| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08900013B2 |
USB connector having an inner circuit board for connecting cables and contacts
A cable connector compatible to USB 3.0 standard includes an insulative housing having, a number of contacts and an inner circuit board for establishing electrically connection between the contacts and cables. The contacts are divided into a first contact group including a number of first contacts and a second contact group including a number of second contacts. The inner circuit board includes a first soldering area having a number of separated first pads connected to the first and the second contacts. The first pads include a first grounding pad connected to a grounding contact of the second contacts. The second soldering area includes a number of separated second pads connected to the cables. At least two adjacent or separated second pads are electrically connected to the first grounding pad for improving high frequency characteristics. |
| US08900012B2 |
USB connector apparatus
An improved Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the USB connector apparatus comprises a top wall; a bottom wall having one or two openings; two side walls; an internal cavity with a rectangular cross section enclosed by the top wall, the bottom wall and the two side walls; a gasket disposed within the internal cavity; and a first connecting piece made of a conductive material and positioned at the one or more openings of the bottom wall and at least partially covering the one or more openings of the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, bottom wall, two side walls, internal cavity and gasket are configured to comply with a USB interface standard. The USB connector apparatus ensures that a bottom wall elastic sheet of the USB socket effectively contacts with the bottom wall of the USB connector, thereby providing higher grounding performance. Further, it improves on the conventional USB connector without much additional cost. |
| US08900008B2 |
Universal press-fit connection for printed circuit boards
A universal press-fit connection allows a component having a connector pin to be connected to a compatible plated through hole of a circuit board regardless of circuit board thickness. The connector pin includes a proximate end adjacent the component, a distal end with a fork lock, and a compliant portion between the proximate and distal ends. A multi-width through hole includes a first portion partially extending through the circuit board and a second, wider portion extending beyond the first portion. The fork lock initially moves radially inward upon insertion into the first portion via flexing of the compliant portion, and re-expands when entering the second portion. The compliant portion engages the through hole and the fork lock secures the connector pin in the through hole. |
| US08900005B2 |
Insulation displacement terminal system with regulated wire compression
An insulation displacement terminal system (10) provides for a stop limiting engagement of two opposed insulation displacement plates (15, 16) and a catch (70) retaining the plates (15, 16) against separation to precisely define an aperture (84) holding the conductor for improved reliability and electrical contact. |
| US08900004B2 |
Slim line mechanism
A slim line mechanism is provided and includes a first body having a stationary track coupled thereto, a first mechanism, which is supportable between the stationary track and the first body and configured to be driven in a first direction, a second mechanism, which is configured to be driven by the first mechanism in a second direction transverse with respect to the first direction, a system by which the first and second mechanisms are coupled to one another and connectors by which the first body is supportively connectable with the first and second mechanisms such that movements thereof in the first and second directions, respectively, are permitted. |
| US08899997B2 |
Electrical connector with solder ball positioned in an insulative housing accurately
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface and a number of receiving holes penetrated the top surface and the bottom surface, a number of terminals receiving in the receiving holes and a number of solder balls assembled to the receiving holes from a bottom surface thereof and contacting with the corresponding terminals. The receiving hole includes an inner wall and a core, the inner wall has a pair of ribs extending toward to the core and the movement of the solder ball in a vertical direction is limited by the pair of ribs in a vertical direction and the solder ball is positioned by the terminal. |
| US08899995B2 |
Modular battery
A modular battery device may include a substantially planar dielectric substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface spaced from and opposite the first major surface. A plurality of conductive couplers may extend through the substrate from the first major surface to the second major surface at spaced locations. Each conductive coupler may have a first connector element disposed at the first major surface of the substrate electrically connected to an associated second connector element forming an extension extending from the second major surface of the substrate. The device may be selectively engageable with another such device by selectively mating the first connector element of a first conductive coupler on the device in mechanical and electrical engagement with the second connector element of a second conductive coupler on the other such device. Devices having batteries may be stacked to provide parallel and/or series connections. |
| US08899994B2 |
Compression connector system
An electrical interconnect system comprises: a clamping collar having a slot for receiving a bifurcated flexible circuit; a contact strip comprising a plurality of electrical contacts aligned with respective pads on the bifurcated flexible circuit when the legs of the bifurcated area are spread apart; and, a compression latch member to engage the clamping collar and compress the pads against their respective contacts on the contact strip. |
| US08899993B2 |
Interposer plate
The disclosure relates to interposer assembly plates with large numbers of closely spaced contact apertures extending through the plates and contact members inserted into and retained in the apertures. |
| US08899992B2 |
Connector
A connector adapted to be disposed in a mobile device to electrically connect with a signal terminal of an electronic device is provided. The connector includes a casing, a tube, a pin and a terminal set. The casing has a first side, a second side and a through hole, and the tube is disposed in the second side. The pin has a first end and a second end. The first end is slidably disposed in the through hole and the second end protrudes out of the tube. The terminal set includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and the second terminal is movably connected with the first terminal. When the mobile device is assembled to the electronic device, the signal terminal of the electronic device leans against the pin, so that the pin leans against the first terminal to separate the first terminal and the second terminal. |
| US08899985B2 |
Magazine for simulated tetherless pistols with lockback
A simulated weapon includes a mechanical counting mechanism that incrementally advances upon firing of a simulated round. When the mechanical counting mechanism reaches a state indicating that all simulated rounds have been fired, a slide of the weapon is locked back, mimicking the lockback feature of an actual weapon. The simulated weapon may be untethered, enabling realistic training in weapon handling. The mechanical counting mechanism may be actuated by motion of the slide. |
| US08899981B2 |
Dental implant for a jaw with reduced bone volume and improved osseointegration features
A dental implant has a body with a porous metal portion for engaging bone. The porous metal portion has an outer coronal to apical height and an outer diameter. Both the height and diameter are about 4 mm to about 6 mm. This permits the implant to be placed on a jaw with a reduced bone volume. |
| US08899970B2 |
Method for burner and burner device
Burner device (2) for an industrial furnace (1) comprising a channel (3) for fuel, a channel (4) for a first oxidant, an outlet (9) for flue gases, a control device (10) and a heat buffer (7), where the first oxidant and the flue gases alternatingly are led through the heat buffer (7). The invention is characterized in that a separate lancing device (6) is arranged to supply a second oxidant to the burner device (2). |
| US08899969B2 |
Method and system for low-NOx dual-fuel combustion of liquid and/or gaseous fuels
A method and apparatus for combustion in which a pressurized preheated liquid fuel is atomized and a portion thereof flash vaporized, creating a mixture of fuel vapor and liquid droplets. The mixture is mixed with primary combustion oxidant, producing a fuel/primary oxidant mixture which is then injected into a primary combustion chamber in which the fuel/primary oxidant mixture is partially combusted, producing a secondary gaseous fuel containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. The secondary gaseous fuel is mixed with a secondary combustion oxidant and injected into the second combustion chamber wherein complete combustion of the secondary gaseous fuel is carried out. The resulting second stage flue gas containing very low amounts of NOx is then vented from the second combustion chamber. |
| US08899968B2 |
Combustible gas processing system and combustible gas processing method
Disclosed is a system for processing a combustible gas, which comprises a catalytic combusting means for receiving an oxygen-containing combustible gas that contains oxygen in addition to the combustible gas as the principal component thereof, causing this oxygen-containing combustible gas to contact an oxidation catalyst for partial combustion thereof, to produce the resultant partially combusted gas as a compressible combustible gas. |
| US08899966B2 |
Multilayer molding apparatus and multilayer molding method
A multilayer molded product is formed by a multilayer molding apparatus including: a plurality of injection units on the part of a fixed platen; a moving platen caused to open and close the molds by a mold clamping unit; and a rotary platen mounted with different mold cavities on its surfaces facing the fixed platen and the moving platen respectively and having a mechanism enabling to move between the fixed platen and the moving platen in a mold opening/closing direction in conjunction with a mold opening/closing operation, stop at an arbitrary position, and rotate. The multilayer molded product is formed according to a multilayer molding method of switching the cavity to be formed by a mold core mounted on the fixed platen and a mold cavity mounted on the rotary platen by rotating the rotary platen, and performing injection-filling into the respective cavities from the plurality of injection units in accordance with preset injection patterns. |
| US08899964B2 |
Edge-gated injection molding apparatus
An edge-gated injection molding apparatus is disclosed for distributing a melt stream to a plurality of mold cavities aligned on opposing sides of an injection manifold assembly. The injection manifold assembly includes melt outlets aligned on opposing sides thereof with a nozzle seal in fluid communication with each melt outlet for transferring the melt stream to a corresponding mold cavity. A sliding relationship between each nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet while the nozzle seal is securely held relative to the mold gate permits misalignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet in the cold condition without causing stress on the nozzle seal. Under operating conditions, the sliding relationship permits subsequent alignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet. The nozzle seal has a two-piece gate seal with components thereof threadably coupled to each other such that relative rotation therebetween applies a sealing preload. |
| US08899963B2 |
Hot nozzle for lateral spraying
A hot nozzle for spraying of plastic components. The hot nozzle includes a multipart nozzle body including a tip inset including a tip element having a tip section protruding outwardly beyond a circumferential surface of the multipart nozzle body into a molding plate. The tip section of the tip element is penetrated by a shut-off needle which is movable in a reciprocating manner by a drive. The shut-off needle is movable between a position in which the shut-off needle closes off a feed borehole in the molding plate and a position in which the shut-off needle opens the feed borehole. |
| US08899961B2 |
Mold-tool assembly including a heater having a resistive element encased in aluminum nitride
A mold-tool assembly, comprising: a heater being configured to heat (in use), at least a portion of a component, the heater having a resistive element being encased, at least in part, in aluminum nitride. |
| US08899959B2 |
Spacer molds with releasable securement
A mold for forming a temporary prosthesis has at least two mold members at least partially separable from each other. The at least two mold members cooperatively define a generally enclosed interior cavity for forming the temporary prosthesis. The mold has a securement structure mounted on the at least two mold members for securing the at least two mold members to each other during the forming of the temporary prosthesis. The securement structure is removable from the at least two mold members by hand and without the use of a tool. |
| US08899957B2 |
System, method and apparatus for manufacturing magnetic recording media
A system, method and apparatus for manufacturing high density magnetic media is disclosed. A flexible mold having a very low modulus of less than about 4 GPa is made on a rigid support. The mold nano-imprints a resist material on disks for hard disk drives. The flexible mold may comprise a perfluoropolyether with urethane acrylate end groups with a low surface adhesion from which the cured resist is easily released. |
| US08899954B2 |
Crosshead
In a crosshead, a pair of sheets (7) are formed by bisecting a parison (3) suspended from a resin flow passage (30) formed between a core (9) and a die (8) by causing a first dividing body (33) of a separator (5, 5a) provided on the core (9) or the die (8) to contact a second dividing body (40) provided on the core (9) or the die (8). |
| US08899953B2 |
Extrusion die head
An extrusion die head for the extrusion of hollow or center-filled shapes as well as apparatus comprising the extrusion die head and methods employing the die head. The extrusion die head (10) is for the preparation of a plurality of center-filled products (34) of varying composition wherein each product comprises a first (filling) material and a second (outer) material. The die head comprises at least one tube (22) such that a first material may be extruded through the tube or tubes and a second material may be extruded around the tube or tubes. The location and the number of the tubes may be customized to vary the location and amount of the first material relative to the second material and thereby vary the composition of the center-filled product. The extrusion die head apparatus comprises a sleeve (40) enclosing the die head. In one embodiment a first material is conveyed from one or more first apertures (18) via one or more tubes (22) to one or more second apertures (20) where it is extruded. Simultaneously, a second material is supplied directly to the remaining second apertures (20) where it is extruded. |
| US08899949B2 |
Refrigerant compressor and refrigeration cycle apparatus
A refrigerant compressor includes a compression unit having a roller and a vane for compressing refrigerant. The vane has a film having first to fourth layers on its metallic base member. The first layer is made of chromium. The second layer is made of chromium and tungsten-carbide. The third layer is made of metal-containing amorphous-carbon containing at least tungsten or tungsten-carbide. The fourth layer is made of non-metal-containing amorphous-carbon containing carbon and hydrogen. In the second layer, chromium content-rate on a first-layer side is larger than on a third-layer side, and tungsten-carbide content-rate on the third-layer side is larger than on the first-layer side. In the third layer, content-rate of the at least tungsten or tungsten-carbide on a second-layer side is larger than on a fourth-layer side. The roller with which an end-edge of the vane slidably-contacts is made of flake graphite cast iron containing molybdenum, nickel and chromium. |
| US08899947B2 |
Compressor
A compressor is provided having an accumulator that forms an accumulating chamber in an internal space of a shell of the compressor, reducing a size of the compressor and simplifying an assembly process. A stationary shaft having a refrigerant suction passage may be directly connected to the accumulator to prevent leakage of refrigerant. Further, a center of gravity of the accumulator may correspond to a center of gravity of the compressor to reduce vibration noise of the compressor caused by the accumulator. Furthermore, both ends of the stationary shaft may be supported by a frame to reduce compressor vibration without using a separate bearing. An installation area of the compressor including the accumulator may be minimized to enhance design flexibility of an outdoor device employing the compressor and minimize interference with other components, thereby facilitating installation of the outdoor device. |
| US08899946B2 |
Fan having a balance correction portion
A fan includes a motor including a rotating portion and a stationary portion; an impeller including a plurality of blades and a blade support portion to which the blades are fixed, and arranged to cover the motor; and a housing including a lower plate portion arranged on a lower side of the blades, a side wall portion arranged to cover sides of the blades, and an upper plate portion arranged on an upper side of the blades and including an air inlet arranged to extend through the upper plate portion in an axial direction. A lower surface of the blade support portion includes a balance correction portion arranged to extend in a circumferential direction. The lower plate portion includes a through hole arranged to overlap with the balance correction portion in the axial direction to make a portion of the balance correction portion viewable from below the lower plate portion. |
| US08899942B2 |
Volume ratio control system and method
A system and method for controlling the volume ratio of a compressor is provided. The system can use a port (88) or ports in a rotor cylinder to bypass vapor from the compression chamber to the discharge passage of the compressor. A control valve (90) can be used to open or close the port or ports to obtain different volume ratios in the compressor. The control valve (90) can be moved or adjusted by one or more valves that control a flow of fluid to the valve. A control algorithm can be used to control the one or more valves to move the control valve to obtain different volume ratios from the compressor. The control algorithm can control the one or more valves in response to operating parameters associated with the compressor. |
| US08899941B2 |
Subsea pumping system
A technique is provided for pumping fluid in subsea applications. A self-contained pumping module is created by mounting a pumping unit on a skid that can be lowered to a sea floor. The skid comprises a support structure designed to hold the pumping unit in a desired orientation, such as an inclined orientation with respect to a base of the skid. The self-contained nature of the pumping module facilitates deployment to a sea floor/retrieval from the sea floor to enable use of the pumping module in a variety of subsea applications with reduced complexity and cost. |
| US08899939B2 |
Process for producing a ceramic matrix composite article and article formed thereby
Process for producing a ceramic composite structure includes impregnating a reinforcing material with a suitable precursor slurry composition including thermosetting resin, a suitable curing agent, a ceramic component, a carbonaceous solids component, and optionally, a suitable solvent. Exemplary thermosetting resins include polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxy resins, bismaleimide resins, and polyimide resins. The carbonaceous solids component provides a suitable amount of carbon char upon pyrolization. The preform may be dried prior to curing to remove solvents and thereby provide a working material comprising up to 70 volume % solids. The preform is cured, pyrolized, and infiltrated with molten silicon to form a composite article. The thermosetting resin is selected for processibility, green strength, and relatively fast cure cycle. |
| US08899938B2 |
Blade for a turbomachine
A blade for a turbomachine, in particular for a rotor of a helicopter. A main section is designed to create a flow in the surrounding medium and extends from a hub section to a blade tip region. An end piece for influencing eddy formation in the blade tip region. To achieve a substantial noise reduction, the end piece is designed as a rounded flow body comprising at least one groove originating in the transition region between the body and the main section, substantially in the direction of the blade axis and curving towards the trailing edge of the blade. |
| US08899933B2 |
Rotor blade mounting
A wheel dovetail groove with a wheel hook retains blade hooks of mounted blades. Opposed arcuate cut-outs in upper recessed areas of the groove may form an assembly gate. Blade hooks may be inserted into the groove in a first orientation, rotated to a second orientation at the assembly gate, and slid into a predetermined position. Blades may be secured with shims between adjacent bucket dovetails. Blade tip cover blocks may be included to form a cover. All blades may be substantially identical and not need special mounting arrangements at the assembly gate. |
| US08899926B2 |
Counter rotating facegear gearbox
A gearbox assembly includes a first face gear driveable about a face gear axis in a first direction by at least one first pinion gear and a second face gear driveable about the face gear axis in a second direction opposite the first direction by at least one second pinion gear. A thrust bearing is located between the first face gear and the second face gear. The first face gear is configured to drive rotation of a first shaft in the first direction and the second face gear is configured to drive rotation of a second shaft in the second direction. Further disclosed is a power train for a rotary wing aircraft having a gearbox including a first face gear rotatable in a first direction and a second face gear rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US08899923B2 |
Wind turbine blade with device for changing the aerodynamic surface or shape
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising a device for modifying the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade in an area of the trailing edge, and activation mechanisms for controlling the position and/or movement of the device. The device is at least partly divided into a number of sections by interstices or connecting portions having a higher elasticity. Hereby the overall longitudinal bending flexibility of the device is increased which in turn increases the operability of the aerodynamic device and reduces the wear of the system. The interstices may be open, comprise a filler material, or optionally be covered by an elastic film. |
| US08899920B2 |
Wind turbine yaw system and method of controlling the same
A wind turbine yaw system is provided that includes a yaw gear, at least two pinion gears, and at least two drive units, each of which is associated to one of the pinion gears for driving that pinion gear. The yaw system also includes a control system with a controller for generating a drive unit control signal for each drive unit for controlling the respective drive unit according to a reference signal having a desired operational parameter value for the respective drive unit, so as to realize the desired operational parameter value in the respective drive unit. The control system includes a feedback loop for each drive unit feeding a drive unit feedback signal including at least the actual value of one operational parameter of the respective drive unit back to the controller. The controller generates the drive unit control signals based on the reference signal and the feedback signals. |
| US08899914B2 |
Stator vane integrated attachment liner and spring damper
A stator subassembly includes an array of circumferentially arranged stator vanes. An attachment liner secures the stator vanes to one another to provide the subassembly. A damper spring is integral with the attachment liner and is provided between the array and an outer case, which supports the array. The damper spring is configured to bias the array radially inwardly from the outer case. |
| US08899912B2 |
Shaft seal with convergent nozzle
A turbomachine is disclosed that has a main fluid flowpath extending axially along the turbomachine with a rotating shaft partly enclosed in a casing, wherein the rotating shaft and casing are moveable relative to each other and define a clearance opening about the rotating shaft, whereby the main fluid flowpath fluidly communicates with an outside region, and an annular seal body defining a fluid passage having a primary fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid, a fluid outlet disposed proximate to the clearance opening, and a convergent chamber interposed therebetween, wherein the convergent chamber is configured to accelerate the pressurized fluid out of the fluid outlet so as to create a local reduced pressure at the clearance opening. |
| US08899911B2 |
Heat-dissipating system and control method thereof
The invention provides a heat-dissipating system and a control method thereof. The heat-dissipating system has a plurality of fans and is configured for adjusting rotation-speeds of the fans. The control method includes following steps: obtaining a plurality of rotation-speed values of the fans; computing out a rotation-speed reference value according to the rotation-speed values; when the rotation-speed reference value is greater than a first threshold value, decreasing the rotation-speeds of the fans through a corresponding fan control signal; when the rotation-speed reference value is less than a second threshold value, increasing the rotation-speeds of the fans through the corresponding fan control signal. |
| US08899910B2 |
Air turbine starter and method for venting without loss of oil
A clutch assembly includes a shaft, vent plug and oil guide sleeve. The shaft includes an internal cavity, first passages for allowing oil to lubricate clutch components, and second passages for allowing excess oil to drain from the internal cavity. The vent plug has a radial passage in communication with the internal cavity for venting the cavity with an external source of air. The oil guide sleeve directs oil into the internal cavity. A method for lubricating and venting an air turbine starter includes delivering lubricating oil to an internal cavity of a clutch via an oil guide sleeve. The oil guide sleeve prevents oil from exiting the cavity through excess oil drainage passages before it lubricates the clutch components. The method also includes draining excess oil from the cavity through excess oil drainage passages so that excess oil does not substantially impede air flow through a vent plug passage. |
| US08899900B1 |
Construction system
A construction system for building a home independently is provided that assists a sole home builder so that a modern home can be built without the use of heavy machinery or reliance on professionals. |
| US08899899B2 |
Tool shield retainer clip
A tool shield retainer clip for securing a removable tool to a tool carrier blade, and shielding the tool carrier blade is disclosed herein. The tool shield retainer clip includes a front section including an aperture for receiving a tool, a back section adjacent the front section, a tail flange connected to the back section opposite the front section, and a top section adjacent the front section and opposite the back section. |
| US08899896B1 |
Nut lock
A nut lock includes a nut body, a locking coil, and a cage. The locking coil includes first and second tangs and has an internal diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the nut body. The cage is fixed within the nut body and includes a circumferential wall defining first and second stops. The locking coil is located within the cage, and the first and second tangs are positioned proximate the first and second stops of the cage. The first tang engages the first stop when the nut lock is turned in a first direction, and the second tang engages the second stop when the nut lock is turned in a second direction. |
| US08899894B2 |
Device for fasting a component to a fastening stud
A device for fastening a component to a fastening stud includes a holding member and a holding disk for contacting first and second surfaces of the component, respectively. The holding member and holding disk are preliminarily connected with one another, without the fastening stud, each in the state contacting the component. The holding disk has fastening projections and at least one elastic member which prohibits the fastening projections from contacting the second surface of the component, so that the device is moveable with regard to the component in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the fastening stud through a through hole of the holding disk. The elastic member is elastically deformed upon mounting of the fastening stud through the through holes of the holding disk and the component, such that the fastening projections contact the second surface of the component. |
| US08899889B2 |
Table unit for machine tool
A table unit for a machine tool includes a tilting table provided on a base and configured to be swingably indexable around a horizontal axis, a rotary table provided on the tilting table and configured to be rotatably indexable around a vertical axis orthogonal to the horizontal axis, and at least one motor disposed in the tilting table and configured to be driven to rotate the rotary table. An axis of a motor shaft of the motor is arranged in a plane formed by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. |
| US08899886B1 |
Laser signature vision system
The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus comprising a vision system, a drilling tool, and a system controller. The vision system may be configured to generate data about a number of laser signatures on a surface of a workpiece. The drilling tool may be configured to drill a number of holes in the surface of the workpiece. The system controller may be configured to generate drilling instructions for the drilling tool using the data generated by the vision system. |
| US08899884B2 |
Metering system, dense phase conveying system and method for supplying bulk material in powder form
The present application relates to a metering device and a dense phase conveying system for the steady, continuous, dosed supply of a bulk material in powder form made of light, polydisperse particles to a consumer arranged downstream. Furthermore, the present application relates to a method for the continuous, dosed supply of the bulk material in powder form using the dense phase conveying system, which comprises the metering device according to the invention. |
| US08899882B2 |
Jacket assembly guide
A jacket assembly guide for assembling a jacket structure is provided. The jacket structure includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of connecting braces and a plurality of node elements arranged on the legs for connecting the braces to the legs. The assembly guide includes a plurality of supporting towers for supporting the plurality of legs such that a supported leg is held in a position corresponding to the position of that leg in the assembled state of the jacket structure. The assembly guide further includes a plurality of connecting devices for releasably connecting one of the legs to one of the supporting towers. |
| US08899879B2 |
Structure-supported jackup system
A structure-supported Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, two or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one of the two or more support base structure. |
| US08899878B2 |
Portable winch
A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris. |
| US08899874B2 |
Buoyant containment and/or filtration
Embodiments disclosed here include a containment system which may include a segmented buoyant rim. Certain embodiments also include an inflatable rim with at least one inflation/deflation valve in the rim segments and ballast in the rim segments. Additionally, certain embodiments include material connected to the rim segments, to enclose a void created in the rim and to hang below the buoyant rim. |
| US08899872B2 |
Thermoplastic die box with quick height adjustment mechanism
A screed die box includes a screed die bucket, a screed die box gate, a screed die box lever, a screed plate, and a positioning member. The screed die box gas is slidably connected at the bottom of the screed die bucket. The screed die box lever is rotatably connected to the screed die bucket and the screed die box gate for sliding the screed die box gate between an open position and a closed position. The screed plate is slidably connected along an aft side of the screed die bucket and includes a positioning aperture. The positioning member is located in the screed die bucket and engages the screed plate, the positioning member sliding the screed plate as the positioning member is rotated. |
| US08899868B2 |
Miter coupling and method
A miter coupling and method for using the miter coupling to join a pair of square metal tubes at a desired angle using a welding process. The miter coupling, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a single piece of metal formed into a shape that is adapted to receive the ends of two square metal tubes at a desired angle. The miter coupling is shaped to form a pair of parallel elbow members, where the elbow members are formed into a desired angle, and the elbow members are interconnected by a cross support. |
| US08899864B2 |
Ring binder mechanism having unitary structure
A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The ring members and body can suitably formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to selectively and releasably hold the ring members in the closed position. When the ring members are in their open position, loose-leaf pages can be added or removed from the rings. Loose-leaf pages can also be moved from one ring member to another when the ring members are in their open position. |
| US08899862B2 |
Wide area coating applicator
An applicator has reservoir for fluid and a supply passage. A valve in the passage has a seat and a member movable between closed and open positions. A spring biases the member toward its closed position. An elongated nib is mounted in the supply passage and has an end extending from the passage, the nib engaging the member so that the member moves to its open position. An adapter has a portion for holding a pad that has at least one dimension elongated transversely to the nib. The adapter includes an engagement portion with a cavity for detachably receiving an end of the reservoir, the cavity having a depth so that it engages the nib when the end of the reservoir is detachably received in the cavity to apply pressure on the nib to move the member to its open position. |
| US08899861B2 |
Toothbrush with internal toothbrush dispenser
A toothbrush for dispensing toothpaste from a main body or removable cartridge to one or more openings proximate bristles on the toothpaste head. The toothbrush includes a main body which is adapted to receive a disposable cartridge, a brush head, a neck, and a pumping system. The neck and an adapter connect the head to the main body. The pumping system comprises a spring-loaded pump system for forcing toothpaste stored in the housing or disposable cartridge through a fluid passage way to the head. A piercing tube or straw is used to pierce the tight plastic seal of the disposable cartridge. |
| US08899856B2 |
Cosmetic applicator
An applicator (10) for applying a cosmetic product onto a person's skin, the applicator (10) comprising a first handle component (12) and an application arrangement (14) connected to the first handle component (12). The application arrangement (14) comprises at least two application elements (16.1, 16.2) that can be loaded with cosmetic product, each of which can be brought selectively into contact with the person's skin to apply the cosmetic product. In an embodiment, the application arrangement (14) is rotatably fitted to a distal end (18) of the first handle component, (12) thereby allowing a user to select which application element (16.1, 16.2) is to be loaded with cosmetic product for application to the person's skin. In an embodiment, each application element (16.1, 16.2) is rotatably fitted to a support, which in turn is rotatably fitted to the distal end (18) of the first handle component (12), the rotating application element facilitating the loading and application of the cosmetic product. |
| US08899855B2 |
Erasing apparatus and conveyance control method for recording medium
According to one embodiment, a erasing apparatus includes: a paper feeding section configured to feed a recording medium on which a erasable image is recorded to a conveying path; a conveying section configured to convey the recording medium along the conveying path; a erasing section configured to erase a color of the image on the recording medium; a sensor configured to detect the recording medium conveyed through the erasing section by the conveying section; and a control section configured to perform, if the sensor detects occurrence of a jam of the recording medium, control to convey the recording medium present in the conveying path. |
| US08899853B2 |
Conveyance apparatus and printer
A conveyance apparatus includes: a supply unit rotatably supporting a roll member around which a sheet is wound in form of a roll and configured to supply the sheet from the roll member; a motor for rotating the roll member; a roller pair configured to convey the sheet supplied from the supply unit while pinching the sheet; and a control unit configured to set the torque of the motor according to sheet information related to the sheet when taking up the sheet on the roll member by driving the motor while the sheet is pinched by the roller pair being stopped. |
| US08899851B2 |
Carbon nanotube based keyboard
A keyboard includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The first substrate includes a first upper surface and a first lower surface. The second substrate is located apart from the first substrate and includes a second upper surface and a second lower surface. The second upper surface faces the first lower surface. The first electrode layer is located on the first lower surface and includes a first conductive layer including a carbon nanotube layer structure. The second electrode layer is located on the second upper surface and includes a second conductive layer. A number of keys is located on the first upper surface or the second lower surface. |
| US08899849B2 |
Camera apparatus and method of controlling camera apparatus
A camera apparatus includes: a cover that has transparency; a rotatable camera unit that is provided inside the cover; a shade plate portion that includes a shade plate capable of partially shading light incident on the camera unit, wherein a position of the shade plate is rotatable; a control unit that is configured to control rotation of the camera unit and the position of the shade plate; and a memory that stores posture information including an imaging direction of the camera unit and positional information on the shade plate in association with each other. The control unit controls a direction of the camera unit based on the posture information stored in the memory and controls the position of the shade plate based on the positional information on the shade plate stored in the memory. |
| US08899841B2 |
Pressure-balanced subsea junction box and cable termination apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for sealably joining cables to pressure-balanced submersible junction boxes. The apparatus maintains a balanced pressure within the termination chamber; it is field installable, testable, and repairable. The termination chamber is not oil-filled; instead, it is substantially filled with a solid particulate fill material. An apparatus and method for sealably containing the cable's bitter end within the termination chamber are further provided. The apparatus includes a cable termination assembly having a chamber with a first end including a load bearing cable-attachment to sealably join a cable to the chamber, and a second end including an underwater connector. Within the chamber one or more optical and/or electrical conductors from the cable are terminated to respective one or more attachment points of the connector. The apparatus prohibits cable pistoning into the termination chamber. |
| US08899839B2 |
Geometric concept for a roller-flange contact in roller bearings
A bearing ring for a roller bearing includes a raceway for at least one roller that includes an at least partially spherically formed roller end surface having a first curvature. A flange for transferring axial forces extends from an end of the raceway and has a flange surface that faces towards the roller end surface. A spherical flange surface section having a second curvature is defined on the flange surface. The first curvature differs from the second curvature such that a first gap (d1) exists between the spherically formed roller end surface and the spherical flange surface section. The flange surface also includes an opening flange surface section having a third curvature, which is less than the second curvature, such that a second gap (d2) exists between the roller end side and the opening flange surface section. The second gap is larger than the first gap. |
| US08899837B2 |
Halved sliding bearing and method for producing same
A halved sliding bearing (1) has a recess (7) formed in a circumferential direction from an outer peripheral edge of a mating surface (5) of a semi-cylindrical bearing main body (3). To prevent formation of a burr to an inside of the recess (7) during formation of the mating surface (5), an entirety of at least one edge segment of a peripheral edge of the recess (7) opening on a circumferential end surface of a semi-cylindrical member (23) as an unprocessed body of the bearing main body (3), the at least one edge segment intersecting with an axial direction of the member (23), is chamfered. The mating surface is formed by cutting the circumferential end surface such that a cutting blade (31) firstly reaches the chamfered edge in the peripheral edge of the recess (7). Thus, the bearing main body is produced. |
| US08899834B2 |
Pivot joint brakes for X-ray positioning system
Systems and methods for braking and releasing one or more pivot joints used in an X-ray positioning device are described. The systems and methods use a support arm that extends between a main assembly of the x-ray positioning device and an X-ray imaging assembly with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector that are disposed nearly opposite to each other. The support arm includes one or more pivot joints (such as horizontal, lateral, and/or orbital pivot joints) that allow the imaging assembly to move with respect to the main assembly. The pivot joints can each be connected to an automated braking system that is capable of selectively locking and unlocking a corresponding pivot joint, as indicated by a user-controlled switching mechanism. The braking systems containing multiple pivot joints can be individually controlled by separate switching mechanisms or simultaneously controlled by a single switching mechanism. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08899829B1 |
Temperature-sensitive label
A temperature-sensitive label is described. The temperature-sensitive label has a temperature-sensitive system having a filiform shape memory member that has a first end portion having a terminal part fixedly secured to a first contact member, a second end portion having a terminal part restrained by a second contact member in a non-permanent way, and a central curved portion. The central curved portion is in the martensitic phase while the first and second portions are in the austenitic phase at a same environmental temperature above a critical threshold temperature to be monitored by the label such that in case of exposure to a temperature lower than the preset critical threshold temperature the end portions of the filiform shape member perform a phase transition, from austenitic phase to martensitic phase, which causes its irreversible disengagement from the restraint formed by the second contact member. The disengagement condition is optionally visible, for example, through a transparent window and/or monitored by an RFID system. |
| US08899825B2 |
Stirrer device and a method of adjusting it
A stirrer device (1a, 1b) includes at least one shaft (13), a first blade-type stirrer assembly (3) and a second blade-type stirrer assembly (2), characterized in that the blade-type stirrer assemblies are movable relative to each other in the axial direction. Also provided is a method of adjusting the above stirrer device. |
| US08899823B2 |
Gel hydration unit
A fracking fluid hydration unit is provided that has a plurality of hydration tank sections wherein shear is added to the hydrated fluid flow via a recirculation hydrated fluid jetting system. |
| US08899820B2 |
Melting kneading devolatilizing extruder
There is provided a melting kneading devolatilizing extruder in which the surface renewability of a molten raw material is improved.The melting kneading devolatilizing extruder of the invention includes at least one surface renewable screw segment each including a plurality of discs that are arrayed such that a phase angle E, which is a deviation angle between the discs around an axis of a screw, is 0° |
| US08899815B2 |
Uniform reflective light-guide apparatus with micro-structure, and backlight module and LCD device having the same
A uniform reflective light-guide for accompanying an edge light source to form a backlight module for an LCD display includes a light-guiding layer and a reflective layer. The light-guiding layer further defines a light-introducing surface and a light-exiting surface. The light-introducing surface is to allow lights emitted from the edge light source to enter the light-guiding layer. The light-exiting surface perpendicular to the light-introducing surface is to allow at least a portion of the lights to leave the light-guiding layer. The reflective layer is to reflect the incident lights back to the light-guiding layer. The reflective layer and the light-guiding layer are manufactured integrally into a unique piece by a co-extrusion process so as to avoid possible existence of an air spacing in between. A reflective surface is defined to interface the reflective layer and the light-guiding layer, and a three-dimensional micro-structure is constructed on the reflective surface. |
| US08899810B2 |
Liquid micro-shutter display device
Disclosed is a display device. In detail, a liquid micro-shutter display device includes a light source emitting light, a transparent lower substrate positioned in an light path of the light source, an optical conversion unit performing at least one of a function of converting light from the light source into light having a different wavelength band corresponding to a sub-pixel and a function of reflecting ambient light corresponding to a sub-pixel, a transparent upper substrate positioned in an light path of light output from the optical conversion unit, and a liquid micro-shutter positioned between the transparent lower substrate and the transparent upper substrate and opening and closing the path of light or adjusting an open area. |
| US08899804B2 |
LED headlamp for motor vehicle
An LED headlamp for motor vehicle includes a condenser frame (1), a condenser (2) located in front of the condenser frame (1), and an LED holder (3) located in back of the condenser frame (1). A plurality of LEDs are located inside the LED holder (3) and at one side of the condenser focal plane (8) which is far away the condenser (2). The curve lighting, the low beam lighting and the high beam lighting can be achieved in a same device. The present invention has small occupied space and low cost. |
| US08899802B2 |
Optical component for illumination purposes
Optical component for illumination purposes, wherein the optical component comprises a monolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including a first light entry face, a first optically operative light exit face, a second optically operative light entry, and a second optically operative light exit face. |
| US08899799B1 |
Stroller safety light assembly
A stroller safety light assembly fittable and releasably securable to a frame of an extant stroller wherein a plurality of LEDs illuminate the frame of the stroller and a pair of headlights, disposed proximal the stroller front wheels, directs illumination forwards and a pair of taillights, disposed proximal to the stroller rear wheels, directs illumination rearwards whereby said stroller is made more visible to road users and passersby. |
| US08899796B2 |
Lighting module and lighting apparatus comprising the same
A lighting module may be provided that includes a light emitting device module including at least one light emitting diode; a heat sink radiating heat generated from the light emitting device module and including at least one partition wall formed on a base; and a cover accommodating the light emitting device module disposed therein and including a connector which is formed in one side of the cover and is connected to a power supplier for driving the light emitting device module, wherein the connector comprises a depression allowing the terminal of the power supplier to be directly inserted into the connector. |
| US08899785B2 |
Lamp with multi-colored LEDs and method of making
A lamp including an LED assembly having at least a first LED to emit light of at least a first color, and at least a second LED to emit light of at least a second color. The first and second LEDs received in an enclosure having a reflective internal surface, the enclosure configured to mix the light emitted from the LEDs, with the mixed light emitted from the lamp through a diffuser lens. A trim piece, formed at least partially of a thermally conductive material, may be secured to the lamp. A method of making the lamp is also provided. |
| US08899783B1 |
LED optics for bulbs and luminaires
An LED light bulb provides a supporting structure having a central axis, a substantially circular configuration of LEDs surrounding said central axis and mounted to said supporting structure, a bulb envelope surrounding the central axis and enclosing the circular configuration of LEDs, and at least one of the LEDs being at least partially surrounded by a light collecting optic having an optical axis radiating outwardly from the central axis, that collects and projects light emanating from the LEDs as a concentrated beam along and surrounding the optical axis of the light collecting optic away from the bulb envelope. |
| US08899782B2 |
Lighting system and light source unit for such a system
A lighting system is disclosed which includes a light source unit and a projection system for producing a desired light distribution pattern in a target area, especially for use in an automotive head lighting, studio and theater lighting, indoor spots with adjustable beam width or direction, architectural dynamic lighting, disco lighting and other. The lighting system is especially suitable for a light source unit having one or more Lambertian light sources, especially a plurality of LEDs. For generating a desired light distribution pattern in the target area, the light source unit may include a plurality of collimators that are configured especially such that the curved focal plane (P) of the projection system intersects with or tangentially touches the exit apertures of the collimators. |
| US08899778B2 |
Optical cavity structure of LED lighting apparatus
The present invention provides an optical cavity structure of an LED lighting apparatus comprising a base, a light reflector, LED module, and a light cover. The light reflector can be integrally formed with the base or an independent unit. An optical cavity is constructed by the base, light reflector and light cover altogether, and the LED module is attached to the base received within the optical cavity. The light reflector can be symmetrical with inclined angle or as a conical shape provided on two sides opposing to the direction of light from the LED module. The inner surface of the light reflector is a light reflecting surface. The light cover is attached to the light reflector. As a result, the light from the LED is gathered and reflected by the light reflecting surface via the angle and shape of the light reflector to achieve an enhanced luminance range and illumination. |
| US08899775B2 |
Low-angle thoroughfare surface lighting device
A lighting device includes a housing attached to a thoroughfare surface. The housing may have a top surface, a proximal face, a distal face, and first and second opposing sidewalls extending between the proximal face and the distal face and extending downwardly from the top surface. The lighting device may further include a first primary optic that may be carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall that may define a first optical chamber. The lighting device may also further include a first light source that may be positioned within the first optical chamber and may be carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall. The first sidewall may taper in a direction of the distal face. The first primary optic may be configured to direct light outward and in a direction of the taper in the first sidewall. |
| US08899774B2 |
Wearable headlight devices and related methods
Wearable headlight devices and related methods are provided and can include a luminaire that can include a housing having a luminaire vent therein for receiving cooling air and a light source contained within the housing. An air moving device can be located outside of the luminaire for facilitating cooling air intake through the luminaire vent. An exhaust tube can be connected to the luminaire and the air moving device to facilitate air flow of the cooling air between the luminaire and the air moving device. |
| US08899773B2 |
Menu vision aid and methods thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a menu vision aid. In one embodiment, a menu vision aid comprises a frame, a lens disposed within the frame adapted to enhance the visibility of a menu page, a light source attached to the frame adapted to provide light to a menu page; and an attachment member attached to at least one of the frame and the light source, the attachment member adapted to attach the menu vision aid to a menu page. |
| US08899772B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with brightness adjustment
An LCD device includes a backlight module, a liquid crystal layer, a brightness detecting module and a control unit. The backlight module includes a light guide plate and light sources. The light guide plate includes a light-mixing part and a light-homogenized part. Protrusions are positioned on the light guide plate. A density of the protrusions in the light-mixing part is greater than that in the light-homogenized part. The liquid crystal layer includes an adjustable part corresponding to the light-mixing part and a nonadjustable part corresponding to the light-homogenized part. The brightness detecting module acquires a brightness distribution data of the liquid crystal layer. The control unit makes a brightness of the adjustable part coincide with a brightness of the nonadjustable part according to the brightness distribution data. |
| US08899768B2 |
Luminance enhancement film having a substrate incorporating dispersed particles for diffusion
A luminance enhancement film having a built-in light diffusing structure. The support substrate incorporates a dispersion of particles for light diffusion. In accordance with the present invention, a separate particle layer is not required in addition to the support substrate layer. The particles are integrated in the unitary support substrate layer. In one aspect of the present invention, the particles are dispersed near at least one of the planar surfaces of the support substrate (i.e., the light input surface light output surface or both of the support substrate. All the particles may be embedded below the surface of the support substrate, or some of the particles may protrude above the surface of the support substrate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the support substrate contains particles that are dispersed only close to its surface and form protrusions at the surface (i.e., the particle dispersed surface is not smooth). |
| US08899762B2 |
Vehicular exterior sideview mirror system with extended field of view
An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The reflective element includes has a plano reflective element and a separate auxiliary reflective element having a curvature. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported adjacently at a backing plate element having a first support portion supporting the plano reflective element and a second support portion supporting the auxiliary reflective element. The auxiliary reflective element is positioned at an outboard portion of the reflective element assembly when the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the automobile. When the exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to and operated at the side of the automobile, the field of view of the auxiliary reflective element overlaps with the field of view of the plano reflective element. |
| US08899760B2 |
Light projection apparatus and lighting apparatus
A light projection apparatus that projects light onto an arbitrary space and an object set in the space, comprising: projection light data generating means for generating projection light data for specifying the projection light; projection range setting means for setting a projection range onto which the light is projected and a non-projection range onto which the light is not projected in accordance with an operation of a user; projection data correcting means for correcting the projection light data so as to project the light onto the projection range set by the projection range setting means; projection light correction data drawing means for performing drawing processing for projection light correction data obtained by correcting the projection light data by the projection data correcting means; and light projecting means for projecting the light by using projection light drawing data generated by the projection light data drawing means. Accordingly, by a simple operation, the light can be projected with the shape desired by the user. |
| US08899752B2 |
Visual fatigue level measuring device, visual fatigue level measuring method, visual fatigue level measuring system, and three-dimensional glasses
A visual fatigue level measuring device includes: a video presenting unit which presents 3D video; a test period determining unit which determines two or more time periods each of which is for a test for measuring a level of visual fatigue; an eye movement obtaining unit which obtains data indicating eye movements of left and right eyes of a player with respect to the presented video; an eye movement extracting unit which extracts, from the obtained eye movement data, eye movement data in each of the two or more time periods determined by the test period determining unit; an eye movement comparing unit which compares eye movements in the two or more time periods based on the extracted data; and a fatigue level determining unit which determines the level of visual fatigue of the player based on the comparison result. |
| US08899747B2 |
Stereovision optometry apparatus
The invention relates to a stereovision optometry apparatus comprising: a 3D display unit for displaying 3D image; a reference 2D display unit for displaying reference 2D image; an eyepiece in opposite side of the 2D display unit configured to view the images; a reflective mirror in opposite side of the 3D display unit configured to move toward and away from the 3D display unit; and a half mirror arranged between the 3D display and the reflective mirror and disposed at a point where propagation paths of the 2D image and the 3D image intersect; wherein the 2D image penetrates through the half mirror to reach the eyepiece; wherein the 3D image penetrates the half mirror to be reflected on the reflective mirror and then the reflected image is reflected on the half mirror to reach the eyepiece. |
| US08899746B2 |
Contact lens sets and methods to prevent or slow progression of myopia or hyperopia
Methods for slowing progression of myopia or hyperopia of human patients include a step of providing contact lenses. The contact lenses have two or more refractive powers. A first refractive power provides clear visual acuity and a second refractive power provides a defocused retinal image to the human patient. The methods involve providing first and second sets of the contact lenses, the contact lenses of the second set have a different optical design than the contact lenses of the first set. With the present methods, an eye care practitioner is able to select one or more contact lenses from the second set of contact lenses based on one or more ocular parameters of the patient, one or more responses of the patient to the contact lens of the first set, or both, to provide an improved clinical benefit to the patient compared to the benefit provided by the first set of contact lenses. |
| US08899743B2 |
Protective spray painter eyewear
A frame with an outer lens having a slit that stagnantly sealingly conforms to the user's face to create a stagnant air barrier that creates air resistance against airborne particles entering the slit, traversing the interior space, and then contacting the user's eyes. The user can see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's vision. Alternatively, a frame with an outer lens having slits for a user's eyes and a protective inner lens having transparent portions has an inlet communicating with the interior space created between the inner and outer lenses. A portable compressed air source introduces compressed air into the interior space to create an air stream that flows outwardly through the slits. The air stream prevents airborne particles from entering through the slits and into the interior space and contacting the inner lens, to maintain transparency. The user can carry the compressed air source and move freely. |
| US08899741B2 |
Printer including duplex media path
A printer includes a print engine to print on print media within a print zone, a print media path including a print path portion to direct the print media through the print zone in a first direction, a duplex media path including a duplexing path portion to redirect the print media to the print media path in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a media tray to hold a quantity of the print media. |
| US08899739B2 |
Printing method and printing system
A printing method and a printing system are provided in which a fast printing speed is achieved, a variety of ultraviolet curable inks can be used, and excellent transfer properties to a printing object can be achieved. First, print processing is performed, thereby printing an image on a transfer pad, next, provisional curing processing is performed, thereby provisionally curing an ultraviolet curable ink applied to the transfer pad, next, transfer processing is performed, thereby transferring the ultraviolet curable ink landed on the transfer pad to a printing object, and next, final curing processing is performed, thereby performing final curing of the ultraviolet curable ink transferred to the printing object. In this way, transfer printing of an image to the printing object can be performed by a single transfer. In addition, if the transfer printing is finished, cleaning processing is performed, thereby cleaning the transfer pad. |
| US08899735B2 |
Method of supplying inks to printhead having multiple color channels
A method of supplying ink to an inkjet printhead having multiple ink color channels. The method includes the steps of: supplying black ink to a black color channel of the printhead; and supplying yellow ink to a yellow color channel of the printhead. The black ink is supplied to the printhead at a lower pressure than the yellow ink. |
| US08899734B2 |
Holder, liquid accommodation container that is attachable to and detachable from holder, and liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a holder to which a liquid accommodation container can be attached or detached. The holder includes an apparatus side engagement portion, and an opposite wall surface portion. The opposite wall surface portion has a hole portion for inserting a protrusion portion provided in the back surface portion, and a guide groove for guiding the protrusion portion to the hole portion while restricting the movement of the protrusion portion relative to the width direction of the liquid accommodation container when the liquid accommodation container is mounted, the guide groove being extended upward from the hole portion in a usage posture of the holder. |
| US08899733B2 |
Method for supplying at least one print head with ink in an inkjet printer
In a system or method for supplying print bars with a plurality of print heads with ink in an inkjet printer, a pressure source is activated in a flushing procedure in order to exert an excess pressure to the ink in intermediate tanks supplying ink to the print bars such that the ink is flushed through jets of a print head to be flushed in the respective print bar. The pressure source is shut off when printing. The ink in the intermediate tanks is transported to the print heads by means by hydrostatic pressure. In the event of an overflow of the intermediate tanks, overflowing ink is transported into an overflow container via a respective pressure line connecting the overflow container to the respective intermediate container. |
| US08899732B2 |
Inkjet print head having a pivotably supported membrane and method for manufacturing such a print head
A print head comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle and an actuator structure in operative communication with the pressure chamber for generating a pressure wave in the pressure chamber. The actuator structure comprises a membrane, wherein a first surface of the membrane forms a flexible wall of the pressure chamber and a piezo actuator, wherein the piezo actuator is arranged on a second surface of the membrane, the second surface being opposite of the first surface, such that the membrane is deformed at the position of the piezo actuator upon actuation of the piezo actuator. In the print head, the membrane is pivotably clamped between a first structure layer and a second structure layer such that the membrane pivots at the location of clamping upon deformation of the membrane due to actuation of the piezo actuator. |
| US08899731B2 |
Inkjet print head having two actuator membranes
An ink jet printing device includes a pressure chamber, a first actuator membrane being arranged to form a first flexible wall of the pressure chamber, a first piezo-electric part being operatively connected to a surface of the first actuator membrane, a second actuator membrane being arranged to form a second flexible wall of the pressure chamber and a second piezo-electric part being operatively connected to a surface of the second actuator membrane, wherein the second flexible wall is mechanically decoupled from the first flexible wall. |
| US08899727B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes a head body configured to eject liquid, a flow path member including a liquid flow path for supplying the liquid to the head body, and a circuit substrate held by the flow path member and including a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature. The flow path member includes a detection region, which has a thermal resistance lower than a thermal resistance of other regions and which is provided in a part of a partition wall that partitions the liquid flow path. The circuit substrate is fixed to the flow path member in a state in which the temperature detection unit faces the detection region. |
| US08899721B2 |
Method of operating inkjet printhead in printing and maintenance modes
A method of operating an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink chambers, each ink chamber including a heater element for generating a bubble and causing ejection of ink droplets from a nozzle defined in the ink chamber. The method includes the steps of: operating the printhead in a normal printing mode whereby relatively shorter drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements to eject ink droplets used in normal printing; and operating the printhead in a maintenance mode whereby relatively longer drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements. The relatively longer drive pulses generate high impulse bubbles for recovering nozzles affected by decap. |
| US08899716B2 |
Ink cartridge
An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, a shaft, and a pivotable member including a float. The pivotable member is configured to move about the shaft between a first position and a second position when the float moves. The float is positioned higher when the pivotable member is in the first position than when the pivotable member is in the second position. The float has a triangular shape when viewed in an axial direction of the shaft, and the triangular shape comprises a first side having a first dimension, a second side having a second dimension, and a third side having a third dimension. The first dimension is greater than each of the second dimension and the third dimension, and the first side is positioned above a vertex between the second side and the third side. |
| US08899707B2 |
Printing apparatus
Disclosed is a printing apparatus capable of safe high-speed leakage detection and contact detection of a printhead. The leakage detection and contact detection are executed in the apparatus which prints on a printing medium by scanning a removable printhead mounted to a carriage. When the printhead is mounted, connection with a capacitor used in normal printing is disconnected, a lower voltage is applied to drive a printing element and monitor the voltage. If the monitored voltage is not less than a predetermined threshold, occurrence of a poor contact is determined. This is performed for electric contacts one by one. During the operation, a lower voltage is applied at a predetermined timing to drive a printing element and monitor the voltage. If the monitor voltage is not higher than a predetermined threshold, occurrence of current leakage is determined. |
| US08899696B2 |
Brake booster, and method and device for the operation thereof
A controllable brake booster and a method and a device for controlling the brake booster are disclosed. The pedal force that a driver must apply in order to convey an input element of the brake booster into an actuating position or to retain the element in an actuating position is adjusted by operating the brake booster. |
| US08899689B2 |
Automatic cut-transition milling machine and method
A milling machine is provided including: a frame; a plurality of ground engaging units; a plurality of vertically adjustable legs, the plurality of vertically adjustable legs comprising a front leg and a rear leg; a rotatable mill configured to mill a surface; a user interface configured to receive a milling grade depth and a cut-transition factor; a speed sensor configured to provide a ground speed of the milling machine; a vertical position sensor; and a controller coupled to the speed sensor, the vertical position sensor, and the user interface, the controller configured to lower a height of the rotatable mill to the milling grade depth by incrementally adjusting a length of at least one of the plurality of vertically adjustable legs according to the cut-transition factor, the speed sensor, and the vertical position sensor. |
| US08899688B2 |
Convertible swing seat
A convertible child seat includes a seat frame that presents a seat cavity and an open front to allow cavity ingress and egress by the child. The seat also includes a front restraint shiftably attached to the seat frame and shiftable between a storage position and a child-restraining position. In the storage position, the front restraint extends along the bottom wall so as to be positioned below the seated child and thereby permit cavity ingress and egress through the open front. In the child-restraining position, the front restraint at least partly spans the open front to restrict cavity ingress and egress through the open front. |
| US08899679B2 |
Seat assembly having a fold assist mechanism
A seat assembly having a seat back and a fold assist mechanism. The fold assist mechanism may have a drive plate and a spring. The spring may bias the seat back from a first position toward the second position when the spring engages a drive plate flange. |
| US08899678B2 |
Reclinable child seat assembly
A child seat assembly has a base to rest on a vehicle seat, a seat shell, and a recline mechanism that selectively permits adjustment of the seat shell between first and second recline positions and includes a recline positioner, pin, biasing element, and handle. The recline positioner has first and second portions defining the first and second recline positions, respectively. The pin is movable between a released position and an engaged position in which the pin is configured to engage the first or second portion to retain the seat shell in the corresponding first or second recline position. The biasing element is coupled to the pin and configured to bias the pin to the engaged position. The handle is operable to move the pin from the engaged position to the released position in which the seat shell is movable between the first and second recline positions. |
| US08899677B2 |
Combination stadium seat cushion and adaptable banner
A compact seat cushion that may be expanded to reveal a banner wherein the banner may be changed in accordance with the desires of the user is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a foldable length of material which, when in a folded position, may be used as a seat cushion, and when in an expanded, unfolded position, may be used as a banner to display letters, logos, messages or other insignia. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of conjoined panels, each comprising a closed compartment comprising padded material. One or more of the panels comprise an upper layer and a lower layer joined together to form a compartment comprising padding. A plurality of strips is adapted for cooperative coupling insignia. A user desiring to form a banner may do so easily by coupling letters or phrases to the unfolded seat. |
| US08899676B2 |
Bicycle seat
A bicycle seat is provided that allows for dynamic adjustment of longitudinal seat position when a locking mechanism is unlocked. In one embodiment, the unlocking is accomplished by lifting the nose of the seat body away from the base, thus providing the capability of dynamic adjustment of longitudinal or fore-aft seat position while riding without the component complexity and aerodynamic drag limitations of prior art devices. In an alternative embodiment, a bolt protruding from the seat body is retracted to disengage the locking mechanism and allow dynamic adjustment of longitudinal seat position without lifting the nose of the seat body. A vertical adjustment corresponding to the longitudinal position of the seat is taught to maintain, if desired, the same distance between bike seat and pedals for any longitudinal position of, the seat. |
| US08899675B2 |
Heat ventilating chair
A heat ventilating chair includes a backrest unit, a seat unit, and a connecting unit connecting the backrest unit to the seat unit. One of the backrest unit and the seat unit includes a hollow member having an air pump, a pressure valve, and a channel that communicates fluidly the air pump and the pressure valve. The connecting unit is connected between the air pump and the other one of the backrest unit and the seat unit. The connecting unit drives the air pump to expel hot air in the channel to the ambient via the pressure valve when the backrest unit is forced to incline rearward. The connecting unit drives the air pump to draw ambient cool air into the channel via the pressure valve when the backrest unit is restored from a rearwardly inclined state. |
| US08899674B2 |
Chair having a slidable seat portion
A chair with a seat portion and a base portion fixed to a floor surface. A seat back is mounted to the seat portion through a hinge portion for rotation with respect to the seat portion with a guide groove formed on side surfaces thereof. The guide groove has a guide pin movably fitted so as to be movable in the front-and-rear direction together with the seat portion with respect to the base portion. A foot stand is rotatably mounted to a front end portion of the seat portion through a second hinge portion with a connecting rod with one end portion rotatably mounted to the foot stand through a third hinge portion and the other end portion rotatably mounted to a lower end portion of the seat back through a fourth hinge portion so as to connect the foot stand and the seat back to each other. |
| US08899673B2 |
Portable folding and reclining chair
A folding and reclining chair has first left and right side poles pivotally attached to left and right rear feet. Risers are pivotally attached to the left and right side poles. An angle fitting is rigidly attached to each riser. Back poles are pivotally attached to the angle fittings. A flexible material is attached to or supported by the back poles to provide a back rest. A position lock may be associated with the angle fitting for locking the back pole into one of two or more positions. The chair may be a quad type chair having sliding front and rear connectors. |
| US08899669B2 |
Resin roof panel structure
To obtain a vehicular panel structure that can suppress changes in angles between vehicle frame members.Ribs (30) and (32) are formed in each corner portion on an undersurface side of a roof panel (28) in such a way as to straddle headers (38) and roof side rails (12). Engaging holes (34) are formed in both lengthwise direction end sides of each of the ribs (30) and (32), and weld nuts (36) disposed on the headers (38) and the roof side rails (12) are engaged with the engaging holes (34). |
| US08899664B2 |
Crossmember assembly for vehicles
A crossmember assembly for a vehicle may include an upper panel; a pair of lower panels assembled at a lower side of both end portions of the upper panel to form a first box, a center lower panel, a middle portion of which is assembled to a lower middle portion of the upper panel, and a front side lower arm mounting panel and a rear side lower arm mounting panel that are disposed at a lower front side and a lower rear side of the crossmember assembly, respectively, and mounted to the both end portions of the upper panel to house a lower arm. |
| US08899654B2 |
Ingress/egress system and method
Embodiments provide a structure, system, and method for ingress and egress. The structure includes a frame assembly defining at least one frame aperture. A removable panel may be secured to the frame assembly and define at least one removable panel aperture configured to align within the frame aperture. At least one fastener may removably couple the panel to the frame, the fastener extending through a corresponding one of the removable panel aperture and the frame aperture. |
| US08899653B2 |
Saddle-type vehicle
A saddle-type vehicle includes: a water-cooled engine supported on a vehicle body frame; a radiator attached to the vehicle body frame and configured to cool the engine; an outer cowl provided at a lateral side of the vehicle body frame and radiator; and a layer cowl having a front portion disposed inward of a rear portion of the outer cowl in a vehicle width direction. In the saddle-type vehicle, the outer cowl has a slit portion extending upward from a rear lower edge of the outer cowl and the layer cowl has fixing portions which fix portions of the outer cowl in front of and behind the slit portion to improve the airflow exhaust performance while securing the function of the outer cowls as a windscreen and a rider's thermal comfort. |
| US08899652B2 |
Armoring combatants' compartment in a wheeled vehicle against explosive charges
A Wheeled vehicle comprises a chassis and a combatants' compartment for protection from an explosion, where the combatants' compartment is formed with an internal space and a bottom area sector attachable to the chassis and where the compartment has a plurality of inner beams that are formed with anchoring means along their lengths and installed in the combatants compartment's inn space and a plurality of outer beams attached to the chassis, where the anchoring means pass through openings formed in the bottom area sector of the combatants' compartment and protrude outwards from it for connecting the inner beams to the outer beams. |
| US08899649B2 |
Clamping device
A clamping device includes a driving mechanism and a pair of clamping mechanisms. Each clamping mechanism includes a clipping member, an installing plate, a positioning member, a resisting plate, and an elastic member. The clipping members are movably connected to the driving mechanism. A protrusion protrudes from the clipping member, and includes a first inclined surface. The installing plate defines an opening. The protrusion passes through the opening. The positioning member is inserted into the installing plate and fixed with the clipping member. The resisting plate is movably mounted on the installing plate. An abutting portion protrudes from the resisting plate, and passes through the opening. The abutting portion comprises a second inclined surface resisting the first inclined surface, the elastic member is sandwiched between the installing plate and the resisting plate, for providing a resetting force to the resisting plate. |
| US08899647B2 |
Robot hand, robot, and control method for the robot hand
A robot hand moved by a robot to grip an object to be gripped includes a plurality of bar-like placing sections on which the object to be gripped is placed, a plurality of plate-like pressing sections paired with the plurality of placing sections and configured to press side surfaces of the object to be gripped, a space adjusting section configured to move the plurality of pressing sections to bring the pressing sections into contact with a plurality of contact sections, a first strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section, and a second strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section. |
| US08899646B2 |
Gripping device
A gripper formed as a single component includes a hoop portion connecting facing arms. Each arm may have a tang end, a jaw end and a pivot intermediate the tang and jaw ends and be attached to the hoop portion at the pivot to be pivotable to change the size of a jaw opening defined by the jaw ends. The hoop portion is cyclically loaded in use and configured to act as a stress concentrator for the gripper and provide a failure point for consistently initiating a failure crack in the hoop portion at time of failure of the gripper. Each of the facing arms is attachable to a base such that at failure, the fractured portions of the gripper are retained to the base. |
| US08899644B2 |
Holder for a beverage container
A holder for a beverage container includes first and second loops that are each coupled to opposing ends of a handle. The first and second loops are sized to be smaller than a target beverage container. The holder is attached to a the target beverage container by stretching the first loop and placing the first loop around one end of the beverage container, then stretching the second loop and placing the second loop around the opposite end of the beverage container. The holder can then be used to easily transport the beverage container, or to attach the beverage container to something, such as a bicycle or backpack. The holder is made of a rugged and durable material that allows repeated use of the handle over many years. |
| US08899642B2 |
Bumper-stay mounting structure and load transmission member
A bumper-stay mounting structure includes a rear side member, a bumper stay and a load transmission member, in the bumper-stay mounting structure, a load being transmitted intensively to a lower side of a rear end portion of the rear side member, the bumper-stay mounting structure, the load transmission member having, on an inner peripheral side of a fastened portion, a protruding portion in a box shape, which protrudes toward the rear portion of the bumper stay in the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to be inserted into an opening of the bumper stay; and a side wall of the protruding portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, is opened on a vehicle upper side, and is provided with, at a front end edge of the side wall, a flange extending outward from a side wall as the fastened portion. |
| US08899640B2 |
Vehicle door safety lock handle assembly
A handle assembly includes a support fixable to the door of a vehicle, a grip carried by the support tilting between a rest position and a working position, in which it is at least partially turned transversally with respect to the support, and a mechanical motion transmission device connecting in use the grip to a door locking device for releasing the latter when the grip is in the working position. The handle assembly further includes a counter-weight carried by in the support transversally movable to the same between a first position, in which it is arranged facing, but away from the mechanical motion transmission device, and a second position, in which it intercepts the motion transmission device for stopping the same along at least part of their movement path thus preventing the release of the door locking device. |
| US08899638B2 |
Locking system for a rotatable part
The invention relates to a locking system for a rotatable part, in particular in arrangements in which two parts which can be rotated in relation to each other, for example a die and a punch in a stamping apparatus, have to be aligned exactly in relation to each other. In order to provide a positionally accurate mechanical locking system with a simple design, the invention proposes that a gearwheel (3) having an end-side and/or axially effective toothing system (4) is connected to the rotatable part (2) fixedly in terms of rotation, and that at least one toothing segment (5a-5f) which can move to and fro in the direction of the axis of rotation and/or parallel to the axis of rotation of the gearwheel is arranged over the circumference of the gearwheel, wherein the teeth or gaps between the teeth of the toothing segment and gearwheel can be brought into engagement without play. |
| US08899637B2 |
Round baler tailgate latch
A tailgate latching mechanism for a round bale that utilizes action of the tailgate lift cylinders to release the latch to allow the tailgate to be opened and an independent spring action to cause the mechanism to catch and latch the tailgate into position upon closure of the tailgate. |
| US08899636B2 |
Magnetic latch
A flip cover latch assembly includes a base component, and a flip cover pivotally connected to the base component and configured to pivot between an opened position and a closed position. A first magnet is disposed on the base component at the closed position. The first magnet has a polarity that attracts the flip cover. A second magnet is disposed on the base component at an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The second magnet has a polarity that repels the flip cover. A third magnet is disposed on the base component at the opened position. The third magnet having a polarity that attracts the flip cover. |
| US08899635B2 |
Sliding door multipoint mortise lock with shoot bolts
A multi-point lock assembly with shoot bolts adapted to fit a wide range of door heights with a limited number of standard components. The shoot bolts of the assembly can be trimmed to length and attached to other standard components to form the assembly. |
| US08899632B2 |
Direct action window lock
A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position. |
| US08899631B2 |
Brunnian link making device and kit
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links in a desired manner. A disclosed kit includes a template for mounting an initial band and a hook utilized for attaching additional bands to the initial bands placed on the template. The template includes pins that hold the initial band in place while additional bands are linked onto each other. The kit further includes a clip utilized to attach ends once the desired length is formed. |
| US08899630B1 |
Subsea pipe connection assembly and method
A subsea pipe connection assembly has a first flange, a nut magazine positioned against a side of the first flange and having a plurality of nuts therein corresponding to the plurality of holes of the first flange, a second flange having a plurality of holes in alignment with the holes of the first flange, and a plurality of studs extending through holes of the first and second flanges such that the nuts in the nut magazine are affixed to the ends of the studs. A sleeve is affixed to and extending from the second flange. An ROV-delivered frame can be supported on the sleeve of the pipe such that a torquing tool connected to the frame can apply torque to a nut on the stud. The sleeve has a guide surface thereon so as to direct the torquing tool to nuts on the plurality of studs. |
| US08899626B2 |
Assembly with a seat belt height adjuster and seat belt presenter
In an assembly comprising a belt height adjuster (104) and a belt feeder for feeding a belt webbing (110) the belt feeder includes an arm (112) which is adapted to be moved, especially pivoted from a home position into a feeding position by means of a drive. The arm (112) is arranged at the belt height adjuster (104). |
| US08899622B2 |
Internally collapsible steering column assembly
A steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle that includes an inner column tube, a steering shaft supported at least in part by the inner column tube and having a longitudinal axis, a top bracket adapted for receiving a least a portion of the steering shaft and for mounting the steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle, and a telescoping motor subassembly adapted for selectively driving the steering shaft in a fore or aft direction. A telescoping motor subassembly mounting structure is coupled during normal operation to a column housing, the telescoping motor subassembly and the inner column tube, wherein the telescoping motor subassembly mounting structure is adapted to detach from the column housing in the event of an impact exceeding a predetermined first impact load. A plastically deformable energy absorption device is adapted to be carried least partially by the telescoping motor subassembly mounting structure and is fixed in place relative to the column housing during normal operation for maintaining the steering column assembly in an operational position. The energy absorption device absorbs energy by plastic deformation during impact after the telescoping motor subassembly starts to translate along the column housing, and wherein during the impact, the column housing remains in a fixed position. |
| US08899620B1 |
Rollover protection structure
The ROPS comprises a highly rigid behind-cab-frame, a mounting-plate of which is bolted to the truck chassis. A roof-canopy is integrated into the frame. The ROPS includes a brace which holds the frame upright, and ensures that the roof-canopy remains in position, protecting the cab, during rollover. The frame is bolted into the chassis using the same bolts that hold the cargo-box to the chassis (or longer bolts), whereby installation is quick and easy. The installed ROPS is held fast to the chassis of the truck with great strength and rigidity, but there is no disruption to the structural integrity of the chassis. |
| US08899616B2 |
Airbag deployment control system
An airbag deployment control system for use in a vehicle seat having a trim cover. The airbag deployment control system includes an upper outer liner member having a first end for coupling to an airbag module and a second end for coupling to the trim cover, and a lower outer liner member having a first end for coupling to the airbag module and a second end for coupling to the trim cover. The trim cover is for covering at least a portion of the vehicle seat and the airbag module. The trim cover includes a burst seam for the airbag member to deploy through the trim cover by rupturing at the burst seam upon inflation of the airbag member. The upper outer liner member and the lower outer liner member control deployment of the inflatable airbag member at least two locations. |
| US08899610B2 |
Implement mounting device
A mounting apparatus for mounting an implement to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes two spaced apart rigid arms fixed rigidly to the front or rear of the vehicle, the mounting apparatus including a movement transfer mechanism, and a pair of extension members linked to the movement transfer mechanism, the extension members configured to move when the movement transfer mechanism is operated, and a mounting means configured to attach an implement, and a housing, characterized in that each extension member includes a bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to engage with at least one or more arms of the vehicle. A method of using the mounting apparatus is also claimed. |
| US08899607B2 |
Reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame
A reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame includes a reinforcing component (2), a connecting component and an eccentric locking component, the vehicle frame comprises a beam (1) and a seat tube (3). The beam (1) can be folded into at least two segments (11, 12). A hinge axle (81), through which various segments of the vehicle beam (1) are hinged with each other, is provided vertically. The reinforcing component (2) is connected to the beam (1) and the seat tube (3). The seat tube (3) is provided with a connecting component. A front end of the reinforcing component (2) is hinged with a front segment (11) of the beam (1), and a rear end of the reinforcing component (2) is connected with the seat tube (3) through the connecting component. The reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame has good stability, simple structure and low cost. |
| US08899605B2 |
Pedal-driven roller board
The present invention relates to a roller board, and more particularly, to a pedal-driven roller board that converts a reciprocating motion of pedals formed on the board into a rotational motion to drive a gear, so that a user can drive the board without kicking the ground. Furthermore, the pedal-driven roller board includes a derailleur, so that a user can conveniently control the speed of the pedal-driven roller board. Moreover, a user can develop and strengthen his/her muscles by pedaling the pedal-driven roller board. To this end, a pedal-driven roller board according to the present invention includes: a handle disposed at the front side of a board to steer a front wheel; a rear wheel at the rear side of the board; and two pedals formed on the top surface of the board to drive the rear wheel. Further, the pedal-driven roller board includes: a link having an end hinged to the bottom surface of a pedal; a driving gear formed on an end of a crankshaft connected through a shaft to the other end of the link to convert a reciprocating motion of the pedal into a rotational motion; a clutch gear engaged with the driving gear to rotate, and selectively connected to one of either a first speed gear or a second speed gear to rotate same; a first connecting gear and a second connecting gear, which rotatably engage with the first speed gear and the second speed gear, respectively, and are installed on an end of a connecting shaft; a transmission gear installed on both ends of the connecting shaft and rotated by torque transmitted through the connecting shaft from the first and second connecting gears; and a rotation gear engaging with the transmission gear to rotate, and connected to the rear wheel through a rotation shaft to transmit the torque from the transmission gear to the rear wheel. |
| US08899602B2 |
Vehicle suspension support structure
A vehicle suspension support structure including a lower arm (17) formed by, for example, a lower arm 17 rotatably supporting a knuckle for a front wheel, and a shock absorber attenuating vibration of the lower arm (17), wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is rotatably supported by a support bracket 32 that is welded to an upper face of the lower arm (17) formed by, for example, the lower arm 17, and wherein in the upper face of the lower arm (17), a bulged portion 40 is formed where a weld target portion to which an end of the support bracket 32 is welded is formed to bulge upwards as compared to the periphery thereof. |
| US08899597B2 |
Clamping system
The clamping system for clamping a shank, for example a tool shank, into a seat has a spiral-shaped circumferential groove arranged in the wall of the seating hole and a clamping wedge which is provided with corresponding spiral-shaped ribs and is insertable into a recess on the shank. |
| US08899596B2 |
Metal gasket
A metal gasket includes first and second metal plates laminated together to form the metal gasket, and having holes to be sealed. At least one of the first and second metal plates has a half bead surrounding the hole. A surface pressure assistance plate is located at least adjacent to the half bead between the first and second metal plates. The assistance plate has depressions and projections with respect to a thickness direction thereof in at least a peripheral part thereof. |
| US08899594B2 |
Adjustable seal apparatus for mounting a mixing apparatus to a vessel
An adjustable seal apparatus for mounting a mixing apparatus having a movable shaft in sealed engagement with a wall of a vessel and in a selected orientation with respect to the wall of the vessel. The adjustable seal apparatus includes a seal mechanism for creating a gas-tight seal between the shaft of the mixing apparatus and the wall of the vessel and an adjustable mounting mechanism for selectively positioning the shaft in a desired orientation. |
| US08899593B2 |
Intershaft seal
An intershaft seal is provided for inner and outer coaxial shafts which rotate relative to each other. The seal is located in an annular space between the shafts and maintains an axial pressure differential between a fluid pressure on a first side of the seal and a different fluid pressure on a second side of the seal. The seal includes first and second runners which project into the annular space from a first one of the shafts and extend circumferentially around the first shaft such that a cavity is formed between the runners. The seal further includes a sealing ring which is coaxial with the shafts and is located in the cavity. |
| US08899592B2 |
Seal
A seal is inserted into a space to be sealed. First and second end portions of the seal are engaged with first and second end surfaces of the space. The seal is compressed between the first and second end surfaces. The compression strains the seal. The strain includes the rotation of a cross-section of the seal so as to bias the seal into engagement with a surface forming one of an inboard surface and an outboard surface of the space. |
| US08899591B1 |
Dual layer target
A shooting target having two overlaid target sheets. The front sheet provides a user with a photorealistic image of a desired target object (e.g., game animal or human assailant). Behind the front sheet is another sheet having the same image thereon, but with portions of that target which represent vital organs superimposed over the appropriate portions of the target's body. Having the rear sheet that provides the user with the marksmanship feedback behind the visible target sheet provides a more realistic shooting experience by eliminating the “aim-points” of traditional targets. Further, the dual layer target produces a “souvenir” sheet that readily shows which vital organ was struck. |
| US08899589B2 |
Asymmetric paddleball toy with play-direction switching slot
A paddleball toy having a paddle, a bounceable play ball, and an elastic tethering means. The paddle has an impact surface and an elongate handle with a handle longitudinal axis. The paddle has a front side and a back side. The handle connects to the impact surface at a lower end of the impact surface. The impact surface has a direction-switch slot extending from a slot bottom at an interior point of the impact surface to an exterior edge of the impact surface. The elastic tethering means tethers the play ball at a first end of the tethering means to a tether spot on the impact surface adjacent the slot bottom of the direction-switch slot so as to permit the tethering means to pass through the direction-switch slot as the play ball passes the impact surface from front side to back side, or back side to front side. |
| US08899588B2 |
Card reading apparatus and table game system
A card shooter apparatus (1) in a table game system includes a card shooter unit (4) including a card storage unit (2) that stores a plurality of cards (100) in a horizontal stack. A control device (5) constituted by a program storage unit, a computer device, or the like is placed in a lower part of the card shooter apparatus (1). A transparent bottom plate (9) is provided on a bottom of the card storage unit (2). An optical sensor (10) that receives reflected lights of lights applied to end surfaces of the plurality of cards (100) stored in the card storage unit (2), and a DNA sensor (11) that obtains DNA information from a DNA-containing coating applied to the cards (100) stored in the card storage unit 2 are placed below the bottom plate (9). |
| US08899582B2 |
Cylindrical shaft, transport roller, transport unit, and printing apparatus
A cylindrical shaft is provided of which a pair of ends are formed in a cylindrical shape by a press work so as to form a joining portion therebetween. Here, the joining portion includes: a central linear section which is provided on a center portion in an axis direction of the cylindrical shaft and is formed in a linear shape to be parallel to the axis direction of the cylindrical shaft; and a folded section which includes a plurality of intersections which are provided on both ends of the center portion and are disposed so as to be extended in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a connection linear section which connects ends of a pair of the adjacent intersections. In addition, the connection linear section is constituted by a first linear section which connects ends on one side of the pair of the intersections and a second linear section which connects ends on the other side of the pair of the intersections and formed shorter than the first linear section. In addition, a distance between the pair of the ends of the center portion is longer than a distance between the pair of the ends of the second linear section. |
| US08899581B2 |
Image processing apparatus, rotation control method for motor, and computer-readable recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a transport roller for transporting a sheet subjected to image processing; a motor that drives the transport roller to rotate; and a speed reduction unit that performs a speed reduction control on the motor to temporarily stop the sheet, the speed reduction control being performed in a manner that a stopping time and a stopping distance each satisfy a corresponding target range, wherein the speed reduction control includes: a first control that is a control of reducing a rotation speed of the motor to a reference speed through at least two operations from among a braking operation, a powering operation, and a free running operation; and a second control that is a control of, after a rotation amount of the motor from the start of the speed reduction control reaches a reference value, continuously performing the braking operation until the stop of the motor. |
| US08899579B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus move, when stacking a sheet on a stacking tray, a supporting tray disposed to freely appear above the stacking tray to a first position in which the supporting tray projects above the stacking tray and supports the sheet stacked on an intermediate stacking tray. When these apparatuses discharge a processed sheet bundle, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the first position to a second position in which the supporting tray supports an edge of the discharged sheet in an upstream side in a discharging direction, and guides the moving sheet bundle to a stacking wall. Further, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the second position to a third position at predetermined timing, so that the supporting tray stops supporting the sheet bundle and stacks the sheet bundle on the sheet bundle previously stacked on the stacking tray. |
| US08899573B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a plurality of trays to store an index sheet provided with a tab at a predetermined position of the index sheet, a setting section to set first information concerning the index sheet stored in the tray for each of the plurality of trays, a receiving section to receive second information concerning an insertion of the index sheet in a job, and a controller to control an execution of the job and an operation of feeding the index sheet. The controller automatically selects the tray in the execution of the job based on the first information and the second information. |
| US08899572B2 |
Printing apparatus with sheet entry inhibiting controller
A printing apparatus comprising an image forming system, a sheet-feeding system, a sheet-transporting system, a sheet-controlling device, a sheet-detection device, a first driving system, a second driving system and a controller is provided. The sheet-controlling device and the sheet-detection device are disposed between the sheet-feeding system and the sheet-transporting system. The sheet-controlling device controls an entry of a sheet into the sheet-transporting system. The first driving system drives the sheet-controlling device, and the second driving system drives a transporting mechanism of the sheet-transporting system. The controller upon receiving an error signal from the sheet-detection device signals the sheet-controlling device to inhibit the entry of the sheet into the sheet-transporting system and signals the transporting mechanism to continue its operation. A duplex printing method is also provided. |
| US08899571B2 |
Sheet-through document reading apparatus
A sheet-through document reading apparatus including: a document tray for containing a plurality of documents; a determination unit that determines a length of a document on the document tray; a feed unit that separates and feeds a document on the document tray; a resist convey unit that performs consistency processing on the document fed by the feed unit; a first drive unit that rotationally drives the resist convey unit; a read convey unit that feeds the document subjected to consistency processing by the resist convey unit; a second drive unit that rotationally drives the read convey unit; a reading unit that reads, at a fixed reading position, the document conveyed by the read convey unit; and a control unit for changing a relative conveying velocity between the resist convey unit and the read convey unit on the basis of a result of the determination by the determination unit. |
| US08899570B2 |
Moving rail assembly and apparatus for receiving and dispensing bill
Disclosed are a moving rail assembly and a bill receiving and dispensing apparatus which are configured such that an angle at which a carriage unit moves along a rail can be adjusted to various angles. The moving rail assembly includes a moving body, a main rail and a sub-rail. The moving body includes a main rotating roller and a sub-rotating roller disposed at a different widthwise position from the main rotating roller. The main rail has a first path for guiding the main rotating roller, and a second path for guiding the sub-rotating roller. The first path and the second path extend parallel to each other. The sub-rail branches off from the second path and extends in a different direction from the main rail. The sub-rail guides the sub-rotating roller. |
| US08899569B2 |
Sheet procecessing apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a processing tray configured to receive sheets to be processed, the processing tray having an ejecting side from which sheets are ejected, and a loading tray provided downstream from the processing tray in a sheet ejecting direction and configured to receive sheets ejected from the processing tray. The sheet processing apparatus further comprises a bending restrainer including a restraining member extending almost parallel to the processing tray and covering a portion of the ejecting side of the processing tray, the restraining member configured to restrain bending of sheets ejected from the processing tray to the loading tray. |
| US08899562B1 |
Apparatus for dispersing impact forces
Apparatus for dispersing impact forces are provided. An apparatus for dispersing impact forces includes a housing having a contact end with an aperture; a contact member located at least primarily inside the housing; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward the housing aperture; and a sensor. The housing contact end is secured to an impact receiving surface. The sensor initiates an alert when an impact force received on the impact receiving surface causes the contact member to shift a predetermined distance from an initial position. |
| US08899557B2 |
In-line device for gas-liquid contacting, and gas processing facility employing co-current contactors
Provided are gas processing facilities for the separation of components in a gas stream and methods of using the same. The facility includes one or more co-current contactors. Each contactor includes a mass transfer vessel having a mixing section. The mixing section receives a gas stream and a liquid contacting stream. The mixing section mixes theses two streams and releases a two-phase flow. Each contactor also includes a separator that receives the two-phase fluid stream from the mass transfer vessel in-line, and then separates a vapor phase from a liquid phase. The separator has a gas-phase outlet configured to release the vapor phase as a treated gas stream, and a liquid-phase outlet configured to release the liquid phase as a loaded treating solution. The contactors may be used to remove water or other contaminant from a natural gas stream or other gas stream. |
| US08899554B2 |
Reverse marked fish tape
The fish tape includes a measuring scale. The tape is scaled from zero to a number equal to the length of the tape. The numbers incrementally increase from the tapes proximal end to the tapes distal end. |
| US08899553B2 |
Power door opener
A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb. |
| US08899550B2 |
Connector designed to removably connect two fluid channels
A connector for removably connecting two fluid channels which includes a first element and a second element that fit into one another and wherein the first element includes a body connected with the second element when the second element and the first element are at least partially fitted into one another following a combined relative rotational and translational movement, by a first link between at least one locking pin and at least one locking slot, and wherein the first element includes a single ring mounted around the body and wherein the body and the ring are linked following a combined relative rotational and translational movement by a second link between at least one guiding pin and at least one guiding slot. |
| US08899548B2 |
Valve device for a combustion engine
The invention relates to a valve device for a combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections and a hollow valve element rotatable between at least two rotational positions via a valve shaft supported rotatably in the housing, which valve element comprises at least two openings, which, depending on the rotational position of the valve element, can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, further comprising an electromotive drive with a drive shaft for rotating the valve element, the drive shaft and the valve shaft being connected via a coupling with one another. According to the invention, the coupling connects the drive shaft and the valve shaft torque-proof with one another up to a predetermined threshold torque and releases the torque-proof connection between the drive shaft and the valve shaft above the predetermined threshold torque, so that rotation of the valve shaft relative to the drive shaft is possible. |
| US08899546B2 |
Wind blade mould including a heating system
A mold for molding a wind turbine blade, the mold comprising a mold body having a front molding surface and a rear face, the mold body having at least one tube therein for conveying a heating liquid therethrough, the at least one tube defining a plurality of laterally spaced heating elements, and a continuous layer of heat conductive material located in the thickness direction of the mold body between the plurality of laterally spaced heating elements and the front molding surface and extending laterally across the space between adjacent heating elements. |
| US08899539B2 |
Guard assembly and method
A guard for structural members is disclosed. It can reduce worker injury with a thin sheet metal or plastic, broadly U-shaped guard plate attached to a structural support through attachment to a pair of clamps, each with a primary and a secondary threaded clamp mechanism. The attachment between the guard plate and pair of clamps may be via a slotted intermediate structure. The primary mechanism has a swivel pad end while the secondary clamps have a pointed, cone-shaped end. is the guard can be used in wind turbine towers to protect workers on a fixed ladder from hitting interior flanges as they climb up and as they climb down. |
| US08899530B2 |
Train direction detection via track circuits
Track circuits and constant warning time devices that can make train direction determinations using multi-frequency track impedance measurements and combinations of frequency tuned shunts. |
| US08899529B2 |
Electrical power transmitting telescopic strut
A telescopic strut comprises a plurality of hollow members arranged to slide one within another between a retracted and an extended position. Adjacent hollow members are arranged to be electrically connected by one or more electrical connector assemblies as the hollow members move between the retracted and extended positions. Each electrical connector assembly includes an electrically conductive pad on one of the hollow members which is in sliding contact with an electrically conductive strip on the other of the hollow members. The telescopic strut may be used to electrically connect a moveable control surface to a fixed aerofoil structure in an aircraft. |
| US08899528B2 |
Blade seal
A blade seal comprises a flexible member having a relatively thick edge opposite a relatively thin edge, and an actuator at least partially embedded in the flexible member for actively deflecting the thin edge with respect to the thick edge upon activation of the actuator. The blade seal may be fixed to an aerodynamic trailing edge of either a fixed aerofoil portion or a flight control surface of an aerofoil for sealing between the fixed aerofoil portion and the flight control surface. Also, a method of sealing an aerofoil using the blade seal. |
| US08899522B2 |
Aircraft fuselage with high strength frames
A fuselage section of an aircraft includes a skin, a plurality of frames positioned transversely to a longitudinal axis of a fuselage of the aircraft, and a plurality of longitudinal stringers at least one of which is configured with a closed transversal section including a stringer hat, two stringer webs, and two stringer feet joined to the skin. At least one of the frames is configured in at least one sector with a frame foot joined to the skin, a frame web having holes at crossing zones with the stringers, a frame cap, and a frame cap extension which does not interfere with the stringers. The frames are joined to, at least, the stringer hats at crossing zones of the frames and the stringer hats. |
| US08899520B2 |
Mid-wing airplane
An airplane includes a wing mounted mid-level on a tubular fuselage. The wing includes carry-through that passes transversely through the fuselage and divides a cabin deck into fore and aft sections. At least one longitudinal passageway in the carry-through structure allows passenger/crew walk-through between the fore and aft sections of the deck. |
| US08899517B2 |
Landing gear
A landing gear, including an elongate axle pivotally connected to a bogie beam, the landing gear further including a locking device for locking the axle at a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, the locking device including first and second barrier arms that are movable between a first configuration, in which they define a barrier so as to maintain the maintain the axle in the substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, and a second configuration, in which the axle may pivot about the bogie beam. |
| US08899509B2 |
Dispenser for a roll of absorbent paper tissue or nonwoven material
A device dispenser for a roll of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material is provided. The dispenser has a housing with a first wall provided with a dispensing opening and a movable housing portion, which movable housing portion in an open position allows the dispenser to be refilled. The dispenser has a suspension arrangement for the roll and in which the roll is rotatable. The suspension arrangement is arranged to bias the roll towards the dispensing opening in a dispensing position when the movable housing portion is in a closed position. The suspension arrangement is connected to a pull-back mechanism linked to the movable housing portion for repositioning the suspension arrangement into a refilling position at a distance from the dispensing position when the movable housing portion is moved from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08899507B2 |
Conduit reservoir for intake of an electrical, optical or fluid conduit
A conduit reservoir for intake of an electrical or optical cable or of a hose or other conduit to conduct or transmit at least either a fluid, a signal or electric current includes a carrier that can rotate about a predetermined rotation axis, conduit devices on the carrier and a conduit path defined by the conduit devices and having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, such that the conduit path is defined by the conduit devices in such a way that a conduit originally inserted in the second portion of the conduit path, upon a rotation of the carrier in a first rotation direction about the rotation axis, is simultaneously inserted in the first portion and in the third portion (31) of the conduit path. The conduit devices are configured to permit a movement of a conduit along the conduit path. |
| US08899505B2 |
Brush brake device for a fishing reel
Disclosed is a fishing reel. A brake dial is provided in the side of an outer cover outside of a spool cover. An externally controllable brake device is provided between the brake dial and the spool cover such that the brake device is operated according to adjustment of the brake dial. A brush-type brake unit is fixed to the externally controllable brake device in the side of an inner surface of the spool cover so as to control the rotary force of the spool while laterally moving in response to actuation of the externally controllable brake device. |
| US08899499B2 |
Spray ring and reactor vessel provided with such a spray ring and a method of wetting char and/or slag in a water bath
A spray ring, for wetting char and/or slag in a water bath with a wetting fluid. The spray ring comprises a loop conduit arranged in a loop-line. The loop conduit is at an inlet point provided with an inlet for feeding the wetting fluid into the loop conduit in an inlet flow direction. The loop-line has a plurality of outlet openings for spraying the wetting fluid out of the loop conduit. The inlet flow direction has a component that is tangential to a loop-line flow direction of the wetting fluid through the loop conduit at the inlet point. |
| US08899496B2 |
Horizontally pivotable agricultural sprayer with vertically pivotable segments
The invention concerns an agricultural sprayer with an arm comprising multiple segments, which are pivotable relative to each other, whereby the arm is pivotable out of a transport position into an operating position and/or back into a transport position, whereby the complete arm is attachable to a drawing vehicle, such as a tractor, and pivotable around a first horizontal swiveling axis, whereby at least one of the segments of the arm is pivotable around a second swiveling axis, which is in general vertically aligned in the transport position and whereby the discrete segments comprise units, which are arranged relative to each other per segment such, that a work plane through those units is in general vertically aligned in the transport position, wherein the complete arm is pivoted out of the transport position in the operating position around the first swiveling axis, such that the work plane is generally horizontally aligned. The invention concerns further a system with a tractor and such an agricultural sprayer, wherein a middle segment of the arm is positioned in the operating position on a support surface on the tractor. The invention concerns further a method for pivoting an arm comprising of a multitude of segments, whereby the arm is fully pivoted out of horizontally oriented operation position in a vertically oriented intermediate position and thereafter the discrete enlarging segments, sticking away from the middle segment (4), are pivoted in the direction of the middle section in a transport position. |
| US08899494B2 |
Bi-directional fuel injection method
In certain embodiments, a fuel injector includes a wall separating a fuel passage from an air passage. The fuel injector also includes a fuel injection port extending from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall for injecting a flow of fuel from the fuel passage into a flow of air in the air passage. In addition, the fuel injector includes first and second feedback lines extending from a downstream end of the fuel injection port to an upstream end of the fuel injection port. The first and second feedback lines are disposed on opposite sides of the fuel injection port. In addition, the first and second feedback lines are disposed entirely within the wall. |
| US08899493B2 |
Air freshener generator for vehicle air conditioning apparatus
An air freshener generating apparatus of a vehicle air conditioning system includes a body in which an inlet pipe is communicated with an outlet pipe and on a circumferential surface of which ball plungers are mounted at intervals along circumferential lines on which the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are located respectively, a cartridge rotatably coupled to the body and having at least one partition wall such that at least one air freshener emitter is filled within spaces defined by the partition wall, the cartridge having through-holes facing the ball plungers, and an actuator configured to rotate the cartridge by a predetermined angle. When the cartridge is rotated by the predetermined angle, air is supplied through the through-hole facing the inlet pipe such that one air freshener is discharged through the through-hole facing the outlet pipe, and the ball plungers are configured to block the rest of the through-holes. |
| US08899492B2 |
Method of controlling system temperature to extend battery pack life
A method for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, is provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach. |
| US08899491B2 |
Thermostatic mixer device
A thermostatic mixer device for sanitary appliances, includes: a cartridge envelope; a distributor bottom member with intake openings for cold and hot water, a delivery opening for mixed water, and elements for controlling and intercepting the delivered flow rate; a mixing member located inside the envelope, forming a cylinder, control openings and passageways for directing hot water and cold water from the intake openings to the respective control openings; a distribution slide valve, sealingly sliding in the axial direction within the cylinder of the mixing member, and cooperating with the control openings in order to partially shut the control openings in opposite senses; a thermometric element for displacing the distributing slide valve against the action of a return spring; and control elements for establishing the temperature desired for the delivered mixed water. The envelope and mixing member form, in a single piece, a sole containment and mixing member which, with its outer portions, forms the envelope containing the mixer device, with its inner portions forms the cylinder cooperating with the distribution slide valve and the control openings, and by cooperation of the outer and inner portions determines the passageways. |
| US08899490B1 |
Smart card
A smart card includes a main stuff body and a data display module. The main stuff body includes a RF antenna, a charge pump module, a first processing module, and a second processing module. The RF antenna is utilized for receiving a read/write signal and a card data signal. The charge pump module is applied for generating inductive working power by coupling resonance when the RF antenna receives the card data signal. The first processing module is deployed for receiving the read/write signal and transmitting a data signal representing the card data to the reader/writer. The second processing module is utilized for transforming the card data signal into a displaying signal for showing the card data. The data display module is applied for receiving the displaying signal to show the card data by inductive working power and keeps in displaying the card data when inductive working power is gone. |
| US08899487B2 |
Biometric identity verification system and method
A card authenticates a cardholder. The card includes a substrate, a sensor module, a wireless transceiver module, and a power circuit. The sensor module includes (a) a biometric sensor adapted to detect biometric information from a person's body, (b) a processor unit adapted to authenticate the person in response to the detected biometric information and generate an authentication signal representing an authentication result, and (c) a memory adapted to store biometric information of a specific individual associated with the card. The wireless transceiver module transmits signals received from the processor unit and receives a wirelessly-transmitted power signal. The power circuit generates at least one supply voltage from the received power signal and provides the supply voltage to the sensor module. An electronic passport is embedded with the card, and a terminal module is used for wirelessly transmitting power to and receiving signals from the electronic passport. |
| US08899483B2 |
Magnetic POS engagement system for mobile devices
A system, method and apparatus designed to activate and trigger a mobile commerce related application, interface and or menu of option and or to affect a process related to mobile commerce by using an activation device located at the Point of Sale (POS) which contains a magnetic or electromagnetic activator and a mobile device with one or more magnetic reed switches, reed relay switches or a Resonant Inductive Coupling Sensor (electrodynamic induction receiver coils). |
| US08899482B2 |
Digital measurement system with magnetic card reader and method for optical applications
A digital measurement system and method for optical applications including a mobile client device having a digital camera and an audio port, and a laser measurement device having a laser and a magnetic card reader. The laser measurement device and the magnetic card reader are electrically connected to the audio port of the mobile client device. The mobile client device is configured to activate the laser at the same time as the digital camera is activated, capture an image of a patient, and calculate position of wear measurements based on a location of a laser mark in the captured image. The mobile client device also allows an order for a frame and lenses to be submitted to a ophthalmic laboratory, and payment transactions to be processed using the magnetic card reader. |
| US08899481B2 |
Apparatus for and method of automatically integrating an auxiliary reader in a point-of-transaction system having a workstation reader
A checkout system for electro-optically reading targets includes a host, a workstation reader, and an auxiliary reader operatively connected to the workstation reader. The workstation reader captures data associated with the targets, and communicates its captured data with the host over a predetermined communications protocol. The auxiliary reader also captures data associated with the targets independently of the workstation reader. The workstation reader automatically integrates the auxiliary reader in the system by automatically detecting the protocol of the auxiliary reader, and by automatically configuring the detected protocol of the auxiliary reader to conform to the predetermined communications protocol of the workstation reader, thereby enabling the auxiliary reader to communicate its captured data with the host. |
| US08899479B2 |
Method and system for monitoring the flow and usage of medical devices
A method for monitoring the flow and usage of a plurality of medical devices (4) in a hospital (2) environment, in which before shipping the medical devices (4) to a hospital (2) identification tags (17) are connected to said medical devices (4) which are detectable at a distance and contain a medical device identification code and, upon receiving the medical devices (4) in the hospital (2) store (13; 14), they are scanned to detect and store the medical device identification codes of the received medical devices (4) as entrance codes in a data base (31;28) and, when medical devices (4) leave the hospital (2) store (13;14) towards an operation theater block (9) or clinical department, they are scanned to detect and store the medical device identification codes of the medical devices (4) which left the hospital store (13; 14) as exit codes in the data base (31;28) and a medical device stock level in the hospital store (13, 14) is calculated on the basis of the previously stored medical device identification entrance codes and medical device identification exit codes. |
| US08899477B2 |
Device detection
Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users. The apparatus may further emit a time varying signal to enhance security. |
| US08899476B2 |
Automated document cashing system
Validation of the identity of the user is performed with the use of a card associated with intelligence that identifies the user. Validation of the document involves one or more of: validating the presence of a signature; validating the amount of the monetary transaction document including a manual entry of the amount by the user; validating CAR against the LAR; and validating the banking system parameters and rules for the customer and/or the transaction. To assist in the automatic analysis of data on monetary transactional documents or on remittance documents, the user is prompted to provide a bounding box about the data. An image touch screen may be touched by the user to locate the bounding box and the user may magnify the data to fill the boundary box to exclude other data from analysis. After document and person validation, the system will dispense money or transfer monies to a savings account, a checking account, a smart card, or the like. The system will also write money orders or wire transfer money. |
| US08899475B2 |
Media presenter
A media presenter is described. The media presenter comprises: a chassis including a nose coupled thereto, and including (i) a presenting end distal from the chassis, and (ii) a presenting track extending from the chassis to the presenting end. The media presenter also includes a carriage mounted on the presenting track for movement therealong, and comprising a carriage body coupled to a carriage plate by a linkage, the carriage plate including a cam follower. The media presenter also includes a cam block defining a cam track and being operable to engage with the cam follower to move the carriage between an open position at which media items can be placed on the carriage plate, and a closed position for clamping media items between the carriage plate and the carriage body. |
| US08899474B2 |
Interactive document reader
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive document reader. |
| US08899471B2 |
Method for sealing curved vacuum glass and curved vacuum glass
A method for sealing the curved vacuum glass comprises: first preparing metallized layer bonded with the glass plate on the edge surface of the curved glass to be sealed by locally heating the metal slurry coating; then air-tightly sealing the edges of two glass plates by using the metal brazing technology, or air-tightly sealing the edges of two glass plates by air-tightly welding the metal sealing sheet between the metallized layers of two glass plates to be sealed. A curved vacuum glass is also provided. The method makes the sealing part have firm connection, good air tightness and good thermal shock resistance. The sealing structure made of the metal sealing sheet is well compatible with the temperature deformation caused by the temperature difference between the internal and external glass plates of the vacuum glass. |
| US08899469B2 |
Automatic rework processes for non-stick conditions in wire bonding operations
A method of performing a wire bonding operation is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) performing a wire bonding operation between a portion of wire and a bonding location using a bonding tool; (b) raising the bonding tool to a desired height; (c) performing a test to determine if the portion of wire is sufficiently bonded to the bonding location; and (d) automatically performing another wire bonding operation between the portion of wire and the bonding location using the bonding tool if, during step (c), it is determined that the portion of wire was not sufficiently bonded to the bonding location in step (a). |
| US08899466B2 |
Devices and methods for introducing a surgical circular stapling instrument into a patient
Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise cover members that are applied over a stapling head portion of the circular stapler. In some embodiments, the cover members are fabricated from a flexible stretchable material and have a bumper portion that protrudes distally beyond the distal face of the stapling head. The staples may be fired through the cover member and the balance of the cover member is withdrawn from the patient with the stapling head. Other cover embodiments are selectively movable from a position wherein the distal face of the stapling head is covered and other positions wherein the distal face of the stapling head is exposed. |
| US08899465B2 |
Staple cartridge comprising drivers for deploying a plurality of staples
A surgical staple cartridge comprising a first, a second and a third row of staple pockets located on a first side of a cartridge housing having staples therein. The first, the second and the third row of staple pockets are aligned parallel to a knife channel. A first staple driver is oriented to drive at least four staples from the staple pockets simultaneously. A second staple driver configured to eject a staple from the staple pockets and is positioned proximally with respect to the first staple driver. The second staple driver is configured to elect a different quantity of staples than the first staple driver. |
| US08899458B1 |
Device holder
A holder for carrying cell phones and other small items is arranged to attach to a belt or other strap, or to a belt loop. The holder is of simple construction, including an elongated backing member and a cover that is attached to the bottom region of the backing member to form a pocket or holster that is open at the top. The backing member is divided near its upper end by a fold to form a first flap and a generally rectangular opening through the backing member, sized and shaped to accommodate a belt loop, is placed adjacent to and below the fold. A second flap is attached to the backing member at a location adjacent to and below the opening and is arranged to fold upwardly to cover the opening and to form a channel for a belt or other strap. The second flap is secured in that position by folding down the first flap and securing it to the second flap. |
| US08899456B2 |
Bicycle carrier
A lightweight bicycle carrier that is easily adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of bicycles and other equipment. The bicycle carrier of the present invention is easily assembled and installed onto the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The bicycle carrier can also be partially disassembled to allow access into the rear of the vehicle without interfering with the vehicle tailgate. The bicycle carrier includes adjustable angular support arms to support bicycles during transport. |
| US08899451B2 |
Rodless dispenser
A dispenser for viscous, extrudable materials uses a sprocket-driven push chain that is drawn from a chain magazine responsive to actuation of a user trigger. The sprocket for the chain is driven by a toothed wheel, which is driven by a first, ratcheting drive pawl, which is actuated by the trigger. A second ratcheting locking pawl prevents the toothed wheel and hence the chain sprocket from rotating backward when the trigger is released. A single “button” or actuator can be actuated by one hand of a user while the user's other hand grasps a chain retractor to pull an extended chain back to a starting position whereat the dispenser can be reloaded. |
| US08899439B2 |
Pressure vessel for gaseous or liquid media
A pressure vessel 1 for storing a liquid or gaseous medium, having a core vessel 2, a support jacket 3 arranged at least partially around the core vessel, an opening 4 arranged on one side of the pressure vessel, and a valve body 5, arranged at least partially in the opening 4, for open-loop control and/or closed-loop control of the discharging and/or filling of the pressure vessel 1. The valve body 5 is provided as a single piece in the region of the opening 4 and is arranged between the core vessel 2 and the support jacket 3 in such a way that the valve body 5 can be fixed in its position, at least partially, by the core vessel 2 and the support jacket 3. |
| US08899437B2 |
Closure with integrated dosage cup
A child resistant closure is provided that is configured to fit over the opening of a receptacle to form a container. The closure includes an inner dosage cup and an outer cap portion that receives and retains the inner dosage cup. The outer cap portion is rotatable relative to the inner dosage cup and defines at least one viewing window that allows for visual indication of a level of contents within the inner dosage cup. |
| US08899433B2 |
Fluid reservoir and method of manufacturing a fluid reservoir
A fluid reservoir includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving a fluid. The housing may be generally rectangular with six orthogonally oriented sides. A plurality of mounting portions are carried by the housing. One or more fittings are selectively attached to respective mounting portions of the plurality of mounting portions. The mounting portions may include mounted surfaces at an intersection of a pair of adjacent sides of the housing. The mounting surfaces may be at angles to both of the respective adjacent sides. |
| US08899427B2 |
Baby bottle with mixing device
A baby bottle including a nipple and separable compartments for holding powdered formula and water. By sliding or rotating a knob to a pre-selected mix position, apertures in the separable compartments are aligned thereby allowing mixture of the powdered formula from an upper compartment into a lower compartment containing the water. The bottle is shaken to thoroughly mix the formula and the water, after which, the bottle and formula mix are ready to use. |
| US08899421B2 |
Multi-level compartmentalized insert for a food holding cabinet having at least one independent sliding compartmentalized tray and cover for same
An insert for a food holding cabinet provides multiple, individual food holding compartments, which can be operated as encapsulated environments. The insert is made from an elongated tray formed to have at least one food product holding compartment, which is formed at one end of the elongated tray. A slid-able is configured to be able slide back and forth and formed to have at least one additional food product holding compartment. A slid-able cover is configured to be able to slide in the elongated tray, over the slide-able cover. Multiple individual food holding compartments can be uncovered, one-at-a-time as need for food product arises. |
| US08899419B2 |
Package with break-away clamshell
A package for accommodating, storing, displaying and transporting an article, such as, pharmaceutical products. The package has a receptacle mountable to a paperboard. The mountable receptacle has a clamshell for receiving, for example, one or more blister cards. The clamshell has a first portion having a first edge and a second portion having a second edge, which opposes the first edge. The mountable receptacle has an extension connected at least to the second edge through a breakable mechanism. The extension is attached to a surface of the paperboard, such that the clamshell can be detached from the paperboard by breaking the breakable mechanism. |
| US08899418B2 |
Packaging
A plurality of small packages, each for approximately a day's supply of tampons, are provided in an outer carrier box. The tampons in the small packages may be provided in a single row, and may be individually adhered to the bottom of the package. Each small package may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the individual package into a small space, such as a pocket, for discrete storage or carrying. The individual package may be formed with an inner box covered by an outer sleeve movable, like a flap, from the inner box to permit ready access to the contents of the inner box. A closure is provided that is resistant to inadvertent opening. The closure may be specifically configured for a tapered end of a tapered package. The closure may conceal the engaging elements thereof from view to inhibit inadvertent opening of the closure. If desired, a feedback feature, such as an auditory or tactile cue, may be provided by the closure to cue the user that the closure is securely closing the package. |
| US08899417B1 |
Tool box
A tool box contains: a body, a lifting mechanism, at least one holder, and a controlling mechanism. The lifting mechanism is fixed on the body and includes a rotating assembly and a guiding member. The rotating assembly has a first end disposed in the body and a second end mounted in the guiding member so as to rotate on the body. The at least one holder is used to hold at least one tool set and is mounted on the rotating assembly of the lifting mechanism, such that the at least one holder is driven by the rotating assembly to lift and rotate. The controlling mechanism includes at least one resilient element for driving the rotating assembly to rotate and a control member disposed in the body, such that the rotating assembly of the lifting mechanism is positioned on the body. |
| US08899416B2 |
Soft plastic insert for use in protective case
An insert for protecting articles to be stored in a protective case. The insert is generally hollow and formed of a flexible thermoplastic material. The insert may be formed by a blow-molding process. The insert is shaped to fit within a protective case, which is also often formed by a blow-molded process. The material used to form the insert is less dense than that of the material used to form the protective case, and therefore the insert material is less stiff, softer, and more flexible. |
| US08899414B2 |
Slide and shell container having tamper evident seal
A slide and shell container includes an outer shell and an inner slide mounted within the outer shell. The outer shell and the inner slide are detachably connected to each other along one or more lines of weakness. Upon separation of the outer shell and inner slide along the one or more lines of weakness, the inner slide becomes moveable within the outer shell between a closed slide position and an open slide position. The two or more lines of weakness define an integral opening strip which is separable from the container in order to separate the outer shell and the inner slide. |
| US08899413B2 |
Combined gift product and chocolate bar greeting card
A gift product which holds a single, individually-wrapped chocolate bar, currency bills, and one or more gift cards. The gift product has a greeting card panel and a chocolate bar container. The internal face of the greeting card panel has a pocket that holds currency bills and a gift card. The gift product is preferably formed from a single blank made of box stock, reinforced paper, or thin plastic. |
| US08899406B2 |
System, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media
A system, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media, especially in a data storage environment. |
| US08899403B2 |
Method for operating a transport device and transport device for implementing the method
The invention relates to a method for operating a transport device (10) which has a number of identical transport means arranged one after another in a transport direction, which are able to transport product along an intrinsically closed transport path (33) between stations (28) arranged on the transport path (33). To identify the individual transport means, use is made of selected transport means (RK) which can be detected by means of first sensors (24) arranged or on the transport path (33) as the said transport means pass the first sensors (24), which are distributed over the transport path (33) and subdivide the transport path (33) into individual segments. The transport means may be assigned individually consecutive fixed serial numbers, which are counted from a single starting point (34), and in that the starting point (34) is defined by a specific arrangement of a plurality of detectable transport means (DRK). |
| US08899397B2 |
Clutch control system of clutch apparatus for hybrid vehicle
A clutch control system of a clutch apparatus for a vehicle, includes a regulator valve switchable between a first mode in which a fluid pressure of a hydraulic fluid to a pressurized chamber is regulated to a first predetermined fluid pressure and a second mode in which the fluid pressure to a canceller chamber is regulated to a second predetermined fluid pressure, the regulator valve discharging a portion of the hydraulic fluid as a drain lubricant to the clutch portion, a switching valve switchable between a supply mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pressurized chamber and a discharge mode in which the pressurized chamber is connected to a reservoir, and a control valve controlling the regulator valve to be switched between the first mode and the second mode and controlling the switching valve to be switched between the supply mode and the discharge mode. |
| US08899386B2 |
Pneumatically actuable disc brake
A pneumatic disc brake has a caliper which straddles a brake disc, brake pads pressable against the brake disc, wherein a brake-application-side brake pad can be actuated by a brake lever of a brake application device pivotable about an eccentric axis. Against the end side, the brake lever bears a brake ram which is coupled at the other side to the brake pad or to a guide plate coupled thereto. Two pressure rams are aligned in the same direction and spaced apart from the brake ram. The pressure rams are connected in each case to the caliper and to the brake pad or to the guide plate and have a self-energizing device. The caliper has spherical-cap-shaped bearing receptacles in which rest corresponding plain bearing elements, by which the brake lever, and the pressure rams are supported on the caliper. |
| US08899382B2 |
Oil valve assembly of linear compressor
The present invention discloses an oil supply valve assembly of a linear compressor including a shell, the oil being stored at the lower portion of the shell, a cylinder disposed in the shell, a piston disposed in the cylinder, a main body frame to which the cylinder is fixed, and a linear motor connected to the piston, for driving the piston, comprising: a passage formed in the main body frame, for supplying the oil to a gap between the cylinder and the piston; an oil valve being coupled to the main body frame to communicate with the passage, and including an oil suction valve and an oil discharge valve; and an oil cover coupled to overlap with the oil valve and communicate with the passage of the main body frame. By this configuration, the manufacturing process of the oil supply valve assembly is simplified and mis-assembly of the components is prevented by reducing the number of the components. |
| US08899379B2 |
Mason's adjustable chimney-platform arrangement
An adjustable platform assembly for supporting workers and supplies about an elevated work site, the platform assembly being movably supported on an articulable support, the platform comprising a stationary rear bridging panel arrangement having an elongated side platform member comprising a floor and railing assembly at each end thereof, wherein each elongated side platform member floor and railing assembly is independently movable on support members forwardly, rearwardly, transversely and angularly with respect to the bridging panel arrangement, to change the platform assembly back and forth between a generally “H” shape to a generally “U” shape, or any skewed combination thereof, as required. |
| US08899375B2 |
Device for damping and scattering hydrosound in a liquid
A device is provided for damping hydrosound in liquid emitted from a sound-emitting body in the liquid. The device includes a plurality of envelope bodies distributed in the liquid in an area of the hydrosound-emitting body and at a distance from each other. A material, diameter and pressure of each envelope body is configured such that a natural frequency of the envelope body corresponds to an emitted frequency range of the hydrosound so as to dampen the hydrosound. The device also includes at least one mass body disposed in the liquid. The envelope bodies are connected to the mass bodies so as to prevent the envelope bodies from rising up in the liquid. |
| US08899371B2 |
Bulldozer
A vehicle body frame of a bulldozer has a left side frame, a right side frame, a base plate, and a cross member. The left and right side frames each extend in the front and back direction. The base plate spans across between the left and right side frames. The cross member is positioned between a hydraulic pump and left and right hydraulic motors. The cross member protrudes upward from the base plate. The cross member spans across between the left and right side frames. The cross member has a left conduit hole and a right conduit hole which are spaced apart in a left and right direction of the bulldozer. The first and second left hydraulic fluid tubes pass through the left conduit hole. The first and second right hydraulic fluid tubes pass through the right conduit hole. |
| US08899369B2 |
Straddle-type electric vehicle, and mounting structure of electric power controller in electric vehicle
A straddle-type electric vehicle (e.g., electric motorcycle 1) comprising a driving motor and an electric power control unit for controlling electric power supplied from batteries to the driving motor, a case of the electric power control unit is mounted from a location outward of the battery box, and electrode terminals protruding outward from the case are inserted into insertion holes of the battery box. The electrode terminals protruding into inside of the battery box are connected to electrodes of the batteries via electric conductors such as bus bars. In this structure, electric connecting work between the batteries and the electric power control unit can be easily carried out, high-voltage lines can be minimized in length, and the high-voltage lines are not exposed to the outside. |
| US08899368B2 |
Steering apparatus for vehicle
A steering apparatus for a two-wheeled motor vehicle includes a handlebars-side steering shaft supported by a head pipe, a wheel supporting cylindrical shaft supported by a front axle and over which a hub is fitted, and a steering link mechanism. First and second link members of the link mechanism are connected to each other in a plurality of articulations such that the link members can angularly move. An amount of angular movement is limited to a predetermined range, and a distance between a front wheel-side end and the steering shaft-side end of the steering link mechanism can be changed. The front wheel-side end of the steering link mechanism is connected to the wheel supporting cylindrical shaft through a brake caliper bracket member. |
| US08899366B2 |
Electromechanical control system of electric bicycle integrating smart mobile device and cloud services
An electromechanical control system of an electric bike integrating a smart mobile device and cloud services therewith enables a controller of the electric bike to independently monitor and control operation of an electric motor, is integrated with an external smart mobile device with a communication interface thereof, configures cycling control parameters of the controller with the externally available cycling control parameters through an user interface provided by the smart mobile device to adapt to cyclists' physical strength. Cycling information and bike information can be displayed on the smart mobile device or make them openly available through the online function of the smart mobile device for cyclists to easily record or manage related information during bike cycling. |
| US08899364B1 |
Articulated off-road vehicle
The articulated off-road vehicle includes a pivotable chassis and an upper frame extending from the pivotable chassis. Wheels, an engine, and a steering assembly are coupled to the chassis, and the upper frame defines a compartment for drivers and passengers. The pivotable chassis is divided into a front chassis section and a rear chassis section, and a hinge joint pivotally connects the front chassis section to the rear chassis section. A front suspension assembly having a pair of shock absorbers respectively extending at an angle between the top corners of the upper frame and the front chassis section with the shock absorbers pivotally mounted to the upper frame and the front chassis section. Pivotal movement of the front chassis section and concurrent absorption of impact can substantially reduce impact forces imparted to the driver while traversing rough terrain as can thereby increasing safety and comfort for the driver. |
| US08899363B1 |
Vehicle hood hinge structure
A hood hinge structure includes a body attachment part, a hood attachment part and a hinge part connecting the hood attachment part to the body attachment part at a first location. The body attachment part has a contact portion formed thereon and the hood attachment part has a restraining member formed thereon. The contact portion engages the restraining member at a second location forward of the first location relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction to restrain movement of the hood attachment part relative to the body attachment part upon application of a prescribed force on at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part where at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part is moved in a lateral direction to a deformed state while the hood attachment part is in the closed position. |
| US08899362B2 |
Work machine
A work machine includes a front section with a front frame, a first set of ground engaging members and a power source for propelling the work machine, a rear section with a rear frame, a second set of ground engaging members and a load-carrying container. The rear section includes an electric drive system adapted for driving at least one ground engaging member of the second set. The rear section is detachably connected to the front section. The power source of the front section is adapted to power the electric drive system in the rear section in an attached state of the front and rear sections. The electric drive system is adapted for driving the at least one ground engaging member of the second set for self-propelling of the rear section in a detached state. |
| US08899356B2 |
Drill bits, cutting elements for drill bits, and drilling apparatuses including the same
A roof-bolt drill bit may have a forward end, a rearward end, and a rotational axis extending between the forward end and the rearward end. A cutting element for the roof-bolt drill bit may include a cutting face and a peripheral surface extending around an outer periphery of the cutting face. The cutting element may include at least one chamfer region and a peripherally extending chamfer extending from the at least one chamfer region along the outer periphery of the cutting element, a width of the at least one chamfer region being greater than a width of the peripherally extending chamfer. |
| US08899355B2 |
PDC drill bit with flute design for better bit cleaning
A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending from the center towards the gage of the bit which has been designed to increase the velocity across the cutting elements. |
| US08899349B2 |
Methods for determining formation strength of a wellbore
A system and a method may determine formation strength of a well. The system and the method may use pressure measurements and temperature measurements to determine controlled fracture pressures before the uncontrolled fracture pressure is reached. The system and the method may use pressure measurements and temperature measurements to determine closure stresses while drilling and may use the closure stresses with core and log measurements to optimize a hydraulic stimulation program. |
| US08899341B1 |
Low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler
A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector. |
| US08899338B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing a wireline for logging or other operations in an under-balanced well
An improved apparatus and a method to insert a wireline through a blow out preventer to log an underbalanced open hole well without killing the well or causing formation damage while maintaining well control during the process. A dual throated blow out preventer (10) provides a moveable sealing element (1210, 1402) to allow a wireline (13) and a drill string (25) to be placed in a well for assembly, then seals off the dual throat to isolate the drill string from the wireline, thereby permitting pressure to be maintained on both the wireline through a standard packoff arrangement (1218) and on the drill string using the rams of the blow out preventer (10). |
| US08899337B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing and using hyrdajetting tools
An apparatus for securing and using hydrajetting tools within a borehole includes a housing that defines an inner bore. A flow limiting member may be disposed within the inner bore. The flow limiting member may include a first a first jet in fluid communication with the top of the housing, a first chamber positioned below and in fluid communication with the first jet, and a first cavity aligned with the first jet and in fluid communication with the chamber. A groove may be disposed on an outer surface of the housing, with an anchor assembly that is disposed around the housing and axially slidable and securable within the groove. |
| US08899334B2 |
System and method for servicing a wellbore
A wellbore servicing apparatus, comprising a housing defining an axial flowbore and comprising ports, a first sleeve, a second sleeve movable relative to the housing from (a) a first position in which the second sleeve obstructs fluid communication via the ports of the housing to (b) a second position in which the second sleeve allows fluid communication via the ports of the housing, and wherein the first sleeve is movable relative to the housing from (a) a first position in which the first sleeve does not allow a fluid pressure applied to the axial flowbore to move the second sleeve from the first position to the second position to (b) a second position in which the first sleeve allows a fluid pressure applied to the axial flowbore to move the second sleeve from the first position to the second position, and an expandable seat. |
| US08899328B2 |
Resin sealant for zonal isolation and methods for making and using same
Epoxy-based zonal isolation compositions are capable of being adjusted by varying the epoxy-based compositions for isolating zones in borehole of oil and gas wells under high-temperature, mid-temperature and low-temperature conditions. |
| US08899326B2 |
Oil recovery process
An oil recovery process entails recovering an oil-water mixture from an oil bearing formation and separating the oil-water mixture to produce an oil product and produced water. The produced water includes suspended and dissolved solids and is subjected to treatment which removes suspended and dissolved solids therefrom. The treated water is then directed to a forced circulation steam generator that includes a furnace having a burner, water cooled walls and an evaporator unit. The treated water is pumped through the water cooled walls and the evaporator unit. The water passing through the water cooled walls and evaporator unit are heated to produce approximately 10% to approximately 30% quality steam in both the water cooled walls and the evaporator unit. The steam is collected and separated from a water-steam mixture to produce high quality steam, on the order of 95% or greater quality steam. This steam constitutes injection steam which is injected into an injection well to facilitate the recovery of the oil-water mixture. |
| US08899325B2 |
Method for removing contaminants from wastewater in hydraulic fracturing process
A borehole is drilled from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Openings are created in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. Fracturing fluid including water, proppants and chemicals is pumped through the pipe and into the fractures in the shale matrix. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves toward the surface through the coated pipe section where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminants is eliminated. |
| US08899323B2 |
Modular pumpouts and flowline architecture
Modular pumpouts and flowline architecture are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool to sample fluid from a subterranean formation, and a plurality of fluidly coupled pump modules disposed on the downhole tool. Each of the pump modules includes: a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, where the pump inlet is coupled to a first flowline; a first valve assembly having first, second and third ports, wherein the first port is coupled to the first flowline, the second port is coupled to the pump outlet, and the third port is coupled to the first flowline; and a second flowline not fluidly coupled to the first valve assembly or the pump. |
| US08899322B2 |
Autonomous downhole control methods and devices
Autonomous control of a wellbore tool is provided by programming a memory module of a processor with a database having data relating to a selected parameter of interest; conveying a sensor and the processor along the wellbore; and activating the wellbore tool if the processor determines that a measurement provided by the sensor correlates with the database data. The processor may correlate the sensor measurements with a predetermined pattern associated with the data, a preset value, and/or a preset range of values. Well tool activation may occur when the processor finds: a substantial match between a predetermined pattern and at least one measured value; a present value and at least one measured value, and/or a preset range of values and at least one measured range of values. Also, activating the well tool may occur only if a measurement from a second sensor meets a preset criteria. |
| US08899321B2 |
Method of distributing a viscosity reducing solvent to a set of wells
Described are methods of distributing a viscosity reducing solvent to a set of wells terminating in an underground oil reservoir where the variation in the net solvent injection rate is minimized. The net solvent injection rate is the difference between the total solvent injection rate and the total solvent production rate from the set of wells, for example on an instantaneous or daily rate basis. Minimizing this variation can reduce costs associated with surface solvent storage, subsurface solvent storage, and solvent supply, since solvent supply often is least expensive when supplied at near a fixed rate. One option is to operate well pairs and to inject solvent into one well of the pair while producing oil and solvent from the other well of the pair. These methods are particularly useful in solvent-dominated, cyclic or non-cyclic, viscous oil recovery processes. |
| US08899319B2 |
Automated systems and methods for make-up and break-out of tubulars
An automated tubular handling system adapted to make-up or break-out tubulars that includes a rotary drive adapted to operatively grip a tubular to be connected to or disconnected from a tubular string, a controller adapted to receive and process data indicative of a rotation, torque, and minimum time value associated with a make-up or a break-out of the tubular string, and a user interface adapted to convey the received data, the predetermined values, or both, of the tubular make-up or break-out to an operator. The controller compares the rotation, torque, and minimum time values to acceptable predetermined values to determine when the make-up or the break-out is complete. Automated methods are also disclosed. |
| US08899317B2 |
Decomposable pumpdown ball for downhole plugs
A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and an insert secured to an inner surface of the body proximate the second end of the body. The insert can be adapted to receive a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof. The insert can include a passageway extending therethrough. The insert can be adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force, thereby providing a flow passage through the insert and the body. At least one of the body and the insert can be adapted to receive an impediment that restricts fluid flow in at least one direction through the body, wherein the impediment comprises one or more decomposable materials. |
| US08899314B2 |
Stuffing box
A stuffing box for a wellhead comprises a stationary housing defining a passage for receiving a well tubular, and a tubular shaft mounted on the stationary housing for rotation within the passage and defining an inner axial bore. The inner axial bore is adapted to form a static seal around the well tubular in use, and a dynamic pressure seal is mounted within an annular cavity defined by respective cylindrical surfaces of the stationary housing and the tubular shaft. One or both of the respective cylindrical surfaces are tapered to decrease the radial cross sectional area of a seal travel portion of the annular cavity in an axial direction from a well end of the stationary housing to an opposite second end of the stationary housing. |
| US08899313B2 |
Cutting unit of a hydromechanical slot perforator
A cutting unit for a slot-type perforator is mounted in a casing having a specific edge, driven by a piston or plunger. The cutting unit includes cutting tools associated with a first holder immovable relative to the piston, and a second holder, including a recess, cooperating with the casing's edge, immovable relative to the casing. The holders move relative to each other causing extending and retracting the cutting tools in opposite directions, during piston's movements. The cutting unit includes a retractable mechanism to bring its parts into a transportation position and to fix them therein. The retractable mechanism includes a guide groove made in the second holder, and a connecting rod attached to the first holder. The rod moves through the groove ensuring the return of the second holder into the transportation position, wherein it is fixed absent pressure upon the piston, caused by interaction of the edge and recess. |
| US08899311B2 |
Vehicular air conditioner
When there is no occupant in seats other than a driver seat during a foot mode, an air-conditioning controller executes a single seat concentration mode to prevent blowing of warm air to a passenger seat and a backseat by closing foot outlets on a passenger seat side and a backseat side. In this case, in order to maintain an air volume blown from the foot outlet on a driver seat side when the controller changes the mode from the normal foot mode to the single seat concentration mode, the controller sets a blower level to be lower than in the case of the normal foot mode with respect to the same target blown air temperature. |
| US08899310B2 |
Heat transfer between tracer and pipe
A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer. |
| US08899308B2 |
Heat exchanger tube and method for producing it
A heat exchanger tube with a tube axis and with a tube wall having a tube outside and a tube inside, axially parallel or helically encircling inner ribs, with a groove which lies in each case between adjacent inner ribs, being formed from the tube wall on the tube inside, the helix angle, measured with respect to the tube axis, of the inner ribs being smaller than or equal to 45°, the region of the inner ribs which is remote from the tube wall being deformed at regular intervals asymmetrically on one side essentially in the tube circumferential direction, the deformed material of the inner ribs forming protrusions above the groove, the protrusions extending in each case over a finite deformation zone along an inner rib, the markedness of the deformation changing continuously within the deformation zone. |
| US08899304B2 |
Crystallizer for continuous casting
Crystallizer for continuous casting, having a monolithic tubular structure defined by lateral walls (12) in the thickness of which channels (11) are made in which a cooling liquid flows, wherein two adjacent lateral walls (12) define a corner or s edge zone. On at least one longitudinal portion (C) of at least one of the lateral walls (12) and/or of at least one of the corner zones, defining a zone in correspondence with which, during use, the meniscus of the liquid metal is located, a reduction in thickness (13) is made, starting from the external surface, determining a cross section with a reduced area with respect to the remaining longitudinal portions of the monolithic tubular structure. |
| US08899302B2 |
Mold valve
There is provided an improved valve mechanism for use with a casting or injection mold which is quick acting and simple to construct. The valve includes an inlet coupled to the mold cavity and an outlet for venting gas from the mold cavity. The valve further includes a closure oriented perpendicularly to the inlet and movable between open and closed positions for closing off the outlet. The closure has a central axis and the valve is configured to move the closure into the closed position by directing the melt passing through the inlet to impinge substantially coaxially upon the closure so as to transfer a majority of the momentum of the melt to the closure. |
| US08899299B2 |
Leading end assemblies for movable partitions including diagonal members, movable partitions including leading end assemblies and related methods
Leading end assemblies for movable partitions may include a movable trolley, a leading structure coupled to the movable trolley, a diagonal member comprising at least one movable feature enabling the leading structure to move from an initial position to a displaced position, and at least one sensor for sensing movement of the leading structure. Movable partition systems may include a leading structure suspended from a trolley and a sensor configured to sense rotation of the leading structure relative to the trolley. Methods of operating a movable partition may include moving at least a portion of a movable partition along a path from a retracted position to an extended position, rotating a leading structure of the movable partition about a coupling, using a sensor to sense rotation of the leading structure, and ceasing movement of the movable partition in response to a signal generated by the sensor. |
| US08899298B2 |
Window treatment roll-up device
A window treatment roll-up device has: a support base, a rotation base, at least two power springs, a braking member and a control wheel. The support base comprises a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft and a fourth shaft, the third shaft and the fourth shaft are engaged with each other, a controlling rope wrapped around the second shaft, the rotation base is jacketed onto the second shaft. The control wheel is disposed on the fourth shaft and configured to be wrapped by a rolling rope. The braking member has a first end and a second end, the first end is tapered such that the braking member is cone-shaped; a spiral slot connecting between the first end and the second end is disposed on a surface of the braking member. The first end of the braking member and the power spring both jacket onto the third shaft. |
| US08899295B2 |
Ultrasonic oscillating unit with holder
The present invention concerns an ultrasonic oscillating unit comprising a converter and a sonotrode (1) optionally connected to the converter by way of an amplitude transformer (2), wherein the sonotrode (1) has a sealing surface (10) which is substantially in the form of a circular ring or a cylinder surface and the ultrasonic oscillating unit has a holder (3) for fastening the ultrasonic oscillating unit to a machine stand. To achieve that it is proposed according to the invention that the holder (3) is fastened directly to the sonotrode (1). |
| US08899294B2 |
Labelling machine for sleeve labels
A labeling machine has a carrousel having a frame at the periphery of which a plurality of mandrels are rotatably mounted, and, at angularly spaced positions around the carrousel, object feeding means, label feeding means and object removing means. Each mandel receives a label strip from the label feeding means, winds it around the body of the mandrel so that a leading end and a trailing end of the label strip overlap. The leading and trailing ends of the label strip are sealed to form a sleeve label. The label strips are sealed by heat sealing means which include a pulse heating bar. |
| US08899288B2 |
Coupling for mounting a labeling machine and method of adjusting a labeling machine
A coupling capable of adjustably cantilever-mounting a machine such as a labeling machine to a mounting structure, wherein the attitude or inclination of the machine to other machinery such as a conveyor can be precisely adjusted. Also, there is a method a mounting a machine to mounting structure with the capability to adjust the inclination of the machine that requires only one person. |
| US08899286B2 |
Pneumatic tire tread
Pneumatic tire tread which reduces tread pattern noise while suppressing air column resonance from circumferential grooves is provided with a number of sets of resonators and at least two types of branch groove shapes; the length of the first branch grooves at least 40% of the length of the contact surface, and groove width between 10% and 25% of the circumferential groove width; the length of the second branch grooves between 40% and 90% of the length of the first branch grooves, and the groove width no less than the first branch groove width; first openings and second openings alternately present on same circumferential groove; length between openings in first branch grooves is no more than 50% of the length of the contact surface; difference between the minimum cross-sectional void ratio in the ribs where the branch grooves are provided and the maximum cross-sectional void ratio is no greater than 10%. |
| US08899285B2 |
Fuel tank opening and closing device
A fuel tank opening-closing device is equipped with a flap valve mechanism 20 and an opening-closing activation mechanism. The opening-closing activation mechanism comprises a nozzle detection mechanism that has a first detection parts and a second detection parts. The first detection parts are linked with the locking member and the locked part so as to move the lock engaging part and the locked engagement part while maintaining each of the overlap widths within the preset range, being pressed by the end of the fueling nozzle. The second detection parts are linked to the locking member so as to move from the locked position to the unlocked position by releasing the overlap width by being pressed by the end of the fueling nozzle. |
| US08899283B2 |
Device for fractioning a volume of liquid
A device for dividing up a volume of liquid contained in an original container by filling bottles that are smaller than the original container, including a source of pressurized gas, a first line running from the source of pressurized gas and opening into the original container so as to place it under pressure, and a line for withdrawing the contents of the original container, connecting the latter to one of the smaller bottles. A second line runs from the pressure source and ends in the smaller bottle to be filled. Means are provided for closing and opening the first and second lines and a member is provided for activating the means for closing/opening so as to open the second line then the pressurization line in sequence, and close these same lines in sequence in the reverse order. |
| US08899280B2 |
Beverage dispensing device having audio and video feedback
Systems and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. Aspects relate to providing audio and/or visual feedback to users during the dispensing of a selected beverage. Audio and video files are stored electronically within the dispenser. In response to the selection of a beverage, audio and video files corresponding to the beverage are selected and presented to a user during the dispensing of the beverage. The sound file may correspond to the type of beverage being dispensed and the video may show a fill state of a beverage container. |
| US08899275B2 |
Apparatus and method for loading tufts into a tuft carrier
A tuft carrier loading apparatus (10) for loading individual tufts (17) into tuft retention sites (9a) spaced along an elongate tuft carrier (9). The apparatus (10) includes a guide for guiding longitudinal movement of the tuft carrier along a path of travel and a plurality of individually and selectively operable tuft feeders (50) spaced along the path of travel, each tuft feeder (50) being operable when selected to feed an individual tuft to a tuft retention site (9a) of the tuft carrier (9). A driver (70) is drivingly connected to the tuft carrier (9) for moving the tuft carrier (9) along the path of travel, the driver (70) being operable to intermittently move the tuft carrier (9) through a series of successive positions whereat predefined tuft retention sites (9a) are moved temporarily into registry with each tuft feeder (50). A controller (60) is provided for controlling selection of the tuft feeders (50), the controller (60) being operable to actuate selected tuft feeders (50) to feed tufts to those tuft retention sites (9a) in registry therewith whilst the carrier (9) is located at each successive position. A detector is associated with each tuft retention site (9a) to detect the presence of a tuft. The driver (70), on detection of an absent tuft in a tuft retention site (9a) following actuation of one or more selected tuft feeders (50) resulting in failure to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a), is operable to move the tuft carrier (9) into a position whereat the absent tuft retention site (9a) is moved temporarily back into registry with the or one selected tuft feeder (50) and the controller (60) re-actuates the selected tuft feeder (50) to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a). |
| US08899271B2 |
Pressure accumulator
A pressure accumulator includes a housing having a housing cavity, a piston axially displaceable in the housing cavity between a first final position and a second final position and having a pressure surface which together with a wall of the housing cavity delimits at least partially a reservoir connectable to an ICE consumer in a fluid-conveying manner, an energy store cooperating with the piston, the piston being displaceable against the force of the energy store from the first final position into the second final position in that the reservoir is acted on by pressure using a pressure medium, and a locking device for locking the piston in the second final position. A locking tube is connected to the piston and supported within the housing in an axially shiftable manner, and lockable at an end of the housing facing away from the reservoir with the aid of a locking pin. |
| US08899260B2 |
Construction machine
Left and right first and second vertical plates 11, 12, and a partition plate 13 are provided on an upper frame 7. The space above the upper frame 7 is divided into a front section S1 and a rear section S2 by the partition plate 13. A cabin 8 is provided on the left side in the front section S1, and a hydraulic oil tank 16 is provided on the right side in the front section S1. A hydraulic pump 15 is provided on the left side in the rear section S2. A pump suction pipeline 24 is connected from the hydraulic pump 15 in the rear section S2, is entered into the front section S1 while passing through the first vertical plate 11 and the partition plate 13, without passing below the cabin 8, and is connected to the hydraulic oil tank 16. Further, a cover plate 30 is fixed to the outer periphery of the pump suction pipeline 24. A partition-plate-side through-hole 29 is covered, and simultaneously, the pump suction pipeline 24 is supported by attaching the cover plate 30 to the partition plate 13. |
| US08899259B2 |
Faucet mounting anchor
A faucet assembly may include a body housing and an anchor. The anchor may be positioned within a mounting deck, and the body housing may include a mounting tube. The mounting tube may include fingers that releasably engage with one or more structures of the anchor. A screw positioned within the body housing may engage the mounting tube, and draw the mounting tube into the body housing. The fingers of the mounting tube may engage with a structure of the anchor and may close around the structure as the mounting tube is drawn into the body housing. |
| US08899255B2 |
Turbojet nacelle having a removable air intake structure
A turbojet engine nacelle, including an air intake structure for directing an airflow towards a fan of the turbojet engine, a middle structure attached to the air intake structure for surrounding the fan of the turbojet engine, the air intake structure including an inner panel attached to the middle structure and defining a fixed structure with the middle structure, and an outer panel including an air intake lip at the end thereof opposite the middle structure, the outer panel being longitudinally translatably movable relative to the inner panel. The nacelle further includes at least one rod having one end attached onto a flange of the air intake lip and a mechanism rigidly connected to the middle structure for securing and locking the other end of each rod by applying a traction force thereon. |
| US08899253B1 |
Lock-N-leave picnic table cover system
A picnic table cover system, Lock-N-Leave Coverall™, that can be locked to a picnic table and provide a lockable storage volume for picnic articles and personal items thus protecting them from possible theft while also protecting them from flying insects, pests and ambient weather. |
| US08899251B2 |
Pool canopy system
A canopy system comprising a shading element, a support element, and an attachment element member. The canopy system is adapted to provide shade over at least a portion of an above-ground container. The canopy system is configured to maintain its structure during slightly windy and mild weather conditions. |
| US08899249B2 |
Lifting device for umbrella
A lifting device for an umbrella includes a base, a plurality of fixing seats secured on the base, a plurality of movable members each movably mounted in the respective fixing seat, a pressing module movably mounted on the base and pressing the movable members, a threaded rod mounted on the base and connected with the pressing module, and a drive handle connected with the threaded rod. The pressing module includes a driven rod and two pressing rods. Each of the pressing rods is provided with a straight pressing portion that is movable to press the respective movable member and at least one recessed release portion that is movable to receive the respective movable member. Thus, each of the movable members is rotatable freely so that the lifting device is moved on the ground easily. |
| US08899248B2 |
Barrier structure and nozzle device for use in tools used to process microelectronic workpieces with one or more treatment fluids
Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular barrier structure that can overlie and cover a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular movable member that can be positioned over and moved relative to a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular ceiling structure that can overlie a processing chamber. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular annular body. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular first, second, and third nozzle structure. |
| US08899246B2 |
Device and method for processing wafer shaped articles
A device for processing wafer-shaped articles, comprises a chuck adapted to receive a wafer shaped article, and a collector surrounding the chuck. The collector comprises a base and a plurality of divider walls, as well as a plurality of nested partitions surrounding the chuck. Each of the plurality of nested partitions is positioned on a corresponding one of the plurality of divider walls, and each of the plurality of nested partitions is vertically movable so as to define a plurality of separate process regions within the collector depending on the vertical position of each of the plurality of nested partitions. At least one of the divider walls comprises an internal exhaust conduit communicating with an exhaust duct underlying the divider wall. |
| US08899245B2 |
Machine and method for treating containers of liquids, and manipulator device for said containers
Machine (10) and method for treating containers (12) of liquids comprising in succession at least a loading station (15), into which the containers (12) to be treated are loaded, and all disposed according to a determinate first orientation, and a washing station (17), in which the containers (12) are subjected at least to washing and are disposed in a second orientation able to promote the fall due to gravity of the dirt and/or washing liquid present in the containers (12). The machine (10) comprises, downstream of the washing station (17) and outside it, a manipulator device (41) which automatically rotates the containers (12) exiting form the washing station (17) so as to reposition the containers (12) according to the first determinate orientation. |
| US08899237B2 |
Mouth tray
A mouth tray includes a wire-like element onto which two bite elements are attached. The element is formed of two U-shaped bows, the arms of which are connected to each other. The bite elements are each attached on the arm-side transitions between the two bows. |
| US08899235B2 |
Tracheal tube connector devices and methods
Various embodiments of tracheostomy tube assemblies including a cannula, a cap, and a flange are provided. The cannula includes a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being adapted to be inserted into a patient's trachea. The annular cap includes an annular body having a first surface adapted to be received into the proximal end of the cannula to retain a portion of the cap in the annular body. The flange member includes a second surface that engages the proximal end of the cannula such that the proximal end of the cannula is retained between the second surface of the flange member and the first surface of the annular cap. The flange member also includes a third surface adapted to engage an inner surface of the annular body of the annular cap to retain the flange member between the annular cap and the proximal end of the cannula. |
| US08899234B2 |
CPAP mask frame
A continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) mask is provided. The CPAP mask includes a mask support that includes a cavity provided within the mask support. The CPAP mask further includes a mask cushion that is received within the cavity. The mask cushion and the mask support each include an opening. Air can pass from an air delivery tube through the openings and into the mask cushion. The mask cushion can be placed around a patient's breathing orifice to deliver the air to the patient. The CPAP mask further includes a forehead support that is spaced apart form the mask support. A neck portion attaches the forehead support to the mask support. The neck portion is flexible and is molded to both the mask support and the forehead support. The flexible neck portion allows the mask support to move with respect to the forehead support. |
| US08899231B2 |
Methods for providing expiratory pressure relief in positive airway pressure therapy
A method of operating a CPAP apparatus in which the interface pressure is controlled to rapidly drop at the start of expiration by an expiratory relief pressure (ERP) that is independent of instantaneous respiratory flow, following which the pressure rises to an inspiratory level at or shortly before the end of expiration, or at the onset of an expiratory pause, if any. The ERP is an increasing function of the inspiratory pressure. The expiratory pressure follows a template that is a function of the expected expiration time, the magnitude of the template being equal to the ERP. The current estimated proportion of expiration is determined by comparing the expiration time of the breath in progress to low-pass filtered expiratory durations measured for a number of the preceding breaths. |
| US08899229B2 |
Powder delivery devices
A nasal delivery device for delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a substance supply unit for supplying a dose of substance to be delivered to the nasal cavity of the subject, the substance supply unit including an inlet and an outlet; a nosepiece unit including a nosepiece for fitting to a nasal cavity of the subject and being in fluid communication with the outlet of the substance supply unit; and a mouthpiece unit including a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the inlet of the substance supply unit and through which the subject in use exhales such as to entrain substance from the container chamber and deliver the same through the nosepiece, and at least one temperature modifier for reducing a temperature of the exhaled air flow such as to reduce the absolute humidity thereof. |
| US08899227B2 |
Air filtration device having subsections lacking fluid communication
A filtering device 10 that includes a housing 12 having a plurality of subsections 32, 34, and 36 where each subsection contains a filter element 26, 28, and 30. An inlet 18 is disposed at a first location on the housing 12, and an upstream air distribution system is placed in fluid communication with the inlet 18 and with each of the subsections 32, 34, and 36. A downstream air distribution system is located in fluid communication with each subsection 32, 34, and 36, and an outlet 20 is in fluid communication with the downstream air distribution system. The subsections are fashioned such that each subsection 32, 34, and 36 is not in fluid communication with each other. Using a filtering device so constructed, airflow through the device may be better managed to enable overall product service life to be increased while minimizing pressure resistance of the total filter. |
| US08899224B2 |
Submergible combustion burner
A burner apparatus includes a first tube having a first longitudinal bore and a second tube having a second longitudinal bore. The second tube is disposed within the first longitudinal bore such that an annular space is defined between the second tube and the first tube. The burner apparatus further includes a nozzle formed at a tip of the second tube. A plurality of side holes are formed in the nozzle. The side holes are slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle and are in communication with the second longitudinal bore. |
| US08899223B2 |
Hot surface igniter shield for a gaseous fuel appliance
A gas burner assembly is provided that has a hot surface igniter. The hot surface igniter is equipped with a shield that protects the igniter from e.g., impact or other damage during cleaning or use. The shield is configured with the gas burner in a manner that can minimize the aesthetic impact on the flame while also providing ignition at low and high gas flow rates. |
| US08899222B2 |
Cook stove assembly
A combustion chamber, having an upper part and a lower part, may include an annular constriction, in combination with the combustion chamber, to aid in directing partially combusted gases such as carbon monoxide away from the periphery of the combustion chamber back toward its center, and into the flame front. The annular constriction may also impede the flow of partially combusted gases located at the periphery, thus increasing the time these gases spend within the combustion chamber and increasing the likelihood that any products of incomplete combustion will undergo combustion. The combustion chamber may further comprise a dual burner cooktop for directing combustion gases and exhaust to multiple cooking vessels. In further embodiments, the combustion chamber may be made of, lined, or clad with a metal alloy comprising iron, chromium, and aluminum. |
| US08899221B2 |
Quiver apparatus for crossbows and bows
An apparatus for crossbows. The crossbow has a stock attached to a bow and the bolt has an arrowhead attached to a shaft. The apparatus includes an arrowhead bracket attached to the stock, the arrowhead bracket having a first arm containing a first receptacle and a second arm containing a second receptacle. The apparatus may include a hood operatively attached to a cap, the hood being operatively configured to receive the arrowhead. The hood may be engagable with the first or second receptacle. The apparatus may contain a brace positioned on one side of the stock and having a first leg pivotally attached to a second leg and wherein said first leg is configured to engage the shaft of the bolt. The apparatus may also include a selective attachment member that will selectively attach the first and second leg together when the legs are pivoted together. |
| US08899217B2 |
Bowstring cam arrangement for compound long bow or crossbow
A compound bow or crossbow employs bowstring cams with bowstring cam grooves and power cord cam grooves. Preferably a pair of generally identical power cord cam grooves are positioned axially above and below the bowstring cam groove. The power cords are anchored to a fixed anchor point, e.g., a pylon, on the near end of the riser or on the near side of the crossbow bar or stock. The power cords do not cross over to the other limb. The reduction in the number of cam wheels and pulleys and in the number of strings or cords results in greater efficiency and higher transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow or bolt. There is no drop-off in pull weight at full draw. The bolt or arrow accelerates throughout the travel of the bowstring, resulting in significantly higher velocity. |
| US08899214B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation device for an internal combustion engine
A recirculation device includes an air intake duct (3) which is followed by a manifold (6), means for introducing recycled exhaust gases, for mixing same with the fresh air let in. This device is designed to inject the exhaust gases by forming two counter-rotating adjacent vortices (14, 15), owing to a twin tubular mixer nozzle (10, 11) in communication with a common exhaust gas supply duct, positioned tangentially with respect to the two nozzles, placed side by side. The two vortices (14, 15) are self-sustaining to the outlets (7) of the manifold (6). Such a recirculation device is applied, in particular, to an air intake duct (3) of oblong cross section and/or to a manifold (6) with a flattened inlet (5) and/or a flattened plenum (8), in particular for a motor vehicle engine. |
| US08899213B2 |
Vacuum carburetor fuel drain systems and methods
Systems and methods for draining fuel from a carburetor of a combustion engine can include a first control valve in communication between a fuel source and a fuel chamber of a carburetor and a second control valve in communication between the fuel chamber of the carburetor and a drain reservoir. The first and second control valves can be coupled and operable such that, upon disengagement of the engine, the first control valve can be closed to block a supply of fuel to the fuel chamber, and the second control valve can be opened to connect the drain reservoir to the fuel chamber, which can operate to draw liquid fuel from the fuel chamber into the drain reservoir. The fuel can then be moved from the drain reservoir into a fuel storage tank, where it can be stored until needed by the carburetor. |
| US08899212B2 |
Method and system for improving engine starting
An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions. |
| US08899208B2 |
Internal combustion engine piston having axially extending cooling bores
The present invention relates to a piston (10) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston head (11) and a piston skirt (16), wherein the piston head (11) has a circumferential ring part (15) and a circumferential cooling channel (23) in the region of the ring part (15), wherein the piston skirt (16) has piston bosses (17), which are provided with boss bores (18) and which are arranged on the underside (11a) of the piston head (11) by means of boss connections (19), wherein the piston bosses (17) are connected to each other by means of running surfaces (21, 22). According to the invention, at least one axial bore (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d), which is closed to the outside and which is arranged between a running surface (21, 22) and a boss bore (18), is provided inside a piston boss (17), the at least one bore (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) opens into the cooling channel (23), and the cooling channel (23) and the at least one bore (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) contain a filling (27) of sodium and/or potassium. |
| US08899206B2 |
Balancing device for engine
A balancing device for an engine includes a crankshaft for converting reciprocal motion of a piston of the engine to a rotary motion, at least one electromagnetic force generator mounted apart from the crankshaft by a predetermined distance and generating an electromagnetic force, and a control portion controlling the electromagnetic force generator to generate an electromagnetic force offsetting an unbalanced force occurring according to a rotational position of the crankshaft. |
| US08899205B2 |
Valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A method includes coupling a cylinder head to a cylinder block. A valve member is then moved into a valve pocket defined by the cylinder head such that a first stem portion of the valve member engages an actuator. A first portion of the biasing member is then disposed against a second stem portion of the valve member, the second stem portion being opposite the first stem portion. An end plate is then coupled to the cylinder head such that a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate. |
| US08899201B2 |
One way clutch with vibration damper for an engine starting system
A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block. The starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear, and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is adapted to selectively drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. A fastener couples the drive plate to the outer race and compresses an elastomeric damper between the drive plate and the outer race. |
| US08899194B2 |
Two-stroke engine
A two-stroke engine (1) includes a combustion chamber (3) which is defined by a piston (5, 44) which is mounted in the cylinder (2) to reciprocate. The piston (5, 44) has a first control surface (62) which controls an outlet (9) out of the combustion chamber (3) and two second control surfaces (63) for the transfer windows (11, 13) of at least one transfer channel (10, 12). At least two transfer windows (11, 13) are arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder bore (60). At least a first recess is provided on the piston skirt (36) which extends in the peripheral area between the two second control surfaces (63) and which is separated from the transfer window (11, 13) via a section of the piston skirt (36) in every position of the piston (5, 44). |
| US08899193B2 |
In-line six internal combustion engine
One non-limiting object of the present invention is to provide modifications to conventional in line 6 cylinder engines capable of increasing their efficiency in operation. This includes modifying the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies of the engines. The modifications involve (1) changing the camshaft so that the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies have their four stroke cycles in phase rather than 180° out of phase, (2) providing a communicating passage between the combustion chambers of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies and (3) modifying either the hardware or programming for the control of the fuel injectors of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies so that they can be selectively controlled not to inject fuel during the operation cycle thereof. The modifications contemplates providing a new cam shaft in which not only the cams relating to the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies are modified to change 180° out of phase to in phase, but the cams relating to other piston and cylinder assemblies in order to provide a somewhat balanced application of the driving forces during each cycle. |
| US08899191B2 |
Cooling apparatus of engine
A cooling apparatus of an engine includes a cooling fan, a fan housing, and a shroud guiding cooling air from the fan housing to the outer circumferential surface of an engine body portion. Further, a cooling air passage passing throughout in a cylinder head from one side surface of the cylinder head to the other side surface thereof is formed in the cylinder head, and a narrowed or throttle guide portion which guides the cooling air from the interior of the fan housing to an inlet opening of the one side surface of the cooling air passage is formed in the shroud. |
| US08899190B2 |
Temperature dependent flow control for combustion engine piston squirters
An engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a cylinder bore. A reciprocating piston is disposed in the cylinder bore, and has a first side and a second side. The first side cooperates with the engine block to partially define a combustion chamber, and the second side is opposite the first side. A piston squirter is disposed adjacent to the second side of the piston and configured to expel a received flow of engine oil onto the piston. A thermal fluid valve is disposed in fluid communication with the piston squirter and is configured to selectively restrict the flow of engine oil to the piston squirter in response to a temperature of the engine oil. |
| US08899188B1 |
Lightweight portable lift/ramp device for pets
The present general inventive concept relates generally to an animal lift, and more particularly to a portable, lightweight ramp device with collapsible side panels to eliminate the visual cliff perceived by a user animal. |
| US08899183B1 |
Chilled fog incubator for fish eggs
A chilled fog incubator using ultrasonic disruption of water to maintain metabolite transfer for developing salomonid eggs, the incubator includes an incubation space, an air chamber, a sonication chamber, a control box having a pump, a chiller, a reservoir partition, a control switch panel, wheels, and specimen trays. |
| US08899182B2 |
Pet fountain assembly
A pet drinking fountain assembly having a pump forming part of a fountain mounting arrangement that includes a lift tube coupling a cover to the pump coupled to a lower basin by a mount. The mount and lift tube attenuate pump noise and vibration by providing isolation from the basin and cover and can function as dampeners. In a preferred embodiment the pump is part of a pump module that includes a module housing to which the pump is attached by another noise-attenuating mount. Each mount is formed by one or more suction cups with the cups and lift tube made of vibration dampening material, such as a resilient vibration dampening or isolating material that can be an elastomeric material. The module includes a lift tube coupling discharge that registers in fluid flow communication with a pump outlet and can include a ring or bushing therebetween providing additional noise attenuation. |
| US08899178B2 |
Indexed feed dispensing mechanism
An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate. |
| US08899174B2 |
Device and method for fabricating display device
A device for manufacturing a display device includes a deposition source; a deposition thickness calculator for calculating a deposition thickness of a deposition material deposited on a substrate; and a controller for controlling a power of a heater which heats the deposition source by comparing the deposition thickness calculated with a reference thickness. The controller controls the power of the heater either at least one time for each substrate on which the thin film is to be deposited or at regular intervals while the deposition material is deposited. Influence of measurement noise that is included in a quartz crystal sensor for measuring a deposition speed may be minimized, and distribution of deposition thickness of an organic light emitting material may be reduced, thereby increasing the yield of the deposition process and producing quality display devices. |
| US08899172B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus and substrate treatment method
A substrate treatment apparatus includes: a substrate holding unit which horizontally holds a substrate; a substrate rotating unit which rotates the substrate held by the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis; a treatment liquid supplying unit which supplies a treatment liquid to an upper surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; an opposing member to be located in opposed spaced relation to the upper surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit in contact with a film of the treatment liquid formed on the upper surface of the substrate so as to receive a lift force from the liquid film; a support member which supports the opposing member; and an opposing member holding mechanism which causes the support member to hold the opposing member in a vertically relatively movable manner. |
| US08899170B2 |
Object locating apparatuses
An illustrative embodiment of an object locating apparatus includes a cartridge having a cartridge interior; a float in the cartridge interior; a float attachment line attached to the float and the cartridge; a water-dissolvable float retainer tablet retained in the cartridge interior; a cartridge cap in the cartridge interior; and a spring normally sandwiched and compressed between the cartridge cap and the float retainer tablet and adapted to expand and push the float from the container interior upon dissolving of the float from the retainer tablet. |
| US08899165B2 |
Folding floating vessel
A foldable floating vessel providing a large surface area and heavy payload capability when deployed into a liquid, such as a manure lagoon. The vessel may be folded for transport using linear actuators to fold two hulls of the vessel from a first position substantially horizontal to a second position substantially vertical. Driving and steering assemblies are provided on a center frame to which the foldable hulls are pivotably connected. |
| US08899163B2 |
Biomass pulverizing apparatus and biomass/coal mixed-combustion system
A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body including a feedstock supply pipe, the pulverizing apparatus body for supplying biomass feedstock from above in a vertical axial direction, a pulverizing table for placing the biomass feedstock, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, the pulverizing roller being operated in conjunction with the rotation of the pulverizing table, a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas for conveying the pulverized biomass powder in an air stream, a classifier, the classifier for classifying the biomass powder accompanied with the conveying gas, and a blowing gas introduction section. |
| US08899162B2 |
Unitized shelving
The shelf assembly comprises a shelf having top and bottom surfaces. The shelf includes at least one support rail that is secured to the bottom surface of the shelf and runs parallel to one side of said shelf. The support rail also has a tab slot, which is located in a side and adjacent to an end thereof. The shelf assembly also comprises a shelf bracket having a lip and a skirt that extends perpendicular from said lip. The lip and the skirt extend along a length of the shelf bracket, and the shelf bracket has a first tab, which is located in the lip and configured to be removably received in the tab slot. The shelf bracket also has anchoring tabs that are located on an end thereof and configured to be received in a shelving support frame. |
| US08899161B2 |
Railroad tank car manway assembly
A manway assembly features a nozzle defining a central opening. The nozzle has a groove or a plurality of grooves. A hinge pivotally attaches a cover to the nozzle so that the cover may be pivoted between an open position, where the central opening is generally uncovered, and a closed position, where the central opening is generally covered by the cover. Retainers secure a plurality of latch segments to the cover so that the latch segments may slide with respect to the cover. A latching mechanism moves the latch segments into engagement with the groove of the nozzle sidewall when the cover is in the closed position. The latching mechanism also removes the latch segments from engagement with the sidewall groove when the cover is to be opened. |
| US08899157B2 |
Aerial transport installation with back-and-forth movement and multiple sections
An aerial transport installation with back-and-forth movement includes two carrying-hauling ropes extending in two individual closed loops between two end terminals separated from one another by an intermediate station which is provided with a double pulley. The latter is provided with two grooves having different groove root diameters, such that the ratio of the diameters is equal to the ratio respectively of the axial distance between the first bull-wheel and the double pulley and of the axial distance between the second bull-wheel and the double pulley. The speeds of the vehicles are also different in the two loops. |
| US08899155B2 |
Consumable ammunition assembly having a nitroguanidine case and method of making a consumable ammunition assembly having a nitroguanidine case
The present disclosure describes various embodiments of nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assemblies and methods of producing and using these assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, a nitroguanidine-based consumable ammunition assembly can include a projectile, a Combustible Cartridge Cased body using nitroguanidine as the primary energetic material, and a composite case base interfacing with the CCC body. |
| US08899149B2 |
Letterpress printing plate
A letterpress printing plate, made of a material having flexibility, includes a plurality of raised parts to applying ink to, the raised parts including a raised part for solid shade, and a buildup part formed at a backside position of the raised part for solid shade with respect to the printing plate. |
| US08899147B2 |
Compact blender for fruit juice
A compact blender with a drinking water connection tube, supporting conventional tap water connections has a water dosing valve to pressure water distributed to the blending compartment or jug. Water flows from the connection tube, to a splitting device, from where inlet tubes that allow passing of water inside the blending compartment. The lid has external protrusions with inner cavities connected a duct with holes that introduce drinking water inside the blending compartment. When the frozen fruit capsule is introduced through the lid and the operation button is pushed, the exact amount of water is dosed by the water dosing valve. When water enters the blending compartment, the motor starts running turning the axle of the rotor and blades, so that water is mixed with the frozen fruit capsule thus generating the juice to be dispensed. |
| US08899144B2 |
Popcorn popping machine with overhead oil pump
A popcorn popping machine is provided including a cabinet, a popcorn popping kettle mounted within the cabinet, and a pump mounted at a height above a height of the kettle that is configured to pump oil from a container of oil and deliver the oil to the kettle. Control circuitry is provided for operating the pump to deliver oil to the kettle. |
| US08899140B2 |
System for evacuating cartridges
A system is for evacuating cartridges, applied to a firearm 1. The firearm includes a breech 14, a firing chamber 12 in which the projectile that will come out through a barrel 13 is fired. The evacuation system includes an evacuation tray 2, adapted to receive the cartridge following deflagration of an ammunition, and a movement mechanism 3, adapted to move the tray 2. The movement mechanism 3 turns the evacuation tray 2 about an axis “X”, parallel to the axis of the barrel 13 of the firearm 1, in a preset and appropriately cadenced way, passing from a first position, where the cartridge is received, to a second position, where the cartridge is expelled by the expulsion mechanism 5, and vice versa. |
| US08899134B2 |
High-efficiency wheel lug nut socket for use in automotive racing pits
An improved, high-efficiency wheel lug nut socket is provided for use in racing pits, in order to minimize the time required for race car wheel changeovers. The socket is designed with an inner operating surface including concave surfaces and intervening apex surfaces, dimensioned so as to permit a hexagonal lug nut to be received therein with full clearance between the inner operating surface and the lug nut outer surface. The socket is normally used with a conventional high-speed pneumatic automotive wrench. |
| US08899132B2 |
Spindle unit, table unit, and machine tool
A spindle unit having a tilt shaft for rotating and tilting a spindle head so that a posture of a spindle changes including: the spindle head rotatably supporting the spindle, a tool being attached to a front end of the spindle; a spindle head support having a mutually separated pair of side walls, the spindle head support supporting the spindle head between the pair of side walls in a rotatable and tiltable manner; two power transmission mechanisms provided along the pair of side walls of the spindle head support for transmitting rotational drive power to the tilt shaft; and two drive source devices of the tilt shaft provided between the pair of side walls, the output shafts of the drive source devices being arranged to face the side walls and being connected to the power transmission mechanisms. |
| US08899129B2 |
Steering device for construction machine
A tilt-up mechanism for tilting up an upper column of a steering column from a drive position to a tilt-up position is configured independently from a tilt angle adjusting mechanism and a column length adjusting mechanism. When an operator who is to get on/off an operator's seat steps on and operates a pedal of the tilt-up mechanism, an engaged state of a lock pin with respect to a tilt-up member is disengaged. The tilt-up member is rotated around a support shaft, by a spring force of a tilt-up spring, whereby the upper column is tilted up together with a steering wheel in a direction (A) away from the operator's seat. At this time, the tilt angle and the column length can be held at positions adjusted in advance. |
| US08899127B2 |
Safety trigger mechanism and functional frame for motion furniture
The present invention discloses a safety trigger mechanism and functional frame for motion furniture for driving a drive mechanism of motion furniture. The safety trigger mechanism includes a mounting board, and a pull wire, a fork and a first restoring spring connected in turn. The fork is mounted turnably about a first rivet on the mounting board by the first rivet, and a bent hook is disposed on one end of the fork and interlocked with a driving arm of the drive mechanism. The safety trigger mechanism further includes a safety hook with a notch, which is mounted turnably about a second rivet on the mounting board by the second rivet. One side edge of the safety hook abuts against the bent hook of the fork, and the driving arm has an arresting pin disposed thereon. The initial position of the arresting pin is in the notch of the safety hook, and the arresting pin is detached from the notch of the safety hook when the safety hook turns clockwise. Since the arresting pin of the driving arm is hooked by the safety hook to ensure that the drive mechanism cannot be unfolded, the present invention has more safety. Even if a large external force acts on the driving arm, the drive mechanism won't unfold itself. |
| US08899125B2 |
Counterbalance assembly
A mechanical arm assembly comprises an arm rotatable about a pivot, a first force generating device for maintaining the arm at a datum, and a second force generating device for compensating for the first generating device to maintain the arm in positions other than the datum. |
| US08899121B2 |
Spindle drive
A spindle drive having a threaded spindle driveable in a rotational fashion, a carriage adjustable via the threaded spindle along a guide rail, and several guide carriages arranged in front and behind the carriage in the feed direction to support the spindle, with the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage in an accumulating motion being pushed together successively by the carriage towards the spindle end, and with the guide carriages arranged behind the carriage being entrained by a coupling mechanism and moved into allocated support positions. Coupling elements are provided on the guide carriages and the carriage, that cooperate together and can be operated by switching elements fixed on the guide rail, by which the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage are automatically coupled during the successive displacement motion, and by which the entrained guide carriages upon reaching their support position are automatically decoupled and fixed. |
| US08899120B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator is provided which includes a motor and a screw as an output shaft and in which the rotational movement of the motor is converted into the linear movement of the screw, wherein at least one retainer to hold a plurality of balls is disposed at the inner periphery of a hollow rotor of the motor, a ball screw is formed at the outer periphery of the screw, the balls are engaged with the ball screw such that the screw is set coaxial to the rotor, and wherein the screw provided with the ball screw is moved linearly by means of the rotation of the balls disposed circumferentially at the inner periphery of the rotor. |
| US08899109B2 |
Device for ascertaining a fill level of a medium
In the case of a device for ascertaining a fill level of a medium inside a collection container, having at least one measuring chamber, in which an ultrasonic sensor is arranged, connected to conduct media to the collection chamber, and having at least one antechamber connected upstream from the measuring chamber, which has at least one inlet opening for the medium from the collection chamber, at least one flow damper for the medium, according to the invention, is arranged in at least one subarea of the antechamber. Thereby multiple antechambers, which are connected in series one behind another to conduct media, are connected upstream from the measuring chamber. |
| US08899108B2 |
Flow sensor with multi-position laminar flow element having integrated bypass channels
A flow sensor includes a main flow body, a laminar flow element, and first and second bypass channels. The first bypass channel is formed in, and extends at least partially around, the outer surface of the laminar flow element, and is in fluid communication with the main flow channel and defines a first bypass flow passage between the laminar flow element and the main flow body. The second bypass channel is formed in, and extends at least partially around, the outer surface of the laminar flow element, and is in fluid communication with the main flow channel and defines a second bypass flow passage between the laminar flow element and the main flow body. |
| US08899102B2 |
Method and apparatus for trapping single particles in microfluidic channels
Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell. |
| US08899101B2 |
Apparatus for sample handling
A sampler (10), in particular for use in testing the dissolution behavior of pharmaceutical products, wherein the sampler (10) comprises: a vial holder (20) for accommodating a plurality of vials (22a, 22b); a sampling needle assembly (30) with a plurality of sampling needles, wherein the sampling needle assembly (30) and the vial holder (20) may be moved relative to one another in such a way that the sampling needles of the sampling needle assembly (30) may be inserted into the vials of the vial holder (20); and a pump unit (40) with a plurality of diaphragm pumps (42a, 42b) which are designed to convey a fluid via the sampling needle assembly to the vials in the vial holder (20) and to withdraw a fluid therefrom. |
| US08899100B2 |
Testing protocol for a double walled tank
A protocol for testing the integrity of a double-walled underground storage tank. |
| US08899095B2 |
MRI compatible and air-actuated olfactometer
An olfactometer is disclosed. Such an olfactometer may include a control unit, an odor box, and a nose piece in communication with the odor box. The control unit may include a reservoir, and a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the reservoir. The odor box may include at least one compressed air actuated valve, and at least one odor canister in communication with the valve. A compressed air flow and a breathable air flow are both released from the reservoir and directed to the valve. The compressed air flow actuates the valve to thereby direct the breathable air to the odor canister to odorize the breathable air. The odorized breathable air is then directed to the nose piece. |
| US08899094B1 |
Evaluation of ballistic resistance of steel in terms of ballistically induced plasticity
The present invention is typically embodied as a method for studying ballistic resistance of one or more steel materials. A projectile is caused to strike groups of steel samples made of the same steel material, and the ballistic limit V50 of each steel material is determined. Prior to the V50 testing, a sample of each steel material is metallographically imaged so as to reveal austenitic bodies therein. The austenitic volume fraction of a sample of each steel material is measured via VSM at least once prior to the V50 testing and at least once subsequent to the V50 testing. Subsequent to the V50 testing, a microhardness distribution is mapped characterizing a sample of each steel material in the vicinity of the ballistic crater. The empirical results are assessed in light of the inventively discovered mechanism of plasticity of the steel that is ballistically induced in relation to austenite-to-martensite transformation. |
| US08899091B2 |
Method for producing such a metal closure with separate disc and ring from a single closure blank
A method of production for a 2-piece “Combo” style closure (1′), having a disk (10′) constrained within a peripheral ring (20′). The “combo” style closure (1′) is produced from a conventional one-piece closure shell (1) by cutting the sidewall (20) in the vicinity of the top plate (10) to produce the ring (20′) and disc (10′) respectively. |
| US08899090B2 |
Quenched and tempered joint cage
A cage having a plurality of cutouts for receiving rolling bodies of a joint includes a quenched and tempered steel, and the entire cage has a substantially uniform ductility over its cross section without surface hardening. The cage may be produced by forming a closed base body, cutting out a plurality of cutouts, fully hardening the cage by heating and subsequently quenching the cage, and tempering the cage. |
| US08899089B1 |
Apparatus to produce self-piercing and clinch nut and method for producing self-piercing and clinch nut
An apparatus to produce a self-piercing and clinch nut includes a first forging die assembly, a second forging die assembly, a third forging die assembly, a transfer mechanism, and a controller. The first forging die assembly is configured to subject a blank to first processing. The second forging die assembly is adjacent to the first forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to second processing after the blank has undergone the first processing in the first forging die assembly. The third forging die assembly is adjacent to the second forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to third processing after the blank has undergone the second processing in the second forging die assembly. The controller is configured to control the first forging die assembly, the second forging die assembly, the third forging die assembly, and the transfer mechanism to operate. |
| US08899087B2 |
High strength, high carbon steel wire and method of producing the same
The present invention provides a method which enables a steel wire to be highly strengthened with maintaining good ductility. Specifically, the present invention provides a method comprising: subjecting a high carbon steel wire material having carbon content of 0.85 to 1.10 mass % to a pre-stage drawing process with a predetermined magnitude of drawing, to form an intermediate wire material; subjecting the intermediate wire material formed by the pre-stage drawing process to a patenting treatment in which tensile strength of the wire material is adjusted to a range of 1323 to 1666 MPa; then subjecting the patented steel wire material to a subsequent drawing process including the final drawing. |
| US08899086B2 |
Pre-rounding element on a rounding apparatus
A pre-rounding element (14) is used in a rounding apparatus (4) for rounding can body blanks from sheet metal blanks. The lower element part (22) of the pre-rounding element (14) is displaceable by an actuation element (23). This allows the adjustment of the pre-rounding element even during operation of the rounding apparatus. Preferably a measurement of sheet metal blank properties takes place. The measurement may include a thickness measurement and/or a strength measurement of blanks. The pre-rounding element is controlled in dependency of the measurement result. This allows a constant rounding result even with varying sheet metal properties. |
| US08899079B2 |
Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine
A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. |
| US08899077B2 |
Surface treatment method for glass substrate and article manufactured by the same
A surface treatment for a glass substrate includes at least following steps: the glass substrate is provided; a fastening device is provided, the fastening device defines a receiving groove corresponding to the glass substrate; the glass substrate is positioned in the receiving groove, and the fastening device is heated to achieve a softened glass substrate; a insert is provided; and the insert is hot pressed and inserted to the softened glass substrate. An article manufactured by the surface treatment method is also disclosed. |
| US08899076B2 |
Gas treatment device
Disclosed is a gas treatment device that can efficiently regulate the temperature of a gas without being affected by load. Said device is provided with: a compressor (1); a heat exchanger; a separator; an expander (3); a refrigerant gas flow control valve (22); a branching channel (13); a first branching-channel heat exchanger (24) and a second branching-channel heat exchanger (25); a first outlet channel that is connected to a liquefied process gas outlet on the separator and that bypasses the first branching-channel heat exchanger (24); a second outlet channel that is connected to an outlet on the expander (3) and that bypasses the second branching-channel heat exchanger (25); a first thermometer (23) in a main channel; a second thermometer (26) in the branching channel (13); a third thermometer (27) in the separator; a flow control valve (20) on the main channel; and a control means (5) that controls the flow control valve (20) and/or the refrigerant gas flow control valve (22) on the basis of temperatures measured by the first through third thermometers (23, 26, 27). |
| US08899075B2 |
Air separation method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for separating air in which an argon refining column of a distillation column system is reboiled with a liquid air stream. The argon refining column further refines crude argon produced by a crude argon column connected to a lower pressure column of the distillation column system. At least one intermediate reflux stream is formed, at least indirectly, from at least part of the liquid air stream, and is introduced into the lower pressure column at a level thereof above where a crude liquid oxygen column bottoms of a higher pressure column of such system is further refined to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below said level and therefore, argon recovery from the argon refining column. |
| US08899073B2 |
Parallel plate type refrigerant storage device
A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design. |
| US08899072B2 |
Ice maker mounting adapter for ice and beverage dispenser
An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions. |
| US08899070B2 |
Refrigeration device with a holder for a section of a refrigerant line
A method for preventing condensation on a surface of a domestic refrigeration device and a corresponding domestic refrigeration device having a refrigerated chamber, a refrigerant line, and a refrigerant circulation system structured to transfer heat energy from the refrigerated chamber into the refrigerant circulation system via the refrigerant line. The refrigerant line may include a heat-emitting section in heat-conducting contact with a trim strip of the refrigeration device running below the refrigerated chamber. |
| US08899067B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus
A refrigerating apparatus including a control unit which starts the operation of the refrigerant compressor in response to an operation signal and which regulates the pressure reducing device so that the temperature of a refrigerant in the water heat exchanger becomes +80 ° C. or more and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator becomes 0 ° C. or less. The control unit detects a state where a cold storage amount in the cold storage unit reaches a predetermined amount or more and another state where the control unit judges whether the hot water storage tank is full of the hot water, after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation of the refrigerant compressor, and it stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor when one of the states is satisfied. |
| US08899062B2 |
Plate-type heat pump air conditioner heat exchanger for a unitary heat pump air conditioner
A plate-type heat exchanger having a first heat exchanger portion configured to receive a refrigerant flow and a hot side coolant flow having a lower temperature than the refrigerant flow, a second heat exchanger portion configured to receive the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion and a cold side coolant flow having a higher temperature than the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion, and an internal heat exchanger portion sandwiched between the first heat exchanger portion and the second heat exchanger portion. The refrigerant flow through the plate type heat exchanger is in non-contact thermal communication with the hot side coolant flow and the cold side coolant flow. The cold side coolant flow transfers heat energy to the refrigerant, which in turn transfer that heat energy to the hot side coolant flow. |
| US08899056B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers connected with high pressure piping, low pressure piping connecting the second heat exchanger to a compressor suction port, a pressure reducing mechanism arranged to reduce pressure in the high pressure piping, a bypass passageway, a vessel connected to the bypass passageway, and first and second opening/closing mechanisms. The first heat exchanger is connected to a compressor discharge port. The bypass passageway is arranged to divert refrigerant from the high pressure piping to the low pressure piping without passing through the second heat exchanger. The first opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a first portion of the bypass passageway that connects the high pressure piping to the vessel. The second opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a second portion of the bypass passageway that connects an upper part of the vessel to the low pressure piping. |
| US08899055B2 |
Device and method for cooling and dehumidifying room air
The invention relates to a system and method for cooling and dehumidifying air in a room. The system includes a processing unit structured and arranged to process a coolant to achieve a cooling that exceeds cold due to evaporation, wherein the coolant cools and dehumidifies air coming into contact with the coolant. The system also comprises a distribution unit arranged to expose the coolant to the air and a collecting unit structured to feed the coolant that has come into contact with the air into the processing unit. |
| US08899047B2 |
Gas turbine power plant having fuel heating means
Provided is a power plant including a gas turbine that uses a fuel gas as a fuel; a fuel gas cooler that cools the fuel gas, which is to be pressurized in a fuel gas compressor and re-circulated, using cooling water; and a dust collection device that separates/removes impurities from the fuel gas that is to be guided to the fuel gas compressor; wherein the power plant further includes heating means that heats the fuel gas that is to be guided to the dust collection device using the fuel gas that has been used to generate an anti-thrust force acting on a rotor of the fuel gas compressor. |
| US08899046B2 |
Method of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and an apparatus
The present invention relates to a method of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy using a non-gaseous working medium present in an apparatus comprising a plurality of heat exchangers and an outgoing shaft. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus used comprises a multitude of chamber units, a chamber unit comprising an inlet for introducing heat exchange medium and an outlet for discharging heat exchange medium as well as a closed chamber having a heat exchanger wall for exchanging heat between working medium inside the closed chamber and the heat exchange medium introduced into the chamber unit via said inlet for introducing heat exchange medium and heat exchange medium is passed around so as to do work when it is giving off heat to a chamber unit containing relatively cool working medium and recuperate heat when it is passed through a chamber unit containing relatively warm working medium. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the method. |
| US08899042B2 |
Internal combustion engine and associated operational method
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine and operating method. The internal combustion engine includes a fresh air system for the supplying of fresh air to at least one combustion chamber; an exhaust gas system for the carrying away of exhaust gas from the at least one combustion chamber; an exhaust gas recycling system for the recycling the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas system into the fresh air system; and at least one additional valve, configured in the fresh air system upstream of at least one inlet valve associated with the at least one combustion chambers. A control device is configured to actuate at least one additional valve such that at least one of a particle content in the exhaust gas and a fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine are at least one of optimum and optimal comprise for at least one environmental parameter. |
| US08899039B2 |
Reservoir and master cylinder
Provided is a reservoir having first and second partitions. The first partitions partition a brake reservoir chamber and clutch reservoir chambers. The first partitions extend in a length direction of the vehicle and are formed uprightly along the sidewalls. The second partitions connect the first partitions and the sidewalls adjacent to the first partitions. The second partitions are formed uprightly at middle positions of the respective sidewalls in the length direction of the vehicle. The brake reservoir chamber and the clutch reservoir chambers are formed to face the sidewalls. |
| US08899038B2 |
Release actuator employing components with different coefficients of thermal expansion
An actuator includes a capturing part, a retained part and a heating element which applies heat to the retained part or the capturing part responsive to selective application of power to the at least one heating element. The capturing part attaches to a first object and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part attaches to a second object and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part is insertable into the capturing part in a first state of the actuator. The retained part is held in contact with the capturing part via an interference fit to hold the first and second objects proximate to each other in a second state. The retained part is ejected from the capturing part in a third state. Applying heat via the heating element causes a transition between the second and the first or third states of the actuator. |
| US08899034B2 |
Hydraulic system with fluid flow summation control of a variable displacement pump and priority allocation of fluid flow
A system has a variable displacement pump that supplies pressurized fluid to power a plurality of hydraulic functions. Each hydraulic function has a control valve with a variable source orifice controlling fluid flow between the pump and a flow summation node, and a variable metering orifice controlling fluid flow between the flow summation node and a hydraulic actuator. Variable bypass orifices in the control valves are connected in series between the flow summation node and a tank. As the metering orifice in a control valve enlarges, the source orifice enlarges and the bypass orifice shrinks. This alters pressure at the flow summation node, which is used to control the output of the pump. Components are provided to give selected hydraulic functions different levels of priority with respect to consuming fluid flow from the pump. |
| US08899032B2 |
Stator centering plate
A stator assembly for a torque converter includes first and second blade plates, a one-way clutch assembly disposed axially between the blade plates and a centering plate. The one-way clutch assembly has an inner race with an outer circumferential surface, an outer race with an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of blocking elements disposed radially between the inner race and the outer race. The centering plate includes a ring portion grippingly engaged with the outer race outer circumferential surface and an annular portion with an inner circumferential surface arranged to radially position the inner race outer circumferential surface. In an example embodiment, at least one of the blade plates is made by stamping. |
| US08899027B2 |
Hybrid electric vehicle particulate regeneration method and system
A method is applied to regenerate particulate matter in a particulate filter of a hybrid electric vehicle having a combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, the hybrid electric vehicle having an electrically heated catalyst disposed in flow communication with the particulate filter in an exhaust system of the vehicle. The method determines whether the combustion engine is or is not combusting fuel, and under a condition where the combustion engine is not combusting fuel, the catalyst is electrically heated until it has reached a temperature suitable to cause ignition of the particulate matter. The electric motor is used to facilitate rotation of the combustion engine at a rotational speed suitable to draw air into and be exhausted out of the combustion engine into the exhaust system, across the catalyst, and into the particulate filter to facilitate ignition of the particulate in the filter. |
| US08899026B2 |
Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine
Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine, having a mixing duct, an injector for injecting the liquid medium into the mixing duct, and an inlet duct situated upstream of the mixing duct. The inlet duct has a first duct section which is annular in cross-section and a second duct section which is annular in cross-section. The second duct section is situated downstream of the first duct section and surrounds the mixing duct. The first duct section surrounds the second duct section. The mixing duct further has a flow reversal section via which an annular outlet of the first duct section is connected to an annular inlet of the second duct section and which is configured to reverse the direction of flow of the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet duct, to flow through the second duct section in a direction opposite to that of the exhaust gases in the first duct section. |
| US08899024B2 |
Engine exhaust purification device
An engine exhaust purification device comprises: a selective reduction type NOx catalyst; an oxidation catalyst disposed on an upstream side of the NOx catalyst; a reducing agent adding device which adds an NOx reducing agent to an exhaust gas of an engine; a control device which controls the reducing agent adding device; and an NO2 ratio calculation device which estimates an NO2 ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx catalyst. The NO2 ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx catalyst is calculated by a catalytic reaction model where the oxidation reaction of NO in the oxidation catalyst is numerically formulated, and the NO2 ratio is reflected to calculate an amount of ammonia adsorbed on the NOx catalyst by a catalytic reaction model where a chemical reaction concerned with the reduction of NOx in the NOx catalyst is numerically formulated. |
| US08899019B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus of the present invention includes a determination section and a reverse direction correction introducing section. The determination section determines whether or not an output of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor falls within a predetermined range whose center corresponds to a target value corresponding to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. When the output of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor falls within the predetermined range, the reverse direction correction introducing section temporarily introduces, to an air-fuel ratio correction in a direction requested by the output, an air-fuel ratio correction in a direction opposite to the requested direction. |
| US08899016B2 |
Integrated WGS/ECD exhaust treatment device for internal combustion engine having an EGR loop
An integrated water-gas-shift (WGS) and emissions control device (ECD) catalyst for treating exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The engine is assumed to have an EGR loop, such that exhaust is recirculated back to the engine's intake. A WGS catalyst on the EGR loop, for conditioning the EGR flow, is integrated with a catalyzed ECD on the main exhaust line, for reducing pollutant emissions. |
| US08899015B2 |
Catalyst degradation detection device
A catalyst degradation detection device, determines whether a three-way catalyst has degraded on the basis of the maximum value of the amount of oxygen stored by the catalyst. When determining whether the three-way catalyst has degraded, the amount of stored oxygen is calculated, and the responsiveness of change in the output signal of an oxygen sensor to oxygen concentration change in catalyst-downstream exhaust is measured. Then, on the basis of the responsiveness of the oxygen sensor which measured the oxygen storage amount, the oxygen storage amount is corrected by reducing the same such that the worsened the measured responsiveness relative to a reference value, the greater the reduction in the oxygen storage amount used in determining whether the three-way catalyst has degraded. The corrected oxygen storage amount used is prevented from deviating from the correct value on the basis of a worsening of the responsiveness of the oxygen sensor. |
| US08899014B2 |
Emission control system for internal combustion engine
An emission control system for an engine includes a catalyst and an exhaust-gas sensor provided downstream of the catalyst in a flow direction of exhaust gas. The exhaust-gas sensor includes a sensor element that includes a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte body located between the electrodes. The emission control system further includes a constant current supply portion that changes an output characteristic of the exhaust-gas sensor by applying a constant current between the electrodes, a rich direction control portion that performs a rich direction control after a fuelling-stop control, and a characteristic control portion that performs a rich responsiveness control during the rich direction control. In the rich direction control, an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is made to be richer. In the rich responsiveness control, the constant current supply portion increases a detection responsiveness of the exhaust-gas sensor with respect to rich gas. |
| US08899009B2 |
Fuel anti-icing and APU compartment drain combination
A heat exchanger has a first passage to be connected to a source of fuel. The heat exchanger has an outlet to communicate the fuel downstream. A second passage connects to a source of air. The air passes adjacent to the first passage to heat fuel in the first passage. A jet pump is positioned downstream of the second passage to receive air from the second passage. The jet pump includes a tap connected to a housing compartment to drain fluid from the compartment. A method is also disclosed. |
| US08899005B2 |
Bi-directional drive system for turf groomer and turf brush application
A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a reel deck assembly having a reel blade assembly rotatably supported on a reel blade shaft axially rotatable in a reel blade shaft rotation direction. The system additionally includes a first positive engagement member rotatably connected to the reel deck assembly, and an attachment member releasably connected to the first positive engagement member. The attachment member is simultaneously axially rotatable in an attachment member first axial rotation direction that is the same as the reel blade shaft rotation direction, or an attachment member second axial rotation direction opposite to the reel blade shaft rotation direction. The bi-directional rotation is implemented by selective engagement of a drive system connected to the reel blade shaft. |
| US08899003B2 |
Methods of providing stacks of wet wipes with improved wetness gradients
A method of reducing a wetness gradient development for a package of wet wipes is provided. The method includes, after wet wipes are enclosed within a package to form the package of wet wipes, locating the package of wet wipes in a first orientation such that a first side of the package of wet wipes faces downward and an opposite second side of the package of wet wipes faces upward to form a first wetness gradient after a preselected amount of time. Prior to opening the package of wet wipes to access the wet wipes enclosed within the package of wet wipes, inverting the package of wet wipes according to a predetermined turning schedule to place the package of wet wipes in a second orientation such that the first side of the package of wet wipes faces upward and the second side of the package of wet wipes faces downward to form a second wetness gradient that is different from the first wetness gradient. |
| US08899002B1 |
Tray loader and method
An apparatus and method is provided for loading objects having a first degree of hardness onto a tray having a different degree of hardness where sliding contact between the objects and the tray would cause damage. The tray loading is accomplished by engaging and holding objects in a carrier. The carrier carries the objects to a position over the tray and lowers the objects onto the tray surface, avoiding abrasion between the objects and the tray. The carrier includes sensors for verifying the presence of the objects. |
| US08898997B2 |
In-wall hydronic thermal control system and installation method
A system for installing tubing of hydronic thermal control systems in the walls, including ceilings, of buildings. It allows for the stable incorporation of the tubing in the walls while ensuring good thermal conductivity between the tubing and the building's room. The system features a wall including a hydronic thermal management system. The wall comprises a vertically-extending wall support structure, tubing panels secured to the wall support structure, the panels being constructed from wood material, tubing in the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid, and drywall panels secured over the tubing panels. A filling material is applied between the tubing and the drywall panels. Also a high thermally conductive layer, such as aluminum foil, is used between the filling material and the drywall panels or between the filling material and the tubing panels. |
| US08898995B2 |
Plug assembly and a method for sealing a hole
A dual stage plug assembly 10 which provides a first sealing stage which is cooperatively provided by the insertion members 12, 14 (including the unexpanded portion 24) and a second sealing stage which is provided by selectively expandable member 24. The plug assembly 10 is selectively inserted into a hole, such as hole 80, which is formed in a tangible entity, such as basement wall 82, and the members 12 and 14 cooperates with member 24 to seal the hole 80, thereby preventing water and/or other liquid from entering and passing through the hole 80. |
| US08898991B2 |
Wind turbine tower base assembly with detachable tower base rings
A tower base ring assembly is provided for securing a wind turbine tower to a foundation. A top ring is configured for securing to a wind turbine tower. A bottom ring has an open center and a plurality of radially oriented troughs spaced circumferentially about the open center, with each trough having an outer end. The top ring and the bottom ring are detachable from one another, and the tower base ring assembly is connectable to the foundation. |
| US08898990B2 |
Modular building blocks with interlocking reinforcement rods
A modular building block assembly comprises a modular building block having a first load-bearing surface with a key. There is a recess in the key. The recess has a shoulder disposed therein and side walls extending from the shoulder to a mouth thereof. A reinforcement rod extends into the recess and a coupling for connecting vertically aligned reinforcement rods is disposed in the recess. The vertically aligned reinforcement rods each threadedly engage the coupling. A locking plate engages the coupling to prevent the coupling from rotating relative to the locking plate. The locking plate sits within the recess and rotation of the locking plate within the recess is prevented by the side walls of the recess. |
| US08898989B2 |
Gusset block construction
Gusset Block Construction deals with a block that is cored from all sides. The blocks are cubes and elongated cubes with a pyramid or elongated pyramid shaped cavity on each side resulting in a block in which each of the twelve edges is central on a gusset shape extending from said edge to the central axis of the block. With the use of a second octahedron block that fits within the pyramid shaped cavities a wall that requires no fastening can be built by placing octahedrons in the top cavities of a layer of blocks and placing another layer of blocks on it. These blocks will be able to come apart at the joints during an earthquake without completely disassembling and can return to original position when the earthquake stops. They can be molded in a two piece split mold and are scaleable; tapered piers could be made. |
| US08898988B2 |
Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels (1b, 1c) provided with a mechanical locking system made of a separate material in order to reduce snapping resistance during vertical displacement. |
| US08898986B1 |
Hanger bar
A runner hanger comprising a metal strip having a plurality of spaced upper holes, a lower portion including a lower edge interrupted by a series of regularly spaced notches, the notches being configured to receive a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner extending transversely to the hanger, the notch having a pair of longitudinally spaced ledges configured to support the bottom sides of a reinforcing bulb, the notches having a bendable tab carrying one of the ledges, the tabs being precision machine bent at an angle relative to a plane of the lower portion that allows a grid runner reinforcing bulb to be inserted when tilted in the associated notch and prevents the bulb from falling out of the notch when the runner is upright. |
| US08898985B2 |
Ceiling panel system
A ceiling panel system includes a plurality of grid members that are operable to form a grid suspendable from a ceiling, the grid having grid member intersections; and a plurality of ceiling panels, each ceiling panel including a planar surface and a plurality of upturned edges arranged about the periphery of the planar surface. The upturned edges include a catch operable to attach the panels to the face of the grid intermediately to the intersections to form a ceiling surface. |
| US08898982B2 |
Modular floor system
A modular floor system comprises modular floor panels and zippers that are fabricated in a manufacturing facility and subsequently installed in a facility. By virtue of being fabricated in the manufacturing facility the modular floor is subsequently installed in the sports facility with minimal labor and cost, while providing superior performance. |
| US08898976B2 |
Wallboard corner finishing strip
A corner bead strip is provided for finishing a wallboard corner joint, includes a flexible plastic body having a first flange and a second flange, each flange with a corner edge and an opposite free edge. The corner edges are joined by a central flex zone formed by a plastic composition distinct from a plastic composition used for forming the flanges. A web of paper covers a surface of the body. |
| US08898971B2 |
Photovoltaic array mounting apparatus, systems, and methods
An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a surface, including a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one or more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, where the apparatus resists wind forces and seismic forces and creates a grounding electrical bond between the PV module, support, and clip. The invention further includes a method for installing PV modules on a surface that includes arranging supports in rows along an X axis and in columns along a Y axis on a surface such that in each row the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the longest side of a PV module and in each column the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the shortest side of a PV module. |
| US08898968B2 |
Solar power unit and system
One aspect of the present invention relates to a solar power unit comprising a frame, configured to be integrated into a building structure, for supporting a solar panel, the solar panel for generating a power signal, and a front cover for securing the solar panel to the frame. |
| US08898965B1 |
Integral solar/wind turbine railroad signal bungalow assembly
An integrated railroad signal bungalow assembly where a railroad signal bungalow is surrounded by an external frame, which supports a walkway structure assembly. The walkway structure assembly, in turn, supports one or more solar panels and a wind turbine. The solar panels and wind turbine supply power to equipment in the railroad signal bungalow. |
| US08898963B1 |
Roofing shingles with reduced usage of conventional shingle material and having a combination vertical and lateral lap extension
A roofing shingle includes a shingle body having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion with a head edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. An exposure zone extends from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and is configured to be exposed to the environment when the shingle is installed on a roof. A water impermeable sheet is attached to the shingle body and has a width, length, first end and second end. The width extends from between about the butt and head edges to beyond the head edge of the shingle body. The length extends from between about the first and second side edges to beyond the first side edge. The sheet is formed from a different material than the shingle body. |
| US08898957B2 |
Safety guard or gate
A safety guard or gate for placement in a frame of an opening to prevent a child or pet from passing though the opening. The present invention includes an adjustable means for adjusting the guard to fit the width of the frame, wherein the adjustable means has a first end and a second end to form an axis along which the means can be adjusted. The invention further includes an attachment means for securing the guard to the frame; and a securing means for securing the adjustable means to the attachment means. The securing means prevents the adjustable means from disengaging from the attachment means along the axis when in a locked position, and allows disengagement and reengagement of the adjustable means in direction that transects the axis when the securing means is in an unlocked position. The present invention further includes methods for using the safety guard, and systems that include elements of the safety guard. |
| US08898953B2 |
Counterflow insect trap
A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow. |
| US08898952B2 |
Animal trap
An animal trap for restraining animals, such as raccoons. The trap includes a hollow body having an entrance opening, an external and an internal grip member spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a biased restraint member adapted to move towards the grip members when released to engage an extremity of an animal inserted through the entrance opening. A trigger assembly is adapted to restrain the restraint member until proper engagement with a respective trigger member. The trigger assembly releases the restraint member via a first directional force or an opposite second directional force applied to a trigger member. A ground stake having jagged teeth and a swivel chain may be used for anchoring the trap. |
| US08898950B1 |
Ice fishing strike indicator
An ice fishing strike indicator preferably includes a support base and a strike indicator. The strike indicator preferably includes an indicator housing, a pop-up indicator and a trigger member. The pop-up indicator is slidably biased upward in the indicator housing. The trigger member preferably includes a support tube, a trigger rod and a fishing line reel. The support tube is retained by the indicator housing and adjustably retained by the support base. The trigger rod is slidably retained in the support tube. A trigger finger is formed on one end of the trigger rod and the fishing line reel is retained on the other end thereof. The trigger finger hooks into the pop-up indicator. Rotation of the fishing line reel by a fish strike causes the trigger finger to release the pop-up indicator. A light emitting strike indicator may be used for night time fishing. |
| US08898946B1 |
Magazine adapter
A magazine adapter includes a base that is structured to fit within the magazine well of a firearm, and to accept a magazine designed for smaller caliber ammunition than the original firearm. The adapter includes a bolt catch actuator slidably mounted therein. Magazines for which the adapter is intended include an upwardly extending rear projection of the follower, projecting from an opening in the rear of the magazine housing when the follower is in an upper portion of the magazine. When the upwardly extending projection pushes upward on the bolt catch actuator, the bolt catch is actuated, holding the firearms bolt in a rearward position. The magazine adapter thereby facilitates use of the original firearm controls with a caliber conversion unit, or with an upper receiver and barrel combination of a different caliber. |
| US08898937B2 |
Screw-adjustable connector apparatus for telescoped wear and support members
An earth engaging wear member is rearwardly telescoped onto a support member and is releasably retained thereon by specially designed connector apparatus extending through aligned connector openings in the wear and support members. The connector apparatus includes a spool member rearwardly bearing against the wear member, a shim member forwardly spaced apart from the spool member and having a sloping rear surface, and a wedge screw member interposed between the spool and shim members. The wedge screw member has a non-tapered body threadingly engaging the spool member side portion, and a non-threaded, radially sloped surface area rampingly engaging the sloped shim surface area. Threaded advancement of the wedge screw member rearwardly moves the wear member relative to the support member to tighten an operationally-created loosened interfit therebetween. |
| US08898930B2 |
Method for treating a transport support for the conveyance and atmospheric storage of semiconductor substrates, and treatment station for the implementation of such a method
The aim of the invention is to provide a method for the treatment of a transport support (1) for the conveyance and storage of semiconductor substrates, with said support (1) possibly having first undergone a cleaning operation using a liquid. The method includes a treatment stage in which the transport support (1) is placed in a sealed chamber (4) connected to a vacuum pump (5) and said transport support (1) is subjected to the combined action of a subatmospheric pressure and infrared radiation to favor the removal of foreign bodies on the walls of the transport support (1).The invention also concerns a treatment station for a transport support (1) for implementation of the method. |
| US08898929B2 |
Textile dryer
An apparatus for drying gloves is provided, including a main member, at least one light source, and at least one air source. The main member includes an outer surface configured for receiving a glove, and a plurality of apertures disposed along the outer surface. The light source emits a UV-C light, and the air source blows air. The UV-C light from the light source and air from the air source can at least partially pass through the outer surface. The apertures are in communication with at least the air source. |
| US08898928B2 |
Delamination drying apparatus and method
An apparatus for delamination drying a substrate is provided. A chamber for receiving a substrate is provided. A chuck supports and clamps the substrate within the chamber. A temperature controller controls the temperature of the substrate and is able to cool the substrate. A vacuum pump is in fluid connection with the chamber. A tilting mechanism is able to tilt the chuck at least 90 degrees. |
| US08898923B2 |
System and method for setting measurement force thresholds in a force sensing caliper
An electrically powered caliper is provided which includes a scale member, a slider, a displacement sensor, a force sensing arrangement and a signal processing portion. The signal processing portion is configured to receive a force signal and indicate a respective force corresponding to the respective position of the slider. Force data is acquired comprising a plurality of respective forces corresponding to respective positions of the slider. The signal processing portion defines an acceptable measurement force range defined by at least a minimum force threshold that is determined such that it exceeds a compensation force corresponding to at least one force component included in the force signal that is independent of user variations of the measurement force. It may analyze acquired force data to identify pre-contact data, and set the minimum force threshold for a current measurement procedure based on that pre-contact data. |
| US08898919B2 |
Coordinate measurement machine with distance meter used to establish frame of reference
A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine includes a distance meter to measure 3D coordinates of at least three targets to establish a position and orientation of the articulated arm within a frame of reference established by the at least three targets. |
| US08898918B2 |
Instrument for measuring length, and method and device for controlling the size of a fuel rod
The invention relates, in particular, to an instrument for measuring length, comprising an inductive sensor comprising an elongate body and a tip that is movable along a longitudinal axis. The body contains windings and defines a first cavity receiving a magnetic core. The instrument further comprises a casing which extends the body along the longitudinal axis, and which defines, together with the body, a second sealed cavity containing the tip. The capacity of the casing to resiliently deform along the longitudinal axis is greater than the capacity of said casing to resiliently deform along axes that are orthogonal to said longitudinal axis. |
| US08898917B1 |
Combination level and protractor
A multi-purpose measurement apparatus having a combination spirit level and a protractor, for precise measurement of orientation and angle of a material, the apparatus having a frame for resting against the material, said frame having a strip of ruler markings at the bottom portion of the face of the frame and the bottom portion of the rear of the frame, said frame further having a slot at a substantially centermost position of the frame; a clear, global housing, forming front and rear windows on the frame and in the slot at the substantially centermost position of the frame, the housing filled with an oil composition. |
| US08898914B2 |
Bow and arrow long-range sighting device and system
This disclosure relates to a long-range sighting device for an archer's bow. The long-range sighting device including a strip of material having a length, a width, a perimeter and a plurality of holes disposed therein, wherein the strip of material is supportable by a string of a bow. |
| US08898913B1 |
Masonry circular saw stabilizing and supporting shoe
A supporting and stabilizing shoe used with a masonry circular power saw. A shoe frame rigidly mounts to the saw's motor frame. A plate that is preferably substantially planar and bifurcated to form two substantially co-planar members with a gap therebetween pivotably mounts to the shoe frame. A spring biases the plate away from the blade, but can be overcome, and an adjustment knob tightens the plate in position relative to the blade. This provides for depth adjustment for the blade and keeps the blade at a desired angle, such as ninety degrees, to the workpiece surface. The plate extends longitudinally from the motor frame beneath the drive mechanism and the blade of the saw to provide a stable surface upon which the saw can rest during use or storage. |
| US08898911B2 |
Tool accommodating replaceable blade
A cutting tool utilizing a replaceable blade has a body which defines a blade-accepting pocket having an interior within which the body of the blade is nestingly accepted when inserted within the pocket and for releasable securement of the blade within the blade-accepting pocket. Furthermore, the blade-accepting pocket includes an abutment surface against which a surface of the blade body bears against when the cutting edge of the blade is moved into cutting engagement with an item being cut with the tool. |
| US08898909B2 |
Electric shaver
An electric shaver generally includes a handle assembly and a head assembly mounted on the handle assembly. The head assembly is pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation. A biasing element is fixed to one of the head assembly and the handle assembly and is free from being fixed to the other of the head assembly and the handle assembly. The biasing element is configured such that when the head assembly is pivoted from the first orientation into the second orientation the biasing element contacts a surface of the other of the head assembly and the handle assembly and bends to apply a counteracting force that biases the head assembly back toward the first orientation when the head assembly is not held in the second orientation. |
| US08898908B2 |
Method for manufacturing a facade panel
A method of manufacturing a facade panel for the outer lining of a building in which tiling forming the outer surface of the panel is formed on the surface of the back panel meant to be the background of the facade panel. Tiling is attached to the back panel and the seams between the tiles are seamed with the help of a seam mass. A bottom panel on top of which a tile controller is set to adjust the locations of the tiles positioned upside down. The back panel is pressed on top of the tiles whereupon attachment spikes attached to the back panel penetrate the seams between the tiles. The tile seams are filled with a jagged rough mass and then filled with a hardening seam mass and attachment spikes attached to the back panel penetrate into the seam mass. |
| US08898904B2 |
Method for coating a steering wheel and corresponding steering wheel
A method for coating a steering wheel and a corresponding steering wheel having a steering wheel rim comprising a steering wheel skeleton having a foam layer applied thereto and intended to be encompassed by a cover layer made of leather or plastic are provided. In order to simplify production, the cover layer is positioned on the steering wheel rim as a strip and is fixed to the foam layer on one end. The cover layer strip is then glued onto the foam layer and the lateral edges of the cover layer strip are sewed together in a known manner. |
| US08898900B2 |
Oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A turbine engine includes a housing supporting compressor, turbine sections, and an epicyclic gear train including a carrier. Sun gear and intermediate gears are arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. A baffle includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubrication on the at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. |
| US08898895B2 |
Method for producing multilayer substrate and desmearing method
A method for producing a multilayer substrate involves: a base-material pretreatment step in which a hole forming step and a metal adhesion step are performed in no particular order, the hole forming step being a step of subjecting a core base material having at least an insulating layer and a first metal layer to a hole opening process, the metal adhesion step being a step in which a predetermined metal or metal ion is made to adhere to the other surface of the insulating layer; a desmearing step of performing desmearing by plasma etching; a cleaning step of cleaning the core base material by using an acidic solution; and a plating step of applying a plating catalyst or a precursor thereof onto the insulating layer and performing plating. |
| US08898882B2 |
Press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pierced component and also method for the manufacture of the press-in element
Described is a press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface. The neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points. The apex of the ring bead has an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component. |
| US08898879B2 |
Random tile installation using non-random installation technique
A method of manufacturing a modular textile system includes dividing a textile web into a plurality of frames that define carpet tiles to be formed from the textile web, providing each frame with an indicium, and forming the textile web into a plurality of carpet tiles. The indicium may include at least one of a variously oriented indicium and a variously positioned indicium for indicating the orientation of each carpet tile in an installation. |
| US08898875B2 |
Method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrators
Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of achieving reliable anodic bonding between the bonding material and a base board wafer even when the bonding material having a large resistance value is used. Providing a method for manufacturing a package by anodically bonding a bonding material, which is fixed in advance to an inner surface of a lid board wafer made of an insulator, to an inner surface of a base board wafer made of an insulator, the method including an anodic bonding step where an auxiliary bonding material serving as an anode is disposed on an outer surface of the lid board wafer, a cathode is disposed on an outer surface of the base board wafer, and a voltage is applied between the auxiliary bonding material and the cathode, wherein the auxiliary bonding material is made of a material that causes an anodic bonding reaction between the auxiliary bonding material and the lid board wafer in the anodic bonding step. |
| US08898872B2 |
Space-creating shower curtain hook
A space-creating shower curtain hook hanging from a shower curtain rod. It includes a shower rod hook engaging the shower curtain rod; a neck disposed upwards and inwards from the shower rod hook; a first connector disposed along the neck engaging a shower liner; and a stem connected to the neck and disposed downwards. The weight of the shower liner causes the space-creating shower curtain hook to rotate about the shower curtain rod, contacting the stem to the shower liner, and disposing the shower liner outwards of the shower curtain rod. |
| US08898862B1 |
Push-button, locking hinge assembly
A push-button, locking hinge assembly includes a base element, a push-button element, a cap element, an assembly to lock these three elements about a central axis, and a release assembly allowing the cap element to pivot 360 degrees transversely to the central axis and in relation to the base element. Geometric ends of the hinge assembly allow insertion into any two components to be so releasably pivoted and repositioned, and then locked into a desired position relative one to the other. |
| US08898860B2 |
Hinge device for doors, shutters or the like
A hinge device for rotatably moving a closing element includes a fixed element anchorable to a stationary support structure coupled to a movable element anchorable to the closing element for rotating around a first longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The device further includes at least one slider movable along a second axis between a compressed and an extended position. One between the movable element and the fixed element includes at least one operating chamber defining the second axis so as to slidably house the slider, the other element including a pivot defining the first axis. The pivot and the slider are reciprocally coupled so that to the rotation of the movable element around the first axis corresponds the sliding of the slider along the second axis and vice versa. |
| US08898858B2 |
Cleaner-head for a vacuum cleaner
A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a rotating brush bar driven by an air-cooled motor, which is mounted inside the cleaner head with at least a section of the motor being located inside the brush bar. To cool the motor in use, an external casing of the motor is provided a plurality of air-cooling holes comprising at least one air intake and at least one air exhaust. These cooling holes are connected—intake to exhaust—to form one or more air-cooling paths through the inside of the motor. Each air intake is connected to an upstream clean air inlet by a stationary—not rotating—intake duct, and each air exhaust is similarly connected to a downstream clean air outlet by a stationary—not rotating—exhaust duct. This avoids the problems associated with using the rotating brush bar itself as a duct for carrying cooling air to the motor. |
| US08898849B2 |
Windscreen wiper blade having a built-in washer liquid conduit
The invention relates to a windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, comprising an elongate flexible strip, wherein at least one end of the strip is covered by a cap with a built-in conduit provided with a nozzle offset on the side of the flexible strip relative to the longitudinal median plane of said flexible strip. |
| US08898846B2 |
Cleaner for suction coagulator
A cleaning device for cleaning a coagulator has a housing defining an interior chamber with a prong extending along a central axis to receive a coagulator bore. An insertion guide with an opening along the central axis guides insertion of the tip of the coagulator onto the prong. Pliable wipers extend inward from the sidewalls of the chamber toward the prong, so that the wipers deform by contact to wipe against the coagulator in operation. The wipers can be formed as part of a pliable tubular member that is inserted into the chamber in the housing and held in place by an end cap that incorporates the insertion guide. |
| US08898843B2 |
Electric toothbrush capable of receiving user operations
An electric toothbrush includes a body portion, a portion of which is gripped by a user, and a brush part that is exchangeably attached to the body portion. The body portion includes a switch that is a contact-type sensor unit arranged on a portion that excludes the gripped portion, and that receives operations from the outside, and a control unit for controlling operations of the electric toothbrush in accordance with an operation received by the contact-type sensor unit. If a first operation is received by the contact-type sensor unit, the control unit outputs an indication that operations can be received for a certain time period, and if a second operation received by the contact-type sensor unit in the certain time period is an operation that corresponds to a predetermined operation pattern, the control unit controls operations of the electric toothbrush in accordance with the second operation. |
| US08898842B2 |
Anti-decubitus ulcer mattress overlay system with selective elevation structure
An elevation structure system possesses anti-decubitus ulcer characteristics, and may cooperate with a mattress overlay also having anti-decubitus ulcer capabilities as part of a mattress overlay system, in which multiple elongate, positionally adjustable, relatively moveable risers are configured for selective placement in conditions of transverse, subposed, under engagement with the sides of an overlay to create substantially non-inclined, elevated, depth-supplemented regions at locations along the length of the overlay. The evelation structure and overlay may each include a dynamic-response core expanse formed of an open-cell, compressible viscoelastic foam coated with elastomeric, moisture- and gas-flow-managing, differential-thickness coating structure load-transmissively bonded to the entirety of the outside of said core expanse to function as a dynamically-responsive unit therewith. |
| US08898841B2 |
Encounter and contact mattress or pillow for small children and babies, particularly for premature babies and newborns
An encounter and contact mattress or pillow, is made up of at least one cloth-like or blanket-like base body having two functional sides that are configured to be the same, similar, or different, and serve for support, wherein the one side is suitable for facing toward a contact person and the other side is suitable for offering a premature or newborn baby or infant a support surface. The base body is divided up into at least three regions, namely into an edge zone region (8), a transition region (6), and an encounter region (5), and the encounter region (5) is configured in such a manner that a transfer of tactile and/or acoustic stimuli and/or heat from one side to the other side of the encounter and contact mattress (1) is possible. |
| US08898840B1 |
Head and neck support device
A head and neck support device is disclosed for positioning about a neck of an individual. A generally U-shaped pillow encircles the neck. The head and neck support device comprises a rear supporting panel, primary supporting panel and a secondary supporting panel for defining a pillow enclosure frame and a pillow cavity. The pillow cavity receives the generally U-shaped pillow. The primary supporting panel applies a first opposing force for supporting the head and neck in a generally vertical position. The secondary supporting panel applies a second opposing force for supporting the head and neck in a generally vertical position. |
| US08898838B1 |
Method and apparatus for a convertible patient bed
A convertible patient bed is disclosed that includes: a middle section, a top section, and a bottom section, each section further includes a first lateral subsection and a second lateral subsection; a push-pull motor coupled to push the top section and to pull the bottom section to transform the patient bed into a chair, a sliding motor coupled to slide the said first lateral subsection and said second lateral subsection in and out of each of the middle section, top section, and bottom section respectively at a predetermined angle to change the width of the patient bed; and a motor coupled to an opening and a cover in the middle of the middle section to accommodate to the needs of a patient. |
| US08898837B2 |
Medical image diagnostic apparatus
In order to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus in which a mechanism for drawing a top plate into a gantry can be connected to the top plate without the collision, a pin 17 is provided in an end portion of a top plate 70, and a hook 12 that is connected to the pin 17 is provided in the connecting mechanism 82 that is moved on a top plate receiving portion. According to a position of the connecting mechanism 82 on the top plate receiving portion, the position of the hook 12 varies to connect to the pin 17. |
| US08898831B1 |
Counterbalancing assembly for folding furniture
A counterbalancing assembly for an article of folding furniture comprises at least one piston extending between a support assembly and a furniture component, said piston being biased to resist a downward force of gravity acting on the furniture component. An upper mounting bracket secures a first end of the piston to the support assembly, and a lower mounting bracket secures a second end of the piston to the furniture component. One or both of the upper and lower mounting brackets includes a worm gear and a mounting element that is threaded onto the worm gear. Each such mounting element has a portion adapted to engage a complementary fitting defined by a respective end of the piston, such that rotation of the worm gear causes a corresponding linear movement of the mounting element, and thus, linear movement of the respective end of the piston. |
| US08898829B1 |
Modular bed frame end board
A bed frame end board that can be easily disassembled and reassembled to replace damaged components and reduce the cost and labor associated with refurbishment of dormitory beds including a vertically oriented rail configured to interlock with a bed frame side member, an outboard panel, and an inboard panel; and vertically spaced apart cross members having opposite ends fixed to the posts, wherein the outboard panels are releasably fixed to the rail by a fastening system having a slotted fastening clip on the rail and a stud on the outboard panel engaging a slot in the clip, and wherein the cross members are releasably attached to the posts with a threaded fastener and stabilized against rotational movement with respect to the post by dowels received in aligned bores extending into abutting surfaces of the panels and posts. |
| US08898826B2 |
Bathtub back support systems
A back rest device for a bathtub comprising a rest member having a front surface and a back surface, at least one suction cup, a cover with pockets, and at least one insertable pillow. The rest member is placed against a bathtub back and on a cushioned bathmat that suctions to the floor of the bathtub. The suction cups are attached to the back surface of the rest member to facilitate the attachment of the rest member to the bathtub back. The cover with pockets is attached to the front surface of the rest member and the insertable pillow is placed inside the pockets to create additional comfort. |
| US08898823B2 |
Template for closet flange
Provided are templates, methods, and kits for installing closet flanges. The template can include a body having a sidewall and a bottom as well as a plurality of tabs connected to the body, with one or more of the tabs configured to delineate the location of a fastener hole in a closet flange. |
| US08898814B2 |
Releasable vest
A releasable vest having a front panel; front shoulder strap elements that include at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening; a back panel; a first waist belt element and a second waist belt element that are releasably coupled to the front panel and extend from the front panel; at least one release loop that is capable of being passed through an opening formed in at least one of the waist belt elements and an opening formed in the front shoulder strap elements; and a release lanyard that is capable of being passed through the release loop so as to releasably secure the waist belt elements and the shoulder strap elements to the release loop. |
| US08898812B2 |
Garment having integrated perspiration barriers
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a garment or undergarment (e.g., a T-shirt) which is provided with integrated multi-layer perspiration barriers uniquely configured to provide high levels of evaporative cooling and moisture vapor transmission. The perspiration barriers are integrated into the sleeve and torso portions of the garment such that such perspiration barriers actually define the underarm portions thereof. Each of the perspiration barriers is preferably comprised of four layers, each of which is formed from two separate panel pieces. The various layers included in each of the perspiration barriers, the manner in which such layers are stacked upon and attached to each other, and the manner in which the layers forming each perspiration barrier are integrated into the garment are specifically adapted to collectively promote evaporative cooling and a vapor transmission effect which provides superior perspiration absorption and evaporation, in addition to enhanced user comfort. |
| US08904557B2 |
Solution for continuous control and protection of enterprise data based on authorization projection
Extracting data from a source system includes generating an authorization model of the data protection controls applied to the extracted data by the source system. The authorization model is used to map the data protection control applied to the extracted data to generate corresponding data protection controls provided in target system. The extracted data is imported to the target system including implementing the corresponding data protection controls. |
| US08904556B1 |
Multi-level security display with secure input/output
A method and system for securely distributing human-machine input/output to multi-level displays in a multi-level security environment is disclosed. The method and system in accordance with the present disclosure provides the ability to take input from common input devices and manages the input to ensure that the input is delivered only to the intended security domain/level and that the input is delivered only to the intended display element within the intended security domain/level. Furthermore, architectures configured for supporting the multi-level security display with secure input/output are also disclosed. |
| US08904555B2 |
Computer implemented system for facilitating configuration, data tracking and reporting for data centric applications
A computer implemented system for facilitating configuration, data tracking and reporting for data centric applications and a method for performing the same have been disclosed. The system enables an enterprise to quickly move from paper based tracking to web based mode by configuring metadata. Also, the system hosts multiple tenants on a single server and enables creation of workspace to enable users within a tenant to securely view the data based on his/her permission levels. Additionally, the system classifies the resources as ‘Human’ and ‘Non-Human’ resources and further as static resources which are shared metadata across tenants and non-static resources which are applicable only to a particular tenant. Thus, the system enables common information to be shared easily across various organizations while securing the data via workspaces. Furthermore, the system includes report creation and dashboard generation capability using data from within the system as well as from external databases. |
| US08904554B2 |
System and method for selectively redacting information in electronic documents
A computer implemented system and method is provided for imposing access controls on selective portions of electronic documents by defining data attributes as conditions for access to particular information in a document. Commands from a redactor identify at least one portion of an electronic document to be subject to access control. A set of selectable access control directives defining conditions for accessing the identified portions is presented to the redactor. Access control is imposed on the identified portions in accordance with the defined conditions in response to receiving the selective access control directives. |
| US08904553B2 |
Resource expression for access control
Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing an expression of a resource for access control are described herein. One or more business security profiles associated with a user are received. The business security profile is defined including a resource expression. The resource expression can include a resource expression with a quantifier or the resource expression without a quantifier. Further, a net profile of the user is computed using symbolic calculus on the resource expression of the one or more business security profiles. The net profile of the user includes a set of granted resources and a set of denied resources. Based upon the computed net profile, access to a resource is authorized for the user. |
| US08904549B2 |
Server system, control method, and storage medium for securely executing access to data of a tenant
In a multitenant service, security of the entire service is guaranteed by logically separating data for each tenant, and performing control to prevent access to data of another tenant. In an operation of the multitenant service, there are some special cases in which an access to data of another tenant becomes necessary. Further, processing executable across tenants needs to be subjected to restrictions on an executor of the processing and a processing target in addition to restrictions on a processing content. In data access control of the multitenant service, a control operation to determine whether processing is executable across tenants for each API and a control operation to determine whether processing is executable across tenants according to tenant categories of the executor and the processing target are performed. |
| US08904547B2 |
Notification upon exposure to offensive behavioral patterns in collaboration
A system and method for protecting a user from offensive behavior in communications and notifying the user and/or an enforcement entity of the offensive behavior. The offensive content analysis system monitors communications between users for offensive behavior. The offensive content analysis system may measure the level of current offense in the communication and determine a historical offensive behavior pattern for the user. The offensive content analysis system may then determine if the offensive behavior, both current and historical, rises to a threshold behavior level. The offensive content analysis system may take notification action if the offensive behavior meets the threshold level. |
| US08904546B2 |
Digital rights management method and digital rights management-enabled portable device
A DRM method and DRM-enabled portable device for controlling playback of DRM content on the basis of content usage log is disclosed. A digital rights management method for a portable device of the present invention includes playing a content item recording, when an abnormal playback stop event is detected, a stop time point in a playback session of the content item on a usage log and controlling a next playback of the content item with reference to the recorded stop time point. The DRM method and DRM-enabled portable device of the present invention further manages the licenses issued for the DRM content stored in the portable device by updating the licenses even when the DRM content are abnormally closed during its playback session. |
| US08904544B2 |
Restrictions to data transmission
Data received at, or created on, a device may be tagged as corporate dependent upon a service over which the data is received or an application in which the data is created. When a user attempts to insert tagged data into a data item that is to be transmitted by the device, the insertion may be prevented. Similarly, the transmission of tagged data may be restricted to only occur on a secure service. |
| US08904541B2 |
Performing security assessments in an online services system
A system and method for performing security assessments in an online services system. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an accepted security assessment agreement from a user, where the security assessment agreement is associated with a software application utilized in an online services system. The method also includes receiving configuration data associated with the software application; receiving scanning data associated with the software application; and sending the configuration data and scanning data to one or more security assessment systems. |
| US08904540B1 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer
A method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer are described. In some examples, attributes of an operating system on the computer are analyzed to assign values to operating system state variables. Attributes of application software installed on the computer are analyzed to assign values to application software state variables. Weights are assigned to the operating system state variables and the application software state variables based on the respective values thereof. A hygiene rating for the computer is determined based on the weights, the hygiene rating indicative of the propensity of the computer to attract malware. |
| US08904539B2 |
Location constraints for template access and form activities
A system and method for limiting access to one or more forms based on a location constraint is described. A form access module retrieves one or more forms on a portable computing device, determines a location of the portable computing device, determines whether the location of the portable computing device is within a region where form access is granted, granting access to the one or more forms responsive to the location of the portable computing device being within the region, receiving strokes from a first user in at least one field on the one or more forms and storing the one or more forms and the strokes received on the one or more forms. |
| US08904538B1 |
Systems and methods for user-directed malware remediation
A computer-implemented method for user-directed malware remediation may include 1) identifying a window within a graphical user interface of a computing environment, 2) identifying a user-directed interface event directed at the window, 3) determining, based at least in part on the user-directed interface event, that a process represented by the window poses a security risk, and 4) performing a remediation action on the process based on determining that the process poses the security risk. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08904533B2 |
Determining heavy distinct hitters in a data stream
A data traffic monitor for determining a heavy distinct hitter (HDH) in a data stream, the data stream comprising a plurality of element-value (e,v) pairs, includes a HDH module, the HDH module configured to receive the plurality of (e,v) pairs from the data stream; and a counter block in communication with the HDH module, the counter block comprising a plurality of hash functions, and further comprising a respective pair of distinct counting primitives associated with each hash function of the plurality of hash functions, wherein each of the plurality of (e,v) pairs is added to one of the distinct counting primitives of the respective pair of distinct counting primitives for each of the plurality of hash functions in each of the plurality of counter blocks. |
| US08904529B2 |
Automated deployment of protection agents to devices connected to a computer network
Network traffic is monitored to detect attempted inter-network communications, including attempts by devices internal to the network to communicate with resources external to the network and attempts by devices external to the network to establish VPN sessions with resources internal to the network. Upon detecting an attempted inter-network communication, the device responsible for initiating such communication is identified. Then, it is determined whether the identified device is running a valid protection agent. If so, the attempted inter-network communication is permitted. If not, the attempted inter-network communication is blocked in compliance with a network security policy and the identified device is prompted to download and install a protection agent from a designated storage location, or to activate a previously installed protection device. The prompt may include a hyperlink for initiating download of the protection agent. |
| US08904526B2 |
Enhanced network security
A system may receive a plurality of security threats and categorize each security threat in the plurality of security threats into security threat categories. The system may then determine, based at least in part upon an instance of a security threat category, a future occurrence of the security threat category and determine, based at least in part upon the future occurrence of the security threat category, that the security threat category is an emerging threat. |
| US08904522B1 |
Universal communications gateway
The disclosure relates to a classification system which includes a classification circuit which may determine a classification of a signal based on comparing signal data received via a sensor to data in a database. The classification circuit may determine an interface protocol based on the classification. |
| US08904518B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program distribution system
An information processing device includes an external connection unit which connects to an external device; and a communication control unit which obtains data from a first virtual machine, transmits the data to a second virtual machine, and transmits, to the external connection unit, transmission completion information indicating that the data is already transmitted to the second virtual machine. The external connection unit (i) determines, based on the transmission completion information, whether or not a virtual machine is the second virtual machine to which the data is already transmitted, when the external connection unit receives, from the virtual machine, a request for a connection to the external device, and (ii) permits a connection between the virtual machine and the external device, when the external connection unit determines that the virtual machine is not the second virtual machine to which the data is already transmitted. |
| US08904517B2 |
System and method for contexually interpreting image sequences
A system and method for contextually interpreting image sequences are provided. The method comprises receiving video from one or more video sources, and generating one or more questions associated with one or more portions of the video based on at least one user-defined objective. The method further comprises sending the one or more portions of the video and the one or more questions to one or more assistants, receiving one or more answers to the one or more questions from the one or more assistants, and determining a contextual interpretation of the video based on the one or more answers and the video. |
| US08904516B2 |
System and method employing an agile network protocol for secure communications using secure domain names
A system for connecting a first network device and a second network device includes one or more servers. The servers are configured to: (a) receive, from the first network device, a request to look up a network address of the second network device based on an identifier associated with the second network device; (b) determine, in response to the request, whether the second network device is available for a secure communications service; and (c) initiate a virtual private network communication link between the first network device and the second network device based on a determination that the second network device is available for the secure communications service, wherein the secure communications service uses the virtual private network communication link. |
| US08904513B2 |
Apparatus and method for filtering IP packets
The method can be implemented on a processor executing software instructions stored in memory. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes receiving an Ethernet frame, wherein the Ethernet frame comprises a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header, wherein the TCP header comprises a TCP header length value. When the Ethernet frame is received, the TCP header length value is compared to a predetermined value. |
| US08904504B2 |
Remote keychain for mobile devices
An app of a mobile device registers the mobile device for a remote credential server (RCS) and receives a device token. When a credential for a remote asset is supplied on the mobile device it is routed to the RCS and stored external to the mobile device but referenced on the mobile device via an asset token. When the credential is needed, the device token and the asset token permit the RCS to authenticate and return the credential to or on behalf of the mobile device so that the mobile device can authenticate to and access the remote asset. |
| US08904496B1 |
Authentication based on a current location of a communications device associated with an entity
There is disclosed a method and system for use in authenticating an entity in connection with a computerized resource. An authentication request is received from entity for access to computerized resource. An input signal is received from a communications device associated with entity. The input signal comprises current location of communications device. The current location of communications device is derived from input signal. A location history in connection with communications device is captured. The location history comprises a record of discrete locations visited by communications device over a period of time. An analysis is performed between current location of the communications device and location history in connection with communications device. An authentication result is generated based on analysis between current location of communications device and location history in connection with communications device. The authentication result can be used for authenticating entity. |
| US08904490B2 |
Method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system
A method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system in which a do-not-contact list of one-way hashed consumer contact information is provided to a set of one or more entities. The set of entities determine whether certain consumers wish to be contacted with the do-not-contact list without discovering actual consumer contact information. |
| US08904484B2 |
System and method for client-server communication facilitating utilization of authentication and network-based procedure call
System and method for setting up a data communication are disclosed. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a client computing device for the data communication. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a server for the data communication. Method includes authenticating an encoding for a network-based procedure call interface for the server. Method includes binding the network-based procedure call interface to a protocol for a gateway interface of the server. Method includes facilitating verifying that a message size of a message transmitted to a module of the client computing device or to a module of the server is within a message size range. Method includes facilitating creating a tunnel to a module of the server, wherein the tunnel is for the data communication. Method includes facilitating creating a channel within the tunnel, wherein the channel is for the data communication. |
| US08904483B1 |
Serving approved resources
First data that identifies forbidden resources hosted outside a network that client devices on the network are not permitted to access, and second data that associates, for each forbidden resource, a permitted resource that the client devices on the network are permitted to access is maintained. Each permitted resource offers comparable services as its associated forbidden resource. A request from a client device for a forbidden resource is intercepted. The request is redirected to a permitted resource associated with the requested forbidden resource. |
| US08904481B2 |
Method and system for implementing a dynamic verification value
A method is disclosed, which includes receiving a message including an account identifier and a first verification value. The method uses the account identifier to select a dynamic verification value process from at least two dynamic verification value processes. Then, using the selected dynamic verification value process, a second verification value is determined. Next, the method determines if the first verification value and the second verification value match or are within an expected range. |
| US08904479B1 |
Pattern-based mobile device unlocking
A computer-implemented method of authenticating a user with a computing device is disclosed. The method involves displaying a grid of selectable visually-distinguishable graphical elements on a device display, receiving from a user of the device a drawn pattern across the selectable graphical elements, comparing the received drawn pattern to information representing a stored authentication pattern for the user, and unlocking access to functions on the device if the received drawn pattern substantially matches the stored authentication pattern. |
| US08904478B2 |
Inspecting code and reducing code size associated to a target
Code is associated to a target based on an inspection of the code. A target may be a device or a user. A number of code components may be inspected at one time and then transferred or otherwise associated to a target based on the target's profile. A code component may be a policy of an information management system. |
| US08904472B2 |
Validation of consistency and completeness of access control policy sets
Consistency and/or completeness of access control policy sets may be validated and/or verified. An access control policy set may be received. The access control policy set may include access control policies that allow or disallow access to computing resources. Individual ones of the access control policies may include one or more attributes. The one or more attributes of a given access control policy may be ordered into a predetermined order responsive to the one or more attributes of the given access control policy lacking the predetermined order. A decision tree may be generated based on the access control policies. The decision tree may be analyzed to determine one or more of (1) whether one or more of the access control policies are incomplete, or (2) whether one or more of the access control policies are inconsistent with one or more other ones of the access control policies. |
| US08904471B1 |
Policy system for E-procurement
A method for utilizing a policy system in the requisitioning of goods or services over a network, the network connected to a server, thereby allowing communication between the server and a plurality of users, each user having a login ID and belonging to one of a plurality of classes, the method comprising: the server storing each user's login ID, each user's class information, and a plurality of policies, wherein the class information comprises the identification of each class to which the user belongs, and each policy is associated with a class; a user logging into the server using the user's login ID; the user providing search input to the server; the server processing the search input; the server determining the appropriate policies, wherein the appropriate policies are policies that are determined to be associated with the user's class information; and the server providing the appropriate policies to the user. |
| US08904470B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing media distribution
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain a delivery session with a set top box for streaming of media content thereto where the media content is multiple content from a plurality of media sources, maintain retrieval sessions for each of the plurality of media sources where the controller switches between the retrieval sessions to obtain the media content while maintaining the delivery session, and temporarily store the media content in a buffer for the streaming to the set top box using the delivery session. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08904469B2 |
Distribution of ambience and content
A system for supporting entertainment distribution via at least one network comprises a content provider (100) for distributing a program; a metadata provider (102) for distributing metadata, the metadata including a content reference identifier of the program and data relating to ambience complementing the program. The system further comprises a user terminal (118) comprising an input (106) for receiving the metadata; an input (106) for receiving the program using the content reference identifier; a rendering unit (116) for rendering the received program; an ambience generator (108) for generating an ambient effect different from audio or video; and an ambience controller (110) for controlling the ambience generator synchronously with the rendering of the content, based on the received data relating to ambience complementing the program. |
| US08904462B2 |
System and method for communication resource information
A system for communicating resource information may include a resource reservation proxy module to receive a first signal including resource request information. The resource reservation proxy module may be associated with a first environment associated with a requesting application. The resource reservation proxy module may process the received resource request information into a resource request packet, and communicate the resource request packet utilizing an environmentally independent communication protocol. A resource reservation handler module may receive the communicated resource request packet. The resource reservation handler module may be associated with a second environment associated with a resource management application. The resource reservation handler module may process the received resource request packet into a second signal including the resource request information. |
| US08904458B2 |
System and method for pre-caching a first portion of a video file on a set-top box
A method of pre-caching video content is provided and includes measuring an available bandwidth of a data connection to a set top box. The available bandwidth measurement can be an average available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box or a minimum available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box. Each of a plurality of video files is divided into a first portion and a second portion and the size of each first portion is based on the available bandwidth measurement. The first portion of each of the plurality of video files is downloaded over the data connection and stored in a memory within the set top box. A list is displayed at a display device and includes a list of video titles that correspond to the plurality of video files that have only a first portion downloaded to the memory. |
| US08904446B2 |
Method and apparatus for indexing content within a media stream
An approach provides indexing of media content capable of effectively controlling playback availability of the vast variety of media content. A recording of a video session associated with a media stream is initiated. A portion of the video session is selected. And an index for playback of the selected portion and for playback of the video session is configured, wherein the selected portion is played back when the video session is unavailable for playback. |
| US08904445B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage bandwidth allocations in media delivery networks
A disclosed example method to manage network bandwidth allocation in a media delivery environment involves detecting insufficient bandwidth available to deliver requested media to a media receiver and presenting user-selectable options via the media receiver to allocate bandwidth to deliver the requested media to the media receiver. The example method also involves receiving a first user selection of one of the user-selectable options and implementing the selected one of the user-selectable options specifying a second user selection identifying a particular media stream to be delivered at a media quality that is lower than a higher media quality previously selected for that particular media stream. |
| US08904441B2 |
Systems and methods for providing program suggestions in an interactive television program guide
An interactive television program guide application is provided that queries a user regarding the user's interest in television programs and suggests television programs to the user based on the user's responses. The interactive television program guide application identifies a television program that is potentially of interest to the user. The interactive television program guide application then queries the user regarding the user's interest using questions that are formulated based on attributes associated with the identified television program. Using the user's responses to the questions, the interactive television program guide application identifies and suggests one or more television programs to the user. |
| US08904439B2 |
Program guide system with combination category search
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest. |
| US08904438B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing mini electronic program guide information in a digital broadcast receiver
A method and apparatus for providing Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information in a digital broadcast receiver, in which upon receipt of a request for EPG information from a viewer in a situation where specific broadcast content is being broadcasted, at least one pop-up window is sequentially activated in a partial region of a full screen, and at least one of the specific broadcast content and EPG information about broadcast content selected by the viewer is displayed on each of the activated at least one pop-up window. |
| US08904430B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time viewer interaction with a media presentation
Real-time participation within a media presentation is disclosed. A participant overlay may be generated by preprocessing a media presentation to extract a time-variant metadata stream associated with one or more interactive regions depicted in the media presentation. The participant overlay includes simulated physics, which may include boundaries of the interactive regions defined in accordance with content in said media presentation. A participant's interaction with said media presentation through the interactive regions may be captured and combined with the media presentation for display on a display. The interaction may comprise a user action upon one or more elements in the media presentation, a user action expressed in the media presentation through an avatar, or a user action in said media presentation in connection with a game element. |
| US08904425B2 |
Method for controlling and implementing blackout in IPTV networks
A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast. |
| US08904423B2 |
Web to video-on-demand system, authentication engine and method for using same
A system, an authentication engine and a method are described herein for authenticating an end user and associating their set-top box with a third party web based application to stream a third party video to the set-top box. In one example, the end user may utilize a client device (e.g., computer, laptop computer, smart phone) to access via the internet the third party video provider which lists a number of videos that the end user could watch on their television. The end user would select one of the videos to watch and then their cable provider would stream the video to the end-user's set-top box to be displayed on their television. To enable this service, the authentication system authenticates the end user and associates their set-top box with the third party video provider's web based application. |
| US08904420B2 |
Content recognition and censorship
A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided. |
| US08904417B2 |
Receiving device and method, transmitting device and method, and program
The present disclosure provides a receiving device including, a receiver that receives AV content, a detector, an acquirer, a tentative reservation registering part, and a definitive reservation registering part. |
| US08904416B2 |
Content playback apparatus, content playback method, program, and integrated circuit
A content playback apparatus (100) includes: a viewing target content obtaining unit (20) obtaining the viewing target content; a viewer detecting unit (10) detecting a first viewer who views the viewing target content played back by the content playback apparatus; a viewer content selecting unit (204) selecting, from among viewer contents, a viewer content having a matching degree higher than a predetermined threshold, the matching degree indicating an amount of common points between the first viewer detected by the viewer detecting unit and a second viewer who views a same content as the viewing target content under temporally or spatially a different condition, and each of the viewer contents including information of video or sound of the second viewer; and a content playback unit (30) playing back the viewing target content obtained by the viewing target content obtaining unit and the viewer content selected by the viewer content selecting unit. |
| US08904407B2 |
Asynchronously refreshing, networked application with single-threaded user interface
An invention is disclosed for updating a networked, single-threaded application's data model without blocking the application's entire user interface. In embodiments of the invention, a client executes a networked application with a single-threaded user interface that communicates with a server to refresh its data model. The client sends a message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model. Before the data model has been refreshed, the client receives local user input to perform an action on the data model. The client sends a message to the server to cancel the refresh. When the client receives an acknowledgement from the server that the refresh has been cancelled, the client performs the action. After performing the action, the client sends a second message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model, and then refreshes the data model upon receiving the refreshed data model from the server. |
| US08904406B2 |
Coordination of tasks executed by a plurality of threads using two synchronization primitive calls
To coordinate tasks executed by a plurality of threads that each includes plural task sections, a call of a mark primitive to mark a first point after a first of the plural task sections is provided. Also, a call of a second primitive is provided to indicate that a second of the plural task sections is not allowed to begin until after the plurality of threads have each reached the first point. |
| US08904405B1 |
System and method for managing mainframe computer system usage
In mainframe computer system, workload tasks are accomplished using a logically partitioned data processing system, where the partitioned data processing system is divided into multiple logical partitions. In a system and method managing such a computer system, each running workload tasks that can be classified based on time criticality, and groups of logical partitions can be freely defined. Processing capacity limits for the logical partitions in a group of logical partitions based upon defined processing capacity thresholds and upon an iterative determination of how much capacity is needed for time critical workload tasks. Workload can be balanced between logical partitions within a group, to prevent surplus processing capacity being used to run not time critical workload on one logical partition when another logical partition running only time critical workload tasks faces processing deficit. |
| US08904400B2 |
Processing system having a partitioning component for resource partitioning
A processing system includes a resource that is accessible by a processor and resource partitioning software executable by the processor. The resource partitioning software may be executed to establish a resource partition for the resource. The resource partition defines a set of rules that are used to control access to the resource when a request for the resource is received from a software application and/or process. |
| US08904393B2 |
Transaction aggregation to increase transaction processing throughput
Provided are techniques for increasing transaction processing throughput. A transaction item with a message identifier and a session identifier is obtained. The transaction item is added to an earliest aggregated transaction in a list of aggregated transactions in which no other transaction item as the same session identifier. A first aggregated transaction in the list of aggregated transactions that has met execution criteria is executed. In response to determining that the aggregated transaction is not committing, the aggregated transaction is broken up into multiple smaller aggregated transactions and a target size of each aggregated transaction is adjusted based on measurements of system throughput. |
| US08904392B2 |
Shared performance monitor in a multiprocessor system
A performance monitoring unit (PMU) and method for monitoring performance of events occurring in a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processor devices units, each processor device for generating signals representing occurrences of events in the processor device, and, a single shared counter resource for performance monitoring. The performance monitor unit is shared by all processor cores in the multiprocessor system. The PMU is further programmed to monitor event signals issued from non-processor devices. |
| US08904391B2 |
Policy-based access control approach to staff activities of a business process
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for dynamically binding business process activities to human entities at deployment time. Identification information about a staff activity in a business process is received from a process server at an access control system external to the process server. Responsive to initiation of the business process, the staff activity is resolved at the access control system at runtime by assigning the staff activity to a user based on an access policy of the access control system to form a staff activity assignment. The staff activity assignment is communicated from the access control system to the process server. The process allows the development of the business process to be entirely decoupled from staff activity resolution at runtime. |
| US08904389B2 |
Determining performance states of components in a virtual machine environment based on performance states of related subcomponents
Techniques promote monitoring of hypervisor systems by presenting dynamic representations of hypervisor architectures that include performance indicators. A reviewer can interact with the representation to progressively view select lower-level performance indicators. Higher level performance indicators can be determined based on tower level state assessments. A reviewer can also view historical performance metrics and indicators, which can aid in understanding which configuration changes or system usages may have led to sub-optimal performance. |
| US08904386B2 |
Running a plurality of instances of an application
Running of a root instance of an application is started. The root instance includes at least one thread. In response to determining that a thread of the root instance runs to a preset freezing point in the application, running of all threads of the root instance is stopped. In response to starting to run an additional instance of the application, a running state of all threads of the root instance is replicated as a running state of all threads of the additional instance of the application. Running all threads of the additional instance of the application is continued. |
| US08904384B2 |
Reducing data transfer overhead during live migration of a virtual machine
A computer-implemented method is provided for reducing network traffic associated with live migration. The method comprises selecting a virtual machine on a first physical host for migration to a second physical host, and providing each application running in the selected virtual machine with notification that the migration has started. In response to receiving the notification that the migration has started, each application reducing the number of memory pages in use during the migration. The selected virtual machine and each application is then migrated from the first physical host to the second physical host, wherein the migration of each application includes migration of the reduced number of memory pages. Non-limiting examples of methods that may be used to reduce the number of memory pages includes identifying memory that contains garbage, reducing the size of the heap, increasing the pause time used for garbage collection, deferring just-in-time compilation of hot methods, and releasing caches and buffers. |
| US08904383B2 |
Virtual machine migration according to environmental data
Embodiments are directed to virtual machine migration according to environmental data in a data center. One embodiment is a method that analyzes environmental data for a data center having plural servers and migrates virtual machines among the servers to increase cooling efficiency in the data center. |
| US08904381B2 |
User defined data partitioning (UDP)—grouping of data based on computation model
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for generating application-aware data partitioning to support parallel computing. A label for a user defined data partitioning (UDP) key is generated by a labeling process to configure data partitions of original data. The UDP is labeled by the labeling process to include at least one key property excluded from the original data. The data partitions are evenly distributed to co-locate and balance the data partitions and corresponding computations performed by computational servers. A data record of the data partitions is retrieved by performing an all-node parallel search of the computational servers using the UDP key. |
| US08904379B2 |
Centrally controlled proximity based software installation
An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented process for a centrally controlled proximity based software installation receives a request to install a software package, sends a list of machines associated with the received request to a rules engine and generates a set of proximity groups using the list of machines. The computer-implemented process uploads the software package of the received request to a selected machine within a proximity group of the set of proximity groups, instructs the selected machine to install the software package and instructs the remaining machines associated with the proximity group of the selected machine to download the software package from the selected machine and to install the software package. Responsive to a determination that no more requests exist, the computer-implemented process reports to a central installer. |
| US08904375B2 |
Systems and methods for providing an embedded service-oriented user interface integration bus
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for providing an embedded service-oriented user interface integration bus. According to one embodiment, a system can be provided having a memory for storing computer executable instructions and a processor in communication with the memory via a computer interface. The processor can be adapted to execute computer executable instructions for receiving a user interface service request from an application module associated with a first platform. The processor can also be adapted to transform the user interface service request from the application module to a user interface service request for a host platform. The processor can also be adapted to match the transformed user interface service request to a platform service on the host platform and to transform the platform service for the host platform into a platform service for the client. |
| US08904374B2 |
Firmware update data generating apparatus and information device
There is provided a firmware updating technique for which consumed memory and writing time are small for devices subject to a firmware update, for which the distributed update size is small, and which is performed via a broadcast network. To this end, assuming that the latest firmware version is N, there is provided a means that extracts differences between firmware of version j−i and firmware of version i (j−1→j differences) for j=2 to N, and that distributes these differences together via the broadcast network. With respect to a device subject to an update comprising firmware of version i, there is provided a means that saves, of the distributed j−1→j differences (where 2≦j≦N), only the differences for which j |
| US08904372B2 |
Dialog to service conversion method and system
A computer implemented system and method includes accessing an application dialog from a computer readable storage device, wherein the application dialog contains process modules having interface operations and business logic. Process module commands are identified via the computer that are invalid for a service and identifying options for remediation of such commands. A completed process module that has invalid commands removed is compiled as a service procedure. A remote procedure definition and a service wrapper interface are created and stored in a computer readable storage device. |
| US08904367B1 |
Auto pipeline insertion
A system and method automatically inserts pipelines into a high-level program specification. An Intermediate Representation (IR) builder creates one or more graphs or trees based on the high-level program specification. A scheduler iteratively applies a bounded scheduling algorithm to produce an execution schedule for the IR minimizing overall execution time for a given number of pipeline stages. A Hardware Description Language (HDL) code generator may utilize the pipelined, scheduled IR to generate optimized HDL code corresponding to the high-level program specification. An annotated version of the high-level program specification showing where the pipelines have been inserted may be displayed allowing additional design exploration. |
| US08904366B2 |
Use of vectorization instruction sets
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for use of vectorization instruction sets. One embodiment of a method for generating vector instructions includes receiving source code written in a high-level programming language, wherein the source code includes at least one high-level instruction that performs multiple operations on a plurality of vector operands, and compiling the high-level instruction(s) into one or more low-level instructions, wherein the low-level instructions are in an instruction set of a specific computer architecture. |
| US08904363B2 |
Projecting software and data onto client
A software application written for a server environment is transformed into one which runs in a rich client environment. An entity model defines data sources as they are accessed from the server and as they are accessed from the clients. An application programming interface defines stereotyped interfaces which provide the same functionality on the server and the clients. A metadata model describes the components which make up the application and defines the differences in structure between the server and clients. The metadata model also defines mappings between components used on the server and clients. Settings and context information which tailor the activation and functionality of the components is also captured in the metadata model. Automated transformation is performed by using the mappings to identify the component set to use for the clients, selecting the client version of the application programming interfaces, and selecting the appropriate settings and context information. |
| US08904360B2 |
Automated identification of redundant method calls
Embodiments of the invention may provide for collecting specified data each time that a call to a given method occurs, wherein a given call to the given method is associated with a set of arguments comprising one or more particular argument values for the given method, and the collected data includes an element uniquely identifying each of the particular argument values. The process may further include storing the collected data at a selected location, and selecting a call threshold for the given method, wherein the call threshold comprises a specified number of occurrences of the given call to the given method, when the program is running. The collected data may be selectively analyzed at the storage location, to determine whether an occurrence of the given call to the given method has exceeded the call threshold. |
| US08904358B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for synchronizing software verification flows
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for synchronizing a software verification flow of an application under test (AUT) that uses a user interface. Various embodiments of the methods identify generic application programming interface(s) (API(s)), map menu items of the AUT to logical names, and generate generated API(s) based on the generic API(s) and the mapping results. Some embodiments further generate a custom API by using generated API(s) and implement synchronization accordingly. Some embodiments are directed at a hardware system for performing various methods, while some other embodiments are directed at an article of manufacture for storing a sequence of instructions for various methods disclosed herein. |
| US08904355B2 |
Test script generation system
A test script generation system may generate end-to-end test scripts to test a software application. A workflow generator may generate recommendations of suggested modules corresponding to domain-specific reference application maps to include in a workflow. A visual representation of the workflow may be generated and provide an indication of suggested modules that have not been included in the workflow. A script generator may generate the end-to-end test scripts based on the workflow. |
| US08904352B2 |
Systems and methods for processing source code during debugging operations
Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include displaying, during debugging of source code having corresponding executable code, a screen including a first section, wherein a variable name included in the source code is displayed in a first format in the first section, receiving a user selection of the variable name, converting, by using a processor, the first format of the variable name to a second format in response to the received selection, wherein the variable name includes a plurality of characters and converting the first format of the variable name to the second format includes converting the characters to uppercase, searching for a corresponding variable name in the executable code, and displaying, on the display device, a second section including the corresponding variable name, wherein the variable name is displayed in a third format in the second section. |
| US08904351B2 |
Maintenance of a subroutine repository for an application under test based on subroutine usage information
Embodiments of the invention relate to maintaining a repository of subroutines used by a software program under test based on an analysis of subroutine usage logs. One aspect of the invention concerns a method that comprises analyzing a log of subroutine usage by an application under test to identify subroutines used by the application based on actions in the subroutines, and comparing the identified subroutines against a repository of subroutines applicable to the application. The method may further designate a subroutine in the repository as a matching subroutine, modify or delete a subroutine, or add a new subroutine to the repository. |
| US08904349B2 |
Selectively applying changes to a version of a component
Controlling how changes made to a version of a reusable component (e.g., for displaying in a graphical user interface) are applied, or not applied, to another version or versions of that component. A variation is defined, the variation comprising a set of overridden property values for the component. The variation is derived from a version of the component, and inherits property values from the version and also from its ancestors, if applicable. To reuse the component, the reuse may be derived from the variation, in which case the reuse inherits the overridden property values through the variation, provided the variation is turned on, and through the version from which the variation was derived if the variation is turned off. A particular variation may be turned on and off within an inheritance chain. |
| US08904346B1 |
Method and system for automated load testing of web applications
A method for an automated load testing of server applications. The method employs load testing of a server part of a web application by execution of a client part of a web application inside a Runtime Environment, instead of an execution inside a browser. This allows for launching of a large number of client applications simultaneously and creating significant server traffic (i.e., server load). Running the application inside the Runtime Environment minimizes the resources required for multiple launches of thousands of applications in parallel. The proposed method allows for application developer to control test scenarios and effectively process the server responses. |
| US08904345B2 |
System and method for orchestration of customization for a user experience
A system and method for orchestration of customization for a user experience is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes identifying a plurality of modules included in a webpage; discovering dependencies between each of the modules of the plurality of modules; designating at least one module of the plurality of modules for retaining dependency state information, the dependency state information including information indicative of states of dependencies between modules of the plurality of modules; and executing the modules of the webpage in an order indicated by the dependency state information. |
| US08904344B2 |
Managing characteristics variation within software solution packages
Various embodiments of systems and methods for managing characteristics variations within solution packages are described herein. In one aspect, the method includes displaying one or more identifiers corresponding to one or more solution packages, receiving a user selection of the solution package, rendering industries and countries supported by the selected solution package, receiving a user selection of at least one of the countries and the industries, based upon the selection of at least one of the one or more countries and the one or more industries, identifying modeling element(s) associated with the solution package, receiving a user selection of the modeling element, and based upon the user selection, providing one or more configuration blocks for configuring the selected solution package by setting or configuring the corresponding one or more characteristics of the modeling element. The configuration may be for specifying applicable industries and/or countries for the modeling element. |
| US08904336B1 |
Determination of meta-stable latch bias voltages
A latch is analyzed to determine meta-stable voltage bias points, which are then used to determine one or more of a settling time of the latch, a mean time before failure (MTBF) for a synchronizing circuit using the latch, or a regeneration time constant (Tau). The latch is analyzed by decomposing the latch circuit into a feed-forward circuit and a feedback circuit and then determining a first transfer function for the feed-forward circuit and a second transfer function for the feedback circuit. The transfer functions are then used to solve for meta-stable voltage bias points. The meta-stable voltage bias points are used as an initial condition for a simulation or measurement of the latch in order to measure settling time. The voltage curve during the settling time of the latch is used to calculate a value for Tau. |
| US08904329B2 |
Systems and methods for single cell product path delay analysis
Methods and systems for qualifying a single cell with product path delay analysis are provided. A method includes designing a product using a model from an initial test site. The method also includes creating performance path tests for one or more paths on the product. The method further includes measuring performance path parameters of the product. The method includes determining that the measured performance path parameters match predicted performance path parameters. |
| US08904328B2 |
Support apparatus and design support method
A design support apparatus includes a detecting unit and a removing unit. The detecting unit detects a resistor whose terminals are open except one terminal and which has a resistance less than or equal to a threshold, from among resistors included in a circuit model representing a circuit. The removing unit removes the detected resistor from the circuit model. |
| US08904324B2 |
Parameterized cell for planar and finFET technology design
A parameterized cell for planar and finFET designs is provided. A parameterized cell (Pcell) describing a planar design is integrated with fin-based design criteria, including fin pitch. For material regions in a planar design that have a corresponding region in a fin design, a quantized value based on the fin pitch is computed. The material can include regions such as active area silicon, contact regions, and local interconnect regions. |
| US08904323B1 |
Dynamic time domain randomization techniques for SOC and IP verification
The present disclosure describes a memory block manager. In some aspects a request is transmitted to a model of an IP block at a randomized time and a response is received from the model of the IP block useful to characterize behavior of the IP block when fabricated. In other aspects a response to a request is transmitted to a model of an IP block at a randomized time and a communication is received from the model of the IP block useful to characterize behavior of the fabricated IP block when fabricated. |
| US08904322B2 |
Structure for stacked CMOS circuits
An automated method of modifying a semiconductor chip design includes creating a timing analysis of said semiconductor chip design, identifying a plurality of gates in said semiconductor chip design which have either too fast a rising edge or falling edge, for each gate in said plurality of gates adding a stacked transistor to provide delay to the rising or falling edge of the gate. A design structure tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, the design structure includes a CMOS device having a first transistor with a first input, a pair of stacked transistors having a second input, and an output. |
| US08904321B1 |
System and method for automatically generating coverage constructs and constraint solver distributions
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for electronic design simulation. The method may include providing, using at least one computing device, an electronic design and associating, using the at least one computing device, one or more identifiers with each constraint solver call utilized in a simulation of the electronic design. The method may further include automatically generating, using the at least one computing device, a coverage model for one of more constraints associated with the electronic design, the coverage model being based upon, at least in part, the one or more identifiers. |
| US08904315B2 |
Circuit arrangements and associated apparatus and methods
There is provided a method comprising: examining the location of one or more feature(s) of the one or more component(s) of a circuit arrangement to determine the displacement of the location of said one or more associated communication contact(s) with respect to a designed location for the communication contact(s), and providing corrective communication path layout data of said circuit arrangement based upon the said displacement(s). |
| US08904306B1 |
Variable speed scrolling
A method, system, and medium are provided for allowing a user to scroll through a list of items on a display, such as contacts, pictures, or other files, at variable speeds, which provides for fast, yet accurate scrolling. The user provides an indication to scroll through the list of items, such as pressing and dragging or flicking through the list. This indication may include a starting point and ending point at a certain location on the display. Depending on where the user provides this indication on the display, a scroll speed is determined at which to scroll through the list of items. As the indication of a scroll action progresses from one side of a display to the other, the scrolling speed increases such that the exact same scroll action corresponds to differing scrolling speeds, depending on the position of the user's indication of a scroll action on the display. |
| US08904301B2 |
Mobile terminal data refreshing method and mobile terminal
The present invention discloses a mobile terminal data refreshing method and a mobile terminal. The above method comprises: updating interface image data of a HOME User Interface (HOME UI) and/or a local top bar, synthesizing interface image of the HOME UI and the local top bar into top bar image data with transparency; and displaying the top bar image data in the top bar window of the desktop of the mobile terminal. According to the technical solution provided in the present invention, the local top bar can be easily integrated into the HOME UI to implement translucent display style, and all functions of the top bar of the HOME UI can not be affected. |
| US08904299B1 |
Graphical user interface for analysis of a sequence of data in object-oriented environment
A tool for analyzing a sequence of data in an object-oriented environment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sequence of data may include time-indexed sequence of data (“time series data”). The tool may provide graphical user interfaces that enable a user to analyze the time series data encapsulated in a time series object or time series collection object. The graphical user interfaces may enable a user to create a time series object and manipulate the data in the time series object or time series collection object. The graphical user interfaces may also display the data in the time series object or time series collection object in various types of plots, such as time plots, spectral plots, x-y plots, correlation plots and histograms. |
| US08904295B2 |
Web-based interactive meeting facility with recommendations to users
A computer implemented method for providing recommendations for an in-person meeting group, the method comprising: collecting user information, wherein the user information provides information related to topical interests and location information for at least one of a plurality of users; comparing the user information with a topical listing of in-person meeting groups in the same geographical region as the at least one user, wherein the in-person meeting group is formed and maintained through a web-based meeting facility; and providing an in-person meeting group recommendation to the at least one user based on the comparison. |
| US08904293B2 |
Minimizing delays in web conference switches between presenters and applications
A method for minimizing delays in web conference switches between presenters and applications may include receiving a key frame of content selected by a user for sharing in response to the user being a presenter and having content to share. The method may also include storing the key frame of the selected content in a buffer in response to the user not being a current presenter. The method may additionally include sharing the key frame of the content with participants of the web conference, by the processing device, in response to an indication that a previous presenter has completed his presentation and the user being a next presenter in a presenter queue. |
| US08904292B2 |
Method and system for processing electronic mail
A method and system for processing email messages are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a first signal input indicative of a request that contents of a selected email message be displayed on a display associated with a client computer device, wherein the contents are stored in a memory device associated with a server computer device and include contents of at least one other email message. The method further includes causing displaying of the contents of the selected email message for reviewing by the user. The method additionally includes making a determination of whether the contents of the at least one other email message have been reviewed by the user during the user's review of the contents of the selected email message, and providing an indication regarding whether or to what extent the at least one other email message has been read based upon the determination. |
| US08904289B2 |
Play control of content on a display device
A system for presenting and controlling content on a display device includes a network, a server system coupled to the network and comprising one or more servers, a display device coupled to the network and having a display, and a personal computing device operable to transmit a first message according to a specified format over the network to the server system. The server system stores an association between the personal computing device and the display device. The first message identifies user-selected content and a media player to play the content. The server system is operable, in response to receiving the first message from the personal computing device, to provide to the display device a second message identifying the user-selected content and the media player to play the content. In response to receiving the second message, the display device is operable to obtain a first media player needed to play the content, to load the media player and to present the content on the display. |
| US08904285B2 |
Keyword extraction apparatus and program
According to one embodiment, a keyword extraction apparatus includes a display, a first calculation unit, a scroll unit, a first generation unit, an extraction unit, a scoring unit and a second generation unit. The first calculation unit calculates a partial region indicating a part of the document displayed. The scroll unit scrolls the document to display other than the partial region in a document. The scoring unit calculates scores of the keywords in accordance with positions that the keywords occur within the document. The second generation unit generates a window for selecting the keywords in descending order of the scores from first keywords. |
| US08904284B2 |
Object placeholders in electronic documents
An electronic book (“eBook”) reader application executing on an electronic device conserves non-volatile, random access memory by reading from non-volatile memory an electronic document page that includes text and at least one non-textual object (e.g., an image), storing the read electronic document page in volatile memory such that the at least one non-textual object is replaced with a placeholder that occupies less memory than the non-textual object (e.g., a blank rectangle having the same dimensions as the image), determining that the electronic document page stored in volatile memory is likely to be displayed imminently, and replacing the placeholder in the stored electronic document page with the non-textual object. |
| US08904282B2 |
Electronic device having capability for interpreting user inputs and method therefor
An electronic device operates including a method for interpreting user input within an electronic device, the method comprising steps of receiving a first character via a user input (105), concurrently displaying a plurality of modal interpretations associated with the first character (110), selecting one of the plurality of modal interpretations (115), and displaying one of a first character result in response to the selection of the one of the plurality of modal interpretations (120). |
| US08904279B1 |
Inhibiting automated extraction of data from network pages
Disclosed are various embodiments for inhibiting or preventing automated data extraction from network pages. A source for a network page having a document structure is obtained. An obfuscated network page is generated from the network page by altering the document structure to inhibit automated extraction of data. The obfuscated network page is configured to have a visual appearance that is the same as that of the network page when rendered by a client for display. The obfuscated network page is sent to the client in response to a request from the client for the network page. |
| US08904272B2 |
Method of multi-document aggregation and presentation
Methods and systems for multi-document aggregation provide data representing a redundancy graph constructed from a document or document set and determine the longest acyclic path in the document redundancy graph. Nodes of the longest path are assigned to a column to be displayed. Each node is assigned to a corresponding position in the column according to the node position in the path. Methods and systems for ordering multi documents for presentation can determine the content of a node of the redundancy graph and order the content for display. |
| US08904271B2 |
Methods and systems for crowd sourced tagging of multimedia
The invention relates to deploying a synchronization index and associated multimedia, for manipulations to the synchronization index, for navigation between the synchronization index and associated multimedia, and for synchronous playback of the multimedia and associated text, using a computing device. The system may use multimedia with a synchronized text transcription, or a synchronization index, on a computing device for viewing and manipulating the multimedia, using the synchronized text transcription. The computing device may be used to navigate the multimedia, annotate the text transcription, achieve synchronous play of the multimedia, and communicate to another computer manipulations performed on the text or multimedia. |
| US08904270B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enterprise document distribution
The invention provides, in some aspects, methods for electronic document distribution that permit automatic transmittal of a set of documents to one or more recipients. The set includes documents pre-existing at the time the distribution is specified, as well as at least one that is subsequently created. Such “mixed-mode” distribution can be used, for example, to effect automatic distribution of pre-existing word processing documents (or spreadsheets, etc.), along with a newly scanned document, e.g., a hand-written note. Distribution of the documents is triggered by creation of the latter document—in this example, the scanned hand-written note. |
| US08904268B2 |
Method, apparatus, and communication system for transmitting graphic information
The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus, and a communication system for transmitting graphic information. In the technical solution of the present invention, the graphic information carries a hyperlink and an identifier of the hyperlink so that when the terminal receives the graphic information, the terminal may judge, according to the identifier of the hyperlink, whether the hyperlink has been processed, and the terminal requests the graphic from the network according to the hyperlink only when determining that the hyperlink has not been processed, therefore ensuring an effective decrease in bandwidth consumption of broadcast or multicast channels, effectively avoiding repeated processing and presentation of a same hyperlink by the terminal, and reducing the complexity of the processing of the terminal. |
| US08904267B2 |
Retrieving slide show content from presentation documents
The present invention is a system, method and apparatus for converting a slide show presentation for use within a non-presentation application such as a Web conferencing or virtual classroom application. In accordance with the present invention, a slide show presentation in its native format can be processed to extract slide title information for each slide in the slide show presentation. Additionally, important text within slide further can be extracted. Each slide in the slide-show can be converted to a raster image and disposed within markup. The markup can be annotated with the important text and both the markup and the slide title can be provided to the non-presentation application for use in concert with the non-presentation application. In this way, the context of each slide can be preserved for use within the non-presentation application as can an image of each slide itself. |
| US08904265B2 |
Optimal period rate matching for turbo coding
Optimal period rate matching for turbo coding. A means is provided herein by which a nearly optimal (e.g., optimal for one block size and sub-optimal for others) periodic puncturing pattern that depends on a mother code. Any desired rate matching can be achieved using the means and approaches presented herein to ensure an appropriate rate of an encoded block output from a turbo encoder so that the subsequently modulated signal generated there from has the appropriate rate. In addition, some embodiments can also employ shifting for another design level available in accordance with puncturing employed to provide for periodic rate matching. Selectivity can also be employed, such that, a first periodic puncturing pattern can be applied at a first time to ensure a first rate, and a second periodic puncturing pattern can be applied at a second time to ensure a second rate. |