| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08844981B1 |
Push-to-connect joint assembly, device and method
A push fitting joint packaging arrangement allows the re-use and repair of push-to-connect fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe, and without coining, gluing or threaded engagement of parts, while also requiring less force to connect and disconnect tubing elements. In one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement comprises a sealing member, a fastening ring, a tube support member and a push release member. |
| US08844980B2 |
Device for coupling a tube to a circuit element, method for mounting an anchoring ring on a body of such a coupling device and method for dismantling such a device
Device for connecting a tube to a circuit element, including a cartridge type tubular body provided externally with a washer for anchoring the body in a well of the circuit element and provided internally with a retainer for the tube, characterized in that the anchor washer is mounted on an end portion of the tubular body designed to lie at the level of the opening of the well when the connecting device is in use, the end portion being elastically deformable between a deformed state enabling the washer to be placed on the body and a rest state for retaining the washer on the body. |
| US08844978B2 |
Coupling socket for connecting medical instruments
A medical-engineering coupling mechanism for connecting two medical instruments having a coupling plug and a coupling socket for inserting the coupling plug, so that the coupling socket and the coupling plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded notching connection. To produce a medical-engineering coupling mechanism that is easy to manipulate and ensures a secure notching connection of the components that are to be connected to one another, it is proposed with the invention that the notching connection consists of at least two notching hooks that are positioned on one of the components and are in active engagement with at least one spring element configured as a spring washer, and at least one notching recess positioned on the other component for insertion of the at least two notching hooks. |
| US08844973B2 |
Expanded content label having a strategically located release-reseal system
An expanded content label is disclosed which opens from a strategically located release-reseal system located at other than an edge of the label. |
| US08844969B2 |
Airbag with tethered slit
An airbag having a base end, a front panel and at least one panel opposing the front panel, the airbag having a cutout in the front panel, an inner perimeter of the cutout having first and second sides, a first panel having first and second edges, the first edge of the first panel is attached to the first side of the cutout, a second panel having third and fourth edges, the third edge is attached to the second edge of the first panel and the fourth edge is attached to the second side of the cutout, wherein the first and second panels define a slit in cutout of the front panel, and a tether attached along a backside of the slit and attached to an inner surface of the at least one panel opposing the front panel of the airbag. |
| US08844966B2 |
Vehicle seats for a motor vehicle
A vehicle seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat comprises a backrest which includes a middle part and at least one side bolster, a gas bag module with a folded gas bag, which is at least partly arranged in the side bolster, an adjusting element for adjusting a width of the backrest, which is at least partly arranged in the side bolster and is movable relative to the middle part, by means of which the position of the side bolster relative to the middle part can be varied, and ascot frame extending in the side bolster, which in the vehicle seat mounted in the motor vehicle is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. At least part of the folded gas bag is arranged before the seat frame with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. |
| US08844962B2 |
Integrated hitch step
The hitch step assembly has a platform securable to a hitch bar and pivotable from a storage position to a stepping position with respect to the hitch bar. The platform is preferably substantially planar and parallel to the length of the hitch bar at the stepping position. The platform is pivotable to the storage position that exposes a ball mount assembly connected to the hitch bar. Walls extending downward from the platform to substantially enclose the ball mount assembly and prevent its exposure as a trip hazard during use of the hitch step. A locking pin is provided that maintains the platform at the storage position or the stepping position. |
| US08844960B2 |
Foldable tricycle
A foldable tricycle that transitions between a use orientation, and a transport or storage orientation. The tricycle has a frame including a first end and a second end of the frame, a fork rotatably connected adjacent the first end of the frame, a front wheel rotatably connected to the fork, and a handlebar assembly coupled to the fork to allow for steering of the fork. The tricycle also has first and second rear wheels adjacent the second end of the frame in the use position. The rear wheels are positioned a first distance from a longitudinal axis of the frame in the use position. The first and second wheels can be transitioned to a storage position adjacent the first end of the frame and at a second distance from the longitudinal axis of the frame in the storage position, wherein the first distance from the frame is greater than the second distance from the frame. The tricycle may also have a folding assembly pivotably coupled to the second end of the frame at a first pivot location. As such, the first and second rear wheels may be connected to the folding assembly to simultaneously transition the first and second rear wheels to a storage position with the folding assembly. |
| US08844953B2 |
Mechanical steering linkage for battery powered mower with zero turning radius
A steering system for a riding lawn mower includes a wheel frame pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame about a roll axis. The wheel frame has spaced apart upper and lower wheel frame members. Steering knuckles are pivotally coupled to opposing sides of the wheel frame for rotatably supporting wheels. Each steering knuckle is straddle mounted between the upper and lower wheel frame members. A rack and pinion steering mechanism for pivoting the steering knuckles is coupled to a steering wheel via a steering column. The steering column includes a shaft portion extending along a shaft axis and has at least one socketed connection. The socketed connection transmits rotational movement about the shaft axis between the shaft portion and another rotatable component. The socketed connection also permits axial movement of the shaft portion along the shaft axis in response to the wheel frame rolling relative to the vehicle frame. |
| US08844952B2 |
Balance bike
A balance bike includes a frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies respectively pivotally mounted on two opposite ends of the frame. The rear wheel assembly is pivotable with respect to the frame to synchronously adjust a seat height defined as a vertical distance extending from a saddle of the frame to a horizontal plane and a wheelbase defined as a horizontal distance extending between centers of the two wheels respectively rotatably mounted in the front and rear wheel assemblies to be suitable for various size requirements. |
| US08844951B2 |
Integrated support structures for mobile medical systems
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a portable medical instrument system. The system includes a frame for supporting system process and user interface components. One or more support rails are interconnected with the frame to provide an accessories support system to securely receive medical accessory components. In at least one embodiment, the support rails have a configuration substantially matching a bedrail of a hospital bed. In another aspect, the support rails have a height to width ratio of about 2 to 1. In still a further aspect, the support rails have a height to width ration of 1 to 0.375. According to yet another aspect, at least one of the support rails may be molded from portions of the portable medical system itself. |
| US08844950B2 |
Storage tote with legs
A storage tote includes a base and a selectively movable lid. A support assembly is secured to the base and movable between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position, the support assembly extends generally parallel to the surface upon which it is supported. In the deployed position, the support assembly extends generally downwardly to support the base at a height substantially above the support surface. The support assembly may include a pair of opposing legs. The support assembly may additionally include a one or more pairs of wheels for selective movement of the storage tote from one location to another. A leg retention assembly may be provided for securing the legs in the folded position to prevent accidental or otherwise unwanted movement of the legs from the folded position. |
| US08844949B2 |
Collapsible shopping cart
A collapsible shopping cart includes a collapsible support assembly having a support frame with a vertical frame member and a horizontal frame member. The vertical support member is pivotally secured to the horizontal support member allowing the support frame to be selectively folded. A plurality of wheels are coupled to the horizontal support member. The plurality of wheels are coupled to the horizontal support member for movement between a use orientation and a storage orientation, wherein when the plurality of wheels are in the use orientation they extend from the horizontal support member in a manner permitting engagement with a horizontal support surface such that the support assembly may roll thereupon. First and second storage receptacles shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the support assembly are provided. |
| US08844948B1 |
Shopping cart crutch assembly
Described is a shopping cart crutch assembly that is formed to allow a user to attach the shopping cart assembly with a variety of shopping carts. In doing so, a shopping cart handle brace can be positioned over a shopping cart handle. Rising from the shopping cart handle is the extension member which is used to elevate the body support member. A user can then position his/her armpits over the body support member and receive ambulatory support while being able to push and utilize the shopping cart. |
| US08844944B1 |
Vehicle height adjusting apparatus of motorcycle
A vehicle height adjusting apparatus of a motorcycle includes a damper-side ECU connected to a vehicle network in which in-vehicle ECUs and a vehicle operating state detecting sensor which are mounted on a vehicle are connected to each other, in which the damper-side ECU attached to a damper, computes a vehicle height change to be adjusted in the damper using a detection result of a vehicle height detecting unit and a detection result of the vehicle operating state detecting sensor and controls a switching valve to adjust a vehicle height on the basis of the computed vehicle height change. |
| US08844936B2 |
Annular seals for non-contact sealing of fluids in turbomachinery
According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an annular seal generally includes a hollow member having two ends and an inner surface. The hollow member has a number of depressions formed in and extending around its inner surface. Each of the depressions having a depth that is a function of its distance from one of the two ends. |
| US08844935B2 |
Seal arrangement
A sealing arrangement for a bearing assembly. The sealing arrangement can include a static seal carrier coupled to a static component of the bearing assembly and including a first plurality of rings, a rotating seal carrier coupled to a rotating component of the bearing assembly and including a second plurality of rings, the first plurality of rings and the second plurality of rings disposed in an interdigitated arrangement so as to define a tortuous passageway therebetween, the tortuous passageway having one end in communication with a high pressure area of the bearing assembly and a second end in communication with a low pressure area of the bearing assembly, and a scraper seal coupled to the rotating seal carrier and disposed over the second end of the tortuous passageway. |
| US08844932B2 |
System and method for returning a house advantage in a game of chance
A form of play is disclosed that provides a house advantage in a blackjack side game. |
| US08844931B2 |
Card shuffler with gravity feed system for playing cards
A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot. |
| US08844922B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus that corrects lateral deviation of a sheet
A sheet processing apparatus which enables a sheet to be stopped at a target position with precision even when the sheet is stopped by moving a heavy unit such as a shift unit. A drive unit moves a moving unit so as to move a sheet, which is being conveyed, in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet. An output unit detects movement of the moving unit and output a signal in synchronization with movement of the moving unit. A control unit issues a stop instruction to the drive unit based on a delay time from when a start instruction to the drive unit is issued until when the signal in synchronization with the movement of the drive unit is output, and a target moving amount required for the moving unit to move to a target position. |
| US08844921B2 |
Sheet post-processing device, and image forming apparatus including sheet post-processing device
A sheet post-processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a switching member, a stapler, and a movement driving portion. The switching member switches the conveying direction of a sheet introduced from an image forming apparatus. The stapler staples a bundle of sheets obtained by performing stacking processing for a plurality of the sheets introduced from the image forming apparatus. The movement driving portion moves the stapler. Further, the stapler operates the switching member by being moved by the movement driving portion, thereby switching the conveying direction of the sheet. |
| US08844920B1 |
Stapler producing high precision alignment stacking of unstapled sheets
During stapling operations: connectors disconnect a compiler platform from an elevator platform; an ejector structure is maintained in a fully retracted position to allow a stack of sheets to be within a stapling area; a stapling device staples the stack of sheets in the stapling area; the ejector structure moves the stapled set of sheets to the elevator platform; and the elevator platform moves in a downward direction after the ejector structure moves the stapled set of sheets to the elevator platform. During non-stapling stacking operations: the connectors connect the compiler platform to the elevator platform; the ejector structure is maintained in a middle position between a fully retracted position and a fully ejected position to prevent the sheets from entering the stapling area; and the elevator platform and the compiler platform move together in the downward direction as additional sheets are added to the stack of sheets. |
| US08844919B2 |
Square back processing with variable nipping
A post-processing apparatus includes a folding section configured to nip a sheet using a plurality of rollers to form a fold line for saddle stitching and a control section to control the nipping amount in the folding section. When carrying out square back processing to flatten the spine folded portion of a sheet bundle where a fold line for saddle stitching is formed, the post-processing apparatus allows the nipping amount in the folding section to be smaller than that in the case where the square back processing is not carried out. |
| US08844917B2 |
Apparatus and method of joining hull plates
An apparatus and method of using the apparatus to join hull plates of a ship's hull includes forming a flat plate to match three-dimensional contours of a ship or boat hull. The apparatus including a pair of angularly adjustable arms attached at a pivot point, an angle adjusting mechanism to adjust an angle between the arms, an anchoring member on distal ends of each of the arms to secure the applicator bar in a fixed position relative to the boat member, and a plurality of extendable pressing members attached along a length of the arms to engage the structural plate. |
| US08844916B2 |
Device and method for processing flat substrates such as for printing circuit boards or the like
A device and a method for processing flat substrates, such as circuit boards or the like to be printed, is provided. The substrate can be fed resting on a transport device on two opposite side edge regions, can be first lifted from below for the purpose of processing through supports and pressed against corresponding hold-down pieces in the side edge regions, and can be clamped on the corresponding side edges of the substrate in this position, resting on the supports, between two clamping strips, whereupon the hold-down piece can be lowered to the side away from the substrate and the clamping strip and further below the region of the upper side of the substrate thus loaded, such that full-surface processing can take place. |
| US08844906B2 |
Vehicle lifting system
A vehicle lifting system comprising a mechanism fixedly disposed within a center pillar at the side of a vehicle, for extending out of the pillar and exerting a downward force onto the surface on which the vehicle is positioned. When the force is exerted on the surface, the side of the vehicle is lifted above the surface. A control device is utilized for selectively extending the mechanism out of the pillar and retracting the mechanism back into the pillar. |
| US08844905B2 |
Pulling eye with integrated lug for electrically coupling conductor to terminating equipment
Pulling eyes are provided with an integrated lug for electrically coupling conductors or cables to terminating equipment. The pulling eyes may include body portions that define interior cavities that are sized to snugly engage a bare metal portion of the conductors or cables. The body portions are sized to be deformably crimped onto the bare metal portions of the conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may also include head portions joined to the body portions, with the head portions are assembled to pulling ropes or cables for installing the conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may further include integrated lugs electrically attached or coupled to the body portions and configured to electrically couple the conductor to terminating equipment. |
| US08844901B2 |
Flow control valve
A flow control valve is disclosed that includes a valve body member having a seating surface that is seated on a valve seated surface. Multiple inflow orifices and multiple outflow orifices may be formed on the valve seated surface or the seating surface, and may be formed so as not to overlap each other in a state in which the seating surface is seated on the valve seated surface. An inside inflow channel that is in communication with the inflow channel and the inflow orifice may be formed inside a member where the inflow orifices are formed and an inside outflow channel that is in communication with the outflow channel and the outflow orifice is formed inside a member where the outflow orifices are formed. |
| US08844898B2 |
Blowout preventer with ram socketing
A blowout preventer and seal structure for a blowout preventer, the seal structure having a the body with two front faces including a first face and a second face, a projection projecting out from the body, the first face on the projection, the second face in a plane, and the projection with the first face projecting out beyond the plane. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). |
| US08844894B2 |
Small footprint scissor suspension mechanism
A scissor suspension mechanism, optionally used as a seat base, comprising both small footprint base and movable element, a set of two pairs of crossed first and second scissor arms and a linkage assembly including a plurality of pivot interfaces and linkages; which are designed in a way that the crossed first and second scissor arms describe, during the total elevation stroke of the movable element with respect to the base element, both positive and negative angles with respect to each other while passing through a null angle at which the overall mechanism length is maximal. |
| US08844892B2 |
Tablet computer stand
A stand including a base and a platen assembly. The base includes: an end protrusion extending from a top surface and including a first distal end; and a plurality of adjustment protrusions extending from the top surface and including respective second distal ends. The platen assembly includes a platen and a prop leg. The platen is pivotably connected to the base and the prop leg. For an open position: the platen and prop leg pivot such that: an end of the prop leg contacts an adjustment protrusion or the first end protrusion; the platen and the prop leg form an acute or obtuse angle, opening toward the top surface. For a closed position, the platen and prop leg pivot such that the bottom surface, the platen, and the prop leg are parallel. The first distal end extends further from the top surface than the second distal ends. |
| US08844890B2 |
Passenger'S weight measurement device for vehicle seat
To provide a passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat which can be assembled to prevent the occurrence of the initial deformation and the initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device comprises a pair of left and right fixed lower rails, a pair of movable upper rails disposed to be movable in a front-and-rear direction on each of the fixed lower rails, load sensors fixed on an upper surface of the left movable upper rail, load sensors mounted on the movable upper rail to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail, and a rectangular frame mounted on the load sensors. Mounting holes are formed on the rectangular frame, and rods are inserted into the mounting holes from bottom up. The rods are engaged with nuts. |
| US08844889B2 |
Protection stand
A protection stand comprises a planar surface having first and second sides. The first side of the planar surface comprises a plurality of conical stands that converge away from the planar surface. The second side comprises first and second layers, wherein the first layer is positioned between the planar surface and the second layer and comprises an adaptable cushion for conforming to the surface area of the object resting on the protection stand. The second layer comprises an assembly side and an attachment side, both of such sides comprising an adhesive bond for securing the assembly side to the first layer and the attachment side to the cross-sectional surface of the object resting on the protection stand. |
| US08844887B2 |
Two-part roof hook
A two-part roof hook is described, which has a base part (1) and a hook part (2) which can be connected to the base part (1) and which has a connecting element (6) on its end (4) for mounting an assembly. The base part (1) is a cut-off portion (X) of an angle section, one angle leg (8) of which is provided with connecting elements (7) for making a connection to the roof substructure. A section wall (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the section is arranged within the angle between the two angle legs (8, 9), which section wall includes an obtuse angle (α) jointly with the angle leg area of the connecting elements (7), serves as a support surface for the end (3) of the hook part (2), and can be connected to the end (3) of the hook part (2). |
| US08844886B2 |
Wall hanger
A wallboard wall carries a picture or shelf hanger in a hole between front and back faces of the wall. The hanger includes: a one-piece member having (a) a shoulder having a bottom portion bearing against a bottom portion of the hole and extending horizontally through the hole, (b) an arm extending upwardly from the shoulder, (c) a leg (i) extending downwardly from the shoulder, and (ii) located outside the front face of the wall and (d) a load bearing surface for receiving the object. The arm has a sharp pointed end piercing the back face of the wall and extending into the wall via the back face of the wall. |
| US08844881B2 |
Line routing clip
A routing clip for securing a line to a structure comprising: a base for attaching the clip to a structure; and a clamp comprising: a first flexible strap which extends from the base and has one or more projections extending from its side; and a second flexible strap which extends from the base and has a passageway for receiving the first flexible strap and a locking surface which is arranged to engage one of the projections on the first flexible strap to prevent the first flexible strap from being withdrawn from the passageway. At least part of the clip is made from an elastomeric material. |
| US08844877B1 |
Stay sharp, fail safe leading edge configuration for hypersonic and space access vehicles
A passive non-ablating thermally protective structure body is disclosed. An improved-reliability heat pipe edge comprises a non-porous material formed into a wedge-shaped chamber, and a porous layer. The porous layer extends from interior surfaces of the non-porous material to provide capillary wicking. |
| US08844874B2 |
Interchangeable joint concept for an aircraft rear fuselage cone
Rear fuselage of an aircraft comprising a tail cone end and a rest of the real fuselage whereby the tail cone end is attached to the rest of the rear fuselage by means of an attachment system comprising a balancer fitting, three lugs and a waiting link. When there is a failure in one of the lugs, the balancer fitting acts supporting loads in the transversal direction of the aircraft. The waiting link only acts if a failure in other link occurs. This waiting link is able to support loads in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. |
| US08844873B2 |
Stabilizer torque box assembly and method
In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus to provide a panel stiffening element. The apparatus has an outer braided thermoplastic tube and an inner braided thermoplastic tube disposed within the outer braided thermoplastic tube. The apparatus further has a separation ply layer co-consolidated between the outer braided thermoplastic tube and the inner braided thermoplastic tube. The separation ply layer provides reinforcement and impact damage resistance to the inner braided thermoplastic tube in order to avoid a loss in structural loading capability. |
| US08844871B2 |
Aircraft fuselage structural components and methods of making same
Aircraft fuselage structures have reinforcement members in the vicinity of the stringer openings formed in frame members and are rigidly lap joined to a surface region of the frame members by a friction stir weld region. Such aircraft fuselage structural components may thus be provided with plural longitudinally spaced-apart frame members defining a transversal cross-section of an aircraft fuselage section, the frame members having a plurality of stringer holes therethrough, and plural longitudinally oriented stringers each being positioned within a respective one of the stringer holes of the frame member. The reinforcement members are lap joined to corresponding surfaces of frame members in the vicinity of the stringer holes such that the reinforcement members are joined rigidly to the corresponding surfaces of the frame members by a friction stir weld region. |
| US08844868B2 |
System and a method for fastening aircraft components in the case of a CFK-metal hybrid construction
The present invention relates to the use of connecting elements for fastening CFK components and metal components in an aircraft or spacecraft, wherein a CFK component and a metal component can be connected to each other via at least one connecting element. The connecting element in this case is produced from an electrically non-conducting material, or has a shank and is produced from an electrically conducting or non-conducting material, wherein the shank is provided with a sleeve consisting of an electrically non-conducting material. |
| US08844863B2 |
Device for mechanically decoupled fastening of an aircraft component perfused by hot gas
Device for mechanically decoupled retention of components perfused by hot gas in an aircraft, with a coupling member for coupling to a component emitting hot gas and to a component accepting hot gas, with a holder, with a flange, and with a bellows, the holder being fittable to a housing or frame connected to the component emitting hot gas, the bellows being fastened by one end to the flange and by the other end to the holder, and the coupling member being fastened to the flange. By virtue of the device, both an angular misalignment and radial and axial positional misalignment can be equalized. |
| US08844861B2 |
Aircraft propulsion system
An aircraft propulsion system including a bypass turbojet engine surrounded by a nacelle together with a mechanism attaching the engine to a pylon of an aircraft. The nacelle includes an inner structure forming a body of revolution including a rigid framework formed by an upstream annular frame fastened to an intermediate casing of the engine, a downstream annular frame supporting the exhaust casing of the engine, and longitudinal arms connecting the frames together, the annular downstream frame being fastened to the pylon by a flexible or hinged suspension mechanism. |
| US08844857B2 |
Pretensioner for seat belt
A pretensioner for a seat belt is configured to reduce injury by preventing load applied to the passenger's chest from increasing may include a pinion connected to a cylindrical spool wound with a webbing, a cylinder receiving a rack engaged with the pinion, a micro gas generator disposed in the cylinder and rotating the pinion by moving the rack with an explosion due to an external shock, a generator cap covering the outer circumferential edge of the cylinder and preventing the micro gas generator from separating outside, and a guide blade that guides gas discharged through vent holes to the outside is formed on the outer circumferential edge of the micro gas generator. |
| US08844856B2 |
Fishing reel
Various embodiments provide a fishing reel having a light-weight, compact and easy-to-assemble magnetic seal mechanism which allows greater freedom in material selection of the rotating member. A fishing reel according to one embodiment comprises a rotating body rotatably supported via a ball bearing and a magnetic seal mechanism for sealing the ball bearing. In one aspect, the magnetic seal mechanism comprises a magnet disposed in parallel with either a magnetic inner or outer ring of the ball bearing, and magnetic fluid disposed between the magnet and said inner or outer ring, magnetic fluid being retained by a magnetic circuit formed therebetween to seal space defined between the magnet and said inner or outer ring. |
| US08844855B2 |
Spool brake device for dual-bearing reel
A spool brake device for a dual-bearing reel according to a first aspect of the present invention is a device configured to electrically brake a spool rotatably mounted to a reel unit of the dual-bearing reel for allowing a fishing line to be wound thereabout. The spool brake device includes a spool brake unit including a magnet configured to rotate in conjunction with rotation of the spool, and a coil configured opposite to the magnet to generate electric current with rotation of the magnet, a tension detecting unit configured to detect and measure tension on the fishing line, and a spool control unit configured to control the spool brake unit by analog-controlling electric current flowing through the coil on the basis of how large the tension is. |
| US08844848B2 |
Waste disposal apparatus, fluid and method
A waste disposal apparatus, for disposing of waste materials using aerobic decomposition, includes a decomposition chamber having a waste inlet for receiving waste materials, and a closure member for closing the inlet and sealing the decomposition chamber. The apparatus includes a stirrer for stirring waste materials in the chamber, and a waste outlet for discharging waste materials from the chamber after aerobic decomposition thereof. |
| US08844847B2 |
Processing apparatus and methods
A feed material processing apparatus including a chamber; at least one inlet in flow communication to an upper region of the chamber; a rotor located within the chamber that is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis by a rotation drive, wherein the rotor promotes a circulatory flow of feed material and/or gas within the chamber; at least one outlet in flow communication from a lower region of the chamber. Preferably the apparatus comprises at least one feature located laterally on the rotor to promote the circulatory flow. |
| US08844840B2 |
Paint sprayer with paint container attachment apparatus
A paint sprayer is configured for use with a paint container. The sprayer includes a housing having an air inlet and a nozzle located on the housing. Movable grip members are supported on the housing. The grip members are located in a circular array with an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the paint container. A ring extends circumferentially about the circular array of grip members, and is supported on the housing for rotation relative to the housing. When the ring rotates relative to the housing, it moves the grip members to a condition in which the inner diameter of the circular array is not greater than the outer diameter of the paint container. |
| US08844837B1 |
Fragrance vapor dispenser
A fragrance vapor dispenser that includes synthetic wicks is disclosed. In an implementation, the fragrance vapor dispenser may comprise at least one synthetic wick. The synthetic wick may comprise an annular, longitudinal outer shell and an absorbent portion at least partially within the outer shell. The absorbent portion may also extend from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end of the outer shell. The outer shell may also be more dense than the absorbent portion and sufficiently dense to vertically support the first longitudinal end above the second longitudinal end without additional support above the second longitudinal end. The synthetic wick may also comprise a color band that comprises a colorant absorbed through the outer shell and at least partially absorbed into the absorbent portion. In an implementation, the color band may comprise a width of at least ⅛ inch. |
| US08844829B1 |
Method of using a RFID portal containing a RFID reader, RFID antenna and computer processor
A method for tracking the removal of items from a storage area, substantially each item within said storage area including an RFID tag or being part of a manifest of items containing at least one item that includes an RFID tag, each tag containing a unique electronic ID for identifying each respective item, the method including the step of providing a Portal at an egress location for the storage area, the Portal including a computer processor and being capable of activating and reading each proximate RFID tag. The Portal performing the steps of scanning for items with RFID tags, which are proximate to the Portal; activating each RFID tag for each item proximate to the Portal; reading each electronic ID for each proximate item; determining whether the proximate item are on a predetermined manifest; and providing visual indicator and/or electronic communication based on the determination step. |
| US08844828B2 |
RFID transponder chip module with connecting means for an antenna, textile tag with an RFID transponder chip
To be able to connect an RFID transponder chip module which has not only a transponder chip but also conductive, preferably metal or metallized connection feet, as easily as possible and particularly without the risk of soiling to the antenna wires of a tag strip, which are fitted in or on a textile material, the connection feet of the transponder chip module are designed with an activatable connecting for electrical and mechanical connection to the antenna wires. The connecting feet are in the form of strip-like extension elements on both sides of the RFID transponder chip, wherein the connection feet are respectively arranged at that end of the extension elements which is remote from the RFID transponder chip. The connection feet are formed with an activatable connecting for the purpose of electrical and mechanical connection to the electrical conductors. |
| US08844827B2 |
Chip card, and method for the software-based modification of a chip card
The invention relates to a chip card, particularly a smart card, having an operating system which is implemented on the chip card and which controls the functions of the chip card, and having a first operating system kernel level which represents the core of the operating system and in which the process and data organization of the operating system is established, for which a second, uniform operating system kernel level is provided in which those functions of the first operating system kernel level are defined that can be addressed from outside the operating system, and that an interface is provided for accessing the second, uniform operating system kernel level from outside the operating system. Further, the invention relates to a method for the software-based modification of a chip card of this type. |
| US08844825B2 |
System and method for testing magnetic stripe decoding chip
A system and a method for testing a magnetic stripe decoding chip are provided. The system includes a host, a digital-to-analog converter, and a testing device. The host outputs simulation signal data. The digital-to-analog converter receives the simulation signal data and generates a test waveform signal representing a test string. The testing device includes a signal input terminal, a signal conversion circuit, a chip slot, and a processor. The terminal receives the test waveform signal. The chip slot is configured to receive a decoding chip. The circuit includes a transformer connected between the terminal and the chip slot, and is configured to couple the test waveform signal into a pseudo track signal. The processor receives a decoded string generated after decoding the pseudo track signal by the decoding chip. Through comparing the decoded string with the test string, a decoding function of the decoding chip can be determined. |
| US08844824B2 |
Laptop based television remote control
A portable computer may be provided that interacts with a television system. The portable computer may be adapted to receive a user input identifying a media selection and transmit a control signal to cause the storage of the media selection. In other aspects, a set top box may receive a control signal from a portable computer and direct storage of a media selection. |
| US08844823B2 |
Laser scanning system employing an optics module capable of forming a laser beam having an extended depth of focus (DOF) over the laser scanning field
A laser scanning system having a laser scanning field, and a laser beam optics module with an optical axis and including: an aperture stop disposed after a laser source for shaping the laser beam to a predetermined beam diameter; a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam produced from the aperture stop; an apodization element having a first and second optical surfaces for extending the depth of focus of the laser beam from the collimating lens; and a negative bi-prism, disposed after the apodization element, along the optical axis, to transform the energy distribution of the laser beam and cause the laser beam to converge to substantially a single beam spot along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field, and extend the depth of focus of the laser beam along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field. |
| US08844819B2 |
Reading device
A reader device includes a mounting surface on which a passport with a page to be read is placed, a light source for illuminating the page to be read, and a camera for picking up an image of the page to be read. The light source is arranged outside a front area of the page to be read. The page to be read contains a near-edge code positioned close to an edge of the page to be read. The light source includes an infrared LED array and a white LED array. An infrared LED and a white LED included in the infrared LED array and the white LED array, respectively, and located at a near-edge code position corresponding to the near-edge code are arranged closer to the page to be read than the other infrared LEDs and white LEDs in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. |
| US08844816B2 |
Expanded smart card interface
Described herein is a smart card having a first set of contact pads disposed on a first region of a first surface of the smart card and a second set of contact pads disposed on a second region of the first surface. The first and second set of contact pads are configured to simultaneously electrically engage a socket of a host device and exchange data with the host device. The smart card also includes control circuitry communicatively coupled to the first and second sets of contact pads and operable to control the exchange of data with the host device. |
| US08844815B2 |
Method of adjusting pointing directions of multiple cameras in barcode scanner
A workstation with a housing having a upright window and a horizontal window includes a printed circuit board having at least two imaging sensors thereon located in the housing, and a controller operative to read a barcode in a captured image. The workstation also includes a chassis firmly mounted on the printed circuit board, and two inserts each configured to hold steadily one of at least two lens assemblies. At least one of the two inserts includes multiple slots for attaching such insert to the chassis at a position that is laterally adjustable. |
| US08844813B2 |
Electronic correction of voter-marked paper ballot
Methods, systems, and devices are described for electronically correcting votes made on voter-marked paper ballots. An optical scan system may image a paper ballot and allow vote modification by the voter following the imaging. Such a modification may be necessary, for example, if a voter has improperly voted (e.g., voted for two candidates for one office), if a definitive determination of the intention to cast a vote cannot be made (e.g., partially filed-in bubble associated with a candidate, erasure, stray marks), if a write-in candidate is included on the ballot, or if a voter has changed their mind or otherwise wishes to cast a different vote than initially indicated. After correction, the corrected ballot may be re-imaged. |
| US08844812B1 |
Point-of-sale token scanner and related methods
A scanning device provides illumination with a stand-by color in a stand-by mode and a user color upon approval of payment transactions. |
| US08844810B1 |
Methods and systems for managing transaction card accounts enabled for use with particular categories of providers and/or goods/services
A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder. |
| US08844805B2 |
Medium processing apparatus
A medium processing apparatus comprises a casing surrounded by a partitioning wall with an opening; a reel on which tape is wound; a fold-back section provided on an opposite side of the medium processing apparatus to the reel, so as to folded back the tape pulled out from the reel; a drum in the casing to be rotatable such that a rectangular shaped medium fed in the casing is wound onto the drum together with the tape that has been folded back on itself by the fold-back section; a winding guide provided further to a drum side than the tape, the winding guide closes off an internal space of the casing from the outside and presses the tape and the medium against a peripheral face of the drum; and an opening and closing section configuring a portion of the winding guide and opening or closing off the internal space. |
| US08844797B2 |
Liquid dispensing containers and blanks for making the same
A container for dispensing beverages is provided. The container includes at least six side walls coupled together along a plurality of parallel fold lines. The at least six side walls include two end panels and at least two side panels, and the at least six side walls define a substantially cylindrical shape of the container. A bottom wall is coupled to at least one of the two end panels, wherein a shape of the bottom wall corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the at least six side walls. The container further includes a spout cutout removably defined in a first end panel of the two end panels proximate to a fold line connecting the first end panel to the bottom wall. |
| US08844796B1 |
Superplastically formed ultrasonically welded metallic structure
Disclosed herein is a method of making a structure by ultrasonic welding and superplastic forming. The method comprises assembling a plurality of workpieces comprising a first workpiece including a first material having superplastic characteristics; ultrasonically welding the first workpiece to a second workpiece, to form an assembly; heating the assembly to a temperature at which the first material having superplastic characteristics is capable of superplastic deformation, and injecting a fluid between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to form a cavity between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. |
| US08844792B2 |
Surgical instrument with curvilinear tissue-contacting surfaces
A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position. |
| US08844788B2 |
True multi-fire linear cutter
One exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil assembly to which a staple holder assembly detachably connected; feeder belts positioned at least partially within the staple holder assembly; staples separably attached to each feeder belt; a wedge assembly slidable within and along the staple holder assembly, the wedge assembly including an engagement feature; and a deployment handle, where, upon closure of the anvil assembly and staple holder assembly relative to one another, the deployment handle engages the engagement feature; where the deployment handle is movable along the anvil assembly to drive the wedge assembly relative to the staple holder assembly, feeder belts and staples in order to deform at least one staple to a closed state and separate at least one closed staple from the corresponding feeder belt. One exemplary surgical method may include providing a surgical stapler having an anvil and a staple holder separably connected to the anvil, where the staple holder holds feeder belts and staples separably connected to each feeder belt; deploying, at least twice, a plurality of staples from the staple holder; and then removing the staple holder from the anvil. |
| US08844786B2 |
Cross-tie pre-plate apparatus
A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie may include a cross-tie conveyor comprising a first end and a second end, with a cross-tie positioning mechanism positioned proximate the second end. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may include a stop member configured to prevent the movement of the cross-tie and a positioning rail positioned on a lateral side of the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may also include a positioning member configured to position the cross-tie against the positioning rail. The apparatus may also include at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms, each configured to position at least one tie-plate on a cross-tie. The apparatus may also include a gauge positioned superior to the cross-tie positioning mechanism to hold the at least two tie-plates in position relative to one another as the at least two tie-plates are spiked. |
| US08844785B2 |
Powered stapler and method of operating same
A powered stapler (10) and method of operating same for stapling together two or more metal workpieces. The powered stapler (10) includes a main frame member (20) adapted to carry a strip of staples. The frame member has an anvil (20e) covered by a front nosepiece (48) at one end. A lower jaw member (22), having a lower cam slot (34), is pivotally attached to the main frame member. The lower jaw member (22) has a forming die (56). An upper ram member (24) has an upper cam slot (32) and a staple-driving hammer (52). The upper ram member (24) is pivotally attached to the lower jaw member (22). A drive rod (28) extends from a power unit (12) and has a cam bar (30) at one end protruding through the upper cam slot (32) in the upper ram member (24) and through the lower cam slot (34). |
| US08844782B2 |
Methods for scribing and separating strengthened glass substrates
A method of forming a scribe line in a strengthened glass substrate includes providing a strengthened glass substrate having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge and a second edge. The first and second surfaces have a strengthened surface layer under a compressive stress, and a central region under tensile stress. The method further includes applying a scoring blade to the first surface at an initiation location that is offset from the first edge by an initiation offset distance greater than a diameter of the scoring blade, and translating the scoring blade or the strengthened glass substrate such that the scoring blade scores the first surface. The translation is terminated such that the scoring blade stops at a termination location that is offset from the second edge of the strengthened glass substrate by a termination offset distance greater than the diameter of the scoring blade. |
| US08844778B2 |
Adapter bracket for supporting a saddle bag on a motorcycle and method for installing same
An adapter bracket for supporting a saddle bag on a motorcycle. A strut for securing a rear motorcycle fender includes a vertical section, a lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section. The vertical section has bolts extending through it for attachment to the fender. The adapter bracket includes a lower attachment portion with bores, an intermediate strut coupling portion, and an upper connection plate with an aperture. One of the fender bolts is removed, and the coupling portion is slid over the lower horizontal section of the strut from the strut's inner side. The aperture in the connection plate is aligned with the hole in the strut corresponding to the removed bolt. The bolt is reinstalled, securing the strut, bracket, and fender together. An inner sidewall of the saddle bag provided with a backing plate, and bolts secure the backing plate, the inner sidewall, and the attachment portion together. |
| US08844777B2 |
Pin moor
A moor or anchor (10) for pins (12), needles, or other sewing implements, comprising a moor or anchor having a first end and a second end, the first (14) and the second end (16) are connected by a central portion (30) which may be curved (18), whereby the moor or anchor (10) can be positioned on a surface (20) and receive a pin (12), needle, or other sewing implement to anchor a piece of fabric (19) to the surface. The surface (20) may be fabric, cloth, vinyl, plastic, or any other flexible material. The moor or anchor (10) may be configured in various shapes and include curved portions (18) and planar surfaces (26), and color-coded to facilitate use. A plurality of the moors or anchors are used to form a support and positioning network (50). A method for using the moor to secure and position pins and other sewing implements to surfaces such as fabric or other flexible material is also disclosed, allowing the formation of a surface support and positioning network (48). |
| US08844775B2 |
Tip seal for an adapter for a pressurized dispensing container comprising a viscous foamable solution and adapter provided with such a tip seal
An adapter for a pressurized dispensing container containing a viscous foamable solution includes a dip tube in connection with the container and arranged for conveying the viscous foamable solution towards a tip seal. A tip seal for use with the adapter includes a core part with an at least partially open proximal end and at least partially open distal end. The core part is at least partially inserted into the dip tube at the proximal end. A cap part is movably connected with the core part at the distal end of the core part between an open position and a closed position of the tip seal. The cap part comprises a closure element adapted for closing off the at least partially open distal end of the core part in the closed position of the tip seal. |
| US08844774B2 |
Pressurized system for dispensing fluids
A bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly formed by a flexible dispensing container with a dispensing fitment. The dispensing container is positioned adjacent or sandwiched between one or more flexible pressurization containers having a separate inlet/outlet path through a second fitment. The bag-in-bag assembly can then be placed in a containment vessel with the fitments mounted such that it is accessible on the vessel. A liquid can be extracted from the dispensing container by introducing a fluid into the pressurization container(s) with enough pressure to force the liquid out through the dispensing fitment. A contoured dispensing head may be coupled to the bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly using a earn actuation arrangement for simultaneously locking the pressurization, vent and fluid extraction couplings. |
| US08844771B2 |
Hemi-toroidal fluid pump
This specification describes technologies relating to a pump for dispensing precise quantities of fluids. In some implementations, a pump includes a rotatable portion including one or more recesses configured to receive one or more corresponding roller components; and a base portion including a fluid channel including an input aperture and an output aperture, the fluid channel being configured to receive the one or more roller components, and a flexible membrane that provides a seal between the roller components and the fluid channel, wherein, the rotatable portion is rotatably coupled to the base portion such that the fluid channel includes one or more portions sealed by the flexible membrane and one or more roller components and wherein rotation of the rotatable portion causes the one or more roller components to traverse the fluid channel pushing fluid trapped within the fluid channel and the membrane in the direction of rotation. |
| US08844770B2 |
Cover member, method of producing one such member and a fluid product dispenser using one such member
A covering member (1; 1′; 1″) for mounting on a fastener ring (2), the ring and the covering member co-operating with each other to form a fastener device for fastening a dispenser system (3), such as a pump or a valve, on a receptacle neck (40), the covering member presenting a general configuration that is substantially cylindrical and that includes an outside wall (14) and an inside wall (15) for coming into clamping contact around the ring (2), the inside wall forming projections (17) that project inwards from a base zone (151), the projections being disposed as elongate ribs (16; 16′; 16″), the covering member being characterized in that each rib is formed by a plurality of projections (17) that are separated by gaps (18) in such a manner as to form a projecting rib that is interrupted locally. |
| US08844769B2 |
Dispenser housing with locking mechanism
A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism. |
| US08844764B2 |
Baked goods carrier
A carrier for covering and transporting baked goods or other food products includes a base for supporting a pie, cake, cupcakes, or other baked goods. A cover is configured to be attached to the base to generally enclose the carrier, thereby protecting the baked goods for transport or storage. The cover is formed with a flexible membrane that makes it collapsible for more convenient storage. |
| US08844762B2 |
Travel beverage container
A lid assembly for a beverage container having a lid housing, a seal assembly and a trigger member. The seal assembly has a drink seal to close the drink aperture. The seal assembly is rotatedly connected to the lid housing and movable between a use position and a cleaning position to allow the drink aperture to be open for cleaning. The trigger member is connected to the lid housing and is capable of engaging the seal assembly in the use position, but it cannot engage the seal assembly in the cleaning position. Additionally, a trigger lock is connected to the lid housing to prevent engagement of the seal assembly by the trigger member when the trigger lock is locked. The trigger lock may also contain a visual indicator to indicate that the lock is in the locked position. |
| US08844759B2 |
Transport container
The invention relates to a transport container which is made of plastic and has side walls which rise up from a bottom part and are reinforced on their outwardly facing surface by vertical and/or horizontal ribs which protrude from the walls and are characterized in that plates made of plastic filled with stiffness-increasing additives are applied to the outer side of at least two opposing side walls. |
| US08844754B2 |
Fuel tank having a built-in auxiliary tank
A fuel tank made of plastic, in the interior of which an insert (2) is located, wherein the insert should enclose a space (3), wherein the fuel tank should offer the greatest possible economy of space, and the fuel tank and the insert should have a simple form. For this purpose, a box made of plastic and open at the top is attached to the inside of the upper wall (1) of the fuel tank as an insert (2), wherein the box forms a closed space (3) together with the wall (1) of the tank, wherein the insert (2) comprises a bottom (5) and side walls (6, 7, 8, 9), the upper edges of which are connected in a bonded manner to the wall (1) of the tank. The insert (2) contains inner parts (20-26) that are integral therewith and has at least one fitting (13-16) on the side walls (6, 7, 8, 9) for connecting a pipe line. |
| US08844752B2 |
Reversible food plates having a slope, methods of use, and slope adapter for food plate and method of making same
A food plate comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an edge, wherein at least the first surface or each of the first surface and the second surface has a slope, which optionally comprises at least one depression at the bottom of the slope and adjacent to the edge, wherein (i) at least each portion of the edge that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope forms a rim or (ii) substantially all or all of the edge forms a rim and at least each portion of the rim that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope is pronounced or more pronounced than a portion of the rim that is not adjacent to the bottom of the slope; an adapter for a conventional food plate comprising a graduated, optionally flexible, rim, which, upon attachment to the food plate, causes the food-bearing side of the food plate to have a slope; a method of making a food plate; and a method of making an adapter for a conventional food plate. |
| US08844751B2 |
Waste container
A waste container for disposing sanitary waste, such as soiled diapers, comprises a canister having a storage space, an opening at an upper end and a bottom at a lower end. A retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister and has an aperture for inserting a trash bag through the aperture and folding an upper edge of the trash bag over the retainer frame. A retainer is pivotally attached to the canister and has a rim that inserts into the aperture of the retainer frame to retain the trash bag. A lid having a hole which aligns with the aperture of the retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the lid to pivot between a closed position covering the opening and an open position. A sliding door is coupled to the lid and is slidable between a closed position and an open position. |
| US08844750B1 |
Hingeless door system for pressure vessels
A hingeless door system for a pressure vessel; especially, aeronautic and astronautic crafts. The door system has the following major components: a contour in a pressure vessel wall, a doorway opening, a seal, an upper track, a lower track and a door. The door translocates laterally along the tracks from an open position to a closed position and moves radially along the tracks to a sealed position against the contour which closes the door opening. The problem solved by the invention is to reduce weight, operational volume and complexity and increase durability of a door system for a pressure vessel. |
| US08844747B2 |
And temperature indicating can ends and tabs
A metallic can end for a container is described. The metallic can end has a curl defining an outer perimeter of the can end. A wall extends downwardly from the curl. A strengthening member is joined to a lowermost end of the wall. A center panel is joined to the strengthening member and is centered about a longitudinal axis. The center panel has a product side and a public side. A rivet is located on the center panel. A displaceable tear panel is on the center panel. The tear panel is at least substantially defined by a frangible score and a non frangible hinge segment. A non-detachable tab is staked to the center panel by the rivet. The non-detachable tab has a nose end extending over a portion of the tear panel, a lift end opposite the nose end, and a central webbing between the nose and lift end. The webbing has a hinge region and a rivet island surrounding the rivet. The rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first void region to provide a first exposed area of the center panel. A first temperature indicator has a first thermochromic material which undergoes a color change upon reaching a first predetermined temperature. The first temperature indicator is located on the non-detachable tab. |
| US08844746B2 |
Liquid container closure with integrated over center latching assembly
Closures having an integrated over center latching assembly including an end wall, a skirt wall depending from the end wall, an outlet opening associated with the end wall and an over center latching assembly are disclosed. The over center latching assembly includes a link pivotally coupled to the closure at a first pivot point, a lever pivotally coupled to the link at a second pivot point, a closing member pivotally coupled to the closure at a third pivot point and pivotally coupled to the lever at a forth pivot point and a biasing spring coupled between the first pivot point and the fourth pivot point. The link and the lever are configured to move the over center latching assembly between a first position and a second position and the closing member is configured to close the outlet opening when the over center latching assembly is moved to the second position. |
| US08844744B2 |
Packaging provided with a sealed opening and closing device
The invention relates to the field of packaging for a consumable product, the packaging being provided with a wall (15) provided with an orifice (13). The packaging is fitted with an opening and closing device (1) comprising a single-piece body (2) of molded material fastened on the wall (15), the body (2) comprising a plate (20) with a first hole (30) placed facing the orifice (13) and fastened to the edge (19) of the orifice (13) in the wall (15) in sealed manner, and a hatch (40) hinged to the plate (20), the hatch opening towards the inside of the packaging and being suitable for covering the first hole (30) in a closed position, the device (1) further including an arm (50) connected to the hatch (40), the arm (50) co-operating with position blocking means for holding the hatch (40) in a closed position, and for releasing the hatch (40) to pivot towards the inside of the packaging when it is disengaged from the blocking means, the device (1) further including a cap (80) that is distinct from the body (2) and from the arm (50), and that is provided with a safety capsule (100, 104) that is to be broken on first opening of the hatch (40) such that if the safety capsule is intact, it is guaranteed that the packaging has not been opened previously, the capsule forming a portion of the blocking means. The hatch (40) is provided with a second hole (70) providing communication between the inside and the outside of the packaging, and the arm (50) is provided with a gasket (57) that shuts the second hole (70) in sealed manner when the arm (50) co-operates with the blocking means, such that in the closed position, the device (1) closes the packaging in sealed manner, the gasket (57) releasing the second hole (70) when the arm (50) is disengaged from the blocking means and the pivot angle β of the arm relative to its closed position is greater than a strictly positive threshold angle β0. |
| US08844741B2 |
Modular recycling/waste system
A recycling/waste assembly comprises a plurality of base units, each comprising a base connection mechanism for connecting the base units to one another. The base units have a first wall connector for connecting each of the base units to at least one of a plurality of wall units. The assembly also comprises a plurality of top units, each comprising a top connection mechanism for connecting the top units to one another. The top units have a second wall connector for connecting the top units to the wall units. The top units comprise an opening and a lid for covering the opening. The wall units are engageable with the first wall connector and the second wall connector. The wall units also comprise wall connections for connecting the wall units to one another. |
| US08844739B2 |
Food storage container
A reusable food storage container includes bottom and top members, each having first and second portions. Each bottom member first portion includes a bottom wall with opposed side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Each bottom member defines an open end opposite its outside end wall and an open top. The bottom member portions are selectively coupled together using tab and channel structures. The top member portions each include a top wall having opposed end walls with an outer side wall connecting the end walls and extending downwardly from the top wall. The top member portions are selectively connected using tab and channel structures. Each top member defines an open side opposite its respective outside side wall and an open bottom. The top portion includes a circumference slightly larger than that of the bottom portion, enabling a nesting attachment. |
| US08844738B2 |
Foldable lifting apparatus
The present invention is a self-locking folding crane apparatus that can be installed onto any pivot shaft and held in place by small positioning devices such as clamps, slip-rings, bolts, shaft collars, pins, and other mechanical means; a substantial base is not needed to support the hoist as long as the pivot shaft is able to do so. The resulting hoist can be recoverably installed and optionally left on a vehicle or cart while it is in either an operative or stowed state. Unlike all other portable cranes that were found in prior art either singly or in combination, the present invention requires no assembly or disassembly between uses. |
| US08844735B1 |
Display rack
A display rack mountable on a shelf of a store for showcasing first and second display boxes and wound flexible tubing. The display rack comprises front and rear support members. The display rack further comprises first, second, and third open sidewall support members each having a first end engaged with the front support member and a second end engaged with the rear support member. The display rack further comprises a first stall formed between the first and second open sidewall support members. The first stall is adapted to receive the first display box. The display rack further comprises a second stall formed between the second and third open sidewall support members. The second stall is adapted to receive the second display box. The front and rear support members support the front and rear portions of the first and second display boxes, respectively. |
| US08844734B2 |
Compact portable auger rack for single-operator function
A portable auger rack is disclosed, adapted to allow a single operator to transport a plurality of augers and an auger drive unit, as well as to allow a single operator to connect the drive unit and augers unassisted to a skid-steer, Bobcat®, or other variation of track equipment. |
| US08844732B2 |
Cassette tray and carrier module
A cassette tray is provided, which includes a bottom plate and two holding members. The bottom plate includes a plurality of positioning holes, wherein the positioning holes are arranged in rows along a first direction, and the rows are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the holding members is selectively connected to the positioning holes in one of the rows and mounted on the bottom plate in a detachable manner, and a circuit board is received between the two holding members. |
| US08844727B2 |
Compact package for a pallet display
A package that may be constructed into a point of purchase display includes a plurality of bottom uprights set in a tray, and a plurality of top uprights that are kept in folded form in a space between the bottom uprights. The top uprights are assembled and placed on top of the bottom uprights to form a completed display. The bottom uprights may contain shelves with product stocked thereon, and the space between the bottom uprights may contain product to be stocked on the top uprights after the top uprights are assembled on top of the bottom uprights. The top uprights may be assembled and placed on top of the bottom uprights by a retailer or other end user without requiring glue or fasteners. |
| US08844725B2 |
Test strip container with strip retainer and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof
A test strip container with an insert comprising a channel and a retaining member and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The container includes a housing, an insert, a lid, and at least one retaining member in at least one channel. The at least one retaining member releasably retains a plurality of test strips in the at least one channel. |
| US08844724B2 |
System and method for distributing medicine
A device having a compartment with cavities disposed on opposite sides, each cavity disposed for receiving at least one pill case. The pill cases are disposed on mounts in the cavity using pressure to hold in place. A drawer is disposed in a cavity opening on a top surface. The device is help upright by a support structure to allow a user to access pill cases from each side of the device. The pill cases may be disposed between rails. An indicator may be attached to the rails thus allowing a user to indicate which pill cases, or compartments in pill cases do not have an adequate supply medicine. |
| US08844722B2 |
Medication container with Fresnel lens
A medication container with a Fresnel lens formed on its surface is described. The Fresnel lens provides a magnified view of the medication content of the container so that a user such as a pharmacist or a patient can accurately determine the medication content without opening the container. In one embodiment, the medication container is generally cylindrical in shape and a Fresnel lens is formed on the bottom of the container. In other embodiments, the Fresnel lens is formed on the cap of a middle component located between the cap and the body of the container. |
| US08844720B2 |
Biodegradable novelty package
Biodegradable novelty packages, which can take the shape of eggs (i.e., ellipsoids), for example, are useful for containing small toys, candy or the like. Such small toys, candy and the like are often hidden in petroleum-based plastic eggs for children's amusement. Biodegradable novelty packages as described herein are formed of a biodegradable resin, such as a biodegradable thermoplastic. |
| US08844718B2 |
Bottle shipment packaging and method
A bottle packaging for shipment includes a bottom tray, and a top tray made of molded pulp fiber, such as newspaper pulp, and a cardboard partition support structure disposed between the trays. Cavities formed in the bottom and top trays are arranged to engage both ends of a bottle and include crushable elements that can axially engage each bottle. The support partition may be made of corrugated cardboard material and be arranged such that the cardboard flutes provide support for loads imparted to the sides of the carton when the carton is laying on its side. The partition forms a void surrounding each bottle in the area of its labels. In this way, structural support and cushioning can be provided to the packaged bottles from all directions. |
| US08844717B1 |
Collapsible upright tool caddy system
A collapsible upright tool caddy system for toting and storing tools and job site equipment features a first tool caddy panel with a first panel stiff pocket located on a first panel front surface. A closed loop first handle is located on a first tool caddy panel top edge. The system features a second tool caddy panel with a second panel stiff pocket located on a second panel front surface. A closed loop second handle is located on a second tool caddy panel top edge. The first tool caddy panel top edge is pivotally located on the second tool caddy panel top edge and secured via a joining panel enveloping the first tool caddy panel and the second tool caddy panel at the first tool caddy panel top edge and the second tool caddy panel top edge via a joining panel channel. |
| US08844716B2 |
Cap assembly having storage chamber for secondary material with movable working member
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient, which is adapted to a mouth of a container, comprising: a body having a mouth; a chamber part having a storage space for secondary ingredient in the body and a hole formed at the lower end thereof; said chamber part is sealed by a movable working member and is opened when the movable working member is removed from the hole upon removing the cap so that the secondary ingredient may be mixed with the first ingredient in the container, said the movable working member being adapted to maintain the opened hole, after moving to open the hole, thereby effectively mixing of the different ingredients. |
| US08844714B2 |
Fuel and chemical containers with vapor filtration
The present invention provides a chemical container or system for storing and dispensing chemicals, and in particular liquid chemicals such as fuels and the like. The chemical container has a first container portion for storing the chemical itself, and a second container portion with a vapor filter for receiving, containing, and filtering or adsorbing gases or vapors that are associated with the chemical and which may be vented from the first container portion. This dual-chamber system avoids buildup of excessive vapor pressures inside of the containers, but filters any vented gases so that noxious or undesirable vapors are not emitted into the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the second container portion covers only a portion of the first container portion, while in other embodiments, a second container completely surrounds a first container. |
| US08844705B2 |
Cash box system for a vending machine
A cash box system with a cash container for receiving cash is described. The cash container has an inlet opening which can be closed by a cover and a locking mechanism having a locked state in which the cover is locked in a position closing the inlet opening, and a release state in which the cover is unlocked and can be brought in a position to release the inlet opening. The locking mechanism is configured such that it is forcibly transferred from the locked state to the release state when the cash container is emptied. The cash box system is preferably for a vending machine in which the cash container is inserted. |
| US08844704B2 |
Money item dispensing apparatus
The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus. |
| US08844699B2 |
Clutch assembly with wear compensation
A clutch assembly, particularly for a friction clutch of a motor vehicle, with at least one clutch housing in which is arranged a diaphragm spring that acts on a pressure plate and is secured to the clutch housing by a holding ring with retaining tabs distributed over a circumference at a distance axially from the holding ring. The retaining tabs define an axial stop. A spring element is arranged between two adjacent structural component parts of the clutch assembly that are arranged between the holding ring and the axial stop of the retaining tabs that exerts an axial spring force on the adjacent structural component parts. The spring element is arranged on at least one retaining tab and has at least two edge-side support regions that extend in direction of the adjacent retaining tabs and at least partially contact one structural component part and at least one axial raised portion arranged between the support regions that at least partially contacts the other structural component part. |
| US08844695B2 |
Carrying fluid to balance dams in a servo piston support
A hydraulic servo assembly includes a clutch support formed with first and second cylinders, spaced mutually and spaced from a longitudinal axis, first and second balance volumes, and a passage formed in the support for carrying fluid from a fluid source into the balance volumes. |
| US08844694B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical-systems based hydraulic control system for a dry dual clutch transmission
A dry dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the dry dual clutch transmission, an on/off solenoid, a line pressure control valve or a synchronizing shift fork. |
| US08844686B2 |
Friction element
The invention relates to a method of producing a friction element comprising a friction lining (1) made from sintered material, which is applied to a support (2), and at least two recesses (4) are provided in the support (2), each for accommodating a connecting element for fitting the support (2) with the friction lining (1) on a supporting element (3). A cut-out (A, A1, A2) is provided in the friction lining (1) which surrounds at least two regions (B1 . . . B4) spaced apart from one another in which the at least two recesses (4) of the support (2) for accommodating the connecting elements are disposed. The invention further relates to the friction lining (1) itself. |
| US08844685B2 |
Brake disk
Disclosed is a brake disk. The brake disk includes a friction part having a coupling aperture within a center thereof and a plurality of recessed portions repeatedly formed at a predetermined interval along an inner circumference of the coupling aperture, in which bevels protrude from inner surfaces of the recessed portions, respectively. The bevels are tapered along upper and lower sides thereof toward protruding centers. The brake disk also includes a hub having a plurality of protrusions inserted into and attached to the recessed portions when coupled to and received in the coupling aperture of the friction part via a cast-bonding method, along a circumference thereof. |
| US08844684B2 |
Disc brake
A disc brake provided with a guide spring capable of preventing a vibration of a pad plate having a friction pad mounted thereon, and capable of separating the friction pad from a disc in a rapid manner after a braking operation is finished, the disc brake including a disc rotating together with a wheel of a vehicle, two pad plates disposed at both lateral sides of the disc, respectively, to perform a braking by pressing both lateral side surfaces of the disc and each having a friction pad, a caliper housing and a piston that are configured to press the pad plate, and a guide spring enabling the pad plates to operate as an integral body and absorb shock. |
| US08844680B2 |
Lubrication system with integrated electronics
A lubrication system for a utility vehicle with a lubricating unit having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, and a distributor attached thereto to which supply lines to a plurality of lubrication points can be attached, and comprising a control module having at least two lubrication programs stored therein, wherein the pump initiates an ejection of grease in a cycle predetermined by the respective lubrication program. The object of the invention is to improve upon a lubrication system such that a change between lubrication programs and optionally the execution of an intermediate lubrication using an automatic lubrication system is possible during driving operations independent of the presence of a higher level on-board electronics system. The object is accomplished in that the lubricating unit is connected directly to an input and display device disposed in the vehicle or at other accessible places on the vehicle, the input and display device used to switch between lubrication programs and to initiate an intermediate lubrication. |
| US08844677B1 |
Expandable and collapsible platform system
An expandable and collapsible platform system for providing a portable elevated platform for a user has a generally “A” shaped platform support member. A first vertical leg is attached to a second vertical leg via a top base and a plurality of fixed horizontal rungs. The fixed horizontal rungs incrementally increase in width from top to bottom. The first vertical leg has a first vertical leg extension and the second vertical leg has a second vertical leg extension. A horizontal beam has an engagement component for interfacing with a stationary vertical support surface with a hinge mounted to a top base. A planar flooring member is located on a top base top surface and a horizontal beam top surface. |
| US08844672B2 |
Two-stroke engine comprising a muffler
The invention relates to a two-stroke engine for an engine-driven tool, including a muffler, especially for a manually operated engine-driven tool such as a maintenance device for gardens or green spaces, for a hand-held tool such as a chain saw, a hand-held circular saw or an angle grinder or for a small motorcycle, a boat engine and the like, wherein the flow channel between the muffler inlet and the first chamber is formed so as to promote flow such that the exhaust gas entering the muffler inlet mainly enters the first chamber due to its inertia and once the first chamber is full flows back again. The counterpressure of the exhaust gas is produced at a point in time in which the piston releases the outlet and the fuel-air mixture at least for its most part has entered the combustion chamber through the at least one transfer passage. |
| US08844670B2 |
Electric power steering device
An electric power steering device which, when an abnormality occurs in one phase of a three-phase brushless motor, permits continuous driving of the motor using the remaining two phases without deteriorating the steering feeling. When a power distribution abnormality of a drive system of one phase of respective phase coils has been detected by an abnormality detection section, an abnormal-time phase current instruction value for using the remaining two phase coils is calculated based on a steering assist electric current instruction value, and an electric motor is driven based on that abnormal-time phase current instruction value. At that time, when an electrical angle falls within an acceleration region, the abnormal-time phase current instruction value is increased or decreased for correction in order to accelerate rotation of the three-phase brushless motor in a steering direction. |
| US08844668B2 |
Combined heat shield and wire-holding structure for a saddle-type vehicle
A combined heat shield and wire-holding structure for a saddle-type vehicle, where the vehicle includes a pair of right and left frame sections extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a fuel tank disposed above the vehicle body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure comprises a heat shield, which is disposed below the fuel tank and which extends between the right and left body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure includes a wire-holding portion which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside of the vehicle body frame, and the wire-holding portion holds a wiring harness routed through an inside portion of the vehicle. |
| US08844662B2 |
Fuel system and vehicle
The present invention is to provide a fuel system and a vehicle which can improve mountability and assembly ease of parts. A fuel system comprises a fuel storage source; a filling line adapted to connect the fuel storage source to a filling port; a supply line adapted to connect the fuel storage source to a fuel destination; a pressure reducing valve installed in the supply line; a first pressure sensor adapted to detect primary or secondary pressure of the pressure reducing valve; and an assembly which is an integration of the pressure reducing valve and the first pressure sensor. The assembly functions as a pipe fitting inserted in the supply line and has a line branch point for the supply line. |
| US08844653B2 |
Continuous circulating sub for drill strings
A system and method for maintaining continuous flow through a drill string during drill pipe connection includes establishing drilling fluid flow axially through the length of a tubular sub attached to the top of a drill string. The sub is then engaged with a collar disposed at least partially around the perimeter of the sub so as to define an exterior flow path along the exterior of the sub. Radial flow is then initiated into the sub through said collar and along said exterior flow path. Axial flow is then terminated through the length of the tubular sub while maintaining radial flow into the sub. A pipe joint is then attached to the top of the tubular sub, axial flow is reestablished through the length of the tubular sub, radial flow is terminated into the sub, and the collar is disengaged from the sub. |
| US08844650B2 |
Drilling mud closed loop system, method, process and apparatus for reclamation of drilling mud
The present invention is generally directed to a closed loop apparatus, system, process or method adapted for processing drilling mud used in a down hole well drilling process such that any undesirable particulate such as cuttings will be substantially, if not completely separated from the dirty mud while at the same time allowing the recycled drilling mud to be continuously circulated with the drilling mud. In one embodiment, the present invention includes the following components, all in fluid or mud flow communication with one another and with an adjacent drilling rig: at least one clean mud mixing tank, at least one pump system, at least one dirty mud shakers, at least one optional conveyor belt system, at least one recycled mud reclamation tank and one or more filtering centrifugal pumps or centrifuge systems. |
| US08844649B2 |
System and method for steering in a downhole environment using vibration modulation
A system and method are provided for using controlled vibrations to bias a drilling direction of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. In one example, the system includes a movement mechanism and a vibration control mechanism. The movement mechanism is configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to repeatedly impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats. The vibration control mechanism is configured to influence a drilling direction in which the BHA is drilling by controlling an amplitude of the vibration beats to regulate an impact force between the first surface and the second surface, where the amplitude is controlled based on directional information corresponding to the BHA. |
| US08844648B2 |
System and method for EM ranging in oil-based mud
Nearby conductors such as pipes, well casing, etc., are detectable from within a borehole filled with an oil-based fluid. At least some method embodiments provide a current flow between axially-spaced conductive bridges on a drillstring. The current flow disperses into the surrounding formation and causes a secondary current flow in the nearby conductor. The magnetic field from the secondary current flow can be detected using one or more azimuthally-sensitive antennas. Direction and distance estimates are obtainable from the azimuthally-sensitive measurements, and can be used as the basis for steering the drillstring relative to the distant conductor. Possible techniques for providing current flow in the drillstring include imposing a voltage across an insulated gap or using a toroid around the drillstring to induce the current flow. |
| US08844643B2 |
Fireproof systems with local heat shields for aircraft engines
A local fire shield is provided for protecting an attachment point of a fireproof system in an engine during a fire event. The local fire shield includes a mounting plate mounted on the attachment point; and a cover coupled to the mounting plate for covering the attachment point during the fire event. |
| US08844630B2 |
Adjustable engagement system for tool removal and method of use
A retrieval tool and method for retrieving a remote tool with a threaded connection from a remote location. The retrieval tool includes a rotational drive member which rotates an attachment sub having a complimentary threaded portion. An articulated shaft assembly permits the attachment sub to move laterally and angularly with respect to the axis of the rotational drive member. A fluid conduit supplies fluid pressure for releasing the remote tool. |
| US08844629B2 |
Method of fracturing using alkaliphile derived enzyme breaker
Methods and compositions of fracturing formations are provided. The fracturing fluid includes an enzyme breaker that decreases the viscosity of the fracturing fluid over time. The enzyme breaker can be used in environments having a pH value ranging from about 7 to about 12. |
| US08844627B2 |
Intelligent well system and method
An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines. |
| US08844626B1 |
Method and apparatus for autonomous oil and gas well down-hole pump leakage testing
A method for autonomous testing of traveling valve assembly leakage and standing valve leakage for an oil or gas rod pumped well installation, and for autonomous adjustment of one or more pump operation characteristics based upon the autonomous test results. Traveling valve assembly leakage testing includes autonomous stopping and holding of the polished rod during an upstroke, autonomous determination of a rate of change in the polished rod load, and autonomous determination of a traveling valve leakage factor. Standing valve leakage testing includes autonomous stopping and holding of the polished rod stationary during a down stroke after weight transfer, autonomous determination of a rate of change in the polished rod load, and autonomous determination of a standing valve leakage factor. |
| US08844621B2 |
Hydraulic well packer
A retrievable well packer for downhole operations, comprising an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel connected through a quick threaded connection, a hydraulic actuating assembly for downwardly moving under fluid pressure, a packing assembly for sealing against the well, first coupling mechanism between the upper mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly and second coupling mechanism between the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly, with the second coupling mechanism connecting the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly against rotation but permitting relative axial movement. |
| US08844618B2 |
Smart drop-off tool and hang-off tool for a logging string
A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position. |
| US08844616B2 |
Method for withdrawal and insertion of a drill pipe string in a borehole and also a device for use when practicing the method
A device for tripping, in which, at a drill-floor opening which is arranged to receive a pipe string, two or more cooperating pipe-handling units are arranged, each, independently of the other(s) or in cooperation with the other(s), being arranged to releasably hold the pipe string fixed and to move the pipe string in its axial direction, and also to move a pipe section in the axial direction of the pipe string and rotate the pipe section around the axis of the pipe string. |
| US08844614B2 |
Tangential perforation system
A method to separate a gas phase from a liquid phase in a subterranean formation that includes positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore, operating the downhole tool to form perforations in the subterranean formation in a manner that creates cyclonic motion in fluids that exit the subterranean formation and enter the wellbore through the perforations, the fluid having a gas phase and a liquid phase, and producing the liquid phase to the surface, whereby the liquid phase is substantially devoid of the gas phase as a result of the cyclonic motion. |
| US08844613B2 |
Shear blade and method of attachment to shear rams
A shear blade attached to a ram block. At least one bolt passage is formed at an angle at the top of the ram block. A bolt passage is formed in the shear blade that corresponds with the bolt passage on the tam block. A bolt introduced into the bolt passage of the ram block and also the bolt passage in the shear blade attaches the shear blade to the ram block. By using this technique for attaching the shear blade to the ram block, surface area of a front face of the shear blade is not further reduced. Therefore, the strength of the shear blade is increased. |
| US08844606B2 |
Method and apparatus for machining molding elements for foundry casting operations
A method for machining a sand molding element, comprising: inserting at least one hollow center body having an internal cavity in a predetermined position in a casting flask; filling the internal cavity of the hollow center body with unbonded sand; filling the casting flask with bonded sand to obtain a sand block; machining a mold cavity in the sand block; and emptying the internal cavity from the unbounded sand. There is also provided a method for machining a molding core from a sand block, comprising: providing a core base member having a concave upper surface; forming a sand block on the core base member with a lower surface of the sand block resting on the concave upper surface; and machining the molding core into the sand block, the molding core having a convex lower surface complementary to the concave upper surface of the core base member. |
| US08844603B1 |
Sealed slatted blind
A window covering comprises slats suspended from a tilt cord such that the tilt cord may rotate the slats between an open position and a closed position. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position. A mechanism such as a spring or a magnet applies a closing force to the slats in the closed position separate from the tilt cord where the closing force moves the slats toward one another. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position. |
| US08844602B2 |
Method of processing terminus of optical fiber and terminus processing tool
Provides a method and a terminus processing tool whereby terminus processing for the purpose of connection to another optical fiber may be carried out simply. The terminus processing method entails cutting an optical fiber 20 composed of a glass fiber 21 and a coating 24; and with the optical fiber 20 positioned relative to a terminus processing tool that is disposed contacting the coating at the end surface of the optical fiber 20 and that has a protruded-into space for accommodating inward protrusion of the glass fiber 21, and with the cut end surface of the glass fiber 21 facing the protruded-into space, pushing the optical fiber 20 to thereby strip the coating 24 from the glass fiber 21. |
| US08844601B2 |
Vacuum pad and labeling machine
The invention relates to a vacuum pad for use on vacuum drums (8) of labeling machines for labeling bottles or like containers (2) with labels (3), having a plurality of vacuum openings (10) provided at least on a partial area (21, 21a) of the vacuum pad (9, 9a) and formed by channels (37, 38) that can have a vacuum applied thereto in the at least one partial area (21, 21a), characterized in that the vacuum pad (9, 9a) is manufactured of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, at least in the partial area (21, 21a) comprising the vacuum openings and the channels (37, 38). |
| US08844600B2 |
Rotary lamination apparatus
A rotary lamination apparatus has a rotary lamination turntable rotational about a vertical axis. A plurality of workpieces are rotated and laminated on the turntable. The turntable includes a support member that is arranged on an upper surface of the turntable, a plurality of rolling bodies mounted on the upper surface of the turntable, and a plurality of urging members for urging the rolling bodies upward. The support member is formed of material having a high friction coefficient. The rolling bodies are selectively movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the upper position, at least a portion of each of the rolling bodies is located above the upper surface of the support member. In the lower position, each rolling body is located below the upper surface of the support member. In the upper position, the rolling bodies support the workpieces movably in a lateral direction. |
| US08844591B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire including a closed sipe in a land portion formed in a tread surface, provided with at least three cuts extending in a radiation direction from an imaginary axis that extends in a depth direction of the land portion, and that terminate in the land portion. A widened portion where a width of a cut is locally increased is formed at at least one position of an intermediate region from the imaginary axis to a terminating portion of the cuts. |
| US08844588B2 |
Multi-functional golf putter head cover
A head cover for a golf club includes a first surface having a removable cleaning pad thereon, and a second surface on which at least one golf accessory constructed of a ferrous metal is removably attached thereto. The second surface is part of a tri-layer construction with magnets forming the second middle layer so as to so retain the golf accessory thereon. The cleaning pad is removed by the golfer from the first surface and includes a scrubbing area to remove grit and/or debris from one of a golf ball and a golf club face. |
| US08844583B2 |
Refuel valve assembly and method for refuelling an aircraft
The invention provides a refuel valve assembly 240 for refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft, wherein the refuel valve assembly 240 comprises an inlet for receiving fuel from an orifice 215 in a structure 213 of the aircraft, a first 251a and a second outlet 251b for delivering fuel from behind the structure to the first 211a and second 211b fuel tanks, and a refuel control apparatus for controlling fuel flow to the first and second outlets; wherein the refuel control apparatus includes a controllable valve assembly, so that delivery of fuel through the first outlet to a first fuel tank can be controlled independently of delivery through the second outlet of fuel to a second fuel tank. The invention also provides a method of refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft. |
| US08844581B2 |
Closed structure parts, method and press forming apparatus for manufacturing the same
The number of sub-parts of a closed structure part and the number of steps for manufacturing the closed structure part can be reduced and, therefore, the closed structure part can be efficiently manufactured. In a hemming press step, a punch is further lowered, and a pair of flange portions is inserted into a slit clearance. Hemming prongs are bent and each of the hemming prongs sandwiches the flange portion. The flange portion, which is one of the two flange portions, is joined to the other flange portion. At the same time, a pair of press forming surfaces of the punch presses a metal plate and performs press-forming on a pair of shoulder portions of a blank into a predetermined shape. The flange portion can be fixed to the other flange portion using the hemming prongs. The pair of shoulder portions of the blank can be press-formed into the predetermined shape. |
| US08844574B2 |
Spiral mixer nozzle and method for mixing two or more fluids and process for manufacturing isocyanates
An apparatus for mixing at least first and second fluid, comprising: (a) a first nozzle comprising a first flow duct defining a first flow chamber, and having a first nozzle tip having a first discharge opening; and (b) a second nozzle comprising a second flow duct defining a second flow chamber, and having a second nozzle tip having a second discharge opening; wherein said first flow duct and said second flow duct are spirally wrapped each over the other. The invention also provides a process for mixing fluids, especially adapted for the production of isocyanates, and that is notably carried out in the apparatus of the invention. |
| US08844569B2 |
Electric three-way valve
An electric three-way valve comprises: an input port, a plurality of output ports and a valve core which rotates in a sliding manner in the valve seat by a driving force of a motor unit, wherein the valve core selectively opens or closes the plurality of output ports, the motor unit is attached as a separated constituent to an outside of an upper end surface of a cylindrical casing introducing refrigerant, the valve core is driven by a gear unit which transmits the driving force of the motor unit and is disposed inside the cylindrical casing, the cylindrical casing includes one opening portion and a side wall with an apex portion, a housing which is fixed to a cylindrical wall portion of the apex portion and is equipped with the motor unit is uprightly formed in the other opening portion, and the housing is attached to the cylindrical casing. |
| US08844568B2 |
Multi-channel stepped motor operated gas adjusting valve
A multi-channel stepped motor operated gas adjusting valve includes a valve shell, a reduction motor, a locator, a gas flow distributor and a locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. The gas flow distributor has a disk which is tightly attached to a hard hollow washer. An inner wall of the valve shell is provided with locating ends corresponding to a group of locating nodes to form the locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. Each locating node is placed corresponding to a gas flow distribution groove of the same sequence. The inner wall of the valve shell is also provided with stopping blocks at a beginning state and an ending state of the locator. The valve enables accurate control by utilizing an action position feedback signal and a control circuit, and enables multi-position stepped adjustment on gas flow rate upon multi-channel gas passages simultaneously. The valve can independently cut the multi-channel gas passages. |
| US08844567B2 |
Manifold for refrigeration system
A manifold, for a refrigeration system, includes a body comprising a bore hole extending through the body, and a plurality of ports including a first process port for adding and removing refrigerant, and a first side port for mechanical connection thereto. The manifold also includes a first ball valve disposed in the body, between the first process port and the first side port. The first ball valve includes a ball recess aligned with the bore hole through the body, and a ball port extending generally transverse to the ball recess and in fluid connection therewith. The ball port includes a narrow end and wider end. The first ball valve is moveable between an open position in which the ball port is aligned with the first side port and the first side port is in fluid connection with the bore hole through the body, and a closed position in which the ball port is out of alignment with the first side port. |
| US08844564B2 |
Multi-mode hands free automatic faucet
A faucet includes a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. |
| US08844562B2 |
Access cover in backflow prevention device
A backflow prevention device including an opening in the housing configured to provide a user with access to the upstream check valve and the downstream check valve. The backflow prevention device further includes a cover configured to cover the entirety of the opening. The cover includes a portion of a lateral surface of a right cylinder. The backflow prevention device additionally includes a seal configured to sealingly engage the cover and the housing along the perimeter of the cover. |
| US08844556B2 |
Connector and infusion tube set
A connector includes an inlet port into which liquid is poured and which has a first flow path for the liquid, a liquid discharge port to which a tube body is connectable and which has a second flow path discharging liquid from the first flow path to the connected tube body, a gas discharge which discharges air in the first flow path, and a blocking device which, when the liquid is poured in the first flow path, temporarily stops the liquid flow. Use of the connector involves sealing an opening section of the liquid discharge port, pouring liquid in the inlet port, causing air in the first flow path to be discharged, temporarily stopping the flow of the liquid in the first flow path, unsealing the opening section of the liquid discharge port, connecting the tube body to the liquid discharge port, and resuming flow of the liquid. |
| US08844555B2 |
CO2 system pressure control valve
An apparatus and method for filling a CO2 system that provides carbonation and delivery of beverages to a user is provided together with a control valve for performing this method. The steps include: attaching a hose and pumping liquid carbon dioxide through an inlet fitting housed in a control valve assembly; causing the translation of a valve stem to isolate a gas port and a tank and a user port and directing the liquid carbon dioxide to a liquid port and a tank; and stopping the pumping of the liquid carbon dioxide upon reaching a pre-determined pressure and removing the hose allowing the translation of the valve stem to close the valve assembly from the atmosphere and allowing the liquid to boil to a gas to provide delivery and carbonation to the beverage. |
| US08844554B2 |
Valve mechanism opened in response to extremely high temperature
A valve mechanism which opens in response to a high temperature includes a stopper positionable at a closed position that blocks the flow of water in a cylindrical body attached to a water supply pipe. A stopper support permits the stopper to be movable from the closed position to an open position, wherein pressure of the water in the supply pipe tends to move the stopper from the closed position to the open position. A locking unit is positionable to lock the support in a position wherein the stopper blocks the channel, and has an inclined surface inclined obliquely to the water flow direction. A heat sensitive section blocks movement of the locking unit from the locking position and includes a heat sensitive portion responsive to the temperature of an environment of the valve mechanism. |
| US08844553B2 |
Passive boundary layer bleed system for nacelle inlet airflow control
A gas turbine engine system includes a nacelle having a pressure side and a suction side. A passage extends between the pressure side and the suction side that permits airflow from the pressure side to the suction side. The passage receives turbulent airflow over the nacelle to produce a laminar airflow over the nacelle aft of the passage to thereby reduce drag on the nacelle. |
| US08844551B2 |
Leak detection logic for closed-volume system
A method for detecting a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a closed-loop with a pump having a reservoir and that is driven by an electric motor. The method also comprises sensing a pressure in the closed-loop, sensing current draw by the motor and sensing fluid level in the reservoir. The method further comprises determining a presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon two of the sensed signals using a first leak detection logic, and determining the presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon at least one of the sensed signals using a second leak detection logic. |
| US08844542B2 |
Lock-in cosmetic accessory sleeve apparatus having engageable fastener and/or pressure means
The present invention relates generally to a cosmetic apparatus. More particularly, the invention encompasses an accessory sleeve for a cosmetic item. The present invention is also directed to a novel lock-in cosmetic accessory sleeve. The accessory sleeve has a first opening to securely and releaseably accommodate a first cosmetic container, and a second opening to securely and releaseably accommodate a second cosmetic container. Both the accessory sleeve and the containers have releaseable engagement means to securely hold each to the other. The lock-in cosmetic accessory sleeve has at least one partitioning wall having at least one protrusion having at least one spring means to exert pressure on one end of the cosmetic container. The cosmetic container preferably has at least two chambers, wherein the first chamber accommodates cosmetic contents, while the second chamber is used to accommodate at least one engageable fastener. |
| US08844540B2 |
Banded papers, smoking articles and methods
Wrapper for cigarette manufacture includes transversely extending band regions applied by a printing technique, such as gravure printing. The band regions comprise starch, an anti-wrinkling agent such as 1,2 propylene glycol or glycerin, and optionally calcium carbonate. Any suitable printing technique can be used to apply the aqueous solution to the banded regions. The pattern of banded regions may be bands, stripes, two-dimensional arrays, undulated regions, and the like along and/or around the tobacco rod. The pattern can be applied in one or more layers. The pattern may be configured so that when a smoking article is placed on a substrate, at least two longitudinal locations along the length of the tobacco rod have film-forming compound located only on sides of the smoking article not in contact with the substrate. |
| US08844535B2 |
Multiple cannula systems and methods
The preferred embodiments provide, e.g., a high quality flexible tracheostomy tube assembly including an outer tracheostomy cannula and a disposable, flexible inner cannula. In preferred embodiments, the product provides a single patient use, sterile device. |
| US08844534B2 |
Tracheal tube with lumen for tracheal pressure measurement and technique for using the same
According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may include a pressure monitoring lumen configured to provide information related to the pressure in the tracheal space. By measuring pressure in the lumen, a tracheal pressure may be estimated. The pressure monitoring lumen may be in fluid communication with a pressure transducer that provides pressure measurements. An opening of the lumen may be covered with a distal shoulder of an inflatable cuff. |
| US08844533B2 |
Ventilation mask with integrated piloted exhalation valve
A mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein. |
| US08844531B2 |
System, method and respiration appliance for supporting the airway of a subject
A respiration appliance, system, and method for supporting the airway of a subject as the subject breathes. The flow of gas from the lungs of the subject during exhalation is leveraged to provide support to the airway. In particular, a body that encloses one or more external orifices of the subject provides a resistance differential between inhaled gas flows and exhaled gas flows that supports the subject's airway. |
| US08844525B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and treating heart failure
Devices and systems provide methods of detecting a heart failure condition of a patient that may be based on one or more respiratory parameters of a patient. In an example embodiment, a monitoring device determines one or more heart failure condition indicators based on a measure of the patient respiratory airflow and/or a measure of treatment pressure. Respiratory parameters such as respiration rate, hypopneas, apneas, Cheyne-Stokes breathing patterns or apnea-hypopnea counts may be compared to thresholds that are selected to represent a change in the condition of a heart failure patient such as an onset of a decompensation event. Results of the comparisons may trigger a pressure treatment change and/or one or more warnings or messages to notify a patient or physician of a pending change to the patient's heart failure condition so that the patient may more immediately seek medical attention to treat the heart failure condition. |
| US08844523B2 |
Device for dispensing fluid product
A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (10) provided with a dispenser orifice (15), said device further comprising: an elongate flexible strip (20) supporting a plurality of reservoirs (21) each containing a dose of fluid; reservoir-opening means (80) for opening a respective reservoir on each actuation; first displacement means (30) for causing said flexible strip (20) to advance before and/or during and/or after each actuation, so as to bring a full reservoir into register with said reservoir-opening means; and second displacement means (50) for displacing a full reservoir (21) against said opening means (80) each time the device is actuated, said device including positioning means (300) that are adapted to position the full reservoir accurately relative to the reservoir-opening means (80) when it is displaced thereagainst, so as to guarantee that opening is predetermined and reproducible on each actuation. |
| US08844521B2 |
Air/oxygen ventilator system and method
Provided is a portable ventilator system, including a ventilator supply system having a ventilator mask, an air/oxygen source and an air/oxygen regulator system, and including a communications device that, during use, automatically contacts an emergency response entity in response to activation of the portable ventilator system. Also provided is a ventilator system that includes at least one ventilator mask sized to fit upon a selected range of sizes of human faces, a ventilator supply system having an air/oxygen source and an air/oxygen regulator system, and an air/oxygen flow regulation valve having an inlet, an inlet/outlet in communication with a ventilator mask coupled to the ventilator supply system, and an outlet in communication with a surrounding atmosphere. During use, air/oxygen flows through the inlet and the inlet/outlet to facilitate ventilation of a human, and air/oxygen flows through the inlet/outlet and the outlet to facilitate exhalation by a human to the surrounding atmosphere. Further, during use, one of the ventilator masks is coupled to the ventilator supply system to provide air/oxygen to a human, and the air/oxygen regulator system regulates air/oxygen flow parameters as a function of a size of the ventilator mask coupled to the ventilator supply system. |
| US08844517B2 |
Solar hot water and recovery system
A solar hot water and recovery system includes a water loop, a refrigerant loop and a solar loop. Cross-heat exchange occurs in a first heat exchanger between the heat transfer mediums of the refrigerant loop and the solar loop to produce a super-heated fluid stream which is returned to the air conditioning or heat pump unit. Cross-heat exchange also takes place in a second heat exchanger between the now-lower temperature heat transfer medium of the solar loop and the water loop to produce a heated water stream. The main objective of the system is to superheat refrigerant and use all excess heat for heating the water. The heat exchangers are preferably housed in the same heat recovery unit and arranged so that the refrigerant heat exchange area is before the water heat exchange area, thereby maximizing solar potential. |
| US08844511B2 |
Method for slicing a multiplicity of wafers from a crystal composed of semiconductor material
A method for slicing a plurality of wafers from a crystal includes providing a crystal of semiconductor material having a longitudinal axis, a cross section and at least one pulling edge. The crystal is fixed on a table and guided through a wire gang defined by sawing wire so as to form the wafers. The guiding is provided by a relative movement between the table and the wire gang such that entry sawing or exit sawing using the sawing wire occurs in a vicinity of the at least one pulling edge of the crystal. |
| US08844509B2 |
Cam blade
The apparatus disclosed begins exterior of archery bow stave cam slot and traverses a generally elliptically ovidly path convexed and roughly shaped paralleling exterior perimeter edge movement of an elliptically ovid cam module, and a portion of the apparatus is formed to terminate at a point on cam module that is appropriate to provide damage and abrasive protection to cam module and power and buss cable without interference of the aforementioned. Said apparatus is shaped cross sectionally in a manner that is small, light weight and does not interfere with the normal operation of an archery bow. |
| US08844507B2 |
PCV system for internal combustion engine
A PCV system for an internal combustion engine that can suppress occurrence of preignition due to oil inflow into a cylinder is provided. A path switching valve is controlled so that blowby gas flows via a bypass passage, in a preig occurrence region. Thereby, path pressure loss increases, a PCV flow rate is decreased, and blowby gas can be passed through a separator with a high collection efficiency. As a result, an oil takeaway amount can be reduced, and occurrence of preignition due to cylinder oil inflow can be suppressed. |
| US08844502B2 |
Fuel rail mount
An internal combustion engine direct injection fuel injector system includes a fuel rail which is welded to a fuel rail bracket. A fuel rail mounting sleeve has a flange and is bolted to the engine cylinder head. The bracket fits around the flange and is held in place by a steel washer and a pair of stepped isolator washers which are positioned in pockets formed on either side of the bracket. The isolator washers serve as springs which form a shock absorber between the bracket and cylinder head. Compression forces on the bracket and isolator washers are controlled by bolt tension. |
| US08844492B2 |
Air intake system for internal combustion engine
An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke. |
| US08844488B2 |
Lubrication structure for rocker arm
A lubrication structure for a rocker arm includes a lash adjuster mounted in an accommodating portion located in an end of the rocker arm and a pushrod abutting against a lower end of the lash adjuster. The rocker arm is formed with an arm-inside oil supply passage for supplying lubrication oil to the lash adjuster. The lubrication oil guided into the accommodating portion is further guided through a through guide hole of the accommodating portion to an outer peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. The lubrication oil is further guided from an outer oil supply passage formed downwardly in the outer surface of the accommodating portion to the abutment between the lash adjuster and the pushrod. |
| US08844486B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
In a valve timing control apparatus, a supply oil passage, which supplies hydraulic oil to advancing chambers, is formed separately from a discharge oil passage, which discharges the hydraulic oil from the advancing chambers. A spool is configured to reciprocate in a sleeve to enable and disable communication between each corresponding two of an intake oil passage, the supply oil passage, the discharge passage, and a supply and discharge passage. An isolating member is fixed to one end portion of the spool and isolates an air chamber, which is formed between the one end portion of the spool and a bottom portion of the sleeve, from each of the oil passages. |
| US08844482B2 |
Camshaft with camshaft adjuster
A camshaft for actuating the gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The camshaft includes a camshaft tube, a hydraulic camshaft adjuster, a valve for controlling the hydraulic fluid supplied to the camshaft adjuster and an actuation device, arranged in the interior of the camshaft tube, for actuating the valve. The actuation device is secured against displacement in the axial direction. The camshaft is light-weight and functional elements in addition to the actuation device and optionally the valve can be integrated into the interior of the camshaft. It should furthermore be possible to arrange an oil or vacuum pump at the end of the camshaft opposite the camshaft adjuster, the pump being drivable by the camshaft. The actuation device is designed as an electromagnetic, piezoelectric or electrical actuator and is connected to the camshaft tube such that they rotate together. |
| US08844478B2 |
Modular unit composed of a cylinder sleeve and crankcase
A modular unit is composed of a cylinder sleeve and a crankcase for an internal combustion engine. The cylinder sleeve and the crankcase each have a face surface and a cooling water space that at least partly surrounds the cylinder sleeve and is open toward the face surfaces is configured between the cylinder sleeve and the crankcase. A holder ring is provided, which completely covers the cooling water space and at least partially covers the face surface of the cylinder sleeve. |
| US08844475B2 |
Water-cooled V-type engine, and motorcycle including same
A water-cooled V-type engine includes a first coolant passage for supplying a liquid coolant discharged from a water pump disposed proximate a first cylinder, to a water jacket of the first cylinder. The engine also includes a second coolant passage which is branched off from the first coolant passage, and which is provided for supplying coolant to a water jacket of a second cylinder. The engine design allows for a shortened coolant hose. The water pump may include an integral fluid conduit including a branching portion where said second coolant supply passage is branched from said first coolant supply passage, and a restricted portion proximate the branching portion. A motorcycle including a vehicle body frame is also described, where the water-cooled V-type engine is operatively attached to the vehicle body frame. |
| US08844469B2 |
Aquarium light fixture with hinge
A lighting apparatus that may be utilized with an aquarium having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of the aquarium for various purposes such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of panels; a joint that joins at least two adjacent panels together; and a lighting element disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that the lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium. |
| US08844467B1 |
Drinking valve for automatic water feeding systems for animals
A drinking valve for automatic water feeding systems for animals includes a valve stem that is responsive to licking at the outlet of the valve by an animal, to open and close a valve seat and thereby control flow of drinking water to the outlet of the valve. The valve seat is constructed with low-cost reliable arrangement including stationary but compressible elastomeric seal configuration. |
| US08844465B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects
An apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects. The apparatus comprises a drainable container for housing an egg laying medium for the insects; a filter operatively connected to the container for containing debris in the egg laying medium; and a selectively sealable catch basin located below the container for receiving the egg laying medium from the container when the container is drained. One or more outlets are provided on the catch basin for operatively releasing gas from the catch basin. The apparatus and method enhances the attractiveness of the artificial breeding pool to the gravid insects and helps control the local insect population. |
| US08844463B2 |
Pipe conditioning tool
A pipe conditioning tool comprising a drive unit to move the tool along a pipe and a work head rotatable about an axis of the pipe to condition a surface of the pipe, the drive unit includes a frame extending to opposite sides of the pipe, the frame having legs extending radially beyond the work head to provide support for the tool upon removal from said pipe. |
| US08844460B2 |
Pontoon boat wall and method of manufacture
A pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a deck supported on the pontoons. A wall assembly is anchored to the deck and extends generally upwardly therefrom to present an interior space for accommodating passengers. The wall assembly is composed of a plurality of wall segments, each including an open framework of extruded hollow beam members with an open area between the beam members. Each wall segment also includes at least one panel covering at least a portion of the open area, and the panel is secured by an adhesive along at least three of its edge regions to the beam members. |
| US08844456B2 |
Heave stabilized barge system for floatover topsides installation
The present invention increases the heave resistance rate of a barge system from wave motion, as the system is used to install a topsides to offshore structures. One or more heave plates can be coupled at a location below the water surface to one or more barges to change the period of motion of the barge(s) relative to the period of wave motion to better stabilize the barge(s) and resist the heave. A heave plate can be coupled between the barges, or on end(s) or side(s) of the barge(s). In at least another embodiment, each barge can have a heave plate and the heave plates can be releasably coupled to each other. Further, the heave plate can be rotated to an upward orientation during transportation of the topsides to the installation site to reduce drag, and then rotated to a submerged position during the installation of the topsides. |
| US08844454B2 |
Activation device for a path and time dependent motion of a thread cutting and lead-in stitching unit
The activation for a path and time related motion of a thread cutting and lead-in stitching unit (7) and the thread brake (25) occurs by a cam drive driven by the primary shaft (9) and a cam drum (75) arranged on the upper shaft (17). This way, an absolute synchronization of the elements of the thread cutting and lead-in stitching unit (7), the thread brake (25), and the hook as well as the needle is ensured. |
| US08844453B2 |
Sewing machine
A guide is mounted to a rotary member which is freely rotatable about the axis of a needle bar, and guides a sewing material to a needle drop position of the sewing needle. A cutter device is mounted to a side of the rotary member opposed to the guide in such a manner that the cutter device is rotatable together with the rotary member for cutting the sewing material, having been paid out from the guide, at a predetermined cutting position. A retention mechanism is incorporated in the cutter device for retaining an end portion of the sewing material, at a position closer to the guide than the predetermined cutting position and in interlocked relation to cutting, by the cutter device, of the sewing material. Thus, upon restart of sewing of the sewing material, the retention mechanism retains an end portion of the sewing material. |
| US08844452B2 |
Machine for embroidering an item
Machine (1) for embroidering a hat comprising a frame (5), a head (10) mounted to the frame and provided with upper embroidering members (15), a vertical column (25) having a lower end (26) fastened to the frame and a free upper end (27) provided with lower embroidering members, and a positioning device (50) comprising a support (70), removably housing the hat, and members (60) for moving the support with respect to the frame so as to make an embroidery on the hat, the positioning device being structured so that the support rotates around a first axis (I), orthogonal to an axis of development of the vertical column, and around a second axis (II), orthogonal to the first axis and to the axis of development, and intersecting the first axis in a center of rotation (C) vertically aligned with, and at a lower level than, a point in space (P). |
| US08844449B2 |
Tree mover system with airbags
A large tree mover system includes a trench formed around the circumference of the tree, and a plurality of elongate supports beneath the root ball of the tree. Two or more connecting beams positioned over the plurality of supports connect the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame. The plurality of inflatable airbags are positioned under the plurality of supports, and these or other airbags may be positioned under the supports to roll the root ball to a selected location. A method of moving large trees is also disclosed. |
| US08844447B2 |
Frame for railway truck
A frame for use with a railway truck may have a pivot housing, a first arm member extending outward from the pivot housing and having opposing distal ends, and a second arm member substantially identical to the first arm member and extending outward from the pivot housing opposite the first arm member. Each of the first and second arm members may have a generally planar upper plate, a generally planar lower plate, and plurality of webs vertically disposed between the generally planar upper and lower plates. An upper surface of the pivot housing may be generally co-planar with the generally planar upper plates of the first and second arm members. |
| US08844446B2 |
Cable transportation system and relative drive method
A cable transportation system has rails and a draw cable, both extending along a transportation path, a drive member for driving the draw cable; at least one vehicle, which moves along the transportation path and has wheels which roll along the rails, and a coupling device for connecting the vehicle to the draw cable, at least one passenger station where the vehicle is stopped and an electric machine located on the vehicle and driven by the wheels to generate electric power. |
| US08844441B2 |
High-rigidity adapter sleeve for printing cylinders
An adapter sleeve has an external layer for supporting a printing cylinder carrying data and/or images to be printed. The adapter sleeve has an internal layer defining a bore enabling the sleeve to be mounted onto a rotary mandrel of a printing machine. Each opposite extreme end of the adapter sleeve includes a rigid, load-bearing, radial spacer member disposed between the layers to provide rigidity and indeformability during the use of the sleeve with time. The inner surface of each of the extreme end radial spacer members is defined by rigid and non-deformable material of very low coefficients of dynamic and static friction. |
| US08844438B2 |
Screen printing apparatus and squeegee mechanism
A screen printing apparatus includes: a main squeegee that includes a pair of end portions in a width direction and prints, by sliding in a direction orthogonal to the width direction on an upper surface of a screen that is supplied with a paste-like material and on which a hole is formed, the paste-like material on an upper surface of a printing object provided on a lower surface side of the screen via the hole; and a pair of auxiliary squeegees each including a first end portion provided more on an outer side than the end portion in the width direction and a second end portion provided more on an inner side than the end portion in the width direction, the pair of auxiliary squeegees being tilted a predetermined angle with respect to the main squeegee on a rear side of the main squeegee in the sliding direction. |
| US08844436B2 |
Hydraulic press unit
A hydraulic press unit has a fixed part and a movable part. The movable part is moved relative to the fixed part by a hydraulic piston and is moved back into a starting position by a return spring. In addition, the return motion is actuatable as a function of a predetermined applied pressure by activation of a return valve. A control valve is provided which, in addition to the return valve, opens a hydraulic-medium outlet when in its open state and has a hydraulic-medium inflow side and a hydraulic-medium outflow side. In order to configure the hydraulic press unit, when the return valve opens, the control valve is acted on by the pressure of the returning hydraulic medium on the inflow and outflow sides, the pressure being lower on the inflow side due to throttling. |
| US08844432B2 |
Dough conditioning apparatus and method
A dough conditioning apparatus for frozen dough including: an enclosure; at least one tray or conveyance for supporting at least one frozen dough piece within the enclosure; a means to direct a conditioning gas directly onto frozen dough within the enclosure; humidity and temperature sensors for respectively measuring the humidity and temperature of the conditioning gas; and a gas controller, the gas controller controlling the duration of the conditioning gas onto the frozen dough according to the output of the humidity and temperature sensor. |
| US08844431B2 |
Roller Grill divider
A roller grill divider assembly includes a frame adapted to rest upon on a roller grill and one or more dividers securable to the frame. The roller grill includes multiple tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to a pre-cooked food product. The one or more dividers are in contact with the multiple tubes and are adapted to adjust along a length of the frame to multiple positions such that the pre-cooked food product is substantially prevented from passing beneath the one or more dividers. |
| US08844430B2 |
Filter holder particularly for espresso coffee machines
A filter holder particularly for espresso coffee machines, comprising a cup-shaped body (2) which has a substantially cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (3), the body (2) being open in an upward region for watertight fitting on an espresso coffee machine and having an opening (5) on its bottom which is arranged on the axis (3) of the cup (2) for the passage of an extracted beverage, the filter holder comprising an adapter (8), which is fitted in the cup (2) and is substantially cylindrical in order to accommodate a substance in powder form from which a beverage is to be extracted, the adapter (8) being able to rotate coaxially with respect to the cup (2). |
| US08844420B2 |
Glass plate cutting method and glass plate cutting machine
A glass plate cutting machine 1 includes a cutter wheel 4 for forming a cut line 3 on a glass plate 2; a moving means 5 for moving the cutter wheel 4 along a cut line 3a which has been preset and is to be formed on the glass plate 2; a resiliently pressing device 6 for resiliently pressing the cutter wheel 4 against the glass plate 2; and a control unit 7 for controlling the resiliently pressing device 6 so as to alternately change over the intensity of a resiliently pressing force of that cutter wheel 4 with respect to the glass plate 2 in the movement of the cutter wheel 4 by the moving means 5. |
| US08844419B2 |
Device for forming a groove
A device for forming a groove in a cover, the device including a circular score anvil having a first axis and being rotatable in a first direction and a circular scoring knife having a second axis positioned parallel to the first axis and arranged radially opposite the circular score anvil to define a gap between the score anvil and the scoring knife. The scoring knife is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction and comprises a scoring element having an edge region that is tapered to form a ridge toward a periphery of the element. The edge region includes an intermediate space that divides the edge region into two spaced apart knife edges. A groove is formed in the cover while moving through the gap by operative cooperation of the scoring knife and score anvil. |
| US08844418B2 |
Device for guiding a saw blade
The invention describes a device for guiding a saw blade, in particular a saw blade that is driven in an oscillating way, having a base body through which a guide slot extends for guiding a saw blade, which guide slot opens into a first guide surface configured as contact surface for the workpiece, having a stop which is supported on the base body and which comprises a second guide surface configured for being brought into contact with the workpiece and arranged at an angle relative to the first guide surface, and having a handle as means for holding the base body. |
| US08844415B2 |
Table saw dust cover
A power tool includes a table structure defining a blade slot, a frame supporting the table structure, a blade assembly mounted within the frame, and a dust cover assembly. The blade assembly includes a blade positioned within the blade slot, a motor assembly to rotate the blade, and a carriage assembly supporting the motor assembly and pivotably mounted to adjust the angular orientation of the blade relative to the table structure. The carriage assembly includes a cover arranged to define a gap between an upper edge of the cover and the underside of the table structure. The dust cover assembly is mounted between the carriage assembly and the table structure to substantially cover the gap at all angular orientations of the blade relative to the table structure. The dust cover assembly is mounted for relative movement relative to at least one of said carriage assembly and said table structure. |
| US08844413B2 |
Method of making a die-cut foam object
The invention relates to a method for producing a form-cut object made of foam. The invention is based on the aim of refining a known method for producing a form-cut object made of foam in that it also allows the precise creation of complex shaped form cuts in the foam. This aim is achieved by the method according to the invention in that the first preliminary version of the object in the region of a first form or contour cut is provided with a (second) form cut, which is superimposed on the first form or contour cut and extends down to larger depths than the first cut. Preferred application areas of the claimed method and the resultant objects made of foam are pillows, for example. |
| US08844412B2 |
Multispindle lathe
Multispindle lathe comprising a machine frame (12), a spindle drum (14) which is arranged in the machine frame (12), is rotatable about a spindle drum axis (16) and is made up at least partially of segments (80) which are cut out from flat material in a stacking direction (82) parallel to the spindle drum axis (16) and extend in stacking planes (88) transverse to the stacking direction (82), these segments having receiving cutouts (90) and cooling channel cutouts (92, 96, 106) which overlap with one another such that the spindle drum (14) has spindle motor receptacles (30) for spindle motors (32) and a cooling channel system (120, 130, 180) separated therefrom by wall webs (98), characterized in that the cooling channel system has several channel subsystems (120, 130, 180) for a liquid cooling medium which are fed in parallel. |
| US08844410B2 |
Tool handle and method for making same
A tool apparatus comprises an operative member and a handle connected to the operative member. The handle comprises a core element having an elongated body, an outer surface and first and second ends opposite to each other. At least the second end is connected to the operative member. The tool handle also comprises at least one cavity extending inwardly from the outer surface of the core element and a plurality of insert blocks selectively receivable in the cavity. The tool handle further comprises an overlay disposed on the core element, wherein a height of the projection on exterior surface of the insert block is no less than a thickness of the overlay, thereby exposing the upper surface to an external environment so as to be visible to a viewer. |
| US08844409B2 |
Impact driver
An impact driver includes a sleeve, a striking unit and a chuck. The sleeve includes a bore with an open end and a polygonal section near the open end. The striking unit can strike a bit partially inserted in the sleeve through the open end. The chuck includes a ring, a tube, a spring and a ball. The tube includes a polygonal section movably inserted in the polygonal section of the bore of the sleeve, a circular section extended through the ring, an annular rib formed thereon, a polygonal bore for receiving the bit, and at least one aperture in communication with the polygonal bore. The spring is compressed between the annular rib and the sleeve. The ball includes a portion placed in the aperture and another portion movable into the polygonal bore. |
| US08844408B2 |
Pneumatic ratchet wrench with a pneumatically actuated reversing device
A pneumatic ratchet wrench having a pneumatically actuated reversing device includes two cylinders disposed downstream of two branch conduits, and two plungers, each slidable in the respective cylinder by a burst of pressurized air from the branch conduits to bring an actuator into engagement with a direction selector so as to turn the direction selector in a selected one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions for unidirectionally rotating a drive body. The operation of direction selection is easy and handy to conduct. |
| US08844404B2 |
Pedal with a sensing device
A pedal with a sensing device includes a spindle, a frame member, a receiving member and a sensing assembly, the frame member having a treading portion and a receiving channel, the receiving channel being adjacent to the treading portion and having an electricity supplier, the receiving member assembled to the frame member, the sensing assembly having a controlling unit electrically connected to the electricity supplier and a sensing unit electrically connected to the controlling unit. Under this arrangement, when the rider treads on the present invention, the pedal rotates relative to the spindle to generate a force and a rotation speed for the pedal; thereby, the force and the rotation speed of the present invention are detected by the sensing assembly. |
| US08844400B2 |
Steering apparatus for vehicle
A steering apparatus for a vehicle provided with a steering wheel includes a main housing, a movable column member, a fixing bracket fixing the main housing to the vehicle body, a link mechanism and a drive mechanism connected to the link mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, a threaded shaft rotated by the motor, and a nut member moving in an axial direction of the threaded shaft and threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft, the nut member includes a female threaded portion including two flat surface portions facing each other and parallel to the threaded shaft, the nut member includes a pivot shaft portion including a rotational axis orthogonal to an axis of the female threaded portion, the link mechanism includes a bearing portion rotatably supporting the pivot shaft portion, a spring member arranged between the bearing portion and at least one of the two flat surface portions. |
| US08844399B2 |
Endoscope-like adjustable structure
A flexible and steerable structure for non-destructive inspection, the structure including a longitudinal body and at least one actuator enabling the curvature of at least a portion of the longitudinal body to be modified, the actuator being carried by a support associated with the longitudinal body and including a distal portion that is spaced apart or that is spaceable apart from the longitudinal body and that is connected to a portion of the longitudinal body by a traction line. |
| US08844397B2 |
Oil field pump unit hybrid gear reducer
An oilfield pumping unit two-stage transmission gear reducer includes a low speed stage having a low speed shaft configured to receive motion from an intermediate shaft. A first gear pair includes a low speed shaft double circular arc gear mounted on the low speed shaft and configured to be driven by an intermediate shaft double circular arc gear mounted on the intermediate shaft. A high speed stage includes a high speed shaft configured to receive motion from an intermediate shaft. A second gear pair has a high speed shaft involute gear mounted on the high-speed shaft and configured to be driving an intermediate shaft involute gear mounted on the intermediate shaft. |
| US08844396B2 |
Axle assembly
An axle assembly for a vehicle including a first gear, and a second gear joined to a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The second gear engages the first gear. A bearing is disposed over the shaft distal the second gear. A housing is disposed about at least a portion of the shaft. The housing includes a first lubricant pathway spaced apart from a second lubricant pathway, wherein the first lubricant pathway routes lubricant towards the bearing and the second lubricant pathway routes lubricant away from the bearing. The first and second lubricant pathways are not in a position coplanar with a plane of rotation of the first gear. |
| US08844395B2 |
Torque transmission assembly, particularly for the drivetrain of a vehicle
A torque transmission assembly includes two structural component parts for coupled engagement to one another so as to rotate together around an axis of rotation, a first of these structural component parts has an inner circumferential toothing and a second of these structural component parts has an outer circumferential toothing for a rotary coupling engagement with the inner circumferential toothing. The teeth in one toothing of an inner circumferential toothing and outer circumferential toothing are bounded by end faces in a first axial end area of the one toothing. The one toothing has at least one tooth with an end face which is extended forward axially relative to the end faces of the other teeth of the one toothing, and the end face of at least one tooth of the one toothing with the end face which is extended forward axially forms a circumferentially deflecting end face for the other toothing. |
| US08844394B2 |
Transmission for saddle type vehicle
In a transmission for a saddle type vehicle wherein a shift position sensor for detecting the angular position of a shift drum has a sensor shaft disposed coaxially with the shift drum and wherein an engaging pin disposed along a plane orthogonal to the center axis of the sensor shaft and inserted and passed through and fixed to the sensor shaft is engaged with an engagement groove provided at one axial end of the shift drum, to restrain abrasion or torsion from occurring between the engagement groove and the engaging pin even if a radial load is exerted on the shift drum at the time of a shift change and thereby to promise enhanced durability. The longitudinal direction of the engagement groove is set in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the greatest one of radial loads on the shift drum is exerted. |
| US08844393B2 |
Fork position and synchronization control in a dual clutch transmission using pressure control solenoids
A dual clutch transmission (DCT) control module includes a position control module that actuates a shift fork of the DCT during a first shift state based on a measured shift fork position and a target shift fork position. A force control module adjusts a control force associated with the shift fork during a second shift state based on synchronizer slip. |
| US08844392B2 |
Electro-hydraulic and electro-mechanical control system for a dual clutch transmission
A control system for controlling a dual clutch transmission having a synchronizer assembly includes a motor for selectively providing an output torque in a first and second to both of a first and a second output member. A one-way device is interconnected to the first output member and is operable to transmit the output torque in the first rotational direction. A pump is connected to the one-way device. A disconnect device is interconnected to the second output member. The torque disconnect device is operable to decouple the motor from a cam or a torque multiplication device. The cam includes at least one groove having a configuration corresponding to synchronizer assembly positions. A shift fork is disposed in the groove and is operable to translate the synchronizer assembly. Rotation of the cam translates the shift fork and the synchronizer assembly between at least a neutral position and an engaged position. |
| US08844391B2 |
Power flow configuration for dual clutch transmission mechanism
A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems that has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear. |
| US08844390B2 |
Dual clutch transmission and dual clutch accuators thereof
A dual clutch transmission with multiple gears operatively coupled thereto, comprises: first and second input shafts coaxially arranged to each other; a first clutch operatively coupled with the first input shaft to drive the transmission with a gear selected from a first set of non-consecutively numbered gears; a second clutch coaxially arranged with the first clutch and operatively coupled with the second input shaft to drive the transmission with a gear selected from a second set of non-consecutively numbered gears; first and second clutch actuating devices, each including an actuator and a pivot member, each pivot member operatively coupled between the actuator and a clutch applicator of cylindrical shape to move its clutch applicator for clutch operation; and a plurality of first and second clutch levers received in a clutch retaining housing in a circularly and alternately arranged pattern. The first and second clutch levers are configured to move the first and second clutches, respectively. The cylindrically shaped clutch applicator of the first clutch actuating device is disposed coaxially with the cylindrically shaped clutch applicator of the second clutch actuating device, and the first clutch levers and the second clutch levers can operate independently to each other upon movement of the first clutch applicator or the second clutch applicator to perform a selective clutch operation between the first and second clutches. |
| US08844389B2 |
Automatically locking linear actuator
An automatically locking actuator includes a first end connector, a rotatable drive screw operably coupled to the first end connector, a nut assembly threadably mounted on the drive screw, a second end connector operably coupled to the nut assembly and a rotary lock having a rotor and where the actuator moves between extended and retracted positions in response to rotation of the rotor. |
| US08844388B2 |
System and method for interfacing sensors to a sterile flow stream
A system and method for interfacing non-sterile sensors to a sterile flow stream is disclosed. Typically, sensors cannot be sterilized in the same manner as other components of the flow stream. This results in complex processes to incorporate a sterilized sensor into a sterilized flow stream. By introducing a separation membrane, the desired sensor can be interfaced to the sterile flow stream. By doing so, the sensor need not be sterile, only sufficiently clean. The membrane separates the sterile environment within the flow stream from the sensor, while still permitting the sensor to function. |
| US08844386B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing samples of metal melts
A method is provided for analyzing samples of metal melts, wherein a sample is taken from a metal melt using a sampler having a sample chamber and which is constructed as an immersion lance. The method includes transporting the sample from the sampler through a transport conduit to the sphere of action of an analytical device, and analyzing the sample there using the analytical device. |
| US08844385B2 |
Device and method for separation of proteins and other biomolecules
The present invention relates to a device and method for separation of proteins and other biomolecules. A preferred use is for sample preparation of crude as well as pre-fractionated samples. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is a pipette tip having dual channels, one for inlet of sample and one for outlet. The outlet, but not the inlet, channel is provided with sample separation media for separation of a desired biomolecule from a sample. The flow through the sample separation media is unidirectional. |
| US08844374B2 |
Device for measuring speed of a fluid flowing in a pipe having a bearing and a hydraulic circuit
A device to measure speed of a fluid in a pipe. An adjustment and a surface finish are accomplished between a fluid bearing and a hollow tube coupled with a turbine, with friction minimized to a point that it is possible to measure speeds of less than one cm/s which have hitherto been unexplored. |
| US08844371B2 |
Method and vortex flow measuring device for monitoring and/or measuring wall flow of a medium of two or more phases flowing in a pipeline
A method for monitoring and/or measuring an, at least at times, two-phase medium flowing in a pipeline, and having a first phase, especially a gaseous first phase, with a first density and a second phase, especially a liquid second phase, having a second density different from the first density. The method is performed with a vortex flow measuring device, which has at least one measuring tube inserted into the pipeline, a bluff body and a vortex sensor. In such case, the vortex sensor includes a sensitive section that responds to pressure fluctuations, and that is arranged at least partially adjoining the wall of the measuring tube. In the method, a wall flow of a second phase of a two or more phase medium is detected by the vortex flow measuring device, when a measurement signal which contains characteristic features for an interaction of a wall flow of the second phase of a flowing medium flowing along a wall of the measuring tube with the sensitive section of the first vortex sensor is registered by the vortex sensor. |
| US08844368B2 |
System and method for testing of bonds of a semiconductor assembly
An apparatus applies a pull test to a bond of a semi-conductor assembly, the bond including a ball or a bump of solder. The apparatus includes a probe including a straight, thermally conductive pin; a heater for heating a tip of the probe; a holder for supporting the probe and including a clamping mechanism that is configured to provide a clamping force on the probe; an actuation device for moving the holder and the probe up and down; and a pull force applier for applying a pull force on the holder. A force measuring system measures a force applied to the probe during the pull test to determine the strength of the bond. |
| US08844361B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor control system for occupancy sensing
An active ultrasonic room occupancy sensor with the output amplitude of the transmitter controlled by the amplitude of power applied to the transmitter to control the zone of coverage for a sensor. An adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage to the transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver. Alternatively, the power applied to the receiver may also be controlled by an adjustable voltage regulator under control of the microcontroller to improve receiver efficiency. |
| US08844360B2 |
Method for checking the mechanical integrity of stabilizing elements on the rotor blades of a turbine and scanning device for implementing the method
A method for checking a mechanical integrity of at least two stabilizing elements includes providing the at least two stabilizing elements that mechanically interconnect blade airfoils of rotor blades of a turbine in a circumferential direction of the turbine in an installed state of the turbine. The at least two stabilizing elements are adjacent to one another and inter-engage to form an engagement section having a material volume of the at least two stabilizing elements in the engagement section. The material volume of the at least two stabilizing elements is scanned, in an automated manner using ultrasound, so as to determine whether cracks are present. The scanning is performed from an outside of the at least two stabilizing elements. |
| US08844352B2 |
Pulsed level gauge system with adaptive transceiver control
The method comprises the steps of generating a transmission signal; propagating the transmission signal towards the product; receiving a reflected signal; providing a reference signal exhibiting a time-varying phase difference in relation to the transmission signal; forming a measurement signal; and determining the filling level based on the measurement signal. The method further comprises the steps of: determining a reduced time period comprising a time when the time-varying phase difference corresponds to an anticipated filling level, the reduced time period being shorter than the measurement sweep time period; controlling the level gauge system to change from a low-power state to a high-power state at a start of the reduced time period; and controlling the level gauge system to change back from the high-power state to the low-power state at an end of the reduced time period. |
| US08844351B2 |
Solid state fluid level sensor
A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.” |
| US08844350B2 |
Flow quantity measuring apparatus including branched conductive lines connected to midpoints of series circuits of the bridge circuit
A sensor chip in a flow quantity measuring apparatus includes a first conductive line, through which a midpoint electric potential of a first series circuit of a bridge circuit is outputted, is branched from a first midpoint connection on a sensor chip. A second conductive line, through which a midpoint electric potential of a second series circuit of the bridge circuit is outputted, is branched from a second midpoint connection on the sensor chip. The output point of the midpoint electric potential of the first series circuit is provided at a midpoint between two temperature sensor resistors, and the first midpoint connection is provided on a center line of a heater resistor. The output point of the midpoint electric potential of the second series circuit is provided at a midpoint between two temperature sensor resistors, and the second midpoint connection is provided on the center line of the heater resistor. |
| US08844347B2 |
Sensor port insert apparatus
An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity. |
| US08844345B1 |
Imparting motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion
An apparatus imparts motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion. A base has mounted on it a linear electromagnetic motor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the base. A pneumatic cylinder and piston combination have a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base so that the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination is generally parallel with the linear electromagnetic motor. The second ends of the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination being commonly linked to a mount for the test object. A control system for the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination drives the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination to support a substantial static load of the test object and the linear electromagnetic motor to impart controlled motion to the test object. |
| US08844341B2 |
Data collector for an internal engine component
An internal engine component including a data collector assembly is provided. The data collector assembly includes a sensor for sensing a condition and for generating a signal corresponding to the condition and a digital to analog converter for converting the signal to a digital signal. The data collector assembly also includes a memory for storing data, a clock and a processor. A power source is electrically connected to the sensor, the analog to digital converter, the memory, the clock and the processor. During an engine test, the processor, sensor, digital to analog converter, clock and memory are substantially the only devices that draw electricity from the power source. |
| US08844335B2 |
Low profile pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies
A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot. |
| US08844334B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a steel pressure container, such steel pressure container and a preform therefor
The invention relates to a method for forming a steel container having a curled open end, comprising the steps of i) providing a steel cup; ii) deep drawing the steel cup into a drawn container preform; iii) thin drawing the body of the drawn container preform; and iv) curling an open end of the drawn container preform by forming a precurl and by curling the precurl into an elongated curl, to an apparatus for forming a steel container, and to such steel container and its preform. |
| US08844331B2 |
Electro-hydraulic forming process with electrodes that advance within a fluid chamber toward a workpiece
A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system. |
| US08844323B2 |
Glass preform manufacturing method
A glass preform manufacturing method, includes: preparing a glass element having a rough surface; turning a raw material of an alkali metal compound or a raw material of an alkaline earth metal compound into particles; depositing particles of the alkali metal compound or the alkaline earth metal compound on the rough surface of the glass element; oxidizing the particles of the alkali metal compound or the alkaline earth metal compound while diffusing alkali metal oxide or alkaline earth metal oxide in the glass element; and manufacturing a glass preform into which the alkali metal oxide or the alkaline earth metal oxide is doped. |
| US08844322B2 |
Optical waveguide fabrication
An optical device including an active core layer of silica glass doped with ions which serve as optical emitters, the active core layer being on a silica glass substrate and having a layer thickness of at least 5 μm, and wherein the layer is sintered at a temperature range of 1500-1600 C. and subsequently heat treated by a laser. |
| US08844321B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing vitreous silica crucible
Provided are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible, which enable accurate measurement of a fume generation amount, prevention of deterioration of an inner surface property, and real-time control of a raw material melting state. Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible 50 by supplying silica powder into a mold 10 to form a silica powder layer 11, and heating and melting the silica powder layer 11 by arc discharge. The apparatus includes the mold 10 for defining an outer shape of a vitreous silica crucible, an arc discharge unit having a plurality of carbon electrodes 13 and a power-supply unit 40, and a fume-amount measurement unit 30 for detecting an amount of fumes 80 generated in the mold 10. |
| US08844320B2 |
Manufacturing method of a sheet glass material for magnetic disk and manufacturing method of a glass substrate for magnetic disk
A manufacturing method of a sheet glass material for magnetic disk, the method includes, dropping process for dropping a lump of molten glass; pressing process for sandwiching simultaneously the lump from both sides of the dropping path of the lump with surfaces of a pair of dies facing together, and performing press forming to the lump to obtain a sheet glass material, wherein at least one of the pair of dies has a concave shape with respect to the dropping path of the lump. |
| US08844316B1 |
Dual chamber drink container system
A dual chamber drink container system for chilling and containing quid in at least one chamber features a side wall interior surface having a first groove and a second groove located from a container top to a container bottom. A first liquid level window and a second liquid level window are located in the side wall. The system features a circular lid with a first pop up straw located in a first straw aperture and a second pop up straw located in a second straw aperture. The system features a planar divider adapted to be inserted into the first groove via a first tongue and the second groove via a second tongue. The divider is adapted to provide a chilling source for the system. The system features a cylindrical powder tube located on an exterior side wall adapted to store powdered drink mix. |
| US08844313B2 |
Ice making assembly with bimetallic actuating element and refrigeration appliance incorporating same
An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed. |
| US08844310B2 |
High capacity ice storage in a freezer compartment
A refrigerator including a cabinet having a cabinet door pivotally connected thereto. A primary ice bin is disposed on one of the cabinet and the cabinet door and includes a primary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. A secondary ice bin is disposed on the other of the cabinet and the cabinet door. The secondary ice bin includes a secondary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. The secondary gate operably engages with the primary gate to form an ice overflow route when the primary gate and the secondary gate are in the open position. An ice maker is disposed inside the cabinet and adapted to dispense ice into the primary ice storage bin. |
| US08844309B2 |
Fast ice making device
A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities. |
| US08844305B2 |
Instrument cabinet
The invention relates to an instrument cabinet comprising: a wall structure with vertical studs, a fan for cooling electric components to be installed in the instrument cabinet with an airflow produced by the fan, and a cooling element arranged in the airflow and having a flow channel for feeding cooling fluid through the cooling element for cooling the airflow that cools the electric components. To achieve a lower than before instrument cabinet that has fewer risks of leakage, the cooling element is arranged upright and at least partly in the space between the vertical studs. |
| US08844303B2 |
Refrigeration circuit and method for operating a refrigeration circuit
The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit having a mono- or multi-component refrigerant circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of flow, a condenser, a collecting container, a relief device connected upstream of an evaporator, an evaporator and a compressor unit with single-stage compression.According to the invention, there is an intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3).Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of operating a refrigeration device in which pressure relief of the refrigerant to an (intermediate) pressure of 5 to 40 bar is effected in the intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3). |
| US08844302B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus has at least one intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant changing in two phases or a refrigerant in a supercritical state and a heat medium such as water and anti-freezing fluid different from the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat-source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and a refrigerant-side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat-medium circulation circuit in which a heat-medium side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the heat medium flows, in which in the heat-medium circulation circuit, a fourth temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat-medium flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger is provided, and leakage of the heat medium from the heat-medium circulation circuit is detected on the basis of a change amount of a detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor. |
| US08844301B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium relay unit accommodating heat exchangers for exchanging heat between a flammable refrigerant and a heat medium different from the refrigerant. The heat medium relay unit is disposed in a space in a structure that is not an air conditioned space. One or more outdoor units are connected to the heat medium relay unit to circulate the refrigerant therein. The outdoor units are disposed in a space outside the structure or a space inside the structure that is not isolated completely from the space outside the structure. One or more indoor units are connected to the heat medium relay unit by a different system than that of the outdoor units. The indoor units circulate the heat medium therein to exchange heat with air related to the indoor space. |
| US08844295B2 |
Method for meeting a purge flow requirement for a power plant and a power plant having a purge control system
A method of delivering a purge flow through a gas turbomachine includes generating a purge flow, guiding the purge flow through at least one of a combustor assembly and a turbine portion of the gas turbomachine, determining a cumulative purge volume passing through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine to determine a predetermined purge volume, and discontinuing the purge flow once the predetermined purge volume has passed through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine. |
| US08844292B2 |
Fuel system of gas turbine engines
A method for purging fuel from a fuel system of a gas turbine engine on shutdown of the engine comprises, in one aspect, terminating a fuel supply to the fuel system and using the residual compressed air to create a reversed pressure differential in the fuel system relative to a forward pressure differential of the fuel system used to maintain fuel supply for engine operation, and under the reversed pressure differential substantially purging the fuel remaining in the system therefrom to a fuel source. |
| US08844291B2 |
Universal heat engine
A universal heat engine is disclosed for converting energy from an input heat source to an output. The universal heat engine comprises a heat engine section and an output section. The heat engine section includes a heat engine bore receiving a heat engine piston. A heat engine valve assembly communicates with the heat engine bore for effecting reciprocal motion of the heat engine piston. The output section includes an output bore receiving an output piston. A piston rod interconnects the heat engine piston to the output piston. A control controls the heat engine valve assemblies to operate the heat engine section in accordance with a desired output from the output section. The heat source may comprise the burning of a petroleum product, a solar heat source, geothermal heat source or a byproduct heat source. The output may comprise a static or mobile air conditioning system or an electrical generator. |
| US08844290B2 |
Steam system
A steam engine and an electric motor are arranged, which respectively drives an air compressor. The compressed air from the air compressor is supplied to a compressed air using device through a common air tank. The steam is supplied to the steam engine through a steam supply path, and the steam used in the steam engine is supplied to a steam using device through a steam exhaust path. The steam pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor arranged in a steam header ahead of the steam exhaust path. The air pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor arranged in an air tank. A steam supply valve is controlled based on the steam pressure and the air pressure, and the electric motor is controlled based on the air pressure. The steam engine is preferentially driven over the electric motor by shifting the target value of the air pressure. |
| US08844288B2 |
Steam turbine facility
A steam turbine facility is provided which is capable of appropriately sealing a gap between members made of cast material of Ni-based alloy even under the steam-temperature condition of 650° C. or higher, and which includes a first member and a second member whose base material is formed of cast material composed of at least one of Ni-based alloy, austenite steel, or high-chrome steel, form a space where the steam of 650° C. or higher flows. Between the first member and the second member, a metal gasket is provided which has a plurality of portions in line contact with the first member and the second member. On the first member and the second member, a first high-hardness layer which is harder than the base material, is provided at least in a portion where each of the first member and the second member is in line contact with the metal gasket. |
| US08844286B2 |
Air cleaner, and engine control system
An air cleaner includes a case in which an inner cylindrical filter and an outer cylindrical filter are housed, the case having a case body that defines an opening end surface closed by a cover member. The case includes an air inlet provided to an outer circumference of the case body for supplying outside air and an exhaust outlet provided to a bottom of the case body at a downstream side in an air-flowing direction for discharging the air supplied through the air inlet and filtered through the inner cylindrical filter and the outer cylindrical filter. A mass flow rate sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet to measure the flow rate of the air. A flow straightening grid is provided at the upstream side of the mass flow rate sensor to straighten the flow of the air. |
| US08844283B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger with a bypass valve
An exhaust-gas turbocharger is embodied with a bypass valve which is disposed in a bypass duct of a turbine between an exhaust-gas pressure line and an outlet cross section of the turbine of the exhaust-gas turbocharger and which is connected to an actuating device for controlling the throughput of exhaust-gas through the bypass duct. Through the bypass valve, a partial flow of the exhaust-gas can be guided past the turbine on demand. The bypass valve has a valve head and a valve stem. The bypass valve is axially movably held with the valve stem. The valve head, in a closed state of the bypass valve, can be placed against a valve seat in order to close the bypass duct in a gas-tight and pressure-tight manner. The side of the valve head that is connected to the valve stem faces the exhaust-gas pressure line. |
| US08844282B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger having a ball-cock waste-gate valve with a stress-relieved crank arm
An exhaust-gas turbocharger has a turbine housing and a waste-gate valve of a ball-cock configuration which is arranged therein. The actuating crank of the waste-gate valve has a crank arm, to which the closing element is fastened, and a crank spindle which is connected integrally to the crank arm and is mounted in the turbine-housing wall. A stop shoulder for sealing the crank-spindle bearing and a flexural-stress relief pocket are provided in the transition region between the crank spindle and the crank arm, as a result of which the sealing action of the crank-spindle bearing and a more uniform distribution of flexural stresses in the transition region between the crank arm and the crank spindle are brought about and therefore an increased service life of the actuating crank is ensured with a simultaneously economical configuration. |
| US08844280B2 |
Hydraulic control system having cylinder flow correction
A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a hydraulic actuator, a valve arrangement, and an operator input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired hydraulic actuator velocity. The hydraulic control system may also have a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an actual flow rate of fluid entering the hydraulic actuator, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a desired flow rate of fluid into the hydraulic actuator based on the first signal; to estimate the actual flow rate based on the desired flow rate, a correction flow rate, and a system response model; and to determine the actual flow rate based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to make a comparison of the estimated and determined actual flow rates of fluid, and to determine the correction flow rate based on the comparison. |
| US08844270B2 |
Diesel particulate filter regeneration system including shore station
The present disclosure relates to a diesel exhaust treatment device including a catalytic converter positioned upstream from a diesel particulate filter. An electric heater is positioned between the catalytic converter and the diesel particulate filter. A shore station can be used to provide power and combustion air to the diesel exhaust treatment device during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter. |
| US08844267B2 |
Method and system for controlling a nitrogen oxide (NOx) conversion efficiency monitor
A vehicle includes an engine, an exhaust system, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, a first and a second NOx sensor configured to respectively measure an upstream and a downstream NOx level, and a controller or host machine. The controller, via the present method, calculates a NOx conversion efficiency rate of the SCR device using the NOx levels from the sensors. At the end of a key cycle when an accumulated amount of upstream NOx is less than a calibrated upstream NOx level, the controller determines if the NOx conversion efficiency rate is presently passing or failing. The accumulated upstream NOx is recorded in memory for use in calculating the NOx conversion efficiency rate during a subsequent key cycle only when the NOx conversion efficiency rate is presently passing at the end of the key cycle. A control system for the vehicle uses the controller and sensors as noted above. |
| US08844261B2 |
Variable area fan nozzle thrust reverser
A nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine includes nozzle doors coupled with a fan nacelle wherein the nozzle doors move in unison between a plurality of positions to influence a bypass airflow through a fan bypass passage. A linkage connects the nozzle doors and an actuator. A louver section coupled with the linkage moves in unison with the nozzle doors between a plurality of louver positions to direct a portion of the bypass airflow in a selected direction. |
| US08844259B2 |
Flashback protector
The present invention relates to a flashback protector (1) for limiting the propagation of a flame towards a fuel supply. The flashback protector comprises a downstream side (34) and an upstream side (32) defining a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator (10, 20) is arranged to generate a magnetic field (40) across the flow path such that when a flashback occurs fluid flows in the flow path towards the fuel supply through the magnetic field (40). This causes a flow of current (50) to be induced in the fluid. This results in a force being generated on the fluid away from the fuel supply, preventing the flashback from reaching the fuel supply and causing an explosion. |
| US08844258B2 |
Systems and methods for de-icing a gas turbine engine inlet screen and dehumidifying inlet air filters
A system for de-icing a gas turbine engine is provided. A manifold is coupled to an inlet screen. A first conduit is coupled to a stage of the compressor and a first input of a mixing component. A second conduit is coupled to the exhaust and a second input of the mixing component. The second conduit being adapted to extract exhaust gases without increasing the pressure at the exhaust. A third conduit is coupled to the output of the mixing component and the manifold. A method for de-icing a gas turbine engine inlet screen includes determining a current temperature at the inlet screen, and determining a desired temperature at the inlet screen. If the current temperature at the inlet screen is less than the desired temperature at the inlet screen first flow rate of an air-exhaust mixture necessary to achieve the desired inlet screen temperature is calculated. The method also includes extracting an amount of exhaust gas from a turbine exhaust subsystem without increasing a pressure at the turbine exhaust subsystem, extracting an amount of air from a compressor stage, and mixing the amount of exhaust gas with the amount of air to generate an air-exhaust mixture that is conveyed to the inlet screen. |
| US08844257B2 |
Bypass arrangement of a lubrication valve for a gas turbine engine gear assembly
An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve. |
| US08844251B2 |
Cotton accumulator system with paddles and upper inlet vane
A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure. |
| US08844249B2 |
Film supplying apparatus
A film supplying apparatus includes: an upstream belt conveying unit and a downstream belt conveying unit that sequentially convey a label formed by cutting a label-forming base material, to a label delivery position; a label detection sensor that detects the label at an upper position of the downstream belt conveying unit; an encoder attached to a take-up spindle of a label delivery apparatus; and a control unit that calculates the amount of shift in the label on the basis of a label detection signal from the label detection sensor and a pulse signal from the encoder, and controls the operation of the downstream belt conveying unit conveying the label, so as to convey the label and stop the label at the label delivery position, while modifying the amount of shift. |
| US08844247B2 |
Storage method
A storage method of storing a package with its contents under irradiation of light. At least part of the package is made of polyamide (A) which is obtained by polycondensation of a diamine component comprising 70 mol % or more of m-xylylenediamine and a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 70 mol % or more of α,ω-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The oxygen transmission of the package including polyamide (A) is reduced by irradiation of light, to prevent the spoilage of the contents. |
| US08844246B2 |
Film laminate for the production of bags with an integrated film handle, and method for the production of the laminate
A film laminate wound up to form a film roll, from which bags with an integrated handle are produced in a VFFS form-fill and seal bag machine. The film laminate is produced by coating a film web of an outer film with a lamination adhesive and applying a material web of a sealable film to the adhesive layer. The material web is pressed together with the film web and adhesive layer in a lamination gap between a lamination roller and a pressing roller. A reinforcement strip passed to the lamination gap contacts the adhesive layer, between the film web and the sealable film. The circumference surface of the pressing roller has a depression that is coordinated with the film thickness and the film width of the reinforcement strip, so that a uniform pressing pressure prevails in the lamination gap, over the entire width of the laminate. |
| US08844245B2 |
Apparatus for packaging beverages
A method for packaging a beverage comprising particulates in a liquid, the method comprising dispensing a first portion of the beverage from a first source into containers, wherein the first portion of the beverage comprises at least a majority of the particulates and a first portion of the liquid, dispensing from a counterpressure filler a second portion of the beverage from a second source into the containers, wherein the second portion of the beverage comprises a second portion of the liquid, and sealing the containers to form packaged beverages. An apparatus for packaging a beverage comprising particulates in a liquid. A method for packaging, in sequence, a first beverage comprising particulates in a liquid and a second beverage comprising a carbonated beverage. A method for packaging a beverage comprising a dairy component and a liquid. |
| US08844244B2 |
Take-up fastener for resisting uplift loads in light framed construction
A take-up fastener is disclosed for fastening a level in a frame construction to the level below so as to resist upward forces generated by wind and other sources on the framed construction. The take-up fastener in general includes a take-up plate, or washer, fastened to a portion of the upper level and a take-up screw fit through the take-up plate and fastened to the adjacent level below. Once the take-up fastener is fully assembled, the take-up plate includes a pair of tabs which are capable of engaging threads on a take-up screw in a way that allows one-way motion of the take-up screw relative to the take-up plate. In particular, the take-up plate can move downward relative to the take-up screw, for example on constricting of the wooden members to which the take-up plate is affixed. However, the engagement between the take-up plate and take-up screw prevents movement of the take-up plate upward with respect to the take-up screw, for example upon an upward load due to wind or other external force. |
| US08844239B2 |
Anchoring assembly and fixing device for such an anchoring assembly
An anchoring assembly for anchoring a liner of a cured lining material applied in liquid form to metal objects, comprising a fixing device welded or soldered to a metal object, the fixing device comprising a weld element and a fixing element provided with a through hole, and an anchoring element configured to be passed through the through hole of the fixing device, wherein the weld element comprises a weld or solder stud. |
| US08844238B2 |
Reinforcement support member and kit
A support member for supporting a reinforcement material in a composite structure comprises a base member and first and second vertical leg members on opposing sides of the base member. The first and second vertical leg members have a first height relative to the base member. The first and second vertical leg members each have an opening configured to receive at least one strand of the at least one layer of reinforcement material. Third and fourth vertical leg members are on opposing sides of the base member and have a second height relative to the base member different from the first height of the first and second vertical leg members. The third and fourth vertical leg members each have an opening configured to receive at least one strand of the at least one layer of reinforcement material. |
| US08844237B2 |
Wind power plant and wind power plant tower segment
A wind power plant tower segment is provided. The tower segment is designed as a jacket segment and comprises a reinforced concrete body, comprising two faces for attaching to faces of at least one further tower segment. In the region of each face, at least one connecting body is introduced in the reinforced concrete body and anchored therein for connecting to a connecting body of an adjoining tower segment. The connecting body comprises a fastening wall that is disposed substantially parallel to the respective face for absorbing a tensile load that is directed transversely to the face and transversely to the fastening wall. A wind power installation pylon having a plurality of such pylon segments, a wind power installation having a corresponding pylon, and a process for the production of a plurality of pylon segments is also provided. |
| US08844236B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with a flexible bristle tongue
Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including a displaceable tongue in a displacement groove. The tongue is molded and provided with bendable protrusions. |
| US08844221B2 |
Arrangement for a laboratory room
An arrangement for a laboratory room that is confined by a floor, a ceiling and walls connecting the floor with the ceiling, the arrangement comprises: a main base suspended on the floor; a tool base arranged on the main base; a platform arranged around the tool base, wherein the platform is permeable for air, and the platform is suspended at the walls; an air inlet arranged below the platform; an air outlet arranged above the tool base; and air guides for directing an air flow upwards at least partially parallel to the main base and/or the tool base. |
| US08844220B2 |
Computer room
The present invention relates to a computer room which is surrounded by a lower floor, at least one side wall and a roof, with an air-permeating load-bearing floor disposed above the lower floor, on which, in use, computer equipment is disposed. A separation arrangement provides for the separation from each other of a riser channel for hot air above the computer equipment on the one hand and a return channel for air being carried back from the top of the computer room to the space under the load-bearing floor on the other hand. The surface area of the return channel of a cross-section of the computer room amounts to at least 5% of the surface area of the riser channel of the same cross-section. |
| US08844212B1 |
Telescoping frame system for portable home or other structure
A telescoping frame system comprising a longitudinal surface, first and second attachment arms; a main arm that is parallel to the longitudinal surface; a first pivot arm with a top surface that acts as a rail for a first roller wheel; a second pivot arm with a top surface that acts as a rail for a second roller wheel; and first and second brace arms that maintain each pivot arm at a ninety-degree angle to the longitudinal surface when the first pivot arm is fully extended. The first and second pivot arms are pivotally attached to the first and second attachment arms, respectively. The first roller wheel is pivotally attached to a first end of the main arm, and the second roller wheel is pivotally attached to a second end of the main arm. |
| US08844211B2 |
Office workwall system
An office workwall assembly includes a work frame assembly that includes a pair of vertical frame members, a horizontal frame member extending between and operably coupled to the pair of vertical frame members, wherein the pair of vertical frame members each include at least one longitudinally-extending channel. The frame assembly further includes a pair of frame mounting bracket secured within the at least one channel by at least one mechanical fastener and adapted to be secured to a wall structure and support the frame assembly from the wall structure, wherein the vertical frame members may be vertically, horizontally and/or angularly adjusted with respect to the mounting bracket positioned within the channel. The workwall assembly also includes an office utility assembly operably coupled with and supported by the pair of vertical frame members, wherein the office utility assembly is cantilevered from the frame assembly. |
| US08844208B1 |
Rain catching and screening assembly
A rain catching and screening assembly is fixed in place along a roof line of a building at adjoining roof portions, where the portions meet at an approximate right angle thereby forming a concave V-shaped roof valley. The assembly includes a rain gutter and plural gutter screens. The gutter has portions joined at a right angle adjacent to the roof valley. The screens terminate at an outer gutter lip and extend up onto the roof portions where they are wedged between roof shingles or tiles. One of the gutter screens is positioned over the two adjoining roof portions, and has a V-shaped crease in the mesh layer and fine screening layer thereby lying in contact with the adjoining roof portions in alignment with the V-shaped roof valley. |
| US08844205B2 |
Compressed elastomer damper for earthquake hazard reduction
A passive damper for earthquake hazard reduction includes an inner member received in an outer member, with an elastomeric material disposed in the gaps between the inner and outer member. The elastomeric material has at least a first and a second portion. The first portion is bonded or connected to both the inner member and outer member such that no slippage occurs between the members and the material. The second portion is not bonded or connected to at least one of the inner and outer members such that slippage may occur. |
| US08844203B2 |
Sliding window assembly including a drain hole
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel between an open position and a closed position. An elongated member is connected to the fixed panel and defines a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A rail is disposed in the channel along the longitudinal axis and is spaced along the longitudinal axis from the first end. The elongated member defines a drain hole molded into the elongated member in the channel. The drain hole is defined between the rail and the first end of the channel along the axis for draining water from the channel. |
| US08844201B2 |
Hinged gate with latch
An enclosure having a gate which may be pivotably hung from stanchions or walls such that it swings in either direction, and may be opened from either side, depending on the assembly of the enclosure, is described. A latch which may be opened from both inside and outside of the enclosure is also described. |
| US08844200B2 |
Electrical door operator
A door operator for use with a door includes an arm that extends from the door operator. The door operator includes a motor moving the arm to move the door between a closed position and an open position and between the open position and the closed position. A current sensor generates a current signal corresponding to the current to the motor. A position sensor in communication with the door arm generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the door relative to the frame. A controller communicates with the sensor and the motor. The controller controls a motor current to the motor in response to the current signal and the position signal. |
| US08844196B2 |
Curtain integrated door regulator structure
A curtain integrated door regulator structure includes a motor, a drive gear, a drum retainer, a glass driving drum, a curtain driving drum, gear keys and key grooves. The motor generates a rotational driving force to rotate a driving shaft. The drive gear has a shaft receiving hole into which a driving shaft of the motor is fitted. The drum retainer has a spiral groove shaft supporting part spirally coupled to a spiral protrusion disposed on an outer circumference of the drive gear. The glass driving drum and the curtain driving drum are rotatably received in the drum retainer and disposed at an outer side of the drive gear. The gear keys are disposed on the outer circumference of the drive gear. The key grooves are formed in the glass driving drum and the curtain driving drum, respectively, and have a shape corresponding to that of the gear keys. |
| US08844192B2 |
Insect pest-controlling apparatus
An insect pest-controlling apparatus (1) includes a light-reflecting attraction unit (4) that reflects sunlight and a trap (6) to trap insects attracted to light reflected by the light-reflecting attraction unit (4). The light-reflecting attraction unit (4) is a reflector whose reflectance of 220 to 390 nm light wavelength components is 5% or less. Because the light-reflecting attraction unit (4) reflects almost no ultraviolet rays, the contrast of ultraviolet rays is increased in the space compared with sunlight by the insect pest-controlling apparatus (1) and diurnal agricultural insect pests are strongly attracted to the light-reflecting attraction unit (4). Accordingly, diurnal agricultural insect pests can be attracted and trapped in large quantities in the daytime. |
| US08844188B2 |
Ocular cross dominance impediment corrective apparatus for use with a shoulder-mounted firearm
A device for sighting a distant moving target by a shooter using a shoulder-mounted firearm provided with a trigger guard disposed around the trigger as a strip of metal or other suitable material. The device is comprised of a horizontal mounting base, a vertical support member, and a small screen or blade. The mounting base includes a mechanism for releasably fixing it in place, and a pair of parallel arms extending from a common origin which sandwich a section of the trigger guard when mounted. The support member extends vertically from the base so as to support the small screen adjacently to a side of the firearm. When the shooter mounts the firearm, the screen protrudes into the sightline of the eye opposite to the mounting shoulder thus concealing the barrel while allowing that opposite eye to see the target at all time. |
| US08844186B2 |
Firearm hand guard
The present invention describes a firearm hand guard assembly attachable to a firearm upper receiver and surrounding the firearm barrel distally along the longitudinal axis without touching the barrel. The hand guard assembly is comprised of an upper component and a lower component such that when the upper component and lower component are attached to one another with a firearm disposed therein, the sole contact between the firearm and the hand guard assembly is the contact between the firearm barrel nut and the inner surfaces of the proximal end of the hand guard assembly. |
| US08844183B2 |
High capacity magazine
A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall. |
| US08844178B2 |
Check presenter
The application is directed to check presenters having contrasting colors/tones on the exterior sides thereof. The contrast permits a restaurant server to determine whether payment has yet been enclosed or not, so that payment may be processed in a timely manner and yet without the need to interrupt a customer to determine whether or not payment has yet been enclosed. |
| US08844176B2 |
Sheet material conveying apparatus
A conveying apparatus includes a first roller that is rotational to convey a nonwoven fabric and a second roller that is rotational to convey the nonwoven fabric and is located on the trailing side of the first roller with respect to the conveying direction of the nonwoven fabric. The conveying apparatus includes a noncontact sensor and a controller. The noncontact sensor detects the distance from the nonwoven fabric at a position between the first roller and the second roller. The controller uses the distance detected by the sensor to compute the slack amount of the nonwoven fabric and controls the rotation speed of the second roller, thereby reducing the difference between the computed slack amount and a predetermined target value. |
| US08844174B2 |
Dipper door latch with locking mechanism
A dipper including a dipper door and an impact actuated jaw defining a lip and a chin The jaw is rotatably mounted on the dipper door for rotation between a door-opened position and a door-closed position and positioned so that when the jaw is in the door-opened position, the jaw chin can be impacted by the dipper body when the door pivots to the door-closed position. The dipper also includes a hold open mechanism for releasably holding the door latch in the latch open position when the latch is in the open position, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the latch when the latch is in the door-closed position. The locking mechanism includes one bar pivotally attached to the door, and another bar pivotally connected to and extending between each of the one bar and the latch. |
| US08844173B2 |
Elastomeric plow edge
A plow edge having improved durability and performance is provided which can comprise an elastomeric material, for example, a styrene elastomeric material. The present disclosure provides a plow blade edge system for mounting to a mold board of a plow comprising an adapter blade, at least two elastomeric blade segments wherein each segment is selectively reversible to present first and second edges; a clamp bar wherein the clamp bar is mounted to the adapter blade with the at least two elastomeric blade segments secured therebetween; and, each of the at least two elastomeric blade segments secured selectively in a first position or a second position. |
| US08844168B2 |
Footwear lacing system
A lacing system for an article of footwear may include a lateral series of lace-receiving elements and a medial series of lace-receiving elements. A first lace extends consecutively through a first lateral lace-receiving element, a second lateral lace-receiving element, a fourth medial lace-receiving element, a fifth lateral lace-receiving element, a third medial lace-receiving element, and again through the first lateral lace-receiving element. A second lace extends consecutively through a first medial lace-receiving element, a second medial lace-receiving element, a fourth lateral lace-receiving element, a fifth medial lace-receiving element, a third lateral lace-receiving element, and again through the first medial lace-receiving element. |
| US08844167B2 |
Article of footwear having an upper with cord elements
The embodiments relate to an article of footwear and method of manufacturing that includes a first layer and a second layer configured to form a plurality of tunnels configured to receive a cord system. The manufacturing includes steps of placing a first layer, placing a cord on the first layer, securing the cord on the first layer, placing a second layer on the first layer and the cord, attaching the second layer to the first layer, and detaching the cord from the first layer. When the cord is secured with a thread, the thread may be removed by dissolving or cutting. The attaching of the second layer to the first layer can be completed by stitching or thermal welding, for example. |
| US08844163B2 |
Laundry treating machine with basement portion providing airflow paths
A laundry treating machine includes a basement portion (14) having an upper side (17) with seats (18A-18F) formed thereon for receiving machine operational devices (5), and a lower side (16), opposite to the upper side (17). The lower side (16) forms an air path for air to be admitted into or exhausted from the machine. |
| US08844158B2 |
Super absorber polymer felt and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a felt material comprising at least one felt layer and an absorbing layer, to a method for producing the felt material, and to the use of the felt material in textiles, shoes, technical application or medical applications. The felt material according to the invention has the advantages of conventional felt materials regarding the warming and damping properties and is permeable to air in the dry state. Due to the special design, however, it is waterproof in the wet state and thus it is suitable for sealing many materials. The felt material according to the invention binds more humidity or binds water in a different way than common felt materials. |
| US08844157B2 |
Biosolids drying system and method
Methods and systems are provided for drying wet biosolids to produce a class A biosolids. Generally described, the method of treating biosolids includes drying a wet biosolids in an indirect dryer to produce a partially dried biosolids and drying the partially dried biosolids in a direct dryer in series with and downstream of the indirect dryer to produce a class A biosolids. The indirect dryer and direct dryer may be operated at an average temperature of greater than about 100° C. and may have a total combined residence time of less than about 60 minutes. Also provided are systems for drying wet biosolids including an indirect biosolids dryer and a direct biosolids dryer in series. The methods and systems are particularly effective at reducing the moisture content of the biosolids from greater than 85% to less than 10% by weight. |
| US08844156B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with purged chemistry conduits
A method of operating a clothes dryer having a rotating drum defining a drying chamber without a liquid drain, an air system, a heating system, a treating chemistry dispensing system, and a controller, where a purge detection routine and purge cycle are executed to purge the treating chemistry from clothes dryer without draining. |
| US08844149B2 |
Rail cant measurement tool and method
A rail cant measurement tool and associated methods enable users to measure rail cant. The measurement tool comprises a reference assembly, and a cant angle measurement assembly. The reference assembly comprises a track plane reference bar. The cant angle measurement assembly comprises a web-engaging arm assembly, a spring-biased lock-release mechanism, a rail cant indicator, and a rail cant linear adjustment mechanism. The web-engaging arm assembly comprises pivot arms and web rollers. The pivot arms each comprise upper arm ends and lower arm ends. The upper arm ends are attached to the lock-release mechanism. The reference bar engages opposed rails and the cant angle measurement assembly engages a select rail of the opposed rails. The rail cant indicator indicates rail cant information as determined from the track reference plane and the running surface of the select rail. |
| US08844146B2 |
Eyeglass frame shape measurement device
An eyeglass frame shape measurement device includes: an eyeglass frame holding unit including a first slider and a second slider for holding an eyeglass frame; a rim measuring unit including a tracing stylus for a rim of the eyeglass frame, and detecting the movement position of the tracing stylus to measure a shape of the rim; a template holder configured to attach a template and a measurement object of a demo lens; a template measuring unit including a tracing stylus shaft configured to contact an edge of the measurement object attached to the template holder, for measuring radius vector information of the measurement object; and a housing portion provided to house the template holder and provided in one of the first slider and the second slider when measurement using the template measuring unit is not being performed. |
| US08844143B2 |
Method for producing a rotor of a commutator motor, a commutator motor, and anti-lock braking device
The present invention relates to a method for producing a rotor of a commutator motor, particularly in a direct current design, comprising a stator having a plurality of stator poles, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of armature teeth which are disposed on the circumference of the rotor having interposed rotor grooves, and a commutated, which has a plurality of disks and associated winding hooks, comprising the following steps: winding bridges of the commutated by connecting winding hooks of the disks of the commutated, winding windings of armature teeth, and connecting the respective winding ends to winding hooks of the disks of the commutator. The invention further relates to such a commutated motor, particularly in a direct current design, and to an anti-lock breaking device. |
| US08844140B2 |
Rolling bearing of ceramic and steel engaging parts
A roller bearing having two cooperating rolling parts of which one is of ceramic and the other of a steel. The steel part is of such structure and/or material and/or is so produced to cause residual compressive stresses to form beneath the contact surface of the steel part, at least in a load-free state, down to a depth. |
| US08844137B2 |
Ejection devices for inkjet printers and method for fabricating ejection devices
Disclosed is an ejection device for an inkjet printer that includes an ejection chip having a substrate and at least one fluid ejecting element. The ejection device further includes a fluidic structure configured over the ejection chip. The fluidic structure includes a nozzle plate composed of an organic material and includes a plurality of nozzles. The fluidic structure further includes a flow feature layer configured in between the ejection chip and the nozzle plate. The flow feature layer is composed of an organic material and includes a plurality of flow features. Furthermore, the fluidic structure includes a liner layer encapsulating the nozzle plate. The liner layer further at least partially encapsulates each flow feature of the plurality of flow features. The liner layer is composed of an inorganic material. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating the ejection device. |
| US08844134B2 |
Method of manufacturing a heat exchanger
A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger. The method involves extrusion-molding a long fin member, which has a plurality of long fins protruding from a flat-plate-shaped long base, and cutting the long fin member by a predetermined width. The base of the fin members are also cut. This results in a heat exchanger having a plurality of fin members (10) including a plurality of fins (11) that is arranged in parallel and protrudes from a flat-plate base (12) so that slit portions are formed on both side ends in a width direction of the base (12), the fin members being arranged so that respective bases abut on each other in a frame. |
| US08844133B2 |
Stereolithographic rocket motor manufacturing method
A hybrid rocket motor is manufactured by photopolymerizing the solid fuel grain in a stereolithography method, wherein fuel grains in a plastic matrix are deposited in layers for building a solid fuel rocket body in three dimensions for improved performance and for a compact design, |
| US08844132B2 |
Method of machining using an automatic tool path generator adapted to individual blade surfaces on an integrally bladed rotor
A method of flank and/or point milling an integrally bladed rotor is conducted with an automatic tool path generator which generates a new created tool path including smooth transitions merging between an actual finished surface and a nominal surface of the integrally bladed rotor. The actual finished surface is presented in a mathematical transformation matrix which may be obtained in a 3-D scanning process. |
| US08844130B2 |
Assembled camshaft, main camshaft body and method for producing an assembled camshaft
A camshaft that is assembled or is to be assembled carries at least one cam element that is to be disposed on a main camshaft body to be rotationally fixed and axially movable, and at least one cam element to be disposed on the main camshaft body so as to be rotationally fixed and axially immovable. The main camshaft body has first axial sub-sections having a multi-tooth profile, so that due to a positive connection between shaft and hub the cam element to be disposed in the sub-section so as to be axially movable is seated so as to be rotationally fixed. The main camshaft body also has second axial sub-sections having an extended diameter so that by a non-positive connection between shaft and hub it is ensured that the cam element to be disposed in the sub-section is seated so as to be rotationally fixed and secured against movement. |
| US08844125B2 |
Method of making an electronic device having a liquid crystal polymer solder mask and related devices
A method of making an electronic device includes forming a circuit layer on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate and having at least one solder pad. The method also includes forming an LCP solder mask having at least one aperture therein alignable with the at least one solder pad. The method further includes aligning and laminating the LCP solder mask and the LCP substrate together, then positioning solder paste in the at least one aperture. At least one circuit component may then be attached to the at least one solder pad using the solder paste. |
| US08844118B2 |
High slot fill motor armature
A method of manufacturing a motor for a power tool includes providing an armature configured to be coupled to a shaft. The armature includes a yoke and a first tooth and a second tooth that extend radially outward from the yoke to define a slot between the first tooth and the second tooth. Each of the first tooth and the second tooth include an inner end adjacent the yoke and an outer end opposite the inner end. The method further includes coupling a first wire guide member to the outer end of the first tooth, coupling a second wire guide member to the outer end of the second tooth, winding wire into the slot, after winding wire into the slot, compressing the wire radially into the slot, uncoupling the first wire guide member from the first tooth, and uncoupling the second wire guide member from the second tooth. |
| US08844115B2 |
Production method for a shredding device
A method for producing a machine casing of a shredding device includes providing component parts and/or assembly groups of the machine casing of the shredding device. Retaining ring bolts are provided, and at least some of the component parts and/or assembly groups of the machine casing are connected to each other through use of the retaining bolt rings. |
| US08844114B2 |
System and method for an engineered joint
A system and method for an engineered joint according to one example embodiment includes a hinge pin and loops that extend from membranes around the hinge pin. Multiple embodiments include loops that extend from an upper module membrane and cross to attach to a second upper module membrane and loops that extend from a first lower module membrane and cross to attach to a second lower module membrane. |
| US08844112B2 |
Methods of manufacturing safety shields for medical needles and related manufacturing devices
A medical needle shield apparatus is manufactured by positioning a portion of a friction plate or clip on a medical needle and then further orienting the remaining portion so that the tolerance is optimized for resetting the clip on the medical needle. |
| US08844110B2 |
Independent self-close mechanism for pullout drawer
A self-closing drawer slide for a refrigerator includes a slide assembly operable between expanded and non-expanded positions and having first and second slides that are slidably engaged. The first slide is removably attached directly or indirectly to the refrigerator interior wall. An actuator is operably coupled to the second slide. A modular self-closing mechanism is releasably attached to an interior refrigerator wall separate from the slide assembly. A slider is attached to a spring and slidably engaged with the self-closing mechanism. The slider is positionable by the actuator between extended and retracted positions. The slider is adapted to be disengaged from the extended position by the actuator, allowing slider movement to the retracted position under force of the spring and which consequently pulls the actuator and a third slide, causing slide assembly movement to the non-expanded position. |
| US08844109B2 |
Method for the manufacture of motor vehicles
A method for manufacturing motor vehicles at a manufacturing location (S), from which ready-assembled motor vehicles are built in a planned number and order of output. First modules (MA) are delivered in a specific assembly stage discontinuously from a first production shop (PA) to the manufacturing location (S) and are fed continuously into a manufacturing line (F) in which the modules (MA) are manufactured into motor vehicles (A). Second modules (MB) be fed in a specific assembly stage from a second production shop (PB) into the joint manufacturing line (F) at a sequencing station (5) alternately with the modules (MA). Thus, vehicles of first and second model series can be manufactured on one and the same manufacturing line. |
| US08844107B2 |
System for assembling and disassembling a turbine section of a gas turbine
A counter weight for installing and removing a lower portion of an inner casing of a turbine section generally includes a semi-annular main body having a first radially extending mating surface and a second radially extending mating surface. A radial gear rack extends radially outward from the main body. The radial gear rack includes a primary segment that extends a first angular distance between the first radially extending mating surface and the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. A secondary segment of the radial gear rack extends a second angular distance from the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. The secondary segment defines an at least partially linear inner surface and an outer arcuate surface. |
| US08844106B2 |
Installation fixture for elastomer bands and methods of using the same
A kit comprising an installation fixture, a plurality of mechanical fasteners and an embedding tool is provided which allows for an elastomer band to be disposed in a mounting groove around a semiconductor substrate support in a manner that relieves the internal stresses of the elastomer band, leading to an elastomer band with a longer operational lifetime. The installation fixture is secured to a substrate support with mechanical fasteners. An elastomer band is placed around an outer circumference of the installation fixture and rotated back and forth to relieve internal stresses of the elastomer band. The fixture is inverted and the elastomer band is slid vertically off the fixture and into the mounting groove. An embedding tool can be used to completely insert the elastomer band into the mounting groove. |
| US08844105B2 |
Device and method for assembly of furniture
Furniture, such as a chair, and method of assembly thereof includes the steps of configuring an upholstery fabric outer covering and a flap having one or more open sides, the flap affixable on one side to the outer covering. A number of foam blocks are configured in shapes, which, taken together, conform to the shape of the furniture to be assembled. |
| US08844100B2 |
Jewelry clasp and methods thereof
A jewelry clasp including at least a first jewelry interfacer and a second jewelry interfacer capable of magnetically coupling together. The magnetic coupling of the first and second jewelry interfacers can be substantially easy to decouple by applying force substantially in a first direction, but substantially difficult to decouple by applying force that is not substantially in the first direction. Accordingly, the jewelry clasp can be capable of being decoupled by a user with substantial ease while remaining substantially difficult to decouple when not desired. |
| US08844097B2 |
Soft opening for a hinge
A hinge including a device bracket, a door bracket, a first arm, a second arm, and a door stop is provided. The device bracket mounts to a device surface. The door bracket mounts to a door surface of a door. The first arm is mounted for rotation about a first pin and a second pin. The second arm is mounted for rotation about a third pin and a fourth pin. The first pin and third pin are mounted to the device bracket, and the second pin and fourth pin are mounted to the door bracket. The first pin is closer to an axis of rotation of the door than the third pin when the door is in a closed position. The door stop is mounted to the second arm and positioned to contact the first arm when the door is opened to a selected angle. |
| US08844095B2 |
Floor care apparatus with cord reel and nozzle assembly
A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. Further, the nozzle assembly includes a cord reel. |
| US08844094B2 |
Multi-port probe purge systems and techniques
Tubes are used to perform a focused cleaning of a sensor tip. By surrounding the tip with burn-off “jets,” the tip is invariably cleaned by a purge procedure even when strong atmosphere currents are present in a furnace. In dirty environments, an additional purge port, without a focused tube, is used to ensure cleaning of the upper portion of the sheath to prevent soot causing seizure of a sensor element. Alternatively, a means for saturating a sensor's active element with cleaning air is provided, such that a single tube directs air into a multi-port ring at a sensor's tip or into the tip of a sheath, which has channels/holes directing air for purposes of saturating the tip from multiple directions. |
| US08844093B2 |
Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises cyclone downstream from the dirty air inlet and an openable pre-motor filter chamber. The pre-motor filter chamber is openable with the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber associated with the cyclone chamber. |
| US08844092B2 |
Cleaning device for ceiling transport facility and operation method thereof
An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device for a ceiling transport facility in which a plurality of locations to be cleaned can be cleaned appropriately while avoiding having insufficient suction power for the plurality of cleaning suction portions.A travelling guide portion for a transport carriage is provided on the ceiling side. The cleaning carriage that can travel along the travelling guide portion is provided with a plurality of cleaning suction portions for performing suctioning action on a plurality of locations to be cleaned in the travelling guide portion and a vacuum cleaner which is in communication with the plurality of cleaning suction portions. The plurality of cleaning suction portions are divided to a plurality of functioning units. And an interrupting device is provided for selectively permitting and preventing the communication of each of the plurality of the functioning units with the vacuum cleaner. |
| US08844091B1 |
Spill cleanup system
A squeegee and tray system is provided to clean up spills. The tray has a front edge, a ramp, and a trough for receiving and transporting a spill. The squeegee has a resilient edge to push a spill into the front edge of the tray. A bracket is provided to mount on a vertical surface that receives the tray. The tray has a slot for receiving the squeegee where the squeegee and tray are stored together when placed on the mounting bracket. |
| US08844090B2 |
Tool for filling voids in turbine vanes and other articles
A tool 54 for introducing a paste 74 into voids 44 in an article 12 includes at least one pad having a working surface shaped similarly to the shape of a target region on the article. In one specific embodiment, the tool 54 has first and second pads 56, 60, joined to each other by, for example, a hinge 66 . The pads and hinge are engageable with the article 12 so that each similarly shaped working surface 58, 62, 68 hugs a corresponding target region on the article to urge the paste into the voids. An associated method of concurrently filling voids in an article includes applying a filler material to the article in the vicinity of the voids and urging the filler material concurrently into the multiple voids. |
| US08844088B2 |
Spray mop
A spray mop utilizing a latch and an auxiliary latch that prevents a hinge bar of a mop head from separating and keeping either a cloth mop or a string mop in place. The spray mop utilizes a spray mop that is activated by the use of a lever near the handle of the spray mop. In another embodiment, the hinge bar just uses a latch without an auxiliary latch. |
| US08844087B2 |
Wire brush
A wire brush may have wire type tufts extending from a head and may have a handle with only one finger separator. And/or a wire brush may have a manually detachable scraper that has a pair of tabs received in a pair of grooves formed on the brush body. |
| US08844086B2 |
Fluid rotation drive
A fluid rotation drive, in particular for cleaning apparatus, having at least one drive wheel, in particular a turbine wheel or bucket wheel, which can be directly set into rotation about a drive axis by the action of a supplied fluid, in particular supplied in jet form; having at least one planetary transmission, with a sun gear of the planetary transmission being connected to the drive wheel; and having a housing which includes the drive wheel and the planetary transmission and which has at least one inlet for the fluid supplied for acting on the drive wheel, with a first ring region for the fluid being defined by the drive wheel and the housing and a second ring region for the fluid being defined by a toothed arrangement of an annulus gear of the planetary transmission, and with the first ring region and the second ring region being arranged in direct spatial proximity to one another. |
| US08844080B2 |
Thumb-mountable protective utensil system and kit
A thumb-mountable protective utensil system and kit comprises a protective housing, a utensil mount and one or more utensil elements, each of which may be attachable to and detachable from the mount. The housing includes a cavity configured to generally conformingly receive a tip segment of a human thumb for snug securement of the housing thereto. The system is adapted to provide protection from cuts, and can accommodate a variety of thumb sizes by incorporating one or more shim elements which are capable of being attached to and removed from the housing. Examples of variations on the utensil element may include a spiked utensil, a grater utensil and a peeler utensil. |
| US08844077B2 |
Syncronized patient elevation and positioning apparatus positioning support systems
An apparatus for transferring a supine patient to a prone position on a patient positioning support system, and for rotating such a prone patient between prone and supine positions without removing the patient from the patient positioning support system. |
| US08844076B2 |
Patient handling device including local status indication, one-touch fowler angle adjustment, and power-on alarm configuration
A patient handling device includes a deck for supporting a patient support surface, a controller, and a user interface. The user interface is actuatable by a user to record a state of a plurality of conditions of the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the user interface and operable to monitor the plurality of conditions and to generate a first unified indication when all the conditions remain unchanged from their recorded state, and to generate a second indication when any of the conditions change from their recorded state. |
| US08844075B2 |
Footboard with partial mattress integration
A patient support apparatus is convertible between a bed position, having a generally horizontal sleeping surface upon which a person lies in a supine position, and a chair egress position, allowing a person to exit the support from a sitting position. The patient support comprises a deck, a foot panel coupled to the deck, and an inflatable bladder assembly coupled to the foot panel. The inflatable bladder assembly is coupled to the foot panel and both the foot panel and inflatable bladder assembly are removable from the deck. |
| US08844069B1 |
Inflatable tank and basin system
An inflatable tank and basin system for providing water for sanitation has a tank constructed from a pliable material with a tank sealed cavity for inflation. In a first state, upon inflation, the tank is for containing water. In a second state, upon deflation, the tank is collapsible for easy portability. The system has a basin with a concave basin top. The basin is constructed from a pliable material with a basin sealed cavity for inflation. In a first state, upon inflation, the basin is for containing water. In a second state, upon deflation, the basin is collapsible for easy portability. The inflatable tank and basin system is for providing water for sanitation in areas wherein there is no present or there is limited/remote access like in parks and disaster shelters. |
| US08844068B2 |
Shower drain adapter
A shower drain adapter configured to allow use of a bondable waterproof membrane with a shower pan drain system comprises a drain body and a lower mating flange extending from the drain body. The lower mating flange is operable to mate with an upper portion of a body of a shower pan drain installable on a waste pipe. An integrated bonding flange extends from the drain body and is operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a waterproof seal between the membrane and the adapter. |
| US08844066B1 |
Integrated helmet having blunt force trauma protection
An integrated helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a helmet shell, an inner impact layer and the replaceable impact layer. The helmet shell is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber or a high impact plastic. A plurality of openings are formed through the helmet shell to reduce weight. The inner impact layer is attached to an inside surface of the helmet shell. The inner impact layer includes a plurality of deformable bubbles, which communicate with each other through a plurality of air channels. The inner impact layer will not burst upon impact. The plurality of deformable bubble chambers are filled with air to allow air to be displaced from one area to another area. The replaceable impact layer is attached to an outside surface of the helmet shell. The replaceable impact layer will burst upon impact. |
| US08844063B2 |
Sports spectator catching and handling glove
Disclosed is a form-fitting glove and catching device that provides sports fans with a ready means to catch a ball entering the spectator seating area while not reducing the wearer's ability to handle items will the glove is worn. The device comprises a glove having a body region covering the palm region and backside region of the wearer's hand, a thumb portion, a forefinger portion and a plurality of shortened finger portions. Spanning between the thumb and forefinger portions is a mitt web material for accepting a baseball or similar sports ball therein. The palm region includes a layer of protective padding, while the base of the body region comprises an opening having a strap securement means. The mitt web is a woven or netted material being secured along its periphery to the exterior portion of the thumb portion and forefinger, or alternatively to the thumb portion and middle finger. |
| US08850610B2 |
Mobile device peripherals management system and multi-data stream technology (MdS)
A device and system for management of and access to externally connected peripheral devices by mobile devices. User and/or application data on a mobile device is sent to externally connected peripheral devices. External peripheral devices includes, but are not limited to, printers, scanners, displays, audio interfaces, speakers, network adapters, storage drives, hard drives, and the like. An end user mobile device application interface is installed as an application on a mobile device. Data may be sent directly to a peripheral device, or to a peripherals aggregation device, which may be active or passive. |
| US08850609B1 |
Conditional integration of a satellite device into an authentication process involving a primary device
A processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory is configured to determine a risk of simultaneous theft of a primary device and at least one satellite device associated with the primary device, and to identify said at least one satellite device as an appropriate authentication factor for use in an authentication process involving the primary device, based at least in part on the determined risk. The identified satellite device may serve as an additional or alternative authentication factor relative to one or more other authentication factors. The processing device may comprise the primary device itself, or another separate device, such as an authentication server that also participates in the authentication process. Information associated with the identified satellite device is utilized in the authentication process to authenticate a user of the primary device. |
| US08850608B2 |
Embedded ring oscillator network for integrated circuit security and threat detection
Aspects of the disclosure relate to combining on-chip structure with external current measurements for threat detection in an integrated circuit. This method considers Trojans' impact on neighboring cells and on the entire IC's power consumption, and effectively localizes the measurement of dynamic power. An on-chip structure can permit threat detections. In one aspect, the on-chip structure can comprise a plurality of sensors distributed across the entirety of the IC, with each sensor of the plurality of sensors being placed in different rows of a standard-cell design. In another aspect, data analysis can permit separating effect of process variations on transient power usage of the IC from effects of a hardware threat such power usage. The on-chip structure also can be employed for implementation of a PE-PUF. |
| US08850603B2 |
System and method for enhancing device passcode security
A method for entering a passcode within a mobile device begins with receiving an indication of a user attempt to access the mobile device. A passcode entry display including a plurality of touch points is generated responsive to the indication. Each of the plurality of touch points includes at least two visual identifiers associated therewith. The passcode entry display is displayed on an interface of the mobile device and the passcode is received responsive to user selection of a sequences of the plurality of touch points associated with a predetermined sequence of at least one of the visual identifiers. The arrangement of the at least two visual identifier associated with the plurality of touch points of each passcode entry display differs from an arrangement of the at least two visual identifiers in a previous and a subsequent passcode entry display. |
| US08850600B2 |
Data storage device and data storage system including the same
A data storage device protecting security code stored therein and a data storage system including same are disclosed. The data storage device efficiently prevents unauthorized access to the security code by allowing command descriptor block (CDB) information to be read using only a read-only memory (ROM). |
| US08850599B2 |
Method for document processing
A method and system process a document having attached thereto a set of digital rights specifications, the digital rights specifications specifying constraints on the processing of the document. A workflow controller selects candidate devices, for processing the document, from a plurality of devices and determines, for each candidate device, that the device meets the digital rights specifications requirements. A set of devices are assigned to process the document from the set of devices that meet the digital rights specifications constraints. The workflow controller detects a failed device included in the assigned set of devices to process the document and determines potential candidate devices to replace the failed device. For each potential candidate device, it is determined if the potential candidate device meets the digital rights specifications requirements. A device that meets the digital rights specifications constraints is assigned to replace the failed device. |
| US08850595B2 |
Private anonymous electronic messaging
Private anonymous electronic messaging between a message originator and a message recipient within an organization encourages open communication which can provide information to the organization that might otherwise be secreted from the organization, and can allow the message originator to obtain desired help (e.g., counseling). By profiling of the message originator based on current and previous electronic messaging within the system as well as external organizational information (e.g., behavioral or financial information), the system can assess concerns yet act as a gateway to protect the message originator's true identity through escalating levels of concern unless a genuine concern about the health, well-being, and/or safety of the message originator, others, or the organization is indicated, in which case the system can reveal the true identity of the message originator as appropriate. |
| US08850593B2 |
Data management using a virtual machine-data image
In one implementation, encrypted data and a virtual machine are stored together as a virtual machine-data image, wherein the virtual machine is configured to EXERT management control over the data based on policies set by an owner of the data. In another implementation, metadata defining or tagging policies for usage of data is associated with the data. Control capabilities of service providers are mapped to the policies, wherein those service provider environments that best satisfy the controls mapped to the policies are identified. |
| US08850592B2 |
Unauthorized operation detection system and unauthorized operation detection method
The content of operations is identified and an alert is generated to an operation having a high risk of information leakage.An agent monitors, for example, operations performed with respect to a dialogue displayed on a client PC. If a file is selected by an operation performed with respect to the displayed dialogue, the agent assigns an identifier indicating a source for the file to the file. If the file is sent as an attached file, the agent identifies an output destination for the attached file as well as the source for the attached file; and if the output destination for the attached file is an external Web server and the source for the attached file is a mail server, the agent generates an alert by determining that an unauthorized operation has been executed; and then sends the generated alert to a management server. |
| US08850585B2 |
Systems and methods for automated malware artifact retrieval and analysis
An automated malware analysis method is disclosed which can perform receiving a first universal resource locator identifying a first intermediate network node, accessing the first intermediate network node to retrieve a first malware artifact file, storing the malware artifact file in a data storage device, analyzing the malware artifact file to identify a second universal resource locator within the malware artifact file, and accessing a second intermediate network node to retrieve a second malware artifact file. |
| US08850575B1 |
Geolocation error tracking in transaction processing
An improved technique tracks errors in collecting geolocation data associated with a transaction. Along these lines, an adaptive authentication engine stores information indicative of a failure to collect geolocation data associated with the transaction. In particular, this information takes the form of a geolocation collection state; the adaptive authentication engine stores such a state in a field of a database that contains historical transaction information. If a service provider failed to collect geolocation information for a transaction, the adaptive authentication engine stores a “Fail” value in the geolocation collection state field of the database entry associated with the transaction. Adaptive authentication techniques may then correlate such “Fail” values with other field values such as time of submission and device type. The result of such a correlation is to build a risk model based on geolocation collection error which the risk engine may then use to compute risk score. |
| US08850574B1 |
Safe self-modifying code
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for runtime language-independent sandboxing of software. In one aspect, a system implements an extended Software Fault Isolation (SFI) software sandboxing system configured to provide a user-mode program interface for receiving runtime requests for modifying verifiably safe executable machine code. Requests can include dynamic code creation, dynamic code deletion, and atomic modification of machine code instructions. A runtime modification of a verifiably safe executable memory region is made in response to each received runtime request, and code within the modified memory region has a guarantee of safe execution. |
| US08850573B1 |
Computing device with untrusted user execution mode
Methods and apparatus for executing untrusted application code are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an execution mode state indicator with a plurality of states. In the example apparatus, the execution mode state indicator is configured such that placing the execution mode state indicator in a first state causes the processor to operate in a first execution mode and placing the execution mode state indicator in a second state causes the processor to operate in a second execution mode. The example apparatus also includes an instruction processing module that is configured to implement a set of instructions in the first execution mode and designate one or more instructions of the set of instructions as illegal instructions in the second execution mode. The example apparatus further includes a memory system that, in the second execution mode, is configured to restrict access to a set of memory addresses accessible by the processor in the first execution mode to a subset of the set of memory addresses. |
| US08850572B2 |
Methods for handling a file associated with a program in a restricted program environment
Techniques for handling a file associated with a program are described herein. According to an aspect of the invention, in response to a request for accessing a file received through a first program, the file is stored in a first sandboxed storage area, where the file is to be accessed by a second program. An atomic move operation is then performed on the file that atomically moves the file from the first sandboxed storage area to a second sandboxed storage area, where the first sandboxed storage area is not accessible to the first program and second program. The second program is launched to access the file stored in the second sandboxed storage area, where the second sandboxed storage area is a part of a sandbox associated with the second program. |
| US08850570B1 |
Filter-based identification of malicious websites
A candidate suspicious website is identified. A plurality of lightweight features associated with the candidate suspicious website is identified. A filter score is determined based on the plurality of lightweight features, wherein the filter score indicates a likelihood that the candidate suspicious website is a malicious website. Whether the filter score exceeds a threshold is determined. Responsive at least in part to the filter score exceeding the threshold it is determined that the candidate suspicious website is a suspicious website. Whether the suspicious website is a malicious website is determined by identifying software downloaded to the computing system responsive to accessing the suspicious website and determining whether the software downloaded to the computing system is malware based on characteristics associated with the downloaded software. |
| US08850569B1 |
Instant messaging malware protection
A computing device capable of instant messaging (IM) contains IM anti-malware software for preventing the transmission of malware-created IMs and opening potentially harmful IMs that it receives. When transmitting an IM, the software checks to ensure that the message being sent was created by the user (a human being) and not by IM malware, such as an IM BOT. This is done by copying details of a message as it is being typed by a user into a database and searching for that data before an IM is transmitted from the device. The software also ensures that when it receives an IM from an outside source, that the message contains a special encrypted signal that was inserted into the message by the source when the source has determined that the message was created by a human being. If the special signal is not found, it is presumed that the message was created by malware and may be discarded. Ensuring that an IM message is created by a human being is by leveraging a feature in IM client software that provides the name of the person typing the message as the message is being created. |
| US08850568B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting unauthorized access to a computing device and securely communicating information about such unauthorized access
A method and apparatus for detecting attacks against a computing device are described. Such attacks may be detected by the device and reported to a requesting entity in a manner that makes it difficult for an attacker to know that the attack has been detected. Several exemplary embodiments comprising different client/server and client/network type systems are presented. |
| US08850567B1 |
Unauthorized URL requests detection
Unauthorized URL requests are detected based on individual user's access map(s). An access map describes legitimate paths that a user may be led from one URL to another URL. Additional information on individual URLs forming the paths, such as whether a particular URL is a start URL or a critical URL, is also included in the access map. The access map may be updated based on the most currently available information. When a URL request is made from a client device associated with a user, and it if is determined that the requested URL may potentially suffer from CSRF attacks, then the requested URL and its referral URL are compared against the URL paths in the user's access map to determine whether the URL request is unauthorized. If so, then an alert may be raised. |
| US08850565B2 |
System and method for coordinating network incident response activities
The present invention provides a system and method to process information regarding a network attack through an automated workflow that actively reconfigures a plurality of heterogeneous network-attached devices and applications to dynamically counter the attack using the network's own self-defense mechanisms. The present invention leverages the security capabilities present within existing and new network-attached devices and applications to effect a distributed defense that immediately quarantines and/or mitigates attacks from hostile sources at multiple points simultaneously throughout the network. In a preferred embodiment, deployed countermeasures are automatically lifted following remediation activities. |
| US08850564B2 |
Printing system and image forming apparatus
A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus is operated by a first user who picks up a printed output of the image forming apparatus. A second user sends print data from the host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an input section, a receiving buffer, and a watermark embedding section. The first user inputs a first item of information indicative of the first user through the input section. The receiving buffer stores the print data therein. The watermark embedding section produces a watermark pattern in which information representative of the first item of information is embedded, and combines the print data with the watermark pattern. The image forming apparatus prints out the received print data with the watermark pattern embedded therein. The watermark pattern includes the first item of information therein. |
| US08850556B2 |
Interactive video captcha
Provided is a Captcha Access Control System (CACS) for generating an improved captcha that are based, in one described embodiment, upon a command in one format and a response in a different format, one or both of which are rendered in a format that is difficult for an automated system to interpret. A computer system or program to which a user is requesting access generates a textual or audible command. A video device captures the user's response and transmits the response to a response evaluation device. Based upon an analysis of the transmitted video and a comparison between the analyzed video and the command, the computer or program either enables access or denies access. |
| US08850553B2 |
Service binding
Embodiments for performing service binding between a client and a target server are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a clear text client service binding value is received from a client at the target server, the client service binding value is compared to a server service binding value, and a communication channel is formed between the client and the target server when the client service binding value matches the server service binding value. |
| US08850550B2 |
Using cached security tokens in an online service
A security token service generates a security token for a user that is associated with a client and stores the full security token within a memory. The security token includes an identity claim that represents the identity of the generated security token. Instead of passing the entire security token back to the client, the identity claim is returned to the client. For each request the client makes to the service, the client passes the identity claim in the request instead of the full security token having all of the claims. The identity claim is much smaller then the full security token. When a computing device receives the identity claim within the request from the user, the identity claim is used to access the full security token that is stored in memory. |
| US08850546B1 |
Privacy-preserving user attribute release and session management
An information processing system comprises one or more processing devices of at least one processing platform. In one embodiment, the system comprises cloud infrastructure that is configured to validate an externally-generated security token issued to a user, to extract one or more claims from the validated externally-generated security token, and to create a session object to hold the extracted claim or claims. The cloud infrastructure issues an internally-generated security token based on the session object that allows the user to be identified to a protected resource. The internally-generated security token is validated in conjunction with a request from the user for access to the protected resource, and information associated with at least one extracted claim is selectively released responsive to validation of the internally-generated security token. Access of the user to the protected resource is granted or denied based on the selectively-released information. |
| US08850545B2 |
Systems and methods for securing network communications
Secure communications may be established amongst network entities for performing authentication and/or verification of the network entities. For example, a user equipment (UE) may establish a secure channel with an identity provider, capable of issuing user identities for authentication of the user/UE. The UE may also establish a secure channel with a service provider, capable of providing services to the UE via a network. The identity provider may even establish a secure channel with the service provider for performing secure communications. The establishment of each of these secure channels may enable each network entity to authenticate to the other network entities. The secure channels may also enable the UE to verify that the service provider with which it has established the secure channel is an intended service provider for accessing services. |
| US08850543B2 |
Hardware-based device authentication
An opportunity for a computing device to participate in a secure session with a particular domain is identified. A domain identifier of the particular domain is received and a secured microcontroller of the computing device is used to identify a secured, persistent hardware identifier of the computing device stored in secured memory of the computing device. A secure identifier is derived for a pairing of the computing device and the particular domain based on the hardware identifier and domain identifier of the particular domain and the secure identifier is transmitted over a secured channel to the particular domain. The particular domain can verify identity of the computing device from the secure identifier and apply security policies to transactions involving the computing device and the particular domain based at least in part on the secure identifier. |
| US08850542B2 |
Code-based authorization of mobile device
A system and method for authenticating mobile communications devices. The method comprises: generating a code corresponding to a user configured to be rendered on a rendering device to produce a rendered code, the rendered code being readable by a mobile communications device having a code reading device, the rendered code comprising a secret token; storing the secret token along with information identifying the user on a first storage device; providing the code to the user; receiving, at the authentication server, a setup message from the mobile device, the message includes a device identifier and the secret token; comparing the received secret token and the secret token stored on the first storage device; if the received secret token matches the secret token stored on the first storage device, storing, on a second storage device, information identifying the user and a trusted device value corresponding to the device identifier. |
| US08850541B2 |
Visual authentication and authorization for mobile devices
A system and method is provided for visual authentication and authorization of a user for mobile touch devices, the system having: a login display on a mobile touch device displaying a visual pattern; a data collection engine whereby touch attributes are obtained from a plurality of user touch events to the mobile touch device with reference to the visual pattern, the touch attributes comprise measured touch attributes and derived touch attributes calculated from the measured touch attributes; an authentication engine whereby the touch attributes are compared to projected user touch attributes derived from user touch attribute values obtained during prior successful logins. |
| US08850540B2 |
Method and device for verifying dynamic password
The examples of the present invention provide a method and device for verifying a dynamic password. In the method and device, some algorithm parameters can be exchanged in public by using a DH algorithm, and thus a same key is shared safely between two entities, so as to implement the verification of the dynamic password and further improve the security of identity verification. Moreover, the method and device can be easy to use. Further, by the above technical solution, no message exchange is needed between a mobile device and a verification server, and a user does not need to pay for additional flux, so as to decrease the burden of the user and verification costs. |
| US08850534B2 |
Methods and systems for enhancing the accuracy performance of authentication systems
A method for enhancing the accuracy performance of authentication systems includes determining an authentication data requirement for a desired transaction and at least one new verification phrase. The method also includes capturing authentication data from a user with a communications device in accordance with the authentication data requirement, and capturing biometric data of the at least one new verification phrase from the user with the communications device. Moreover, the method includes adding the determined at least one new verification phrase to an enrollment phrase registry and storing the biometric data captured for the at least one new verification phrase in an enrollment data record of the user after successfully authenticating the user. |
| US08850533B2 |
Multi-level authentication for medical data access
Techniques for multi-level authentication for medical data access are supported. A system may include a central medical information management system that provides restricted access to medical data. An accessing device supports multiple different authentication levels. For example, the accessing device may use a combination of device identifiers, passwords, and quick access codes to ensure access only by authorized users. |
| US08850528B2 |
Organizing permission associated with a cloud customer in a virtual computing infrastructure
Organizing permissions to authorize a subject to perform an action on an object in a cloud computing environment is described. A plurality of permissions associated with a cloud customer is created. A first set of permissions from the plurality of permissions is associated with one or more objects. Each of the first set of permissions describes an action performed on an object. A second set of permissions from the plurality of permissions is associated with one or more users. Each of the second set of permissions describes an action to be performed by one or more users. |
| US08850521B2 |
Providing differentiated network services and priorities to VPN routers/clients
In one embodiment, a first network device receives a priority message from a second network device, wherein the priority message conforms to a connection establishment protocol and indicates a priority associated with the second network device. The first network device obtains the priority from the priority message and stores the priority. The first network device allocates resources for at least one of control or data plane processing to the second network device in accordance with the priority. |
| US08850520B1 |
Dual cookie security system with interlocking validation requirements and remedial actions to protect personal data
A first server associated with a first URL receives a request from a client, including a first object having a respective user identifier and validation value. The server evaluates the validation value of the received first object with respect to a first validation requirement. When the validation value of the first object fails the first validation requirement, the server sends a response to the client that causes the client to send a second request to a second URL that is distinct from the first URL. A second server associated with the second URL receives a request from the client that includes a second object, distinct from the first object. The second server evaluates the received second object with respect to a second validation requirement, and when the second object fails the second validation requirement, the second server invalidates the respective user identifier. |
| US08850518B2 |
Method and device for user authentication
A method is provided for user authentication, comprising: provision of a client device provided with an encryption function of variables K, t, x, in which: K is a secret shared by the server and the client device; t is a time-dependent variable; and x is a variable having at least two values, a step of calculation (S30) by the client device of a first value of the function obtained for a first value of x, for authentication of the user by the server; and a step of calculation (S80, S110) by the client device of a second value of the function, obtained for a second value of x, for verification of the user authentication by the server. Also provided is a user authentication device with means of calculation of values of said function. |
| US08850517B2 |
Runtime risk detection based on user, application, and system action sequence correlation
A method for assessing runtime risk for an application or device includes: storing, in a rules database, a plurality of rules, wherein each rule identifies an action sequence; storing, in a policy database, a plurality of assessment policies, wherein each assessment policy includes at least one rule of the plurality of rules; identifying, using at least one assessment policy, a runtime risk for an application or device, wherein the identified runtime risk identifies and predicts a specific type of threat; and identifying, by a processing device, a behavior score for the application or device based on the identified runtime risk, wherein the action sequence is a sequence of at least two performed actions, and each performed action is at least one of: a user action, an application action, and a system action. |
| US08850511B2 |
Program replacing method
A program replacing method includes registering a first program so that message transmission is enabled between the first program and a detachable point of deployment (POD). The first program has an identifier that identifies a program type of the first program. When a second program having the same identifier as the first program exists in the broadcast receiving terminal apparatus, the second program is notified that message transmission between the second program and the point of deployment is to be terminated. Approval for terminating the message transmission between the second program and the point of deployment is received from the second program. The message transmission between the second program and the point of deployment is then terminated. |
| US08850510B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver and upgrading method thereof
A digital broadcast receiver and an upgrading method thereof that can achieve an upgrade stabilization. The digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner to receive broadcast data of a selected channel, a demultiplexer to separate new middleware data and information data corresponding to the new middleware data from the broadcast data, a memory to pre-store previous middleware data and to store the new middleware data and the information data, and a controller to determine whether to store the new middleware data in the memory based on the information data. If storage of the new middleware data is completed, the controller checks whether an upgrade is successful by executing the new middleware data, and if the upgrade fails, the controller executes the previous middleware data pre-stored in the memory. Thus, the receiver upgrades the received middleware program in a stable manner. |
| US08850508B2 |
Dual mode proximity sensor
A computer-implemented method for controlling an electronic device including receiving a signal through a light sensor of the device, identifying with a processor of the device whether the received signal originated from a light emitter of the device, and controlling a function of the device, the function selected based on whether the signal is identified as originating from the light emitter of the device or the light emitter separate from the device. |
| US08850501B2 |
IP media streaming service delivery
A method of ordering the delivery of a media stream to a client terminal coupled to an IP network is described. The method comprises identifying, at a user terminal (e.g. a mobile device), destination address information for the client terminal. The user terminal is authenticated to an application server of an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, and the destination address information is sent from the user terminal to the application server. The media stream is then sent to the client terminal. This enables the media to be delivered to the client terminal on the basis of the authentication of the user terminal. |
| US08850499B2 |
Systems and methods for caching data in media-on-demand systems
Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network. |
| US08850497B2 |
Efficiently distributing video content using a combination of a peer-to-peer network and a content distribution network
A method, system and computer program product for efficiently distributing video content. A peer-to-peer network and a content distribution network are used in combination to distribute video content. A content distribution network relies on servers distributed across the Internet to achieve high quality content delivery at a high cost. A peer-to-peer network distributes content among peers without incurring server side cost but may experience poor performance. The peer-to-peer network and the content distribution network are leveraged in a manner that achieves high content delivery and low cost by allowing the peer-to-peer network to serve as much content as possible while using the content distribution network to bootstrap the content in the peer-to-peer network and using it as a fallback whenever the peer-to-peer network has insufficient bandwidth, insufficient quality or when the missing piece of video content in the video buffer of the client device has an immediate deadline. |
| US08850494B2 |
Forming die assembly for microcomponents
A forming die assembly for microcomponents includes a forming die, a plunger, and a punch. The forming die is formed with an outer die, an inner die, a storage portion formed at the inner die, and a punch hole formed at the inner die. The inner die slidably inserted into the outer die forms a part of a cavity between the inner die and the outer die. The storage portion stores a raw material with a metal powder and a binder having plasticity. The punch hole connects the cavity and the storage portion and forms a gate therebetween. The plunger slidably inserted into the storage portion fills the raw material stored in the storage portion into the cavity through the punch hole. The punch is slidably inserted into the plunger, and it closes the gate and compresses the raw material in the cavity. |
| US08850490B1 |
Consuming paid media in an internet-based content platform
An internet-based content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The internet-based content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the internet-based content platform and has dynamically changed content. The internet-based content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The internet-based content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The internet-based content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user. |
| US08850489B2 |
Cost reduction through bidding and advertising
Media can be provided by requesting a data channel, wherein the request includes a bid for bandwidth. The bid can be indicative of a price that a user is willing to pay for the bandwidth. It can subsequently be determined, based on the price, to service the request for the data channel, establish the data channel, and charge an account an amount, based on the price. |
| US08850486B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a user interface
When the user views the information available on a program (in a Personal Video Recorder), the keywords that determine whether a program will be recorded are accentuated. This can be done by using the size of the text or by using colors or any other kind of varying accentuation i.e. encircled or blinking text. This makes it easy for the user to identify the keywords used in their personalized profile. Additionally the user can navigate between keywords and change the accentuation of the keywords, to indicate a rating (in multiple levels) of the keyword. |
| US08850483B2 |
Method and apparatus for purchasing upgraded media features for programming transmissions
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for purchasing media features for programming transmissions. A selection is sent to a server system to buy an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission. The server system automatically coordinates purchasing the media feature from a programming transmission source and providing the media feature from the programming transmission source. In one embodiment, an entertainment system includes a user interface from which a viewer selects an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission, wherein the programming transmission with the upgraded media feature is provided to the entertainment system. |
| US08850480B2 |
Interactive user interface for television applications
An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television. |
| US08850472B2 |
Method and apparatus for customizing user experience
A method for customizing a user communication experience is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a user communication input and determining one or more communication input characteristics. Thereafter, one or more advertisements are provided to the user in accordance with the user communication input and the one or more determined communication characteristics. |
| US08850471B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing user control of advertising breaks associated with a media program
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for presenting an advertisement for playback in conjunction with a streamed media program are described. The method permits the user to control advertising breaks and in particular, the timing of advertising breaks associated with the media program. |
| US08850467B1 |
System and method for monitoring video performance
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving one or more transmitted frame identifiers that are mathematical representations of one or more transmitted video frames included within a multi-frame video. One or more video frames included within the multi-frame video are received, thus defining one or more received video frames. A mathematical representation of each of the one or more received video frames is generated, thus defining one or more received frame identifiers. The one or more received frame identifiers are compared to the one or more transmitted frame identifiers to determine a level of similarity between the one or more received video frames and the one or more transmitted video frames. |
| US08850466B2 |
Method and system for the determination of a present viewer in a smart TV
The invention relates to a system for determining a list of currently watching one or more viewers of a smart TV, which comprises at the smart TV: (a) a mobile phone connection unit for detecting pre-registered telephones of potential viewers that are within a short range from the TV; (b) a normal schedule unit for pre-recording for each potential viewer his normal schedule; (c) a recent activity monitoring unit for recording recent viewers activity within the smart TV; and (d) a viewer determination unit for receiving data from said mobile phone connection unit, from said normal schedule unit, and from said recent activity unit, and for determining from said data a list of one or more currently watching viewers of the TV. |
| US08850462B2 |
Disk drive apparatus with a centering mechanism
A disk drive apparatus able to prevent jamming of a disk and abutting parts having a rotary table fit on a shaft of a brushless motor and carrying a disk and a centering part elastically biased in an axial direction away from a center hole of this rotary table and fit in a center through hole of the disk to center and hold the disk, the centering part having inelastic abutting parts sticking out from a center taper part in radial directions and abutting against an inner circumferential edge of the center through hole and having outer circumferential groove parts forming clearances from the inner circumferential edge between the inelastic abutting parts adjoining each other in the circumferential direction. |
| US08850457B2 |
System and method for using a mobile agent object to collect data
Method and system for collecting and filtering messages received at an event source platform and delivering the filtered messages to a collection host platform. According to one embodiment, the system uses a mobile agent object to filter messages received at an event source platform. The mobile agent object determines a filtered set of messages that match predetermined parameters and then delivers the filtered messages to a collection host platform for storage or redirection. |
| US08850456B2 |
Extended dynamic optimization of connection establishment and message progress processing in a multi-fabric message passing interface implementation
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a system that can optimize message passing by, at least in part, automatically determining a minimum number of fabrics and virtual channels to be activated to handle pending connection requests and data transfer requests, and preventing processing of new connection requests and data transfer requests outside of a predetermined communication pattern. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08850455B1 |
Method and system for parent backup application monitoring of children backup applications
Parent backup application monitoring of children backup applications is described. Child backup information, including an execution of a child backup task by a child backup application, is communicated from the child backup application to a parent backup application. Second child backup information, including an execution of a second child backup task by a second child backup application, may be communicated from the second child backup application to the parent backup application. A parent backup task is executed by the parent backup application. At least one child backup application inherently lacks a functionality to execute the parent backup task as the parent backup application executes the parent backup task. A report is generated based on the child backup information. |
| US08850454B2 |
Method and computer program product for integrating a first application providing a B2B gateway and one or more second applications
The invention provides for a method and computer program product for integrating an e-business service application being provided by a B2B server and one or more other remote applications by means of an Entity-Relationship model. |
| US08850453B1 |
Techniques for event filtering
Described are techniques for event notification. A first notification about a first event is received. A timer is set to an amount of time. Processing waits until an occurrence of either receiving a second notification of a second event or expiration of said timer indicating that the amount of time has lapsed. It is determined whether the amount of time has lapsed or whether the second notification has been received. If the expiration time has lapsed, notification of the first event is provided, and otherwise, if the second notification has been received prior to the amount of time lapsing, the timer is reset and processing waits for an occurrence of either receiving a next notification of an event or expiration of the timer indicating that the amount of time has lapsed. |
| US08850452B2 |
Correlating parts of composite transactions involving asynchronous calling mechanisms
At least one presently preferred embodiment of the invention broadly contemplates correlating asynchronous transaction parts based on a unique transaction value (e.g. a unique business ID) that all the transaction parts will have access to. This avoids the need for enriching/changing the message body or message header with ARM “correlator” information. |
| US08850448B2 |
Dynamic reconfigurable heterogeneous processor architecture with load balancing and dynamic allocation method thereof
A dynamic reconfigurable heterogeneous processor architecture with load balancing and dynamic allocation method thereof is disclosed. The present invention uses a work control logic unit to detect load imbalance between different types of processors, and employs a number of dynamic reconfigurable heterogeneous processors to offload the heavier loaded processors. Hardware utilization of such design can be enhanced, and variation in computation needs among different computation phases can be better handled. To design the dynamic reconfigurable heterogeneous processors, a method of how to choose the basic building blocks and place the routing components is included. With the present invention, performance can be maximized at a minimal hardware cost. Hence the dynamic reconfigurable heterogeneous processor(s) so constructed and the load balancing and dynamic allocation method together will have the best performance at least cost. |
| US08850447B2 |
Managing resources in a multiprocessing computer system
Embodiments of the invention relate to multiprocessing systems. An aspect of the invention concerns a multiprocessing system that comprises a hardware control component for selecting a hardware management action responsive to a hardware policy and a virtualization component for presenting virtual hardware resources to a software task execution environment. The system may further comprise a software workload management component for controlling at least one running software task and routing at least one new software task using the virtual hardware resources; and a communication component for signaling the software workload management component to perform a software management action in compliance with the hardware management action. The hardware policy may be a hardware power management policy, and the software management action may comprise quiescing the at least one running software task or routing the new software tasks to a different software task execution environment. |
| US08850446B2 |
System and method for using a task starvation indication to prevent starvations of tasks in a multiple processing entity system
A system, computer program and a method for preventing starvations of tasks in a multiple-processing entity system, the method includes: examining, during each scheduling iteration, an eligibility of each task data structure out of a group of data structures to be moved from a sorted tasks queue to a ready for execution task; updating a value, during each scheduling iteration, of a queue starvation watermark value of each task data structure that is not eligible to move to a running tasks queue, until a queue starvation watermark value of a certain task data structure out of the group reaches a queue starvation watermark threshold; and generating a task starvation indication if during an additional number of scheduling iterations, the certain task data structure is still prevented from being moved to a running tasks queue, and the additional number is responsive to a task starvation watermark. |
| US08850445B2 |
Scheduling flows in a multi-platform cluster environment
Techniques for scheduling multiple flows in a multi-platform cluster environment are provided. The techniques include partitioning a cluster into one or more platform containers associated with one or more platforms in the cluster, scheduling one or more flows in each of the one or more platform containers, wherein the one or more flows are created as one or more flow containers, scheduling one or more individual jobs into the one or more flow containers to create a moldable schedule of one or more jobs, flows and platforms, and automatically converting the moldable schedule into a malleable schedule. |
| US08850444B2 |
System for setting each transfer module in a network device into one of a plurality of standby states based upon the level of traffic
This invention provides a data transfer control device for carrying out data transfer using a plurality of transfer resources. The data transfer control device comprises a transfer resource management portion that set the plurality of transfer resources to either one of a transfer-enabled state whereby data transfer is enabled and a plurality of standby states on the basis of a load on the data transfer control device and that manages the plurality of transfer resources so as to assume the set operating status; and a load distribution portion that distributes the data to transfer resources that have been set to the transfer-enabled state. The plurality of standby states are states which data transfer is disabled and which mutually differ at a minimum in terms of at least one of power consumption level and transition time to the transfer-enabled state. |
| US08850443B2 |
Asynchronous input/output (I/O) using alternate stack switching in kernel space
A mechanism for asynchronous input/output (I/O) using second stack switching in kernel space is disclosed. A method of the invention includes receiving, by a kernel executing in a computing device, an input/output (I/O) request from an application thread executing using a first stack, allocating a second stack in kernel space of the computing device, switching execution of the thread to the second stack, and processing the I/O request synchronously using the second stack. |
| US08850437B2 |
Two-pass linear complexity task scheduler
A method for two-pass scheduling of a plurality of tasks generally including steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may assign each of the tasks to a corresponding one or more of a plurality of processors in a first pass through the tasks. The first pass may be non-iterative. Step (B) may reassign the tasks among the processors to shorten a respective load on one or more of the processors in a second pass through the tasks. The second pass may be non-iterative and may begin after the first pass has completed. Step (C) may generate a schedule in response to the assigning and the reassigning. The schedule generally maps the tasks to the processors. |
| US08850435B2 |
Detecting bottleneck condition based on frequency distribution of sampled counts of processing requests
An operation management apparatus obtains a value Xi indicating the number of process requests being processed by an information processing apparatus during each sampling operation, from N samplings acquired during a specific time period from the information processing apparatus, wherein N is an integer satisfying a condition of 1≦N, and i is an integer satisfying a condition of 1≦i≦N. The apparatus determines, for a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a ratio of the sum of values Xi, each value Xi having a difference, from a maximum value of the values Xi, falling within a specific range, to the total sum of the values Xi. The apparatus detects an information processing apparatus having the ratio equal to or higher than a specific value. |
| US08850434B1 |
System and method of constraining auto live migration of virtual machines using group tags
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for constraining auto live migration of virtual machines using group tags, access control lists, and time constraints. A system assigns a hypervisor a group tag denoting membership in a group and assigns a virtual machine an affinity group tag that denotes a placement requirement on hypervisors. The affinity group tag can be positive, requiring a match, or negative, requiring a non-match. The system migrates the virtual machine to the hypervisor according to compatibility between the group tag and the affinity group tag. Limitations of virtual machine placement and live migration due to group tags can be overridden in the system by a forced migration triggered by a human or qualifying event. Additionally, an access control list can be added to group membership of hypervisors and a time dimension can be added to a group tag or an access control list. |
| US08850427B2 |
Bulk data management in a virtual environment
A system and method for service aware virtualization is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of virtual instances operating on virtualization software and a plurality of service manager modules operating on the virtualization software. Each service manager module is coupled to a separate virtual instance and configured to interface with an operation of guest software operating within the virtual instance on the virtualization software. A management interface coupled to the service manager modules interfaces with the plurality of virtual instances. |
| US08850426B2 |
Managing remote deployment of a virtual machine and service request to be processed by the virtual machines based on network bandwith and storage connectivity
A method for managing remote deployment of a virtual machine (VM) in a network environment is provided. A VM image stored in a second storage medium is copied to a first storage medium. The first storage medium is located in close proximity to a first computing system, and the second storage medium is located remotely from the first computing system and in close proximity to a second computing system. As the VM image is being copied, a first VM is deployed on the first computing system from a partial copy of the VM image stored in the first storage medium, and a second VM is deployed on the second computing system from the VM image stored in the second storage medium. Service requests submitted to the first computing system are managed either locally by the first VM or remotely by the second VM based on type of service requested. |
| US08850425B1 |
Method and system for displaying configuration test results by leveraged data protection software
Displaying configuration test results by leveraged data protection software is described. A memory location is read where a display file is stored for a software installer. A configuration checker is executed for the computer. Results are read from executing the configuration checker. The results are written to the memory location. A leveraged software creation tool is prompted to display the display file via an output device. The leveraged software creation tool lacks the capability to dynamically load the display file. |
| US08850423B2 |
Assisting server migration
The present invention describes a method and system for preparing a migration and consolidation of at least one source application to be migrated to or consolidated in at least one heterogeneous server device. A computing system selects at least one prospective target platform component based on an evaluation of at least one source platform component, a requirement of the at least one source application, and a compatibility and an affinity of the at least one prospective target platform component. The computing system collects first metadata of the at least one source platform component and the at least one prospective target platform component. The computing system collects second metadata associated with the migration and consolidation. The computing system groups the first metadata and the second metadata into a RFM (Request For Migration). The computing system prepares and configures a final target platform in accordance with the RFM. |
| US08850422B2 |
Method for managing an application and application platform
According to an example of the present invention, an application platform installs a first application upon receiving a request for installing the first application, and sends a summary of the first application to a server; in which an application list is maintained for each user in the server and the application list is to store summaries of all of applications installed by each user. The application platform uninstalls a second application upon receiving a request for uninstalling the second application, and notifies the server to delete a summary of the second application from an application list corresponding to a user sending the request for uninstalling the second application; in which the first application and the second application are a same application or different applications. |
| US08850420B2 |
Dynamically updating on-demand runtime platforms executing business applications
In one aspect, a business application is provided by a customer for execution in a cloud environment. A runtime platform for the business application is identified based on the functionality of the business application. In another aspect, an installable package for a product composing the business application and a first version of the runtime platform is generated. In yet another aspect, the business application and a second version of the runtime platform are synchronously installed in a cloud environment based on the installable package of the product, where the metadata of the business application and the metadata of the business application are dynamically validated prior the installation to guarantee compatibility. |
| US08850415B2 |
Generating a transition system for use with model checking
The invention concerns model program analysis of software code using model checking. Initially, a transition system (22) and an extensible markup language (XML) (24) representation of the data is generated. Next, labels (26) for the transition system are generated by querying the XML representation of the data using (markup) query language. The labels and the structure of the transition system are then used as input to model checking techniques to analyse the software code (28). It is an advantage of the invention that the problem of labelling a transition system can be transformed into the XML domain so that detailed information about the software code can be extracted using queries in a format that can be run in the XML domain which are well known. At the same time the transformation to the XML domain does not prevent the use of efficient model checking technologies. |
| US08850412B2 |
System and method for using aspects to generate event data records
Methods and systems are described for generating event data records by using aspects. Cross cutting concerns are applied in order to generate the EDRs. In various embodiments, the EDRs are generated within a gateway or another type of software application that processes various communications. In processing data, the gateway can generate data records, which capture information regarding traffic flow within the gateway. The event data records are generated at various points in the gateway by using an aspect to weave code at compile time. Once generated, the EDRs can be picked up by an external listener and filtered based on various criteria, such as Java type-based filtering and classification. The listener can use predefined filtering coming from the gateway or customize the filtering according to specific needs. The EDRs can also be classified by using a configuration file, which can be modified without altering any programming code within the gateway. |
| US08850402B2 |
Determining performance of a software entity
Methods, systems, and products for determining performance of a software entity running on a data processing system. The method comprises allowing extended execution of the software entity without monitoring code. The method also comprises intermittently sampling behavior data for the software entity. Intermittently sampling behavior data may be carried out by injecting monitoring code into the software entity to instrument the software entity, collecting behavior data by utilizing the monitoring code, and removing the monitoring code. The method also comprises repeatedly performing iterations of the allowing and sampling steps until collected behavior data is sufficient for diagnosing performance of the software entity. The method may further comprise analyzing the collected behavior data to diagnose performance of the software entity. |
| US08850399B2 |
Software development using code retraction and background warm up
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to software development. In aspects, code is deployed to a target and debugged. After the debugging has ended, instead of waiting for another version to be deployed to the target, the code is retracted from the target and warm up of the target is performed as needed potentially in parallel with other software development activities with respect to the code. |
| US08850397B2 |
Collaborative software debugging in a distributed system with client-specific display of local variables
In a distributed system that includes a debug server and debug clients coupled for data communications through a network, collaborative software debugging includes presenting a client-specific GUI that includes a client-specific local variables pane; detecting user input including detecting, by at least one particular debug client, user input setting the client-specific local variables pane to display local variables of a stack frame associated with an active routine owned by the particular debug client; generating and sending to the debug server application-level messages; receiving client-specific debug results; and displaying the client-specific debug results, including: displaying, in the particular debug client's client-specific local variables pane, the local variables of the stack frame associated with the active routine owned by the particular debug client; and displaying, in another debug client's client-specific local variables pane, local variables of another stack frame. |
| US08850393B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing software
Techniques are provided for testing new software slated to be deployed on a target machine population with a number of target machines having a number of existing software programs. Method steps can include obtaining a list of depending software programs on selected ones of the target machines. The list can include those of the existing software programs which depend on the new software and/or those of the existing software programs on which the new software depends. The steps can further include identifying relevant test cases based on the list of depending software programs, instantiating a plurality of test client platforms characteristic of the target machine population, and testing the relevant test cases on the plurality of test client platforms to identify failures. |
| US08850392B2 |
Method and computer system for document authoring
Integrated development environment IDE (999), method and computer system for developing user interface documents. An editor (104) is used for editing a user interface document. An adaptation engine (105) generates device class specific representations of the user interface document. Each device class specific representation refers to a respective device class. Device class dependent tools (120) of the IDE (999) are used for generating device class specific information and providing it to the author. Device class specific information can be information about the complexity of the user interface by device class provided by a complexity indicator (121), information about how many pages are generated for which device class provided by a device class dependent view (122) or information about the layout for various device classes provided by a frames layouting view (124). |
| US08850389B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating applications automatically
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for generating applications. A plurality of source codes corresponding to functional modules of the applications are stored in the module storage unit 120. The request analysis unit analyzes a request received from a client who has requested application generation and generates a module list needed to implement functions of the applications. The application generation unit combines the source codes corresponding to the generated module list to generate a first application to be executed in a service provision system of the client and a second application to be executed in a service use system corresponding to the service provision system of the client. According to the present invention, any franchise affiliate owner or general user without application development capability can produce two mutually linked applications easily by one-time input. |
| US08850386B2 |
Method for estimating resource consumption in the generation of a control device program code
A method for estimating a resource consumption of storage space and/or of required runtime of a control device program code to be generated for a control program, whereby the functionality of the control program is given in an executable model. The model has a function with first functional magnitudes and first information associated with the first functional magnitudes and optimization parameters for optimizing a code generator. A program code representation is generated for part of the model comprising the function by the code generator taking into account first values of the optimization parameters. An estimation unit comprises a resource model with hardware parameters. An estimated value for the storage space requirement is determined for the control device program code and/or a runtime estimated value is determined for the control device program code by the estimation unit taking into account the hardware parameters and based on the program code representation. |
| US08850385B2 |
System for supporting collaborative activity
A system includes a processor which has access to a representation of model of activity, which includes workspaces. Each workspace includes domain hierarchies for representing an organizational structure of the collaborating users using the system, and initiatives hierarchies representing process structures for accomplishing goals. An interface permits users to view and modify the workspaces for which the user has access. Each user can have different access permissions in different workspaces. The domain and initiative hierarchies provide two views of the workspace objects without duplicating resources. A resource is a collection of shared elements defined by the users that give users associated with the workspace access to information sources. Users can define knowledge boards for creating reports based on information fields of the resources. The knowledge board is associated with a resource template from which the resource is created. |
| US08850383B2 |
Navigation-independent access to elements of an integrated development environment (IDE) using uniform resource locators (URLs)
The present invention discloses a navigation-independent system for accessing the elements of an integrated development environment (IDE) using uniform resource locators (URLs). Such a system can include a set of URL-accessible IDE elements, a set of URLs, and a URL operation tool. The set of URL-accessible IDE elements can represent a multitude of functional objects accessible by the IDE. Each URL-retrievable IDE element can include a set of meta data that contains key words describing the URL-accessible IDE element. Each URL in the set of URLs can be configured to provide a navigation-independent mechanism for accessing a corresponding URL-accessible IDE element. The URL operation tool can be configured to associate URLs with URL-accessible IDE elements and execute URL operations on the URL-accessible IDE elements. |
| US08850382B2 |
Analysis apparatus and method to analyze a printed circuit board
An analysis apparatus for a printed circuit board. The analysis apparatus includes a processor that executes a process of rewriting physical property data of a wiring layer of a printed circuit board to a value. The value is based on physical property data of an electronic part having a heat-generating attribute. The electronic part is mounted on the portion of the wiring layer. The analysis apparatus converts the physical property data of the portion of the wiring layer that has the electronic part to physical property data of an insulating layer of the printed circuit board. |
| US08850380B2 |
Selective voltage binning within a three-dimensional integrated chip stack
Systems and methods for selective voltage binning within a three-dimensional integrated chip stack. A method is provided that includes defining a correlation between at least two parameters. At least one parameter of the at least two parameters is from a first chip of a three-dimensional integrated chip stack and at least one parameter of the at least two parameters is from a second chip of the three-dimensional integrated chip stack. The method further includes generating a covariance matrix based on the at least two parameters. The method further includes calculating a new parameter or new parameter set using the covariance matrix. The method further includes performing statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) such that the new parameter or the new parameter set is propagated into the SSTA. The method further includes determining whether timing targets for the three-dimensional integrated chip stack are achieved. |
| US08850379B2 |
Method of and system for generating optimized semiconductor component layout
A method of generating an optimized layout of semiconductor components in conformance with a set of design rules includes generating, for a unit cell including one or more semiconductor components, a plurality of configurations each of which satisfies some, but not all, of the design rules. For each configuration, it is checked whether a layout, which is a repeating pattern of the unit cell, satisfies the remaining design rules. Among the configurations which satisfy all of the design rules, the configuration providing an optimal value of a property is selected for generating the optimized layout of the semiconductor components. |
| US08850374B2 |
Method of reducing parasitic mismatch
A method of reducing parasitic mismatches comprises generating a first net list file from a first layout through a resistance-inductance-capacitance (RLC) extraction mechanism using a first simulation tool, performing a V/I test on a network through a second simulation tool, determining whether a mismatch exists based upon a result of the V/I test and modifying a connection trace of the network to generate a second layout. |
| US08850367B2 |
Method of decomposable checking approach for mask alignment in multiple patterning
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) design method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having a first plurality of features defined in a first layer and a second plurality of features defined in a second layer; converting the IC design layout to a topological diagram having nodes, chains and arrows; and identifying alignment conflict based on the topological diagram using rules associated with loop and path count. |
| US08850364B2 |
Method and device for sending file data
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a device for sending file data. The method comprises: obtaining a shift that is relative to an initial position of a to-be-sent file and is generated when a representative to-be-sent file shifts in a display area; determining whether a position of the to-be-sent file after the shift exceeds a preset position; and if the position of the to-be-sent file after shifting reaches or exceeds the preset position, sending the to-be-sent file to a corresponding receiving terminal. |
| US08850362B1 |
Multi-layered hierarchical browsing
A method and system are disclosed for browsing an electronic hierarchical product catalog. The catalog is organized as a tree data structure with each node corresponding to an item category, an item sub-category, or an attribute that describes characteristics of items in a category. Such attributes may be used as filters for searching for an item or item category. The catalog tree is a collection of linked independent sub-trees including category and attribute sub-trees. The sub-trees allow navigation of the catalog tree via links between various nodes. The sub-trees may be linked to multiple other sub-trees, providing easy navigation for users and simplifying the addition of new sub-categories and attributes to the catalog tree, for service providers. The use of linked sub-trees also allows attributes set by the user in a previous search to be used in a subsequent search for a similar item. |
| US08850361B2 |
Enhancing touch and feel on the internet
A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just like as if the were actually handling the good. |
| US08850349B2 |
Smart user-customized graphical keyboard
A computing device automatically customizes attributes of a graphical keyboard based on user inputs to the graphical keyboard. For example, the computing device can display a first graphical keyboard arrangement that includes a first representation of a key associated with a target region of an input-sensitive display. The computing device receives a plurality of user inputs, each associated with a respective touch region of the input-sensitive display. Subsequent to determining that one or more of the touch regions is not substantially aligned with the target region, the computing device displays a second graphical keyboard arrangement that includes a second representation of the key, wherein at least one attribute of the second representation of the key is graphically modified relative to the first representation of the key so as to substantially align one or more of the touch regions with a target region associated with the second representation of the key. |
| US08850344B1 |
Drag drop multiple list modification user interaction
Various systems and methods can perform a drag operation. The drag operation involves selecting an item displayed in a graphical user interface, and moving the selected item from a first location to a second location on the graphical user interface. One method involves detecting a user input and modifying the drag operation in response to the user input while the drag operation is ongoing. |
| US08850343B2 |
User interface methods and apparatus for controlling the visual display of maps having selectable map elements in mobile communication devices
A viewable map region of a map is visually displayed in a display, and a plurality of point of interest (POI) indicators are presented in the viewable region. One or more off-map indicators are also presented in the viewable region, where each off-map indicator indicates a POI indicator outside of the viewable region but within a predetermined range. In response to detecting a forward signal when a cursor is on a current POI or off-map indicator, the viewable region is panned in the display in the upwards direction when the cursor is on a topmost POI or off-map indicator. Otherwise, the cursor is repositioned in an upwards direction onto a next POI or off-map indicator in the viewable region. The reverse occurs with respect to detecting of a reverse positioning signal. |
| US08850340B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of providing user interface using the same
A mobile terminal including a display configured to display a graphical user interface, a user identification unit configured to connect at least first and second user identification modules to the mobile terminal, in which the first and second user identification modules include first and second telephone numbers, respectively, a memory configured to store at least first and second user interface information corresponding to the first and second user identification modules, respectively, and a controller configured to control the display to display the graphical user interface using the first user interface information when the first user identification module is used and to display the graphical user interface using the second user interface information when the second user identification module is used. |
| US08850335B2 |
Strategy editor supporting automatic designation of displayed line style based upon a connection data type
Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute. |
| US08850333B2 |
Mobile terminal and display controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and display controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes storing user registration information registered at each of one or more websites, receiving an input of a command signal for providing the user registration information, and displaying a registration information indicator corresponding to each of the one or more websites. Displaying the registration information indicator includes displaying the stored user registration information registered at the corresponding website within the registration information indicator. |
| US08850326B2 |
System and method for using web browser to display advertising materials to user
A computer-implemented system including a memory, a storage device and a processing unit, the memory storing a set of instructions, which, when executed by the processing unit cause the processing unit to perform a method for displaying promotional materials to a user using a browser executing on a client computer. The method involves determining websites in a browsing history of the browser; sending a request to one or more internet resources, the requests being related to the determined websites; receiving the promotional materials from the one or more internet resources in response to the request; associating the received promotional materials with the websites in the browsing history of the browser; and displaying websites in the browsing history of the browser together with the associated promotional materials. |
| US08850319B2 |
Method and system to process video effects
A system and method of processing a video Instant Message (IM) is provided. The method may comprise receiving a captured video stream from an image capture device and selecting at least one video effect from a plurality of video effects. A modified video stream is then generated (e.g., using a digital filter) that includes the video effect and is then communicated to a viewing location as the video Instant Message. The IM application can be a legacy IM application and generate a graphic user interface via the IM application to allow a user to select the video effect. The captured video stream may be received from a web camera and the modified video stream may be communicated via the Internet to the viewing location. The method may be performed in a device driver that interfaces the image capture device to an Instant Messaging application associated with the device driver. |
| US08850317B2 |
Web browser audio controls
One or more audio controls are presented in a browser application to allow a user to adjust one or more audio signals (e.g., mute, adjust volume) provided by one or more audio sources (e.g., websites). In some aspects, the browser application remembers the user's audio control settings for audio sources and automatically applies those settings to the audio controls when audio signals from the audio sources are detected. |
| US08850312B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of displaying preview image
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a whole preview image generating unit that generates a whole preview image, the whole preview image being a print preview image of the entirety of each page, a display unit, a whole preview image display control unit that controls displaying the whole preview image, a divided preview image generating unit that generates divided preview images, the divided preview images being made by dividing the print preview image of each page by a dividing number, a divided preview image enlarging unit that enlarges each of the divided preview images at higher magnification than a display magnification of the whole preview image and generates enlarged divided preview images, and a divided preview image display control unit that controls displaying the enlarged divided preview images. |
| US08850309B2 |
Optimized methods and devices for the analysis, processing and evaluation of expressions of the XPath type on data of the binary XML type
An object of the invention is in particular methods and devices for analyzing, processing and evaluating expressions of the XPath type on data of the XML type with which coding or decoding tables are associated. After generating a list comprising a set of targets from the XPath-type expression, one target is linked to the coding/decoding table (115). When one part of the set of data is accessed, a reference to an item is identified in the table using the part of data. It makes it possible to access a target linked to the table in order to reconstruct the item (145) and evaluate the expression (150). According to a particular embodiment, a parameter representing the discriminating character of the targets is determined and linked to the table to enable the discriminating character of the targets to be taken into account during the evaluation of the XPath expression on the XML-type data. |
| US08850308B1 |
Automated determination of website structure
Techniques are described for automatically determining the structure of multiple related Web pages based at least in part on human-supplied information, such as in at least some situations by automated operations of a website structure determination system to determine a common structure of at least some Web pages of a target Website of interest. In at least some such situations, the techniques include identifying structural elements or other structural locations within the common structure of multiple related Web pages that correspond to one or more types of information of interest. Once such structural locations are identified for one or more types of information of interest, information of those types may then be automatically retrieved from various Web pages of the target Website using those identified structural locations, even if those Web pages have not been previously manually reviewed. |
| US08850307B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving display limited web page content
One embodiment comprises a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, encoded with processor readable instructions to perform a method of displaying content in a web page. One method optimizes the order of HTTP requests made during the downloading of a web page or web application comprising a plurality of objects, and receiving a first portion of the plurality of objects in a first order. Additionally, (i) a viewable section of the web page, (ii) centers of the viewable section of the web page and each of the plurality of objects, and (iii) a distance from the center of the viewable section of the web page to the center of each of the plurality of objects may be determined. Furthermore, the objects may then be prioritized based on their distance from the center of the viewable section. A request to receive at least one additional portion of the objects in a second order based on the prioritization of the objects may then be sent. |
| US08850306B2 |
Techniques to create structured document templates using enhanced content controls
Techniques to create structured documents and document templates using enhanced content controls are described. An apparatus may comprise an application to generate a document from a document template. The application may comprise a document template component operative to retrieve a document template comprising multiple document parts. The application may further comprise a content control component operative to manage a content control embedded in a document part of the document template. The content control may be associated with a data source arranged to store richly formatted content presented by the content control without necessarily requiring the data storage to be written in any particular way. The content control component may synchronize any changes to the formatted content between the content control and the data store. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08850300B1 |
Packet communication testing apparatus and associated methods
A system includes a packet generator and a packet checker. The packet generator is operable to operable to generate a packet for transmission to a destination device. The packet includes a plurality of fields, including a code field that is operable to store a code generated based on an expected modification to the packet during transmission. The packet checker is associated with the destination device and is operable to receive the packet. |
| US08850298B2 |
Combined Koetter-Vardy and Chase decoding of cyclic codes
An apparatus having a first circuit and a second circuit is disclosed. The first circuit may be configured to generate (i) a plurality of symbols and (ii) a plurality of decision values both in response to detecting an encoded codeword. The second circuit may be configured to (i) generate a plurality of probabilities to flip one or more of the symbols based on the decision values, (ii) generate a modified probability by merging two or more of the probabilities of an unreliable position in the symbols and (iii) generate a decoded codeword by decoding the symbols using an algebraic soft-decision technique in response to the modified probability. |
| US08850297B1 |
System and method for multi-dimensional encoding and decoding
A system and method for using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to evaluate error corrections. A set of data and initial CRC values associated therewith may be received. The set of data by changing a sub-set of the data may be corrected. Intermediate CRC values may be computed for the entire uncorrected set of data in parallel with said correcting. Supplemental CRC values may be computed for only the sub-set of changed data after said correcting. The intermediate and supplemental CRC values may be combined to generate CRC values for the entire corrected set of data. The validity of the corrected set of data may be evaluated by comparing the combined CRC values with the initial CRC values. |
| US08850288B1 |
Throughput-sensitive redundancy encoding schemes for data storage
Techniques for optimizing data storage are disclosed herein. In particular, methods and systems for implementing redundancy encoding schemes with data storage systems are described. The redundancy encoding schemes may be scheduled according to system and data characteristics. The schemes may span multiple tiers or layers of a storage system. The schemes may be generated, for example, in accordance with a transaction rate requirement, a data durability requirement or in the context of the age of the stored data. The schemes may be designed to rectify entropy-related effects upon data storage. The schemes may include one or more erasure codes or erasure coding schemes. Additionally, methods and systems for improving and/or accounting for failure correlation of various components of the storage system, including that of storage devices such as hard disk drives, are described. |
| US08850284B2 |
Flash memory controller and data reading method
A data reading method is provided. The data reading method includes: utilizing a first sense voltage to read a data unit from a flash memory block; performing an error detection operation on the data unit and calculating an error polynomial according to a detection result; and determining whether the error polynomial conforms to a predetermined condition and deciding whether to perform read retry on the data unit according to a determining result. |
| US08850283B2 |
HARQ procedure with processing of stored soft-bits
It is described a method for determining a received data block by employing a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request procedure. The described method comprises calculating (104) first soft-information values being associated with a first reception of the data block, storing the calculated first soft-information values in a first buffer (121), and calculating (104) second soft-information values being associated with a second reception of the data block, wherein the second reception results from a retransmission of the data block following the first reception. The described method further comprises rate matching (128) a first soft data block comprising the calculated and stored first soft-information values, rate matching (118) a second soft data block comprising the calculated second soft-information values, and decoding (152) a combination of the rate matched first soft data block and the rate matched second soft data block. It is further described a radio receiver arrangement, a computer-readable medium and a program element, which are all adapted for carrying out and/or for controlling the described received data block determination method. |
| US08850276B2 |
Systems and methods for efficient data shuffling in a data processing system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. Such data processing includes data shuffling. |
| US08850274B2 |
Method of embedding configuration data in a non-configuration document
Embodiments are directed to a method of embedding configuration files in a document generated by a system, with the configuration file including settings associated with the generation of the document. A particular embodiment is directed to the embedding of configuration files of a testing system in a report document generated by the testing system. The configuration file includes system settings and external settings in association with the test results documented in the report document. For example, a testing system can generate a PDF report document associated with a test performed, and embed configuration files into the PDF report document. The embedding of configurations files in the PDF document can be done by using standard embedding mechanisms already available in the PDF file format and supported by most PDF viewing tools. The embedding of the configuration file can be performed automatically when the report document is generated. |
| US08850263B1 |
Streaming and sampling in real-time log analysis
Technologies are described herein for incorporating streaming and/or sampling in real-time log analysis. Representative samples of log data are extracted from the log files on a number of monitored hosts and streamed in real-time to log processors for processing. The log processors accumulate and process the representative samples of log data, and track a data completeness value representing an indication of a proportion of total log data represented by the representative samples received. The representative samples of log data are merged and collated. Estimated metrics are calculated from the merged and collated representative samples and the data completeness, and the estimated metrics are published to consumers in near real-time. |
| US08850260B1 |
Programmable error handling
A data storage device having different operating modes is disclosed. The data storage device comprises a processor, a command execution module, and an error response module. The command execution module is configured to receive commands from the processor, execute the commands, and report status information to the processor. The error response module comprises a programmable register configured to store one of a plurality of different error response types for each of a plurality of errors, wherein the error response module is configured to receive a report of one of the errors, and to output an error response signal to the command execution module based on the error response type in the register corresponding to the reported error. The processor is configured to reprogram at least one of the error response types in the register for at least one of the errors when the data storage device switches operating modes. |
| US08850259B2 |
Systems and methods for precise generation of phase variation in digital signals
Systems and methods are disclosed for precise generation of phase variation in digital signals. The disclosed signal generation embodiments generate a pattern of information bits that represents a digital signal with desired phase variations and transmit this digital pattern at high speed utilizing a serializer to generate a high speed bit stream. The high speed bit stream can be used to generate one or more digital signals, such as clock signals, having desired rates and desired phase variations. In certain embodiments, the desired phase variation can be introduced into the resulting digital signal by removing and/or inserting bits in a digital pattern thereby moving logic transitions (e.g., rising edge transitions, falling edge transitions) as desired within the resulting digital signal. In addition to clock signals, the resulting digital signals generated can be control signals, data signals and/or any other desired digital signal. |
| US08850256B2 |
Communication circuit and communication method
Provided is a communication circuit (10) connected with a plurality of function blocks (A, B) that perform processing based on a first clock signal, and mediates communication between the function blocks (A, B). The communication circuit (10) includes N number of communication means, where N is a positive integer, having the same data width as communication data output from the function blocks, and each of the N number of communication means performs communication processing based on N number of second clock signals specified by 1/N of a frequency of the first clock signal, respectively corresponding to the N number of communication means and having a phase difference of 360/N degrees from each other. This makes it possible to provide a communication circuit between function blocks in which the amount of necessary hardware and power consumption is small, the timing design is easy, and the communication latency is low. |
| US08850254B2 |
Dynamic control of reduced voltage state of graphics controller component of memory controller
A method includes detecting a trigger condition, and in response to detecting the trigger condition, reducing a voltage applied to a graphics controller component of a memory controller. The reduction in voltage may cause the voltage to be reduced below a voltage level required to maintain context information in the graphics controller component. |
| US08850252B2 |
USB host wake from sleep state for mobile devices
A USB host for wakeup from a sleep state includes a hold memory, a USB host controller, and a USB driver. When going to sleep, the USB driver sends a suspend command to the USB host controller in response to receiving a sleep command. The USB driver also reads a controller context from the USB host controller and saves the controller context in the hold memory. Thereafter, the USB driver turns off one or more supply potentials and one or more clocks in the host controller, and returns a sleep acknowledgement. While in sleep, the interface pins are placed in a hold state and notification to the operating system are disabled. |
| US08850251B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with controlling a power mode
An application may receive a request to control a power mode. The power mode may be controlled based on the request and the operational status of the application. In one example, the power mode may be disabled until termination of the application. In another example, the power mode may be disabled for a specified amount of time or according to operational status of multiple applications and/or electronic pages. In yet another example, the power mode may be controlled according to an operating system power management configuration. |
| US08850249B2 |
Enabling idle states for a component associated with an interconnect
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving an information packet in a first port from an interconnect while an agent associated with the first port is in an idle low power state, transmitting a first signal from the first port along the interconnect to request re-transmission of the information packet, and sending a second signal from the first port to the agent to cause the agent to enter a fully active power state. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08850244B2 |
Wake-on-LAN between optical link partners
Embodiments described herein achieve Wake-on-LAN to allow optical modules the ability to wake up link partners instantaneously when there is data to be transmitted or received. As such, Wake-on-LAN features are provided for a side-band handshaking protocol and channel that is independent from the normal data traffic path. |
| US08850236B2 |
Power gating of cores by an SoC
A method for power gating a core by a SoC is provided. Instruction Pointer information, state of the core, core access information and wake up latency information of the core are used in power gating or un-gating of the core. A change in state of the core is detected by a device driver and is provided to a power management unit. As the state of the core changes from active to passive, the wake up latency information and the core access information of the core are retrieved by the SoC from a database to perform either the power gating or the un-gating of the core. The database is prepared by analyzing code blocks statically. |
| US08850227B1 |
Cryptographic operations using a key hierarchy
Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for performing a cryptographic operation. A system can be configured to submit a request, to a security device, for a decrypted user encryption key, wherein the security device is configured to decrypt the user encryption key by unbinding the user encryption key using a user authorization key. The system can receive, in response to the submitted request, the decrypted user encryption key and decrypt authorization data for a cryptographic key using the decrypted user encryption key. The system can submit a request for the security device to load the cryptographic key, wherein authorization data is used to authorize the request, and submit a request for the security device to perform a cryptographic operation using the loaded cryptographic key. |
| US08850226B2 |
Method for testing electrical components in main supply, in particular in building
A test comment is transmitted by a test unit in the form of a data transmission via a mains supply to one or more electric components of a network. Each electric component that receives a transmitted test command transmits a test response that characterizes each electric component, in the form of a data transmission via the mains supply back to the test unit, the transmitted response being then evaluated in the test unit. |
| US08850223B1 |
Method and system for hard disk emulation and cryptographic acceleration on a blade server
An inventive apparatus that integrates the operation of a hard disk emulator and a cryptographic accelerator on a single blade server card. An application with cryptographic operations can off load computationally intensive calculations to the cryptographic accelerator so that the speed at which the application performs actions can be increased significantly. Typically, the hard disk emulator is a flash memory component and the accelerator can perform at least modular exponentiation calculations. One bus is employed for communication between the hard disk emulator and the accelerator. Another bus is employed to communicate with other resources off the card. Often, the card is configured to operate as one of a several blade servers in a chassis. |
| US08850219B2 |
Secure communications
Systems and methods are described for communicating between a client machine and a server. A security token message may be transmitted from the server to the client machine. The security token message may include a first security token. The first security token may include a communication interaction identifier that identifies a communication interaction between the client machine and the server and an action request identifier that identifies an action request message capable of being sent from the client machine to the server to request that an action be performed on the server. An action request message including a second security token and transmitted in association with the communication interaction may be received at the server. When it is determined that the first security token matches the second security token, the requested action may be performed. |
| US08850218B2 |
OTP generation using a camouflaged key
A system and method is provided for generating a one-time passcode (OTP) from a user device. The method includes providing a passcode application and a cardstring defined by a provider account to the user device. The passcode application is configured to generate a passcode configured as a user OTP for the provider account, using the cardstring. The cardstring is defined by at least one key camouflaged with a personal identification number (PIN). The key may be camouflaged by modifying and encrypting the modified key under the PIN. The key may be configured as a symmetric key, a secret, a seed, and a controlled datum. The cardstring may be an EMV cardstring; and the key may be a UDKA or UDKB. The cardstring may be an OTP cardstring, and the key may be a secret configurable to generate one of a HOTP, a TOTP, and a counter-based OTP. |
| US08850215B2 |
Method of access control and corresponding device
A computing device which includes an access control mechanism which is used to control access to keys which are used in cryptographic processes. Any application wishing to gain access to a key must first obtain authorization from the access control mechanism. Authorized applications may access keys directly, without having to pass data through the access control mechanism. |
| US08850214B2 |
Methods and systems for encoding and protecting data using digital signature and watermarking techniques
Systems and methods are provided for determining a presence of a watermark in electronic data. In certain embodiments, a plurality of keys is generated, and a plurality of payloads are retrieved from electronic data using the keys. A statistical indicia of randomness is generated based on the payloads, and the presence of a watermark is determined when the indicia is below a threshold. |
| US08850212B2 |
Extending an integrity measurement
A method of extending an integrity measurement in a trusted device operating in an embedded trusted platform by using a set of policy commands to extend a list of Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs) for the device and the current values of the listed PCRs and an integrity value identifying the integrity measurement into a policy register, verify a signature over the integrity value extended into the policy register, and, if verification succeeds, extend a verification key of the trusted platform, plus an indication that it is a verification key, into the policy register, compare the integrity value extended into the policy register with a value stored in the trusted platform, and, if they are the same: extend the stored value, plus an indication that it is a stored value, into the policy register, and extend the integrity measurement in the trusted device if the value in the policy register matches a value stored with the integrity measurement. |
| US08850207B2 |
Data recording device, and method of processing data recording device
A controller is provided with a controller key and a first controller identification information unique to the controller. The controller generates a controller unique key unique to a respective controller based on the controller key and the first controller identification information, and a second controller identification information based on the first controller identification information. A decryptor decrypts the encrypted medium device key using the controller unique key to obtain a medium device key. An authentication/key exchange process unit performs authentication/key exchange process with the host device through an interface unit using the medium device key, the medium device key certificate and the second controller identification information to establish a secure channel. |
| US08850206B2 |
Client-server system with security for untrusted server
In the context of a computer client-server architecture, typically used in the Internet for communicating between a server and applications running on user computers (clients), a method is provided for enhancing security in the context of digital rights management (DRM) where the server is an untrusted server that may not be secure, but the client is secure. This method operates to authenticate the server to the client and vice versa to defeat hacking attacks intended to obtain confidential information. Values passed between the server and the client include encrypted random numbers, authentication values and other verification data generated using cryptographic techniques including double encryption. |
| US08850202B2 |
Method and system for authenticating peer devices using EAP
A system and method for authenticating a peer device onto a network using Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). The key lifetime associated with the keying material generated in the peer device and the authentication server is communicated from the authenticator to the peer device within the EAP Success message. The peer device, having been provided with the key lifetime, can anticipate the termination of its authenticated session and initiate re-authentication prior to expiry of the key lifetime. |
| US08850201B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for digital distribution
An apparatus for encrypting content to be played on another device is provided. The apparatus includes a processor and memory that includes a set of instructions. The set of instructions is configured to cause the processor to receive a selection of content from a user accessing the apparatus, and determine whether the user is authorized to receive the content. The set of instructions is further configured to cause the processor to transfer content along with an encrypted key associated with the user when the user is authorized to receive the selected content. |
| US08850198B2 |
Method for validating a road traffic control transaction
A method for validating a road traffic control transaction. The method includes: storing a cryptographic key assigned to a transaction receiver, in the transaction receiver; recording an image of a vehicle; reading an identification of the vehicle in the recorded image by OCR and generating a control transaction thereof in the control station; generating a random key and encrypting the recorded image into authentication data with the random key and the cryptographic key in the control station; transmitting the recorded image, the control transaction, the random key and the authentication data to the transaction receiver; in the transaction receiver, encrypting the received recorded image into nominal authentication data with the received random key and the stored cryptographic key; and comparing the received authentication data with the nominal authentication data. The received control transaction is then validated when the received authentication data and the nominal authentication data are identical. |
| US08850194B2 |
System and methods for providing multi-hop access in a communications network
A system and methods for providing a supplicant access to a communications network are disclosed. An authenticator receives an authentication request at an authenticator (210) from the supplicant. A state is created based on the authentication request at the authenticator (210). The authentication request is relayed towards a prime authenticator (215) where the prime authenticator is connected to an authentication server. Finally, the authenticator (215) receives authentication information from the prime authenticator and fulfills the authentication request using the authentication information. |
| US08850193B2 |
Secure system for allowing the execution of authorized computer program code
Systems and methods for selective authorization of code modules are provided. According to one embodiment, file system or operating system activity relating to a code module is intercepted by a kernel mode driver of a computer system. The code module is selectively authorized by authenticating a cryptographic hash value of the code module with reference to a multi-level whitelist. The multi-level whitelist includes (i) a global whitelist database remote from the computer system that is maintained by a trusted service provider and that contains cryptographic hash values of approved code modules, which are known not to contain viruses or malicious code and (ii) a local whitelist database containing cryptographic hash values of at least a subset of the approved code modules. The activity relating to the code module is allowed when the cryptographic hash value matches one of the cryptographic hash values of approved code modules within the multi-level whitelist. |
| US08850192B2 |
Apparatus and method for using contents information in digital rights management
An apparatus and method for determining contents information corresponding to a Rights Object (RO) by transmitting information on contents together when the RO is moved from a mobile device to a memory card or a smart card or when the RO is moved from the memory card or the smart card to the mobile device are provided. The apparatus includes a meta information manager for determining information on contents corresponding to the RO when the RO is moved, and for generating meta information containing the determined contents information, and a controller for providing control to transmit the RO and the meta information generated by the meta information manager to a portable storage device. Accordingly, the conventional problem can be solved in which information on contents cannot be determined by using a Contents IDentifier (CID) if the RO does not exist together with the contents. |
| US08850188B2 |
Updating certificate status in a system and method for processing certificates located in a certificate search
A system and method for processing certificates located in a certificate search. Certificates located in a certificate search are processed at a data server (e.g. a mobile data server) coupled to a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) to determine status data that can be used to indicate the status of those certificates to a user of the computing device. Selected certificates may be downloaded to the computing device for storage, and the downloaded certificates are tracked by the data server. This facilitates the automatic updating of the status of one or more certificates stored on the computing device by the data server, in which updated status data is pushed from the data server to the computing device. |
| US08850187B2 |
Subscriber certificate provisioning
Provisioning a device with a certificate is contemplated. The certificate may be used to verify whether the device or a user of the device is authorized to access electronic content, services, and signaling. The certificate may be provisioned in relation to the device having successfully completed a two-factor authentication process so that an entity providing the certificate need not have to repeat the two-factor authentication process. |
| US08850186B2 |
Change in identification information causing request for new certificate issuance
An information processing apparatus that communicates using an electronic certificate is provided. When identification information is configured that identifies the information processing apparatus on a network, the configured identification information is stored in a storage unit. A request for issue of an electronic certificate containing the identification information stored in the storage unit is issued to a certificate authority. Once the request for issue is issued, a determination is made as to whether or not the identification information contained in the request for issue matches the identification information stored in the storage unit prior to obtaining the electronic certificate that is issued by the certificate authority in response to the request for issue. If it is determined that a mismatch exists, the user is notified to that effect. |
| US08850183B1 |
Interconnect device to enable compliance with rights management restrictions
The present invention provides an interconnect device that connects a source device to a destination device, and allows the source device's non-compliant rights management (RM) interface to deliver media content with little or no restriction to the destination device's compliant RM interface. |
| US08850181B2 |
Accessing a secure terminal
A method of accessing content on a secure terminal is described. The method comprises: capturing an image of a visual code presented on a display of a secure terminal. The method then involves decoding the visual code to ascertain (i) a set of connection parameters and (ii) a unique identifier. The set of connection parameters are used to establish a connection with the secure terminal. The method also comprises receiving the content from the secure terminal via the established connection in response to transmission of the unique identifier. |
| US08850180B2 |
Secure data communication system
The description relates to a system designed to protect data exchange involved with the use of cloud computing infrastructures by services and individuals. The system is designed so that a cloud resource and its middleware access points are protected in transferring data among themselves and end users using a system designed to spread the data and then reassemble the data. |
| US08850177B2 |
System and method for validating components during a booting process
A method and system for validating components during a booting process of a computing device are described herein. The method can include the steps of detecting a power up signal and in response to detecting the power up signal, progressively determining whether software components of the computing device are valid. If the software components are determined to be valid, the computing device may be permitted to move to an operational state. If, however, at least some of the software components are determined to be not valid, the computing device may be prevented from moving to the operational state. In one arrangement, if the computing device is prevented from moving to the operational state, corrective action can be taken in an effort to permit the computing device to move to the operational state. |
| US08850170B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamically determining execution mode of reconfigurable array
An apparatus and method for dynamically determining the execution mode of a reconfigurable array are provided. Performance information of a loop may be obtained before and/or during the execution of the loop. The performance information may be used to determine whether to operate the apparatus in a very long instruction word (VLIW) mode or in a coarse grained array (CGA) mode. |
| US08850169B1 |
Disabling threads in multithread environment
A system, apparatus and method for multithread handling on a multithread processing device are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a multithread processing device for multithread handling including a plurality of registers operatively coupled to an instruction dispatch block, including thread-control registers for selectively disabling threads. In various embodiments, the multithread processing device may include a thread-operation register for selectively providing a lock to a first thread to prevent a second thread from disabling the first thread while the first thread has the lock. In still further embodiments, the multithread processing device may be configured to atomically disable and release a lock held by a thread. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08850167B2 |
Loading/discarding acquired data for vector load instruction upon determination of prediction success of multiple preceding branch instructions
Provided is a processor including an instruction issue unit that issues a vector load instruction read from a main memory based on branch target prediction of a branch target in a branch instruction, a data acquisition unit that starts issue of a plurality of acquisition requests for acquiring a plurality of vector data based on the issued vector load instruction from the main memory, a determination unit that determines a success or a failure of the branch target prediction after the branch target is determined, and a vector load management unit that, when the branch target prediction is determined to be a success, acquires all vector data based on the plurality of acquisition requests and then transfers all the vector data to a vector register, and, when the branch target prediction is determined to be a failure, discards the vector data acquired by the issued acquisition requests. |
| US08850160B2 |
Adaptive write behavior for a system having non-volatile memory
Systems and methods are disclosed for adaptive writing behavior for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). A memory interface of a system can be configured to determine whether a write preference of the system is skip-sequential. In response to determining that the write preference is skip-sequential, the memory interface can sequentially program data to a first set of pages of a block of the NVM. In addition, the memory interface can sequentially pre-merge gaps between the first set of pages with one or more pages of a data block. Moreover, the memory interface can be configured to switch to an alternative programming state in response to determining that at least one condition has been satisfied. For example, the memory interface can stop programming data sequentially, and instead program data in the order that the data is received from a file system. |
| US08850158B2 |
Apparatus for processing remote page fault and method thereof
Disclosed is an apparatus for processing a remote page fault included in an optional local node within a cluster system configuring a large integration memory (CVM) by integrating individual memories of a plurality of nodes. The apparatus includes a memory including a CVM-map, a node memory information table, a virtual memory area, and a CVM page table, and a main controller mapping the large integration memory to an address space of a process when a user process requests memory allocation. |
| US08850154B2 |
Processing system having memory partitioning
Memory resource partitioning code allocates a memory partition in response to a process requesting access to memory storage. Memory partition rules may define attributes of the memory partition. The attributes may include a minimum memory allocation and a maximum memory allocation for the memory partition. |
| US08850148B2 |
Data copy management for faster reads
Multiple copy sets of data are maintained on one or more storage devices. Each copy set includes at least some of the same data units as other sets. Different sets optionally have data units stored in different orders on the storage device(s). A particular one of the sets of data is selected as the set to be accessed in response to detecting a particular scenario. |
| US08850144B1 |
Active replication switch
A method, system, and program product for transparently shifting between using a virtual service layer (VSL) performing active-active replication which presents the volume of the first site and the volume of the second site as a single volume and a second replication technique for replicating the volume of the first site and the volume of the second site without use of the VSL. |
| US08850143B1 |
Point in time access in a replication environment with LUN resizing
A method, system, and computer product for accessing a point in time in a replication based environment with a journal, the replication environment having a production site and a replication site, the replication site having a journal, comprising, receiving a request for a point in time, rolling the replication site to the point in time, determining if applications running in the replication environment are dependant on the LUN size, and presenting, based on a positive determination, a faked LUN size to the applications. |
| US08850141B2 |
System and method for mirroring data
Disclosed is a data processing and/or storage system. The data processing and/or storage system may include at least two interfaces, wherein each of the at least two interfaces includes a non-dedicated communication port for communicating data to and form external data systems or clients based on a rule base. |
| US08850139B2 |
Changing ownership of cartridges
Exemplary system, and computer program product embodiments for changing ownership of cartridges, such as virtual cartridges between remotely located virtual tape libraries, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, processes and protocols for the changing ownership of the cartridges are controlled from a primary location to a secondary location. The production site is moved for the cartridges. The ownership of the cartridges is waived. Access is allowed to the cartridges. Additional data is written and replicated using resources of the cartridges. |
| US08850138B2 |
System and method for managing page variations in a page delivery cache
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a high performance content delivery system in which versions of content are cached for servicing web site requests containing the same uniform resource locator (URL). When a page is cached, certain metadata is also stored along with the page. That metadata includes a description of what extra attributes, if any, must be consulted to determine what version of content to serve in response to a request. When a request is fielded, a cache reader consults this metadata at a primary cache address, then extracts the values of attributes, if any are specified, and uses them in conjunction with the URL to search for an appropriate response at a secondary cache address. These attributes may include HTTP request headers, cookies, query string, and session variables. If no entry exists at the secondary address, the request is forwarded to a page generator at the back-end. |
| US08850136B1 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating transmission of data between a storage medium and a host
The transmission of buffered data is coordinated between a storage medium and a host in response to a request from the host. One or more blocks of data are transferred from the storage medium to a buffer memory. One or more frames of data are transmitted from the buffer memory to the host, wherein the number of blocks ending in the frame is recorded in a blocks/frame register, and possibly also in a block count accumulator register. Buffer release pulses for releasing buffer space in memory are sent to the buffer memory, based on the number of blocks in the blocks/frame register, or the number of blocks accumulated in the block count accumulator register when a signal is received from the host. A pointer which points to the last block of data successfully transferred is updated in accordance with the buffer release pulses. |
| US08850134B1 |
Method and system for aligning transaction split boundaries to memory burst boundaries
A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for a solution benefiting from providing for non-duplicative access to data located in a system memory via the alignment of transaction sub-command breaking points with memory burst boundaries associated with the system memory, by creating a plurality of sub-commands for a transaction each having breaking points, identifying a plurality of memory burst boundaries for the system memory each having burst boundary points, and aligning a plurality of breaking points with a plurality of burst boundary points to provide single access to data located in the system memory. |
| US08850128B2 |
Implementing data storage and dual port, dual-element storage device
A method for implementing data storage and a dual port, dual element storage device are provided. A storage device includes a predefined form factor including a first port and a second port, and a first storage element and a second storage element. A controller coupled between the first port and second port, and the first storage element and second storage element controls access and provides two separate data paths to the first storage element and second storage element. |
| US08850125B2 |
System and method to provide non-coherent access to a coherent memory system
In one embodiment, a system comprises a memory and a memory controller that provides a cache access path to the memory and a bypass-cache access path to the memory, receives requests to read graph data from the memory on the bypass-cache access path and receives requests to read non-graph data from the memory on the cache access path. A method comprises receiving a request at a memory controller to read graph data from a memory on a bypass-cache access path, receiving a request at the memory controller to read non-graph data from the memory through a cache access path, and arbitrating, in the memory controller, among the requests using arbitration. |
| US08850121B1 |
Outstanding load miss buffer with shared entries
A load/store unit with an outstanding load miss buffer and a load miss result buffer is configured to read data from a memory system having a level one cache. Missed load instructions are stored in the outstanding load miss buffer. The load/store unit retrieves data for multiple dependent missed load instructions using a single cache access and stores the data in the load miss result buffer. The outstanding load miss buffer stores a first missed load instruction in a first primary entry. Additional missed load instructions that are dependent on the first missed load instructions are stored in dependent entries of the first primary entry or in shared entries. If a shared entry is used for a missed load instruction the shared entry is associated with the primary entry. |
| US08850120B2 |
Store queue with store-merging and forward-progress guarantees
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that performs stores in a memory system. During operation, the system performs a store for a first thread, which involves creating an entry for the store in a store queue for the first thread. It also involves attempting to store-mark a corresponding cache line for the first thread by sending a store-mark request for the first thread to the memory system, wherein a store-mark on the cache line indicates that one or more store queue entries are waiting to be committed to the cache line. If the attempt to store-mark the cache line fails because a second thread holds a store-mark on the cache line, and if obtaining the store-mark will ensure forward progress for the first thread, the system forces the second thread to release the store-mark, so the first thread can acquire a store-mark for the cache line. |
| US08850116B2 |
Data prefetch for SCSI referrals
A method for communication between an initiator system and a storage cluster. The method comprises receiving an initial I/O request from the initiator system to a first storage system; providing a referral response from the first storage system to the initiator system, the referral response providing information for directing the initiator system to a second storage system; notifying the second storage system regarding the referral response via a prefetch notice, the prefetch notice including an operation type and address information for accessing requested data; when the initial I/O request is a read request, prefetching at least a portion of the requested data stored in the second storage system in to a cache; receiving a second I/O request from the initiator system to the second storage system; and providing to the initiator system the portion of the prefetched data from the cache of the second storage system. |
| US08850115B2 |
Memory package utilizing at least two types of memories
A memory package and methods for writing data to and reading data from the memory package are presented. The memory package includes a volatile memory and a high-density memory. Data is written to the memory package at a bandwidth and latency associated with the volatile memory. A directory map associates a volatile memory address with data in the high-density memory. A copy of the directory map is stored in the high-density memory. The methods allow writing to and reading from the memory package using a first memory read/write interface (e.g. DRAM interface, etc.), though data is stored in a device of a different memory type (e.g. FLASH, etc.). |
| US08850112B2 |
Non-volatile hard disk drive cache system and method
A non-volatile hard disk drive cache system is coupled between a processor and a hard disk drive. The cache system includes a control circuit, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The control circuit causes a subset of the data stored in the hard disk drive to be written to the non-volatile memory. In response to a request to read data from the hard disk drive, the control circuit first determines if the requested read data are stored in the non-volatile memory. If so, the requested read data are provided from the non-volatile memory. Otherwise, the requested read data are provided from the hard disk drive. The volatile memory is used as a write buffer and to store disk access statistics, such as the disk drive locations that are most frequently read, which are used by the control circuit to determine which data to store in the non-volatile memory. |
| US08850108B1 |
Storage cluster
A plurality of storage nodes in a single chassis is provided. The plurality of storage nodes in the single chassis is configured to communicate together as a storage cluster. Each of the plurality of storage nodes includes nonvolatile solid-state memory for user data storage. The plurality of storage nodes is configured to distribute the user data and metadata associated with the user data throughout the plurality of storage nodes such that the plurality of storage nodes maintain the ability to read the user data, using erasure coding, despite a loss of two of the plurality of storage nodes. The chassis includes power distribution, a high speed communication bus and the ability to install one or more storage nodes which may use the power distribution and communication bus. A method for accessing user data in a plurality of storage nodes having nonvolatile solid-state memory is also provided. |
| US08850104B2 |
Independent management of data and parity logical block addresses
A data storage method includes identifying, in a set of data items associated with respective logical addresses for storage in a memory, a first subset of the logical addresses associated with the data items containing application data, and a second subset of the logical addresses associated with the data items containing parity information that has been calculated over the application data. The data items associated with the first identified subset are stored in one or more first physical memory areas of the memory, and the data items associated with the second identified subset are stored in one or more second physical memory areas of the memory, different from the first physical memory areas. A memory management task is performed independently in the first physical memory areas and in the second physical memory areas. |
| US08850103B2 |
Interruptible NAND flash memory
A NAND flash memory logical unit. The NAND flash memory logical unit includes a control circuit that responds to commands and permits program and/or erase commands to be interruptible by read commands. The control circuit includes a set of internal registers for performing the current command, and a set of external registers for receiving commands. The control circuit also includes a set of supplemental registers that allow the NAND flash memory logical unit to have redundancy to properly hold state of an interrupted program or erase command. When the interrupted program or erase command is to resume, the NAND flash memory logical unit thus can quickly resume the paused program or erase operation. This provides significant improvement to read response times in the context of a NAND flash memory logical unit. |
| US08850102B2 |
Flash memory with small data programming capability
A method comprises receiving a request to access a memory array having one or more memory erase units with a data area of flash array and with a specific amount of memory which offers small data programming capability, the specific amount of memory configured to be erased simultaneously or sequentially with a main memory block of the memory array; and if the memory access request includes programming small data, then providing access to the specific amount of memory, or if the memory access request does not include programming small data, then providing access to the data area of flash array. The size of the specific amount of memory may be pre-defined, and the specific amount of memory may be a different memory technology. |
| US08850100B2 |
Interleaving codeword portions between multiple planes and/or dies of a flash memory device
A system, a method and a non-transitory computer readable medium are disclosed. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions for: (I) interleaving at least two portions of a first codeword of a group of codewords between at least two flash memory planes while violating at least one ordering rule out of (a) an even odd ordering rule, (b) a programming type ordering rule, and (c) a codeword portions ordering rule; and (II) interleaving different portions of other codewords of the group of codewords between multiple flash memory planes while maintaining the even odd ordering rule, the programming type ordering rule and the codeword portions ordering rule. The at least two portions may be programmed to rows in different flash memory blocks, and the flash memory planes may belong to the same or multiple flash memory dies. The programming type ordering may define different decoupling sequence steps with sizes set for different programming types according to sensitivity to noise. |
| US08850099B2 |
Redundant data bus system including multiple transmission paths
There are configured a first transmission path, along which data is transmitted/received between a controller and a first microcomputer through a first driver, and a second transmission path, along which data is transmitted/received between the controller and the first microcomputer through a second driver. The controller transmits an operation check signal to the first microcomputer through the first or second transmission path, and receives a response signal from the first microcomputer through the first or second transmission path. |