| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08846143B2 |
Method for selectively anchoring and exposing large numbers of nanoscale structures
Methods for fastening nanoscale structures within an anchoring structure to form a nanostructure composite and nanostructure composites formed therefrom. A primary fluid layer is formed on an anchoring substrate. Nanostructures are provided on an initial substrate, the nanostructures having a defined height and orientation with respect to the initial substrate. The nanostructures are introduced to a desired depth in the primary fluid layer, such that the orientation of the nanostructures relative to the growth substrate is substantially maintained. The primary fluid layer comprises one or more fluid layers. Ones of multiple fluid layers are selected such that when altered to form an anchoring structure, a portion of the anchoring structure can be removed, permitting exposure of at least a portion of the nanostructures from the anchoring structure in which they are affixed. The growth substrate is removed. Ends or other parts of nanostructures may be exposed from the anchoring structure. |
| US08846140B2 |
Method for producing an optical article coated with an antireflection or a reflective coating having improved adhesion and abrasion resistance properties
The invention relates to a method for producing an optical article having antireflection or reflective properties and comprising a substrate having at least one main surface, comprising the step of depositing an sub-layer onto a substrate's main surface, the step of treating the sub-layer by ionic bombardment and the step of depositing onto said sub-layer a multilayered stack comprising at least one high refractive index layer and at least one low refractive index layer. According to a preferred embodiment, the deposition of the sub-layer is conducted in a vacuum chamber in which a gas is supplied during the deposition step. |
| US08846139B2 |
Coating apparatus and film production method using the same
A coating apparatus includes: a slot die configured to apply coating solution on a support by discharging the coating solution from a tip of a slot and forming a coating solution bead in a clearance between the tip of the slot and the support; a pipe through which the coating solution is fed to a pocket of the slot die; an orifice formed in the pipe at a position nearer a circumference of a circular cross section in a radial direction of the pipe in relation to a center of the circular cross section; a forward tapered inlet channel which is formed at an entrance side of the orifice in the pipe and whose aperture narrows to the orifice; a rearward tapered outlet channel which is formed at an exit side of the orifice in the pipe and whose aperture grows toward a downstream. |
| US08846130B2 |
Implant and method for producing the same
An implant and method for producing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, with a body, wherein the body contains iron or an iron alloy, comprising the following steps: a) providing the implant body (1), b) applying a metallic coating comprising as main constituent at least one element of the group containing tantalum, niobium, zirconium, aluminum, magnesium, vanadium, molybdenum, hafnium, and wolfram onto at least a portion of the body surface, and c) plasmachemical treatment of the portion of the body surface provided with the coating in an aqueous solution for producing a plasmachemically generated layer (3, 5, 7) by means of applying a plasma-generating pulsating voltage to the body of the implant, wherein the pulsating voltage has sufficient energy that the metallic coating (3, 5, 7) is temporarily and sectionally ionized up to the underlying implant body (1) in such a manner that the generated layer has pores (5) which extend at least partially up to the implant body. |
| US08846127B2 |
Taste-improving agents and tea drinks containing thereof
The present invention provides an agent for improving taste of tea drinks, comprising at least one glyceroglycolipid, preferably monogalactosyl diacylglycerol or digalactosyl diacylglycerol, as an active ingredient. The agent of the present invention is for use to enhance kokumi, to mask astringent taste, and to prevent precipitates. The agent of the present invention is effective especially in improving tea drinks containing ground tea leaves. The present invention also provides a method for producing tea drinks containing ground tea leaves and at least 1.0 μg/ml of glyceroglycolipids and having an absorbency of 0.25 or below at 680 nm, and tea drinks containing glyceroglycolipid, which method comprises grinding tea leaves into an average particle size of 1-100 μm (preferably 1-50 μm, more preferably 1-20 μm), and mixing the resulting ground tea leaves with neutral (pH 5-7, preferably 5.5-7, especially preferably 6-7) water to elute the glyceroglycolipids into the water. |
| US08846126B2 |
Food compositions comprising organogels
The present invention is directed towards organogel compositions. Processes for producing such organogel compositions are further disclosed. The present invention is also directed towards uses of the novel organogel compositions in foods, beverages, nutraceuticals pharmaceuticals, pet food, or animal feed. |
| US08846125B2 |
Enaminocarbonyl compounds and their use
The present invention relates to enaminocarbonyl compounds with the formula I. The present invention also relates to the use of compounds with the formula I for the modification of the taste of a product and/or preparation for oral administration. |
| US08846120B2 |
System, a method and a capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage
A system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The system comprises: at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid to the at least one capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least an exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule. |
| US08846108B2 |
Antimicrobial body affecting products
A method and apparatus for control the growth of microorganisms by enhancing the concentration metal ions therein. The method includes the step of to enhancing the effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent having a source of metal ions by adding a compound containing a hydantoin ring to the antimicrobial agent. |
| US08846104B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions for the deterrence and/or prevention of abuse
Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonist, an agonist, a seal coat, and a sequestering polymer, wherein the antagonist, agonist, seal coat and at least one sequestering polymer are all components of a single unit, and wherein the seal coat forms a layer physically separating the antagonist from the agonist from one another. Methods for manufacturing such a pharmaceutical composition are also provided. |
| US08846102B2 |
Non-viral compositions and methods for transfecting gut cells in vivo
The present invention provides chitosan-based nanoparticles that can protect nucleic acids and deliver the same into gut mucosal cells. Compositions and methods for the expression of therapeutic nucleic acids in cells of the gut mucosa are provided. Compositions and methods for delivering therapeutic proteins systemically from cells of the gut mucosa are also provided. |
| US08846095B2 |
Dextran-based polymer tissue adhesive for medical use
A tissue adhesive formed by reacting an aminodextran containing primary amine groups with an oxidized dextran containing aldehyde groups is described. The dextran-based polymer tissue adhesive is particularly useful in medical applications where low swell and slow degradation are needed, for example sealing the dura, ophthalmic procedures, tissue repair, antiadhesive applications, drug delivery, and as a plug to seal a fistula or the punctum. |
| US08846094B2 |
Peripherally administered viscous formulations
Viscous formulations and methods of using such compositions, useful for intramuscular and intra-articular injection are provided to treat peripheral conditions. Such compositions can include triamcinolone particles present in a therapeutically effective amount, a viscosity inducing component, and an aqueous carrier component. The compositions have viscosities of at least about 10 cps or about 100 cps at a shear rate of 0.1/second. In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity is in the range of from about 80,000 cps to about 300,000 cps. In a most preferred embodiment, the viscosity is in the range of from about 140,000 cps to about 280,000 cps at a shear rate of 0.1/second at 25° C. The compositions advantageously suspend the triamcinolone particles for prolonged periods of time. |
| US08846093B2 |
Adhesive mixture for transdermal delivery of highly plasticizing drugs
Transdermal drug delivery patches and methods of their production are described. The patches can be made such that the accommodate highly plasticizing drugs such as selegiline and/or the use of protonated forms of various drugs. |
| US08846089B2 |
Sugar-coated preparation and production method for the same
A method is provided for producing a sugar-coated preparation including a solid composition containing a pharmacologically active ingredient and a sugar coating layer. The method comprises a step of forming the sugar coating layer with a sugar coating composition containing one or more sugar-alcohols selected from the group consisting of mannitol and erythritol and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. The sugar-coated preparation includes a solid composition containing a pharmacologically active ingredient and a sugar coating layer, wherein the sugar coating layer is made of a sugar coating composition containing one or more sugar-alcohols selected from the group consisting of mannitol and erythritol and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. |
| US08846088B2 |
Melt granulation of a composition containing a calcium-containing compound
A novel method for the preparation of a tablet comprising a calcium-containing compound, the method involves a melt granulation process by which a sugar alcohol is melted and embeds the calcium-containing compound so that a sufficient taste masking of the chalkiness is substantially achieved and an unpleasant mouth feel of the calcium-containing compound is substantially avoided, while at the same time obtaining a low tablet volume. The method of the invention is especially suitable for the manufacturing of tablets having a high load of a calcium-containing compound. |
| US08846087B2 |
Formulation for providing an enteric coating material
The present invention relates to an enteric coating formulation, as well as methods for preparing and using said enteric coating formulation. In particular, the invention relates to an enteric coating formulation that is made up of foodeous approved materials. |
| US08846075B2 |
Composition material for transmucosal delivery
The invention refers to a composition material that is intended for rapid transmucosal delivery in the mouth of a biologically active substance when in contact with saliva. The composition material comprises at least one ionic carbohydrate, having at least one biologically active substance ionically bound thereto, and at least one wetable non-soluble polymeric carbohydrate. The invention also refers to a method of preparing the composition material, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mixture of the at least one biologically active substance and at least one ionic carbohydrate in a solvent having a permissive pH for ionic bonding of the at least one biologically active substance to the at least one ionic carbohydrate; (b) mixing the mixture in the solvent for a period that is sufficient for allowing the ionic bonding to take place; and (c) recovering the mixture from the solvent. |
| US08846074B2 |
Sublingual films
The invention features sublingual film formulations of dopamine agonists and methods of treating Parkinson's disease, tremors, restless leg syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and depressive disorders therewith. |
| US08846072B2 |
Controlled delivery system
The present invention relates to novel anesthetic compositions containing a non-polymeric carrier material and an anesthetic, where the compositions are suitable for providing a sustained local anesthesia without an initial burst and having a duration for about 24 hours or longer. Certain compositions are also provided that include a first anesthetic and a second anesthetic. In such compositions, the second anesthetic is a solvent for the first anesthetic and provides an initial anesthetic effect upon administration to a subject. The non-polymeric carrier may optionally be a high viscosity liquid carrier material such as a suitable sugar ester. The compositions can further include one or more additional ingredients including active and inactive materials. Methods of using the compositions of the invention to produce a sustained anesthetic effect at a site in a subject are also provided. |
| US08846071B2 |
Stent formed from crosslinked bioabsorbable polymer
A stent having a stent body made from a crosslinked bioabsorbable polymer is disclosed. A method of making the stent including exposing a tube formed from a bioabsorbable polymer to radiation to crosslink the bioabsorbable polymer and forming a stent body from the exposed tube is disclosed. The tube can include a crosslinking agent which induces crosslinking upon radiation exposure. Additionally or alternatively, the bioabsorbable polymer can be a copolymer that crosslinks upon exposure to radiation in the absence of a crosslinking agent. |
| US08846064B2 |
Cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions having modified proteins in the form of a supramolecular assembly
A cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation for rejuvenation and restoration of the skin, and methods of making this formulation. The cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations comprise liposomes containing partially acylated proteins with a modification level of 0.1 to 10% of their mass, wherein the proteins are present in the form of a supramolecular assembly. |
| US08846062B2 |
Reaction product of a polar modified polymer and an alkoxysilane and a composition containing the reaction product
The invention relates to a reaction product of a polar modified polymer and an alkoxysilane having at least one solubilizing functional group and at least one amino substituent. |
| US08846057B2 |
Recombinant live attenuated foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine containing mutations in the L protein coding region
Previously we have identified a conserved domain (SAP, for SAF-A/B, Acinus, and PIAS) in the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) leader (L) protein coding region that is required for proper sub-cellular localization and function. Mutation of isoleucine 55 and leucine 58 to alanine (I55A, L58A) within the SAP domain resulted in a viable virus that displayed a mild attenuated phenotype in cell culture, along with altered sub-cellular distribution of L and failure to induce degradation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B. Here we report that inoculation of swine and cattle with this mutant virus results in the absence of clinical disease, the induction of a significant FMDV-specific neutralizing antibody response, and protection against subsequent homologous virus challenge. Remarkably, swine vaccinated with SAP mutant virus are protected against wild type virus challenge as early as two days post-vaccination suggesting that a strong innate as well as adaptive immunity is elicited. This variant could serve as the basis for construction of a live-attenuated FMD vaccine candidate. |
| US08846055B2 |
Virulence determinant within the E2 structural glycoprotein of classical swine fever virus
Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) E2 glycoprotein is a major inducer of neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity in swine. E2 mediates virus adsorption to the target cell, and harbors genetic determinants associated with virus virulence. CSFV E2 also contains between residues 829 and 837 a discrete epitope (TAVSPTTLR) recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) WH303, used to differentiate CSFV from related Pestiviruses Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) and Border Disease Virus (BDV). In this report, a CSFV infectious clone of the virulent Brescia isolate (BICv) was used to progressively mutate the mAb WH303 epitope of CSFV E2 to the homologous amino acid sequence of BVDV strain NADL E2 (TSFNMDTLA). While the resulting virus mutants T1v (TSFSPTTLR), T2v (TSFNPTTLR), T3v (TSFNMTTLR) demonstrated in vitro growth characteristics similar to those of parental BICv, mutants T4v (TSFNMDTLR) and T5v (TSFNMDTLA) exhibited a 10-fold decrease in virus yield and a significant decrease in plaque size relative to parental BICv. Immunohistochemical reactivity with WH303 was lost only in T3v, T4v and T5v. Interestingly, progressive mutation of the WH303 epitope had an additive effect on attenuation for the virus in swine, with mutants T1v, T2v or T3v inducing progressively milder but invariably lethal CSF, T4v inducing only mild and transient clinical disease, and T5v inducing no disease. Swine infected with either T4v or T5v showed decreased virus replication in tonsils, draining lymph node, spleen and kidney and a significant reduction in virus shedding. Finally, T5v-infected animals were protected from clinical disease when challenged with virulent Brescia virus at 3 or 21 days post T5v inoculation. These results indicate that amino acid residues 830 to 834 of E2 are critical for virulence of CSFV in swine and that engineering at this locus may provide basis for a rationally designed live attenuated CSF vaccine. |
| US08846048B2 |
Compositions and methods for diagnosis, prognosis and management of malaria
Biomarkers for predicting the severity of malaria and methods for their detection are disclosed. In one aspect, the present application discloses CXCL4, CXCL10, VEGF, PGDF, IL-1Ra, IL-8, MIP-1β, sFas, Fas-L, sTNF-R2, and sTNF-R1 as biomarkers for the severity of malaria. In another aspect, the present application discloses a method for determining the severity of malaria and predicting mortality due to cerebral malaria. The method comprises the detection of the biomarkers CXCL4 and/or CXCL10 and at least one more biomarker and determining the severity of malaria and predicting mortality due to cerebral malaria based upon the ratio of expression of the biomarkers in the subject versus the expression of the biomarkers in a control. |
| US08846047B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies against HMGB1
In various embodiments, the present invention is drawn to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to a vertebrate high mobility group box (HMGB) polypeptide, methods of detecting and/or identifying an agent that binds to an HMGB polypeptide, methods of treating a condition in a subject characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade and methods of detecting an HMGB polypeptide in a sample. |
| US08846046B2 |
Low dose methods for treating disorders in which TNFα activity is detrimental
A method of treating TNFα disorders is described, wherein the method comprises administering a low dose amount of a TNFα inhibitor. |
| US08846043B2 |
Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 161P2F10B useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene 0161P2F10B (also designated 161P2F10B) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 161P2F10B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 161P2F10B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 161P2F10B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 161P2F10B can be used in active or passive immunization. |
| US08846042B2 |
Multi-specific FAB fusion proteins and methods of use
The present disclosure relates generally to multi-specific Fab fusion proteins (MSFP) which comprise an antibody Fab fragment with both N-termini fused to a fusion moiety (fusion moiety A or B). MSFP containing the Fab fragment exhibit significantly reduced binding ability of the Fab fragment to the Fab target. Binding of the Fab to its target is restored when the MSFP is clustered on a cell surface by binding of the fusion moieties to their target. The reduced binding of the Fab to its target, especially when presented on a cell surface in its native state, absent fusion moiety binding provides advantages such as: reduced side effects and allows desirable pharmacological effects of selectivity and specificity in a controlled manner. |
| US08846032B2 |
MDCK cell lines supporting viral growth to high titers and bioreactor process using the same
The present invention relates to novel MDCK cells which can be to grow viruses, e.g., influenza viruses, in cell culture to higher titer than previously possible. The MDCK cells can be adapted to serum-free culture medium. The present invention further relates to cell culture compositions comprising the MDCK cells and cultivation methods for growing the MDCK cells. The present invention further relates to methods for producing influenza viruses in cell culture using the MDCK cells of the invention. |
| US08846030B2 |
Compounds and methods to enhance rAAV transduction
Agents and methods to alter rAAV transduction are provided. |
| US08846026B2 |
Composition comprising immunogenic microparticles
The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen in association with microparticles, wherein the microparticles are in the same size range as viruses. In addition the invention also provides vaccine compositions and methods of eliciting immune responses in a subject. |
| US08846025B2 |
Crystal of recombinant interferon with altered spatial configuration, three-dimensional structure and uses thereof
This invention provides crystalline recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co (SEQ ID NO: 1)) having (i) the same amino acid sequence as that of human consensus interferon, and (ii) altered three-dimensional structure as compared to IFN-α2b. The interferon of the present invention exhibits enhanced biological activities. The present invention also provides a structural model of said interferon useful for drug screening and/or drug design, and mimetics of said interferon. |
| US08846024B2 |
3′-[(2Z)-[1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene]hydrazino]-2′-hydroxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid bis-(monoethanolamine)
An improved thrombopoietin mimetic, the bis-(monoethanolamine) salt of 3′-[(2Z)-[1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene]hydrazino]-2′-hydroxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid. |
| US08846022B2 |
Crosslinked polyalkyleneimine hydrogels with tunable degradation rates
One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void space, or securing meshes, films or other devices within the body. In certain embodiments, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound, or a hernia repair mesh. Remarkably, disclosed herein is the discovery that the use of certain crosslinkers in combination with polyalkyleneimines at specific concentrations can result in hydrogels with tunable degradation properties. |
| US08846020B2 |
Scaffolds formed from polymer-protein conjugates, methods of generating same and uses thereof
Conjugates are provided herein which comprise a protein attached to at least two polymeric moieties, at least one of which exhibits reverse thermal gelation. The conjugates are suitable for being cross-linked by non-covalent and/or covalent cross-linking. Compositions-of-matter comprising cross-linked conjugates are provided herein, as well as processes for producing same. Methods of controlling a physical property of compositions-of-matter are also provided herein. The conjugates and compositions-of-matter may be used for various applications, such as cell growth, tissue formation, and treatment of disorders characterized by tissue damage or loss, as described herein. |
| US08846019B2 |
Use of protoberberines as an active substance regulating the pilosebaceous unit
The present invention relates to cosmetic use, by topic application on the skin of at least one protoberberine, with exception of berberine, or a vegetable extract containing it, as an active substance reducing activity of the pilosebaceous unit, preferably inhibiting activity of the pilosebaceous unit. In particular, the invention relates to cosmetic use of at least one protoberberine, with exception of berberine, or a vegetable extract containing it, as an agent reducing, preferably inhibiting the growth of hairs of the face and/or the body, and/or seborrheic activity of the sebaceous glands. The invention also relates to a cosmetic composition comprising in a dermatologically acceptable carrier, at least one protoberberine, with exception of berberine, or a vegetable extract containing protoberberines, as an active substance, which reduces, preferably inhibits the skin's pilosebaceous unit activity. |
| US08846016B2 |
Hair treatment compositions
An aqueous and/or aqueous alcoholic leave-in composition to reduce the time to dry wet hair containing (a) at least one wetting agent having a Draves wetting value of 100 seconds of less selected in an amount sufficient to enhance the hydrophobicity of hair thereby causing water to dewet the hair, and optionally (b) at least one volatile selected from the group consisting of alcohols, dimethicone, trimethicone, and cyclomethicone and a method of shortening the time to dry wet hair. |
| US08846014B2 |
Makeup composition comprising a black colour mixture of pigments
The invention relates to cosmetic compositions comprising a black color subtractive mixture consisting of one blue pigment (ferric ammonium ferrocyanide and/or ultramarine blue), at least one yellow organic pigment and at least one red organic pigment, which are mixed homogeneously, said mixture having a very dark black color. |
| US08846011B2 |
Curable resin composition for covering a fingernail or artificial fingernail
The present invention provides a curable resin composition for coating natural or artificial nails, which in particular exhibits an excellent appearance after coating, high water and scratch resistances, and low levels of odor, damage to nails, and dermal irritancy, resulting in a high level of safety to human bodies and superior storage stability. The curable resin composition for coating a natural or artificial nail of the present invention comprises (A) an aqueous emulsion of a polymer having functional groups polymerizable by exposure to active energy radiation, (B) polyethylene glycol, and (C) a photo radical initiator containing no nitrogen atom in its molecule. |
| US08846003B2 |
Collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans, preparation, and methods of use
This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use. |
| US08846002B2 |
Anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and methods of use
Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and optionally a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. In preferred embodiments, the immunoconjugates comprise one or more anti-CD74 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, conjugated to a liposome or micelle. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In certain preferred embodiments, the therapeutic methods comprise administering to a subject with a CD74-expressing disease an anti-CD74 immunoconjugate and thereby inducing apoptosis of CD74-expressing cells. In more preferred embodiments, the CD74 immunoconjugate is capable of inducing cell death in the absence of any other therapeutic agent, although such agents may be optionally administered prior to, together with or subsequent to administration of the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate. The compositions may be part of a kit for administering the anti-CD74 immunoconjugates or compositions. |
| US08846000B2 |
Radiolabeled PDE10 inhibitors
The present invention is directed to radiolabeled pyrimidinone compounds of general structural formula I which are useful as radiotracers for quantitative imaging of PDE10 in mammals. |
| US08845997B2 |
Steam reforming process with improved flue gas flow
A process and an installation for producing a synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a charge of hydrocarbons is provided. |
| US08845995B2 |
Single, multi-walled, functionalized and doped carbon nanotubes and composites thereof
The present invention relates to single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties, to a method for aerosol synthesis of single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties from pre-made catalyst particles and a carbon source in the presence of reagents and additives, to functional, matrix and composite materials composed thereof and structures and devices fabricated from the same in continuous or batch CNT reactors. The present invention allows all or part of the processes of synthesis of CNTs, their purification, doping, functionalization, coating, mixing and deposition to be combined in one continuous procedure and in which the catalyst synthesis, the CNT synthesis, and their functionalization, doping, coating, mixing and deposition can be separately controlled. |
| US08845994B2 |
Electrode active material having high capacitance, method for producing the same, and electrode and energy storage device comprising the same
An active material of the present invention has fine pores formed in the interlayer of a carbon material capable of exhibiting electrochemical double layer capacitance. The fine pores are formed by forming an oxidized graphite structure combined with oxygen in the interlayer of a part or whole of the carbon material containing soft carbon and then removing a part or whole of oxygen in the interlayer. A method for producing an energy storage active material for use in an electrochemical double layer capacitor comprises pre-treating a carbon material through heat treatment and oxidizing the pre-treated carbon material using an oxidant. The method further comprises reducing the oxidized carbon material through heat treatment. The interlayer distances of an active material for respective steps, measured by a powder X-ray diffraction method, are 0.33˜0.36 nm in the pre-treatment step, 0.5˜2.1 nm in the oxidation step, and 0.34˜0.5 nm in the reduction step. |
| US08845993B2 |
Purification of barium ion source
A method of preparing purified barium nitrate includes precipitating barium nitrate crystals from a solution, and washing the barium nitrate crystals with an aqueous solution including at least 10 wt % nitric acid. |
| US08845983B2 |
Independent heating of samples in a sample holder
There is described a heating system for independently heating at least one sample recipient containing a sample, the sample recipient provided in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; at least one microwave generator for generating microwaves; at least one microwave applicator inside the heating chamber connected to the at least one microwave generator, the at least one microwave applicator comprising an oven cavity portion for creating a mini microwave cavity around a single sample recipient in the sample holder, and for applying microwaves generated by the at least one microwave generator directly to the single sample recipient; and a control unit for controlling the at least one microwave generator. |
| US08845980B2 |
Sample packing device
Provided is a sample packing device for packing a sample with respect to a microchip for performing reaction of a micro component contained in the sample, the microchip at least including: a sample reservoir; a reaction reservoir; and a channel connected between the sample reservoir and the reaction reservoir, in which a package including a sample chamber packed in advance with the sample is mounted on the microchip so as to pack the sample in the sample chamber into the sample reservoir. |
| US08845979B2 |
Thermal blood clot formation and use in microfluidic device valving applications
The present invention provides a method of forming a blood-clot microvalve by heating blood in a capillary tube of a microfluidic device. Also described are methods of modulating liquid flow in a capillary tube by forming and removing a blood-clot microvalve. |
| US08845974B2 |
Advanced catalyzed soot filters and method of making and using the same
Catalyzed soot filters comprising a wall flow monolith having porous walls, a first washcoat permeating the porous walls and a second washcoat on the porous walls are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing catalyzed soot filters and diesel engine exhaust emission treatment systems are also disclosed. |
| US08845972B2 |
Process and apparatus for efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins
A process and apparatus is disclosed for recovering dichlorohydrins from a hydrochlorination reactor effluent stream comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts. The reactor effluent stream is distilled to produce a dichlorohydrin-rich vapor phase effluent stream. The dichlorohydrin-rich vapor phase effluent stream is cooled and condensed in two unit operations conducted at two different temperatures and a portion of the liquid phase effluent stream produced by the first unit operation is recycled to the distillation step for reflux. Product streams produced by the process and apparatus are suitable for further processing in a further unit operation, such as dehydrochlorination. Advantages include recovery of high purity dichlorohydrins, more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins, and reduced capital investment in the recovery equipment. |
| US08845970B2 |
Hygiene product disposal apparatus and method of use
A product disposal apparatus includes a bin for receiving discarded products, a cover assembly including a lid positioned at least partially over the bin, a power module receiving pocket situated in the cover assembly for receiving one of a power module and a power shell module, and a fragrance receiving pocket situated in the cover assembly for receiving one of a fragrance module and a fragrance shell module. The lid is rotatably secured to the cover assembly and has a partial cylindrical shape having a front portion and a back portion, and wherein a back portion of the lid is positioned to at least partially cover the bin opening as the lid is rotated into an open position. |
| US08845969B2 |
Material, system, and method that provide indication of a breach
A multilayer material is described herein that includes at least one signaling layer configured to propagate at least one electromagnetic signal; and a flexible layer configured to enclose the at least one signaling layer, wherein the flexible layer is substantially impermeable to an environment and to the at least one electromagnetic signal. The multilayer material including the at least one signaling layer is configured to transmit a change in the at least one electromagnetic signal upon exposure of the signaling layer to the environment. A system, an article of clothing, or a method is described herein. |
| US08845968B2 |
Biosensor
The present application provides apparatus (300, 400) and methods for determining the density of a fluid sample. In particular, it provides a sensor device which can be loaded with a fluid sample such as blood, and which further comprises at least one oscillating beam member or resonator (108, 109, 110). Exposure of the blood sample to clotting agents allows a clotting reaction to commence. The device allows the density of the sample fluid to be monitored with reference to the oscillation of the vibrating beam member, thus allowing the monitoring of the clotting of the fluid sample. |
| US08845967B2 |
Container and a device for indirectly cooling materials and method for producing the container
The present relates to a container and to a device for indirect material cooling and to a method for producing the container according to the invention. Through the present invention a much more efficient indirect heat transfer is facilitated from the exterior of the container into the interior of the container. The improvement of the heat conductivity and of the heat transfer of centrifuge containers yields a reduction of the necessary power of the refrigeration system for cooled centrifuges. Through the higher performance of the centrifuge a higher speed can be run for identical centrifuge temperatures and/or at the same centrifuge temperature and speed, the input power of the refrigeration unit can be reduced. |
| US08845964B2 |
Sample analyzer and method for controling a sample analyzer
A sample analyzer comprising: a measurement section; a transportation section; an identification data obtainer; and a system controller; is disclosed. The system controller is configured to acquire a result of determination regarding whether a sample needs a re-measurement for a sample based on a result of a measurement of the sample. When the system controller recognizes a presence of the washing fluid tube transported by the transportation section before a determination result regarding a necessity of re-measurement is obtained for an already aspirated sample, the system controller prohibits the supply of the washing fluid in the washing fluid tube to the measurement section. |
| US08845960B2 |
Hydrogen storage material and method for producing the same
A crystalline AlH3 is ball-milled in a hydrogen atmosphere while applying a force of 10 G to 30 G (in which G is gravitational acceleration). The milling time is more than 10 minutes and less than 60 minutes. The hydrogen storage material thus produced has a structure containing a plurality of matrix phases and a grain boundary phase disposed between the matrix phases. The matrix phases comprise Al and have a side length of 1 to 200 nm, and the grain boundary phase comprises an amorphous phase and contains hydrogen in the state of a solid solution. |
| US08845959B2 |
Gold-based alloy, free of silver and tin, for dental copings or abutments
Alloys and dental copings or abutments formed of alloys include 50-60 wt % gold, 5-14 wt % platinum, 0.1-3.0 wt % iridium and the remainder palladium. Other alloys and dental copings or abutments formed of alloys include 58 wt % gold, 10 wt % platinum, 1.0 wt % iridium, and 31 wt % palladium. The alloys are capable of withstanding temperature profiles during casting and multiple high temperature exposures of porcelain firing without excessive softening. The alloys also exhibit advantageous shear strain properties giving the alloys improved manufacturability characteristics. |
| US08845958B2 |
Process for manufacturing Ni-base alloy and Ni-base alloy
Provided is an Ni-base alloy excellent in strength, ductility and other properties through the resolution of micro-segregation. Also provided is a process for manufacturing an Ni-base alloy containing by mass C:0.15% or less, Si:1% or less, Mn:1% or less, Cr:10 to 24%, Mo+(1/2)W (where Mo may be contained either alone or as an essential component):5 to 17%, Al:0.5 to 1.8%, Ti:1 to 2.5%, Mg:0.02% or less, and either B:0.02% or less and/or Zr:0.2% or less at an Al/(Al+0.56Ti) ratio of 0.45 to 0.70 with the balance consisting of Ni and impurities, which comprises subjecting, at least one time, an Ni-base alloy material which is prepared by vacuum melting and has the above composition to homogenization heat treatment at 1160 to 1220° C. for 1 to 100 hours. The Mo segregation ratio of the alloy is controlled to 1 to 1.17 by the homogenization heat treatment. |
| US08845957B2 |
Method for producing a magnetizable metal shaped body
A method for producing a magnetizable metal shaped body comprising a ferromagnetic starting material that is present in powder and in particulate form, using the following steps: (a) first compaction of the starting material (S3) such that adjoining particles become bonded to each other by means of positive adhesion and/or integral bonding in sections along the peripheral surfaces thereof and while forming hollow spaces, (b) creating an electrically isolating surface coating on the peripheral surfaces of the particles in regions outside the joining sections (S4), and (c) second compaction of the particles (S5) provided with the surface coating, such that the hollow spaces are reduced in size or eliminated. |
| US08845952B2 |
Method of manufacturing honeycomb structure
A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure including a honeycomb unit includes causing inorganic particles to contain water. The inorganic particles have a specific surface area of approximately 50 m2/g or more. Raw material paste for the honeycomb unit is prepared. The raw material paste includes a molding aid, water, and the inorganic particles containing water. The raw material paste is molded into a honeycomb molded body. The honeycomb molded body is fired to obtain the honeycomb unit. The honeycomb unit have a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face of the honeycomb unit along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit and is separated by a plurality of cell walls. |
| US08845948B2 |
Cytocompatible three-dimensional structures fabricated by microstereolithography
Three-dimensional microstereolithographic objects fabricated by microstereolithography are exposed to UV light for one hour to accelerate hardening. The structures are then heated at 175° C. or above for at least 6 hours. The heating temperature may exceed the glass transition temperature, which is the index of thermal softening temperature of materials. The present invention relates to three-dimensional microstructures formed by microstereolithography. Deformation due to a structure's own weight, which generally poses a problem in heat treatment, is reduced with microstructures due to the size effect. As a result, the dimensions of the three-dimensional structure fabricated by the present invention remain almost unchanged before and after the heat treatment. |
| US08845947B2 |
Method and apparatus for molding composite articles
A method of molding a composite article includes providing a first floating mold that has a fluid backing, wherein the fluid defining the fluid backing is stored in a fluid chamber positioned beneath the first floating mold, providing a second non-floating mold that does not include a fluid backing, and sealing the first floating mold to the second non-floating mold to define a molding chamber thereinbetween. |
| US08845945B2 |
Method of securing low density filler in cavities of a blade body of a fan blade
A method of forming a fan blade includes the step of positioning a piece of low density filler in a cavity of an inner exposed surface of a fan blade body. An upper surface of the piece of low density filler is located above the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body, and the low density filler has a density lower than a density of a material of the fan blade body. The method further includes the steps of positioning the fan blade body in a lower die of a press and applying pressure to the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body with an upper die of the press to compress the low density filler such that the upper surface of the piece of low density filler is approximately flush with the inner exposed surface of the fan blade body. |
| US08845939B1 |
Foam product with an insert and its method of manufacture
A product, such as an insole (21, 22) or the like, is formed in a mold (20) having mold cavities (26, 27) therein. A porous insert (33, 34) is placed in the cavities (26, 27) and a foamable material (35) is introduced into the cavities (26, 27). When the material (35) cures, it impregnates the inserts (33, 34) which makes them more rigid. The resulting insoles (21, 22) thereby have a portion made up entirely of foam (35) and a portion made up of the insert material (33, 34) rigidified by the foam (35). |
| US08845937B2 |
Porous material having anisotropic structure and method of making the same
A method of forming an anisotropic porous material includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified while controlling the direction of crystal growth within the aerogel precursor. The aerogel precursor is freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material. |
| US08845936B2 |
Process and device for the preparation of hollow microspheres comprising centrifugal atomization
A process for preparing hollow ceramic or metal microspheres, comprising the steps of: forming ceramic or metal slurry, comprising ceramic or metal powders, water and dispersant and having a certain solid phase content, into a stable foam slurry by using a foaming agent; introducing the stable foam slurry into a centrifugal atomization equipment to atomize it into hollow slurry droplets, while being sprayed into a molding chamber; drying rapidly to form hollow microsphere green body; collecting the hollow microsphere green body and sintering. The hollow microsphere prepared has a particle size of 0.001-1.5 mm and high quality and low cost. The process is adapted to produce various inorganic material powders into hollow microspheres. The present invention also provides a device for preparing hollow ceramic or metal microspheres and hollow microspheres. |
| US08845931B2 |
Nanometal-polymer composite conductive film and method for preparing the same
A method for preparing a nanometal-polymer composite conductive film includes the steps of (1) mixing a metal oxide with a polymer solution; (2) coating a substrate with a solution resulting from step (1), followed by drying the resultant solution to form a film; (3) performing thermal treatment on the film formed in step (2); and (4) sintering the film thermally treated in step (3). The method dispenses with any reducing agent or dispersing agent but allows nanometallic particles to be formed in situ and thereby reduces surface resistance of the polymer film efficiently. |
| US08845930B2 |
Methods of preventing corrosion
The invention provides a method for pre-treating a metal surface with a corrosion inhibitor prior to painting, a method for inhibiting corrosion in a cooling system, wherein the cooling system includes a metal surface and a coolant; and a method for inhibiting corrosion of a reinforcement steel in concrete wherein the method comprising the step of adding to a concrete mixture an anti-corrosive mixture. |
| US08845925B2 |
Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal panel
The present invention provides a polymerizable monomer, a liquid crystal composition containing the polymerizable monomer and a vertical alignment liquid crystal panel. The polymerizable monomer which the present invention provides may generate free radicals more easily under the UV exposure, so as to solve the RM residue due to the improvement of the curing ability of the RM and thus improve the image sticking issue of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08845924B2 |
Water absorbing agent and production method thereof
The present invention provides a water absorbing agent, including: water absorbent resin particles; and a modified cationic polymer compound containing a primary amino group and/or a secondary amino group, the modified cationic polymer compound being obtained by reacting, with a modifying agent, a cationic polymer compound containing the primary amino group and/or the secondary amino group, and the modifying agent containing two or more carbon atoms continuously linked, and one reactive group which reacts with the primary amino group and/or the secondary amino group. The present invention further provides a method for producing a water absorbing agent including water absorbent resin particles, the method including the step (i) of mixing the water absorbent resin particles with a modified cationic polymer compound. |
| US08845915B2 |
Abrading agent and abrading method
A polishing agent which comprises a composition containing an inorganic acid, an amino acid, a protective film-forming agent, an abrasive, an oxidizing agent, an organic acid and water, adjusted to a pH of 1.5-4, wherein the amount of potassium hydroxide required to raise the pH of the composition without the organic acid to 4 is at least 0.10 mol with respect to 1 kg of the composition without the organic acid, and the organic acid contains at least two carboxyl groups, wherein the logarithm of the inverse of the first acid dissociation constant (pKa1) is no greater than 3. |
| US08845910B2 |
Aluminum alloy composite and method for joining thereof
The object of the present invention is to strongly join an aluminum alloy part with an FRP prepreg. An object obtained by subjecting an aluminum alloy to a suitable liquid treatment so as to form a surface having large, micron-order irregularities and also fine irregularities with a period of several tens of nanometers, eliminating the presence of sodium ions from the surface and additionally forming a surface film of aluminum oxide, which is thicker than a natural oxide layer, has been found to have a powerful adhesive strength with epoxy-based adhesives. By simultaneously curing an FRP prepreg which uses the same epoxy-based adhesive in the matrix, an integral composite or structure in which FRP and aluminum alloy have been united at a joining strength of unprecedented magnitude is produced. |
| US08845903B2 |
Chromatography column method of variable speed operation
A chromatography column is normally filled with a slurry of media for operation. A piston normally compacts the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. A controller is configured to automatically adjust piston speeds along elevation zones of operation. Furthermore, presetting specific speeds less the maximum speed can be accomplished with the controller. A pressure sensor may also be employed to assist in switching speed of operation of the piston under particular pressure events. |
| US08845902B2 |
Pneumatic alternating pressure membrane cell separation system
Provided are filtration systems that can be referred to as Pneumatic Alternating Cell Separator (PACS), useful components thereof in the form of assemblies or kits of parts that can be used to build the system, and use of the system for filtering fluids, for instance, in cell culture perfusion systems comprising a filter-containing chamber, an expansion chamber and a gas flow controller. |
| US08845898B2 |
APU fuel filter housing scupper
An auxiliary power unit includes a gearbox housing portion and a filter housing portion providing an integral housing. A filter cavity is provided in the filter housing portion. A surface circumscribes the filter cavity. A scupper includes a passage extending from the surface to an opening on an exterior surface of the integral housing. A sealing region between the scupper and the filter cavity is configured to fluidly isolate the scupper and the fuel filter cavity from one another. In one example, the filter cavity receives a fuel filter cartridge. A cap is secured to the filter housing portion and encloses the filter cavity when in a secured position. |
| US08845894B2 |
Flocculation-magnetic separation system
A flocculation-magnetic separation is provided which reduces the usage amount of flocculation agents as well as the usage amount of magnetic powders and realizes an improvement in the quality of treated water.In a flocculation-magnetic separation system comprising a flocculation section generating magnetic flocks by adding flocculant agents and magnetic powders to wastewater that is a target to be treated, and a magnetic separation section separating the generated magnetic flocks by magnetic force, the flocculation-magnetic separation system being adapted to remove from the wastewater substances to be eliminated, by separating the magnetic flocks, the flocculation-magnetic separation system includes a magnetic material recovery section breaking down the separated magnetic flocks by shearing force to recover magnetic materials, a recovered magnetic material returning line returning the recovered magnetic materials to the flocculation section, and a control section controlling an addition amount of the flocculant agents by a physical quantity based on the recovered magnetic materials returned. |
| US08845893B2 |
Filter elements
A filter element has a non-magnetic frame defining a fluid flow opening. The non-magnetic frame has at least one mounting surface for mounting against a ferrous material. Two or more magnet-enclosing channels are supported by the non-magnetic frame. Two or more permanent magnets are provided within each magnet-enclosing channel. The permanent magnets are arranged with opposite poles facing one another. The permanent magnets apply a magnetic force through the at least one mounting surface to support the non-magnetic frame on the ferrous material. |
| US08845877B2 |
Heterocycle catalyzed electrochemical process
A method for heterocycle catalyzed electrochemical reduction of a carbonyl compound is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may introduce the carbonyl compound into a solution of an electrolyte and a heterocycle catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode generally reduces the carbonyl compound to at least one aldehyde compound. Step (B) may vary which of the aldehyde compounds is produced by adjusting one or more of (i) a cathode material, (ii) the electrolyte, (iii) the heterocycle catalyst, (iv) a pH level and (v) an electrical potential. Step (C) may separate the aldehyde compounds from the solution. |
| US08845876B2 |
Electrochemical co-production of products with carbon-based reactant feed to anode
The present disclosure is a system and method for producing a first product from a first region of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and a second product from a second region of the electrochemical cell having an anode. The method may include a step of contacting the first region with a catholyte comprising carbon dioxide. The method may include another step of contacting the second region with an anolyte comprising a recycled reactant and at least one of an alkane, haloalkane, alkene, haloalkene, aromatic compound, haloaromatic compound, heteroaromatic compound or halo-heteroaromatic compound. Further, the method may include a step of applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to produce a first product recoverable from the first region and a second product recoverable from the second region. |
| US08845875B2 |
Electrochemical reduction of CO2 with co-oxidation of an alcohol
The present disclosure is a system and method for producing a first product from a first region of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and a second product from a second region of the electrochemical cell having an anode. The method may include the step of contacting the first region of the electrochemical cell with a catholyte comprising an alcohol and carbon dioxide. Another step of the method may include contacting the second region of the electrochemical cell with an anolyte comprising the alcohol. Further, the method may include a step of applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to produce a first product recoverable from the first region and a second product recoverable from the second region. |
| US08845873B2 |
Near neutral buoyancy texture additive for electrodepositable coating compositions and associated methods for forming textured coated substrates
Disclosed herein are electrodepositable coating compositions comprising a film forming resin and a textured additive, wherein the textured additive has a density (specific gravity) of no more than 4.5 g/cc and a melting point greater than the curing temperature of the electrodepositable coating composition. Also described are coated substrates having a cured coating layer comprising the electrodepositable coating composition, wherein the cured film layer has a texture of at least 250μ-in as measured by a profilometer at conventional cured film thicknesses. |
| US08845872B2 |
Sample processing droplet actuator, system and method
Sample processing droplet actuators, systems and methods are provided. According to one embodiment, a stamping device including a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a first plate including a path or network of control electrodes for transporting droplets on a surface thereof; (b) a second plate mounted in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the first plate providing an interior volume between the plates, the second plate including one or more stamping ports for transporting some portion or all of a droplet from the interior volume to an exterior location; (c) a port for introducing fluid into the interior volume between the plates; and (d) a path or network of reference electrodes corresponding to the path or network of control electrodes. Associated systems and methods including the stamping device are also provided. |
| US08845868B2 |
Seal and fixation assembly for a rotating cylindrical magnetron electrode
A seal and fixation assembly includes a cylindrical target having an inside surface with a shoulder that forms a stop within the target. A target retaining ring is disposed about the target. A seal plate is disposed within the target and engages the stop and the inside surface of the target. An end cap is disposed on the end of the target and includes a portion with a beveled surface within the target. A sealing element is disposed between the inside surface of the target, the seal plate, and the beveled surface of the end cap. A clamp is disposed over the end cap and the target retaining ring. Engagement of the end cap and the target retaining ring with the clamp causes the end cap to move within the target toward the stop to compress the sealing element between the target, the seal plate, and the beveled surface. |
| US08845867B2 |
Method for manufacturing magnetoresistance effect element using simultaneous sputtering of Zn and ZnO
A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive (MR) effective element having a pair of magnetic layers and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer including a ZnO film, wherein a relative angle of magnetization directions of the pair of magnetic layers varies according to an external magnetic field. The method includes a step for introducing a mix gas of oxygen gas and argon gas into a depressurized chamber, wherein a first target of ZnO, a second target of Zn and a substrate having a right-below layer are disposed in the chamber, and a step for depositing the ZnO film on the right-below layer by applying each of a first and second direct current (DC) application power to spaces between the first and second targets and the substrate respectively after the mix gas introducing step, wherein the first and second targets are set at negative potential, and the substrate is set at positive potential. |
| US08845866B2 |
Optoelectronic devices having electrode films and methods and system for manufacturing the same
A method and system for DC magnetron sputtering deposition of films on plastic substrates. The method includes using a shield to block deposition in a spatial region corresponding to a plasma region formed during magnetron sputtering. An optoelectronic device including an amorphous electrode film is also disclosed. |
| US08845865B2 |
Controlled-gradient, accelerated-vapor-recompression apparatus and method
An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically. |
| US08845864B2 |
Dividing wall distillation column
Provided is a dividing wall distillation column. The dividing wall distillation column includes a main column having a dividing wall. The main column includes a pressure equalization unit for pressure equalization between a preliminary divisional section and a main divisional section which are divided by the dividing wall. The dividing wall distillation column has an effect of enabling easier operations due to the uniform pressure drop between the two divisional sections divided by the dividing wall. |
| US08845861B2 |
Optical brightening compositions
A sizing composition for paper, characterised in that the sizing composition comprises (a) at least one optical brightener of formula (1), (b) a magnesium salt; and (c) a binding agent, which is selected from the group consisting of native starch, enzymatically modified starch and chemically modified starch; 0.1 to 15 parts of component (b) being present per part of component (a). |
| US08845860B2 |
High brightness pulps from lignin rich waste papers
This present invention relates to methods for preparing premium or near-premium brightness pulps for towel and tissue applications from fiber sources comprising substantial amounts of lignin-containing pulp and chemical pulp while controlling fines, scale and anionic trash. These methods use alkaline hydroxide in combination with peroxide and oxygen for initial bleaching stages followed by treatment with a peroxide activating agent to convert residual peroxide in the pulp into peracetic acid followed by a final reductive bleaching stage. |
| US08845858B2 |
Method for separating bonded bodies using excimer light irradiation
Disclosed is a method for separating a bonded body, whereby the bonded body can be separated easily. Specifically disclosed is a method for separating bonded bodies that includes a step that irradiates excimer light with a central wavelength of 1 to 300 nm on to a bonded body that has been formed by using an adhesive composition to bond substrates together, which includes and is formed by one type or two or more types of meth (acrylate) that have one or more (meth)acryloyl groups, and by hardening of said adhesive composition. At least one of the substrates is permeable to the excimer light. |
| US08845857B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus includes a vacuum container, a rotary table to rotate in the vacuum container, a substrate placement member mounted on the rotary table in a detachable manner, the substrate placement member and the rotary table together providing a recess in which a substrate is placed on an upper side of the rotary table, and the substrate placement member constituting a bottom surface in the recess on which the substrate is placed, a position regulating unit provided at least one of the rotary table and the substrate placement member to regulate a movement of the substrate caused by a centrifugal force during rotation of the rotary table, a reactant gas supply unit to supply reactant gas to the upper side of the rotary table, and a vacuum exhaust unit to exhaust the vacuum container. |
| US08845844B2 |
Vacuum lamination system and vacuum lamination method
A vacuum lamination system and a vacuum lamination method are provided in which, when a laminate film and laminate base items are laminated and an excessive portion of the laminate film is cut from the laminated item having the laminate film laminated thereon, a high precision lamination is enabled and the cutting process including a conveying device for cutting the excessive portion of the laminate film can be simplified. In the vacuum lamination system, a laminate film and laminate base items that are conveyed on the carrier film are laminated by the batch type vacuum laminating device, and the laminate film is cut from the laminated item having the laminate film laminated thereon. |
| US08845841B2 |
Molding material installation method and installation apparatus and application nozzle
In a molding material installation method, an adhesive is separated into an upper side and a lower side from an application nozzle. The adhesive that has been separated on the lower side is applied to the surface of a multilayer glass panel. The adhesive that has been separated on the upper side is applied to a bottom surface of a glazing gasket molding material. The adhesive that has been separated on the upper side is placed on the adhesive that has been applied to the surface of the multilayer glass panel so that the glazing gasket molding material and the adhesive that has been separated on the upper side are applied to the adhesive that has been applied to the surface of the multilayer glass panel. |
| US08845840B2 |
Process for recycling waste film and product made therefrom
The present disclosure is directed to a process for recycling film materials, and is particularly directed to collecting spent release liners for labels and constructing new release liner stock from the spent materials. In order to use the waste film, the film is subjected to a process for increasing the intrinsic viscosity. In addition, a coloring agent may be incorporated into the film in order to mask yellowing. In one embodiment, a multilayered composite film is formed. |
| US08845836B2 |
Geodesic tire and method of manufacture
A method of making a tire comprising the steps of providing a core; forming a first layer of ply by winding a strip of one or more rubber coated cords onto the core in a geodesic pattern extending from a first shoulder to a second shoulder opposite said first shoulder and being tangent to the bead at a location between said first shoulder and said second shoulder. |
| US08845835B2 |
Carrier structure and manufacturing method thereof
A carrier structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The carrier structure includes a substrate, an adhesive layer and a circuit board. The substrate has a plurality of adhesive regions. The adhesive layer is disposed on the adhesive regions. A thermal expansion coefficient of the adhesive layer corresponding one of the adhesive regions is greater than that of another adhesive region. The circuit board is disposed on the adhesive layer. |
| US08845832B2 |
Process for manufacture of fasteners from a titanium alloy
A process for making parts from titanium or a titanium alloy is disclosed. The process includes the step of preparing an intermediate form of titanium or a titanium alloy. The intermediate form is then solution heat treated under conditions of temperature and time that are selected to produce a desired level of strength when the titanium or titanium alloy part is subsequently age hardened. The solution treated intermediate form is then thermomechanically formed into a desired part or a preform for a desired part. The as-formed part or preform is then age-hardened under conditions of temperature and time that are selected to produce the desired level of strength in the finished part. The age-hardening step is performed without solution heat treating the as-formed part or preform again. |
| US08845827B2 |
2XXX series aluminum lithium alloys having low strength differential
The present application discloses wrought 2xxx Al—Li alloy products that are work insensitive. The wrought aluminum alloy products generally include from about 2.75 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % Cu, from about 0.2 wt. % to about 0.8 wt. % Mg, where the ratio of copper-to-magnesium ratio (Cu/Mg) in the aluminum alloy is in the range of from about 6.1 to about 17, from about 0.1 wt. % to 1.10 wt. % Li, from about 0.3 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % Ag, from 0.50 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % Zn, up to about 1.0 wt. % Mn, the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements, and impurities. The wrought aluminum alloy products may realize a low strength differential and in a short aging time due to their work insensitive nature. |
| US08845817B2 |
Non-toxic cleaning agent
Provided herein is an aqueous, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-explosive, biodegradable, hypoallergenic cleaning composition. Also provided are pre-loaded wipes containing the cleaning solution, kits, and methods of cleaning surfaces using the same. |
| US08845816B2 |
Method extending the service interval of a gas distribution plate
Methods for reducing the contamination of a gas distribution plate are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate includes transferring the substrate into a chamber, performing a treating process on the substrate, and providing a purge gas into the chamber before or after the treating process to pump out a residue gas relative to the treating process from the chamber. The treating process includes distributing a reactant gas into the chamber through a gas distribution plate. |
| US08845815B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method, and computer-readable recording medium having program stored therein
Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus including first and second cups installed so as to surround a rotation holding unit of a substrate and guide a processing liquid scattered from the rotating substrate downwards. A first driving unit and a second driving unit elevate the first cup and the second cup between a position receiving the processing liquid and the lower position thereof. A controller controls that the first cup and the second cup are ascended at the same time by transferring the driving force of the first driving unit while the first cup or a first elevating member thereof is overlapped with the second cup or a second elevating member thereof from the lower side by setting the ascending speed of the first cup to be higher than the ascending speed of the second cup when the first and second cups are ascended at the same time. |
| US08845814B2 |
Washer such as a dishwasher or a washing machine and method for operating a washer
The invention relates to methods for operating a washer, and in preferred embodiments to a washer having a water tank that is integrally, preferably detachably, formed with the washer, wherein the washer comprises a washing chamber for accommodating goods to be cleaned, said washing chamber having in its lower portion a sump for collecting water during operation of the washer, a water inlet, a circulating pump for circulating water through the washing chamber, and a control unit for controlling a washing cycle carried out by the washer. In accordance with the invention, in this method water is fed via the water inlet into the sump; the pressure within an inlet or outlet conduit of the circulating pump is measured; and based on the pressure measurement the washing cycle is controlled and/or indicator signals are issued to a user of the washer. |
| US08845807B2 |
Linear evaporation source and deposition apparatus having the same
A linear evaporation source and a deposition apparatus having the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear evaporation source includes i) a crucible being open on one side thereof and configured to store a deposition material and ii) a plurality of partitions dividing an internal space of the crucible, wherein each of the partitions has at least one opening in a lower portion thereof. The source further includes i) a nozzle section located on the open side of the crucible and comprising a plurality of nozzles, ii) a heater configured to heat the crucible and iii) a housing configured to accommodate to the crucible, the nozzle section, and the heater. |
| US08845804B2 |
Process to disperse and/or grind and/or concentrate calcium carbonate in aqueous media using an aqueous solution containing zirconium compounds
The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a calcium carbonate product by the steps of (i) contacting calcium carbonate with of one or more zirconium compounds in an aqueous suspension and/or of an aqueous emulsion and/or of an aqueous solution to obtain a calcium carbonate-containing slurry, and (ii) grinding the calcium carbonate-containing slurry to obtain a calcium carbonate product. |
| US08845802B2 |
Refractory coating for producing mold coatings
A refractory coating for producing mold coatings by application to inorganically or organically-bound molding materials in lost molds or to cores for iron and steel casting is disclosed. The refractory coating can have a proportion by weight of 0.001% or more and less than 1% of inorganic hollow bodies, which partially or fully consist of crystalline material and have a softening point of 1000° C. or higher. |
| US08845798B2 |
Particulate matter detecting apparatus for internal combustion engine
A particulate matter detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can estimate a discharge amount of the particulate matter accurately. The particulate matter detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprises: a sensor disposed at an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, the sensor including a pair of electrodes for detecting particulate matter in an exhaust gas; means for estimating a discharge amount of the particulate matter based on an output of the sensor, and means for acquiring a predetermined parameter that serves as an index for a rate with which the particulate matter in the exhaust gas is deposited on the sensor. The discharge amount estimating means corrects an estimated value of the discharge amount of the particulate matter based on the parameter acquired by the parameter acquiring means. |
| US08845792B2 |
Filtering nanoparticles by bonding with microparticles
Disclosed are embodiments for methods and devices for filtering undesired particles from a medium by bonding the undesired particles to attachment particles. In some embodiments, the methods include receiving a plurality of attachment particles into a volume, where the volume contains a plurality of undesired particles and the medium. The method may also include contacting the plurality of attachment particles and the plurality of undesired particles contained in the medium, resulting in formation of bonded particles in the medium. Contacting may result in collisions, causing bonding between some undesired particles and some attachment particles. Some embodiments of the method also include removing at least a portion of the medium and bonded particles from the volume through a filter coupled to the volume with an exhaust, the filter configured to capture the bonded particles while allowing the medium to pass through. |
| US08845787B2 |
Absorbent solution based on N, N, N′, N′-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diamine and on a particular amine comprising primary or secondary amine functions and method for removing acid compounds from a gaseous effluent
Acid compounds are removed from a gaseous effluent in an absorption method using an aqueous solution of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diamine formulated with a particular primary or secondary amine, allowing to obtain a single-phase absorbent solution under the absorption conditions of acid gases such as CO2.The method is advantageously applied to the treatment of natural gas and of gas of industrial origin. |
| US08845785B2 |
Air purification system and method using an ultrasonic wave
An air purification system comprises a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, a plurality of flexible wires hanging from a ceiling of the chamber, a spray mechanism configured to spray droplets in the chamber, and a sound wave generator configured to generate a standing sound wave in the chamber. During operation of the air purification system, the plurality of flexible wires are elastically deformed by the standing sound wave generated by the sound wave generator such that portions of the plurality of flexible wires converge at nodes of the sound wave, and also the droplets move to the nodes of the standing sound wave, while trapping particles in the air during the movement to the nodes. The droplets collide against and are adsorbed to the plurality of flexible wires at the nodes of the sound wave. |
| US08845779B2 |
Process for producing molten iron
The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing molten iron through the efficient reduction of iron oxide having various chemical compositions and various shapes, or through the efficient melting of scrap iron or reduced iron having various shapes and various chemical compositions, the process being used in cases where the amount of iron necessary per furnace is not so large as in blast furnace processes. Specifically, the present invention provides a process for producing molten iron comprising the steps of: supplying carbon-containing molten iron to a holding container, heating the molten iron using heat of a combustion reaction of a gas mixture containing a fuel gas and a combustion-supporting gas, thereby storing the heat therein, and adding a carbon source and an iron-containing material that contains iron oxide and/or scrap iron to the heated and heat-stored molten iron, thereby converting the iron-containing material to molten iron. |
| US08845778B2 |
Method for feeding a burden to a blast furnace
The present invention proposes a method for feeding a burden to a blast furnace (32), wherein the method comprises providing a charging device (38) having at least one material hopper (40), the material hopper (40) comprising a hopper chamber (42), a material inlet aperture for feeding a burden into the hopper chamber (40), and a material discharge aperture for feeding a burden from the hopper chamber (40) to the blast furnace (32); the material inlet aperture having an associated inlet seal valve 44) for opening and closing the material inlet aperture and the material discharge aperture having an associated material discharge valve (46) for opening and closing the material discharge aperture. The method further comprises opening the material inlet aperture and closing the material discharge aperture; feeding a burden into the hopper chamber (40) through the material inlet aperture; closing the inlet seal valve (44); pressurizing the hopper chamber (40) by feeding pressurizing gas into the hopper chamber (40); and opening the material discharge valve (46) and feeding the burden from the hopper chamber (40) to the blast furnace (32). According to an important aspect of the invention, the method further comprises subjecting at least a portion of a top gas recovered from the blast furnace (32) to a recycling process wherein carbon dioxide is removed from the recovered top gas; and feeding at least a portion of the recovered carbon dioxide as pressurizing gas into the hopper chamber (40) for pressurizing the hopper chamber (40). |
| US08845777B2 |
Metal recovery from contaminated metal scrap
A metal reclaiming system and method for reclaiming metal from scrap material is provided. The system has a furnace (12) and a controller (106) for controlling operation of the system. The controller (106) operates the metal reclaiming system in a first operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a first temperature in the range of 350° C. to 550° C. to incinerate pollutants and drive off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the scrap material without melting the metal. The controller (106) is operates the metal reclaiming system in a subsequent operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a further, higher temperature to melt metal in the said scrap for reclaiming. |
| US08845770B2 |
System and method for switching fuel feeds during gasifier start-up
A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector. |
| US08845766B2 |
Condensation of alcohols for biofuel production
The present disclosure relates to methods for converting biomass-derived hydrocarbon streams into products suitable for use as fuel additives. These methods involve the acidic condensation of hydrocarbon monofunctional alcohols comprising five or six carbon atoms to form ether condensation products containing at least ten carbon atoms. The oxygenated condensation products can be separated from un-reacted alcohols and gasoline range hydrocarbons to provide an oxygenated fuel additive that may be mixed with a diesel or kerosene-type liquid hydrocarbon fuel to provide an improved fuel that may have an increased cetane number, decreased emissions of environmental pollutants during combustion, or both. |
| US08845764B2 |
Power storage device comprising solid electrolyte layer over active material and second electrolyte and method of manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a power storage device with improved cycle characteristics and a method of manufacturing the power storage device. Another object is to provide an application mode of the power storage device for which the above power storage device is used. In the method of manufacturing the power storage device, an active material layer is formed over a current collector, a solid electrolyte layer is formed over the active material layer after a natural oxide film over the active material layer is removed, and a liquid electrolyte is provided so as to be in contact with the solid electrolyte layer. Accordingly, decomposition and deterioration of the electrolyte solution which are caused by the contact between the active material layer and the electrolyte solution can be prevented, and cycle characteristics of the power storage device can be improved. |
| US08845762B2 |
Batteries and components thereof and methods of making and assembling the same
Exemplary embodiments include method of sealing battery cooling plates, and methods of assembling battery using battery cooling plate racks and a single component including multiple cooling plates and connection portions therebetween. |
| US08845757B2 |
Treated cellulosic fibers and absorbent articles made from them
Cellulosic fibers treated with telomers of polyacrylic acid. |
| US08845756B2 |
Oxidizing composition for hair
Present invention relates to an oxidizing composition for keratin fibers especially for human hair with improved lightening effect and therefore, improved colouring and bleaching effects are easily achieved of the compositions applied after mixing with the said composition. Present inventors have surprisingly found out that a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and additionally at least one alkalizing agent, at least one carbonate source and at least one urea derivative delivers an improved and homogeneous lightening performance and leaves hair in an improved cosmetically acceptable conditioned status. |
| US08845755B2 |
Modular prosthetic devices and prosthesis system
An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb includes: an adjustable outer shell having an adjustable inner volume and an adjustable inner shape; at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust at least one of the adjustable inner volume and the adjustable inner shape of the adjustable outer shell; an inner liner adapted to receive the residual limb and to be inserted in the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell; and an adjustable connector having a proximal end adjustably connected to a distal end of the adjustable outer shell and adapted to provide concurrently for a plurality of directional adjustments and/or angular adjustments of a position of the distal end of the adjustable outer shell relative to the proximal end of the adjustable connector, a distal end of the adjustable connector being adapted to connect to a prosthetic device. |
| US08845749B2 |
Modular orthopaedic component case
A case for modular neck components for hip implants. The case may include indicators based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The case allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. A method described herein may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used, which advantageously provides an intuitive system for the surgeon both preoperatively and during surgery. |
| US08845748B2 |
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. |
| US08845745B2 |
Orthopaedic implant system and fasteners for use therein
Orthopaedic assemblies including a tibial component and one of a fixed tibial insert or a rotatable tibial insert. The assemblies may include structure to prevent undesired movement between the tibial component and insert. For example, a retaining tab may be provided on the tibial component that couples to a tab opening on a surface of the tibial insert (either the fixed or rotatable insert). When assembled, the retaining tab may be covered to avoid possible irritation to the patient's surrounding anatomy. The fixed tibial insert may be provided with a tab opening that provides a minimal amount clearance with the retaining tab to help prevent rotation of the fixed tibial insert. The rotatable tibial insert may be provided with a tab opening with more clearance with the retaining tab to allow at least some rotation with the tibial component. |
| US08845743B2 |
Interlocking reverse shoulder prosthesis method
An interlocking reverse shoulder prosthesis including a glenoid cup being implanted in the glenoid fossa having a glenoid ball, firmly attached to the central portion of the cup via Morse taper. The humeral component having a hemispherical cup attached to the neck of the implant via Morse taper in a modular fashion thereby allowing use of several neck lengths. After implantation of the glenoid cup, glenoid hall and the humeral cup, the members are assembled together for relative movement. The glenoid cup is secured by several screws or resorbable fixation studs. During range of motion, the edge of the humeral cup becomes inserted into a gap located between the glenoid cup and the glenoid ball and becomes restrained thus reducing the likelihood of dislocation during extreme range of motion. |
| US08845737B2 |
Interbody spinal implants with extravertebral support plates
An implant assembly for a spinal column includes at least a plate and an interbody implant attached to the plate. The interbody implant is positioned in the spinal disc space and the plate extends extradiscally for attachment to the first and second vertebrae outside the disc space. The assembly may include recesses in the bottom surface of the plate, spacers, and spacing portions extending from the bottom surface of the plate that allow the plate to be secured to the interbody implant when the trailing end of the interbody implant is positioned in a recessed, flush or overhanging position relative to the laterally facing surfaces of the vertebrae. |
| US08845735B2 |
System for replacing an intervertebral disc
System for replacing a disk between two vertebrae includes an intervertebral cage having an oblong body including at least two portions and separated by a gap extending along a curved axis and opening out through an opening at a first end of the body, and at least one introducer guide rod, a curved longitudinal core having cross-sections substantially complementary to the cross-sections of the gap so as to enable the core and the two portions of the body to slide relative to one another, elements for mounting a first end of the core to co-operate with an end of the guide rod so that the curved core projects from the end, and a push rod mounted to move relative to the guide rod so as to come into contact via one end against the end of the body in order to push the body in translation relative to the core. |
| US08845733B2 |
Lateral spondylolisthesis reduction cage
An intervertebral fusion device comprising inferior and superior fusion cage devices that provide an ability to correct spondylolisthesis via in-situ adjustment. |
| US08845730B2 |
Posterior prosthetic intervertebral disc
A prosthetic intervertebral disc is formed of first and second end plates sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space and to be implanted from the back of the patient, thereby decreasing the invasiveness of the procedure. The posterior approach provides for a smaller posterior surgical incision and avoids important blood vessels located anterior to the spine particularly for lumbar disc replacements. The first and second plates are each formed of first, second and third parts are arranged in a first configuration in which the parts are axially aligned to form a low profile device appropriate for insertion through the small opening available in the TLIF or PLIF approaches described above. The three parts of both of the plates rotate and translate with respect to one another in situ to a second configuration or a deployed configuration in which the parts are axially unaligned with each other to provide a maximum coverage of the vertebral end plates for a minimum of insertion profile. Upon deployment of the disc, a height of the disc is increased. |
| US08845721B2 |
Collapsible prosthetic heart valves
A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end, a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features. Each commissure feature includes a body having a proximal end a distal end, and a plurality of eyelets arranged in at least two rows and at least two columns for attaching the body to the plurality of leaflets. |
| US08845720B2 |
Prosthetic heart valve frame with flexible commissures
A prosthetic heart valve can include a valve frame having a wireform portion and a stent portion. The wireform and stent portions can be undetachably coupled together via a plurality of upright struts so as to form a one-piece prosthetic heart valve frame. Alternatively, a self-expanding wireform portion and a balloon-expandable stent portion can be coupled together via one or more leaflets and a subassembly having a flexible leaflet support stent and a sealing ring. The wireform portion can include cusps and commissures configured to support a plurality of leaflets. The prosthetic valve can be radially collapsible for minimally invasive and/or transcatheter delivery techniques. Disclosed embodiments can also provide flexion of the wireform portion (e.g., of the commissures) in response to physiologic pulsatile loading when the valve is implanted in a patient's native valve annulus. Methods of making and using prosthetic heart valves are also disclosed. |
| US08845715B2 |
Total aortic arch reconstruction graft
A total aortic arch reconstruction graft, including a first, hollow cylindrical segment in the shape of an aortic arch, a second, hollow cylindrical segment having a first end joined to the second end of the first segment, and a second end adapted to be inserted into the descending aorta of a patient, the second segment having an expandable outer wall covered with an expandable stent, and a collar having a diameter larger than the diameter of said first segment, the collar located at a juncture where the first end of the second segment is joined to the second end of the first segment, with a plurality of separate, non-absorbable double-armed sutures pre-attached to the collar. A surgical procedure for total replacement of a patient's aortic arch is also disclosed. |
| US08845713B2 |
Self-supporting laminated films, structural materials and medical devices manufactured therefrom and methods of making same
Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc. Examples of articles which may be made by the inventive laminate structures include implantable medical devices that are fabricated from the laminated deposited films and which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a laminated film material deposited and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods. |
| US08845712B2 |
Pleated deployment sheath
A deployment sheath for medical devices is provided that includes one or more pleats in its pre-deployment state that are allowed to open during deployment so as to facilitate easier device deployment and sheath removal. Preferably, the sheath is removed by everting it over itself during the delivery process. By orienting the pleats along the length of the sheath, preferably helically around the sheath, the sheath undergoes a predictable enlargement during deployment so as to relieve friction of the everted sheath sliding along itself during deployment. This allows the sheath to be removed with less tension than previous everting sheath constructions and assures more accurate device placement in a patient. |
| US08845710B2 |
Method and apparatus for introducing intraluminal prostheses
An introducer for use in the implantation and retrieval of a device in a patient includes a catheter (43) within which a stylet (14) is slidably carried, the stylet (14) being biased to a retracted position by a spring (35) and deployable by depression of an actuator (50). A locking device (40) locks the stylet (14) relative to the catheter (43) such that the locking device (40) must be disengaged prior to operation of the actuator (50). In the preferred embodiment, both the locking device (40) and the actuator (50) must be actuated by movement thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the stylet (14). In an alternative embodiment, it is the catheter (43) which moves relative to the stylet (14). |
| US08845709B2 |
Device for treating a blood vessel
A device includes an expandable implant and a hollow stent internally defining a central passage. The hollow stent defines a retention opening of the implant near the distal end thereof. The inventive device also includes a wire-type link for releasably fixing the implant to the stent, which has a traction section introduced into the opening and extending inside the central passage. For the wire-type link, the device includes an internal insulation channel arranged in the central passage and axially fixed with respect to the stent. The insulation channel receives only one wire-type link and defines a channel which is devoid of a link at least between the proximal end of the stent and the retention opening and is placed in the central channel. |
| US08845705B2 |
Optical cochlear stimulation devices and methods
An output assembly is sized for placement in the middle and inner ear, such that removal of bone can be decreased. The output assembly may comprise at least one photo detector, a demultiplexer and an optical array sized to pass through an incision in the eardrum. An input transducer assembly is configured to transmit a multiplexed optical signal to the output assembly. The input assembly can be configured to transmit the multiplexed optical signal through the eardrum, such that tissue removal can be decreased and the device can be placed without removal of bone, for example. The multiplexed optical signal may comprise a pulse width modulated signal so as to decrease the effect of non-linearities of the light source and light detector and provide quality sound to the user. |
| US08845704B2 |
Visible light modulation of mitochondrial function in hypoxia and disease
The present invention provides methods of using electromagnetic radiation in the visible portion of the spectrum to modulate mitochondrial function in the treatment of various conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, hypoxia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and sensory disorders of the extremities. |
| US08845702B2 |
Bone anchoring element
A bone anchoring element includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone, the shaft having a tubular body. The shaft comprises a plurality of barb elements, wherein each barb element is formed as continuous one-piece part with the tubular body. Each barb element is moveable between a first position adjacent to the tubular body and a second position further from the tubular body than the first position. The barb elements are arranged along at least one helical line around an axis of the shaft. |
| US08845701B2 |
Devices and methods for dynamic fixation of skeletal structure
The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more looking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine. |
| US08845697B2 |
Posterior vertebral plating system
A posterior vertebral plating system comprising a plate and a plurality of attachment members. The plate has a plurality of holes extending through the plate from an upper surface to a lower surface, and the plate is configured to extend along the posterior side of at least two vertebrae adjacent at least one boney structure of each of the vertebrae. The holes are spaced in such a way that a first plurality of holes is positionable over a boney structure of a first vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the first vertebra and a second plurality of holes is positionable over boney structure of a second vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the second vertebra. The attachment members are insertable through the holes of the plate and into the boney structure of a corresponding vertebra to fix the plate to the vertebra. |
| US08845691B2 |
Osseous anchoring implant with a polyaxial head and method for installing the implant
An osseous anchoring implant, various embodiments of which comprise an osseous anchor and a head bearing fixation structure capable of receiving and fixing at least one bar, the head of the implant being traversed by at least one duct, which receives the bar through a lateral aperture, and by a threaded channel, whose axis is not parallel to the axis of the duct, which receives a fixation screw of the bar, the implant being characterized in that it comprises fixation structure of the head on the part of the implant which extends from the osseous anchor, these fixation structures allowing, prior to blocking and fixing, at least a determined mobility of the head around at least one axis not parallel to the axis of symmetry of the osseous anchor. The fixation screw of the bar may comprise a ball and socket at its base. |
| US08845689B2 |
System for stabilizing at least a portion of the spine
Disclosed are embodiments of a dynamic stabilizer system for dynamically stabilizing the sacrum and at least lumbar vertebra L5. The dynamic stabilizer system may comprise two anchoring members that can be implanted at distinct locations in the sacrum, a mechanical fastener element having two ends and a flexible portion that can be securely fastened on the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra, and two distinct rods, each securing onto the anchoring members and the mechanical fastener element. In some embodiments, the dynamic stabilizer system may further comprise one or more spacers, each interposed between two spinous processes. The mechanical fastener element further comprises features for securing the one or more spacers. |
| US08845688B2 |
Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement
A spinal implant device includes a spacer region and an attachment region. The spacer region is adapted to be positioned between first and second spinous processes of first and second vertebral bodies to limit movement of the first spinous process and the second spinous process toward one another. The attachment region attaches to the first spinous process via a fastener that extends substantially along a long axis of the spinous process. |
| US08845682B2 |
Vasculature closure devices and methods
Vasculature closure devices, and systems and methods for their use, are provided. In one embodiment, the vasculature closure device includes an expandable support frame deployable within a vessel and a sealing membrane at least partially supported by the expandable support frame. Upon expanding the support frame, the vasculature closure device is configured to intraluminally position the sealing membrane against a puncture site existing in a vessel wall. |
| US08845679B1 |
Variable porosity flow diverting devices
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system. |
| US08845678B1 |
Two-way shape memory vascular treatment methods
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system. |
| US08845676B2 |
Micro-spiral implantation device
The invention relates to a device for the implantation of microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) into body cavities and blood vessels, in particular aneurysms, with said microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) comprising wires forming a plurality of windings (4), at least one microcoil serving as occlusion helix (3) for the occlusion of the body cavity or blood vessel, and the device consisting of a catheter, one or several microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) movably arranged in longitudinal direction within the catheter and at least one securing means (10) passing at least partially through the lumen (9) of the occlusion helix (3), with said securing means (10) being fixed in its end areas inside the microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12). Such a fixation of the securing means (10) is achieved in at least one end area by providing a frictional connection with the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) in such a manner that this connection is detachable from the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) when a certain tensile force acting on the securing means (10) is exceeded. In this way, a sudden breakage of the securing means (10) is avoided if too high a pull force is applied so that forces otherwise liberated cannot destroy the occlusion helix (3) or cause other damage in the blood vessel. |
| US08845675B2 |
Catheter with disruptable guidewire channel
The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire. |
| US08845671B2 |
Method for inserting an IV catheter
A method and apparatus for preparing an access site on a patient for insertion of a catheter into one of the patient's veins. The method includes the steps of: providing a tract forming assembly having a leading cutting edge and a dilating body defining a trailing dilating portion, with the cutting edge and dilating body together defining a tract forming unit; advancing the tract forming unit into skin at the access site so that: a) the cutting edge progressively forms a tract through the patient's skin and subcutaneous tissue towards the one vein; and b) the dilating body follows the cutting edge and dilates the tract; and removing the tract forming unit from the dilated tract so that no component resides in the dilated tract to allow a catheter to be directed through the dilated tract and into the one vein. |
| US08845670B2 |
Trocar assembly with obturator design
An obturator for use in penetrating tissue includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the elongate member. The penetrating member has a distal penetrating tip dimensioned to pass through tissue. The penetrating member defines an external wall leading toward the penetrating tip. The external wall includes a plurality of raised elements extending at least radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis and being in general longitudinal alignment. Adjacent raised elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis to thereby accommodate tissue displaced during passage of the penetrating member through tissue. The raised elements are dimensioned to be generally atraumatic to tissue. The raised elements may define an arcuate profile. |
| US08845667B2 |
Surgical tool having a programmable rotary module for providing haptic feedback
A surgical tool such as a grasper or a pair of surgical scissors includes a hinge portion that spans between a handle proximal portion and a distal working portion to communicate mechanical actions of the handle proximal portion to the distal working portion. A programmable rotary module is coupled to the hinge portion and includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor, actuator, and controller may be enclosed in a common housing. The sensor measures rotation of the distal working portion and the actuator generates haptic effects to the proximal handle portion. A controller is electrically connected to the sensor and to the actuator. The controller receives the rotation measurements from the sensor and, based upon the rotation measurements, outputs a control signal to the actuator relating to the generation of haptic effects. The haptic effects may include force sensations such as detents and barriers. |
| US08845664B2 |
Uterine clamp
A uterine clamp for stemming or stopping bleeding of a hemorrhagic uterus. A pair of inflatable bladders are nested in a pair of rigid shells shaped and sized to fit the anterior and posterior of a uterus without impinging on the uterine horn on placement of the shells nesting the bladders in mirrored spaced opposition to one another in front of and behind the uterus and the broad ligament supporting the uterus. At least one latch on an upper end of one shell and at least one latch catch in the upper end of the other shell provide an interlock for releasably interlocking the opposed shells in front of and behind the broad ligament anteriorly and posteriorly against the uterus for inflation of the bladders to compress the uterus to stem or stop hemorrhage. |
| US08845662B2 |
Vascular anastomosis device
A vascular anastomosis device of an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can include: a head portion that is provided on a distal side of an insertion portion and is capable of projecting a joining member and a cutting member from a distal surface thereof; an anvil configured to deform the joining member projecting from the head portion at a position where the anvil faces the distal surface of the head portion; and a connection member that can be installed so as to be able to project from and retract into the head portion. The anvil can be connected to the distal end of the connection member. The connection member can be configured to allow, along an axial direction, a portion thereof to be separated and ends of the remaining portion to be joined together. |
| US08845656B2 |
Device for immobilizing a primary instrument and method therefor
Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems. |
| US08845654B2 |
Scaled head frame positioner and tabletop adapter
A scaled head frame positioner and tabletop adapter are provided. The positioner may be employed for any neurosurgical procedure that requires fixed positioning of the stereotactic head frame or ring onto a patient's skull. The positioner employs a generally triangular shaped member with Velcro tapes fixed at each corner. The tapes have measurement markings, such as measurement tapes. The positioner supports the head frame with the tapes engaging means on the frame and fastened back to themselves, with markings indicating distances to adjust the position of the frame about the patient's head. Furthermore, the tabletop adapter clamps the patient with a stereotactic head frame onto a CT or treatment table. The tabletop adapter includes a generally U-shaped bracket secured to a support to be placed on the tabletop. The bracket is attachable to the head frame of the patient to hold his head in a desired position. |
| US08845653B2 |
Forceps
The invention provides a forceps system comprising a pair of forceps members and force measurement means operable to measure compressive and traction forces exerted by the forceps when in use, and to output measurement signals indicative of such forces. Also provided is a method of measuring the compressive and traction forces exerted by a forceps system when in use. |
| US08845652B2 |
Surgical driver
Apparatus, methods, systems, and kits related to surgical procedures and instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for securing a fixation device to a driver for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises engaging a first portion of the driver with the fixation device to limit rotational movement of the fixation device relative to the driver; and engaging a second portion of the driver with the fixation device to limit axial movement of the fixation device relative to the driver; wherein engaging the second portion of the driver with the fixation device comprises actuating an actuator of the driver to cause the second portion of the driver to move relative to the first portion of the driver. In other aspects, surgical drivers, surgical kits, and surgical procedures are disclosed. |
| US08845647B2 |
Device for mixing and applying a paste, such as bone cement
A device for mixing, dispensing and applying a paste, such as bone cement, has a housing (1), a cylinder (4) for receiving the paste, and a piston (13) associated with a piston rod (7). A mixing paddle (12) is provided with ridges (23) for engagement with grooves (24) on the piston (13). By this engagement, the paddle-piston assembly (12-13) can be rotated after removal of a safety pin (9) and interconnected by a jamming mechanism (25). After this interconnection, the paddle-piston assembly (12-13) is used to push the paste inside the cylinder (4) and out thereof for dispensing. A low-friction piston rod locking mechanism (14) is provides as well. |
| US08845644B1 |
Orthopedic surgical instrument set and a method including the same
An orthopedic surgical instrument set is disclosed herein. The instrument set includes (i) at least one tamp, the tamp including a substantially cylindrical body portion; (ii) at least one trephine, the trephine having a first end and a second end, the second end of the trephine having a plurality of teeth disposed thereon, the trephine being provided with a cylindrical passageway disposed therethrough for receiving the substantially cylindrical body portion of the tamp; and (iii) a guide stand having a base portion and an upper portion disposed above the base portion, the upper portion of the guide stand being provided with a guide aperture disposed therein for receiving the at least one trephine. A method of fabricating a bone plug, which utilizes the orthopedic surgical instrument set, is also disclosed herein. |
| US08845643B2 |
Humeral rotating burr guide
A bone cutting assembly. The bone cutting assembly includes a guide pin having a distal tip that may be securely inserted into a bone to define a cutting axis and a housing having a cam surface and features which allow the housing to be temporarily secured to the bone. The bone cutting assembly further includes a burr mounting arm which can be fitted on to the guide pin so that it can swing around the cutting axis and also translate up and down the guide pin. The burr mounting arm is configured to act against the cam surface as it is swung around the guide pin, so that the arm is caused to move up or down relative to the guide pin by the action of the cam surface. |
| US08845641B2 |
Expandable arthroplasty plates
A device (20) used during a medical procedure to engage a cross-section of a bone is disclosed herein. The device is selectively expandable to correspond to the cross-section of the bone. Once the device is properly sized, the device is used as a sizing tool to select the proper size of an implant or as a surgical guide for preparing the bone with a surgical instrument, for example. |
| US08845640B2 |
Pedicle screw extension for use in percutaneous spinal fixation
A bone screw extension assembly for use in placing a connecting rod percutaneously into tissue of a patient comprises a multi-axial bone screw and a screw extension releasably coupled to yoke of the bone screw. The screw extension includes coaxially disposed outer sleeve and inner sleeves that are rotatable relative to each other. A screw engaging member projects radially from the distal end of the inner sleeve and is configured to engage an extension coupling surface on the outer sleeve upon relative rotation of the inner and outer sleeves. A securement member including cooperative surfaces is defined adjacent the distal end of the inner and outer sleeves that is operable upon relative rotation of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve to radially secure the sleeves together to thereby maintain the engagement of the screw engaging member and the bone screw. |
| US08845635B2 |
Device and method for thermal ablation of biological tissue using spherical ablation patterns
A tissue ablation device and method for tissue ablation are described. The tissue ablation device comprises an energy source and an introducer coupled to the energy source, the introducer having a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The introducer carries an electrode array that comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is configured to extend from the body of the introducer when moved from a retracted state to a deployed state. The electrode array is designed to encircle a portion of a target tissue when the electrodes are extended into the deployed state and to form a relatively spherical shaped ablation pattern in a tissue volume surrounding the target tissue when energized by the energy source. |
| US08845632B2 |
Graphical user interface for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices
A device for treating a tissue region is supplied with a separate usage key card. The usage key card comprises a storage medium, which is formatted to contain an identification code unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is adapted to be read by a remote reader, to download the identification code for processing by a controller for the device. Processing of the identification code by the controller either enables or disables operation of the device according to prescribed criteria. A viewable image is generated on a display screen that changes in response to processing of the identification code. |
| US08845630B2 |
Devices and methods for percutaneous energy delivery
The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect. |
| US08845629B2 |
Ultrasound apparatuses for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. |
| US08845627B2 |
Regulating pressure to lower temperature in a cryotherapy balloon catheter
A cryotherapy catheter can include an elongate member and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member having lumens formed therein to supply cryogenic fluid to a chamber of the balloon and to channel exhaust from the balloon chamber; and a controller programmed to control a first rate at which the cryogenic fluid is supplied to the balloon chamber and a second rate at which exhaust is channeled from the balloon chamber, wherein the controller is programmed to a) develop, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, a first pressure inside the balloon chamber at a value that is greater than an ambient pressure outside and adjacent to a proximal end of the elongate member, and b) develop, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, the first pressure at a value that is less than the ambient pressure. |
| US08845620B2 |
Catheter reservoir seals
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to a catheter cap which seals a reservoir of a catheter introducer. The catheter cap secures over an introducer tip to prevent airflow into the introducer tip. The catheter cap utilizes an elongated stem to block a distal opening of the reservoir to further prevent airflow. A lip of the catheter cap may further engage an insertion stop point of the catheter introducer to secure the catheter cap. The catheter cap ensures proper lubrication of the introducer tip and the catheter during insertion of the catheter into the urethra of a user. |
| US08845614B2 |
Enhanced ultrasound visualization of intravascular devices
Methods and devices for providing improved ultrasound visibility of medical devices intended for intravascular use are described. The inclusion of gas/solid boundary regions within a medical devices improves the resolution of the device under ultrasound visualization. Gas/solid boundary regions may be provided through the use of embedded gas-filled microlumens, microwells, or enclosed pockets within the medical device. |
| US08845609B2 |
Individual, expandable wrapper for a hygiene product
An article has a longitudinal length, an article width, and an article thickness. The article includes a fresh personal care product in a substantially unsoiled condition, and a pouch having a pouch volume which operatively encloses the fresh product. The pouch includes a front panel region, a back panel region which is operatively connected to the front panel region, and at least one expansion section which is operatively connected between the front panel region and the back panel region. The expansion section is operatively held in a substantially unexpanded, closed position when the fresh product is enclosed in the pouch. The expansion section is movable to an open position after a removal of the fresh product from the pouch. The open position of the expansion section is configured to provide an expanded disposal volume which can operatively contain a product when the product is in a used and soiled condition. |
| US08845607B2 |
Ostomy port
A stomal insert for conducting waste content from an intestinal portion in an abdominal cavity through a stoma in an abdominal wall comprising; a cover for covering the stoma; a fixation element for anchoring the stomal insert to a visceral side of the abdominal wall; and a pliable, axially elastic tube interconnecting said cover and said fixation element and sized to apply a tensile force to said cover and to said fixation element. |
| US08845605B2 |
Collection and filtration via suction of biological material during surgical procedure
A method for collecting and filtering biological material from blood and other fluids during a surgical procedure includes: attaching a first cover including a suction port and an intake port to a collection trap; attaching a suction source to the suction port; attaching an instrument to the intake port, through which blood and tissue are suctioned and received into the collection trap; filing the collection trap with blood and tissue; removing the collection trap from the first cover; attaching a second cover to the collection trap in place of the first cover, the second cover including a suction port and a plunger, the plunger including a press head having a screen portion permitting blood and other fluids to pass; attaching a suction source to the suction port of the second cover; separating the blood from the tissue by deploying the plunger; and drawing off the blood through the suction port. |
| US08845596B2 |
Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith
A device 560, for administering multiple single doses of a medicated cream, includes a cartridge 562 having a barrel 564 for containing the cream, a plunger 608 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 610 for moving the plunger within the cartridge. A carrier 612 is formed with a cartridge-receiving nest 712 for receiving the barrel 564. A plurality of spaced, transaxial grooves 726, 728, 730 and 732 are formed in the carrier 612 for receiving a flange 572 of the cartridge 562 during the dispensing of multiple, successive, single doses of the cream. The carrier 612 is formed with a pair of resilient ears 750 and 752 and a passage 738 for removably retaining the stem 610 with the carrier while allowing axial movement of the stem. |
| US08845593B2 |
Antiseptic cap with antiseptic
A syringe assembly including: (1) a syringe barrel defining a chamber; (2) a plunger mounted in the chamber and moveable with respect to the barrel; and (3) a cap assembly containing a cap and an absorbent material is removably attached to the plunger. |
| US08845591B2 |
Self-administration device for liquid medicine
A liquid medicine self-administration device including a flexible reservoir, an operating member, a pushing member to move with respect to the operating member and to induce pressure deformation of the reservoir, and engaging means engages the operating member. With the operating member engaged by the engaging means, the pushing member is relatively moved to the operating member based on restoring force of a spring member to push the reservoir by the pushing member. By disengaging means moving in unison with the pushing member, the engaging means is released from an engaged state with respect to the operating member, when the pushing member has moved to a predetermined location while pushing the reservoir. |
| US08845588B2 |
Sheath introducer system with exchangeable hemostatic valves
A sheath introducer system with exchangeable hemostatic valve modules is disclosed. A first valve module includes a single entry port to ensure hemostasis during the introduction of an interventional device, such as a main graft delivery system for treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A second valve module includes multiple entry ports to ensure hemostasis during the simultaneous introduction and manipulation of multiple interventional devices, such as multiple guiding catheters for use in delivering various intravascular graft components for completion of branch perfusion, for instance, during treatment of the AAA. |
| US08845577B2 |
Enema dispenser
An enema includes a liquid in a dispenser having a bottle, a nozzle attached to the bottle, and a valve. The valve may be a membrane having a slit and a thickness of at most 0.90 mm. The valve may be attached to the bottle or it may be attached to the nozzle. The enema can be administered more easily, with a lower amount of force. A method of bowel cleansing includes inserting the enema into a rectum and applying a compression force to the enema bottle. |
| US08845571B2 |
Methods of regional citrate anticoagulation dialysis
A method of performing regional citrate anticoagulant dialysis of a patient's blood includes flowing blood from and back to the patient through an extracorporeal circuit including a dialyzer having semi-permeable dialysis membranes and a dialysate chamber surrounding the membranes. The method further includes flowing a dialysate containing calcium and citrate through the dialysate chamber of the dialyzer and introducing citrate into the patient's blood upstream of the dialyzer, whereby the patient's blood is dialyzed. The method can further include predicting the concentration of systemic ionized calcium in the blood of the patient at any point in the dialysis treatment or post-dialysis, such as by a mathematical model. The method can further include statistically correcting the preliminary predicted post-dialysis concentration of systemic ionized calcium in the patient's blood to provide a final predicted post-dialysis systemic ionized calcium concentration. The method can further include statistically correcting the preliminary predicted systemic ionized calcium concentration for any time point during the dialysis treatment to provide a final predicted systemic ionized calcium concentration for that time point. |
| US08845570B2 |
Therapy prediction and optimization for renal failure blood therapy, especially home hemodialysis
A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient. |
| US08845567B2 |
Knee bandage
A knee bandage is provided comprising a bandage base element and at least one massage pelotte. The bandage base element includes a central kneecap region, a thigh region and a lower leg region. The massage pelotte is fixed in the massage region of the base element and has massage elements oriented inwards towards the leg. The massage region is located in the thigh region and is allocated to a trigger point or trigger region of the musculus vastus lateralis. |
| US08845566B2 |
Active exoskeletal spinal orthosis and method of orthotic treatment
An active exoskeletal spinal orthosis that can reduce the spinal compression and muscle effort involved in resisting gravitational bending moments. The spinal orthosis includes upper and lower members that fit around the body in the area of the spine. Actuators extend between the upper and lower members. By applying a corrective moment, a distraction force, or both to a user via the actuators, the spinal orthosis allows for supported multi-planar maneuverability within a set range of motion. A controller activates the actuators based on sensor feedback that is indicative of pressure or some other sensed physical parameter related to the bending moment. |
| US08845565B1 |
Arm sling neck cushion kit
A cushion that cushions the neck and shoulder of a user of a sling with a strap by being selectively secured anywhere along, and over, the strap of the sling so as to be positioned on the strap of the sling at the neck and shoulder of the user. The cushion includes an inner tube and an outer covering. The inner tube receives the strap of the sling to cushion the neck and shoulder of the user of the sling by being selectively secured anywhere along, and over, the strap of the sling so as to be positioned on the strap of the sling at the neck and shoulder of the user. The outer covering receives, and is replaceable relative to, the inner tube. |
| US08845564B2 |
Massaging device
A massaging device provided with an operating unit comprising a respective massaging unit designed so as to exert, in use, an action similar to a finger pressure; a coupling unit being provided in order to maintain the operating unit stably into contact with a rear muscular region of a user, positioned between respective scapular regions. |
| US08845563B2 |
Massage device
A massage device includes an outer housing, a first transmission mechanism, a second transmission mechanism, a massage seat and at least one massage unit. The first transmission mechanism drives the massage seat to reciprocate moving in the outer housing. The massage unit includes a sway arm having a hole at a center thereof to receive a sway wheel. One of side surfaces of the sway wheel is slanted. The second transmission mechanism drives the sway wheel to rotate and the slanted side surface of the sway wheel presses against the sway arm, thereby driving the sway arm to sway. Massage members are disposed on a top of the sway arm. Through reciprocating movement of the massage seat, swaying of the sway arm and spinning of the massage members, the massage device provides reciprocating pressing and kneading massages on a user's body. |
| US08845555B2 |
System and method for evaluating tissue
The present invention provides a sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for using the sensor system to evaluate a tissue by determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths. The method involves applying a set of forces of different magnitudes to one or more locations of tissue, detecting the corresponding displacements due to said applied forces, determining the forces acting on those locations of tissue which are a combination of forces from the applied voltages and the countering forces from tissue deformation, obtaining the elastic modulus and/or shear modulus for a plurality of locations, and determining abnormal growth invasiveness, malignancy or the presence of a tumor from said elastic and/or shear moduli. |
| US08845554B2 |
Method and apparatus for quantitative assessment of neuromotor disorders
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for quantitative assessment of neuromotor disorders using sensors and analyzing the data collected from the sensors to determine if a patient suffers any neuromotor disorders. In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for assessing neuromotor disorders in a body including a plurality of pressure sensors adapted for attachment to the body and measuring pressure, a med node connected to the plurality of pressure sensors for generating data corresponding to the plurality of pressure sensors, and an analysis unit connected to the med node for analyzing the data generated by the med node to determine the existence of a neuromotor disorder in the body. |
| US08845549B2 |
Method for penetrating tissue
A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface. |
| US08845546B2 |
Biopsy device tissue sample holder with flow restriction device
A tissue sample holder for a biopsy device comprises an outer cup, a collection tray, and a flow restriction device. The outer cup defines a hollow interior. The collection tray separates the hollow interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber while allowing fluid to pass between the two chambers through an opening in the collection tray. The flow restriction device selectively seals the opening thereby preventing fluid from passing from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The flow restriction device may be operable to selectively seal the opening in response to a vacuum being induced within the upper chamber. The collection tray may have a shape (e.g., tapered, funnel-shaped, convex, etc.) selected to facilitate the flow of fluid toward the opening. The lower chamber may be coupled with an external fluid collection device. The lower chamber may define a larger volume than the upper chamber. |
| US08845545B2 |
Probe for measuring a patient's bulbocavernosus muscle reflex
A system and method is disclosed for measuring muscle reflexes (e.g., a bulbocavernosus reflex) as a tool for identifying/diagnosing dysfunctions (e.g., spinal cord abnormalities, bladder voiding dysfunction, and sexual organ dysfunction) non-invasively by using mechanical stimulation. The system and method includes a probe having a predetermined patient contacting portion, wherein when the contacting portion is moved into contact with a particular area of the patient (e.g., the patient's genitals), the contact induces a muscle reflex. The probe detects the pressure resulting from the contacting portion being abruptly and forcibly brought into contact with the particular area. Such detection is used to electronically initiate capture of electrical responses from a plurality of electrodes placed on the patient's skin in proximity to the particular area. Such electrical responses are processed to determine characteristics of the patient's reflexes of one or more muscles adjacent to the electrodes. |
| US08845540B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for forming an ultrasound beam based on a common grouping pattern
A 2D array transducer (10) is separated into a plurality of sub-arrays. Four representative sub-arrays SA1 to SA4 are shown in an enlarged manner. In addition, the 2D array transducer (10) is segmented into a plurality of transducer regions. Four regions of (I)-(IV) segmented by dot-and-chain lines represent four transducer regions. A grouping process is executed for each sub-array to group the plurality of transducer elements belonging to the sub-array into a plurality of element groups. In this process, for each transducer region, a common grouping pattern is set for the plurality of sub-arrays belonging to the transducer region. For example, because sub-arrays SA1 and SA2 belong to the same transducer region (IV), a common grouping pattern is set for the sub-arrays SA1 and SA2. |
| US08845532B2 |
Method for monitoring a person being examined
The invention relates to a method for monitoring recording of measurement data of a person being examined who is positioned on a couch in medical diagnostic equipment, comprising the following steps, recording the measurement data to create image data; detecting the pressure characteristic that is exerted on the couch by the person being examined; automatic analysis of the pressure characteristic by comparing the detected characteristic with a predetermined pressure characteristic; and informing an operator of the medical diagnostic equipment if the analyzed pressure characteristic does not match the predetermined pressure characteristic. |
| US08845524B2 |
Steerable segmented endoscope and method of insertion
A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body allowing it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body. |
| US08845519B2 |
Rotatable ferrules and interfaces for use with an optical guidewire
Devices and methods for passing optical radiation into and out of a body lumen may include a rotatable ferrule for use in an optical guidewire and methods for using a rotatable ferrule. The rotatable ferrule may be either rotatably captured by and free to rotate within a guidewire, or may rotate upon release from a releasable, mechanically stable friction-fit engagement with a guidewire. Sterile interfaces for readily connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire with and from other optical instrumentation while maintaining the sterility of the guidewire, and methods for using a sterile interface device are disclosed. Interface devices can be used to provide either direct or indirect optical and mechanical connection between an optical guidewire and peripheral instrumentation. |
| US08845516B2 |
Ligator
An apparatus applicable for the ligation of internal tissue in a created or natural cavity in animals or in the human body, for example varicose veins in the gullet or a duodenal diverticulum, by means of an elastic band (19) while observing the ligations through an endoscope. The apparatus includes an automatic trigger unit (1) mounted firmly on the handle of the endoscope which can release a number of elastic bands (19) with the aid of a single-stranded trigger cord (11). Only a single elastic band (19) is released for each ligation thereby establishing a one-man-operated apparatus. |
| US08845514B2 |
Male urethral prosthesis with tensioning member
The present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a first and a second arm that join to form a junction, and a stem that is also joined to the junction. The junction is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a portion of a patient's urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient's bladder. However, upon exerting a tension force on the stem, the pressure exerted by the junction is reduced such that the patient's bladder may be intentionally voided. |
| US08845512B2 |
Sling anchor system
The present disclosure is generally directed to surgical articles useful for implanting support members in patients. The articles disclosed herein include a support member, such as a sling for urinary incontinence, tissue anchors, filamentary elements for associating the support member with the anchors, and introducer needles for placing the anchors in a patient. The support members can also be configured for use in pelvic floor repair, such as for treating cystoceles, rectoceles, and enteroceles. |
| US08845508B2 |
Robotic apparatus for targeting and producing deep, focused transcranial magnetic stimulation
Techniques for applying electromagnetic energy to deep, targeted areas without overwhelming other areas are provided. One or more coils are moved relative to a target area and magnetic fields are applied to the target from multiple coil locations. As a result, the aggregate electromagetic energy applied to the target over time is greater than surrounding areas. Additionally, a model for testing and treatment planning is provided. |
| US08845507B2 |
Inorganic nanoparticles of high density to destroy cells in-vivo
The present application relates to novel excitable particles which can be used in the health sector. It more particularly relates to particles which can generate electrons and/or high energy photon when excited by ionizing radiations such as X-Rays, γ-Rays, radioactive isotope and/or electron beams, and to the uses thereof in health, in particular in human health. The inventive particles are made of an inorganic material comprising oxygen, in particular an oxide, said material having an adequate density, and can be activated in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo, by controllable external excitation, in order to disturb, alter or destroy target cells, tissues or organs. The invention also relates to methods for the production of said particles, and to pharmaceutical or medical device compositions containing same. |
| US08845505B2 |
Separator comprising a direct drive with an elastically supported motor
A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements. |
| US08845500B2 |
Resistance adjustable rotational exerciser
A resistance adjustable rotational exerciser includes a body, two rotary members and an adjustment device. The body has two outer rings with a connection plate connected therebetween. The two rotary members are rotatably connected to the outer rings and each have a handle. The adjustment device has front and rear plates respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the connection plate. The front and rear plates have resistance strips. Springs are located between the connection plate and the front and rear plates. A knob is located at the front plate and connected to connection rods connected between the front and rear plates. The user holds the handles to operate the exerciser in different directions to exercise the muscles and joints. By operation of the knob, the distance between the front and rear plates is adjusted to obtain desired resistance. |
| US08845497B2 |
Exercise machine for providing resistance to ambulatory motion of the user
An exercise machine that provides a generally consistent resistive force against a user who walks, steps, or runs away from the machine as part of a strength training exercise program. The machine is built upon a movable frame having transport wheel assemblies that allow the exercise machine to be placed on an indoor floor surface or on the ground outdoors. The frame of the device further supports three parallel spinning assemblies that together allow a length of linear strap attached to the user to run out from the machine and thereafter be retracted or rewound back into the machine. The spinning assemblies include a flywheel assembly, a spool assembly, and a spring assembly, each co-axially arranged on a spin axle extending across the frame. The spring assembly is fixed against the frame and incorporates a coil spring that tightens with the rotation of the spin axle in a first direction (allowing the linear run-out strap to extend out from the spool assembly). The coil spring in the spring assembly thereafter tends to direct the rewinding of the strap back onto the spool assembly. The coaxial flywheel assembly provides both an initial stationary inertia and a subsequent rotational inertia. The flywheel acts as a governor to balance the changing forces associated with the resistive force increasing in the spring assembly. Positioned on the spin axle between the flywheel assembly and the spring assembly is a spool assembly that allows the strap to unwind and subsequently to be wound back onto the spool. A guide strap may be provided around the spool to maintain the linear run-out strap within the spool assembly. A resistance adjustment assembly presses a brake pad against the perimeter surface of the flywheel to adjust the force required to direct rotation of the system. A weight horn bracket is provided to add additional disc weights if necessary. |
| US08845495B2 |
Athleticism rating and performance measuring system
A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes. |
| US08845493B2 |
System and method for exercising
Embodiments relate to exercise systems, and more particularly to exercise cycles and systems for generating exercise programs simulating real-world terrain. In accordance with at least some aspects, a stationary exercise cycle includes an incline mechanism adjusting the vertical and/or lateral incline of the stationary exercise cycle. The incline mechanism may respond to control signals that change vertical incline to simulate an ascent or descent of a hill, or a lateral incline to simulate a turn. A communication system may provide exercise programs to the exercise cycle by operating in connection with third party providers of topographical, map, or other information. Such information can be used to automatically determine corresponding incline or resistance changes, as well as visual information for an exercise program. |
| US08845489B2 |
Powerplant and a method of driving a mechanical system via said powerplant
A powerplant (8) is provided with a drive shaft (4) and at least one engine (1) having an outlet shaft (2) that is necessarily set into rotation during starting of the engine (1), the drive shaft (4) being suitable for setting a mechanical system (7) into motion. The powerplant (8) includes a link member (3) having a clutch (15) and a declutchable freewheel (25) for mechanically linking the outlet shaft (2) to the drive shaft (4). |
| US08845486B2 |
Transmission for outdoor power equipment
Outdoor power equipment includes an engine having a throttle and a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a tool coupled to the driven shaft. The engine further includes a transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween. The transmission automatically changes the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft. |
| US08845484B2 |
Vehicle drive device
Mutual interference between a hydraulic pressure of a first engagement device and a hydraulic pressure of a second engagement device is suppressed even in the case where operation of the first engagement device and operation of the second engagement device coincide with each other. A vehicle drive device includes a first engagement device that selectively couples a rotary electric machine to an internal combustion engine, and a fluid coupling. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber that is formed to apply a back pressure to a first piston. The fluid coupling includes a second oil chamber configured to control an engagement state of a second engagement device. The vehicle drive device includes a first control valve that controls a first oil chamber hydraulic pressure, and a second control valve that controls a second oil chamber hydraulic pressure independently of the first oil chamber hydraulic pressure. |
| US08845480B2 |
Compound planetary gear mechanism
A compound planetary gear mechanism includes at least two planetary gear mechanisms and a carrier. The at least two planetary gear mechanisms include a first planetary gear mechanism and a second planetary gear mechanism. The first planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of first planetary gears. The second planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of second planetary gears. The carrier is coupled to the plurality of first planetary gears and the plurality of second planetary gears. The carrier includes a first support shaft and a second support shaft. The first support shaft rotatably supports a first planetary gear among the plurality of first planetary gears. The second support shaft rotatably supports a second planetary gear among the plurality of second planetary gears and is independent of the first support shaft. |
| US08845475B2 |
Connecting assembly and method of producing a connecting assembly
The disclosure relates to a connecting assembly, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The connecting assembly comprises a housing and a driving gear. The housing comprises a first housing part with a first flange portion and a second housing part with a second flange portion. The driving gear comprises a receiving portion for receiving the housing and a supporting face which laterally delimits the receiving portion, wherein the first flange portion of the first housing part is axially arranged between the supporting face of the driving gear and the second flange portion of the second housing part, and wherein the second flange portion is welded to the driving gear. A method of producing a connecting assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08845474B2 |
Four wheel drive vehicle
In a four-wheel drive vehicle, a first transaxle is disposed on one of front and rear sides of a power unit so as to be drivingly connected to one of front and rear ends of a transmission output shaft of the power unit. A second transaxle is disposed on the other of the front and rear sides of the power unit. A clutch-brake unit includes a clutch and a parking brake. An input shaft of the second transaxle is divided in the clutch-brake unit into upstream and downstream divisional shafts. The upstream divisional shaft is drivingly connected to the other of the front and rear ends of the transmission output shaft. The downstream divisional shaft is drivingly connected to right and left second drive wheels carried by the second transaxle. The clutch is interposed between the upstream and downstream divisional shafts. The parking brake is disposed on the upstream divisional shaft. When the parking brake is shifted to a braking state, the clutch having been disengaged is automatically engaged. |
| US08845473B2 |
Equalizing unit of a drive train of a motor vehicle and its construction for loss-minimizing oiling on demand
An equalizing unit of a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a clutch device to be oiled in driving mode. In order to stop drag torques which act on the clutch device from the outside, and result in increased dissipation when said clutch device is not required due to an operating state, measures are provided which promote the dry running of the clutch device. The measures include the spatial-functional separation of the oil delivery device from the clutch device and the provision of a braking or decoupling device by which the oil delivery device can be deactivated if there is no oil requirement. |
| US08845471B2 |
Variable input synchronous output drivetrain for wind turbine
A wind turbine drivetrain is disclosed. The wind turbine drivetrain includes a planetary gearbox. The planetary gearbox includes a carrier rotatably driven at a first input rotational speed, and a planet gear rotatably mounted to the carrier. The planetary gearbox further includes a sun gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear, and a ring gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear. One of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear is selectively rotatably driven at a second input rotational speed. The wind turbine drivetrain further includes an output gear rotatably driven by the planetary gearbox at an output rotational speed, and a motor selectively operable to rotatably drive the one of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear. |
| US08845467B2 |
Multiple sprocket assembly for bicycle
A multiple sprocket assembly includes a number of sprockets attached to a hub of a bicycle frame, and a rear chain transfer device having a sliding member slidably attached to a guiding device, and a carrier attached to the sliding member and movable relative to the sprockets for engaging with a chain and for carrying and moving the chain onto the teeth of the sprockets, the rear chain transfer device includes a support attached to the bicycle frame, and the guiding device is secured to the support, the guiding device includes one or more tracks or channels for slidably engaging with and for guiding the sliding member to move relative to the guiding device. |
| US08845464B1 |
Method for reducing the size of a grouping pattern for a set of multiple bolts shot by a crossbow
Each bolt of a set has three vanes and a nock with three diametrical transverse grooves; each groove is perpendicular to a corresponding vane. Each bolt is shot at least three times with a crossbow, at least once with each one of the vanes extending downward into the rail slot of a crossbow. After noting the positions on a target for each shot of each bolt, one vane of each bolt is marked so that shooting the set of bolts with the corresponding marked vanes extending downward into the rail slot results in the smallest grouping pattern for the set of bolts. |
| US08845463B2 |
Method of constructing a basketball backboard
A basketball backboard assembly and a method of making the backboard assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a backboard frame structure and an acrylic backboard which are bonded together with a suitable elastomeric adhesive, providing adequate adhesion and flexibility. The elastomeric adhesive has a bond gap in the range from 2 to 2.5 mm. The adhesive is catalyzed to provide control of the set time in the range from about 5 minutes to 1 hour. A plurality of bond gap spacers are located between the frame bonding surface and the backboard bonding surface to provide the bond gap. |
| US08845461B2 |
Hoop tracker
The present invention is directed to a wireless shot tracking system including a programmable electronic unit that is in electrical communication with a shot detector for automatically tracking and displaying real-time shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball shooting sessions, and a telescoping pole for mounting the shot detector to a basketball rim from the ground. The programmable electronic unit provides a program mode, a play mode, a review mode and a random mode to help improve the shooting skills of a basketball player from different shooting locations on a basketball court. The shot detector includes one or more vibration sensors to detect missed shots, and an activator that extends along a horizontal axis in a central region of the basketball hoop to detect made shots. The programmable electronic unit interfaces with a computer via a USB port for uploading or downloading program updates or shooting session data. |
| US08845458B2 |
Solid golf ball
The invention provides a solid golf ball which has a core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer. At least one layer of the core is formed primarily of polybutadiene and includes at least 0.05 part by weight of a polyurethane resin powder having an average particle size of not more than 2 mm per 100 parts by weight of rubber component. At least one layer of the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane. |
| US08845457B2 |
Golf ball cores based on polyalkenamer rubber having positive hardness gradients
Golf balls having a core comprising a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and geometric center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of at least 10 Shore C. In a second version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. The inner core has a positive hardness gradient, while the outer core has a zero; negative; or positive hardness gradient. |
| US08845455B2 |
Golf club head and method of manufacturing the same
This invention provides a golf club head including a plurality of scorelines formed in its face surface and extending in the toe-to-heel direction. This golf club head includes a recessed portion for the cutting start of each scoreline, which is formed at one end or each of both ends of the scoreline in the longitudinal direction at a depth equal to or larger than that of the scoreline. |
| US08845449B2 |
Grip
The disclosure herein includes a grip for a golf club with a flexible tube and a layered sheet. The tube includes a tubular body and raised portions extending from the tubular body. The outer surface of the raised portions cooperates with the layered sheet to form a gripping surface. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness while providing increased variation in the physical characteristics of the gripping surface. The disclosure further provides a golf club grip that includes a resilient strip spirally wrapped about an underlisting sleeve having a cap and a nipple. The underside of the cap is formed a downwardly facing circumferential slot that receives the upper edge of the strip. The nipple is formed with an upwardly facing groove that receives the lower portion of the strip. |
| US08845445B2 |
Feedback apparatus and method for improving cocking loosening
A cocking loosening feedback method includes sensing sequential three-dimensional direction information of a golf club and three-dimensional direction information of the arm a user, analyzing the change of an angle between both three-dimensional information with respect to time, generating a cocking loosening evaluation variable based on the difference between the cocking loosening point and the impact point and the difference between the backswing top point and the impact point in the analyzed three-dimensional information, analyzing the evaluation variable based on a predetermined criterion to evaluate the cocking loosening, and providing its feedback information to the user. |
| US08845443B1 |
System and method of forming a golf course sand bunker having improved stability
A golf course sand bunker comprising a soil layer, a base layer of playing sand covering at least 40% of the exposed area of the soil layer, a liquid-applied MDI urethane having a pre-cured viscosity within a selected range, a top layer of playing sand, and wherein the base layer of playing sand is adhered to the soil layer with the MDI urethane composition. |
| US08845441B2 |
Reconfigurable infant support structure
An infant support structure includes a support frame having a lower member configured to engage a support surface. First and second spaced arcuate posts extend upwardly from the lower member, each of the posts having a distal end portion. A seat portion is disposed between and coupled to the posts. A first end of a toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of one of the posts, and a second end of the toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of the other of the posts. |
| US08845439B2 |
Entertainment system with swing and rotatable seats
An amusement device includes at least one swinging arm, one end of which is suspended so as to be rotatable about a swinging axis and one free end of which is displaceable along at least a part of a circular path about the swinging axis. A carrier is suspended from the free end of the swinging arm and is rotatable about an axis of rotation transversely to the swinging axis. Furthermore, there is at least one support device for at least one person which is suspended from the carrier at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof. The support device is rotatable with respect to the carrier. |
| US08845438B2 |
Yoke for a cross type universal joint and manufacturing method thereof
A yoke is provided in which damage such as bending of a bolt for joining and fastening the base section of the yoke to the end section of a rotating shaft does not easily occur even when that bolt is excessively tightened. In the present invention, a force is applied to both a first flange section and a second flange section in a direction toward each other, and with the inner diameter of the base section elastically reduced, a through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed. After that, the force is released and the inner diameter of the base section expands by its own elastic force. Alternatively, with the inner diameter of the base section reduced, the through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed, after which the first flange section and second flange section are plastically deformed in the direction away from each other to expand the inner diameter of the base section. |
| US08845436B1 |
Location-based map game mechanics
A location-based game is provided in which users with mobile devices leave footprints associated with locations they physically occupy, allowing the users to control and interact with physical locations on computerized maps. |
| US08845435B2 |
Toy object and task-conditional reward
In some embodiments, a method of distributing toy objects is provided. The method includes: providing a toy object and a task identifier, the task identifier identifying a task; receiving, via a website, task-completion input from a user; associating the user with a profile, the profile being associated with the toy object; updating the profile to indicate that the task had been performed; identifying reward criteria; determining whether the reward criteria was met; and, upon determining that the reward criteria was met, initializing distribution of a physical reward. |
| US08845433B2 |
Methods and devices for gaming machine configuration
The present invention provides novel method and devices for configuring gaming machines. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide a portable computing device, e.g., a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), that may be used to configure gaming machines. Some such portable computing devices include software and hardware for displaying graphical user interfaces with which an operator can interact to indicate a desired gaming machine configuration. Some preferred embodiments provide a standardized format for menus and/or GUIs that can be used to configure various types of gaming machines. The portable computing device may have one or more convenient interfaces, such as a uniform serial bus (“USB”) interface, an infrared interface, etc., configured for communication with a gaming machine. For example, the interface can allow desired gaming machine configuration parameters to be transmitted to the gaming machine and actual gaming machine configuration parameters to be received from the gaming machine. In some implementations, the portable computing device may be used to verify the configurations of gaming machines that have been previously configured using other methods and/or devices (e.g., via a gaming network). |
| US08845426B2 |
Input system, information processing device, storage medium storing information processing program, and three-dimensional position calculation method
An example input processing system includes a controller device and an information processing device. The controller device transmits data representing an input position on a predetermined input surface and a detection result of an inertia sensor unit to the information processing device. The information processing device calculates an attitude of the controller device based on the detection result of the inertia sensor unit, and sets a predetermined surface in a virtual space so that an attitude of the predetermined surface changes in accordance with the attitude of the controller device. A first image representing an area in the virtual space including a position of the surface is displayed on a predetermined display device. The information processing device calculates, as a position in the virtual space, a position on the surface determined by the input position. |
| US08845417B1 |
Bad beat compensation for wagering games
Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating. |
| US08845416B2 |
System and method for cashless gaming and promotions
A method and system for administering and managing promotional gaming vouchers and segregating promotional credits from normal play credit includes a plurality of gaming machines coupled to a back-end controller for monitoring play on the gaming machines and segregating cash and promotional credits of a plurality of promotional gaming vouchers. The vouchers may have only one embedded value (total value) and may be treated as any other cashless gaming voucher, thereby allowing use in older gaming machines that may be unable to read vouchers having more than one embedded value (i.e., cash and promotional values). Accordingly, the back-end controller may keep track of promotional plays and update a voucher database that logs total values and promotional values of the vouchers. Upon cashing out, the database may be interrogated and only a cash value of the voucher disbursed, where any remaining promotional value may be printed on a new voucher. |
| US08845413B2 |
Gaming machine capable of moving at least one visual recognition target in a top box
A gaming machine includes a symbol display device, a top box, and a controller. The symbol display device is capable of variably displaying and then rearranging a plurality of symbols. The top box is disposed at an upper part of the symbol display device and has an illumination target disposed on a front face and a plurality of visual recognition targets disposed therein. The controller is programmed to: variably display and then rearrange symbols on the symbol display device to thereby execute a normal game; execute an animation character acquisition game for acquiring a specific animation character from among a plurality of animation characters in accordance with specific symbols being rearranged in the normal game; and move at least one visual recognition target from among the plurality of visual recognition targets, based on a result of the animation character acquisition game. This configuration enables a player to be given notice in a mode of moving a visual recognition target in the top box. Thus, it is possible to impart a sense of expectation or a sense of tension to a player and to pay the player's attention exclusively to a game. |
| US08845411B2 |
Reduced power consumption wager gaming machine
A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine. |
| US08845409B2 |
Method and apparatus for reinvesting winnings
A player is permitted to reinvest winnings to play additional instances of an online game. In one specific example, the player may choose, at a point of sale (POS), a reinvestment option that specifies how winnings are used to automatically purchase additional game instances. In one example game format, the player may be permitted to select a reinvestment option at the point of initial purchase of the game. The player may be permitted, for example, to limit his/her reinvestment as a function of their initial investment. In another example, the primary game result is driven by the result of a secondary game, such as a lottery or casino-based drawing (e.g., a Keno drawing). The secondary game is then played, and any additional plays as a result of the reinvestment are also played. Results of the secondary game and the additional games are sent to an online gaming system. The player is then permitted to play an online game to reveal the results of both the secondary game and any additional plays as a result of the reinvestment. In one example, the cost of the reinvestment is subtracted from any winnings as the additional plays are revealed to the player. |
| US08845407B2 |
Device for providing a game
One object is to provide a game that continuously attracts players. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment provides a game wherein a first entity and a second entity battle with each other, and includes: an identification unit configured to identify first game contents on standby and second game contents on standby; a battle processing unit configured to compare, in an individual battle between first game contents selected from the first game contents on standby and second game contents selected from the second game contents on standby, a first estimation value regarding the selected first game contents with a second estimation value regarding the selected second game contents, thereby to determine an outcome of the individual battle; a point providing unit configured to provide the entities with points; and an exclusion unit configured to exclude a defeated game contents from the game contents on standby. |
| US08845405B2 |
Universal bird guard for vents
An external guard for placement over a vent, having front, lateral and bottom sides each formed by a plurality of generally parallel bars or rods spaced apart to block passage of a bird between bars. The bars are shaped and positioned to define a frusto-pyramidal shape for the guard. The rear side of the guard opens toward the vent. The top side of the guard has a cover. There are no cross bars across the bars along the lateral sides, the side front and the bottom side of the guard and none at the intersection of the front and bottom sides of the guard. |
| US08845404B2 |
Ventilation tile with collapsible damper
A ventilation system includes a ventilation tile. The ventilation tile has a substantially circular opening to allow air to flow through the ventilation tile and a collapsible damper operable to collapse and expand to alter the size of the substantially circular opening in the ventilation tile and thereby variably restrict air flow through the substantially circular opening. |
| US08845402B2 |
Device and method for removing a poultry breast gristle
A device for removing a breast gristle from a poultry breast carcass includes a transport apparatus for moving the breast carcass along a straight motion path in a fixed orientation. A median plane of the breast carcass is oriented perpendicularly to the motion path. A stationary cutting apparatus has a transversal blade, for making a transversal cut passing through the breast gristle, the transversal cut extending in a transversal cut plane arranged perpendicularly to the median plane. The transversal cut plane and a transversal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and include an angle up to 30°. A frontal blade is provided for making a frontal cut passing through the breast gristle. The frontal cut plane and a frontal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and perpendicularly to the transversal plane include an angle up to 30°. |
| US08845396B2 |
Polishing apparatus
A polishing apparatus has a polishing pad, a top ring for holding a semiconductor wafer, and a vertical movement mechanism operable to move the top ring in a vertical direction. The polishing apparatus also has a distance measuring sensor operable to detect a position of the top ring when a lower surface of the top ring is brought into contact with the polishing pad, and a controller operable to calculate an optimal position of the top ring to polish the semiconductor wafer based on the position detected by the distance measuring sensor. The vertical movement mechanism includes a ball screw mechanism operable to move the top ring to the optimal position. |
| US08845395B2 |
Method and device for the injection of CMP slurry
Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting slurry onto the polishing pad surface of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) tool. The disclosed apparatus includes a rectilinear shaped injector bottom, where multiple slots are created in the top surface of the injector bottom, allowing the injector bottom to flex and to conform to the polishing pad profile. CMP slurry or components thereof are introduced through one or more top surface openings, travel through the injector body, and exit through a slit or bottom surface opening. The slurry is spread into a thin film by the injector, and is introduced at the gap between the surface of the polishing pad and the wafer, along the leading edge of the wafer, in quantities small enough that all or most of the slurry is introduced between the wafer and the polishing pad. |
| US08845394B2 |
Bellows driven air floatation abrading workholder
Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier rotor that is supported by and rotationally driven by a bellows. The wafer carrier rotor is contained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary rotor housing to provide support against abrading forces that are imposed on the wafer by the moving abrasive coating on a rotary platen. The idlers allow low-friction operation of the abrading system to be provided at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The system is also well suited for lapping optical devices and rotary seals and for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing of wafers using resilient pads. Pressurized air is injected into the bellows device to provide uniform abrading pressure across the full surface of the wafer. Wafers can be attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum. |
| US08845393B2 |
Cutting method by sandblasting
A cutting method by sandblasting in which cutting through of a workpiece and/or formation of a through-hole in the workpiece are/is performed by forming a resist on a plate-shaped workpiece and projecting abrasive against the workpiece to cut a portion of the workpiece where no resist is formed, comprises the steps of: forming the resist in a predetermined pattern on a front surface and a back surface of the workpiece symmetrically between the front and back by inkjet printing, and projecting the abrasive against each of the front and back surfaces of the workpiece to make a cut from the front surface side communicate with a cut from a back side at an approximately intermediate position of a thickness of the workpiece. |
| US08845389B2 |
Exercise clothing for use during pregnancy
In accordance with the present invention, a garment is provided having specific supportive panels for providing adequate back and belly support; in a preferred embodiment the garment is an exercise garment. The supportive panels of the garment are made of composites of expandable materials giving structural support to the garment such that the wearer's back is stabilized and the belly is supported to prevent drastic pitch, roll or yaw movements during exercise. The expandable materials are designed to yield such that excessive pressure against the belly is not caused as such pressure, found in garments of the prior art, can inflict pain to the musculature and skin surface of the wearer. The expandable materials provide support and allow for the natural growth of the body during pregnancy, providing a desirable combination of a supportive exercise garment that can be used throughout the gestation period. |
| US08845388B1 |
Cleavage spacer
A mass of memory foam or similar elastic material is sized and shaped to fit within a cleavage area to space breasts away from the cleavage area and lift the breasts somewhat. The spacer includes a front surface opposite a rear surface and with a base portion opposite a top portion. The base portion is larger than the top portion. Side portions extend from the base portion to the top portion on opposite sides of the spacer. These side portions act upon the breasts to lift and separate the breasts from each other. A band can optionally be provided girding the spacer. The band can be provided as camouflage or decorations can be placed on the band to decorate the spacer. The bands can be replaceable to switch between appearance options. |
| US08845386B2 |
Apparatus and method for the removal of unit members from a transmitter mechanism for RC models
An apparatus and method for coupling a plurality of detachable components from a transmitter unit used to control radio controlled (RC) models. Specifically, a steering unit and a grip unit may be coupled and decoupled from the main upper body unit comprising the transmitter. When coupling the steering unit to the upper body, guide projections on the steering unit are inserted into a corresponding number of groove guides defined within the upper body unit. A shutter stopper locks the guide grooves and prevents the guide projections from moving. The grip unit is similarly coupled to the upper body unit by means of a locking claw which maintains the grip unit in a fixed position until a release button is actuated by a user. The transmitter unit comprises the ability of providing for a number of different operational configurations, thus accommodating the needs and preferences of each user. |
| US08845385B2 |
Distributed system of autonomously controlled mobile agents
A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent. |
| US08845381B2 |
Geometric construction module and system
A geometric construction module formed from a substantially flat, flexible material, the module comprising a polygon based shape having two straight edges; and a locking tab pair integral with each one of the straight edges to form joining edges, each locking tab of the locking tab pair having a notch at the straight edge, the notches of each locking tab pair being symmetrical about a center line of the joining edge. Multiple construction modules can be releasably attached at the joining edges to form models. |
| US08845380B2 |
Automated color tuning of an LED based illumination device
The color of light emitted by an assembled light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device with at least two different wavelength converting materials is automatically tuned to within a predefined tolerance of a target color point by modifying portions of the wavelength converting materials. The color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device is measured and a material modification plan is determined based at least in part on the measured color of light and a desired color of light to be emitted. The material modification plan may further include the location of the wavelength converting materials to be modified. The wavelength converting materials are selectively modified in accordance with the material modification plan so that the assembled LED based illumination device emits a second color of light that is within a predetermined tolerance of a target color point. |
| US08845379B2 |
Manufacturing method for organic EL lighting device
Anodes of a plurality of organic EL elements are connected together. A forward bias voltage relative to the potential of anodes and a reverse bias voltage are alternately applied to cathodes of the plurality of organic EL elements at a predetermined period. The ratio of the time for which the reverse bias voltage is applied and the time for which the forward bias voltage is applied is increased. |
| US08845378B2 |
Display apparatus and method of repairing the same
A display apparatus and a method of repairing a display apparatus are disclosed. According to one aspect, the display includes a plurality of unit pixels each including a plurality of sub pixels, scan lines branching off a scan wire in a first direction for each of the plurality of unit pixels and connecting the plurality of sub pixels emitting the same color as that of a neighboring unit pixel, data lines extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connected to the plurality of sub pixels, a first power supply line extending in the second direction and connected to the plurality of sub pixels, and second power supply lines extending in the first direction and connected to the first power supply line. |
| US08845376B2 |
Flotation vest having an integral work surface
A fishing vest is provided having a degree of flotation to assist the angler in the water and also having an auxiliary pack located in the front of the vest which provides an integral and portable work surface for creating or repairing fishing flies and lures and also provides integral storage for tools and fishing tackle. |
| US08845370B2 |
Vessel with a retractable thruster assembly
A vessel with a retractable thruster assembly, the vessel comprising a hull, a vertical thruster well (20) within the hull, said thruster well having a bottom opening in a bottom plane of the hull. The vessel further comprises a retractable thruster assembly. This thruster assembly comprises: a thruster head (2) with a propeller (3), a casing structure (10) vertically guided in the thruster well, the casing structure having a lower end portion (10b) to which the thruster head is mounted so as to extend below the casing structure, the casing structure including a watertight compartment (12), an electric propeller drive motor being housed in said compartment. The thruster assembly is vertically displaceable between an operative extended position, in which the thruster head projects downward beyond the bottom plane of the hull, and a retracted position, in which the thruster as assembly is raised and the thruster head is received with the thruster well. |
| US08845367B2 |
Modular electronic header assembly and methods of manufacture
A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. In one embodiment, a modular non-conducting base member having one or more component recesses and a plurality of lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the wire leads of the component routed through the lead channels to a conductive lead terminal. A plurality of lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the non-conducting base member, are received therein, and adapted to place the device in signal communication with an external printed circuit board. The modular non-conducting base members are assembled or stacked to form a unitary modular assembly. Methods for fabricating the device are also disclosed. |
| US08845362B2 |
Connector having a housing with a locking lance with reinforcement ribs
A connector includes a housing (10) made of synthetic resin and formed with a terminal accommodating chamber (11). A resiliently deformable locking lance (12) is cantilevered forward along an inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber (11) and a locking projection (15) is formed on the locking lance (12). A terminal fitting (30) is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber (11) from behind and has a locking hole (33) configured to engage the locking projection (15) when the terminal fitting (30) is inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber (11). Reinforcing ribs (20) are formed integrally on the locking lance (12) and project in a direction opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber (11) in a resilient deforming direction of the locking lance (12). |
| US08845360B2 |
Terminal connection device
Provided is a terminal connection device capable of suppressing deflection of a flexible integrated wiring. A terminal connection device for connecting a terminal portion of a flexible integrated wiring to a connector includes a first member having a mounting portion capable of mounting thereon the terminal portion, and an inclined portion formed in a rear end portion thereof located in an extending direction of the flexible integrated wiring; and a second member having a pressing portion formed so as to press the terminal portion, and a bending portion formed on a rear end portion located in the extending direction and formed along the inclined portion of the first member. The second member is formed so as to be attached to the first member in a state where the pressing portion presses the terminal portion and the bending portion bends the flexible integrated wiring along the inclined portion. |
| US08845358B2 |
Cable connector
A cable connector includes an insulator, signal contacts supported in the insulator, wherein the signal contacts come in contact with the cable when the cable is inserted into the insulator, a pair of lock members which are rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and springs supported on the insulator, wherein the springs retain the locked position and allow rotation of the lock members to the unlocked position by elastic deformation of the springs. Each spring includes a base-plate portion supported on the insulator, an elastically deformable portion extending from the base-plate portion, an end-extending portion extending from an end of the elastically deformable portion, and an engaging portion which engages with an associated lock member to integrate the spring with the associated the lock member. |
| US08845356B2 |
Power adapter cord having locking connector
A power adapter cord for providing electrical power to an electronic item of merchandise from an external source of electrical power includes a cable containing at least one conductor and having a connector at one end configured to lock into a corresponding connector of a power input port provided on the item of merchandise. The connector and the corresponding connector define a mechanical and electrical connection having a connector extraction force greater than the connector extraction force of a standard connector of the same type. Accordingly, the connector prevents accidental or malicious removal of the connector from the power input port and/or discourages theft of the item of merchandise because the connector cannot be forcibly removed without damaging the corresponding connector and thereby rendering the item of merchandise inoperable. In exemplary embodiments, the connector is a modified micro-USB plug. |
| US08845354B2 |
Lock device
A lock device includes a helical gear driven by a motor. The helical gear is connected to a control shaft by a transmission member. Further, the helical gear is connected to a lid lock bar by a link bar. A coil spring constantly urges the lid lock bar toward a lid lock position. |
| US08845347B2 |
System for receiving a head unit in a vehicle
A system including a mounting frame assembly for a head unit for a vehicle. The mounting frame assembly and the head unit may be attached to a vehicle. The mounting frame assembly may include a region operable to house a connector assembly. The connector assembly may include a connector operable to connect to a respective connector of the head unit. With respect to the connectors of the mounting frame assembly and the head unit, either may include an electrical and/or fiber optic connector. |
| US08845346B2 |
Current convertor
The current convertor comprises a current converting device and a sliding cover. The current converting device comprises a casing, a current converting module arranged inside the casing, two conductive terminals electrically connected to the current converting module, and a first sliding module disposed on the casing. The conductive terminals are partially exposed from the casing. The sliding cover has a second sliding module having two thru holes. The second sliding module is slidably disposed on the first sliding module for enabling the sliding cover to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the casing. When at the first position, the conductive terminals pass through the thru holes of the sliding cover for inserting into the conventional outlet, and when at the second position, the conductive terminals are arranged in a space surrounded by the sliding cover and the casing. |
| US08845342B2 |
Connection device for powering electrical equipment
The invention relates to a connection device for powering electrical equipment, said connection device comprising: a first electrical conductor (3) configured such that it is electrically connected to an electrical power source, and a second electrical conductor (5) connected mechanically and electrically to the electrical equipment to be powered. According to the invention, said connection device comprises an electrically insulating overmolding (7) held mechanically, covering the first (3) and second (5) electrical conductors at the connection thereof. |
| US08845338B2 |
System for electrically connecting a tool to a robot wrist and a method therefor
A system for electrically connecting a tool to a robot wrist. The system includes a first component being a tool flange arranged for rotation around a robot axis, and a second component, which includes an electric cabling and a connector permanently connected to each other. The connector has a plurality of poles and the electric cabling includes a plurality of conductors. Each conductor is permanently connected to a respective pole. The tool flange and the connector are mutually adapted for attaching the connector to the tool flange. According to the invention the tool flange has eccentric mounting means arranged for eccentric attachment of the connector on the tool flange. |
| US08845337B1 |
Sharing demonstration information by a network connected demonstration device and system
A demonstration device provides a demonstration session for an interactive demonstration. The demonstration device receives a request to share the interactive demonstration along with an identification of at least one of a social network account, an email address or a network location from the user by the demonstration device. The demonstration device shares the interactive demonstration by causing a link to the interactive demonstration to be sent to at least one of the social network account, the email address or the network location. |
| US08845335B2 |
Device for supporting and reversibly attaching and detaching photovoltaic modules
A device for the support of photovoltaic modules such that the tilt angles of the photovoltaic modules can be varied to modify the exposure of the photovoltaic modules to sunlight for the purpose of generating solar electricity. The device allows for the reversible attachment and detachment of photovoltaic modules, serves as the storage for the photovoltaic modules when the photovoltaic modules are detached, and is easily portable by a single person. |
| US08845334B1 |
Apparatus for practicing ophthalmologic surgical techniques
An apparatus for teaching and practicing an ophthalmologic surgical technique of creating the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis comprises a housing with a first base end and a second suction cup end for holding a malleable body; a flexible film or cellophane-type membrane covers the operating area of the malleable body; this flexible film can be held into place on the first base end with a first cap with an aperture or opening; in between the first base end and the second suction cup end, there can be a flexible stock with a threaded connection. There can also be a second cap addition, which simulates a cornea and anterior chamber, which can be filled with viscoelastic material, which can increase the pressure in the eye and flattens the anterior capsule. |
| US08845331B2 |
Method for producing a dental impression tray
A kit to make an individual impression tray for dental use, the kit having a standard model reproducing a dental arch, a semifinished product of thermoformable material, for example, a plate member, and a container for a heat exchange liquid. The first step that is carried out by the dentist to obtain the individual impression tray provides the insertion of the model in the container. Then, next to dental arch of the model a plate member is arranged and hereafter a certain amount of a liquid is put, for example, water, in the container up to covering plate member. The liquid is then heated by a source of thermal power, for example, a microwave oven, stopping heating when the temperature of the liquid achieves a value T* higher than the temperature for softening the thermoformable material of the plate member. |
| US08845329B2 |
Dental retention systems
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements. |
| US08845328B2 |
Jaw implant
A jaw-mounted dental implant with an implant body. The implant body includes an attachment fastening structure arranged in the implant body which fastens an implant attachment on an implant body longitudinal end facing away from a jaw. An attachment plane is arranged at the implant body longitudinal end facing away from the jaw and is inclined at an attachment angle β of 75° to 45° relative to an implant body longitudinal axis. A support structure projects outward from an implant body outer surface on a longitudinal end of an implant body bone portion facing away from the jaw. The support structure is formed by at least one support web arranged in a web plane. The web plane is interrupted by an interruption region arranged in a circumferential direction at an obtuse-angle side of the implant body so as to not extend around an entire circumference of the implant body. |
| US08845325B1 |
Oxygen candle furnace ignition fitting
An apparatus for lighting an oxygen candle within a drum and for sealing the drum of an oxygen candle furnace. The apparatus includes a housing member for positioning the ignition assembly on a lid of the drum. The housing member having an upper portion, a lower portion and a borehole extending through the upper and lower portions. An ignition nail is placed in the borehole and housing member is structured to hold prevent the ignition nail from moving laterally, and to automatically align the nail with the oxygen candle within the drum. |
| US08845320B2 |
Imprint lithography apparatus
An arrangement suitable for use in an imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed. The arrangement includes a support structure arranged to support an imprint template arrangement, a first actuator configured to apply a force to the imprint template arrangement, and a second actuator attached to the support structure, and arranged in use to extend between the support structure and the imprint template arrangement, the second actuator configured to apply a force to the imprint template arrangement, a range of movement of the second actuator being greater than a range of movement of the first actuator. |
| US08845319B2 |
Means for modifying a building space and device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object having means for modifying a building space
A means for modifying a building space for a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layerwise solidification of a powdery building material at the locations corresponding to the object in the respective layers comprises one or several small supports (32) or one or several building space partitioning elements (20) on a building platform (2), thereby the device has one or several small building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), in which the powdery material may be efficiently used and different powder materials may be processed. |
| US08845311B2 |
Screw compressor with adjacent helical grooves selectively opening to first and second ports
A screw compressor includes a screw rotor having a plurality of helical grooves, a casing containing the screw rotor and a gate rotor. The casing includes a discharge port on an inner peripheral surface of the casing. The gate rotor has gates meshing with the helical grooves of the screw rotor to compress gas in compression chambers to discharge the gas from the discharge port after being compressed. The compression chambers are defined by the helical grooves, the casing, and the gates. The discharge port is divided into a first port and a second port when two adjacent helical grooves of the plurality of helical grooves is open to the discharge port as a result of rotation of the screw rotor, with one of the two adjacent helical grooves being open in the first port and the other of the two adjacent helical grooves being open in the second port. |
| US08845303B2 |
Torque control for open circuit piston pump
A pump control system and a torque control valve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the torque control valve includes a sleeve, a spool disposed in the sleeve, and a piston rod disposed through the spool. The spool has a first recess area, a second recess area, and a third recess area. The first and third recess areas each have a port extending into a central bore of the spool. The piston rod includes a groove orifice feature having a spiral groove and is configured such that a fluid flowing from the port in the first recess area to the port in the third recess area must flow through at least a portion of the spiral groove. The fluid flowing through the spiral groove operates to bias the spool in a direction towards the second axial end of the spool. |
| US08845302B2 |
Method for controlling ground meat flow rates
A method for continuously controlling the flow rate of a meat input stream for making a meat product is disclosed. A flow rate algorithm is provided that depends upon pump speed (RPM) for control of the flow rate. A correction factor provides further control of the system and is dependant upon loss in weight data when meat is not being added. When meat is being added and a new target flow rate is desired, a modified correction factor is calculated based upon a previous error factor and a new initial pump speed based on the new target flow rate. The modified correction factor is used to obtain an adjusted pump speed. The RPM of the pump motor is used as the main control of the flow rate, and the loss in weight data fine tunes this RPM parameter for finer control to better achieve a target flow rate. |
| US08845301B2 |
Compressor control method
A compressor control method for prolonging operating time of a vehicle air conditioning compressor. The method includes monitoring an operating temperature of an insulated gate bipolar transistor in the compressor, comparing the operating temperature to at least one predetermined threshold temperature, and continuing operation of the compressor if the operating temperature is below the at least one predetermined threshold temperature. At least one mitigating step is implemented to prevent premature shutdown of the compressor if the operating temperature is above the at least one predetermined threshold temperature. |
| US08845299B1 |
Anti-vibration fan control system and method for modular power supplies
System and methods are provided for reducing vibration in server or data storage units. An anti-vibration system according to the present invention includes one or more disk drives and one or more fans in a defined area, and a controller which is configured to control operation of each of the one or more fans. A nominal speed setting and a speed range are determined for the one or more fans, either commonly or independently with respect to each, and the fans are caused to be driven in accordance with the determined speed setting and speed range. As a result the occasions in which individual fan speeds are coincident with fixed frequency sensitivities for each disk drive are substantially minimized. |
| US08845297B2 |
Method, assembly and system for mounting wind turbine blades to a wind turbine hub
An assembly for mounting wind turbine blades to a wind turbine hub is disclosed. Such assembly includes a blade retaining arrangement to accommodate at least two blades and an interface to a lifting device for lifting the assembly to the hub. Furthermore, a system and a method for the same purpose are disclosed. |
| US08845293B1 |
Quick installation ceiling fan blades
Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods for the quick installation of ceiling fan blades for ceiling fans. The invention uses a blade with three slots running in a linear direction from the mounting end of the blade, and three pre-attached fasteners upwardly projecting from the outer end of a blade arm. One of the fasteners is springably bendable with inwardly extending clip edge, another fastener that forms an upright post, and a third fastener having a top end with an outwardly extending lip edge. Another embodiment can include four slots per blade and four pre-attached upwardly protruding fasteners per blade arm. A novel method of installing each blade can include angling the blade to the mounting ends of the blade arm so that the outwardly extending lip edge catches on the third slot in from the mounting end of the blade. Next, the blade is laid down so that the other two slot openings pass over the other pre-attached fasteners while moving the mounting end of the blade toward the motor mounting end of the blade arm. This causes the springably bendable fastener to bend back and snapably spring back catching onto the first slot locking the blade to the blade arm. |
| US08845291B2 |
Engine arrangement
An engine arrangement has a gear assembly that drives a first propeller assembly. The gear assembly is driven by a power drive shaft that joins to the gear assembly at a first side. The engine arrangement has a static conduit that extends along a longitudinal internal cavity of the power drive shaft. The conduit penetrates the gear assembly such that a portion of the conduit projects from an opposing second side of the gear assembly. The engine arrangement has one or more first fluid supply lines routed along the static conduit between a hydraulic pressure power source and the first hydraulic actuator. A first hydraulic rotating coupling is mounted to the projecting portion of the static conduit. The first fluid supply lines fluidly communicate with the first hydraulic actuator via the first rotating coupling. |
| US08845287B2 |
Turbojet engine nacelle
A nacelle for a turbojet engine is provided that includes an air intake upstream from the turbojet engine, a middle section intended to surround a fan of the turbojet engine and its case, and a downstream section. The middle section is made from at least one aerostructure capable of ensuring external aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle, and the aerostructure is rigidly bound, so as to be able to be taken apart, to at least one surrounding fixed structure. |
| US08845285B2 |
Gas turbine stator assembly
According to one aspect, a turbine assembly includes a second component circumferentially adjacent to a first component, wherein the first and second components each have a surface proximate a hot gas path and a first side surface of the first component to be joined to a second side surface of the second component. The assembly also includes a first slot formed longitudinally in the first component which extends from a first slot inner wall to the first side surface and a second slot formed longitudinally in the second component which extends from a second slot inner wall to the second side surface. The assembly also includes a first groove formed in a hot side surface of the first slot, the first groove extending from the first slot inner wall to the first side surface, wherein the first groove comprises a tapered cross-sectional geometry. |
| US08845284B2 |
Apparatus and system for sealing a turbine rotor
An apparatus for restricting fluid flow in a turbo-machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first inter-stage sealing member configured to be located between a first rotating airfoil stage and a second rotating airfoil stage attached to a rotor shaft, the first inter-stage sealing member including a segmented structure that includes a plurality of segments forming a circumferential surface, the first inter-stage sealing member including: a first base portion including a securing mechanism configured to at least substantially radially and tangentially secure the inter-stage sealing member to an inter-stage support structure; a first axial retention mechanism; and a first axially extending sealing portion configured to be outwardly radially loaded against at least one of the first rotating airfoil stage and the second rotating airfoil stage. |
| US08845283B2 |
Compressor blade with flexible tip elements and process therefor
A compressor blade and process for inhibiting rub encounters between a blade tip of the blade and an interior surface of a case that surrounds the rotating hardware within a compressor section of a turbomachine. The compressor blade includes a cap that defines the blade tip at a radially outermost end of the blade, and a plurality of flexible elements extending from a surface of the cap that defines the blade tip. The flexible elements extend from the surface in a span-wise direction of the blade, and are operable to become rigid due to centrifugal stiffening at compressor operating speeds and, optionally, cut a groove the interior surface of the case. |
| US08845281B2 |
Centrifugal compressor for wet gas environments and method of manufacture
A centrifugal compressor comprises at least one stage suited to separate a liquid phase and a gas phase with the aid of at least one of a hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, hydrophilic or super-hydrophilic surface layer, wherein the hydrophobic and/or super-hydrophobic surface layer is disposed on at least one of an inlet guide vane, impeller, return channel straight hub, or exiting hub bend; and the hydrophilic and/or super-hydrophilic surface is disposed on at least one of the impeller casing, diffuser casing, exiting casing bend, return channel straight hub, exiting hub bend, collection point, or drain. |
| US08845280B2 |
Blades
A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil portion extending from a root to a tip. The tip carries winglets. A gutter extends across the tip to entrain gas leaking around the tip (over tip leakage). The aerofoil portion has a mean camber line and the gutter has a center line. In the examples described, the conditions that (a) the mean camber line and the centre line coincide at the exit when viewed from the tip towards the root, and (b) the mean camber line and the center line are parallel at the exit when viewed as aforesaid, are not both fulfilled. |
| US08845279B2 |
Supercharger device
A supercharger device, including, at least one of a variable turbine and a compressor geometry; a guide vane device arranged in a housing, wherein the guide vane device includes at least one vane mounting ring; at least one guide vane is at least one of rotatably mounted thereon the vane mounting ring and rotatably mounted therein the vane mounting ring; and an adjusting ring arranged coaxially to the vane mounting ring and mounted on the latter, which is rotated relative to the vane mounting ring. |
| US08845278B2 |
Radial turbine
A radial turbine includes a radial turbine wheel provided with a main pathway in which blade height progressively increases while curving toward an axial direction from a radial direction. A sub-let is formed on a shroud side of the radial turbine wheel at a position separated from the main inlet in the radial direction and the axial direction. Also, a blade shape that forms the sub-inlet is such that, in a plane orthogonal to the axial line of the radial turbine wheel, a center line of the blade is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the rotation direction with respect to the radial direction. |
| US08845277B2 |
Geared turbofan engine with integral gear and bearing supports
A gas turbine engine includes a bearing and a bearing support having a first wall extending between first and second ends and operatively supported by the bearing at a first end. An engine case is secured to the second end radially outward of the first end. A second wall integral with and extending transversely from the first wall provides a flexible support. The second wall has a flange, and a gear train component is secured to the flange. A gas turbine engine includes a support structure which supports the main rotatable structure via bearings and gear train components. The support provides both the necessary structural support for the rotor structure as well as desired flexibility for a fan drive gear system. |
| US08845274B1 |
Sensor for detecting hydrocarbon in a seal
A hydrocarbon presence sensor used to detect for the presence of a fuel in a buffer cavity of an inter-propellant seal. A sensor is formed on a rotor shaft in the buffer cavity and an optical imaging device is used to view a change in appearance of the sensor when a hydrocarbon forms on the surface. The sensor is formed from either an oil/fuel leak detection powder or an oil colorimetric developer. A white light source or a laser is reflected off of the sensor and an optical imaging device reads the reflected light to detect for a change in color or intensity of the light to indicate if a hydrocarbon is present on the sensor surface. |
| US08845269B2 |
Compressor casing with optimized cavities
The invention relates to a compressor for a turbine engine including a casing (4), at least one compressor stage consisting of a stationary blade (2) impeller and a mobile blade (1) impeller positioned upstream from said stationary blade (2) impeller, and cavities (5) made in said casing opposite the through-path of the mobile blades (1), said cavities having a length L2 measured axially and being shifted upstream relative to the blades (1) so as to generate an overlap with a length L1, characterized in that the lengths L1 and L2 are respectively between 35% and 50% and between 80% and 90% of the axial chord Cax measured at the outer end of the blades (1), and in that the cavities (5) do not in communication with one another. |
| US08845267B2 |
Pod drive
A propeller pod drive for a vessel has at least one driveshaft for driving a propeller, at least one radial bearing arrangement for receiving radial forces, at least one axial bearing arrangement for receiving axial forces of the driveshaft. A thrust collar is supported in axial direction on at least one side in axial direction at a guide device, and a supporting structure for arranging the at least one radial bearing arrangement and the axial bearing arrangement. The guide device has at least three, axial sliding segments arranged in a segment guide and each of which has a sliding surface in contact with the thrust collar. |
| US08845264B2 |
Bed transport and utility dolly
A bed transport and utility dolly comprising two or more supports which removably attach at the head and the foot of an adjustable bed. The dolly provides bed transport in a taller and thinner form and allows easy movement through doorways and safe navigation of hallways. The present art apparatus and method of use utilizes the ability of an adjustable bed to substantially retract the bed support arms or legs whereby the transport and utility dolly retains the weight of the bed and allows rotation of the bed into a taller and thinner form before transport, all without the use of specialty tools or extra dollies. Each support comprises a frame with a pivotally attached swing arm having one or more bed couplers with quick release mechanisms which removably attach to the frame or other structurally supportive portion of the bed. |
| US08845261B2 |
Multiple shipping container Omni-directional cradle
A system of single or multiple modules with self driving capabilities specifically for the movement of single or multiple shipping containers with a single operator on foot using a ‘wireless control unit’ to imitate commands to the individual modules, inter-connected to act in concert. As the units are configured from one (1) to forty-five (45) containers, the modules are connected utilizing the specialty pin assembly inherent to the invention.The invention has the capability to articulate in the vertical plane, allowing the complete modular unit to transverse inclines; declines and slight obstructions while in the normal operational environment. This accommodates ramps up or down onto the barges, or onto surfaces in the receiving ports.The ‘wireless control unit’ also allows the operator and the Command and Control operations to visualize the individual module while transversing all surfaces allowing for the visualization of the stack in a three dimensional display. |
| US08845260B2 |
Apparatus and method for handling pipe
An apparatus is provided for moving pipe between pipe storage racks and a pipe handler on a pipe deck of a drilling rig. The apparatus is capable of retrieving pipe from tiered stacks of pipe in a pipe rack located behind Samson posts, and moving the pipe up and over the Samson posts onto a pipe stand or pipe handler. |
| US08845258B2 |
Mold set for paper binding
A paper sheet binding die set comprises first and second dies, each having an opposed surface comprising a plurality of tooth portions. The first and second dies face each other such that the first die and the second die are capable of meshing with each other. Each tooth portion of the first die comprises a valley-bottom portion, and a peak-top portion. Each tooth portion of the second die comprises a valley-bottom portion, a peak-top portion, and an inclined-surface portion extending at an incline from the valley-bottom portion to the peak-top portion. The peak-top portion of each of the plurality of tooth portions of the first die has a length so as to cover the inclined-surface portion of the corresponding tooth portion of the second die upon meshing of the first and second dies. The first and second dies pressurize the plurality of stacked paper sheets to bind them together. |
| US08845257B2 |
Fastener
A fastener is fixed to a body panel by inserting a second portion of a clip and the body panel between a flange-shaped head and deformed bulge created by crimping a blind rivet inserted into a mounting hole in the body panel. Afterwards, when a fender panel is inserted between a first portion and the second portion of the clip, pressure is applied to the inserted fender panel from above and below by ribs and on the first and second portions, thereby clamping the fender panel between the first and second portions, and fixing the fastener to the fender panel. The fastener is positioned inside an anti-rotation depression in the body panel. |
| US08845256B2 |
Fastener and fastener assembly with discontinuous threadform
The disclosure provides in one embodiment for a fastener comprising a cylindrical shaft, a head attached to the shaft, and two or more external longitudinal threadforms, where each threadform comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions forming a separate sinusoidal path around the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into a corresponding mating receptacle, a combination of the shaft and the mating receptacle provides two or more pitches. The disclosure further provides for a fastener assembly. |
| US08845255B2 |
Guide apparatuses for use with fasteners
A variety of fasteners and guide assembly devices are disclosed. The fasteners in various forms include a guide member that protrudes from the fastener to facilitate guiding of the fastener into a hole, passage, opening, etc. or corresponding fastener component such as a nut. The guide member may be substantially rigid or substantially flexible. The guide member may be permanently or temporarily attached to the fastener. |
| US08845252B2 |
Bolt
A bolt (10) for securing timber to any other material, comprises: a bolt head (101) with a series of spiked teeth (102) on its underside; a cylindrical bolt rod (103) extending from the bolt head (101) is threaded and split into two rods (105a,b) at its free end, so as to define a slot (106) therebetween. In use a user drills a hole through pieces of timber to be secured together, and hammers the bolt through the hole. The spiked teeth on the bolt head lock into the timber, securing the bolt at one end. At the free, split end of the bolt rod, a washer and nut are tightened onto the bolt. A cold chisel is hammered into the slot between the split ends of the rod, bending the ends outwards and thus preventing the nut from loosening. |
| US08845241B2 |
Radius end mill and cutting insert
A radius end mill including an end mill body which is rotated around an axis thereof; a chip discharge flute being provided at an outer periphery of a tip portion of the end mill body; a gash being provided at a tip portion of the chip discharge flute; a rake face being formed on a wall face facing an end-mill rotational direction in the chip discharge flute or the gash; a cutting edge being formed on the rake face; the cutting edge including an end cutting edge, an outer peripheral cutting edge, and a convex circular-arc-shaped corner cutting edge; the end cutting edge being formed at a side ridge portion on the tip portion of the rake face; the outer peripheral cutting edge being formed at a side ridge portion on the outer peripheral side of the rake face; the convex circular-arc-shaped corner cutting edge being formed at a corner side ridge portion formed by the end cutting edge and the outer peripheral cutting edge; wherein the corner cutting edge has a positive cutting edge inclination angle; and the portion of the rake face on the side of the side ridge portion along at least a portion of the corner cutting edge is inclined toward the rear side in the end-mill rotational direction as it approaches the outer peripheral cutting edge from the end cutting edge, and is formed in the shape of a twist face whose inclination toward the rear side in the end-mill rotational direction gradually becomes larger as it approaches the center of the convex circular arc formed by the corner cutting edge from the corner cutting edge. |
| US08845237B2 |
Method for modifying a reinforced soil structure
The invention relates to a method for modifying a reinforced soil structure, said structure comprising: a fill, a first facing including an outer face defining the front face of the structure, and at least one stabilization element connected to the first facing and extending in a reinforced area of the fill located behind the front face of the structure, the modification method including the steps of arranging a second facing along the outer face of the first facing, disconnecting the stabilization element from the first facing, connecting the stabilization element to the second facing. |
| US08845236B1 |
Ground anchor
A cutting device for use with installation of helical ground anchors designed to cut through rock. The invention has carbide steel cutting tips attached to the distal end of a shaft extending below the end in order to make a first cut through rock along the axis of rotation of the shaft. Helically shaped plates are attached to the shaft at a distance above the shaft set of cutting tips. Attached along the outer edge of the helix are additional carbide steel cutting tips that extend below the bottom surface of the helix and cut along the axis of rotation of the shaft. The present invention allows for the installation of helical ground anchor supports at proper depths without deviation, in situations where the path is obstructed by rock or other hard materials. |
| US08845233B2 |
Soil remediation
A device for agitating a material is provided. The device includes a casing that includes an opening at a first end and a valve configured to open and close the opening. |
| US08845229B2 |
Mobile barrier
In one embodiment, a safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities. |
| US08845228B2 |
Fixing structure for two members
A fixing structure for a first and second member, in which the first member has a base portion and a boss extending from the base portion, and the second member has a base portion to which a distal end of the boss is fixed. The fixing structure includes a spacer portion disposed around the boss and configured to keep a distance between the base portion of the first member and the base portion of the second member when the first and the second member are assembled together through the fixing structure. The spacer portion is formed on the second member in such a manner as to extend from the base portion of the second member and come into contact with the base portion of the first member. |
| US08845222B2 |
Modular paint pump for a paint roller
A modular paint pump for a paint roller having a battery operated pump in a housing supporting a paint can. A wetted parts subassembly is manually removable for cleaning or service without the use of tools. The wetted parts subassembly may include inlet and outlet check valves and a piston, a seal and a pump cylinder. A cover having a siphon is secured to the paint can by an elastic cord hooked to the housing. |
| US08845219B2 |
Adhesive tape printer
This disclosure discloses an adhesive tape printer comprising a housing, a first storage part configured to receive a first roll provided to one side of the housing in the first horizontal direction, a feeding roller, a printing head, a second storage part configured to store a second roll wherein the adhesive tape with print is wound around an axis line in the second horizontal direction, provided to the other side of the housing in the first horizontal direction, a feeding motor provided further on the other side than the first storage part and further on the one side than the second storage part so that an axis direction of an output shaft matches the second horizontal direction, a first opening/closing cover provided to an upper part on the one side, and a second opening/closing cover provided to an upper part on the other side. |
| US08845212B1 |
Nodal compact tilt mechanism
A tilt mechanism allows for nodal tilt of a camera or other payload to a high degree without obstructing any side of the camera. It uses two rotating plates that are linked together with linkage arms. The linkage arms transfer the rotational movement of the plates above the mechanism to a camera attachment plate. The rotating plate has a nodal point identical to the linkage plates, above the plate where the camera is positioned. There is no side support in this design to interfere with access to the camera on all sides. |
| US08845210B2 |
Optical connector with reduced insertion loss
An optical connector includes a fastener, a first housing, and a second housing. The fastener includes a base plate, two engagement arms extending up from a side of the base plate and then bent toward a first direction, and two limiting arms extending from another side of the base plate toward the first direction and bent up and then bent toward a second direction reverse to the first direction. The first housing and the second housing are aligned and engaged with each other. The first housing is limited by the limiting arms. The second housing defines two engagement grooves with a depth thereof gradually decreasing from an end toward another end of the second housing. Each engagement arm slides into and along a corresponding engagement groove until each engagement arm is totally received in the engagement groove and presses the second housing toward the base plate. |
| US08845207B2 |
Optical fiber connector and adapter capable of preventing dust
An optical fiber adapter includes a housing, a hook member and an elastic body. The housing has an axial cavity defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The hook member is positioned in the axial cavity which comprises a flange, a hollow cylinder and a pair of hooks. The hollow cylinder and hooks extends from one end of the flange and the hollow cylinder is positioned between the hooks. The elastic body is positioned on and around the hollow cylinder. When the optical fiber connector is inserted into the axial cavity of the optical fiber adapter, the ferrule will be inserted into the hollow cylinder and the elastic body will be in contact with inner walls of the inner housing of the optical fiber connector. |
| US08845202B2 |
Spring washer and a bearing block including a spring washer
A spring washer is disclosed for axially preloading anti-friction bearings. The spring washer can include an outer ring and an inner ring that is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer ring. An axis is defined by the two rings. Outer and inner rings are connected through several resilient connection rods. Resilient cantilevered rods can be provided which extend from one of the rings in between the connection rods and which have a free end at the opposite positioned ring. Thereby, the cantilevered rods can be axially bent up such that the free end has an axial offset. |
| US08845201B2 |
Bearing with sealing slinger
A bearing includes an inner race and an outer race, which is radially outward from the inner race relative to a bearing axis. A cylindrical sleeve is substantially coaxial with the bearing axis and contacts an outer surface of the inner race. A dust shield is substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical sleeve, and a primary seal is axially interior to the dust shield. The primary seal contacts the cylindrical sleeve and the outer race. |
| US08845198B2 |
Transmission wheel arrangement
A transmission wheel arrangement includes a shaft and a transmission wheel having a hub and rotatably arranged on the shaft. An axial bearing and a radial bearing are arranged axially and radially respectively between the hub of the transmission wheel and the shaft. |
| US08845195B2 |
Hydraulic machine having a sliding bearing having a bearing element
A bearing element for a sliding bearing is configured to support a drive shaft of a hydraulic machine. The bearing element is connected to the drive shaft so as to prevent relative rotation and has an outer annular surface configured to provide sliding support. A supporting web is formed between a location at which the bearing element is fixed to the drive shaft and the outer annular surface. The supporting web is elastically deformable to compensate for deflection of the drive shaft and/or an alignment error of sliding bearings of the drive shaft. A sliding bearing has a bearing element of this kind, and a hydraulic machine has at least one sliding bearing of this kind. |
| US08845185B1 |
Spiral spring
A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part. |
| US08845184B2 |
Assembly device using the deformation of resilient arms
The invention relates to a system of assembling a member, made of a first material, in the aperture of a part made of a second material having no usable plastic domain, using an intermediate portion (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) made of a third material, mounted between said member and said part. According to the invention, the part is accommodated against a first level (6) of the intermediate portion and is resiliently locked on a second level of the intermediate portion by the member in order to secure together the unit comprising the member—intermediate portion—part.The invention concerns the field of timepieces. |
| US08845177B2 |
Backlight module and housing unit structure thereof
The present invention provides a backlight module and a housing unit structure thereof. The backlight module includes a back plate having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge. The edges of the back plate are provided with a housing including a plurality of housing unit structures. The housing unit structures have a strip shape or an L-shape, respectively, and are disposed on the back plate by connecting or spacing a distance to each others to assemble into a housing. The backlight module uses an adjustable modular design to adjust the number of the housing unit structures for being suitably applied to various backlight modules with different sizes. Except for reducing the use of material, the development cost and time of the backlight module can be saved. |
| US08845176B2 |
Light redirecting films with non-prismatic optical elements
An optical assembly includes a light emitting panel having a light output surface with non-uniform directional light output distribution, and a light redirecting film located to receive light emitted from the light output surface. The light redirecting film has a pattern of individual non-prismatic optical elements of well defined shape with a total of two surfaces that intersect each other, the shape varying at different locations on the light redirecting film to redistribute the light received from the light output surface within a desired light ray angle distribution. |
| US08845171B2 |
LED light-source structure and backlight module
The present invention provides an LED light-source structure and a backlight module comprising an LED light-source, wherein the LED light-source structure further comprises a light reflecting device, and the light reflecting device is disposed corresponding to a light output surface of the LED light-source, and the light reflecting device has at least one light output opening, and the periphery of the light output opening is a plate-shaped frame for reflecting the light of the LED light-source, and a vertical size of the light output opening is less than a height of the light output surface of the LED light-source. With use of the present invention, all or most of the light emitted from the light output surface of the LED light-source can be inputted into a side input surface of a light guide plate (LGP), thus reducing a light scattering loss and improving a light input efficiency of the LED. |
| US08845170B2 |
Light guide plate and backlight unit having same
In a light guide plate and a backlight unit, a light guide plate includes a light incident surface, an opposite surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of optical path changing units. The optical path changing units are aligned on at least the bottom surface of the top surface and the bottom surface at a predetermined interval while protruding in parallel to a reference line perpendicular to the light incident surface. Accordingly, power consumption used to generate the light may be reduced. |
| US08845167B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a light guide plate, a first light source device, a second light source device, a display panel, and an image light source synchronization unit. The first and second light source devices are disposed adjacent to two opposite sides of the light guide plate respectively. A plurality of first micro structures are formed on a bottom surface of the light guide plate and capable of deflecting a light beam from the second light source device towards the right-hand side and deflecting a light beam from the first light source device towards the left-hand side. The image light source synchronization unit is capable of displaying the left-side image when the first light source device is turned on and the second light source device is turned off and displaying the right-side image when the first light source device is turned off and the second light source device is turned on. |
| US08845165B2 |
Light source for crystal lamp
A light source for a crystal lamp has a light guide pillar, a light-emitting element, and a linear micro structure. The light guide pillar has a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, and the light-emitting element is disposed next to the bottom surface. The linear micro structure is formed on and surrounds the side surface, and the emitting light beams of the light-emitting element are reflected by or refracted through the linear micro structure to allow the linear micro structure to function as a thin-lined light source surrounding the light guide pillar. |
| US08845164B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device includes a light guiding core, an optical film and a light emitting module. The optical film separately surrounds the light guiding core. A ratio of a diameter of the optical film to a diameter of the light guiding core is between 2 and 3. The light emitting module is disposed at one side of the light guiding core. |
| US08845163B2 |
LED-based photolithographic illuminator with high collection efficiency
An LED-based photolithographic illuminator with high collection efficiency is disclosed. The illuminator utilizes an array of LEDs, wherein each LED has an LED die and a heat sink. The LED dies are imaged onto the input end of a homogenizer rod to substantially cover the input end without inclusion of the non-light-emitting heat sink sections of the LED. A microlens array is used to image the LED dies. The collection efficiency of the illuminator is better than 50% and the illumination uniformity at the output end of the light homogenizer is within +/−2%. |
| US08845162B2 |
Collimated illumination using light pipes
A system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light pipe configured to mix light from the LEDs and produce collimated light. The light pipe includes multiple reflective optical devices configured to reflect the collimated light at different angles. The light pipe also includes multiple outlet optical devices configured to selectively control exit of the reflected collimated light from the light pipe. The reflected collimated light has one or more controllable spectral characteristics and/or one or more controllable geometries of illumination. |
| US08845160B2 |
Lighting module for an emergency service vehicle
The invention relates to a lighting module (1) for an emergency service vehicle (24), comprising a profiled part (18), a first (3) and a second (5) lighting module, wherein the first lighting module (3) is arranged in a first accommodating area (2) of the profiled part (18) and illuminates a first spatial section (11). The second lighting module (5) is arranged in a second accommodating area (4) of the profiled part (18) and illuminates a second spatial section (12). The first lighting module (3) comprises a first lighting element (6) for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a transparent covering element (7), wherein furthermore the first lighting element (6) is formed by a semiconductor component and is arranged on a support structure (9). Furthermore, the second lighting module (5) comprises a second lighting element (8) made of a semiconductor component for emitting electromagnetic radiation. |
| US08845153B2 |
High beam and low beam combination lamp for a bicycle
A high beam and low beam combination lamp for a bicycle includes a main body, a lens, a downward light source and a straight light source, the main body having a receiving space defined thereon, the receiving space having a first surface and a second surface formed therein, the lens being assembled in the receiving space and corresponding to the second surface, the downward light source being assembled with the first surface, parts of the light beam of the downward light source obliquely passing through the receiving space so as to form a low beam lighting region, the straight light source being assembled with the second surface, the light beam of the straight light source passing through the lens so as to form a high beam lighting region. |
| US08845143B2 |
Photoelectronic device
A photoelectronic device including a carrier, a light-emitting component mounted on the carrier; a patterned structure deposited on the carrier and around the light-emitting component; and a transparent sealing structure formed above the light-emitting component. The patterned structure mentioned above can cause the transparent sealing structure to be focused above the light-emitting component, and restrained in the patterned structure. The transparent sealing structure with predetermined proportional configuration is obtained by controlling the quantity of the transparent sealing structure. Therefore light efficiency of the photoelectronic device can be greatly improved. |
| US08845142B2 |
Optical system for generating a composite light beam with wide angular opening
An optical system for generating, from a light source and along an optical axis (X-X), a composite light beam comprising at least one central light beam and at least one peripheral light beam surrounding the central light beam. The system directs towards an optical diffuser for redistributing the composite light beam in a predetermined manner in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis (X-X). The optical system is configured for generating, in a second plane comprising the optical axis (X-X), the central light beam and/or the peripheral light beam in such a manner that light rays of the central light beam and/or of the peripheral light beam are respectively inclined, on either side of the optical axis (X-X), with respect to the optical axis (X-X). |
| US08845140B2 |
Heat sink and lamp using the same
A heat sink includes a main structure and a peripheral structure. The main structure includes a bottom surface and a wall portion. The wall portion surrounds the outer edge of the bottom surface. The wall portion has a plurality of vents. The peripheral structure surrounds the outer edge of the main structure. The peripheral structure has a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths. Each of the first flow paths is located adjacent to the outside of the wall portion. Each of the second flow paths is communicated to the bottom surface via the corresponding vent. |
| US08845138B2 |
Light fixture with multiple LEDs and synthetic jet thermal management system
A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink. |
| US08845137B2 |
Lighting device having heat dissipation element
A lighting device comprising a light source and at a heat dissipation element comprising at least first and second substantially transparent regions and at least a first fluid, at least a portion of the first fluid being positioned in a space between the transparent regions. Also, a lighting device comprising a light source, an enclosed space through which light passes and a fluid in the space. Also, a lighting device comprising a light source and heat conducting means for dissipating heat. Also, a lighting device comprising a light source and a heat dissipation element comprising first and second substantially transparent regions coupled with a space and a fluid in the space. Also, a lighting device comprising a light source and a heat dissipation element comprising a heat pipe that comprises a substantially transparent region. |
| US08845136B2 |
Adjustable strobe reflector assembly
A strobe reflector that includes a reflective material and a support structure. The support structure may be adjusted or moved into at least two distinct positions to provide two distinct shapes for the reflective material. The first position of the support structure shapes the reflective material in a first configuration (such as a half-hemisphere) and a second position of the support structure shapes the reflective material in a second configuration (such as a full hemisphere). |
| US08845134B2 |
Cooling system for light emitting device and light emitting device using the same
An LED cooling system includes: hermetically sealed space 5 containing air and housing light emitting device 10 including light emitting body 1, the hermetically sealed space 5 including heat dissipation member 14 and cover film 11 having a double-layered structure; cooling element 4 contacting heat dissipation member 14 in hermetically sealed space 5, the cooling element 4 having a heat absorbing surface 4a absorbing heat from light emitting device 10 and heat dissipating surface 4b contacting heat dissipation member 14 to dissipate the heat absorbed by heat absorbing surface 4a through heat dissipation member 14; and metal plate 3 between light emitting device 10 and cooling element 4. Cover film 11 includes transparent resin film 12 outside hermetically sealed space 5, and metal film 13 located inside hermetically sealed space 5 and including opening 13a for exposing the light exit surface of light emitting body 1 through resin film 12. |
| US08845130B2 |
LED socket assembly
A socket assembly includes sockets ganged together to form a pod with each of the sockets comprising a socket housing having a first end and a second end. The socket housing has a receptacle and a power track routed along the socket housing between the first and second ends. The power track has a positive rail and a negative rail. The sockets also comprises an anode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the positive rail and a cathode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the negative rail. The power tracks of adjacent sockets within the pod are electrically connected together to form a power circuit. Light emitting diode (LED) packages are received in corresponding receptacles of the sockets, and each LED package has a first contact and a second contact configured to be coupled to the anode and cathode, respectively, when the LED package is received in the corresponding receptacle. Each LED package has a base and an LED mounted to the base and being electrically connected to the first and second contacts. Optionally, the anode may be electrically connected to the positive rail via at least one of the other sockets. The cathode may be electrically connected to the negative rail via at least one of the other sockets. |
| US08845128B2 |
Structural headlamp assemblies for vehicular applications
A vehicle headlamp assembly, comprising a lens, a lamp housing cooperating with the lens to at least partially define a lamp chamber that is generally fluidly isolated from an ambient atmosphere outside the lamp chamber, and at least one lamp provided in the lamp chamber. The lamp housing includes at least one structural member adapted to connect to and bear structural loads applied by one or more adjacent components of a vehicle in which the vehicle headlamp assembly is installed. The assembly may further comprise at least one vehicle component connected to the lamp housing, whereby the lamp housing is capable of bearing structural loads applied by the at least one component. |
| US08845126B1 |
Low profile solar LED lamp
According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a lamp assembly includes a lens with a top portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion defining an interior volume, and the top portion including a seating flange; a housing disposed within the interior volume, the housing comprising a first chamber and a second chamber adjacent the first chamber; a photovoltaic array disposed within the first chamber; an electronic circuit disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the photovoltaic array; a light source disposed within the first chamber and electrically connected to the circuit; and a battery disposed within the second chamber and electrically connected to the circuit, wherein the interior volume and the second chamber are sealed from the environment, and wherein the sleeve portion of the lens extends below the seating flange, thereby enabling the seating flange to seat upon a mounting surface. |
| US08845124B2 |
Security lighting systems for perimeter fences
A security lighting system includes security lights mounted atop fence posts. Each security light has a light module including a central housing having outwardly extending support arms. A LED unit is mounted in a depression formed in a top surface of the central housing, and a hat covers the top surface of the central housing for allowing only reflected light to escape from light module. The security light has a junction box containing electrical components, and an extension tube having an upper end secured to the light module and a lower end secured to the junction box. The security light includes a clamp assembly for securing the junction box atop a fence post, and an alignment system for aligning the extension tube with the longitudinal axis of the fence post so that the support arms extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fence post. |
| US08845121B2 |
Power supply with sealed pivoted USB connector, for portable illumination device
A power supply unit including an accumulator, a back support body with means configured for holding the back support body on a user's head and connect to a lighting device, at least one first module provided with a USB connector, and means for removably securing the at least one first module to the back support body. The back support body also includes a hollow element for receiving the connector, such hollow element being mounted so as to pivot around a transverse axis of the back support body. |
| US08845120B2 |
Light source unit, lighting device, display device and television receiver
An LED unit U of the present invention includes an LED 17 that is alight source, a diffuser lens 19, a board reflection sheet 23 and a restriction member 27. The diffuser lens 19 is provided to face a light emitting surface 17a of the LED 17. The board reflection sheet 23 is provided to face a surface of the diffuser lens 19 that is closer to the LED 17 and is configured to reflect light. The restriction member 27 projects from the diffuser lens 19 toward the board reflection sheet 23 and restricts positional relationship between the diffuser lens 19 and the board reflection sheet 23. |
| US08845117B2 |
Three-dimensional lighting structure utilizing light active technology
A structure and method for three-dimensional lighting using light active technology. The structure has one or more non-rigid, flexible, foldable double-faced sheet of light active material formed of two opposedly facing sheets of light active material arranged back-to-back and configured to emit light from front and back sides of the at least one double-faced sheet of light active material. A collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure is formed of the double-faced sheet(s) of light active material and a folding element. A power supply element provides power to the circuitry and is coupled to the plurality of lighting elements of the two opposedly facing sheets of light active material. A fastening element coupled to the double-faced sheets of light active material at a fastening point removably retains the three-dimensional form. |
| US08845114B2 |
Lighting device for image capturing in electronic component mounting apparatus
To provide a lighting device for image capturing in an electronic component mounting apparatus that has small dimensions in the height direction and a small size in a plan view and thus can meet demands in a reduction in size.In an electronic component mounting apparatus, a surface lighting unit 30 that emits illumination light to a substrate, which is an object whose image is to be captured by a camera 25, includes as a main component a flat lighting substrate 31 that is provided between the camera 25 and the substrate, which is an object whose image is to be captured, so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate. Upper illumination light sources 32a, intermediate illumination light sources 32b, and lower illumination light sources 32c are arranged around an opening 31a for image capturing on one surface of the lighting substrate 31 facing the substrate in this order from the inside to the outside, such that they emit illumination light components to the surface of the substrate at different emission angles. In this way, it is possible to reduce the dimensions of the surface lighting unit 30 in the height direction and thus meet demands for a reduction in size. |
| US08845113B2 |
Drive for a component to be adjusted
A drive for a component to be adjusted, in particular for an adjustable automotive vehicle mirror, having a housing which can be mounted on a stationary structure and has a central axis for receiving drive elements, and having an element which encompasses the housing at least partially and is connected to a carrier for the component. The encompassing element with the carrier is disposed pivotably relative to the housing. About the central axis, a pin-like sleeve for guiding through a mounting element is disposed in the housing and has a plate spring-like projection for support on the base of the housing. The plate spring-like projection forms a means for uniform distribution of the tension force caused by the mounting element for mounting on the stationary structure. |
| US08845111B2 |
Lens shifting device and projection display device including the same
The lens shifting device includes: first plate through which video light passes; second plate connected to first plate via elastic member and having projection lens attached to a position into which the video light that passed through first plate enters; slider disposed to project from second plate and housed in first plate to be movable in a predetermined direction; and guide shaft attached to first plate in the state of being engaged with slider and rotated to move the second plate. Elastic member is disposed between first plate and second plate to connect first plate and second plate in the state of generating an elastic contraction force. |
| US08845109B2 |
Projection system based on self emitting display panel
A projection system based on self emitting display panels is described, in which the projection technology involves organic/inorganic electroluminescent display panels with spatially separated color segments. The color pictures are shown in three spatially separate segments. A color combination mechanism, such as dichroic mirrors, are used to merge the three color pictures to a color picture. One of the advantages of the present invention is that only the on state pixel is driven to a bright state that uses energy. The off state pixel need not be driven to a bright state and therefore the energy consumption is virtually nothing. Another advantage is that the system does not require a separate light source and display panel. Therefore the projection system can be made very compact, which is extremely useful for portable projection systems. |
| US08845107B1 |
Characterization of a scene with structured light
Objects and their placement within a particular scene may be characterized using structured light with no or minimal manual intervention or calibration to the scene. The structured light pattern may be rendered with visible light, yet imperceptible to users, by generating a set of opposing excursions in one or more image properties for durations which are shorter than the integration time of the human eye. A set of assumptions and ongoing testing of those assumptions against physical objects identified within the environment allows characterization of the scene and the objects therein. |
| US08845104B2 |
Solar tracker having oleo-hydraulic cylinders and method for operating same
The invention relates to a solar tracker having oleo-hydraulic cylinders that increase the rigidity of the system by keeping the two chambers of each cylinder pressurized, even while on stand-by. This makes the system more accurate, avoiding undesirable cylinder movement caused by oil compression. The system includes a circuit having at least one cylinder assembly (8,9), an oleo-hydraulic plant and a control system (5), wherein the oleo-hydraulic plant supplies the oil to the cylinders controlling the speed of movement of these latter, and the control system (5) supervises and controls the correct operation of the entire system and protects said system against possible accidents. |
| US08845101B2 |
Ametropia progression indicating device
An indicating device (10, 100) for indicating the ametropia progression of a wearer over a predetermined period of time according to at least the type of ophthalmic lens the wearer may use. The device comprises first (12, 120) and second (14, 140) members connected together in a moveable manner. The first member (12, 120) has a first field (22, 220) including a plurality of values of input data and a second field (24, 240) including a plurality of values of output data representative of the ametropia of a wearer. The second member (14, 140) has at least a selection mean (40, 400) and an indication mean. The selection means (40, 400) is arranged to select among movement of the second member (14, 140) a value of the input data corresponding to a wearer. The indication means (28, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 280, 260, 300, 320, 360, 380) is associated with a type of ophthalmic lens and arranged to indicate among movement of the second member (14, 140) the value of the output data on the first member (12, 120) corresponding to the ametropia of the wearer after the predetermined period of time. |
| US08845097B2 |
OCT-based ophthalmological measuring system
An ophthalmological measuring system for determining distances and/or for tomographic imaging of ocular structures, based on an OCT method. The measuring system includes a light source with a spectral centroid (λ), an interferometric measuring device, a scanner system, which in addition to the lateral deflection of the sample beam also has axial modulations with a frequency (f) in the sample arm, and a control and evaluation unit. The scanner performs a lateral, two-dimensional deflection of the sample beam with the aid of one or even two separate mirror elements and can in particular have axial modulation amplitudes zM>>λ/2. The system can also be used for scanner systems in other fields that use an OCT method, in particular a swept-source OCT method. |
| US08845093B1 |
Corrective lens for diving mask
A corrective lens for diving masks is revealed. The corrective lens for diving masks includes a corrective lens body locked on a frame of a diving mask by a locking part. Thus the corrective lens body is stacked over a surface on one side of the lens of the diving mask for improving users' vision. Moreover, the corrective lens body can be rotated horizontally in relative to the surface of the lens of the diving mask for position adjustment and vision correction. Thus the corrective lens for diving masks features on simple structure and convenience of use. |
| US08845088B2 |
Printer
A printer comprises a paper holding section, a printing and conveying section, a buffer section and a movable section. The paper holding section holds the paper rolled into a roll such that can draw out and convey the paper. The printing and conveying section, which is provided with a print head and a platen roller that are arranged opposite to each other, draws out and conveys the paper and then prints on the paper. The buffer section arranged at the downstream side of the paper conveying direction of the paper holding section and the upstream side of the paper conveying direction of the printing and conveying section to elastically press the paper surface of the paper. |
| US08845077B2 |
Pattern forming method and pattern forming apparatus
A pattern forming method includes: a modification treatment step of, in accordance with a pattern to be formed on a pattern forming surface of a base body, applying a light beam having a width smaller than a diameter of each of dots to constitute the pattern, onto a treatment target region including at least outer edges on both sides in a width direction of a region where the pattern is to be formed in the pattern forming surface, thereby carrying out modification treatment on the treatment target region; and a droplet deposition step of ejecting and depositing droplets of a functional liquid by an inkjet method onto the region where the pattern is to be formed including the treatment target region where the modification treatment has been carried out. |
| US08845076B2 |
Chain positioning system
A chain positioning system is disclosed that has a chain that contains a plurality of links joined together, end-to-end, with a plurality of pins. The chain can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The links of the chain limit rotation about the pins in one direction. |
| US08845074B2 |
Inkjet printing system with condensation control
Inkjet printing systems are provided that use a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation. |
| US08845071B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus
An inkjet printing apparatus is provided, which has a simple construction, and is yet capable of reducing ink consumption and cleaning inkjet heads promptly.The inkjet printing apparatus includes connector caps 51a-51l for connecting tubes communicating with suction caps, a cap support 54 supporting the connector caps 51a-51l, a switch element 60 for switching to a sucking state one of the connector caps 51a-51l to which the tubes are connected, and a stepping motor 57 for supporting and rotating the switch element 60. |
| US08845069B2 |
Control signaling using capacitive humidity sensor
A circuit includes a capacitive-type humidity sensor. The circuit provides start and stop signals to a processor in accordance with a charge voltage across the sensor. The processor performs a counting function to derive an integer count value in response to the start and stop signals. The processor uses the integer count value to determine parameters for controlling an ink-jetting print engine. Printing speed can be controlled in accordance with ambient humidity and/or temperature so that the printed media are sufficiently dried before handling by a user or other operations. |
| US08845066B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer has an ink jet head mounted on a carriage for ejecting ink onto a recording medium. A heater is arranged in the casing and above the ink jet head for heating the ejected ink. A first intake fan is mounted on the casing for feeding outside air into the casing. A second intake fan is mounted on the carriage for taking the fed outside air directly into the carriage so that the temperature inside the carriage can be set close to the temperature of the outside air to enable stable ejection of ink. Air fed into the casing is discharged to the outside through an exhaust duct passing through the casing and disposed at a position spaced from the print surface of the recording medium to prevent a decrease in temperature of the recording medium and ejection failure of the ink. |
| US08845063B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A control section is included which performs a background image pre-printing which enables each ink to be ejected from the upstream side background color nozzle row and the downstream side color nozzle row and can land the color ink after landing the background color ink on the medium in a region concerning the transport direction, and a background image post-printing which enables each ink to be ejected from the upstream side color nozzle row and the downstream side background color nozzle row and can land the background color ink after landing the color ink on the medium in a region concerning the transport direction, the control section performing the printing so as to switch over the background image pre-printing and the background image post-printing on one medium. |
| US08845062B2 |
Density correction system
A density correction system includes a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium, a first ink ejection unit that ejects ink in a multi-drop driving system to the recording medium based on image data, a second ink ejection unit that ejects ink in the multi-drop driving system to the recording medium based on the image data and in which a volume per one drop is smaller than that of the first ink ejection unit, and a control unit that corrects number of drops from the first ink ejection unit and number of drops from the second ink ejection unit, which constitute a droplet amount for one pixel on the recording medium subjected to image formation. |
| US08845061B2 |
Inkjet printer with dual function alignment sensor for determining ink drying time
An inkjet printer for determining drying time of a print swath of ink deposited on a sheet of media by use of a dual function alignment sensor operable in a first mode to provide an output response corresponding to an amount of bi-directional misalignment of dot placement by the plurality of nozzles sensed from scanning a printed alignment test pattern, and in a second mode to provide an output response corresponding to an amount of specular reflection received from the print swath of the printed image with the output response in the second mode being used to determine if the printed image is sufficiently dry to be moved. |
| US08845058B2 |
Distortion compensation for printing
A printing machine includes a substrate and at least one printhead with at least two material deposition channels which are movable with respect to the substrate, wherein the printhead is mounted on a stage which allows rotation of the printhead around an axis perpendicular to the substrate and translation in a direction perpendicular to the print direction, and wherein during each print swath, the rotation angle and translation values of the printhead are varied in order to change the pitch and the lateral position in the direction perpendicular to the print direction of material deposited from the different deposition channels; and an algorithm which computes the required rotation angles and translation values for a given pattern of substrate distortion. |
| US08845057B2 |
Image forming apparatus including recording head
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid droplets; a recording head including a pressure generator to generate a pressure to cause the nozzles to discharge liquid droplets; a droplet discharge status sensor unit to detect a droplet discharging status from each nozzle; and a maintenance controller to control a maintenance operation by a dummy discharge of liquid droplets not contributing to image formation. In such an image forming apparatus, the droplet discharge status sensor unit compares a detection result of the droplet discharge status and a preset reference threshold and determines whether the nozzle discharges normally or defectively; and the maintenance controller outputs a dummy discharge drive waveform corresponding to a difference between the detected droplet discharge status and the reference threshold to the pressure generator of the nozzle determined to be defective to cause the nozzle to discharge droplets for dummy discharging. |
| US08845052B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method thereof
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a drive signal generation section which generates a drive signal and a liquid ejecting head. The drive signal is a periodic signal. One period of the drive signal has two durations of (i) a droplet ejection duration with a waveform part used to eject the droplet from the nozzle and (ii) a droplet non-ejection duration without the waveform part used to eject the droplet from the nozzle, and the droplet non-ejection duration is equal to or longer than the droplet ejection duration. |
| US08845050B2 |
Three-dimensional modeling apparatus, control apparatus, control method, and three-dimensional object
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a stage, a head, an adjustment mechanism, an ejection command means, and a control means. On the stage, a powder material is accumulated. The head ejects ink to the powder material on the stage. The adjustment mechanism adjusts a relative height of the stage and the head for each predetermined layer thickness so that a three-dimensional object is formed on the stage by the predetermined layer thickness. The ejection command means causes the ink to be ejected from the head so that the powder material is colored a plurality of colors corresponding to multilevel luminance information items in a multivalued image obtained by performing a multivalued processing of luminance with respect to a two-dimensional cross-sectional image data of a modeling target object. The control means controls the adjustment mechanism and the ejection command means so that the multivalued image is drawn for each layer thickness. |
| US08845049B2 |
Printing device and method for controlling printing device
In a case where a forcible detection execution flag is set to ON, the end position of the CR movement is changed and the acquiring range of the detection value “Is” is changed such that the movable range of the carriage is enlarged to a range that makes detection of an ink remaining amount by the ink sensor possible. Then, a print process for forcible detection is conducted in which the printing head and the carriage motor are controlled such that the printing head ejects ink while the carriage is moving in the enlarged movable range. Consequently, in a case where the forcible detection is requested, the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge installed in the carriage can be detected regardless of the printing area based on the print data. |
| US08845048B2 |
Liquid ejecting device, storage medium, and method of controlling liquid ejecting device
A power supply section includes a switching regulator. A plurality of linear regulators is provided for respective ones of a plurality of driving sections. The linear regulators step down a source voltage to respective driving voltages of the driving sections and supply the respective driving sections with the driving voltages. A head-temperature sensor measures temperature of a liquid ejecting head. A controller determines the source voltage and the driving voltages based on the temperature, and controls the power supply section, the linear regulators, and the driving sections to stop at least one of outputting of the source voltage by the power supply section, supplying of the driving voltages by the linear regulators, and driving of the driving sections, when a voltage difference is larger than or equal to an acceptable value. The voltage difference is a difference between the source voltage and a minimum voltage of the driving voltages. |
| US08845047B2 |
Refrigerator
The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a cabinet having at least one partition wall to separate at least two sub-compartments and an elongated support device having a C-shaped cross section mounted to the cabinet wall and into which a partition wall can be inserted. |
| US08845034B2 |
Brush head and method and tool for producing same
A brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, may have a plurality of cleaning elements, in particular bristle tufts, which are anchored by an end section in a brush carrier, wherein the cleaning elements may be cast with positive engagement in blind-hole shaped retaining recesses. For producing such a brush head different cleaning elements may be placed successively or simultaneously in different mold cavities and may be over-molded using different plastic materials from which injection-molding sections of the bristle carrier are formed in the process. In doing so, a first cleaning element is over-molded in a first mold cavity using a first plastic material, while a second cleaning element is over-molded in a second mold cavity using a second plastic material. |
| US08845033B2 |
Method for the automatic production of a segment brush and accessory for carrying out the method
A process for the production of a segment brush a half finished product is first produced, having a bristle fill bent at 90° arranged in a ring like form with a radially outwards pointing angular offset supported on a ring shoulder of a transfer device, seated with the second angular offset on a central arbor, axially moveable in the ring and axially protruding. A holding ring holds the first angular offset axially against the ring shoulder and the second angular offset radially against the arbor. Pressing of the bristle fill is made on the transfer device in a press against the holding ring. A pressing arbor firstly spreads the second angular offset of the bristle fill with an attachment, ejects the center arbor and presses the angular offsets against the ring shoulder of the ring. |
| US08845030B2 |
Passenger seat device
An airplane passenger seat device includes a seat part, which has a seat surface, a seat direction and a main body, which abuts an aisle in a installed state in a means of transportation and which, in a usage position, laterally covers the seat surface in a region that is lateral to the seat surface with respect to the seat direction. It is proposed that the passenger seat device has a bearing unit for moveably mounting the main body, which is provided to move the main body from the usage position into a release position by way of a movement relative to the seat surface, which causes the region lateral to the seat surface to be released. |
| US08845029B2 |
Backrest adjustment device for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat
A backrest adjustment device is provided for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat or a motor vehicle bench seat, in which a backrest part is connected to a seat part via an adjustment and fixing device, which has a fixing, which is disengaged for the inclination adjustment of the backrest part, the fixing of the adjustment and fixing device being disengaged by an electromechanical actuator. |
| US08845026B2 |
Vehicle seat
In a vehicle seat including a first seat portion movable between a use position in which the first seat portion is ready for use and a retracted position in which the first seat portion not in use is located, and a second seat portion movable between a use position in which the second seat portion is ready for use and a retracted position in which the second seat portion not in use is located, an actuator mechanism is configured to cause the second seat portion to start moving toward its retracted position at a time when the first seat portion passes a predetermined intermediate position that is on a way from the use position toward the retracted position. |
| US08845025B2 |
Lumbar support device for chair
In order to provide a lumbar support apparatus whose position can be adjusted by a simple structure and which can softly support a lumbar vertebra portion of a sitting person, a lumbar support apparatus of a chair according to the present invention is configured by two lumbar support members 10 which are separated into left and right parts, each of the lumbar support members 10 includes a lumbar support portion 11 supporting the lumbar vertebra portion and a stay portion 12 supporting the lumbar support portion, and an end portion of the lumbar support stay portion 12 is rotatably connected and attached to a back frame 2 via a rotation shaft 14, so that the position of the lumbar support portion 11 in the height direction can be adjusted by moving the same such that its distal end side is moved in a circular manner about the rotation shaft 14. |
| US08845022B2 |
Child seat with belt tensioning mechanism for improved installation
A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a car seat is provided herein. The child seat includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion and designed to receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a car seat in an untensioned configuration. The child seat further includes a tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the car seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein. |
| US08845021B2 |
Adjustment mechanism for positioning a headrest in an infant car seat
An adjustment mechanism for positioning a headrest in an infant car seat includes a connector, a pair of gear wheels, a ratchet wheel and a brake release handle. The adjustment mechanism is installed on the back support portion of the infant car seat which formed with a longitudinal slot and a pair of toothed guiding rails mounted in parallel on either side of the longitudinal slot. The headrest is movably connected to the back support portion by the connector to move along the longitudinal slot. The pair of gear wheels and a ratchet wheel are pivoted on the connector, the pair of gear wheels being engaged with the pair of toothed guiding rails and kept synchronized rotation with the ratchet wheel. The brake release handle is biased to releasably lock the ratchet wheel and used to unlock the ratchet wheel so as to reposition the headrest. |
| US08845018B2 |
Bicycle seat
A split-nose bicycle seat, comprising; rigid plastic base provided with attachment points for mounting the seat to the bicycle frame, a total length of the seat of about 260-280 mm, a split nose section formed by two elongated protrusions of substantially constant width extending forward from a media! section to a front surface; said elongated protrusions angle inwardly and have a total width of at least 60 mm at a station 30 mm aft of the front surface, a cushioned pubis bone support surface with a substantially flat side profile, arid a drooped nose section forward thereof defining a droop angle θ of about 22-28°; said split nose section transitioning aft to a media! section having a width of about 130-138 mm at the widest point of the seat, and a width of at least 98 mm at a station 50 mm forward of the widest point of the seat; said medial section transitioning aft to a rear-end section. |
| US08845017B1 |
Instrument stand with seat
A combination instrument stand and seat has a support structure having at least one leg, and a seat pivotally mounted on the support structure with a seat pivot element to pivot between a horizontal position and a tilted position. A latch mechanism is adapted for locking the seat in the horizontal position. An instrument support extends from the support structure and is shaped to cradle a bottom of the instrument. |
| US08845015B2 |
Packaged quick assembly picnic table
A packaged quick assembly picnic table has a tabletop with a pair of leg subassemblies hingedly connected to a bottom side of the table. A pair of side beams is received upon the pair of leg subassemblies, with a pair of bench seats sandwiching the pair of side beams. A binder, such as straps, shrink wrap or the like, secures the tabletop, pair of leg assemblies, pair of side beams and pair of seats together, all being secured within a perimeter defined by the tabletop. There is thus presented a packaged quick assembly picnic table that is secure, stable for stacking, easy to move and maneuver, and capable of quick assembly when delivered to a final location. |
| US08845013B2 |
Roll blind apparatus using roller bar
Provided is a roll blind apparatus using a roller bar, in which only one roll blind is applied to a rear seat so that in roll blind opening, a roll blind for a front seat can be opened, but the roll blind for the rear seat can maintain a closed state, and thus light introduced to the rear seat can be blocked, and by applying a roller function to an existing bar, the roll blind can be wound around the roller bar (mobile roller assembly), thereby solving the headroom shortage problem. |
| US08845011B2 |
Number plate mounting structure in motorcycle
A motorcycle includes a front fender, which overhangs a front wheel, and a number plate which is disposed forwardly of a handlebar. A center portion of the front fender with respect to a widthwise direction is formed with a longitudinal groove that is recessed downwardly to represent a tapered shape and a lower end edge of the number plate is tapered enough to allow it to be engaged in the longitudinal groove. A projection is provided in an upper surface of the front fender and an engagement hole engageable with the projection is provided in the number plate. |
| US08845009B2 |
Center pillar upper portion joining structure
A center pillar upper portion joining structure that may improve joining strength and rigidity between an upper portion of a center pillar and a roof side rail. A recess portion that is indented to the vehicle inner side is formed in a roof side rail outer panel at a joining portion with a center pillar. An upper portion extended portion that closes off the recess portion is provided at an upper portion oft a center pillar reinforcement, and an upper end portion of the upper portion extended portion is joined to the roof side rail outer panel. In a vehicle rear elevation view, an upper face of the recess portion is provided upward in the vehicle relative to a centroid of a cross section of the roof side rail. |
| US08845004B2 |
Vehicle roof canopy for weather protection of occupants
An attachable vehicle roof canopy comprising: a weather protective canopy comprising a weather protective material comprising sun blocking material, a bottom edge, a top edge, two side edges, and four corners; a slide out rod means extending from the bottom edge to the top edge and beyond; at least one upper connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart: and at least one lower connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart; and a golf cart comprising the attachable vehicle roof canopy. The attachable vehicle roof canopy adds additional protection to the occupants of a vehicle such as a tractor or a golf cart from rain and sun. |
| US08845002B1 |
Foldable visor assembly
A foldable visor assembly shields sunlight from a driver and/or passenger's eyes by providing a folding line to adjust a height of the assembly. The assembly includes a flexible panel having a front side, a back side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge. The panel is semitransparent wherein the panel is configured to shield sunlight from passing through the panel. A folding line extends into the panel between the first and second lateral edges. The folding line is pivotable between an extended position and a folded position wherein a height of the panel is selectively adjustable. The folding line is spaced from the top and bottom edges. A plurality of couplers is coupled to the back side of the panel. The couplers are configured for coupling the panel to a windshield of an automotive vehicle. |
| US08844997B2 |
Display screen in a vehicle interior
A display screen in a panel in a vehicle interior, in particular a dashboard or central console, is mounted so it is pivotable in the panel and can be switched over from a display mode into an illumination mode. |
| US08844995B2 |
Tonneau cover device
A tonneau cover device includes a tonneau cover coupled to a hatchback door. A movable guide arranged on the tonneau cover is guided by a fixed guide arranged in the vehicle to guide the tonneau cover. The movable guide is separated from the fixed guide when the hatchback door opens. A controller moves the tonneau cover to an extension position when the hatchback door closes and a storage position when the hatchback door opens. A detector detects whether movement of the tonneau cover is obstructed due to contact with an object. The controller temporarily interrupts movement of the tonneau cover when the detector detects that the movement of the tonneau cover to the storage position has been obstructed and restarts the movement of the tonneau cover to the storage position when determining that the movable guide has been separated from the fixed guide as the hatchback door opens. |
| US08844994B2 |
Golf cart vending service unit
Disclosed is a vending service unit that couples to a golf cart vehicle to form a golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes modules that allow hot and cold food and beverages to be stored and sold, and other retail items such as tobacco, golf supplies, and ice to be displayed and sold from the golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes removable concession modules that a vendor can easily and quickly replace and/or interchange. The disclosed vending service unit includes drawers that allow different types of beverage to be stored and sold. The drawers are individually insulated and can be individually heated or chilled for different food temperatures and types. The vending service unit includes a counter surface that can be used to set items upon and upon which to conduct business. |
| US08844988B1 |
Energy absorber system and energy absorber thereof
An energy absorber system for a vehicle includes a brace assembly having a front end. The system includes an energy absorber attachable to the assembly and having an inner wedge and an outer wedge. The inner wedge is attachable to the front end, defines a cavity, and has a primary side, a secondary side, a proximal side, and a distal side. The outer wedge is attachable to the inner wedge to cover the cavity, and has a first side configured for contacting and covering the primary side, a second side configured for contacting and covering the secondary side, a third side configured for contacting and covering the proximal side, a fourth side extending from the third side at an angle of less than or equal to 90 degrees and having a deflection surface and an interior surface, and a plurality of bulkheads projecting from the inner surface. |
| US08844987B2 |
Crash box and bumper device
Provided is a crash box to be installed to a bumper reinforcement including an outer-wall section, an upper-wall section and a lower-wall section, an upper inner-wall section, a lower inner-wall section, and a clearance between the upper inner-wall section and the lower inner-wall section. The crash box includes a body section provided between a member of a vehicle body side and the bumper reinforcement, an upper support section provided to protrude from the body section to a bumper reinforcement side, a lower support section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, and an insertion section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, inserted from the clearance into the bumper reinforcement and contacting a lower end portion of the upper inner-wall section and an upper end portion of the lower inner-wall section. |
| US08844986B2 |
Vehicle bumper apparatus and crush box thereof
A vehicle bumper apparatus includes a bumper reinforcement member formed to have a hollow cross section and including a vehicle interior portion formed to have an open cross section including an opening, and a crush box supporting the bumper reinforcement member to mount the bumper reinforcement member to a side member of a vehicle body, the crush box including a connecting portion arranged at a vehicle exterior portion, the connecting portion closing the opening of the bumper reinforcement member to restrict the opening from being expanded, and a retaining portion protruding from the connecting portion toward an exterior side of a vehicle to retain the bumper reinforcement member. |
| US08844982B2 |
Armored vehicle door hardware providing access, egress, rescue and security
A latch, latching system and other components are disclosed that are particularly well suited for use with the heavy doors of armored military vehicles. Some component embodiments are usable in normal and emergency modes to provide access, entry, egress and rescue through vehicle door openings. Included among the disclosed components are latches having separate operating components that can be used to retract spring projected latch bolts and that usable advantageously in pairs and readily reconfigurable for use on left, right, front and rear doors of a vehicle at locations where door thicknesses differ. Also disclosed are operating linkages intended to extend exteriorly of door armor to turn shafts to operate latches situated interiorly of the door armor. |
| US08844979B2 |
Quick connect fluid connectors with roller mechanism actuator
Quick connect fluid connectors are described that can be used to connect a first fluid system to a second fluid system for transferring fluids between the first and second fluid systems. The connectors include an eccentric mounted roller mechanism disposed within a slot in a main body and that is in continuous engagement with front and back walls of the slot. The eccentric mounted roller mechanism is used to actuate connection collets when the eccentric mounted roller mechanism is rotated. Since the eccentric mounted roller mechanism is in substantially continuous contact with the front and back walls, this ensures a smooth actuation of the main body and the connection collets without any lost motion. |
| US08844974B1 |
Cross platform grip ring release device and method
The present invention provides, in part, a device that can fit around a fitting retention compartment of a pipe fitting, apply axial pressure to a pipe insertion component so as to flex the teeth of a fastening ring inwardly, which permits smooth insertion and removal of piping elements. In embodiments, the device comprises a two-piece device with mating threads that permit the pieces to move toward and away from one another with minute adjustments. |
| US08844972B2 |
Business form comprising a wristband with multiple imaging areas
A self laminating wristband separable from a multi-ply page form has a plurality of separated imaging areas, with one larger imaging area for receiving printed data corresponding to the wearer such as his name, i.d. number, etc., with one or more second imaging areas adapted to receive either printed information or markers which may be adhered thereto. The separated imaging areas are aligned along the length of the wristband so that the gap between them acts as a natural hinge point which allows the imaging areas to lie flatter against the wearer's wrist. |
| US08844971B2 |
Vehicle body structure for automobile
An inner fender that faces a wheel arch of a bumper face includes an undercut portion formed on a side of an inner peripheral wall, the side of the inner peripheral wall being an outer side with respect to a vehicle width direction. The undercut portion includes a lower side wall that radially inwardly recedes from the inner peripheral wall and is superposed with a lower end of the wheel arch of the bumper face, an upper side wall that radially outwardly protrudes from the inner peripheral wall and is disposed above the lower side wall so as to be continuous with the lower side wall, and a flange that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the upper side wall and is secured to an inner portion of the bumper face. |
| US08844970B2 |
Armored vehicle protected from explosive devices
The subject-matter of the invention is an armored vehicle comprising a vehicle body forming a passenger compartment which is connected to mobility means comprising at least two axles. The axles of the vehicle are connected to the vehicle body by at least one axle support which has the shape of a U-shaped profile arranged above an axle and comprising a middle plate attached to the axle and extended by side edges which extend substantially vertically between the axle and the vehicle body, wherein each side edge bears at least one connecting tab which is attached by its end to the vehicle body at an attachment point. |
| US08844968B2 |
Motor vehicle with occupant protection device
A motor vehicle includes an occupant protection device which is provided for a side region of the motor vehicle. The occupant protection device includes a sensor capable of ascertaining an air pressure signal, and a control device capable of evaluating the air pressure signal and activating the occupant protection device when determining that the air pressure signal indicates the presence of a pressure wave generated before a collision. |
| US08844967B2 |
Device for inflating an at least two-ply airbag folded to form an inflatable belt and used for a safety system of a motor vehicle
A device for inflating an at least two-layered air bag folded to form an inflatable belt for a safety system of a motor vehicle equipped with a gas generator is provided. The gas stream generated by the gas generator is directed onto the air bag from the outside and the gas stream produces an opening in at least one of the layers of the air bag in a physical process. |
| US08844963B2 |
Apparatus, kit and method for trimming a climbing skin
A device for trimming a climbing skin to fit a snow travel aid such as a ski or snowboard is provided as well as a kit comprising such a device and at least one strip of climbing skin material. Also provided is a method of using the device. The device comprises: (a) a guide comprising a first surface for contact with a side of the snow travel aid and a second surface for contact with the snow travel aid base; and (b) a cutter connected to the guide opposite to the second surface, the cutter being offset from the first surface. |
| US08844959B2 |
Wheelchair with lever drivetrain
A manually powered wheelchair includes a first lever associated with a first rear wheel and demountably coupled to a first drivetrain, the first lever having a first brake thereon. The wheelchair also includes a second lever associated with a second rear wheel and demountably coupled to a second drivetrain, the second lever having a second brake thereon. Each drivetrain includes a chainring, a chain, and a freewheel, and each drivetrain has a fixed gear ratio. The freewheel of each drivetrain is actuated by manual pivoting of the lever associated therewith. In use, the wheelchair achieves changes in mechanical advantage when a user shifts the user's hands up and down the first and second levers. |
| US08844957B2 |
Retractable vehicle step
A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages. |
| US08844956B2 |
Directional damper for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems
A directional damper for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes damping means disposed at least between the vehicle and a suspension assembly of the vehicle. The damping means provides directional damping to the suspension assembly with respect to a selected datum, such as the beam or the main member of the vehicle. |
| US08844955B2 |
Axle mount for heavy-duty vehicle brake system components
An axle mount for a brake system component of an axle/suspension system includes a weld disposed on and between the axle of the axle/suspension system and a brake system component. The weld secures the brake system component to the axle of the axle/suspension system to form a bracket-to-axle connection. The connection includes a peened portion that is formed by working the surface of the connection by mechanical means. The peened portion of the connection exhibits residual compressive stresses that increase the durability of the brake bracket-to-axle connection and also the durability of the axle itself. |
| US08844954B2 |
Steering systems
A steering system includes a wheel rotatable between on-center and off-center positions, and a shaft having teeth. The shaft defines a cavity and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the teeth. The system includes a nut having cogs defining grooves therebetween, wherein each tooth is matable with a groove. The system includes a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity, and a retainer contacting the adjuster and shaft, and configured for positioning the shaft along the axis as the wheel rotates. A center one of the gear teeth meshes with one of the grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness therebetween when the wheel is in the on-center position. An outer one of the gear teeth meshes with an outer groove to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness when the wheel is in the off-center position. |
| US08844945B2 |
Ice skate runner
An ice skate runner for engagement in a blade holder of an ice skate, the blade holder having an opening defined along a bottom edge thereof and fastening means to retain the runner. The runner comprises an upper polymeric portion shaped to be partially received within the opening of the holder and defining a major part of the runner, a lower portion having a greater density than that of the upper portion and defining a lower blade surface for engaging the ice. At least one of the upper and lower portions is shaped to removably engage the fastening means. |
| US08844943B2 |
Electronic control suspension system for vehicles
Disclosed herein is an electronic control suspension (ECS) system for vehicles. The ECS system includes a strut assembly which is coupled to a vehicle body and a lower portion of which is inserted through the housing to absorb the rocking from the wheel. The system further includes a vehicle height control module at a lower portion of the strut assembly, wherein the control module includes a spiral guide groove formed in the strut assembly and a guide member fitted into the guide groove. The guide member is rotated using a motor to move the guide member along the guide groove to cause the strut assembly to be moved vertically to control the height of a vehicle. |
| US08844941B1 |
Adaptor for holding a threading device
An adaptor for holding a threading device to a chuck of a power tool, with the chuck having three jaws. The adaptor comprises a shank having three flat sides, wherein each flat side of the chuck cooperates with a corresponding jaw of the chuck. |
| US08844934B2 |
Hanging target frame
A target for hanging on a frame has a hanging member having a first elongated arm, a second arm extending from the first arm and a third arm extending from the second arm. The first and third arms are parallel to each other and the second arm is perpendicular to said first and third arms. The third arm is shorter than the first arm. The hanging member has a thickness. A target disk has an elongated slot wherein the hanging member is inserted into the slot. The third arm extends through the slot and the second arm is received within the slot. |
| US08844933B2 |
Goal detector for detection of an object passing a goal plane
A movable object for use in a system having means for determining whether the movable object passes a flat target plane of the system, the movable object having a plurality of sensor means, radio wave emitter means arranged in the movable object, and control means for controlling the operation of the radio wave emitter means, the control means being arranged to sample an electromagnetic field intensity measured by the sensor means and transmit data relating to the field intensity measured by the individual sensors by means of said radio wave emitter means, wherein the transmitted data allow for a unique identification of which of said plurality of sensor means measured the transmitted data. |
| US08844925B1 |
Sheet storage device and sheet processing apparatus using such device
A sheet storage device includes a sheet tray, two guide plates and a width adjusting mechanism. The sheet tray supports a sheet. The two guide plates, disposed on the sheet tray, guides transportation of the sheet placed on the sheet tray. The width adjusting mechanism, disposed on the sheet tray and connected to the two guide plates, adjusts a distance between the two guide plates. The width adjusting mechanism includes a pinion, a resilient member, a toothed portion and two connectors. The pinion is rotatably disposed. The resilient member is disposed coaxially with and rotated with the pinion. The toothed portion is disposed around the resilient member and in contact with the resilient member. The toothed portion provides a resisting force upon rotation of the pinion. Each connector connects the pinion to one of the guide plates. |
| US08844923B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus
The present invention is for separating upper and lower sheets. The sheet feeder includes a feed roller that conveys the sheet fed by a pickup roller in a sheet feeding direction and a retard roller rotated in a sheet feeding direction at a rotational velocity faster than that of the feed roller by interposing a torque limiter. Meanwhile, the retard roller is rotated at a velocity equal to that of the feed roller when a single sheet is nipped in the roller nip portion. The sheet feeder further includes a controller that performs control such that, when double sheet feeding occurs by the pickup roller, the sheet of the retard roller side projects ahead of the sheet of the feed roller side in the sheet feeding direction by virtue of the torque limiter, and then, the retard roller is rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. |
| US08844915B2 |
Fixture and method of welding locomotive sills
A welding fixture for use during welding of a web member to a flange member to produce a sill, includes an elongate bed having a pair of opposed longitudinal edge rails, and a plurality of clamp assemblies mounted at spaced intervals along each of the longitudinal edge rails. Each clamp assembly is selectively movable between an open configuration in which a welding head can move past the clamp assembly while welding the web member to the flange member, and a closed configuration in which the clamp assembly is operative to hold the web member and the flange member in a predetermined orientation relative to each other. |
| US08844914B2 |
Variable differential mount apparatus using magnetorheological elastomer
Disclosed is a variable differential mount apparatus using a Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE). The apparatus includes a core, a coil, a plurality of MRE supports, and a magnetic path formation member. The core has a plurality of arms disposed thereon. The coil is wound on the plurality of arms, respectively. The plurality of MRE supports are disposed to face the plurality of arms, respectively. The magnetic path formation member is disposed outside the plurality of MRE supports. More specifically, a current is applied to coil to vary the degree of stiffness of the variable differential mount based on a particular driving condition to allow for increased handling and comfort. |
| US08844913B2 |
Buffering device for the operating mechanism of a switchgear, and method of lubrication thereof
A piston rod (15) and a first piston (13) are arranged in the interior of an external cylinder (11) and internal cylinder (12); a second piston for absorbing the change of volume of operating fluid (24) is also arranged therein. Also, a first return spring (18) for returning the piston rod (15) to the interruption position is provided and a second return spring (20) for returning the operating fluid 24 into the high-pressure chamber (25) by pressurizing the second piston (14) is provided. In addition, the air in the interior of the buffering device (10) is withdrawn by a vacuum pump (38), and operating fluid (24) is thus introduced in a degassed condition. |
| US08844911B2 |
Air spring
The invention relates to an air spring having an air spring flexible member (1) whose wall (5) of elastomeric material has at least one reinforcement layer (19) and bead (3) with a reinforcement core. The reinforcement layer surrounds the reinforcement core in the form of a loop (20). The flexible member wall, which projects from the bead, does not lie flush on the piston but forms an arc projecting away from the piston when viewed in cross section. The core loop can thus terminate inside the piston diameter thereby improving the roll-off characteristics of the flexible member. |
| US08844907B1 |
Fence/railing post cap system
A fence/railing post cap system for use with a fence/railing post includes a decorative and utilitarian structure which enables removal and storage of a cap of the system to accommodate reception of beverage containers and the like within a base of the system and which provides for a pole with accessory structures therein to be mounted on the base by passing through an opening in the cap when the cap is in position on the base. |
| US08844904B2 |
Hand-operated hoisting system
A manual control (2) for use in a hoist system (1), wherein a grip (47) is formed by a first part (48) projecting from the housing of the manual control, the first part having a largely T-shaped cross-section with grip surfaces (49) that extend transversely to the stem (50) of the T and intended for disposition between two fingers when a user uses the grip (47). |
| US08844903B2 |
Valve seat
In a valve seat made of an iron-based, composite sintered alloy having hard particles and a solid lubricant dispersed therein to have high wear resistance and good machinability, which is usable in high-power fuel direct injection engines with improved fuel efficiency and low emission, relatively coarse solid lubricant particles in such an amount as not to drastically reduce the strength of a sintered body are dispersed to provide self-lubrication, and as fine solid lubricant particles as not hindering the bonding of matrix particles are dispersed to improve machinability. |
| US08844902B2 |
Valve housing
The invention discloses a valve housing (1) having a main bore (6) and at least one connecting bore or secondary bore (12, 20, 22, 36), the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the main bore. The connecting or secondary bores end at a side wall limiting the main bore, wherein the side wall has different material thicknesses being distributed at the circumference thereof. According to the invention, to reduce material stresses the valve housing has tension reducing grooves (14, 26, 28, 34) in the ending regions, said grooves being integrally molded into the side wall of the main bore. |
| US08844897B2 |
Niobium as a protective barrier in molten metals
Devices may be in contact with molten metals such as copper, for example. The devices may include, but are not limited to, a die used for producing articles made from the molten metal, a sensor for determining an amount of a dissolved gas in the molten metal, or an ultrasonic device for reducing gas content (e.g., hydrogen) in the molten metal. Niobium may be used as a protective barrier for the devices when they are exposed to the molten metals. |
| US08844896B2 |
Gimbal system with linear mount
Gimbal system, including method and apparatus, for mounting a gimbal apparatus to a support platform with a mount assembly. The mount assembly may include first and second bar assemblies that are rotationally coupled to each other by a pair of gears. |
| US08844895B2 |
Hold open rod vibration dampening system and method
A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; a tube stop located at one end of the inner tube; a groove around the circumference of the tube stop; and a resilient material located in the groove, the resilient material contacting the tube stop and the outer tube. A method of reducing wear on a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: locating first resilient material between an inner tube and an outer tube; providing a locking mechanism to lock the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; and providing a second resilient material between an isolator and a collar on the locking mechanism. |
| US08844893B2 |
Antenna fixing unit
The invention is a unit for fixing an antenna, comprising: a base element suited to support the antenna, provided with a contact surface suited to rest against a plate-like supporting body; a fixing element comprising a main body suited to be connected to the base element through joining means that define a connection direction, and a projecting body mainly developed according to the connection direction and associated with the main body through a deformable connection section. The projecting body has a reference surface facing a corresponding thrust surface of the main body and spaced from it, the connection section being configured so that its deformation makes it possible to move near each other and bring into contact the reference surface and the thrust surface when the fixing element is connected to the base element. |
| US08844888B1 |
Strut clip
A strut clip for facilitating attachment of pipe hangers, electrical conduit, or other structures to open channel unistruts. The strut clip includes an assembly of a face element and a nut element. The face element includes a centrally located threaded aperture, a face element rear surface, and a pair of flanges extending rearwardly from the face element rear surface. The nut element includes a nut element rear surface, an unthreaded aperture for free passage of a fastener, and a pair of openings therein. The flanges of the face element extend through the openings in the nut element thereby forming the strut clip assembly. Nut element further includes a narrow side, a wide side, and beveled edges that enable attachment to a unistrut by simply inserting the narrow side of the nut portion into the open channel of the unistrut and rotating the assembly by 90 degrees. |
| US08844884B2 |
Wheeled structure for long arm tools connected to a suction block including a tilt device
A wheeled structure for long arm tools connected to a suction block includes a trolley with a lower platform accommodating the suction block and an upper platform forming a service platform, with a grip handle. A long arm tool support device is positioned and centered on or in a pole connected to the service platform. A tilt device is arranged with a base secured to the service platform and articulatedly accommodates the pole. The base has a rear heel for articulation of a toggle level. The pole is arranged in the upper portion thereof to accommodate a guide pin engaging with an upper end portion of the toggle lever. The pole is arranged to accommodate a column for accommodation of the long arm tool support device. Removing the support device allows the device to tilt to a horizontal position opposite the upper portion of the service platform. |
| US08844883B2 |
Cable holder and electronic system
A cable holder includes: a pair of arm portions to form a holding space for holding a cable; and a guide portion, provided at an end portion of each of the pair of guide portions to block the holding space, to guide the cable into the holding space while elastically deforming the pair of arm portions in directions in which the pair of arm portions move away from each other when contacting with the cable. |
| US08844882B2 |
Fastener assisted hanger
A hanger configured to be mounted to a supporting surface includes a fastener receiving body configured to be positioned on the supporting surface. The hanger also includes a hook portion positioned adjacent to the fastener receiving body and configured to receive a retainable object therein. The hanger additionally includes a first datum surface associated with a first orientation direction of the fastener body. The hanger further includes a second datum surface associated with a second orientation direction of the fastener body. The relative positions of the first datum surface and the second datum surface are arranged such that when a fastener tool abuts the first datum surface and the second datum surface, a fastener applied by the fastener tool is positioned within a bounded area of the fastener receiving body. |
| US08844879B2 |
Wing variable camber trailing edge tip
A flexible tip for integration in a wing trailing edge employs a wing structure rear spar. A flexible upper skin is attached at a forward boundary to the spar and a rigid lower skin is interconnected to the flexible upper skin at a rigid tail piece. At least one actuation link is attached to the rigid tail piece and has a hinge at a forward edge of the rigid lower skin. At least one positioning slider is attached to the hinge which is movable from a neutral position to a first extended position urging the hinge aft for rotation of the rigid lower skin upward and flexing of the flexible upper skin in an upward camber and to a second retracted position urging the hinge forward for rotation of the rigid lower skin downward and flexing of the flexible upper skin in a downward camber. |
| US08844875B1 |
Traction kite with high projected leading edge
A traction kite having a variable geometry leading edge that defines a high projected central propulsive region of increased surface area along the top portion of the kite, and lateral control regions of decreased surfaces area extending on opposite sides of the propulsive region. The leading edge thus defines a concave shape when viewed from the side while in flight. Providing a variable geometry leading edge maximizes propulsive forces due to increased surface area, while enhancing control and turning performance by minimizing the surface area of the control regions, namely those generally vertically disposed regions that begin at the tips and end at the propulsive region. |
| US08844872B2 |
Composite structure
A composite structure has first and second sections, and a curved corner joining the first and second sections. The structure includes a stack of fiber-reinforced plies. First and second external plies run from the first section into the second section round an inside and an outside of the corner, respectively. First and second internal plies are sandwiched between the first and second external plies, and run from the first section into the second section round the corner. The first internal fly is dropped off inside the second section. The second internal ply is dropped off inside the first section. The structure has an increased thickness where the first and second internal plies overlap. |
| US08844865B2 |
Passenger services conduit
A multifunctional module is provided for a passenger services conduit in an aircraft. The multifunctional module includes, but is not limited to a first interface and at least one utility unit for providing a passenger with services. The first interface is for connecting the utility unit to the passenger utility conduit, the interface, for example, being designed as a mechanical interface. |
| US08844862B2 |
Aft pylon fairing for aircraft engine suspension system, comprising a heat shield capable of expanding freely
This invention relates to an aft pylon fairing for the suspension system of an aircraft engine, comprising a main structure extending along a longitudinal direction of said fairing and integrating two side panels connected to each other, the fairing also comprising a heat protection deck mounted on said main structure through connection means comprising tabs designed to deform to accompany displacement of the deck relative to the main structure, if there is differential thermal expansion between these two entities. |
| US08844859B2 |
Expandable chuck for thermal printing ribbon reel
A reel-to-reel assembly is provided. The reel-to-reel assembly includes, but is not limited to a supply spindle and a wind-up spindle. The supply spindle receives a supply reel having a length of ribbon wrapped around the supply reel. The wind-up spindle receives an initially empty wind-up reel. The wind-up spindle includes an adjustment mechanism for varying the outer diameter DO of the wind-up spindle from an initial outer diameter DOi to a final outer diameter DOf which is larger than the initial outer diameter DOi. |
| US08844858B2 |
Wire winding device
A wire winding device which uses a large-sized supply bobbin, which has a large capacity and a large diameter, to highly precisely suppress a variation in tension which variation occurs when a coil is formed by winding a wire material at high speed with the wire material aligned with a winding frame. Rotation (the number of rotation, and timing) of the supply bobbin relative to rotation of the coil is controlled based on the difference between the amount of take-up of the wire material taken up on the winding frame side and the amount of pay-out of the wire material paid out from the supply bobbin, and the control is performed such that the amount of the take-up and the amount of the pay-out agree with each other every moment. This can highly precisely suppress a variation in tension even if there are large differences between inertia of and the diameters of the coil and the supply bobbin. |
| US08844854B2 |
Electric fishing reel
An electrically powered reel for fishing is presented, which enables the operator to perform a series of sounding operations smoothly and quickly and has superior graspability and holdability as well. The electrically powered reel for fishing includes: a spool which is provided between left and right side plates and of a main body of the reel, and around which a fishing line is wound; a drive motor which is provided in the main body of the reel and rotates and drives the spool; and an operation member which adjusts a power of the drive motor. In addition, when a space between an operation portion of the operation member and an operation portion of a clutch-OFF switching member is connected by a virtual shortest straight line, each component member of the reel is arranged so as to avoid the virtual straight line. |
| US08844853B2 |
Reducing component for a comminution machine
A reducing component is disclosed herein. The reducing component includes a block-style reducer including a height, a width and a depth. The block-style reducer includes first and second ends separated by the height, first and second sides separated by the width and front and back sides separated by the depth. The block-style reducer also includes a first reducing edge that extends across the width of the block-style reducer at a location adjacent to the first end of the block-style reducer. The reducing component also includes a blade-style reducer that projects forwardly from the block-style reducer at a location adjacent the second side of the block-style reducer. The blade-style reducer includes a second reducing edge that extends primarily along the height of the block-style reducer. |
| US08844852B2 |
System for breaking caked materials in a railroad hopper car
A system for breaking up caked materials in a hopper car having a gravity discharge outlet is shown. The system includes an agitator that is a compressible strut linked through a rod to an externally driven crank shaft and a crank arm disposed above the discharge outlet. The system further includes at least one energizing coil coupled with the strut that provides irresistible force to caked material in the vicinity of the strut to initiate crumbling when the crank shaft is rotated, and to progressively crumble caked material along the length of the coil. The system further may have scrubbing panels along slope sheets of the hopper coupled with the coil, and may have arch members coupled with the energizing coils to provide further progressive agitation of caked material in the hopper car. |
| US08844851B2 |
Crusher device
A crusher device includes a frame, a rotating mechanism positioned in the frame, and a plurality of curtains connected to the frame. The curtains are spaced from the rotating mechanism to define a passageway along which material moves while being crushed. A first curtain is connected to the frame via at least one first cylinder. The first curtain is connected to a second curtain via at least one pivotal connection and at least one second cylinder. The at least one second cylinder is retracted automatically when the at least one first cylinder is forcibly retracted to adjust spacing between the first curtain and the rotating mechanism due to an uncrushable. The automatic retraction of the at least one second cylinder rotates the second curtain away from the rotating mechanism. Such movement widens the spacing between the rotating mechanism and the curtains minimizing damage from tramp or uncrushables. |
| US08844849B2 |
Comminutor for material
A device for comminuting material components includes a housing, at least one rotor that is supported in the housing and has rotor blades and rotor teeth mounted thereon, at least one stator blade that can be supported on the housing, and at least one screen device, which can be moved from an operational state of the comminuting device downward or laterally relative to the housing to a maintenance state, wherein in the operational state the at least one stator blade and the at least one screen device are supported against each other and can be moved together into the maintenance state. |
| US08844846B2 |
Binary hydraulic manifold system
A hydraulic fluid manifold system for a spreader, the spreader including at least one bin for holding dry bulk material for distribution to at least one conveyor associated with the bin for receiving the dry bulk material from the at least one bin and transporting the dry bulk material to at least one spinner associated with the spreader. The hydraulic fluid manifold system includes a single, unitary manifold including a variable speed fluid control circuit for setting a speed for the at least one conveyor and a variable speed fluid control circuit for the at least one spinner of a spreader system for setting a speed for the at least one spinner, the variable speed control circuit for the at least one conveyor including an on/off device for the at least one conveyor that allows when fluid flow through the variable speed conveyor circuit to the at least one conveyor is turned on that the at least one conveyor can automatically operate at a speed set for the at least one conveyor prior to fluid flow to the at least one conveyor having been turned off. Further, the spreader can include at least two conveyors, and the variable speed control circuit for the at least two conveyors can further include flow of hydraulic fluid through the variable speed conveyor circuit to be changed between in-parallel flow to a first and a second of the conveyors simultaneously and in-series flow where flow of fluid is sent to a first one of the conveyors and then sent from the first one of the conveyors to a second one of the two conveyors. |
| US08844842B2 |
Three-way needle control valve and dual fuel injection system using same
A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber. The fuel injector may include first and second electronically controlled valves for independently injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel. |
| US08844841B2 |
Nozzle assembly for liquid dispenser
A nozzle assembly for a liquid dispenser includes an outlet member that defines a liquid supply conduit and a nozzle that includes an exit orifice, wherein the nozzle is disposed over an end of the outlet member. A liquid compression path is defined by the nozzle and the outlet member, wherein the liquid compression path includes a liquid compression chamber that supplies liquid from the liquid supply conduit to the exit orifice. The nozzle is adjustable between a first spray position for projecting a liquid spray having a first average droplet size and a second spray position for projecting a liquid spray having a first average droplet size. In the first spray position the liquid compression chamber has a first volume and in the second spray position the liquid compression chamber has a second volume. Preferably, the liquid spray is formed without a swirl chamber. |
| US08844838B2 |
Sprayer pulsing nozzle flow control using rotational step positions
An agricultural sprayer spray head is adapted for being mounted to a spray boom together with a plurality of like, equally spaced spray heads. Each spray head includes a body containing a flow control member mounted for rotation about an axis and including a fluid control passage arrangement located for effecting an intermittent connection between a fluid inlet leading to, and an outlet leading from the body as the control member is oscillated or rotated by a powered motor so as to effect a pulsing flow through said control passage arrangement. The powered motor operates at a speed controlled by various input parameters including vehicle speed and field and crop conditions so as to maintain a desired spray application rate. |
| US08844836B2 |
Rail clamp for attaching a rail and system provided with a rail clamp of this type
The present invention relates to a rail clamp for attaching a rail S comprising a central portion 3, at least one torsional portion 9, 10 branching off laterally from the central portion 3, at least one transitional portion 7, 8 adjoining the torsional portion 9, 10 and at least one retaining arm 13, 14 which is connected to the transitional portion 7, 8 and on the free end of which an end portion 19, 20 is configured, by which the rail clamp is supported on the foot F of the rail S to be attached in each case during use, and relates to a system provided with a rail clamp of this type. The rail clamp and the system according to the invention are able, with a high endurance strength, to apply significant hold-down forces and at the same time to ensure that even during progressive wear of the rail attachment, adequately high hold-down forces continue to act on the rail. This is achieved according to the invention in that the retaining arm 13, 14 is continuously curved at least in a curve portion which extends up to the free end of its end portion 19, 20 such that, seen in a plan view of the rail clamp 1, the end portion 19, 20 is directed towards the central portion 3 and the longitudinal axis of the torsional portion 9, 10 associated with the respective retaining arm 13, 14. |
| US08844834B1 |
Thermal reduction through activity based thermal targeting to enhance heating system efficiency
Thermal targeting technology is used to continuously adjust boiler target temperature to the minimum necessary to satisfy the required heating load. Responsive to and initiated by a first call for heat, boiler target temperature is reduced by a predetermined amount upon or subsequent to the call for heat. Once the boiler temperature reaches this new target, a call timer is activated. If demand for heat is satisfied before a time set point is reached, the system ceases providing additional heat energy until the next heat demand. Responsive to and initiated by a next call for heat, the boiler target temperature is again reduced by the predetermined amount upon or subsequent to this next call for heat. Each time the heat demand is satisfied within the predetermined time interval, the boiler target temperature is reduced. If heat demand is not satisfied, a thermal boost is provided at set time intervals until the call for heat is removed. |
| US08844833B1 |
Portable electronic system, accessory for electronic device, and method for activating application of electronic device
A portable electronic system includes a movable structure, a protective structure and an electronic device. The movable structure is disposed on the protective structure. The movable structure includes a wireless communication tag thereon. The electronic device is accommodated in the protective structure, and includes a signal detection unit and an application activation unit. The movable structure is movable on the protective structure to approach or leave the electronic device. The signal detection unit is used for detecting a signal wirelessly transmitted by the wireless communication tag when the distance between the movable structure and the electronic device is less than a predetermined value. The application activation unit is used for activating an application in response to the signal detected by the signal detection unit. |
| US08844831B2 |
RFID switch tag
Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state. |
| US08844830B2 |
Persistent nodes for RFID
An RFID transponder in one embodiment comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, processing logic coupled to the RF transceiver, a switch coupled to the processing logic, a tunneling device coupled to the switch and a differential sensing circuit having a first input coupled to the tunneling device and a second input coupled to a predetermined reference voltage. In one embodiment, the tunneling device can discharge to a voltage below the predetermined reference voltage. |
| US08844822B2 |
Image capture and processing system supporting a multi-tier modular software architecture
An image capture and processing system supports a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces. |
| US08844818B2 |
Magnetic stripe reader
A magnetic stripe reader including a magnetic reader head providing at least one data output, an F2F decoder receiving the at least one data output and providing a decoded data output, a microprocessor receiving and processing the decoded data output and power saving circuitry operative to control the operation of the F2F decoder and the microprocessor thereby to maintain the F2F decoder and the microprocessor in a power-saving sleep mode other than during magnetic stripe reading by the magnetic reader head and a selected time duration thereafter. |
| US08844817B2 |
Electronic device case for mobile point of sale
A case for an electronic device is provided. The case can include a front shell attachable to a back shell, a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case, a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, and a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The case can also include a rotatable mount that is removably attachable to an outer surface of the case and a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount. |
| US08844807B1 |
Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine operates to read card data from user cards and to cause a determination to be made that the read data corresponds to at least one of a user and account that is authorized to operate the machine. The machine operates responsive at least in part to the determination to perform a transaction function and to cause the account to be assessed an amount corresponding to the transaction function. The machine includes a housing including a currency holding area, and operates to generate signals responsive to unauthorized access to the currency holding area. |
| US08844806B2 |
Selective bunch presentation
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for presenting a bunch of items of media to a user of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). The method comprises individually removing at least one item of media from at least two respective media item containers in a predetermined sequence responsive to at least one common predetermined characteristic of each item of media, providing the removed items of media as a bunch of items of media, and presenting the bunch of items of media to a user. |
| US08844804B2 |
Process of and system for facilitating cash collections deposits and deposit tracking
A process of facilitating cash collection deposits and deposit tracking includes identifying by a retailer an amount of cash collected by that retailer, including respective amounts of currency by denomination of the collected cash, creating a deposit ticket containing at least a unique identification code associated therewith, depositing the created deposit ticket and the collected cash into a deposit bag, transporting the deposit bag to a cash processing facility, and counting at the cash processing facility the collected cash contained in the transported deposit bag to verify that the amount previously identified by the retailer corresponds to the counted amount. Particularly additional novel features include at least the following: the manner in which the retailer identifies the amount of collected cash; the manner in which the deposit bag may be scheduled for pickup; providing advance credit to the retailer for the cash deposits during various stages of cash handling/processing; and the particular manner of tracking the status of each of the deposit bags of a retailer's multiple stores. |
| US08844803B2 |
System and method for monitoring progress of delivery of a patent-specific medication in a healthcare facility
Systems and methods of monitoring progress of delivery of a patient-specific medication are disclosed. A patient/medication identification (ID) device is provided on a package containing the medication, the patient/medication ID device comprising medication/patient information indicative of the medication and the patient. At least one location ID device is provided at a location, the at least one location ID device comprising a unique location ID associated with the location. The medication/patient information and the patient/medication ID are read. Delivery progress information indicative of a last-known read location where at least one of the medication/patient ID information and the unique location identifier was read is generated. The delivery progress information is stored in a database. The delivery progress information is accessed from the database in response to the request. A delivery status of the medication is indicated to the user. |
| US08844802B2 |
Encoding information in illumination patterns
A method for encoding information in structured illumination pattern (120) includes selecting information to be encoded; characterizing a relief pattern (130) of an object's (115) surface; selecting at least one portion of the object's surface including the surface relief pattern; creating at least one structured illumination pattern responsive to the selected surface relief pattern and the selected information; and storing the structured illumination pattern. |
| US08844800B2 |
Ratings using machine-readable representations
In a computer-implemented review method, a machine-readable representation that encodes an identification code associated with a ratable entity is decoded to obtain the identification code. The identification code is submitted to a central computer system, and a ratings form that can be used for providing a review of the ratable entity is received from the central computer system. A review of the ratable entity is provided to the central computer system using the review form. |
| US08844795B2 |
Electrode plate wrapping device and method of wrapping electrode plate with separators
In some examples, an electrode plate K is conveyed to a gap 230 of a pair of stacking drums 210 and 220 with a conveying section 100. In synchronization with conveyance of the electrode plate K, the drums 210 and 220 feed a pair of separators S each formed into a predetermined shape with the separators S adhering to corresponding peripheral surfaces of the pair of drums 210 and 220. While feeding the electrode plate K forward in a generally horizontal manner, the separators S are sequentially stacked on both surfaces of the electrode plate K in synchronized with rotations of the drums 210 and 220, and both edge portions of the separators S are welded. |
| US08844784B2 |
Controlling drive settings in a press
In one embodiment, a method for controlling drive settings in a press for printing on a web of media. A drive is provided to receive the web from an upstream location and to transport the received web downstream of the drive at a controllable speed. The speed of the drive is sampled plural times while operating the drive in a tension control mode that varies the speed to maintain a desired tension in the web adjacent the drive. An optimal speed of the drive is calculated from the sampled speeds. The drive is operated in a constant velocity mode at the optimal speed during printing. |
| US08844781B2 |
Adjustable positioning mechanism and a bag or pack, such as a backpack or other article, having such mechanism
An adjustable positioning mechanism, such as for positioning ends of straps or handles of bag or packs, such as for backpacks, but also, more generally, for removably connecting an item to an article to be carried to provide a range of attachment locations for the item relative to the article, to achieve an optimum ergonomic position of the item at one of the attachment locations. One element of the adjustment mechanism can be either adhesively bonded to the article or made in one piece with a frame of the article, the item to be attached bearing a second element of the mechanism. Embodied as part of a bag or pack, the invention can include a carrying system directly or indirectly connected to the pack portion and include at least one carrying element, and an adjustment mechanism to provide a range of attachment locations on the pack portion for a carrying member of the carrying system, such as one or more shoulder straps, such adjustment mechanism including at least one element that is bonded to the backpack. In a particular embodiment, the backpack includes a frame connected to the back side of the pack portion, the frame including at least a rigid or semi-rigid sheet frame which is affixed to the back side of the pack portion by adhesive bonding. The element(s) of the adjustment mechanism are bonded to the backpack against the area at which the frame is mounted. |
| US08844776B2 |
Bottle cartridge
A bottle cartridge fits in the neck of a bottle providing liquid flow and venting from the bottle interior when operably connected to a dispenser, and preventing spills or leakages upon any bottle upset. Dual seals are provided; a valve core is operated by connecting the cartridge to a dispenser coupling. Cartridge materials are disclosed. |
| US08844772B2 |
Systems and methods of beverage dispensing with rotary agitation
Disclosed is a rotary agitation beverage dispenser in which an agitator impeller is mechanically rotated when a user operates a beverage discharge valve to agitate a beverage in a container, the dispenser being usable everywhere without requiring electricity. The dispenser includes a container in which a beverage is received, an agitator impeller mounted in the container and adapted to agitate the beverage by rotation thereof about a rotating shaft that is rotatably mounted on a surface of the container, a discharge valve mounted to one side of the container so as to communicate with the interior of the container and adapted to discharge the beverage out of the container when operated by a user, and an agitator drive unit connected to the discharge valve and the rotating shaft of the agitator impeller and adapted to rotate the agitator impeller in linkage with operation of the discharge valve. |
| US08844768B2 |
Liquid dispenser with storage tanks
A liquid dispenser has containers, sized, shaped and arranged to enclose different volumes but each of the containers has a top with a refill opening that is substantially the same as the top and openings of the other containers. The containers are provided with curving transition sections that taper the sides of the container to increase or decrease the width of the container to provide a smaller or large top sizes as needed. |
| US08844767B1 |
Food containment and delivery system
An inverted flexible food containment and delivery system is disclosed. Embodiments disclosed herein include a flexible pouch that is configured to contain a food product. A spout fitment is coupled to the flexible pouch proximate a dispensing end. The spout fitment supports a cap assembly that includes a valve. An exterior support surface of the cap assembly is configured to support the flexible food containment and delivery system and the food product in an inverted/cap-down orientation. |
| US08844766B2 |
Dispenser assembly for dispensing disinfectant fluid and data collection and monitoring system for monitoring and reporting dispensing events
A dispenser assembly for dispensing disinfectant to a user and associated monitoring systems and methods. The dispenser assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity and a container disposed within the cavity and releasably secured to the main housing. The container contains a fluid therewithin. An electronics unit is coupled to the main housing and includes a sensor for detecting an activation signal. The electronics unit includes a controller for producing a reminder signal in response to the detection of the activation signal to remind the user to dispense fluid from the container. |
| US08844763B1 |
Knit cozy system
A fabric tube has a closed bottom and an open top. The closed bottom forms a semicircular section when unstretched. The tube has a cylindrical section between the open top and the semicircular section. The cylindrical section has a common circumference when unstretched. A tunnel is formed in the open top of the tube. The tunnel is formed by a folded back edge adjacent to the open upper end of the tube. An elastic thread joins the folded back edge of the tube to a portion of the tube there beneath. A cord has a central section within the tunnel. The cord has two free ends extending through end openings to exterior of the tunnel. |
| US08844757B2 |
Packages for consumable products and methods of using same
Packages for housing consumable products and methods of using same are provided. Methods for teaching children to self-feed are also provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a package including a body defining side walls (34,36) a first end wall (40), an inclined second end wall (42) and an elongated interior compartment having a predetermined width for housing consumable products. In another embodiment, a package is provided that includes a body defining side walls, a bottom wall (38) a first end wall (40) oriented at 90° to the bottom wall, a second end wall (42) inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom wall (38), and an interior compartment for housing consumable products, the package being so constructed and arranged to stand substantially upright. |
| US08844755B2 |
Nested pan and folded pan cover
There is provided a packaged pan and lid that includes at least two nested pans and at least two lids. Each lid has at least two bi-lateral fold lines, such that the lid is configurable into a folded configuration and removable secured within a well of a corresponding pan. The lid being removable from the well and unfolded to a substantially flat configuration. The lid may then be placed on the rim of the pan, such that a lip of the pan can be bent over the edge of the lid. |
| US08844740B2 |
Foldable storage box
To obtain a foldable storage box in which an open state can be easily held.When a bottom board (36) in a stored state is transitioned to an open state, a pressing part (62) formed on the bottom board (36) presses one projecting part of a V form of a rotating member (64). The rotating member (64) rotates when the rotating member (64) is pressed, and a rod-form lock member (70) connected with the rotating member (64) rotates so as to extend in a horizontal direction. A leading end part of the lock member (70) is thereby inserted into a recessed pocket part (80) formed on a second side wall board (20B). The lock member (70) is disposed so as to span between a first side wall board (20A) and the second side wall board (20B) when the leading end part of the lock member (70) is inserted into the pocket part 80. In other words, a lock device (60) is disposed in a locked state in which an open state of the side wall boards (20) is locked. |
| US08844737B2 |
Low-profile drying rack
Drying devices facilitating air drying of assorted items without taking up significant floor space are disclosed. In an aspect, a drying device includes a frame mountable to a vertical surface such as a door, wall, or fence. The drying device includes a plurality of drying areas which may be moved between a stored position and a drying position. In the stored position, the drying device has a compact profile, thereby occupying very little space when not in use. In the drying position, the drying areas extend away from the frame and may support articles, such as clothing, as the articles dry. |
| US08844736B1 |
Method and stand apparatus for permanent creasing of articles of clothing including shirt sleeves, pants, and linen dress pants
A method and an apparatus for providing permanent creases in articles of clothing such as pants, lined dress pants and shirt sleeves in which the stand has one or two legs connected to a vertical support which in turn is connected to a base. A garment support tray is affixed to the vertical support struts and the base. Each leg has a groove therein which is adapted to receive a V-shaped channel that is affixed preferably by adhesive material to the groove. The V-shaped channel is adapted to receive a preformed crease to an article of clothing therein so that an applicator can be guided along the garments inverted interior crease length depositing adhesive which after curing makes the crease permanent. |
| US08844729B2 |
Method for grading water-absorbent polymer particles
A process for classifying water-absorbing polymer beads, wherein the polymer beads are separated into n particle size fractions by means of at least n screens and n is an integer greater than 1. |
| US08844726B2 |
Cord and retainer system, and associated methods
Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a cord and retainer system including a cord retainer that retains a cord within a desired configuration. The cord retainer may be a paper element extending around a coiled cord. The cord retainer may promote the structural integrity of the coiled arrangement of the cord, and may have an aesthetically pleasing appearance (e.g., due to having edges that do not expose the internal structure of the material forming the cord retainer. In some embodiments, a second cord (optionally having its own cord retainer) is disposed within coils of the first coiled cord. In some embodiments, one or both of the first and second cord are disposed within one or more cavities of a packaging substrate, to fix their positions in a manner easily understood by a user, to enhance the user's experience upon unpacking the cords. |
| US08844721B2 |
Stacking configuration for container for frangible items
A container for receiving frangible items comprises a sheet of polymer formed into a base portion having a plurality of item-receiving cavities for supporting frangible items. The item-receiving cavities have a frustoconical portion having a generally frustoconical geometry. A cover portion has an item-covering concavity for covering the frangible items. A first hinge is between a first longitudinal edge of the base portion and the cover portion for rotating the cover portion onto the base portion to hold the frangible items captive in the item receiving cavities. A hollow bridge spans between at least two adjacent item-receiving cavities of the container, a bottom edge of the hollow bridge being lower than a midheight of the frustoconical portion of the item-receiving cavities. |
| US08844719B2 |
Module for stacking thin panels and method of stacking thin panels
A module for stacking thin panels and a method of stacking thin panels when a plurality of thin panels are vertically stacked in a state of being supported by the modules capable of securing an adequate load transfer area for transferring a load of the thin panels. The module for stacking the thin panels includes: a support portion for supporting the thin panel from below; a load transfer portion connected to the support portion for transferring a weight of the thin panel downward; and a drop-off preventing portion for regulating horizontal movement of the thin panel. The load transfer portion includes a load transfer surface extending outward from the support portion, the load transfer surface includes a load receiving surface provided in an upper portion of the module and a load releasing surface provided in a lower portion of the module, and the drop-off preventing portion includes a protrusion portion protruding downward from a lower portion of the module. When an upper module is stacked on a lower module such that the load releasing surface of the upper module is placed on the load receiving surface of the lower module, an outer surface of the protrusion portion of the upper module abuts on an upper inner surface of the lower module from an inner side thereof. |
| US08844715B2 |
Cap assembly having storage chamber for secondary material with integral type working member
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient with an integral type working device, which comprises a cap body and a working device; said cap body including a mouth and a housing sealing part with a droping space which is formed around the mouth; said working device adapted to move vertically, including an inner extended housing which is formed with a storage chamber for containing a secondary ingredient and having at least one outlet above seal portion formed at upper portion of the working device; and when the working device containing a secondary ingredient is assembled to the mouth of the cap body, the chamber is sealed by a housing sealing part. |
| US08844709B2 |
Card-shaped medium processing device and control method for card-shaped medium processing device
A card-shaped medium processing device may include an insertion port to which a card-shaped medium is inserted, a medium feeder capable of abutting with a card-shaped medium inserted from the insertion port to carry the card-shaped medium, and a motor for driving the medium feeder. A taking-in maximum value which is the maximum value of an output of the motor at the time of a taking-in operation of a card-shaped medium inserted from the insertion port is set to be smaller than an ejecting maximum value which is the maximum value of an output of the motor at the time of an ejecting operation of the card-shaped medium toward the insertion port. A control method for a card-shaped medium processing device may include the same relationship, i.e., the taking-in maximum value is set to be smaller than the ejecting maximum value. |
| US08844708B2 |
Device and method for the transfer of container fittings
A device for transferring fittings having at least two gripper units offset in the circumferential direction around a transfer axis of a transfer station. Each gripper unit can be activated in a clocked manner, whereby each gripper unit takes over from a feeder, via a movement around the transfer axis generated by an electric servomotor, at least one container fitting individually from a moving take-over position of a feeder and transfers it through the transfer station to a moving hand-over position offset in the circumferential direction of the transfer station. The gripper units are arranged such that they move around the transfer axis relative to one another. The transfer station includes the electric servomotors as drive motors of the gripper units for generating within one full revolution of each gripper unit individually periodically non-uniform movements of the gripper units in the circumferential direction. |
| US08844707B2 |
Transfer system for a production line
A transfer system transfers a workpiece between stations of a production line spaced along a transfer axis. The transfer system comprises a frame having a main beam extending along the transfer axis. A plurality of transfer heads are spaced along the main beam with each of the transfer heads configured to independently move along the main beam along the transfer axis and relative to the main beam along a lift axis orthogonal to the transfer axis and a clamp axis orthogonal to the transfer and lift axes to accommodate for variation in spacing between each of the stations. Each of the transfer heads are suspended from the main beam and extend downwardly from the main beam beneath the main beam so that the transfer head is selectively moved outwardly, upwardly, and sideways away from the stations to provide access to the stations from the substrate. |
| US08844702B2 |
Powertrain pressure control system
A clutch includes a pilot valve, a regulating valve, and a clutch control valve. The pilot valve is configured to produce a pilot signal and includes a first valve, which is a MEMS microvalve. The regulating valve is in fluid communication with the pilot valve, and is configured to receive the pilot signal. The regulating valve is further configured to output a control signal. The clutch control valve is configured to engage and disengage the clutch in response to the control signal. The clutch may be configured as one of a wet clutch and a dry clutch. |
| US08844698B2 |
Centrifugal clutch system
A centrifugal clutch system includes a centrifugal weight, an outer member, an inner member, a first clutch plate, a second clutch plate, a bottom portion side pressure member, and an open side pressure member. The centrifugal weight is movable in a radial direction of the clutch system. The outer member is rotatably supported on a rotation axis and subjected to a driving force. The inner member is integrally and rotatably supported on the rotation axis. The first and second clutch plates are respectively supported in the outer and inner member. The bottom portion side pressure member thrusts each clutch plate to an open side of said outer member and releases the thrusting force by the movement of said centrifugal weight. The open side pressure member thrusts each clutch plate to a bottom portion of said outer member. The open side pressure member is supported on said inner member. |
| US08844696B2 |
Clutch for injury mitigation system for power tools
A clutch mechanism includes a bolt threadably received by a drive shaft and configured to secure the blade on an inner washer disposed about the drive shaft. The clutch mechanism also includes a spring assembly that is generally annularly disposed around the bolt. When the spring assembly is compressed, the spring assembly is configured to grip the blade inner washer and the spring assembly. At least one shallow pocket and at least one deep pocket are disposed in a lower surface of an upper retainer, and at least one geometric spacer extends from the spring assembly. In the coupled condition, the geometric spacer is engaged with the shallow pocket, and in the uncoupled condition, the plug structure is engaged with the deep pocket. |
| US08844692B2 |
Fluid pressure control device
A fluid pressure control device controls input and output of a fluid pressure to and from a fluid chamber in a device that transfers power from a motor via working fluid in the chamber, the chamber being partitioned into engagement and disengagement oil chambers by a lock-up clutch. A signal pressure output valve performs pressure regulation to output a signal pressure. The control device includes a control valve connected to an output source flow passage leading to an output source of the fluid pressure, and a control unit controlling the signal pressure output valve so the control valve establishes a first state when the lock-up clutch is turned off, establishes a third state when the lock-up clutch is turned on, and establishes a second state so the working fluid can be confined in the disengagement oil chamber when the lock-up clutch is switched on. |
| US08844690B2 |
Piston seal with centering washer
A torque converter, including: a piston plate for a lock-up clutch, the piston plate including a circumferential surface forming an opening axially aligned with an axis of rotation for the torque converter; a ring-shaped element fixedly secured to the piston plate; and a seal in compressive engagement with the circumferential surface, axially aligned with the ring-shaped element, and including a surface facing radially inward for forming a seal with an input shaft inserted into the torque converter. |
| US08844688B2 |
Mouse hole damper device
A mouse hole damper device positioned at the bottom portion of a mouse hole pipe, the mouse hole damper being arranged to dampen an impact from an object falling in the mouse hole pipe, and the mouse hole damper including a material which has been worked into forming walls around elongated openings, and the material being arranged in such a way that the openings are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mouse hole pipe. |
| US08844687B2 |
Valve structure of shock absorber having variable flow channel
Disclosed herein is a valve structure of a shock absorber which forms flow channels in two directions of working fluid passing through the valve structure so as to slow change of damping force when the moving velocity of a piston is changed between a low velocity and a middle and high velocity and forms one of the two flow channels as a variable flow channel to improve ride comfort of a vehicle. The valve structure includes a piston valve assembly installed at the end of the piston rod and operated to generate damping force varied according to moving velocity of a working fluid, and a variable valve assembly moving together with the piston valve assembly to vary damping force to slow change of a damping force curve when the flow velocity of the working fluid is changed between a low velocity and a middle and high velocity. |
| US08844683B2 |
Disc brake for motor vehicle
A disc brake for a motor vehicle, wherein the disc brake comprises a housing, a brake disc which can be rotated relative to the housing, at least one friction lining, and at least one actuating device which is configured for bringing about a relative movement between the brake disc and the friction lining, with the result that the friction lining can be brought into contact with the brake disc, wherein the actuating device has at least one actuating piston which is guided displaceably in the housing in a hydraulically sealing manner, wherein the actuating piston can be displaced in the housing hydraulically and via a mechanical actuator. In the disc brake, it is provided that the actuating piston is coupled to the mechanical actuator via an elastically deformable driving arrangement, wherein, as a consequence of a relative displacement between the actuating piston and the actuator, the driving arrangement provides a restoring movement in accordance with its elastic deformation. |
| US08844678B2 |
Arrangement for the lubrication of saw chains
The purpose of the invention is an arrangement for the lubrication of saw chains, which comprises a grease tank (3) and apparatus for feeding grease via piping (4) to a saw chain. The apparatus for feeding grease to the saw chain (2) comprise a hydraulic device (3, 5, 6, 7), which is adapted to be powered by a hydraulic system (8, 9). |
| US08844667B2 |
Seat belt apparatus
A control device controls driving of a motor such that a clutch of a power transmission mechanism is moved to a disconnecting position and thereby a belt reacher device is moved around in a forward direction of a vehicle by a return spring of the belt reacher device, if a change from an open state to a closed state of a door is detected by a door switch. The control device controls driving of the motor such that a webbing is winded and thereby the belt reacher device is moved around to a retracted position in a backward direction of the vehicle, if a determination is made that no occupant seated in a passenger seat is detected by an output of an OFF signal from a buckle switch of the passenger seat and a determination is made that start-up of the vehicle is detected by an output of an ON signal from an ignition switch. |
| US08844665B2 |
Skid steered all terrain vehicle
A skid steered light all terrain vehicle (LATV), including two driving units for the wheels or tracks on both sides of the vehicle and a differential steering device with a differential gear. The differential steering device is designed to produce a defined differential speed of the two drive units of the vehicle related to the steering angle of the steering device regardless to the surface condition where the vehicle is driving. The LATV also includes an additional steering drive acting on the differential gear. |
| US08844658B2 |
Electronic steering apparatus
An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck. |
| US08844656B2 |
Seal assembly for a rotary earth bit
An earth bit includes a cutting cone carried by a lug, and an interstice seal assembly which forms a dynamic seal with a radial interstice lug surface of the lug. The interstice seal assembly includes a rigid sealing ring having lengthened and shortened arm portions. The lengthened arm portion extends outwardly from the shortened arm portion, and engages the radial interstice lug surface. |
| US08844651B2 |
Three dimensional fluidic jet control
A method of controlling a fluid jet can include discharging fluid through an outlet of a jetting device, thereby causing the fluid jet to be flowed in multiple non-coplanar directions, and the fluid jet being directed in the non-coplanar directions by a fluidic circuit of the jetting device. A jetting device can include a body having at least one outlet, and a fluidic circuit which directs a fluid jet to flow from the outlet in multiple non-coplanar directions without rotation of the outlet. A method of drilling a wellbore can include flowing fluid through a fluidic switch of a jetting device, thereby causing a fluid jet to be discharged in multiple non-coplanar directions from the jetting device, and the fluid jet cutting into an earth formation. |
| US08844647B2 |
Power tool
A representative power tool according to the invention performs a predetermined operation on a workpiece at least by axial linear movement of a tool bit 119 coupled to a front end region of a housing 103. The power tool includes driving mechanisms 113, 115 that are housed within the housing 103 and linearly drives the tool bit 119, and a dynamic vibration reducer 151 that has a weight 153 which is allowed to linearly move under a biasing force of an elastic element, and reduces vibration caused during operation, by movement of the weight 153 in the axial direction of the tool bit. A dynamic vibration reducer housing space 149 for housing the weight 153 and the elastic element of the dynamic vibration reducer 151 is integrally formed with the housing 103. |
| US08844645B2 |
Aerator hole spacing control
An aerator hole spacing control with a hydrostatic traction drive including a pump and a plurality of wheel motors, a control arm mounted on a control shaft of the pump that controls the direction and the speed of the pump, and a cam follower on the control arm that contacts a cam surface having a minimum coring speed position, a maximum coring speed position, and a transport position. The cam surface may be linked to an operator speed control that moves the cam surface to determine where the cam follower contacts the cam surface to change the speed of the pump anywhere between the minimum coring speed position and the maximum coring speed position without stopping the pump. |
| US08844644B2 |
Hand-held aerosol fire suppression apparatus
There is provided a hand-held aerosol fire suppression apparatus, having safety pole, button, enclosure of cartridge, enclosure of cooling layer, jet nozzle, tapered jet orifice, enclosure of apparatus, combustion chamber, rear fender, piezoelectric ceramics, rear cap and safety ring; wherein the rear cap is screwed to the enclosure of apparatus; the jet nozzle is screwed or fitted to the enclosure of apparatus; a chemical agent is installed in the enclosure of cartridge and a cooling material is installed in the enclosure of cooling layer in the enclosure of apparatus; a thermal insulating layer is installed between the enclosure of apparatus and the enclosure of cartridge, between the enclosure of apparatus and the enclosure of cooling layer, and between the rear fender and the chemical agent; the combustion chamber is installed between the enclosure or cartridge and the enclosure of cooling layer; a groove is arranged on the enclosure of apparatus to facilitate gripping. |
| US08844641B2 |
Device for containing and/or suppressing a fire
A device for containing and/or suppressing a fire may include a flexible barrier configured to at least substantially cover at least one item located on a base structure. The flexible barrier may include a flexible sheet and an intumescent material layer substantially covering a surface of the flexible sheet. |
| US08844638B2 |
Tool for removing wellhead components
A tool (10) for installing and removing a valve removal plug (60) from wellhead components, the tool comprising a curved pressure containing housing (11) having a first and a second end (12, 13), the housing having a bore (20) extending from the first end to the second end, a flexible drive member (21) within the bore and drive means (40, 41) connected to the drive member for causing rotational movement of the drive member within the pressure containing housing. |
| US08844637B2 |
Treatment system for multiple zones
A technique provides a system and methodology for treating a plurality of zones, e.g. well zones. A plurality of flow control devices is located along a tubular structure, such as a well string in a wellbore. Each flow control device or each set of flow control devices comprises a seat member having a unique profile relative to the profiles of the other flow control devices. Drop objects are designed with engagement features arranged to engage the profiles of specific flow control devices. For example, each drop object may have an engagement feature of a corresponding profile designed to engage the unique profile of a specific flow control device or of a specific set of flow control devices to enable actuation of the specific flow control device or the specific set of flow control devices once the drop object is dropped through the tubular structure. |
| US08844635B2 |
Corrodible triggering elements for use with subterranean borehole tools having expandable members and related methods
Expandable apparatus include a triggering element comprising an at least partially corrodible composite material. Methods are used to trigger expandable apparatus using such a triggering element and to form such triggering elements for use with expandable apparatus. |