a spiral ring having at least two loops inside the openings of the blade roots by threading one end of the ring successively into the openings until all of the spirals of the ring are housed inside the openings. |
| US08764389B2 |
Turbocharger having fastening elements for fastening vane bearing rings of a variable turbine geometry VTG
A turbocharger with a variable turbine geometry device has one or two blade bearing rings. At least one or more fastening elements are provided for fastening the one or two blade bearing rings. The respective fastening element has at least one section formed with a knurl and/or at least one section formed with at least one or several notches. |
| US08764383B2 |
Assembly for driving gas turbine accessories
An assembly for driving accessories of a gas turbine is provided. The assembly includes: a gearbox having a front side face and a rear side face opposite the front face and having mounted therein a first gear train made up of three toothed wheels meshing with one another, and a second gear train made up of four toothed wheels meshing with one another; a power transmission shaft that is coupled in rotation with the first and second gear trains by a toothed wheel pair, and that emerges from the front side face of the gearbox; and nine distinct gas turbine accessories mounted against the side faces of the gearbox, and each including a respective drive shaft that is coupled in rotation with one of the toothed wheels of the two gear trains. |
| US08764382B2 |
Method for forming a pressure measurement hole in a component
A method for forming a pressure measurement hole in a component includes the step of forming a hole in a body of the component, the hole extending from a body surface of the component. An insert having a longitudinal passage is fitted into the hole such that the insert protrudes from the body surface. The protruding end of the insert is machined to define an insert surface profile matched to the body surface profile and displaced from the body surface by a distance substantially equal to a thickness of a covering layer that is to be bonded onto the body surface. A blocking pin is inserted into the insert passage. The covering layer is then bonded to the body surface in the region of the hole and insert after which the blocking pin is removed from the insert to open the pressure measurement hole. |
| US08764379B2 |
Turbine blade with shielded tip coolant supply passageway
A turbine blade for a turbine engine includes main coolant passageways which extend through the turbine blade to cool the blade. A tip coolant passageway conveys coolant from a location adjacent the base of the blade directly to the tip of the blade to provide cooling fluid directly to the tip of the blade. This ensures that the coolant arriving at the tip of the blade is at a relatively low temperature and can therefore provide effective cooling of the material located at the tip of the blade. |
| US08764377B2 |
Thrust bearing, especially for a turbocharger
The invention relates to an axial bearing (10) comprising at least one or more segments (18) on each of the front side (22) and the rear side (26) thereof, wherein the segments (18) on the opposite sides (22, 26) each are disposed at least partially offset from each other. |
| US08764372B2 |
Compact wheelchair platform
A wheelchair platform comprises a tilting platform for a wheelchair comprising a base to support the wheelchair in use and a back wall. The platform is pivotably connected between a pair of side supports in a compact construction. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams are operable to tilt the platform. The pivot axis for the platform is forward of the back wall and above the base. The actuators are also forward of the back wall. The platform swings forward when tilting. The base may be hinged approximately half way along its length to allow the front half to be folded over for storage. |
| US08764371B2 |
Scale based load limiting for refuse vehicles
A weight based load limiting system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes a weight determination module that generates a signal that varies in accordance with a vehicle weight. If the vehicle weight approaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, the signal inhibits a portion of the loading or packing operation to prevent overloading the vehicle. In various configurations, the inhibiting can be to prevent a lifting of a refuse container to prevent emptying the container into the vehicle hopper. In other various configurations, the inhibiting occurs by maintaining engine power to less than the engine power typically output during a packing operation. |
| US08764369B2 |
Folding bale spear system
A folding bale spear system including a frame securable to a farm implement, particularly a tractor, left and right fork posts rotatable secured to the frame, left and right bale spears, one secured to the left fork post and one secured to the right fork post, and a system for rotation of the left and right fork posts about the frame such that in an open position, the bale spears are extended rearwardly from the frame, and in a closed position the bale spears cross each other and are rotated to a position substantially parallel to the frame. |
| US08764366B2 |
Compressive album manufacturing apparatus
Disclosed is a compressive album manufacturing apparatus in that independent areas for performing an aligning process, a heat providing process, a compressing process, and a cooling process respectively are formed in the multistage compressive album manufacturing apparatus, so that each process, which is done by hand, is merged into one, thereby rapidly manufacturing the bulk of compressive albums. |
| US08764365B2 |
Screw anchor and method for producing a screw anchor
A screw anchor for insertion into concrete is disclosed. The screw anchor has an essentially cylindrical base body on whose outer lateral surface an external thread is provided and which has a receptacle arranged in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis originating from an axial end face. The receptacle has a load-bearing structure originating from the axial end face. A tool receptacle extending essentially in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is provided in the receptacle, wherein the tool receptacle extends further into the receptacle than the load-bearing structure from the end face to the rotary drive of the screw anchor in the cylinder longitudinal direction. |
| US08764361B2 |
Ratchet nut assembly
A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl. |
| US08764356B2 |
Dust collecting case and cutting machine equipped therewith
A dust collecting case provided on a cutting machine for cutting a target object includes an outer case member and an inner case member. The outer case member includes a bottom plate, a first side member extending from a peripheral edge of the bottom plate, and a suction port. The inner case member includes a second side member positioned inside the first side member, and an upper member provided between an upper portion of the first side member and an upper portion of the second side member such that the upper member closes from above a space surrounded by the first side member and the second side member. The second side member includes an inner peripheral surface that faces and surrounds an outer periphery of the target object. A gap is located in between an outer surface of the second side member and an inner surface of the first side member. |
| US08764355B2 |
Step drill bit
A step drill bit comprises a body. A cutting edge insert is removably attached to the body. The body may be made of a first material and the cutting edge insert may be made of a second material where the second material is different than the first material. The cutting edge insert may define a plurality of progressively larger cutting diameters. |
| US08764349B2 |
Gob shield for shield support and method for the production thereof
A gob shield for a shield support and a method for producing such a gob shield. The gob shield having a cover plate, two cap connecting joints for connecting the gob shield to a roof cap, and side plate pairs having respectively two side plates with bolt receptacles for the fastening of links of a link mechanism to the gob shield. In order to simplify the production of the gob shield, each cap connecting joint is a component part of a separately producible elongate assembly, which, by a rear end, can be welded in place in the interspace between the side plates of a side plate pair before this master assembly comprising assembly and side plate pair is welded to the cover plate. |
| US08764346B1 |
Tension-based tension leg platform
A tension-based tension leg platform (TBTLP) for use in ultra deepwater applications to support dry-tree oil and gas production utilizes a tension base or artificial seabed that simplifies tendon design at deepwater locations in harsh environment and has a truss pontoon structure that reduces vertical and horizontal wave loadings. The platform may include a riser support tower that makes production risers feasible in 8,000 ft water depths without riser pretension to the hull and reduces or eliminates vortex induced vibration problems. |
| US08764343B1 |
Boat-launching device, system, and method
A boat-launching device can include a shock cord and a spring-loaded reel. The shock cord can have a proximal end adapted to be secured to a dock. The spring-loaded reel can include a reel casing, a spool, and a reel spring. The reel casing can define a reel opening. The shock cord can be wound on the spool and have a distal end attached to the spool and the proximal end extending out of the reel opening. A fastener can be attached to the reel casing and adapted to be secured to a boat. |
| US08764340B2 |
Trackless tack coat
An asphalt emulsion available for high performing, trackless tack coat applications. The tack coat can be used with hot mix asphalt, warm mix asphalt or cold mix asphalt to provide a tack coat on an existing bituminous or concrete pavement surface. The tack coat can also be used for repair of potholes, utility cuts, and general pavement patching areas. |
| US08764336B2 |
Serviceable spherical joints with wear-compensation features
A spherical joint features a housing, a lower race seated therein, a ball member disposed between said lower race and an upper race position, and a retaining ring installed directly over the upper race in an annular groove inside the housing. In one embodiment, a retaining member is threaded into the housing over the retaining ring. The joint is fully serviceable by removal of the retaining member and ring. Prior to component replacement, initial wear can be compensated for, as the groove is oversized so as to originally lie partially below the ring-abutted upper surface of the upper race. When the upper race moves down the body as a result of surface wear of one or more of the races and ball member, tightening of the retaining member once again forces the retaining ring down against the upper race to re-tighten the races against the ball member disposed therebetween. |
| US08764327B2 |
Roll paper supply mechanism and roll paper printer
A roll paper supply mechanism reliably prevents roll paper from rising from a desired position. The roll paper supply mechanism 3 of a roll paper printer 1 has an urging member 41 that urges the round end surface of the roll paper 2 to the roll paper guide 33 defining one side of the roll paper storage unit 31. The urging surface 41a of the urging member 41 is inclined to the inside in the pulling direction A of the recording paper 2a that is pulled from the roll paper 2. When seen from the side of the width of the roll paper storage unit 31, the urging surface 41a is disposed between a vertical line V through the center of gravity G of the roll paper and the recording paper pulling position D, and urges an outside edge part 2d of the roll paper 2 at a position above the recording paper pulling position D. Because the urging surface 41a prevents the roll paper 2 from rising in the direction in which the recording paper 2a is pulled from the roll paper 2, and produces a moment centered on the urging position that prevents the roll paper 2 from rising, the roll paper 2 can be reliably prevented from rising and from bouncing up and down. |
| US08764325B2 |
Tape cassette
A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, a first and second cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between a tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in the tape containing area, the at least one tape including a first tape disposed in a first area, the first tape having a hole at a center of winding, and the first area being one of two areas formed by dividing the housing with respect to a line connecting the first and second cavities, and a third cavity that extends in the hole of the first tape from the bottom wall. |
| US08764323B2 |
Heat-activated linerless label
A heat-activated linerless label comprises a heat-activated adhesive coating. Portions of the heat-activated adhesive coating are selectively activated by a thermal printer. |
| US08764320B2 |
Light screening apparatus and fabricating method thereof
A light screening apparatus and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The light screening apparatus includes: a base plate including a first electrode; at least one material layer on the base plate; a rollup blade including a second electrode and configured to be disposed corresponding to a light transmitting portion of the base plate; a driving unit configured to be electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a sticking prevention structure which prevents sticking between the rollup blade and the material layer. The sticking prevention structure may refer to a surface structure of at least one of the rollup blade and the material layer or a sticking prevention layer or a sticking prevention pattern which is additionally formed on at least one of an outer circumference surface of the rollup blade and a surface of the material layer. |
| US08764318B2 |
Dome camera
The dome camera is a fixed-type dome camera having a camera lens, a direction of which is manually set. An inner cover is supported to a parallel support portion of a base. A dome cover is supported on an inclined step portion of the inner cover with the dome cover inclined by an inclination angle θ1. A pan direction of the camera lens has a predefined target direction to be set, and the inner cover is rotatable in the pan direction relative to the base, so as to be directed toward the target direction. An optical axis X of the camera lens passes through a spherical center of the dome cover, and an inclination limit angle of the dome cover is θ2. |
| US08764316B1 |
Fiber optic connector with vented ferrule holder
A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a mating end and an insertion end and a ferrule holder having a first end portion in which the ferrule is received and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first end portion defines a first bore having a first bore width for receiving the ferrule. Additionally, the first end portion defines a bore surface and at least one groove formed in the bore surface. The at least one groove extends from where the insertion end of the ferrule is located within the first bore to a front face of the ferrule holder. Ridges are formed around the first bore because the at least one groove also extends in a circumferential direction. The ridges contact the ferrule and are deflected by the ferrule in a direction toward the insertion end of the ferrule. |
| US08764311B2 |
Single-mode optical fibers for optical fiber connectors
A single-mode optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber is configured minimize the adverse effects of multipath interference (MPI) that can arise in a short, single-mode conventional stub fiber that has a large group index difference. The optical fiber is also configured to have a mode-field diameter that is substantially the same as that of single-mode optical fibers intended for use as field fiber in a mechanical splice connector, along with a cutoff wavelength λC≦1200 nm. An optical fiber connector that uses the optical fiber as a stub fiber is also disclosed. |
| US08764310B2 |
Apparatus and method for aligning optical transports in a ferrule
A method and apparatus for aligning optical transports in a ferrule. The transports are aliened in the ferrule by mounting the ferrule on a jig having grooves into which the ends of the optical transports are inserted for transversely aligning the fibers in the ferrule. A row of transports is placed in the ferrule cavity with the front ends of the transports extending past the ferrule and into the grooves of the jig, thereby laterally aligning the transports with the grooves. The fibers are affixed to the ferrule. The ferrule can then be removed from the jig and the front ends of the transports that extended into the grooves of the jig cleaved flush with the front face of the ferrule. |
| US08764306B2 |
Multi-row rolling bearing
A multi-row rolling bearing, which has a cage for rows of rolling elements that is detachably connected to a respective adjoining cage. For assembly and safety of assembly, the detachable connection between the cages is at least one predetermined breaking point. |
| US08764304B2 |
Roller bearing, retainer segment of roller bearing for supporting main shaft of wind-power generator, and main shaft support structure of wind-power generator
A tapered roller bearing (31a) has a plurality of retainer segments (11a, 11d) each having a pocket to house a tapered roller (34a), and arranged so as to be continuously lined with each other in a circumferential direction between an outer ring (32a) and an inner ring (33a). The retainer segment (11a, 11d) is formed of a resin containing a filler material to lower a thermal linear expansion coefficient. In addition, a clearance (39a) is provided between the first retainer segment (11a) and the last retainer segment (11d) after the plurality of retainer segments (11a, 11d) have been arranged in the circumferential direction without providing any clearance. Here a circumferential range (R) of the clearance (39a) is larger than 0.075% of a circumference of a circle passing through a center of the retainer segment (11a, 11d) and smaller than 0.12% thereof at room temperature. |
| US08764298B2 |
Locking thrust washer
An interlocking thrust washer is presented. The thrust washer including a first annular upper ring having first inner and outer side circumferential surfaces and first top and bottom surfaces. The upper ring providing at least two holes that extend therethrough the first top and bottom surfaces and a first annular lower ring having second inner and outer side surfaces and second top and bottom surfaces. The first lower annular ring includes at least two annular projections extending upward from the second top surface. The at least two annular projections align with the at least two holes to create an interlocking fit between the first annular upper and lower rings. The interlocking fit allows the first upper and lower rings to combine and function as the single element thrust washer 10 once interlocked together. The interlocking fit further prevents any rotation between the first upper and lower annular rings during operation. |
| US08764296B2 |
Spiral-grooved thrust bearing
A thrust-bearing (1) disposed to face a thrust collar provided on a rotary shaft, including: grooves (5) formed at a bearing-surface (4b); a first-groove-group (6A) constituted by a plurality of first-spiral-grooves (6) formed at an inner circumferential side of the bearing-surface (4b); a second-groove-group (7A) constituted by a plurality of second-spiral-grooves (7) formed at an outer circumferential side more than the first-groove-group (6A) and wound in the same direction as the first-spiral-groove (6); and an annular-land-section (8) formed at the side, to which a fluid is drawn, among the inner circumferential more than the first-groove-group (6A) and the outer circumferential more than the second-groove-group (7A), wherein some of the first-spiral-grooves (6) of the first-groove-group (6A) and some of the second-spiral-grooves (7) of the second-groove-group (7A) are in communication with each other via a partial-communication-section (11), at least one side of which is in partial communication with the other side. |
| US08764295B2 |
Bearing elements, bearing assemblies and related methods
Bearing elements, assemblies and apparatuses are provided as well as a method of manufacturing such components. In one embodiment, a bearing element comprises a superhard table forming a convex bearing surface and a radiused edge formed on the superhard table adjacent to the convex bearing surface. In another embodiment, a bearing element comprises a superhard table forming a concave bearing surface and a radiused edge formed on the superhard table adjacent to the concave bearing surface. In one embodiment, a bearing apparatus includes an inner bearing race assembly and an outer bearing race assembly. Each of the bearing race assemblies include a plurality of bearing elements. At least one of the inner and outer bearing race assemblies include a bearing element having an arcuate bearing surface and a radiused edge formed adjacent the arcuate bearing surface. |
| US08764294B2 |
Circumferential guide for rolling bodies, and linear guide unit equipped therewith
A circumferential guide for rolling bodies for use in a linear guide unit which has a carriage-type part and a rail-type part that has at least one loaded roller body row and one unloaded roller body row during the intended operation. The circumferential guide is configured as a pre-mountable unit. A linear guide unit is also disclosed that contains at least one circumferential guide. The circumferential guide has at least one component for the rolling bodies, which at least partially guides both the loaded rolling body rows and the unloaded rolling body rows (Ru) during the intended operation. This configuration achieves that the parts requirement for the circumferential guide can be held low, resulting both in a reduction of production costs and in a compact and stable shape of the same. |
| US08764287B2 |
Thermal detector, thermal detecting device, and electronic instrument
A thermal detector includes a thermal detecting element and a support member supporting the thermal detecting element and a wiring layer. The support member has an arm member connected to a mounting member with the first arm member having an arm base end section extending outwardly from the mounting member toward a first direction, the arm base section having a first width measured along a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an arm body section having a proximal end portion extending from the arm base end section generally along an outer contour of the mounting member with the proximal end portion being spaced apart from an edge of the mounting member in the first direction. The proximal end portion of the arm body section has a second width measured along a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the arm body section that is narrower than the first width. |
| US08764277B2 |
Method and device for agitation of tank-stored material
A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including a tank that is configured to hold the material and an inlet/outlet configured on the tank to allow the flow of the material therethrough. At least one inlet is arranged on the tank to allow the flow of the material into the tank to agitate the material in the tank. |
| US08764272B2 |
Method for monitoring thixotropy in concrete mixing drum
The invention provides ‘thixotropy’ monitoring, by measuring the reversible, time-dependent reduction in viscosity occurring when concrete is subjected to mixing, and employs a mixing drum and conventional slump monitoring equipment as used on ready-mix trucks. In one embodiment, the drum is rotated until concrete is completely mixed; the speed is altered, such as by increasing it to a predetermined level; and the energy required to rotate the drum (ER) is monitored; the maximum (ER-MAX) and minimum (ER-MIN) values are recorded in computer memory; and these values are compared to pre-determined (target) values. Rheology factors (including viscosity, yield stress, and/or thixotropy) can be adjusted accordingly by adding liquid component(s) into the mix. This method, suitable for delivery of highly fluid concrete speed such as SCC, can involve transit and placement rheology targets during monitoring. |
| US08764271B2 |
Base for mounting an electrical device such as a light-emitting diode
This base for the mounting of an electrical device comprises a body (3) in two portions that are mounted one on the other, female connection contacts (14) placed in passageways (13) provided in the body and designed to interact with male connection pins of the device, and means (15) for retaining the female connection contacts (14) in the passageways.The base is made of plastic, the retention means (15) being made of the same material and in one piece with the body.The invention finds an application in the mounting of a light-emitting diode. |
| US08764266B2 |
Edge-lit flat panel repetitive lighting fixture
A repetitive lighting fixture will alternate between at least two different illuminated images projected in a desired direction. The fixture includes edge-lit flat panels that are configured and/or overlayed to reproduce one or more desired images. Each panel is made of light-transmissive material, which optionally may contain colorant. Each edge-lit flat panel contains optics coupled with a second planar surface of the panel. The optics are arranged to define a desired shape of an image and are configured so as to cause light distributed within the panel to exit a first planar surface of the panel. Each panel has its own light source that projects light into a light transmitting edge of the panel. The panel's light source can include light emitting diodes (LED) that only or selectively illuminate the specific optics of that panel. |
| US08764259B2 |
Automotive headlamp with actuated rotatable collimator
A lighting assembly including a semiconductor light source, a support with a recess within which the semiconductor light source is positioned, and a collimator having light entry and light exit openings joined together by at least one side wall. The collimator is moveable relative to the support. The collimator is attached to the support such that the light entry opening of the collimator and the recess are joined in a nested manner so that light emitted by the semiconductor light source within the recess enters the collimator through the light entry opening and exits essentially only through the light exit opening of the collimator for any position of the collimator over its range of motion. The lighting assembly further includes an actuator for moving the collimator over at least part of its range of motion. An automotive headlamp arrangement includes the lighting assembly, a reflector element and a secondary optic. |
| US08764257B2 |
Optical device, in particular for a motor vehicle
An optical device, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as a lighting or indicating device, this device comprising at least two light sources associated with different predetermined photometric functions and a principal light guide comprising an emergent end and arranged to guide the light generated by the light sources towards this emergent end, so that this emergent end defines a common illuminating surface for the two photometric functions. |
| US08764253B2 |
Hands-free multi-positional task light and method of use thereof
A hands-free multi-positional task light having an elongated light emitting portion utilizing one or more fluorescent tubes and/or light emitting diodes, a wide retractable and fully rotatable mounting hook, a free-standing base capable of maintaining stability when positioned on surfaces up to 20 degrees from horizontal, and a mounting clamp attached via a ball and socket joint serving as a mounting method, a means to attach alternate mounting devices such as magnets or additional hooks, a makeshift base, or a stabilizing weight while providing two degrees of movement and a clamp band providing a third degree of movement for nearly unlimited aiming for hands-free use. |
| US08764246B2 |
Light unit with light guiding device
A light unit includes a light guiding body having a light entrance face. A base has a curved oval surface defined therein which has a first focus and a second focus. A light emitting unit is located at the first focus and generates light beams which pass through the second focus and enter into the light guiding body via the light entrance face. The base has a heat dissipating unit connected to outside thereof. The light beams generated from the light emitting unit are completely guided into the light guiding body to have high illumination efficiency. The heat dissipating unit brings the heat away from the light unit. |
| US08764244B2 |
Light module and module type lighting device
A light module may include a base having a first side and a second side, and a light source on the first side of the base and having a light emitting diode (LED) to emit light in a direction away from the base. A plurality of cooling fins may be provided on the second side of the base, the plurality of cooling fins including a first set of fins having a first height and a second set of fins having a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height. A driving circuit may be provided on the first set of cooling fins having the first height, wherein the first set of cooling fins are provided between the driving circuit and the second side of the base. |
| US08764241B2 |
Ring light source system for interferometer with adjustable ring radius and ring radial width
A ring light source system for an interferometer with adjustable ring radius and ring radial width may comprise a laser light source, an expander and collimator optical system, an adjustable aperture, a binary phase grating, a variable-focus optical system, and a spatial filter. The expander and collimator optical system is configured to convert a light beam from the light source into a parallel light beam. The adjustable aperture is configured to adjust a diameter of the parallel light beam. The light beam with the diameter adjusted by the adjustable aperture is incident perpendicularly onto the binary phase grating, followed by the variable-focus optical system. The filter is positioned on a back focal plane of the variable-focus optical system, and is configured to receive a ring light source. The ring radius and radial width of the light source are adjustable by adjusting a focus length f1 of the variable-focus optical system. |
| US08764239B2 |
Dynamic stretchable OLED lamp
Flexible substrates bearing OLEDs are provided. The flexible substrates are attached to support structures that, when moved, cause the flexible structures to change shape and to thereby change the distribution of radiant intensity emanating from the OLEDs on the flexible substrates. |
| US08764236B2 |
Versatile lighting units
Systems and methods which provide a versatile lighting module which may be utilized alone or in combination with other lighting modules to provide any number of lighting unit configurations are shown. Lighting modules of embodiments herein are adapted to facilitate electrical connection, whether to one or more power supply and/or to one or more other lighting module, along any portion of the entire periphery of the lighting module. Accordingly, lighting modules may be coupled together in any orientation, geometry, and topology to cooperate as a light source having various desired characteristics according to embodiments herein. |
| US08764229B2 |
Optical lens securing assembly for an illumination device
The present invention relates to lens assembly for an illumination device comprising a number of optical lenses and a lens holder comprising a mounting plate having a number of holes, said number of holes being adapted to accommodate said lenses. At least one of said holes is at least partially surrounded by a number of resilient fingers extending backward from the mounting plate, said resilient fingers being adapted to engage with one of said lenses and secure said lens in said holes. The present invention relates also to an illumination device comprising such lens assembly and a method of manufacturing the illumination device. |
| US08764226B2 |
Solid state array modules for general illumination
An illumination module includes a longitudinal support member including a base portion and a pair of sidewalls extending from the base portion that together define a channel that extends in a longitudinal direction. A printed circuit board (PCB) on the base portion extends in the longitudinal direction within the channel. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are on the PCB in a linear array. A reflective sheet is within and extends across the channel, and includes a plurality of holes that correspond with locations of the LEDs on the PCB, and the LEDs are positioned in the holes. An optical film extends across the channel above the reflective sheet and defines an optical cavity between the reflective sheet and the optical film. The optical film, the reflective sheet and the sidewalls of the support member recycle light in the optical cavity. |
| US08764225B2 |
Lighting source using solid state emitter and phosphor materials
An embodiment discloses a light-emitting apparatus including a light source for emitting a first light; a wavelength-converting layer, having a first arcuate shape, spaced apart from the light source, the wavelength-converting layer configured to absorb at least a portion of the first light and emit a second light; a transparent member disposed between the light source and the wavelength-converting layer; and a monolithic reflective layer having a second arcuate shape and configured to be reflective of at least the second light; wherein the wavelength-converting layer is positioned between the monolithic reflective layer and the light source, and the monolithic reflective layer is separated from the wavelength-converting layer by a space; and wherein the second light is configured to pass through the space before being reflected by the monolithic reflective layer. |
| US08764224B2 |
Luminaire with distributed LED sources
A wide beam angle (diffuse) luminaire with an efficient multi-source radiative emitter array. Embodiments of the luminaire utilize one or more LEDs disposed around a perimeter of a protective casing. The LEDs are angled to emit into an internal cavity defined by the inner surface of the casing. The placement of the LEDs around the perimeter of the device reduces self-blocking and facilitates heat transfer from the LEDs through the casing or another heat sink and into the ambient. Light impinges on the inner surface and is redirected as useful emission. A diffuse reflective coating may be deposited on the inner surface to mix the light before it is emitted. |
| US08764223B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes first and second light emission units. The first light emission unit emits light having a relatively low color temperature and a high feeling of contrast index. The second light emission unit emits light having a relatively high S/P ratio, which is the ratio of scotopic luminance to photopic luminance. The first light emission unit illuminates a region located at a vertical upper side of a region illuminated by the second light emission unit. |
| US08764222B2 |
Heat dissipating structure of LED circuit board and LED lamp tube comprised thereof
A heat dissipating structure of an LED circuit board includes an LED circuit board having a plurality of soldering points. The soldering points of the LED circuit board are covered by a coating layer including Nanoparticles and a bonding agent. The coating layer has the characteristics of high emitting rate, temperature resistance, and conductivity insulation. On the other hand, the coating layer can increase the contacting areas of the soldering points with the air to enlarge the heat dissipation area of the LED circuit board. The LED circuit board covered by the coating layer is placed in an LED lamp tube to provide good heat dissipation effect. |
| US08764221B2 |
Lamp module and connection mechanism thereof
A connection mechanism is provided for connection to a lamp tube, including a male member and a female member. The female member has a wave-shaped structure on an inner surface thereof. The male member has a main body and several pins, wherein each pin has a curved slope and a curved surface connecting the main body with the curved slope. The male member is rotatable relative to the female member when in a first position, wherein the curved slope is slidable on the wave-shaped structure. The curved surface is engaged with the wave-shaped structure when the male member moves to a second position, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members. |
| US08764218B2 |
Illumination alert apparatus structure having cap for use in switch control
The present invention provides an illumination alert apparatus structure having a cap for use in switch control. The illumination alert apparatus which is illumination-oriented comprises a body, a power unit, and a lightbulb having an illumination unit coupled thereto. The power unit is coupled to an end of the body. The lightbulb is screwed to an external thread formed on an outward side of the body and coupled to the power unit, so as to assemble the illumination alert apparatus. The illumination alert apparatus structure dispenses with other switch-related components which might otherwise compromise the overall esthetical appearance of the illumination alert apparatus, such that the illumination alert apparatus manifests simplicity, beauty, and novelty. |
| US08764212B2 |
Backlight unit
Provided is a backlight unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light; a plurality of LED modules having a printed circuit board (PCB) which supports and drives the plurality of LEDs; a plurality of optical sheets that are attached to the top surfaces of the respective LED modules; and a plurality of heat radiating pads that are attached to the rear surfaces of the respective LED modules. |
| US08764210B2 |
Emitting light using multiple phosphors
A method and apparatus for generating different spectral compositions of light is disclosed. The method comprises generating light at a wavelength, using an LED in some embodiments, and optically coupling the generated light to a first phosphor in a first operating mode and optically coupling the generated light to a second phosphor in a second operating mode. Several different embodiments of optically coupling the phosphors to the light source are disclosed. The first phosphor emits light with a first spectral characteristic when irradiated by the light at the wavelength and the second phosphor emits light with a second spectral characteristic when irradiated by the light at the wavelength. |
| US08764209B2 |
Light module
A light module 1 includes a planar light emitting device 2, a wiring board 3, and an optical sheet 4. The wiring board 3 has a hole 8 for accommodating the planar light emitting device 2. The optical sheet 4 holds the planar light emitting device 2 and the wiring board 3 such that the planar light emitting device 2 accommodated in the hole 8 of the wiring board 3 and the wiring board 3 are flush with each other on the light emitting surface side of the light module 1. The optical sheet 4 holds the planar light emitting device 2 and the wiring board 3, and prevents dust and moisture from entering the inside the light module 1. This eliminates the necessity for the light module 1 to include a casing, packing, and the like. Therefore, the thickness of the module can be reduced. |
| US08764202B1 |
Retro-reflective article
Disclosed is a retro-reflective article that can comprise at least one fiber having a first component with a first surface, where the first surface can be shaped to define at least one retro-reflective feature, and wherein the retro-reflective feature can be configured to provide more than one reflection of light incident thereon. |
| US08764197B2 |
Polarization conversion element, polarization converting unit, and projecting apparatus
In a polarization conversion element including a plurality of light transmitting substrates and an optical element that includes polarization splitting films and reflective films that are alternately disposed between the light transmitting substrates, and a laminated wave plate that is arranged on the light outgoing face of the optical element and rotates the polarization plane of light emitted from the optical element by θ, a laminated wave plate is acquired by stacking a first wave plate of a phase difference Γ1 for light of a wavelength λ and a second wave plate of a phase difference of Γ2 such that the optical axes thereof intersect each other, the relationship is “|Γ1−Γ2|=180 (degrees), and the azimuth of the optical axis of the first wave plate and the azimuth of the optical axis of the second wave plate are perpendicular to each other. |
| US08764196B2 |
Method and system for optical alignments for three-dimensional (3D) projection
Orientation, convergence, and brightness balance corrections for a stereoscopic projection system are achieved by employing a novel test pattern in a low-cost alignment method to allow accurate, rapid alignment of the illuminator, film, and stereoscopic lens. The method and test pattern are also applicable for aligning a dual projector system, in which two projectors are used for projecting right- and left-eye images, respectively. |
| US08764194B2 |
Handheld computing device for administering a gaze nystagmus test
Various embodiments of a device for performing a gaze field sobriety test are disclosed. The device includes a housing. A light source is affixed in or on the housing. The light source generates light during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. A speaker positioned in or on the housing generates sounds during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. A power source is coupled to the speaker and the light source. An input is positioned on the housing. The input is selectable by a test administrator to initiate an audible sound through the speaker at a predetermined time interval during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. The audible sound provides an indication to the test administrator during the gaze field sobriety test to assist in proper performance of the gaze field sobriety test. |
| US08764192B2 |
Ophthalmological examination device
An opthalmological measuring instrument, e.g. for determining the corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, axial length, or the like, including measuring systems for determining measurement of the mentioned physical parameters. The measuring systems are connected to an evaluation unit which verifies whether quality parameters regarding the measurements are satisfied and generates a corresponding signal that indicates to the medical professional user that a proper measurement can be taken. |
| US08764187B2 |
Determination of the effective lens position of an intraocular lens using aphakic refractive power
An ophthalmic method for determining a relationship between aphakic ocular power and estimated effective lens position (ELP) of an intraocular lens (IOL) to be implanted in a patient's eye. The method can be used to determine an estimate of the ELP of an IOL given the aphakic ocular power of the patient's eye, for example, without measurement of the corneal curvature or axial length of the patient's eye. The estimate of ELP can then be used to determine a suitable value of optical power for the IOL to be implanted in the patient's eye. |
| US08764185B1 |
Devices and methods for a contact lens with an inward facing light source
An eye-mountable device can include a transparent material and a substrate at least partially embedded in the transparent material. The transparent material can have a concave surface and a convex surface, with the concave surface configured to removably mount the eye-mountable device on a corneal surface overlaying a pupil. A light source can be disposed on the substrate and configured to emit light through the concave surface and towards the corneal surface such that the emitted light is viewable through the pupil. The light source can be controlled by circuitry disposed on the substrate. The circuitry can be configured to modulate the light emitted by the light source to provide modulated light. |
| US08764184B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device has: a supporting/conveying member that supports a sheet-shaped recording medium from a bottom surface of the recording medium, and conveys the recording medium while rotating; an abutment member that abuts a leading end portion of the recording medium and stops the leading end portion of the recording medium; and a pushing roller that is provided at an upstream side in a conveying direction of the recording medium so as to face the supporting/conveying member, and pushes the leading end portion of the recording medium against the abutment member by rotating while contacting the recording medium and sliding on the recording medium. |
| US08764182B2 |
Image forming apparatus including sheet cutting device
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a cutter, and a cutter holder. The recording head ejects ink onto a sheet of recording media fed along a sheet feed path to record an image on the sheet. The head holder holds the recording head. The cutter includes opposed blades opposing each other with the sheet interposed therebetween. The cutter holder holds the cutter and is reciprocally movable in a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to a sheet feed direction in which the sheet is fed along the sheet feed path. The cutter holder is disposed downstream from the recording head in the sheet feed direction and within a width of the head holder in the sheet feed direction. |
| US08764180B2 |
Inkjet printing method with enhanced deinkability
Printing methods are provided. In one method an inkjet image is printed using an ink having a colorant with an electrical charge of a first polarity dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid carrier fluid with an electrical charge of a second polarity that is the opposite polarity of the first polarity. A colorant attracting toner image conforming to the inkjet image is generated using toner particles of the second polarity. The colorant attracting toner image is transferred in registration with an unabsorbed volume of the ink jet image on the receiver. The difference in polarity between the toner particles and the colorant attracts the colorant and the toner particles. The toner particles are fixed to the receiver. After fixing colorant attracted to the toner particles is bound to the toner particles so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver. |
| US08764178B2 |
Ink jet recording method and ink jet recording apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording method which gives an ink excellent anti-sticking properties and can suppress the occurrence of undertrapping when recording surfaces of recording media which each have an ink-receiving layer are overlapped with each other, and to provide an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording method of forming an image on the recording medium having the ink-receiving layer by ejecting an ink from an ink jet recording head, the method including performing at least one of drying the recording medium which has the image formed thereon and humidifying a gap between the recording head and the recording medium, wherein the ink to be used for forming the image is an ink which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a specific compound. |
| US08764175B2 |
Heater configuration for a melting device with non-uniform thermal load
A variable resistive heater element enables current to flow through a first resistive heater element and a second resistive heater element based on the temperature of the variable resistive heater element. Current flows through the first resistive heater element, and is restricted through the second resistive heater element, when the variable resistive heater element is less than a predetermined temperature. Current flows through the first and second resistive heater elements when the variable resistive heater element is at or greater than a predetermined temperature. |
| US08764174B2 |
Ink cartridge on inkjet printer
An inkjet printer, which comprises a slide lid slideably connected with the cartridge body, wherein a fixed clamp is formed on both sides of the cartridge body respectively; a movable wall which is engaged and fastened with the fixed clamp at the end is formed on both sides of the slide lid respectively; and a friction force generating component is arranged on one side of the movable wall. Due to the friction forces generated by the friction force generating components, two sidewalls of the movable walls are tightly engaged with the inner wall of the ink cartridge bin of the printer to lock the ink cartridge and fix the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge bin of the printer. The technical problems of poor contact of a chip and abnormal disengagement of an ink container as locking members are loosened when the ink cartridge on the printer can be solved. |
| US08764173B2 |
Combination ink status and key arrangement for ink supply
A removable ink supply comprises an ink container including a coupler configured to removably engage a receiver of an ink supply station of an image forming apparatus. The coupler includes an end portion including an array of key holes with each key hole configured to removably receive a respective one key of an array of at least partially conductive keys of the receiver of the ink supply station. A conductive component of the coupler is positioned within the coupler and spaced apart from the end portion. The conductive component is in axial alignment with at least some of the respective key holes to be positioned for selective, removable contact with at least some of the respective keys of the receiver. An absence or a presence of removable contact between the conductive component and the key indicates an out-of-ink status of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08764172B2 |
Printing apparatus, printing material cartridge, adaptor for printing material container, and circuit board
A printing material cartridge comprises: a memory device; a plurality of first terminals through which a power source voltage and signals for operating the memory device are supplied from a printing apparatus; and a plurality of second terminals to be used for detecting attachment conditions of the printing material cartridge in a cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of first terminals have a plurality of first contact portions that get in contact with corresponding apparatus-side terminals when the printing material container is properly attached to the cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of second terminals have a plurality of second contact portions that get in contact with corresponding apparatus-side terminals when the printing material container is properly attached to the cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of first and second contact portions are arranged so as to form a first row and a second row. Four contact portions among the plurality of second contact portions are placed at both ends of the first and second rows, respectively. |
| US08764170B2 |
Ink-jet head, ink-jet printer, and ink-jet recording method
Disclosed is an inkjet recording method wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by spraying an ink containing at least a photopolymerizable compound onto the recording medium through a nozzle of an inkjet head. This inkjet recording method enables to perform a stable image recording by suppressing formation of a precipitate in the head. This inkjet recording method is characterized in that in an inkjet head, which is used for forming an image on a recording medium by spraying an inkjet ink containing at least a photopolymerizable compound through a nozzle, the surface of at least a part of metals constituting the internal member of the inkjet head which is in contact with the inkjet ink is subjected to a passivation treatment or an insulation coating treatment. |
| US08764168B2 |
Printed drop density reconfiguration
A continuous printer system includes a jet control element, associated with each nozzle bore of an array of nozzle bores, which is selectively actuated to form or steer or form and steer print drops from a liquid stream emitted from the associated nozzle bore. A memory element associated with the inkjet printer is selectively loaded during a printing operation with data that modifies the subsequent actuation of each of the jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid. |
| US08764166B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes a main liquid ejecting head body, in which is formed a liquid flow channel through which a liquid flows, that ejects the liquid from a nozzle opening using a pressurizing unit; a driving board configured so as to supply power to the pressurizing unit; a connector provided at an end portion of the driving board; and a holding member configured so as to hold the driving board in a bent state and erected relative to one end surface of the main liquid ejecting head body. The holding member has a stopping portion that holds an end of the driving board in which the connector is provided, and the configuration is such that the stopping portion prevents the driving board from opening in the direction of the bend. |
| US08764162B2 |
Cleaning and protecting device and office machine using the same
A cleaning and protecting device suited for a cartridge is provided. The cartridge moves back and forth along a first axis and has a print head. The cleaning and protecting device includes a cap, a scraper, and a transmission assembly. The cap moves back and forth along a second axis. When the cartridge moves to a first position and the cap moves to a second position, the cap leans against the cartridge to cover the print head. The transmission assembly is coupled to the cap and the scraper. When the cartridge is located at the first position and the cap moves away from the second position, the cap drives the transmission assembly to move the scraper to a third position to scrape the residual ink on the print head. An office machine is also provided. |
| US08764160B2 |
Liquid treatment agent coating device for inkjet printer, method of operating liquid treatment agent coating device, and image forming system
Disclosed is a liquid treatment agent coating device including a coating roller that coats a recording medium with a liquid treatment agent; a pressing roller that cooperates with the coating roller to nip and convey the recording medium; a first container that holds the coating roller and the liquid treatment agent, wherein the first container has an opening portion in the vicinity of a nip portion between the coating roller and the pressing roller; a second container that accommodates an amount of the liquid treatment agent held in the first container, wherein the second container has second airtightness that is greater than first airtightness of the first container; a removal channel extending from the first container to the second container; a first on-off valve disposed in the removal channel; and a return channel extending from the second container to the first container. |
| US08764155B2 |
Weather based humidity adjustment of printhead maintenance
A method of controlling a maintenance operation of an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer, the method includes providing at least one parameter of the maintenance operation as a function of humidity condition; receiving data corresponding to a current outdoor humidity condition; determining a humidity condition corresponding to the current outdoor humidity condition; and controlling the maintenance operation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined in accordance with the determined humidity condition. |
| US08764154B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes a conveyance unit, a printing unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The conveyance unit conveys a sheet that is a continuous sheet. The printing unit prints an image onto the conveyed sheet. The detection unit detects a splice of the conveyed sheet. A following sheet area follows and is continuous from the splice. The control unit adjusts, in response to the detection unit detecting a splice of the conveyed sheet, the conveyance by the conveyance unit of the following sheet area depending on conveyance characteristics of the following sheet area. |
| US08764153B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus and image forming method
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: an inkjet head having nozzles which eject ink onto a recording medium, the ink being curable by irradiation of an active light beam; a relative movement device recording medium; an active light beam irradiation device having an active light beam emission unit that emits the active light beam and is divided into units in a direction of the relative movement for irradiating the ink deposited on the recording medium with the active light beam while relative movement between the recording medium and the active light beam irradiation device is caused along with the inkjet head; and an active light beam irradiation control device which controls on or off switching with respect to each of the divided units. |
| US08764152B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are provided which, when forming an image using a plurality of different inks, can produce a satisfactory image free from problematical levels of density unevenness, graininess and insufficient density with any of these inks. To this end, when printing on pixel areas of a print medium by a plurality of relative movements between the printing unit and the print medium, the dot overlap rate of an ink that tends to show density unevenness is set higher than that of an ink that tends to show other image impairments more conspicuously than the density unevenness. This results in a good image that eliminates such image impairments as density unevenness, graininess and density insufficiency in the entire color gamut. |
| US08764148B2 |
Inkjet printing device and method for printing multi-colored images
An ink jet printing device (1) for printing multicolored images has an essentially horizontally extending conveyor mechanism (2) for moving items to be printed (3) lying on it in a forward feed direction (4), and a print head arrangement (5) disposed above the conveyor mechanism (2) which is disposed stationary relative to the conveyor mechanism (2) during the printing process. The print head arrangement (5) is made up of several print heads (6) each with several nozzles disposed in a nozzle row (26), and the nozzle rows (22) have a printing range width (24) as measured perpendicular to the forward feed direction (4) which forms a total printing range width (27) of the print head arrangement (5) corresponding to the number of print heads (6). The print head arrangement (5) is disposed so that it can be displaced vertically on a guide (10) and a nozzle rinsing device (14) is provided which can be positioned underneath the print head arrangement (5) as and when necessary. |
| US08764144B2 |
Method of controlling nozzles of inkjet head and apparatus for measuring amounts of ink ejected from nozzles of inkjet head
Provided are method of controlling nozzles of an inkjet head and an apparatus for measuring the amounts of ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head. The method includes: preparing a mass measuring device, which measures the mass of ink by using an oscillation change, in a pixel; ejecting ink into the pixel from a nozzle of the inkjet head, and measuring the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle by using the mass measuring device; and adjusting a voltage waveform applied to the nozzle of the inkjet head. |
| US08764140B2 |
Liquid supply method
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a tank having a liquid capacity greater than that of the liquid storage unit; a liquid supply unit supplying the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the tank; an agitation device that agitates the liquid accommodated in the tank; and a liquid ejection unit that ejects the liquid from the tank. |
| US08764139B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus for reducing visibility of dots unrelated to printed image
A preliminary vibration number storage unit stores a first preliminary vibration characteristic which indicates a relation between a downtime of an ejection opening and a smallest number of vibrations in preliminary vibration, the smallest number of vibrations required to enable normal preliminary ejection from the ejection opening immediately after the preliminary vibration. The downtime of each ejection opening TR is irregularly distributed within a range between zero and T1max, the range defining the first preliminary vibration characteristic, and preliminary ejection is performed subsequently to the preliminary vibration. At this point, the preliminary vibration performed is set to include N1R vibrations, the number of which corresponds to the downtime TR of the first preliminary vibration characteristic. |
| US08764137B2 |
Drawer which can be dismantled and stacked
The invention relates to a drawer for furniture, said drawer being dismantled, for assembly using practically no tools. The drawer consists of: two lateral wall elements, a front-and rear-face wall element that consist of a base profile, and a drawer base that consists of several identical base elements. The base element consists of a profile that has a tongue profile edge and a groove profile edge. Thus, any number of base elements can be mechanically joined together and then dismantled to form a surface. A drawer of equal size without a base surface may be connected to the drawer with a base surface. |
| US08764131B2 |
Undercabinet secretary with hidden compartment
An undercabinet secretary provides organization and storage for items as well as concealed or hidden storage for items. The undercabinet secretary prevents concealed items from being accessed while allowing authorized persons or those who are aware of the hidden storage to conveniently retrieve the items. The undercabinet secretary may have one or more dividers to provide compartments for organization and storage of items, and may have a hidden compartment assembly having the same outward appearance to conceal items. In one or more embodiments, the hidden compartment assembly may have its own divider which may be used as a handle to access the hidden compartment assembly and which allows the hidden compartment assembly to blend in with the other dividers. |
| US08764130B1 |
Outside-mounted frame for refrigeration systems
A frame assembly can be configured to couple one or more doors to a refrigeration case having an opening. The frame assembly can be mounted outside the opening of the refrigeration case, which can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating the frame assembly and doors to prevent condensation. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also improve the uniformity of light used to illuminate goods displayed in the refrigeration case. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also allow for the use of larger doors. In some embodiments, and adapter can be used to mount the frame assembly outside the opening. In some embodiments, refrigeration units having a frame assembly mounted in the opening can be retrofitted to include a frame assembly that is mounted outside the opening. |
| US08764127B2 |
Method for carrying out an emergency braking procedure in a vehicle
In a method for carrying out an emergency braking procedure in a vehicle, at least one electric actuator in the braking system is automatically actuated to generate an increased brake force in the case of an emergency situation. A maximum voltage, which exceeds the rated voltage of the actuator, is applied to the electric actuator. |
| US08764122B1 |
Wheel locking cap with live hinges
A wheel retaining device is provided for axially retaining a wheel on an axle having a notch. The cap is adapted for being affixed to a wheel. One or more springs is affixed to the cap at a lateral edge. The springs have a first position wherein the distal ends are located radially outward from the lateral edge. The springs are bendable into a second position wherein the springs are adjacent to the inboard side of the outer plate so that distal ends are urged inward. The distal ends include a protrusion that is adapted for being received in a notch on the axle. The cap is held onto the wheel by tabs that extending into apertures and catching behind the apertures. The cap is designed for maintaining the lateral position of the axle with respect to the wheel to which it is attached. |
| US08764118B1 |
Sensor mounting system for road milling machine
A road milling machine includes a sensor mounting system having a first mounting member, which is attached to a first machine component and supports a portion of a position sensor, and a second mounting member attached to a second machine component having a pivotable attachment to a machine frame. An extension member has a first end attached to the second mounting member and a second end including an attachment flange. A unitary ski member has a first end attached to another portion of the position sensor and a second end pivotably attached to the attachment flange. The unitary ski member includes a ground engaging surface that is positioned inboard relative to first and second side plates, which flank a rotor, and has a pivot movement compensation curve. A controller is configured for determining a milling depth of the rotor from measurements obtained by the position sensor. |
| US08764114B1 |
Ready to assemble sectional sofa and method
A sectional sofa and method of assembly provides ease and convenience in the manufacture and use. The sectional sofa includes a central section having a seat and a pair of backs positioned approximately ninety degrees to each other forming a V-shaped opening therebetween. Affixed on each side of the central section is a side section which includes a back frame that can be easily inserted or removed into a seat frame as needed. End sections having a back frame, seat frame and an arm frame are affixed to each side section. Each back includes a pair of stakes which are slideably engaged within rectangular apertures in the seat frame for ease in manufacturing and stability in use. Additional standard bolts connect each section together for safety and convenience. The central section V-shaped opening allows for simplicity during construction and adds to the aesthetic qualities of the sofa design. |
| US08764109B2 |
Baby seat and methods
An infant chair includes a frame having a seat portion and a base portion that are pivotally connected to each other so as to be movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. A locking mechanism is operable to lock the frame in the expanded position. Further, a cover is configured to substantially cover the frame. |
| US08764107B2 |
Seating furniture
The invention relates to seating furniture comprising two frames (2) arranged at a distance to each other on a support (1), between which frames a seat part (3) and a backrest part (4) can be mounted, and the frames (2) have one upper frame part (6) and a lower frame part (7) each which mechanically immobilize the seat part (3) and the backrest part (4) on the edges thereof. The support (1) contains a horizontal bar (11), extending between two legs (5), on which the frames (2) can be mounted as a terminal frame or intermediate frame via respective frame bases (12). The bar (11) comprises a linking piece (13) which is put on a detachable, form-fitting pin connection (14) together with the frame base (12) of a terminal frame and a leg (5) in a certain order. |
| US08764106B2 |
Bicycle saddle structure comprising means for mounting the saddle on a bicycle seat post
An ergonomic saddle structure for bicycles and pedal machines comprises a shell (2) made of relatively rigid material, a pronged connection (15) anchorable on the lower part to the shell (2) and having a central body (16) with a slotted through hole (23) provided with flared or smoothed longitudinal edges (23′), connection means which comprise a fork (24) with a pair of lateral wings (25, 26) adapted to house the central body (16) and provided with respective cylindrical through openings (27, 28) as well as locking means for locking the fork (24) with respect to the pronged connection (15), which means comprise a first pair of inserts (30, 31) insertable in one portion of the through openings (27, 28), a second pair of inserts (39, 40) insertable in the remaining portion of the circular through openings (27, 28), are first screw means (37) operating on the first pair of inserts (30, 31) and second screw means (43) operating on the second pair of inserts (39, 40) in order to longitudinally and angularly lock the pronged connection (15) with respect to the fork (24). |
| US08764104B2 |
Structure of front section of vehicle body
A structure of the front section of a vehicle body is disposed on the front end portion of a front side frame on the same position as the rear surface of a side stay in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and includes a first extending portion extending downward along the rear surface of the side stay. A lower stay is provided with a second extending portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the side stay to a position below the first extending portion. A joining section is formed so as to join the front surface of the first extending portion, the upper surface of the second extending portion, and outside surface of the side stay. The joining section defines an arrangement region for inner and outer shock absorbing members having a lower rigidity than the front side frame. |
| US08764093B2 |
Fixture for a component and a fixture mount
The invention concerns a fixture, for example a sun visor used in a vehicle, comprising a covering element provided with a latch member and a basic body rotatably carried on a spindle element. The spindle element includes a positioning member. When the covering element and basic body are counter-rotated on the spindle element, the positioning member moves the latch member from a mounting position to a fitted position. The fixture when installed can be locked by means of the latch member on a fitted body which, for example, may be an interior trim piece of the vehicle. |
| US08764091B2 |
Cluster finish panel with unique controlled release breakaway bridge bezel design
A cluster panel assembly comprising a bridge bezel operably and releasably coupled to a surround bezel is disclosed, wherein the bridge bezel is disposed adjacent a steering column and further comprises a plurality of attachment locations for coupling the bridge bezel to the surround bezel, wherein the attachment locations comprise a set of fasteners adapted to be released in a car-forward sequence as an impact load is imparted on the bridge bezel from the steering column during a collision event. |
| US08764089B2 |
Compression-molded composite panel including a living hinge having a score line which functions as a style line
A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle interior is provided. A substantially continuous facing material layer has an outwardly-facing surface for display in the interior of the vehicle. The facing material layer is bonded to the outer surface of a first skin of the panel by press molding. The press molding forms a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion. A living hinge includes a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel. A score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer at least partially defines the living hinge and functions as a style line to mask facing material damage or imperfections at the outwardly-facing surface. |
| US08764088B1 |
Combination truck bed ramp and gate
The invention relates to a combination ramp and gate that is releasably securable to a truck bed using a three point adjustable attachment system with carabineers, with two of the three carabineers being partially concealed. The combination ramp and gate is lightweight and when collapsed into a closed position, the sections of the combination ramp and gate are coplanar for easy storage and portability. |
| US08764087B2 |
Device for retaining a functional part, in particular a roof handle, in a vehicle
A device for retaining a functional part, for example, a roof handle, in a vehicle is provided that includes a retaining element to which the functional part can be indirectly or directly fixed. The retaining element has at least one retaining element-side hinge region around which a retaining element portion can be folded and/or pivoted relative to a further retaining element portion when a pressure force acts substantially toward the retaining element. The at least one hinge region, as viewed in cross-section, can be formed by a retaining element profile section projecting from the retaining element plane, which section, when a pressure force acts on the retaining element folds open or closed about a folding axis and/or a pivot axis formed on the profile section side. |
| US08764083B2 |
Clamping device
Disclosed is a clamping device for clamping a tubular member, like a thin walled tube or a pile, having a tube wall and provided with a flange at a tube end, and for hoisting the tubular member while being clamped only at its flange with the clamping device, wherein the clamping device includes: at least two clamping elements for engaging the internal flange and clamping the flange; and a clamping device frame that fixedly joins the at least two clamping elements for maintaining mutual position of the at least two clamping elements while hoisting the tubular member. |
| US08764081B1 |
Zipper pull attachment
A zipper pull attachment adapted to be clipped to a zipper pull tab and left in place to aid in opening and closing the zipper. The zipper pull attachment includes a vertical clip member, a ring member movably attached to the lower end of the clip member, and a fixed horizontal handle member secured horizontally through the ring member in the plane of the ring, with handle ends extending from the sides of the ring in balanced fashion. |
| US08764079B1 |
Pedestrian protective radiator grill
A pedestrian protective radiator grill includes a radiator grill, an operation unit, and a guide unit. The radiator grill is provided at a front end portion of a vehicle and has an upper end portion that moves forward away from a vehicle body so that the radiator grill becomes perpendicular to the ground. The operation unit is connected to the radiator grill and pushes the radiator grill in a forward direction of the vehicle when an impact signal is input. The guide unit provided under the radiator grill guides forward linear movement of the radiator grill when the radiator grill is pushed forward by the operation unit, and guides rotational movement of the upper end portion of the radiator grill after the radiator grill reaches an end of its movable range. |
| US08764072B2 |
Locking device with mechanical detection of closing and opening
A locking device includes a bolt capable of engaging with a corresponding hook, the bolt being mounted against a resilient return spring that tends to return the bolt into a spaced apart position. The locking device further includes a detection linkage, which is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the linkage enables unlocking of the bolt and the hook. In the second position, the linkage engages with a portion of the locking pair so as to block the unlocking. |
| US08764070B2 |
Tube-socket assembly and method of manufacturing the same
A tube-socket assembly and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The tube-socket assembly includes: a tube in which first and second beads are formed; and a socket fastened to the tube and including a penetration opening portion in which a penetration opening is formed by a predetermined length and a guide portion separated by a predetermined distance from the tube, wherein a first taper portion having an inclined surface is formed at one side of the first bead and forms a beadlock by line-contacting with an inner vertical end portion of the penetration opening portion positioned within the socket. Thereby, by reinforcing seal between the socket and the inner bead of the tube, coupling between the tube and the socket can be more securely performed. |
| US08764066B1 |
Expansion coupling system
A first component has a major section and a coaxial minor section. The major section has an open forward end. A forward annular projection extends radially inwardly from the major section adjacent to the open forward end. A second component has a major section and a coaxial minor section. The major section has an open rearward end. A rearward annular projection extends radially outwardly from the major section adjacent to the open rearward end. Axially spaced annular recesses are provided in the rearward annular projection with an O-ring in each annular recess. The O-rings are slidably received and in sliding contact with the major section of the first component. |
| US08764064B2 |
Steering column assembly with improved energy absorption system
A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a column jacket and an energy absorption system. The column jacket is configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force. The energy absorption system includes an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event. The strap is configured to cause: (a) a friction force to be created between the strap and the anvil; and (b) a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil. The strap is configured such that at least one of the friction force and the deformation force varies along the length of the strap. |
| US08764063B2 |
Steering device
A steering device contains a rolling bearing that axially supports a steering shaft to allow rotation, and whose upper column and lower column engage along the axis in a sliding motion in order to provide improved steering wheel operating stability during high-speed driving. The elastic force of an O-ring tightens the outer circumferential surface of a female steering shaft against the cylindrical surface of a bushing. A specific frictional force therefore occurs between the cylindrical surface of the bushing and the outer circumferential surface of the female steering shaft so that handling stability of the steering wheel during high-speed driving is improved. Moreover, vehicle vibrations are prevented from being conveyed to the steering wheel by the O-ring crushed due to the pressing force of the inner circumferential surface of the first lower column and that absorbs the vibration of the female steering shaft. |
| US08764061B2 |
Stand
A stand assembly (1) to be attached to a personal transport device (100). The device (100) including a base and at least one axle (104). The axle (104) being adapted to support at least one wheel (108). The wheel being adapted to assist movement of said device along a surface. The assembly to be located in use adjacent a centre of mass (XX) of said device and including a pair of arms (5) extending generally parallel to each other and longitudinally towards a bridging member (7) to define a “U” shape. Each arm (5) includes a hole (10) at a free end to engage the axle in use to permit movement of the arms about the axle between a use position and a stored position. |
| US08764057B1 |
Multi-chamber driver airbags
A driver airbag can be deployed from a steering wheel of a vehicle. The airbag can include a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber that can be deployed adjacent to the first inflatable chamber. The airbag can further include a one-way valve that controls inflation gas movement relative to at least the first inflatable chamber. |
| US08764056B2 |
Airbag module and method for controlling gas therein
An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag cushion, an inflator, and a flow director. The inflatable airbag cushion includes one or more panels that form an inflatable portion. The inflator is configured to provide inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion upon deployment. The flow director is configured to direct inflation gas into the inflatable portion. The inflatable portion includes a first inflatable region and a second inflatable region. The flow director is configured to direct the inflation gas directly into the first inflatable region. The first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are in fluidic communication, and a check valve permits the inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable region to the second inflatable region and prevents the inflation gas from flowing from the second inflatable region to the first inflatable region. |
| US08764055B2 |
Air bag with pleated portion
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes at least one panel (212) of material that defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The at least one panel (212) has a portion presented toward the vehicle occupant when in an inflated and deployed condition. The protection device (14) includes at least one pleat (296, 316) formed in the at least one panel (212). The at least one pleat (296, 316) defines a cushioned portion (210) for receiving a portion of the occupant. The at least one pleat (296, 316) reduces fabric tension in the cushioned portion (210) to provide the cushioned portion with a degree of softness that is reduced over remaining areas of the protection device (14). |
| US08764052B2 |
Airbag device
An airbag device includes an airbag main body, a storing section, an airbag lid member, a hinge section and a protective member. The airbag lid member has a lid section and an opening section. The lid section is configured to be opened by a pressing force of the airbag main body. The opening section is formed when the lid section is opened. The hinge section couples an edge portion of the opening section and the lid section. The protective member is configured and arranged to be disposed between the airbag main body and the hinge section when the airbag main body expands, and has a main protective section and a peripheral portion protective section. The peripheral portion protective section is provided on both sides of the main protective section to cover at least a peripheral portion of the lid section which protrudes from both sides of the hinge section. |
| US08764051B2 |
Fastening device, and fastening subassembly for fastening a gas generator, and vehicle occupant restraint system
The invention relates to a fastening device (16) for a preferably tubular inflator (14) on a vehicle part (18), including a holder component (20) to which the inflator (14) can be fastened. The holder component (20) includes a first fastening element (22) and a second fastening element (24) offset in the axial direction (A) for fastening on the vehicle part (18). The holder component (20) includes a lever support (30) adapted to be in contact with the vehicle part (18) and being arranged in the axial direction (A) between the first and second fastening elements (22, 24) and separating the holder component (20) into a first lever arm (32) and a second lever arm (34). The invention further includes a fastening assembly (38) including an inflator (14) and a fastening device (16), the first fastening element (22) includes a hook (26) formed by a nut (50) screwed onto a threaded bolt (48) of the inflator (14) having a head portion (52) and a tapered neck portion (54) allowing a positive connection to the vehicle part (18). |
| US08764050B2 |
Devices for passenger protection systems of a vehicle
A device for a passenger protection system of a vehicle is provided. The device comprises an oblong gas generator which is formed and provided to provide gas for inflating a gas bag in a case of activation, wherein the gas generator includes at least one firmly arranged stay bolt protruding from the shell surface of the gas generator, and a sleeve-shaped gas conducting element connected with the gas generator, which is formed and provided to divert gas flowing out of the gas generator and introduce the same into a gas bag to be inflated. The gas conducting element is connected with at least one of the stay bolts of the gas generator by means of a bayonet connector For forming a bayonet connector the gas conducting element forms at least one joining channel for the at least one stay bolt of the gas generator and in the region in which it forms the joining channel the gas conducting element at least partly includes a material reinforcement. |
| US08764041B1 |
Vehicle having a swivel wheel
A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. A rider handle, in the first mode, may be configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork. At least one rotation restrictor may be included for preventing the front wheel from turning to a position where the front wheel axis leads the fork axis, and for maintaining the front wheel axis in a position trailing the fork axis both when the tricycle is propelled by a tricycle rider in the first mode and when the tricycle is pushed from behind in the second mode. |
| US08764036B2 |
Shock mount support assembly for heavy-duty vehicles
A shock mount support assembly for a shock absorber of a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system includes a shock support bracket formed with an opening. A fastener is disposed through the opening in the shock support bracket and an eyelet of the lower end of the shock absorber to loose-fit the shock support bracket to the shock absorber, and to the suspension assembly beam in a transverse direction. The shock support bracket includes at least one transversely elongated or oversized opening that aligns with an opening formed in the beam. A fastener is disposed through the pair of aligned openings in order to loose-fit attach the shock support bracket to the beam. During assembly, the eyelet fastener is tightened first drawing the shock support bracket transversely outboardly. The fastener disposed through the shock support bracket-to-beam attachment is tightened, rigidly attaching the shock support bracket to the suspension assembly. |
| US08764030B1 |
Sports bag with integral transportation system
Disclosed is a sports bag assembly with an integral wheeled transportation system. The bag assembly can accommodate the transportation and storage of sports equipment. The wheels can be deployed and retracted with a single mechanical movement, and may be stowed within the geometry of the bag. The bag assembly can fit within the recessed areas of platforms on the rear of motorized golf carts; within conventional storage stands, racks, lockers, vehicle trunks and/or hatches typically found around golf courses and in residences; and within travel containers or other systems for traditional golf bags. The golf bag assembly may also include a ventilated club storage compartment to facilitate the drying of clubs (including grips), and allow drainage of fluids which may enter the interior of the bag assembly. The bag assembly can also include a support and suspension system which restrains the grip and upper shaft or hosel ends of clubs which stabilizes and protects clubs during transport and play. The restraint system also can enhance the golfing experience by reducing or eliminating noise generated by clubs banging together during transportation. The restraint system can also extend the life of golf clubs by preventing contact between clubs, which contact could damage and alter frequency settings for various clubs. |
| US08764026B2 |
Device for centering wafers
A device for centering circular wafers includes a support chuck for supporting a circular wafer to be centered upon its top surface, left, right and middle centering linkage rods and a cam plate synchronizing the rectilinear motion of the left, right and middle centering linkage rods. The left centering linkage rod includes a first rotating arm at a first end and rectilinear motion of the left centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the first rotating arm. The right centering linkage rod comprises a second rotating arm at a first end, and rectilinear motion of the right centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the second rotating arm. The first and second rotating arms are rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the support chuck and comprise a curved edge surface configured to roll against the curved edge of the circular wafer. The middle centering linkage rod includes a third alignment arm at a first end. The third alignment arm is placed in contact with the curved edge of the circular wafer and linear motion of the middle centering linkage rod in the Y-direction pushes the third alignment arm and the circular wafer toward or away from the center of the support chuck. The cam plate includes first and second linear cam profiles. The first cam profile provides rectilinear motion for the middle centering linkage rod and the second linear cam profile provides rectilinear motion for the left and right centering linkage rods. |
| US08764023B2 |
Gasket
The invention provides a gasket which can be easily formed, can be highly compressed with a low reaction force, and is highly reliable. A gasket consisting of a rubber-like elastic material is mounted in a mounting groove formed in one of two mutually opposing members and is pinched between one member and another member so as to be in pressure-contact with both the members. The gasket has a body section inserted into the mounting groove, one support protrusion provided on the side of the body section which faces the bottom of the mounting groove, located on one end side of the body section in the width direction thereof, and in contact with the bottom, and a lip protrusion provided on the side of the body section which faces another member and having a tip located at substantially the center of the body section in the width direction thereof. |
| US08764020B2 |
Shaft seal device
A shaft seal device is provided in which movement of the seal lip is prevented and the sealing function can be reliably maintained by shaping the adapter so that the adapter is more readily pressed into and less liable to be dislodged from the cartridge, and by increasing the width in the radial direction. An external peripheral-side flange of the adapter fitted into the cartridge on the sealing fluid side of the first lip seal member is formed in a small-diameter tapered shape toward the web side, and the web is composed of an external-periphery-side portion having an orthogonal planar shape that is orthogonal to the center of the shaft, and a tapered internal-periphery-side portion that slopes to the sealing fluid side. |
| US08764016B2 |
Electronic scoring target board
A target (1) for use with a projectile has a web (7) defining a target face and a back board (29). The target face is divided into multiple segments (3, 5). A cup (19) filled with a projectile-receptive insert material (27) is mounted for sliding within each segment. Each cup has one or more resilient cushions (35) between the cup and the back board. Each cushion has at least one electroconductive area. The back board has pairs of switch contacts (25), forming electrical switches. The projectile impacting a cup at the target face with sufficient force causes the cup to slide within the segment urging the electroconductive area of the one or more cushions to touch the switch contacts, resulting in closing of the switch defined by the switch contacts and signaling a hit to onboard electronic circuitry. The at least one cushions beneath that cup return the cup substantially to its original position. |
| US08764015B2 |
Brokering plays of a game
Methods, apparatus and article of manufacture for receiving from a client an amount of money and instructions to place a type of bet in a game. The outcome of the game is determined without placing any bets on the game. Based on the outcome of the game, a portion of the amount of money is provided to the client. |
| US08764013B2 |
Conveyance control device and document validator with recycle box
A conveyance control device is provided to comprise a turning device 13 that has a trifurcate intersection 7 and a deflector 20 of three vertexes 21, 22, 23 rotatably supported in trifurcate intersection 7, an actuating device 30 for moving each of three vertexes 21, 22, 23 of deflector 20 to open gates 27, 28, 29 defined between vertexes 21, 22, 23 and related inner surfaces 7a, 7b, 7c of trifurcate intersection 7, and a conveyance device 9 for transporting a document along shuttle, reserve and recycle pathways 5, 10, 11 and for transporting the document through each gate 27, 28, 29 from one to another of the shuttle, reserve and recycle pathways 5, 10, 11. |
| US08764012B2 |
Sheet transfer mechanism for printer with suction through-hole density adjuster
A sheet transfer mechanism for a printer (100) to form an image on a sheet (10) being transferred in a transfer route by propelling ink at ink heads (110a), includes: a transfer belt (160) that has a plurality of adhesion through-holes (165) for holding a sheet (10) and transfers the sheet (10) being held thereon, a platen (620) that slidably supports the transfer belt (160) in an area facing the ink heads (110a) and has a plurality of suction through-holes (622) in an area through which the plurality of the adhesion through-holes (165) pass; a suction fan (650) that generates airflow with negative pressure for holding the sheet (10) on the transfer belt (160) through the plurality of the suction through-holes (622) and the plurality of the adhesion through-holes (165); and plugging plates (624) that adjust a number density of the suction through-holes (622) in the platen (620) depending on an arrangement of the ink heads (110a). |
| US08764006B2 |
Image recording device
An image recording device having a recording unit to record an image on a sheet is provided. The image recording unit includes a feed guide defining a first conveying path; an arm disposed between the recording unit and the tray, the arm having a feed roller rotatably disposed at a free end and configured to feed the sheet in the tray to the first conveying path. The arm pivots between a first arm position, and a second arm position. The return guide pivots between a first return guide position, and a second return guide position. A space occupied by the return guide in the first return guide position overlaps a space occupied by the arm in the second arm position. The return guide is in the second return guide position when the arm is in the second arm position which is retracted from an insertion space occupied by the tray. |
| US08764002B2 |
Image forming apparatus and post-processing method
An image forming apparatus includes a punching time measuring unit, a stapling time estimating unit, and a sheet-bundle interval time setting unit. The punching time measuring unit measures a punching processing time to perform punching processing. The stapling time estimating unit calculates an estimated stapling processing time to perform stapling processing by using the punching processing time measured by the punching time measuring unit. The sheet-bundle interval time setting unit sets a sheet-bundle interval time, which is a time from when the last sheet forming a sheet bundle subjected to the punching processing is fed until when the first sheet forming a subsequent sheet bundle subjected to the punching processing is fed. |
| US08764001B2 |
Supporting apparatus for display assembly
A supporting apparatus for assembling a display, includes a supporting bracket. The supporting bracket includes a plate and a restricting arm connected to the plate. The restricting arm includes a connection portion and a restricting portion the restricting. The restricting portion is parallel to the plate to define a restricting space between the restricting portion and the plate. The restricting space receives the display therein. The restricting portion and the plate restricts the display in the restricting space in a first direction which is perpendicular to the plate. A plurality of blocks are movably mounted on the plate. The plurality of blocks restrict the display in the restrict space in a second direction which is parallel to the plate. |
| US08763993B2 |
Crane hook assembly having a hook weight arrangement
A crane hook assembly having a hook weight arrangement serves for applying a tension load to a rope (2). The rope can be wound onto or off a rope drum on a crane and lifts or lowers the crane hook (4). The hook weight arrangement (1*) includes a hook weight body (3) connected to the rope (2) and an additional weight (26) which is attachable thereto. The rope (2) is guided through an opening (10, 6) in the hook weight body (3, 3*), and the crane hook (4) is attached on the bottom end (20) of the hook weight body (3, 3*). |
| US08763987B2 |
Butterfly valve and system employing same and method for using same field
A butterfly valve comprises: a body including a valve opening; and a flapper rotatably mounted about a rotation axis so as to be movable relative to the valve opening. The flapper is rotatable at least 180° about the rotation axis so that the flapper is movable to at least one fully opened position, at least one fully closed position 90° apart from the fully opened position, and a third position, either fully opened or fully closed, 180° from the other like position. In one embodiment the flapper is rotatable at least 360° about the rotation axis so that the flapper is movable to each of two opened positions 180° apart, and two closed positions 180° apart from each other and 90° and 270° apart from each of the fully opened positions. The valve can be easily calibrated and controlled, and cleaned to extend the useful service life between cleanings. |
| US08763985B2 |
Plate rotating device, exhaust path opening degree changing device, exhausted device, transfer device, beam device, and gate valve
To provide a mechanism in which a moving body can be stored in a housing. A gate valve has a slide plate and a moving mechanism for changing the positions in the radial and axial directions of the slide plate. A shaft is a rotating shaft the axial displacement of which is controlled by an axial driving mechanism and the angle of rotation of which is controlled by a radial driving mechanism, and is turnably supported in the housing by a shaft supporting spring consisting of a magnetic bearing and a conical coil spring. By controlling the attraction force of a balance weight in an electromagnet, the shaft can be moved in the radial direction. Also, by controlling the attraction force of an electromagnet target in the electromagnet, the shaft can be moved in the axial direction. |
| US08763984B2 |
Electromechanical vlave
An electromechanical valve (1) comprises in a housing (2), a core (3) of magnetic material surrounded by a coil (5) to be supplied with excitation current, a valve seat (6) attached to the housing (2) with a space to said core (3), at least one centrally located outlet port (7) in said valve seat (6) and at least one inlet port (8) communicating via said space, and a valve washer (9) of magnetic material suspended in said to close said outlet port (7) in absence of excitation current to said coil (5), said valve washer (9) cooperating with said core (3) to open said outlet port (7) when excitation current is supplied to said coil (5). |
| US08763983B2 |
Safety valve and method of use
Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position. |
| US08763982B1 |
Single whaler-backed form support bracket system
A form support bracket system allows building concrete forms for soffit and stem wall construction using a single whaler backed vertical stem wall form. The bracket system allows for adjustable height of the soffit, and adjustable thickness of the stem wall. |
| US08763979B2 |
Vehicle seat latch having striker compliance in transverse directions
The vehicle seat latch (16) disclosed includes an elongate pivot plate (32) pivotally mounted by a first pivotal connection (36) on a seat frame (28) by a mounting plate (26). A second pivotal connection (42) mounts a latch assembly (40) on the pivot plate (32). The latch assembly (40) includes a throat plate (46) having a throat (48) for receiving a vehicle body mounted striker (24), and the latch assembly (40) also includes at least one latch member (50, 52) movable between latched and unlatched positions for securing the latch to the striker (24). Pivoting of the pivot plate (32) about the first pivotal connection (36) and pivoting of the throat plate (46) about the second pivotal connection (42) provide the latch assembly with compliance that accommodates for striker position variation along transverse directions, which are vertical and horizontal when the seat is latched to the vehicle floor. |
| US08763977B2 |
Stand for display device
A stand for a display device is provided and includes a housing having an accommodating groove, a hinge structure including a first board and two second boards, and a latch including an operation portion. The first board is fixed on a backboard of the display device and has a positioning groove. The two second boards are rotatably connected respectively to two ends of the first board and each is fixed on the housing. The latch is flexibly placed on the housing and is aligned with the first board. The operation portion is exposed through the accommodating groove. The fastening portion is selectively engaged with the positioning groove by releasing a spring force of a spring connected to the latch. When the operation portion is moved in a direction away from the first board, the fastening portion is disengaged from the positioning groove by compressing the spring. |
| US08763973B2 |
Cable catcher
A cable catching device, for installation on a crane boom to catch at least one cable, suspended above at least part of the device when the device is deployed by the crane boom, in the event that the cable falls downwardly, the device having: a base operable with connectors to releasably engage with the crane boom; a post having: a lower end engaged with the base; and an upper end extending beyond the base; a yoke having at least two arms extending upwardly from the upper end of the post, each arm having an upper end laterally spaced apart from the upper end of any adjacent arm, thereby defining an upwardly open yoke mouth between the upper ends of the arms, the yoke mouth being deployed adjacent an underside of the suspended cable wherein the arms are disposed a distance from the suspended cable; and each arm having an arm roller with an outer cable contact surface. |
| US08763972B2 |
Modular adapter plate system
A modular adapter plate system (1) for the installation of mission equipment in vehicles with floor panels (30), particularly for the installation of mission equipment in aircrafts such as helicopters, each plate (2-8) of said system comprising a pair of parallel seat/cargo tracks (9, 10) interconnected by stiff beam elements (11-15) and lateral flanges (16, 40) for releasable fixation to the floor panels (30) and lateral flanges (18, 19, 41, 42) for releasable interconnection. The invention is also related to a vehicle with said modular adapter plate system (1). |
| US08763970B2 |
Holding clip for a rain sensor
A holding clip (16) for a sensor (10) includes a plate (22), the plate (22) being able to cover the sensor, at least one holding arm (26) and at least one detent arm (28), the holding arm (26) and the detent arm (28) being constructed such that they can engage on a holding frame (12) for the sensor (10), the holding clip (16) being formed integrally. |
| US08763957B1 |
Spacecraft transfer orbit techniques
Spacecraft transfer orbit operations include separating a spacecraft from a launch vehicle, while in a launch vehicle transfer orbit. The spacecraft includes a propulsion subsystem and a spacecraft controller that controls the spacecraft in a three-axis stabilized mode. With the spacecraft continuously in the three-axis stabilized mode, one or more orbit raising maneuvers are performed by firing either or both of a chemical thruster and an electric thruster firing. Any two consecutive orbit raising maneuvers are separated by a respective intervening coast period. While in the three-axis stabilized mode, the spacecraft does not rotate about any axis at a rate greater than 0.1 degree/sec and dumping of momentum stored in a reaction wheel system is avoided. |
| US08763956B2 |
Refueling equipment, and method for refueling an aircraft using said equipment
The invention relates to equipment for refueling an aircraft, including a pipe (40) provided with means (42) for connecting onto an intake port (301) of the fuel tank of the aircraft (400) and, at or in the vicinity of the connection means (42), means (501) for determining the value of at least one parameter representative of a flow (E) of fuel passing through the connection means. Said equipment further includes at least one receiver onboard the refueling equipment (1), means (503, 504) for transmitting, to the receiver, a signal (Si(P)) representative of a parameter value predetermined by determination means (501) and an electronic unit capable of receiving, from the receiver, a signal representative of the parameter and of driving at least one flow control and monitoring device in accordance with the signal received from the receiver. The refueling method includes the steps of during a refueling operation, determining the value of at least one parameter representative of the flow (E) at or in the vicinity of the connection means (42), transmitting, to at least one receiver onboard the refueling apparatus, a signal (Si(P)) representative of a parameter value predetermined during the previous step, and automatically driving, in accordance with the signal received by the receiver, a flow control and monitoring device. |
| US08763954B2 |
Vehicle occupant support
Vehicle occupant support for enhanced comfort and utility in a vehicle with arrangements for crash load protection of occupants. Virtual navigation device. |
| US08763951B2 |
Cargo oriented personal aircraft
A cargo-adapted aircraft, in particular a personal aircraft, comprising a canard having two (and preferably only two) significant horizontal lifting surfaces, the smaller (canard surface) in front of the larger (wing), and having an opening at the rear of the fuselage through which objects can be loaded. |
| US08763950B2 |
Method and apparatus for aircraft sensor and actuator failure protection using reconfigurable flight control laws
A method and apparatus for reconfiguring flight control of an aircraft during a failure while the aircraft is flying. The method and apparatus provide a control law that is software-implemented and configured to automatically send flight control data to a mixing/mapping matrix. The method and apparatus also provide a reconfiguration management tool configured to communicate with the mixing/mapping matrix in order to safely transfer authority from a failed actuator to a back-up actuator. The method and apparatus also provide a sensor management tool for providing input to the reconfiguration management tool in order to smooth any transient conditions that may occur during reconfiguration. The method and apparatus provide for a way of smoothing any possible transient situation that might otherwise occur by employment of a fader, the fader being used to gradually convert positioning of failed actuators and positioning of reconfigured actuators. An exemplary aircraft for using the method and apparatus of a reconfigurable flight control system is a quad tilt rotor. The quad tilt rotor provides a variety of redundant and back-actuators, as such, having a robust and highly qualified reconfigurable flight control system is very desirable. |
| US08763947B2 |
Cover actuated roll towel dispense
Toweling dispenser apparatus includes a cover having relatively moveable cover portions. Relative movement caused by pushing one of the cover portions operates through transmission structure to rotate a toweling support drum and move toweling within the interior of the apparatus toward a dispensing position. |
| US08763943B2 |
Webbing take-up device
A webbing take-up device which can improve the workability of the assembly work of a tension reducer is obtained. In this webbing take-up device, a take-up spring unit is arranged closer to the opening side of a case than a reduction spring unit within a case. For this reason, when a clutch is arranged inside the reduction balance spring and the inner end of the reduction balance spring in a spiral direction is locked to a spring case of the clutch, the clutch and the reduction balance spring can be easily and visually recognized from the opening side of the case. Thus, the other end of the reduction balance spring can be easily locked to the spring case. |
| US08763937B2 |
Methods and systems for aligning irrigation systems
An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system for maintaining alignment of the mobile towers includes a location-determining component for determining a position or orientation of each of the mobile towers and a computing device operable to detect mis-alignment of the mobile towers based on the position or orientation of each of the mobile towers, determine a control sequence to re-align the mobile towers, and send commands to at least one of the motors for implementing the control sequence. |
| US08763936B2 |
Nozzle assembly and methods related thereto
Embodiments of the invention relate to a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition comprising a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex; and a nozzle body, in contact with the single point nozzle and including a first through bore, a larger second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore; and a cylindrical electrode, at least partially inserted within the first through bore of the nozzle body and in contact with the counter bore of the single point nozzle, the electrode including a bore mating aligned with the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, and inlets positioned at either end. |
| US08763933B2 |
Sprayer
A sprayer capable of avoiding clogging caused in the nozzle includes liquid supplies for supplying a liquid, and a nozzle connected to the liquid supply. The nozzle includes a first internal tube and a second internal tube through which a first liquid and a second liquid supplied from the liquid supply pass, respectively, and an external tube into which respective internal tubes are inserted, and which allows a gas to pass through the gap between it and each internal tube, for ejecting the first liquid and the second liquid with the gas. At least a part of the longitudinal direction of each internal tube is formed of a coil including a helically wound wire rod, so that the gas can flow into the inside of the coil from between the adjacent portions of the wire rod of the coil. |
| US08763929B2 |
Riding rotary pressure washer
A riding rotary pressure washer comprising of a four wheeled powered vehicle, a circular cover that houses a balance spray bar assembly, the circular cover is adjustably attached to the four wheeled vehicle and is positioned between the wheels of the vehicle, a first L-shaped hose guide, the first L-shaped hose guide is attached to the rear of the four wheeled vehicle, a hose, the hose is attached to the balance spray bar assembly and guided through the first L-shaped hose guide, and a remote pressure washer system, the remote pressure washer system attaches to the hose of the riding rotary pressure washer. |
| US08763928B2 |
Liquid material vaporizer
This invention provides a vaporizer that prevents deterioration of a precursor while reducing a residue, that can expect reduction in risk of clogging, and that can increase vaporization flow easily. The vaporizer comprises an inlet port for introducing a precursor in a liquid phase or a gas-liquid mixture phase, a vaporizing section for vaporizing the precursor arranged on the downstream side of the inlet port, and an outlet port for delivering the precursor vaporized at the vaporizing section, wherein the vaporizing section is of a flow channel type comprising a nozzle for spraying the precursor and a heating channel arranged on the downstream side of the nozzle continuously thereto. A plurality of vaporizing sections are arranged in parallel between the inlet port and the outlet port, and arranged such that each vaporizing section can distribute the precursor independently of each other. |
| US08763922B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing a railing system
In one embodiment, the invention is method and apparatus for installing a railing system. In one embodiment, a bracket for mounting a rail to a support surface includes a first surface, a second surface positioned in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the first surface, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, where at least one of the first surface or the second surface has a perimeter that is at least partially curved. |
| US08763921B2 |
Device for mounting railroad tracks on a substructure
The invention relates to a device for mounting rail-road tracks (22) on a substructure (20; 20a, 20b), comprising two angle guide elements (30; 30a, 30b) disposed on both sides of the rail foot (22a) for each mounting point, and one support element (28) on the side facing away from the rail foot (22a) of each angle guide element (30, 30a, 30b), and a support unit (26) disposed beneath the angle guide element (30; 30a, 30b) and support elements (28) of the mounting point and comprising two threaded bolts (42) for tightening rail clamps (32), disposed such that they extend through openings in the angle guide plates (30; 30a, 30b) in the installed state. |
| US08763920B1 |
External thermostat fan controller
A programmable controller circuit that can be connected directly to the fan switch of any thermostat with a forced air heating and/or cooling system that includes a blower fan for circulating air throughout the home. The controller can be installed with minimal modifications to the existing wiring. The present invention increases the efficiency of the cooling system by evaporating condensate and extracting residual coolness from the thermal mass of the evaporator coils. The present invention can be programmed with a single button. A method of adapting additional fan run time based on compressor run time. |
| US08763918B2 |
Container for improved beverage identification system and method of use thereof
A container for use in a system and method for dispensing a beverage is provided. The system includes a liquid dispensing machine having a dispensing area capable of receiving a container, and a scanner adjacent to the dispensing area for use with the container. The container is capable of being placed in the dispensing area and includes barcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the container. The scanner can read the barcode indicia when the container is placed in the dispensing area at any rotational orientation relative to the scanner. |
| US08763915B2 |
Identification plate with adjustable damping
An identification plate having a chip module that includes a chip, a coupling element connected to the chip, and an antenna module comprising an antenna lead. The coupling element is coupled to the antenna lead by a coupling field that creates a contactless coupling. An adjustable damping element is arranged in the proximity of the coupling element. The damping element projects into the coupling field and dampens the coupling field. In this manner, a maximum value of a transmitting and receiving range of the identification plate can be reduced. |
| US08763902B2 |
Mass transit fare processing system
An implementation of a system and method for using existing identification token infrastructures for mass transit fare product entitlement and payment is provided. The system and method make use of tokens—usually issued by a third party—for identification purposes and optionally for settlement purposes. The system does not store information on the tokens and instead maintains access control data (i.e., “white” and “black” lists). This implementation differs from known systems that require specially issued credit cards that have dedicated mass transit functionality. |
| US08763894B2 |
Method and system for generating tracing information for gas cylinders
Methods for generating tracing information for gas cylinders are provided comprising a metal cylinder body manufactured from an unrefined metal piece, wherein such a method comprises the steps of equipping the metal piece with an individual marking, identifying, during at least one transformation or control step of the piece, an identification code of the piece by reading the individual marking and associating one or more process parameters of the transformation step or control results with the identification code, and storing the process parameters and the association with the identification code in a database. Systems for generating tracing information for gas cylinders are also provided. |
| US08763889B2 |
Stackable carton
A container and carton assembly comprising a container including a first portion and having a plurality of items that longitudinally extend between a first end and a second end of the container. The carton assembly includes at least two handles and means for securing said at least two handles about opposing sides of the container where the at least two handles extend above a horizontal plane of the container and where at least the at least two handles form an offset stacking index. |
| US08763888B2 |
Blank assembly for forming a reinforced, stackable tray container
A blank assembly includes a tray blank having a first end panel assembly, a first side panel assembly, a second end panel assembly, and a second side panel assembly in series. Each panel assembly includes a removable pad panel. The tray blank further includes a bottom panel extending from each panel assembly at a fold line. The blank assembly further includes a first side insert blank configured to couple to the first side panel assembly. The first side insert blank having a removable pad panel configured to at least partially align with the removable pad panel of the first side panel assembly. A second side insert blank is configured to couple to the second side panel assembly. The second side insert blank includes a removable pad panel configured to at least partially align with the removable pad panel of the second side panel assembly. |
| US08763885B2 |
Cobalt-based alloy comprising germanium and method for soldering
Cobalt-based solder alloys are proposed. The cobalt-based solder alloys have germanium. The germanium has a higher melting point than nickel-based alloys such that the germanium is used advantageously for repairing or treating components having the nickel-based alloys used at high temperatures. The components are repaired or treated by soldering using the cobalt-based solder alloys. |
| US08763879B2 |
Accessing data stored in a memory of surgical instrument
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument having an end effector including a housing for holding staples and a sled having a camming surface for ejecting the staples. The instrument has a main drive shaft assembly for pushing the sled through the housing to eject the staples. Also included is a motor operatively coupled to the actuation shaft. The motor includes a drive assembly. The instrument further includes a sensor in the drive assembly to measure an actuation load. The instrument further includes a sensor for measuring a power output of the motor. The instrument further includes a console for remote control of the motor, the console comprising hand manipulated controls. The instrument further includes a means for providing proportionate feedback from the sensors to the hand manipulated controls. |
| US08763877B2 |
Surgical instruments with reconfigurable shaft segments
A surgical instrument having a handle assembly and an elongated shaft assembly protruding therefrom. Various embodiments of the elongated shaft assemblies include reconfigurable shaft segments that have portions that may be selectively arranged in coaxial alignment with each other and in other configurations wherein at least some portions thereof are not in coaxial alignment with each other. Various locking arrangements are disclosed for releasably locking the reconfigurable shaft segments in desired orientations. A movable closure tube is supported on the elongated shaft segment and is oriented to provide actuation motions to an end effector coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft. |
| US08763875B2 |
End effector for use with a surgical fastening instrument
An end effector for use with a surgical fastening instrument comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The firing member, in various embodiments, further includes a cutting surface, a first portion configured to engage the first jaw, and a second portion configured to engage the second jaw. The first portion can be comprised of a first material wherein the firing member can further include an insert engaged with the first portion comprised of an insert material which is different than the first material. In various instances, the first portion and the second portion are configured to co-operatively set a tissue gap distance between the first jaw and the second jaw. |
| US08763870B2 |
Adjustable bicycle wheel retainer
A bike mount for securing a bike on a vehicle includes a wheel clamp and securing devices for mounting bikes of various types, dimensions, and styles in one or more tray portions, extending between a pair of crossbars or other support structures. |
| US08763868B2 |
Hinged bracelet
A hinged bracelet (100) includes a first component (6) hinged with a second component (9) by a hinge (8) along an axis (D). A single-piece, resilient compensation element (1) is imprisoned between said first and second components (6; 9) to prevent any direct contact between said components radial to said axis (D), and to limit the relative angular travel thereof and includes, on either side of a central extensible layer (2), at a first end at least one first extensible and compressible boss (3), and at a second end at least one second extensible and compressible boss (4), said first boss (3) and said second boss (4) projecting relative to said layer (2) and having a larger section than that of said layer (2) in a plane perpendicular to said axis (D). |
| US08763865B2 |
Metering device for dispensing a dose of pressurized fluid
A novel metering device (1) for dispensing a dose of a pressurized fluid is described. A dispensing valve body (3) is mounted in a fluid-tight manner to the lid (4) of a pressurized container (5), which circumvents a valve element (9). A valve delivery tube (10) is connected to the valve element (9). A chamber (13) surrounds the valve body (3), in which a piston (17) is reciprocable between an upper and a lower position, which define the dispensing dose. A clearance is provided between the piston (17) and the inner wall (23) of the chamber (13), such that pressurized fluid can flow into the chamber based on a pressure difference between the container (5) and the chamber (13), and the piston (17) is adapted to seal the valve body (3) when being in the upper position. |
| US08763858B1 |
Tube extraction device
A tube extraction device for squeezing a substance out of a tube. The tube extraction device includes a base member and an upper plate hingedly secured to the base member. A lever including a handle portion and a cam portion is pivotally secured directly above the upper plate such that the cam portion rests thereon. An adjustment rod with an adjustably-secured constrictor is positioned below the base member. A knob at the end of the rod is used to advance the constrictor forward along the rod. As the constrictor advances, the upper plate constricts against the base member, thus dispensing the substance stored within any tube positioned between the upper plate and base member. If further pressure is needed, the lever may be pressed down to apply pressure from the cam portion directly onto the upper plate. A pressure knob may also be included for even more pressure capability. |
| US08763854B2 |
Adjustable dispenser for cups and other cup-shaped articles
A cup dispenser includes a body defining a storage region adapted for receiving for an associated stack of cup-shaped articles. The body includes an open end that provides access to the storage region. Multiple fingers are connected to the body for restricting the open end of the body. An adjustment ring is connected to the body and is movable relative to the body. Movement of the adjustment ring relative to the body alters a position of each of the fingers relative to the body. The adjustment ring includes a plurality of adjustment slots and the fingers each include an adjustment stud located in one of the adjustment slots. When the adjustment ring is rotated, the adjustment slots act as cams and the adjustment studs act as cam followers such that the fingers are simultaneously and uniformly adjusted in terms of their radial position relative to the body wall. |
| US08763851B2 |
Door assembly for ice storage bin
A door assembly is provided that includes a door, a hinge portion, a locking member and a damper member. The locking member locks the door in an opened position and the damper member provides resistance as the door moves from the opened position to the closed position. |
| US08763849B2 |
Bottle having a removable bottom
A bottle (1; 20; 60) includes a shaped body (2; 67) and a removable bottom (3; 21; 61) provided with one or more shaped elements, wherein one of the shaped elements is pressure-fitted to the shaped body (2; 67) of the bottle (1; 20; 60). |
| US08763835B2 |
Topping caddy
An apparatus for holding a pastry bag comprises a caddy and an ice-bath container that removably receives the caddy. The caddy includes a tapered receptacle and a flange arranged externally about the tapered receptacle. The container includes a first wall having a generally planar external surface, a second wall adjacent the first wall, the second wall having a generally planar external surface, and a third wall adjacent the second wall. The third wall includes an external surface engaged by the flange and an opening configured to allow insertion of the tapered receptacle into the interior of the container. The flange and/or the external surface of the third wall are configured so that the tapered receptacle is inclined relative to a support surface (e.g. a tabletop) whether the container is placed on its bottom (the first wall) or on its side (the second wall). |
| US08763833B2 |
Vacuum vessel, vacuum processing apparatus comprising vacuum vessel, and vacuum vessel manufacturing method
A vacuum vessel includes: a pair of bent members formed by bending two metal plates and connected to each other to form a closed space inside; one looped seal member which seals connecting portions of the pair of bent members; a structure arranged in the closed space to abut against an inner surface of the closed space formed by the pair of bent members; and a fastening member which connects the connecting portions of the pair of bent members. |
| US08763832B2 |
Housing for an electronic device
A housing for an electronic device includes a housing body and a cover. The housing body includes a base wall and a first surrounding wall projecting from the base wall. The first surrounding wall has an end face that is a first inclined surface of a surrounding shape. The cover covers the housing body, and includes a cover plate and a second surrounding wall projecting from the cover plate. The second surrounding wall has an end face that is a second inclined surface of a surrounding shape in tight engagement with the first inclined surface so that the second surrounding wall and the first surrounding wall cooperatively define an airtight space. At least one of the first and second surrounding walls is a water-proof component made of an elastic material. |
| US08763829B2 |
Collapsible container for holding liquids or objects
A segmented collapsible container for containing a liquid and collapsing when no liquid is present. The container is segmented into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The three segmented portions form a uniform annular sidewall, with each separate portion of the sidewall having a different thickness or material than the other portions. The middle second portion includes a relatively thinner break point in the sidewall to facilitate collapsing. It is this variation in rigidity and integrity of the sidewalls that allows the segmented collapsible container to collapse. The segmented collapsible container includes an airtight seal formed in the first portion that restricts fluids, such as but not limited to, air from entering or leaving the segmented collapsible container. The segmented collapsible container may more easily return to its original shape after collapsing. This facilitates cleaning and reusability of the container. |
| US08763826B1 |
Bottle design and method of making and using the same
A bottle or container having a shape, design or configuration that allows the bottle or container to be efficiently stacked or nestled with an identically shaped bottle rotated 180 degrees. Bundles and packages containing one or more nestled pairs of bottles according to the invention. Methods of making and using the same. |
| US08763825B2 |
Plastic container and blow-moulding method for making same
Plastic container (100), particularly for storing liquid under pressure, comprising an integrally formed body with a bottom (101), an upright substantially cylindrical side wall (102) and an upper side (103) with a neck (104) having a bottom end and an open top end (115) in which a closing element of the container can be mounted, wherein the upper side of the container, around the neck, is formed with at least one shoulder (105) and at least one valley (106) which runs downward in radial direction from the neck in the direction of the upright side wall; wherein each shoulder (105) protrudes upward relative to the at least one valley (106); which at least one shoulder and at least one valley are formed integrally with the body of the container. |
| US08763818B1 |
Kitchen sink organizer
A kitchen sink organizer is disclosed that provides for a housing with a sloping dish washing detergent reservoir in a bottom base area, a reservoir insert that rests inside the reservoir that allows for degrees of penetration of dish washing implements such as sponges, soap pads and the like, and a plurality of reservoir covers that are formed with open channels through which liquid can drip back into the reservoir when the washing implements are placed on the covers, and where the housing also provides for an upper storage area for sponges, scrub pads, brushes dish towels, a bar of soap, and a ring or wrist watch, and also for a plurality of swinging hanging rods and rod sleeves that are molded onto the outer walls of the housing and which a user can swing outwardly for placement of a damp dish towel or rubber cleaning gloves. |
| US08763815B2 |
Sorting table featuring grading rolls with modifiable and adjustable gaps, and machines and installations making use thereof
A sorting table with grading rolls supported by end supports and positioned to form a sorting plane. The rolls are rotated in the same direction and configured to create at least one opening between adjacent rolls to permit the pass-through of only the products to be sorted or calibrated. Larger products remain at the surface and are evacuated downstream. The gap between rolls can be modified. Elastic elements are interposed between said end supports and means of actuation for are provided bringing said end supports and the rolls supported by the latter closer together or moving them farther apart, in opposition to the antagonistic action exerted by said elastic elements, to decrease or increase the cross section of the openings, displacements in the opposite direction of said end supports and of the grading rolls being achieved by the action of extension or compression of said elastic elements. |
| US08763813B2 |
Apparatus for the transport and sorting of loose materials
A rake conveyor comprises a horizontal movable part and a rotating-swinging part and/or an inclined part. A screen is located above part of the rake conveyor. The rotating-swinging part and/or the inclined part of the rake conveyor is followed by a first bucket conveyor or the a part of the dual bucket conveyor, which lifts the used loose material into equipment for sorting of loose material. At least one of the outputs of equipment for sorting of loose materials is followed by a second bucket conveyor or by a second part of the dual bucket conveyor. The outlet of the second bucket conveyor or the second outlet of the dual bucket conveyor leads to a silo, which is additionally equipped with an outlet mouth, leading into a container. Once used abrasive material has accumulated, the excess abrasive material is taken out of the container above the rack conveyor. |
| US08763809B2 |
Bakery tray
A tray includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from the base. In one feature, a first wall of the plurality of walls may include a projection outward from the first wall. The projection is aligned with an upper edge of the first wall, such that the projection is outward of a portion of the upper edge of the first wall. The projection of an identical upper tray stacked on the tray would interlock with the upper edge of the first wall to resist outward deflection of the upper edge of the first wall of the tray. In another feature, a platform may extend inward from at least one of the walls to support smaller trays stacked thereon. In another feature, an exterior of each of the side walls may include an interlocking recess for receiving automated handling equipment for supporting the tray. |
| US08763804B2 |
Protective case for portable electronic apparatus
A protective case which offers an efficient protective position without hindering an easy positioning of the apparatus in a slanted position. The case includes a back face, a front face, an edge connecting the back face with the front face and forming a first articulation between the front face and the back face in order to make it possible for the case to move between and from a first open position where the front face is coplanar with the back face to a second protective position where the front face is folded over the back face. |
| US08763794B2 |
Packaging for disposable soft contact lenses
The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages. |
| US08763792B2 |
Conveyance system
A conveyance system includes a traveling member to transport an article installed for movement along a travel guide. A drive source arranged to drive the traveling member is a linear motor including an armature, disposed along the travel guide, and a mover on the secondary side installed on the traveling member. The travel guide includes a rectilinear section and a curved section. The armatures of the linear motor are spaced at a distance from each other and arranged such that a plurality of the armatures are arranged along the rectilinear section and the curved section of the travel guide. The travel guide is arranged to accommodate a plurality of traveling members mounted thereon. |
| US08763790B1 |
Clean room roller conveyor with motors between and torquing drive roller pairs
A clean room conveyor comprises a first guide rail and a plurality of motors coupled to the first guide rail, and a plurality of drive roller pairs. Each drive roller pair comprises two drive rollers, with a corresponding one of the plurality of motors disposed between the two drive rollers and applying torque to both of the two drive rollers. |
| US08763787B2 |
Conveyor
A conveyor is provided which is particularly suited for use in a helical conveyor path where limited footprint space is available. The conveyor includes belt (4) with flights comprised of conveying portions (41) and holding portions (41a). Each of the portions has forward projections and rear projections, the forward projections being staggered relative to the rear projections so that adjacent flights can be interconnected by connection between staggered projection of the adjacent flight. The holding portions (41a) are provided with an upstanding projection (47) which serves to retain product placed on the conveyor in a desired orientation as the conveyor travels along the helical path. |
| US08763783B2 |
Working unit with labelling machine and machine for filling containers
A working unit comprising a container labelling machine and a machine for filling such containers, the working unit comprising a variable-spacing element, which is interposed between the machines in order to convey the containers that exit from the first machine encountered in the production line to the inlet of the second machine, changing the spacing of the containers according to the operational conditions. |
| US08763782B2 |
Device and method for producing tubes
A device for production of tubes, includes a plurality of mandrel assemblies, each comprising multiple mandrels on which the tubes can be produced in steps at a plurality of work stations, wherein the mandrel assemblies can be transported from work station to work station using transport means. The mandrels of at least one of the mandrel assemblies are distributed into a first and at least a second mandrel group, and in at least one of the work stations the first mandrel group can be moved from a processing position associated with the work station, in which the work station can interact with the first mandrel group to a park position associated with the work station, and the second mandrel group can be moved from a park position associated with the work station to a processing position associated with the work station. |
| US08763778B2 |
Bearing casing assembly for conveyor rollers and conveyor roller assembly
A bearing casing assembly for a conveyor roller tube having a casing, a stub axle, bearings, an outer seal member and shield cap, is provided. The casing includes a body having a shoulder at its distal end extending circumferentially and radially outwardly for abutting against an end of the roller tube, an inner flange extending circumferentially and radially inwardly near the distal end from the casing body and an internally threaded a proximal end. The casing also includes a casing seat having a threaded portion for threadingly engaging the threaded proximal end portion of the casing body and a bearing engaging portion adapted to abut the bearing for selectively adjusting a preload on the bearing by rotating the casing seat about the casing body. The bearing casing assembly may further include an inner seal member when fluid lubricating bearings are used. |
| US08763776B2 |
Coupler for viscometer bob shaft
A coupler for attaching a lower segment of a viscometer bob shaft to an upper segment of a viscometer bob shaft includes an upper assembly connected to the upper segment, a lower assembly connected to the lower segment, a magnetic coupler, and a rotation connection. |
| US08763774B2 |
System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (rail structure)
A rail structure related to a track of a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. The rail structure comprises one or more tracks oriented parallel with external wall sections made of metal, and a partition separating the external wall sections and comprising an intermediate wall made of an electrically conductive material. Conductors are arranged in a lower portion of the tracks, respectively. The tracks comprise electrically insulating layers applied to surface portions facing each other of said wall sections and the partition, the insulating layers being coordinated with the lower portions and intended to support the conductors. |
| US08763773B2 |
System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (arrangement for metal detection)
An arrangement for metal detection related to a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. The detecting arrangement, comprises one or more coils arranged for sensing the variation of the magnetic field, based on a horizontal and/or vertical distance between the coils and metal parts belonging to the one or more elongated tracks. |
| US08763762B2 |
Call input device and associated method for operating an elevator system
A lift system comprises a call input device and at least one touchscreen for inputting a call for a lift. The touchscreen has at least one functional identifier. When a functional identifier is touched, at least one input signal is generated. The call input device converts into a special input mode for a time-specific or location-specific generation of several input signals. |
| US08763761B2 |
Elevator systems and methods for building evacuation
In a method, an evacuation state is activated, and the number of people awaiting evacuation on specific floors is determined. At least one of a number of elevator cars and of evacuation times needed for the evacuation of specific floors is calculated based on the capacity of the aforementioned one or more elevator cars and of the number of people awaiting evacuation, and floor-specific evacuation is controlled to one or more exit floors. |
| US08763757B2 |
Ladder climbing apparatus
A ladder climbing apparatus is provided for use with a ladder having a plurality of rungs. The ladder climbing apparatus includes a frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame and a power supply electrically connected to the prime mover. A pulley system is mounted to the frame, and is mechanically connected to the prime mover. At least two drive belts are configured so that each of the drive belts pass around the pulley system, and the drive belts are connected to the prime mover by the pulley system. A plurality of gripper elements are attached to each of the drive belts. The ladder climbing apparatus is configured so that a portion of the plurality of gripper elements are in contact with at least four rungs of the ladder during an ascent or descent, so that weight is distributed over the at least four rungs of the ladder. |
| US08763756B1 |
Lightweight wooden stairs
The present disclosure provides a system of light weight folding stairs, especially lightweight wooden stairs, designed for installation in the ceiling of a building. For example, the light weight ladder-type stair system may be opened downwards and unfolded towards inside the room located under this ceiling. At least one ladder-type stair section is connected to a flap that fits within a frame in an opening in the ceiling, wherein the flap hinges open to access the folded stair sections. The ladder-type stair section is connected to the flap by a hook-type holder that allows installing the frame in a ceiling opening without the flap, which can be easily and quickly attached during final stage of assembly. |
| US08763754B2 |
Sound insulating element and process for producing a sound insulating element
The invention relates to a sound insulating element for the ceiling area of a building, in particular for rooms subject to increased humidity such as underground parking, and basement rooms, which sound insulating element consists of an insulation element (2) made from mineral fibers bound with a binding agent and having two mutually spaced large surfaces extending parallel to each other, and of a coating (5) from a hydraulically and/or chemically set mass, wherein the coating (5) is connected to the insulation element (2), whereby the coating (5) to be oriented towards the room includes an array of openings (7) forming a regular hole pattern and penetrating the coating (5) as far as to the insulation element (2). The invention moreover relates to a process for producing said sound insulating element. |
| US08763751B2 |
Silencer for an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft
A silencer for an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft comprises an inlet, an outlet, a housing and a flow channel with a porous wall material that is arranged in the housing. An intermediate space is formed between the housing and the flow channel and divided into outer cells that are arranged around the flow channel by means of one or more partitions. This makes it possible to realize a very compact silencer with very good sound insulation properties. The sound dampening can be additionally improved by dividing the outer cells into outer regions and inner regions, by adapting the shape of the silencer to a tail section of an aircraft and by arranging an annular channel on the outlet. |
| US08763748B2 |
Work vehicle
When an operation lever is operated to either a speed changing path or a neutral path, a second link mechanism establishes no operative coupling between the operation lever and a parking brake mechanism. When the operation lever is operated from the neutral path to a linking path, the second link mechanism establishes operative coupling between the operation lever and the parking brake mechanism. Further, when the operation lever is operated to a braking path, the parking brake mechanism is activated. When the lever is operated to a locking path, a locking mechanism is activated. |
| US08763745B2 |
Snowmobile
A snowmobile has a structure that reduces and minimizes adverse affects of snow on a throttle motor. The snowmobile includes a snowmobile body including an engine room therein, an engine which is disposed inside the engine room, a throttle valve arranged to adjust intake air supplied to the engine, a throttle motor arranged to drive the throttle valve and disposed ahead of the engine, and an air box arranged to pass the intake air through toward the engine, disposed ahead of the engine and including a portion located ahead of the throttle motor. |
| US08763739B2 |
Off-road vehicle having a cooling tunnel
An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, a left seat and a right seat disposed in a side-by-side configuration, a steering assembly, an engine having an upper portion, and a console mounted between the left seat and the right seat. The console covers at least the upper portion of the engine. The console includes side walls and an upper portion connected to the side walls to define a central cooling tunnel. The central cooling tunnel includes a frontal opening and a rear opening allowing air flow through the central cooling tunnel from the frontal opening to the rear opening. |
| US08763738B2 |
Front end structure for vehicle
A front end structure for a vehicle includes a fascia member defining a forward end of an engine compartment of the vehicle and a radiator disposed in the engine compartment rearwardly spaced from the fascia member. At least one structural brace extends from a location at or near an underside of the vehicle to a location at or near an upper end of the engine compartment. A duct member is interposed between the fascia member and the radiator. The duct member at least partially blocks the radiator and defines a duct passage extending from an underside opening of the vehicle to the radiator. The duct member has at least one recess defined therein that receives the at least one structural brace. |
| US08763737B2 |
Powertrain cooling circuit
A vehicle, such as a loader, is disclosed. The vehicle includes a cooling system having a pump that communicates coolant to heat-generating components to be cooled by the coolant. |
| US08763736B2 |
Control apparatus and method for hybrid vehicle
In control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle, a line pressure control valve disposed at a downstream side of each of mechanical oil pump (M-O/P) and electrically driven oil pump (S-O/P) to decrease a supplied hydraulic pressure from at least one of the mechanical oil pump and the electrically driven oil pump by opening drain ports thereof in accordance with a control valve command value is provided, the control valve command value is set by adding a predetermined additive correction quantity to a required line pressure set in accordance with operating states of a hydraulic pressure clutch (CL1) and a transmission and the drain ports of the line pressure control valve are controlled to a closure side, during an actuation of the electrically driven oil pump. |
| US08763731B2 |
Polycrystalline compacts having differing regions therein, cutting elements and earth-boring tools including such compacts, and methods of forming such compacts
Polycrystalline compacts include a hard polycrystalline material comprising first and second regions. The first region comprises a first plurality of grains of hard material having a first average grain size, and a second plurality of grains of hard material having a second average grain size smaller than the first average grain size. The first region comprises catalyst material disposed in interstitial spaces between inter-bonded grains of hard material. Such interstitial spaces between grains of the hard material in the second region are at least substantially free of catalyst material. In some embodiments, the first region comprises a plurality of nanograins of the hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming such polycrystalline compacts include removing catalyst material from interstitial spaces within a second region of a polycrystalline compact without entirely removing catalyst material from interstitial spaces within a first region of the compact. |
| US08763730B2 |
Diamond bonded construction with improved braze joint
Diamond bonded constructions comprise a body comprising a plurality of bonded together diamond grains with interstitial regions disposed between the grains that are substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially sinter the body. A metallic substrate is attached to the body, and a braze joint is interposed between the body and the substrate. The body is metallized to include a metallic material disposed along a substrate attachment surface in contact with the braze joint, wherein the metallic material is different from the braze joint material. The metallic material may exist within a region of the body extending fully or partially into the body, and/or may exist as a layer extending away from the substrate attachment surface. The body includes a working surface characterized by empty interstitial regions or by interstitial regions filled with an infiltrant material, wherein the infiltrant material is different from the metallizing material. |
| US08763729B2 |
Percussion drilling assembly and hammer bit with gage and outer row reinforcement
A hammer bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations includes a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face, a plurality of gage cutter elements mounted to the bit face in a circumferential gage row, and a plurality of adjacent to gage cutter elements mounted to the bit face in a circumferential row that is radially adjacent the gage row. The ratio of the radial overlap distance to the radial span distance between radially overlapping gage cutter elements and adjacent to gage cutter elements is greater than 0.25. The ratio of the radial overlap distances to the diameter of the gage cutter element is greater than 0.25. An average cutting area of the gage cutter elements per gage cutter element is less than an average surface area of an entire cutting surface of each of the gage cutter elements. |
| US08763725B2 |
Rotary steerable drilling system
A rotary steerable drilling system comprises a rotatable housing having a plurality of steering actuators mounted thereon and movable, individually, between retracted and extended positions, the actuators being electrically controlled, and a battery arranged to supply electrical power to the actuators. |
| US08763721B2 |
Electrical machine tool
The invention relates to an electrical machine tool, particularly a hand machine tool, having a contrast detection device, an analysis unit, and at least one sensor provided for capturing a surface of a work piece. According to the invention, the analysis unit is provided for detecting a differentiation of the surface from an at least partially automatic guide using data captured by a sensor. |
| US08763717B2 |
Pivoting gauge wheel
Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism. |
| US08763716B2 |
Vehicle track assembly
A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane. |
| US08763707B2 |
Downhole circulating valve having a metal-to-metal seal
A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway. The valve element has a second position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is aligned with the opening and wherein the seal element forms a metal-to-metal seal with the internal seat, thereby preventing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway. |
| US08763701B2 |
Window joint for lateral wellbore construction
A system for opening a window (320) in lateral wellbore construction. The system includes a window joint (300) that is operable to be interconnected within a casing string. The window joint (300) has a window (304) formed therein that is defined by at least one score line (306) that creates a preferentially weaken region within the window joint (300) enabling internal removal of the window (304) in a predictable manner without generating wellbore debris. A window removal tool (310) is operable to be run in the casing string. The window removal tool (310) is operably engagable with the window (304) such that actuation of the window removal tool (310) internally removes the window (304) from the window joint (300), thereby opening the window (320). |
| US08763699B2 |
Heterogeneous proppant placement in a fracture with removable channelant fill
A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting a first treatment fluid comprising a gas and substantially free of macroscopic particles through a wellbore to initiate a fracture in a subterranean formation; injecting a second treatment fluid comprising proppant and channelant through the wellbore into the fracture; placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters forming pillars spaced apart by the channelant; and removing the channelant to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the subterranean formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. |
| US08763690B2 |
Casing centralizers having flexible bow springs
A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured. The stop collars may include or cooperate with one or more fingers extending along a casing to be secured by a sleeve that forms an interference fit about the casing. |
| US08763686B2 |
Downhole packer tool with antifracture means
A linkage device separate from the integrated slips bridge links the pair of spaced-apart members of each slip to prevent sizeable fractured bits from moving away in the event of a fracture in the slip. The linkage device comprises a pair of ductile steel bars the ends of which loosely anchor in holes in each slip member, the holes being located at both sides of the slips at opposite ends of a groove that houses the linkage bar preventing it from falling out of the holes. In this way, a fractured slip may continue to assist in setting the tool and, moreover, potential hazardous interference in further tool operations are avoided. Furthermore, tool damage including slips fracture is reduced by a resilient damper material which buffers the lower cone as it slides down on the slip-holder cage during a tool release operation. |
| US08763685B2 |
Whipstock assembly and method for low side exit
A whipstock assembly allowing a lowside casing exit, the whipstock assembly includes a whipstock including an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the upstream portion having a deflection wedge surface and an opposite casing-side surface; and a fulcrum protruding from the whipstock and positioned between the downstream portion and the upstream portion. Also includes is a method of allowing a first side exit in a window milling operation of a casing having a first side and an opposite second side. |
| US08763683B2 |
Coiled tubing injector with a weight on bit circuit
A control circuit for a coiled tubing injector includes a circuit controller (14). One or more counterbalance vales (3) may be responsive to the circuit controller to prevent the tubing string from descending into the wellbore during rate of penetration movement. In one embodiment, a control valve (4) allows fluid to flow through a bypass line around the counterbalance valves when drilling in a weight-on-bit mode. Other hydraulic control circuits allow for the release of fluid pressure to control the injector hydraulic motor. In yet another embodiment, the control circuit regulates power to an electric motor of the injector. |
| US08763682B2 |
Condensing heat exchanger with hydrophilic antimicrobial coating
A multi-layer antimicrobial hydrophilic coating is applied to a substrate of anodized aluminum, although other materials may form the substrate. A silver layer is sputtered onto a thoroughly clean anodized surface of the aluminum to about 400 nm thickness. A layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure about 10 nm thickness overlies the silver layer, and the outermost surface of the layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure is hydroxide terminated to produce a hydrophilic surface with a water drop contact angle of less than 10°. The coated substrate may be one of multiple fins in a condensing heat exchanger for use in the microgravity of space, which has narrow channels defined between angled fins such that the surface tension of condensed water moves water by capillary flow to a central location where it is pumped to storage. The antimicrobial coating prevents obstruction of the capillary passages. |
| US08763681B2 |
Evaporator and cooling circuit
An evaporator for a cooling circuit is provided, for cooling at least one heat emitting device by evaporation of a cooling fluid. The evaporator includes a top collector, a bottom collector, and an evaporator body. The evaporator body includes at least one thermoconducting wall that is thermally connectable to the at least one heat emitting device, a plurality of evaporation channels, and a plurality of return channels. |
| US08763680B2 |
Heat exchange for a thermoelectric thin film element
A heat exchanger for at least one thermoelectric thin film element, having a hot and a cold side arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the thin film element. The hot side is connected to a coupling element on a warm source and the cold side is connected to a heat sink. The heat exchanger connects in a simple and active manner to the thermoelectric thin film element and improves the efficiency of the attached thermoelectric thin film element. Especially flexible thin film elements spread out between the coupling element and the heat sink of the heat exchanger and support the load between the coupling element and the heat sink by a thermally insulating support structure. |
| US08763679B2 |
Casting roll for a two-roll casting device and two-roll casting device
A casting roll for a two-roll casting device for the casting of metallic strip from a metal melt, in particular a steel melt, includes a roll body, on a casing surface of which a coating consisting of a coating material is applied by thermal spraying, which has a higher degree of hardness than the roll body. The casting roll according to the invention and the two-roll casting device, while easy to manufacture, has not only a long service life, but also allows for the manufacture of cast strips of optimum quality. This is achieved by the fact that the free surface of the coating, after thermal spraying, has a peak number RPc of at least 10 cm−1. |
| US08763678B2 |
Mold for producing parts by wax injection
A mold for producing a part, such as a turbomachine blade model, by injecting wax into a cavity, the cavity including at least two cavity elements, each of which is supported in a cavity block. The two cavity blocks are mobile relative to one another between a closed position for injecting the wax and an open position for removing the part following the injection of the wax. The two cavity blocks are mobile in a horizontal plane. |
| US08763677B2 |
Method for processing, in particular casting, a material, casting mould for carrying out the method and articles produced by the method or in the casting mould
A method for producing articles in a mold includes bringing a material into a free-flowing state, introducing the material into the mold via a bottom-casting principle, and solidifying being carried out according to a top-casting principle. The material, viewed in a flow direction of the material, is first introduced into a pouring basin of a runner, then flows through the runner, thereafter through a storage space that is located upstream from a cavity and that is arranged underneath the cavity, and from there into the cavity. Thereafter the mold including the sub-parts of the mold is pivoted so that the storage space takes over the function of a feeder or riser. |
| US08763676B2 |
Idle end assembly
The present invention relates to a roller blind idle end assembly for roller blinds comprising a splined bush, a support bearing and an end pin, wherein the splined bush is supported by the support bearing and rotatable relative thereto in use; the end pin projects from the support bearing and is slidably coupled thereto such that the end pin is adapted to move axially relative to the support bearing and projects therefrom to engage with a receiving element of a mounting bracket; and wherein the end pin is rotationally fixed relative to the support bearing. This assembly reduces wear between an idle end pin and an idle end bracket and the likelihood of failure of the blind. |
| US08763673B2 |
Retractable shade for coverings for architectural openings
A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail. |
| US08763671B2 |
Cordless covering for architectural opening
Embodiments disclosed herein include a cordless architectural passage covering system, apparatus and method for making the same. The covering may include a support member, a roller attached to the support member, a first material having a proximal portion secured to the roller, whereby the first material can be wound about the roller or unwound therefrom, a second material having a proximal portion secured to the support member and a distal portion secured to a distal portion of the first material, and at least one guide member attached to the second material, whereby the at least one guide member guides the second material about the first material as the first material is wound about the roller or unwound therefrom. |
| US08763670B2 |
Automated peeler
A method and apparatus for application of pavement markers to a roadway or surface that provides for mechanical separation of paper backer from the adhesive surface of the markers. A pair of motor driven drums, having two barb bands, drives the markers through the apparatus and grasps and separates the paper backer from the markers. |
| US08763666B2 |
All-round labelling apparatus
A labelling machine for labelling containers may include at least a container feed means, a labelling region, a container removal means, and at least one labelling unit for processing labels from the roll. The labelling unit may comprise at least one label roll, a label feeder, a cutting device, a gripper cylinder, and at least one gluing mechanism. The cutting device may be constituted by a rotating vacuum roller and a rotating parting element which, on its circumference, has at least one parting tool, for example, a cutting blade, and the cutting device may be held by a common support device having, at least, a base part and a cover part. The support device has the same mean coefficient of thermal expansion as the rotating vacuum roller and the rotating parting element. |
| US08763664B2 |
Reinforcement comprising two reinforcing materials and tire comprising such a reinforcement
Tire reinforcement (10) having a bi-material structure of reinforcing elements that consists of at least a plurality of extensible first reinforcing elements (1) and at least a plurality of inextensible second reinforcing elements (2), these first and second reinforcing elements being mutually parallel and distributed alternately in appropriate proportions in order to achieve the desired level of reinforcement, these first and second reinforcing elements lying within the same mean plane, this reinforcement being such that the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) are coupled to the inextensible second reinforcing elements (2) over a coupling length Lc which is shorter than the length L1 of the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) so that, with each of the first and second reinforcing elements having two ends, at least one of the ends of the extensible first reinforcing elements (1) is offset in relation to the two ends of the inextensible second reinforcing elements (2). |
| US08763661B2 |
Tire inflation system
A tire inflation system that couples to the wheel of a vehicle, the tire inflation system including a pumping ring that rotates with the wheel; a positioning system rotatably coupled to the wheel, the positioning system including a positioning mechanism and an eccentric mass; a planetary roller disposed in non-slip contact with the pumping ring and the positioning system; and a flexible diaphragm that defines a pump cavity, wherein relative motion between the pumping ring and positioning system is translated by the planetary roller into an occluding force that deforms the diaphragm to occlude the pump cavity. Relative motion between the pumping ring and the positioning system is achieved by coupling the eccentric mass to the positioning mechanism to offset the center of mass of the positioning system from the center of rotation of the positioning system. |
| US08763660B2 |
Tire belt incorporating an antioxidant agent
Tire belt comprising a rubber composition based on at least one isoprene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a crosslinking system and an antioxidant agent, characterized in that said antioxidant agent comprises a 4,4′-bis(alkylamino)triphenylamine corresponding to the formula (I): in which R1 and R2, which are identical or different, each represent a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms. Such an antioxidant gives the belt of the invention a better long-term resistance to fatigue and to crack propagation. |
| US08763659B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread having sub-grooves and sipes
Five land portions on tread surface are demarcated by four main grooves that extend in a tire circumferential direction TC. The five land portions include a center land portion between the first main grooves, two middle land portions between the first main grooves and the second main grooves, and two shoulder land portions located toward the outside of the second main grooves in the tire width direction, and sub-grooves and sipes are formed on the land portions. The total groove surface area ratios of the sub-grooves and the sipes in the land portions are different in the center land portion and the shoulder land portion as compared to the middle land portion, with the total groove surface area ratio being lower in the center land portion and the shoulder land portion and being higher in the middle land portion. |
| US08763654B2 |
Filling system
Filling system for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid consisting of a main component and at least one additional component, said system comprising a plurality of filling elements in which the additional component(s) is/are supplied in controlled quantities via at least one mixing line per filling element in order to be mixed with the main component in the filling element. |
| US08763649B2 |
Seam construction for a one piece woven airbag fabric
A seam construction for a woven fabric for an OPW airbag, in particular for person restraint systems, which seam construction is characterized by a weaving seam having a single-layer region which is surrounded by an at least two-layer region, the individual layers of which have in each case a looser woven structure than the single-layer region. |
| US08763648B2 |
Cold-insulated pipe support and installation
The invention relates to a cold-insulated pipe support for a pipeline (R), in particular for a low-temperature pipeline, comprising a pipe receptacle (2) that delimits a receiving space for a pipe section of the pipeline (R) and comprising a holding device (7) for absorbing and transmitting forces and torques acting on the pipeline (R) and on a base (B). The invention further relates to a method for installing the pipe support. With the objective of an inexpensive construction and low loading of the pipeline (R) in operation, it proposed that the holding device (7) comprise a stop apparatus (8) having at least one stop element (9) for absorbing and transmitting axial pipe forces to the pipe receptacle (2) and/or to the base (B) and that the stop element (9) be fixed in the installation position on a narrow-surfaced side surface (12) on the outside of the pipeline (R), wherein the side surface extends longitudinally in the axial direction (x) in the installation position and is designed as a connecting side surface (10). In order to apply force to the pipe receptacle (2), a ring element (16) can be provided between the stop element (9) and the pipe receptacle (2), wherein the ring element is brought radially over the pipeline (R) in the form of two ring sectors, which are welded together to form the ring element (16). |
| US08763647B2 |
Composite tubing
The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of composite tubing having properties tailored to meet a wide variety of environmental and working conditions. Composite tubes disclosed herein may include one or more of the following layers: a internal liner, a composite layer, a thermal insulation layer, a crush resistant layer, a permeation barrier, buoyancy control layer, a pressure barrier layer, and a wear resistant layer. Grooves may be provided in one or more layers of the composite tube to provide increased axial permeability to the composite tube. A venting system, including vent paths, may be provided in the composite tube to vent fluid that may become trapped within the wall of the composite tube. |
| US08763643B2 |
Tube flow turbulator utilizing multiple smaller channels to create turbulences and higher flow rates
The tube flow turbulator, type TC-09/A-B, resulted from work in measuring and regulation technology, and resolving problems in this field of work. The tube flow turbulator solves the problem of dirt collection in control assemblies and enhances operation of a dirt collector. The advantage of the tube flow turbulator is that Maximally reduces necessity for human intervention, and resolves problems in cases where there are no dirt collectors. It is simply installed in a closed pipeline system, between pipeline and control assembly flanges with two seals. |
| US08763636B2 |
Valve assembly for fuel pump
A valve assembly for use in a fuel pump comprises a body member with a valve aperture, a valve member movable within the body member and adapted to close the valve aperture, and a biasing arrangement having a first part fixed with respect to one of the body member and the valve member and a second part fixed with respect to the other of the body member and the valve member. The biasing arrangement is adapted to bias the valve member to close the valve aperture. The biasing arrangement comprises a helical spring with a first diameter at the first part and a second diameter at the second part. The first diameter of the helical spring is different from the second diameter of the spring. The helical spring is at its first part retained by an interference fit against the member with respect to which it is fixed. |
| US08763634B2 |
Relief device for oil pump
A relief device includes a relief housing constituted by a relief inflow portion, a valve passage portion, a recess, and an oil discharge portion having a relief hole; a relief valve having a small-diameter portion between a first large-diameter portion and a second large-diameter portion; and a spring elastically biasing the relief valve toward the relief inflow portion. The recess is formed at a position that is closer to the relief inflow portion side than to the oil discharge portion, the axial length of the recess is larger than the axial length of the first large-diameter portion of the relief valve, and the shortest axial distance between the recess and the relief hole is less than the axial length of the small-diameter portion. |
| US08763632B2 |
Flow- and pressure-control valve
The invention relates to a valve combination for regulating the rate of flow or the differential pressure in liquid-conveying heating and cooling systems, consisting of a housing (2) provided with a feed pipe (10), a discharge pipe (11) and a connection pipes (6) arranged between them and a regulator (3) which is arranged axially in the connection pipe (6), wherein the regulator (3) keeps the differential pressure constant at a preset value by means of a first flow regulator (4) also arranged axially in the connection pipe (6) and can be adjusted by an actuating part (8) which projects from the housing (2) and acts on a second seat (24), and by means of a presettable second flow regulator (5) which is arranged axially or coaxially thereto, wherein the flow cross section (9) is adjustable, which is characterized in that, when an actuator (29) that acts on the actuating part (8) is installed, the flow cross section (9) is adjustable by means of a handle (7) not covered by the actuator and that, when the actuator (29) is installed, the position of the handle (7) on a display unit (19) which is not covered by the actuator can be read, and the display unit (19) shows the presetting of the flow cross section (9). |
| US08763630B2 |
Sewage flushing
A sewer flushing device 20 for location in a sewage system. The device comprises a housing 21 adapted for location in a sewage flow path 14 and a gate 22 pivotally supported on the housing 21 and movable between open and closed positions. The gate is biased towards its closed position so as to inhibit the flow of sewage and thereby cause a build up of sewage. In this way, when the sewage upstream of the gate 22 reaches a predetermined level the gate is urged to its open position such that a flushing pulse of sewage flows downstream.There may also be provided a locating device 23 for holding the housing 21 in the required position within the sewage system. The locating device may comprise a sewer engaging portion 51,52 adapted to locate in a sewer channel 12,14, and a housing connector 54 adapted to connect to the housing 21. |
| US08763627B2 |
Fastener
A fastener has a metallic member and a nonmetallic cap member. The metallic member has a head and a shaft. The shaft has a first end at the head, a distal second end, and an externally threaded portion. The metallic member further has a projection extending from the head opposite the shaft. The cap member is mated to the head opposite the shaft and retained by the projection. |
| US08763625B1 |
Siphon pump technology and apparatuses
Apparatuses to enable single-point valve control of siphons, siphon pumps, metering siphon pumps, and turbine siphon pumps include terminal anti-backflow valves, a system flow control valve, a metering chamber, a self-regulating chamber, and a siphon turbine. The terminal anti-backflow valves provide automatically closable systems without further priming after an initial prime. The system flow control valve consolidates functions for priming, pumping, dispensing, and siphon flow regulation to provide single-point valve control. The metering chamber operated by a single-point system flow control valve enables periodic dispensing of liquid above a supply source. The self-regulating chamber controls a single-point system flow control valve to regulate a metering chamber for periodic dispensing. The siphon turbine provided with terminal anti-backflow valves and regulated by a single-point system flow control valve enables hydropower production. Benefits include precision control, single-point operation, safety, new applications, energy savings, installations without power facilities, and a renewable clean energy technology. |
| US08763621B2 |
Multi-functional instant tent
The present invention provides a multi-functional instant tent collapsible from an open configuration to a collapsed configuration. The instant tent comprises an instant set-up frame which is coupled to an outer surface of a rain fly. An inner surface of the rain fly is detachably coupled to an outer surface of an enclosed inner tent. The instant tent is configured such that the frame, rain fly and inner tent remain coupled together in the collapsed configuration in a compact state for easy storage and transport. In the open configuration, the instant tent could be used as an enclosed shelter when the inner tent and rain fly are attached to each other, and as an open shelter when the inner tent is detached and removed from the instant tent. |
| US08763620B1 |
Rotatable sunshade
A rotatable sunshade includes a pole rotatably coupled to a connection tube fixed to a base. A runner is slideably mounted around the pole to fold, unfold, or tilt a canopy. A control tube is slideably mounted around the pole. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in an engagement position, at least one tooth of the control tube engages with at least one tooth of a positioning ring fixed to the connection tube, and the pole is not rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the pole relative to the connection tube. When the canopy is tilted and the control tube is in a disengagement position, the at least one tooth of the control tube disengages from the at least one tooth of the positioning ring, and the pole is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the connection tube. |
| US08763616B2 |
Multi-surface cleaning apparatus and method
A multisurface cleaning tool having a tapering head and a hollow handle contiguous with the head that constitutes a reservoir capable of holding flowable material. A pump actuated dispenser is in communication with the reservoir and permits user actuated expression of flowable material from within the reservoir. A cover is applied to and covers at least a portion of the head. In one embodiment, the cover is a microfiber pouch with an elasticized perimeter, which permits the pouch to be fitted over the cleaning tool head. In another embodiment, a portion of the cover is an integrally formed abrasive surface. |
| US08763609B2 |
Determination of leak and respiratory airflow
Methods and apparatus for determining leak and respiratory airflow are disclosed. A pressure sensor (34) and a differential pressure sensor (32) have connection with a pneumotach (24) to derive instantaneous mask pressure and airflow respectively. A microcontroller (38) estimates a non-linear conductance of any leak path occurring at a mask (12) as being the low pass filtered instantaneous airflow divided by the low pass filtered square root of the instantaneous pressure. The instantaneous leak flow is then the conductance multiplied by the square root of the instantaneous pressure, and the respiratory airflow is calculated as being the instantaneous airflow minus the instantaneous leak flow. The time constants for the low pass filtering performed by the microcontroller (38) can be dynamically adjusted dependent upon sudden changes in the instantaneous leak flow. |
| US08763607B2 |
Inhaler
An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets containing the inhalation formulation in doses. The inhaler comprises a metallic piercing member with two piercing elements extending parallel to each other and inclined to the lid of a blister pocket to be punctured. To operate the inhaler, an air stream of ambient air can be sucked or delivered in order to discharge the respective dose from an opened blister pocket and to deliver the dose with the ambient air as an aerosol cloud. |
| US08763606B2 |
Rotary cassette system for dry powder inhaler
The present disclosure provides an inhaler having a vibration element for aerosolizing medicament contained in a blister pack, wherein a plurality of individual blister packs are arranged in a rotary cassette that fits within a housing, and wherein the individual blister packs are dragged up into a clamping position between the vibration element and a piercing element. The motion of the blister pack is controlled by a rotary disk within the housing which further coordinates the movement of the piercing and vibrating elements for the piercing and deaggregation, respectively, of the individual blister packs. |
| US08763602B2 |
Device, in particular a heliostat or photovoltaic device
The invention relates to a device, in particular a heliostat or photovoltaic device, having a stand (12), having a carrier device (14) disposed thereon and mounted rotatably about an azimuth axis (36) on the stand (12) and comprising a rotary beam (18) on which a support frame (17) for receiving at least one reflector (16) or at least one photovoltaic module is pivotally disposed, so that the support frame (17) can pivot about an elevation axis (37), having a hydraulic drive controller (28) actuating at least one hydraulic lift cylinder (25, 26) for inducing the rotary motion about the azimuth axis (36) and at least one hydraulic lift cylinder (27) for inducing the pivot motion about the elevation axis (37), wherein at least one azimuth drive (34) comprising at least the one hydraulic lift cylinder (25, 26) actuating the rotary motion of the rotary beam (18) is disposed in the interior (44) of the rotary beam (18). |
| US08763595B1 |
Narrow crossbow with large power stroke
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0. |
| US08763591B2 |
Fuel heating equipment of diesel engine
Disclosed is a fuel heating equipment of a diesel engine for preheating and heating fuel to supply the fuel to the engine. The fuel heating equipment of the diesel engine includes a main heating part having a collective tank, which is formed between runners connected to a first side of the engine and an exhaust pipe, and is heated by exhaust heat introduced from the runner, and a fuel supply pipe, which extends from a fuel tank and is wound around the collective tank to heat fuel, which passes through the fuel supply pipe due to heat conducted from the collective tank, so as to supply the fuel to the engine. The fuel heating equipment of the diesel engine further includes a preheating part provided such that the fuel supply pipe is inserted along the exhaust pipe to prevent the fuel, which is cooled by cold outside air in the winter season, from being directly introduced to the collective tank. |
| US08763589B2 |
Fuel pump module
A fuel pump module including: a reservoir installed in a fuel tank, the reservoir being charged with a predetermined amount of fuel; a fuel pump installed in the reservoir and pumping the fuel contained in the reservoir to an internal combustion engine; a jet pump injecting a fuel jet into the reservoir to thereby introduce the fuel stored in the fuel tank into the reservoir; a guide tube installed on the jet pump and guiding both the fuel jet and the fuel introduced from the fuel tank along with the fuel jet into the reservoir; and a filter unit partitioning the interior of the reservoir into a fuel suction area, into which the fuel is introduced by the fuel pump, and a fuel charging area, which is charged with the fuel from the fuel tank, thus preventing foreign substances from being introduced from the fuel charging area into the fuel suction area. |
| US08763585B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus for internal combustion engine
A fuel injection apparatus includes: an adsorbent disposed in an internal space of a leading end portion of a fuel injector, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in the blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol; fuel pressure controller capable of achieving states in which a pressure of fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector is set to a low or high pressure range having a small or large adsorbed amount of alcohol on the adsorbent; and split injection controller that makes the fuel injector inject fuel for one cycle in a plurality of times, when the pressure of fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector is set to the high pressure range. |
| US08763583B2 |
Opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder engine with collinear cylinders
An opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder OPOC engine is disclosed in which the central axis of the two cylinders is collinear. In four-stroke engines, this is possible with a built up crankshaft. Disclosed are connecting rod configurations that are suitable for a two-stroke engine that can be assembled to a unitary crankshaft, including both pullrods in tension and pushrods in compression. The configuration includes pistons arranged symmetrically, but with offset timing of the intake and exhaust pistons. The offset timing leads to a slight imbalance which can be partially overcome by having the center of gravity of the crankshaft offset from the axis of rotation. |
| US08763577B2 |
Method and control device for starting an internal combustion engine comprising a heating device for heating a coolant
In a method, the starting behavior of an internal combustion engine (1) with a heating device (40) for heating a coolant is improved. According to the method, the temperature of the coolant to be heated by the heating device (40) and an additional temperature that is associated with the internal combustion engine (1), are determined. The temperatures are compared and a starting fuel amount is determined in accordance with the compared temperatures. The internal combustion engine (1) is started by metering the starting fuel amount. |
| US08763574B2 |
Device for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion device
A device (11) for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange vales (9, 10) of an internal combustion engine (1) having a hydraulic phase adjustment device (12) and at least one volume accumulator (31), wherein the phase adjustment device (12) can be brought into driving connection with a crankshaft (2) and a camshaft (6, 7) and at least one early adjustment chamber (24) and at least one late adjustment chamber (25) which can be supplied with pressure medium via pressure medium lines (26a, b, p. v), or from which pressure medium can be drained. A phase position of the camshaft (6, 7) can be adjusted relative to the crankshaft (2) in the direction of early control times by supplying pressure medium to the early adjustment chamber (24) while simultaneously draining pressure medium from the late adjustment chamber (25), wherein a phase position of the camshaft (6, 7) can be adjusted relative to the crankshaft (2) in the direction of late control times by supplying pressure medium to the late adjustment chamber (25) while simultaneously draining pressure medium from the early adjustment chamber (24), wherein pressure medium can be supplied to the volume accumulator(s) (31) during operation of the internal combustion engine (1). |
| US08763573B2 |
Camshaft adjusting arrangement
A camshaft adjusting arrangement for varying angular position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine which has a drive element that is driven by the crankshaft and is rotatable in relation to the camshaft, at least two hydraulic chambers, to which a hydraulic fluid can be admitted to set a defined relative rotational position between the drive element and camshaft, formed between the drive element and camshaft, a first component and a second component. The first component has a cylindrical receiving face which receives a cylindrical seating face of the second component. To keep the resulting radial compressive stress between the components within an admissible range, at least one compensating element is arranged in the cylindrical receiving face of the first component and/or in the cylindrical seating face of the second component. |
| US08763571B2 |
Air supply for components of a split-cycle engine
The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine. |
| US08763566B1 |
Apparatus for cooling an engine of a marine propulsion system
A cooling system for a marine engine is provided with various cooling channels which allow the advantageous removal of heat at different rates from different portions of the engine. A split flow of water is conducted through the cylinder head, in opposite directions, to individually cool the exhaust port and intake ports at different rates. This increases the velocity of coolant flow in the downward direction through the cylinder head to avoid the accumulation of air bubbles and the formation of air pockets that could otherwise cause hot spots within the cylinder head. A parallel coolant path is provided so that a certain quantity of water can bypass the engine block and avoid overcooling the cylinder walls. |
| US08763555B2 |
Animal feeder
Devices for providing feed to farm animals, particularly large farm animals are disclosed. In the invention, an enclosure for the feed is provided. In one embodiment of the invention the feed rests directly on the ground. In another embodiment of the invention, the feed is placed on a rack or grate a distance above the ground. The feed is surrounded by a fence that denies access to the feed except as will be described hereafter. At least one pivoting access grate is moved into contact with the feed to prevent the feed from being blown around by the wind or scattered by the animals and also to limit access to the feed. The access grate is a series of bars that are preferably spaced at desirable distances to provide optimal access to the feed by the animals. In one embodiment of the invention, this access grate may be limited in movement to control the amount of feed that an animal or animals is allowed to eat during a given time. In one embodiment of the invention, the feeder is covered to protect the feed from undesirable effects from the weather. |
| US08763551B2 |
Human powered watercraft
A human powered watercraft is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes a board body having a top rider surface, a bottom submerged surface, a front section half, a rear section half, a board centerline and a board plane. A leg engagement mechanism is pivotally connected to the board body positioned generally along the rear section half. The leg engagement mechanism engages a rider's legs while laying in a prone position on the top rider surface. A fin propulsion mechanism is pivotally connected to the board body positioned generally below a water line and mechanically coupled to the leg engagement mechanism. Rotating the leg engagement mechanism rotates the fin propulsion mechanism, thus creating a forward thrust. |
| US08763549B2 |
Adjustable and disconnectable submerged-yoke mooring system
A single point mooring includes a yoke-shaped articulated arm assembly, which is affixed to the seabed by a fixed foundation or mooring base assembly, and a mooring support structure, which is retrofitted to a vessel. The articulated arm is connected to the base by a triaxial articulation joint for accommodating yaw, pitch and roll. To moor the vessel, the arm is connected to the mooring support structure with weighted pendants on port and starboard sides. The pendants are suspended at an adjustable elevation with respect to the mooring support structure, thus allowing the mooring system to be used at varying water depths. A combined connection bracket hosts both pendant linkages and umbilicals or hoses for speeding the process of connecting and disconnecting a vessel from the mooring system. A removable anchor, such as a suction pile, fixes the mooring system to the seabed, allows the system to be easily redeployed to another location. |
| US08763544B2 |
Sewing machine and computer-readable medium storing sewing machine control program
A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, an operation device that includes an operation member and that outputs an output signal in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, the output signal specifying a position where a unit stitch formed, a unit data generation device that generates unit data being data for forming the unit stitch, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the output signal and the unit data, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data. |
| US08763539B2 |
Kit for the modular assembly of a piece of furniture in situ
A kit for modular assembly of a piece of furniture “in situ” that comprises lower, intermediate, and upper main support members. Each of the main support members includes insertion slots with chamfered edges that are oriented at different angles in the periphery. The lower main support member has first and second foot slots that include locking ends. A plurality of cantilevered members having open insertion slots with chamfered edges each have a front fit-in section and a rear insertion section that end in an insertion stop. The open insertion slots are disposed in the periphery of the cantilevered members so that they may engage the oriented insertion slots. The first and second foot members are configured to engage first and second foot slots. The main support members have mutual engagement means that include coupling members and fastening openings for structural assembly of a piece of furniture. |