| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08905801B1 |
Marine outboard motor
A marine outboard motor comprises first and second cylinder blocks connected to a crankcase having a crankshaft. Each cylinder block contains a cylinder having a cylinder central axis, and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. First and second planes are defined by the first and second cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The first and second planes are at a first angle less than 120 degrees. The exhaust manifold is at least in part within a valley formed between the first and second cylinder blocks. A configuration with a third cylinder block opposite to the first and second cylinder blocks is also described. A third plane is defined by a third cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The third plane is at a second angle to the first plane and at a third angle to the second plane. The second and third angle can be equal. |
| US08905800B2 |
Inlet grate for a water jet propulsion system
An inlet grate for a water jet propulsion system to be used in a watercraft has a water passage having an inlet defined by a forward and a rearward area with respect to the watercraft. The inlet grate comprises a first end portion adapted to be connected to the forward area of the inlet and a second end portion adapted to be connected to the rearward area of the inlet as well as at least one elongated member extending from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The inlet grate also comprises at least one deflector having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end being adjacent to the first end portion of the inlet grate. |
| US08905797B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a housing, a first terminal, and a first lock. The housing includes a first receiving chamber and first recess positioned adjacent to the first receiving chamber. The first terminal is insertable into the first receiving chamber. The lock is securable to the housing and includes a horizontal base plate, a first pressing rod extending downward from the horizontal base plate and insertable into the first receiving chamber to press against the first terminal, and a first rotation prevention member extending downward from the horizontal base plate and insertable into the first recess to mate with the recess in a substantially gapless manner. |
| US08905793B2 |
Contacts for an electrical connector
An improved electronic contact assembly for electrical connectors is disclosed. A plurality of elongated metallic contacts may be formed, each having one or more protrusions that enable precision alignment within a connector. A plurality of the contacts may be insert-molded in a dielectric frame which may have alignment tabs, resilient alignment bosses, alignment posts and crushable combs, all enabling precise alignment of contacts within a connector. |
| US08905792B2 |
Connector receptacle with side ground contacts
Connector receptacles having a contoured form factor that allows their use in stylized enclosures. These receptacles may also be contoured to avoid circuitry internal to the device enclosure. The contoured form factor may also simplify the assembly of the connector receptacle. |
| US08905791B2 |
Single layer leadframe with integrated three-row connector
A lead frame assembly having a lead frame made of a single layer, a housing substantially surrounding the lead frame, and a plurality of leads formed as part of the lead frame. The lead frame assembly also includes a plurality of interfaces, allowing various devices to interact with the lead frame, such as sensors, thermistors, solenoids, engine controllers, or electronic control units, or the like. The interfaces may be formed as part of the lead frame, oriented in different directions, and may be located in different planes, making the lead frame assembly suitable for applications with different packaging requirements. The interfaces may be a plurality of connectors, where at least one of the plurality of connectors are disposed in the same plane as the lead frame, and another of the plurality of connectors is disposed in a different plane from the lead frame. |
| US08905787B2 |
Plug-type connector
A plug-in connector having an outer conductor electrically and mechanically connected to an outer conductor of a cable and forming an electromagnetic screen for the plug-in connector, and having an insulating part securing at least one inner conductor part in a predetermined position relative to the outer conductor part, and having a housing in which the outer conductor part and the insulating part are arranged. An anti-rotation lock is connected to the housing to be secure in rotation therewith and which fits through the outer conductor part and into the insulating part such that the insulating part and the housing are connected together by the anti-rotation lock to be secure in rotation with one another. |
| US08905781B2 |
Coaxial electrical connector having retaining arms and coaxial electrical connector assembly having the same
A coaxial connector assembly comprises a cable coaxial electrical connector and a board coaxial electrical connector mounted on a PCB and connecting to the cable coaxial electrical connector. The cable coaxial electrical connector defines a pair of retaining arms extending toward the board coaxial electrical connector, thereby the pair of retaining arms locking with the board coaxial electrical connector or the PCB to ensure a good engagement of the two coaxial connectors. |
| US08905780B2 |
Apparatuses and methods relating to extension cord with integrated cord management
One exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: (a) a first housing comprising an electrical plug; (b) a second housing comprising an electrical receptacle; and (c) a first electrical cord connecting the first housing to the second housing; wherein the second housing is configured to accept the electrical cord being wound around the second housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a third housing comprising an electrical receptacle; and a second electrical cord connecting the second housing to the third housing; wherein the third housing is configured to accept the second electrical cord being wound around the second housing. |
| US08905777B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with an improved latch mechanism
An electrical connector assembly (100) including a housing (1) having a channel (12) formed on a top surface thereof and extending along a mating direction, a latch mechanism (6) received in the channel and being capable of sliding in the channel, and a spring (8) received in the indentation. An indentation (1216) is formed in the channel. The spring is limited by the latch mechanism along a front to rear direction. The latch mechanism defines a block (6202) extending into the indentation and attached to a front end of the spring. |
| US08905770B2 |
Connector device with electrical connection detection function
Two connectors (20, 40) are separated until an initially connected state is reached by rotating a nut (70) in a loosening direction to release the nut (70) from a threadedly engaged state in a properly connected state of the two connectors (20, 40), and an interlock circuit is turned off during this time to set a power supply circuit to a cut-off state. A partial locking mechanism (80) is provided between the two connectors (20, 40) for preventing any further separation by locking the power-supply side connector (40) when the power-supply side connector (40) is separated up to an initial connection position and enabling the power-supply side connector (40) to be completely separated when a specified force or larger is applied to the power-supply side connector (40). |
| US08905768B2 |
Charging connector
A charging connector having a connector connection section disposed within an opening in the vehicle to which a plug is connected; an outer lid section which covers the opening; a resin arm which is pivotably supported within the opening and is bent so as to bypass the opening; and an outer lid hinge which allows the arm to pivot in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the opening. The arm has an extended section which describes a circular arc centering on the outer lid hinge, and also has a base section (root section). The portion of the opening which is located near the arm is substantially circular-arc-shaped. |
| US08905760B2 |
Methods and systems for progressively treating and controlling oral periopathogens causing systemic inflammations
Methods and systems for treating and controlling oral periopathogens that have been found to be associated with systemic inflammation and/or disease in a periodontal pocket, inhibiting their entry into the host circulatory system, and decreasing the systemic effects. A bacterial community present in one or more oral treatment regions is determined. A periodontal medicament delivery tray is prepared for the patient with the delivery tray being configured with one or more application regions, each configured for applying a medicament to a different one of the oral treatment regions. The medicaments are applied to each oral treatment region, including placing each medicament into a different application region of the delivery tray. Each of the applied medicaments is applied as a function of a determined efficacy of the medicament against the bacterial community determined to be in the oral treatment region associated with the application region in which each medicament is applied. |
| US08905757B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring a location and orientation of a plurality of implants
An apparatus is provided for measuring a location and orientation of each of a plurality of dental implants. The apparatus may include a base, and a plurality of extension members protruding from the base. Each of the plurality of extension members may be movable in relation to the base. Each extension member may include a proximal end connected to the base, a distal end, and a coping connected to the distal end. The coping may be movable in relation to a corresponding extension member. Furthermore, the coping may be adapted to be mechanically locked in a selected location and orientation. |
| US08905753B2 |
Device for restricting hot, dust-laden gas flows
In a device for restricting hot, dust-laden gas flows and, in particular, dust-laden hot cooling air from clinker coolers (4) in a tertiary air duct (5) of a clinker kiln, the restrictor (6) is formed by segments (8) which are displaceable transversely to the direction of flow in a duct (5) and which are connectable with one another. |
| US08905752B2 |
Burner apparatus
This burner apparatus (S1) includes: an ignition system (7) including a heating portion (7a, 7c) which heats air-fuel mixture to its ignition temperature or more; and a windbreak device (10) placed around the heating portion (7a, 7c) apart from the heating portion (7a, 7c), and configured to reduce a flow speed of fluid (X) which is supplied to the heating portion (7a, 7c). According to the burner apparatus (S1), it is possible to improve the ignition performance of the ignition system, and to also generate high-temperature gas stably. |
| US08905751B2 |
Molding machine having auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly configured to apply additional ejection force
A molding machine comprises a machine ejection assembly and an auxiliary ejection assistant assembly coupled to the machine ejection assembly, wherein the auxiliary assistant assembly is used to generate an additional ejecting force. |
| US08905749B2 |
Casting belt for producing transcendental wide width film
Disclosed is a casting belt used for manufacturing an optical film by means of a solvent casting process, in more detail, a casting belt for producing a transcendental wide width film which is used to produce a film in a gel state by casting a dope when manufacturing a film that is used for a polarizer of liquid crystal displays or optical compensation films. |
| US08905748B2 |
Deformation-based micro surface texturing system
A compact deformation-based micro-texturing apparatus and method employ flexure bearing houses for rotatably supporting opposite ends of each of a first (e.g. upper) roll and a second (e.g. lower) roll to provide a working roll gap between the rolls, wherein at least one of the rolls has one or more micro surface features to plastically deform a surface of a workpiece deformed by rolling action in the roll gap. An electrical current may be passed through the workpiece to assist micro deformation. A roll gap adjusting device is operably associated with the first and second flexure bearing houses for adjusting the roll gap dimension to the final depth of the micro surface features to be imparted to the surface of the workpiece by the rolling action. |
| US08905746B2 |
Cleaning mechanism for an injection molding machine
A cleaning mechanism for injection molding machine includes a base including a mounting frame, a driving member, a pushing member connected to the driving member, a first movable plate, a first clipping plate, a connection shaft rotatably connected to the first pushing plate, a second movable plate parallel to the first pushing plate, and a second clipping plate. First and second movable plates are movably mounted on the mounting frame. First and second clipping plates are mounted on the mounting frame. The first movable plate is fixed to and perpendicular to a first pushing plate of the pushing member. The second movable plate is corresponding to the first movable plate, and perpendicular to the first pushing plate. When the pushing member is driven by the driving member, the first movable plate moves relative to the first clipping plate, and the second movable plate moves relative to the second clipping plate. |
| US08905743B2 |
Hood for sucking-up fine particles, and a device intended for the laser ablation of a surface layer of a wall and including such a hood
The invention relates to a hood for sucking-up fine particles, including: a mouth intended to be placed close to a wall, a base having a window through which a laser beam can pass, an intermediate portion between the mouth and the base, and a suction outlet disposed on the intermediate portion of the hood and designed to suck-up fine particles. The hood is characterized in that it comprises at least one air intake positioned near the base and, during operation, capable of creating a stream of air at the base of the hood so as to prevent fine particles from being deposited on the window. |
| US08905741B2 |
Injection molding nozzle
In an injection molding nozzle with an elongated base body through which a channel for conducting a melt extends and which includes a heating element for the introduction of heat into the base body with temperature controlling heating coils disposed at the two ends of the temperature control element, means are provided for reducing the introduction of heat into the base body. |
| US08905739B2 |
Method and apparatus for layerwise production of a 3D object
A system and method of layerwise production of a tangible object (5), they system comprising a construction shape (6) to form a liquid layer to be brought in contact with the tangible object; solidifying means (9) for solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of the liquid (3), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5), the solid layer thus having a predetermined shape, separating means (18; 19′; 19″) for separating said solid layer from said construction shape; moving means (18) for moving, relative to one another, the construction shape (6) to a predetermined position relative to the tangible object (5), for carrying out a successive such method cycle for solidifying a predetermined area of a successive such liquid layer; the system is arranged to provide a limited volume of liquid adhered to the construction shape to form a liquid layer of limited height that does not contact the tangible object; wherein said moving of said construction shape and said solidifying of said predetermined area are carried out to take place simultaneously. |
| US08905736B2 |
Port for rotary internal combustion engine
A Wankel engine with a peripheral wall of the stator body including a non-circular opening formed therethrough and defining at least part of a port. The opening has a perimeter defined by a first edge and remaining edges, with the remaining edges being located downstream of the first edge with respect to a direction of rotation of the rotor. The remaining edges extend non parallel to a longitudinal axis of the apex seals. |
| US08905727B2 |
Isolated pressure compensating electric motor connection and related methods
Isolated pressure compensating electrical motor connections and related methods are provided. According to an example of a sealed motor electrical connection, the connection incorporates a sealed female motor connection positioned to receive a male motor connector. The female motor connector has one or more independent dielectric oil chambers each pressure compensated by a bellow or similar device interfaced with the motorhead oil and/or well annulus fluid to thereby pressure compensate the chamber pressure of the female motor connection with that of the internal motor and/or well annulus. This configuration locates the electrical connection point of the motor lead extension with the motor lead wires to a separate area outside the motor to thereby prevent the occurrence of phase to phase or phase to ground shorts occurring in this critical area due to conductive element contamination that may reside in the motor oil or the well bore fluids. |
| US08905725B2 |
Water-powered pump actuation system
A water powered pump actuation system configured to power a reciprocating element of a pump. The pump actuation system may comprise a base, a wheel rotatably attached to the base, an attachment element fixed to the wheel and configured to fix the reciprocating element to the wheel. Rotation of the wheel in a first direction raises the reciprocating element and rotation of the wheel in a second direction lowers the reciprocating element. The actuation system may also comprise a cable attached to the wheel and a container attached to the cable, such that rotation of the wheel in the first direction lowers the container and rotation of the wheel in the second direction raises the container. Wheel rotation is controlled by water being cyclically pumped into and then emptied from the container via a pump in a reservoir below the container. |
| US08905724B2 |
Oil supply apparatus for a vehicle
An oil supply apparatus for a vehicle may include an oil pump, a first rotary member provided to the oil pump such that the oil pump may be rotatably operated by the first rotary member, a second rotary member restricted from rotating with respect to the first rotary member in a first direction, the second rotary member being allowed to rotate with respect to the first rotary member in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third rotary member allowed to rotate in the first direction with respect to the first rotary member, the third rotary member being restricted from rotating with respect to the first rotary member in the second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the second rotary member and the third rotary member may be respectively connected to power sources providing drive forces in directions opposite to each other. |
| US08905723B1 |
Venturi
A marine jet pump with an adjustable venturi. An annularly compressible ring is affixed coaxially to the aft end of the pump housing. A collar coaxial to the ring is moveable coaxial to the ring. In a constricted mode the collar is mechanically forced over the aft end of the ring thereby reducing the diameter of the ring. In a dilated mode the collar is mechanically withdrawn to a predetermined degree from over the aft end of the ring allowing the ring to revert to it naturally dilated state. The transition between dilated mode and constricted mode can occur under full power. |
| US08905717B2 |
Turbine bucket lockwire rotation prevention
A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of first circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel; a plurality of second circumferentially-oriented retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of said buckets, the first and second circumferentially-oriented retention slots aligned to form an annular lockwire retention slot; and a lockwire located within the annular lockwire retention slot. A first surface feature on one or both of the turbine rotor wheel and one or more of said plurality of turbine buckets is adapted to engage a second surface feature on the lockwire for preventing rotation of the lockwire beyond predetermined limits. |
| US08905714B2 |
Turbine rotor blade platform cooling
A platform cooling arrangement in a turbine rotor blade having a platform at an interface between an airfoil and a root, wherein the rotor blade includes an interior cooling passage formed therein, wherein, in operation, the interior cooling passage comprises a high-pressure coolant region and a low-pressure coolant region, and wherein a suction side of the platform comprises a topside extending circumferentially from the airfoil to a suction side slashface, and wherein the suction side of the platform comprises an aft edge. The platform cooling arrangement may include: a manifold positioned within an aft side of the suction side of the platform; a high-pressure connector that connects the manifold to the high-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; a low-pressure connector that connects the manifold to the low-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; and heat transfer structure positioned within the manifold. |
| US08905713B2 |
Articles which include chevron film cooling holes, and related processes
An article is described, including an inner surface which can be exposed to a first fluid; an inlet; and an outer surface spaced from the inner surface, which can be exposed to a hotter second fluid. The article further includes at least one row or other pattern of passage holes. Each passage hole includes an inlet bore extending through the substrate from the inlet at the inner surface to a passage hole-exit proximate to the outer surface, with the inlet bore terminating in a chevron outlet adjacent the hole-exit. The chevron outlet includes a pair of wing troughs having a common surface region between them. The common surface region includes a valley which is adjacent the hole-exit; and a plateau adjacent the valley. The article can be an airfoil. Related methods for preparing the passage holes are also described. |
| US08905711B2 |
Ceramic matrix composite vane structures for a gas turbine engine turbine
A vane structure for a gas turbine engine according includes a multiple of CMC airfoil sections integrated between a CMC outer ring and a CMC inner ring. |
| US08905705B2 |
Omni-directional fan device
An omni-directional air flow device, for example, a fan or a vent associated with a fan, comprises a swivel control point providing almost a spherical range of motion of the air flow device so that air may flow in any direction. The omni-directional air flow device may comprise a user input device for receiving a program for controlling movement of the air flow device through a pre-determined path within the spherical range of motion and for controlling air flow velocity as the air flow device follows the pre-determined path. Moreover, the device may further comprise a controller and memory for storing data representing the pre-determined path and varying air flow velocities along the path. When provided with temperature and humidity sensors coupled to the processor, the processor may calculate a comfort index and adjust the pre-determined path or air flow velocity accordingly. Links between the sensors and the processor, the swivel point and the processor and the user input device and the processor may be wireless. |
| US08905701B2 |
Lift hand truck
Hand truck with a frame provided with a substantially vertical guide, two wheels which are situated near the bottom side of the guide and which are rotatable about a transverse shaft, a handle which is situated near the upper side of the guide, a lifting device comprising a lifting element which is displaceable along the guide and a lifting drive which is connected to the lifting element for displacing the lifting element, a motor for driving the wheels and a brake cooperating with the wheels for blocking the rotation of the wheels, in which a control device is provided which can be operated via the handle for switching the lifting drive and the motor on and off, characterized in that, in a lower driving position of the lifting element, the brake is released and, when the lifting element is moved from the lower driving position to a lifting position, the brake is engaged, in which case the wheels can be driven via the motor at a positioning speed. |
| US08905694B2 |
Self-locking screw
This invention relates to a self-locking screw (16; 116) in which the flanks (18; 118), which are loaded when the screw (16; 116) is screwed, are provided with an arched portion (20; 120). |
| US08905686B2 |
Triangle insert with multiple cutting edges and milling cutter therefor
An indexable insert has a triangular shape with a top surface and a bottom surface, as well as a circumferential surface that connects said the top and bottom surfaces, and cutting edges around the corners. At least in the region of its edges on the top and bottom surface, the indexable insert is identical such that all six cutting edges can be used for the same rotational cutting direction. The secondary cutting edges adjoin two main cutting edges and extend at different angles with respect to the same. In addition, a surface corner milling cutter with a corresponding indexable insert is described. |
| US08905685B2 |
Roughing insert and roughing end mill
This roughing insert is provided with an insert body, and a waveform cutting edge which is formed on an intersecting ridge line portion between a rake face and a flank face of the insert body, and which undulates along this intersecting ridge line portion. The waveform cutting edges are formed on the insert body respectively at positions which are rotationally symmetrical at predetermined angular intervals around a reference line of the insert bodies. These waveform cutting edges which are positioned rotationally symmetrically to each other are formed such that, when the insert bodies are rotated by the predetermined angle around the reference line, one or more portions of the waveform cutting edges do not match each other and are mutually asymmetrical. |
| US08905681B2 |
Pneumatic conveying process for particulate materials
A pneumatic conveying process transports plastic pellets from a manufacturing source to a bulk silo for storage before being delivered to the ultimate production utilization of the plastic pellets. Multiple types or multiple sources of plastic pellets can be fed through a common pneumatic conveying conduit to respective bulk silos for temporary storage with diverter valves being utilized to direct product into and out of the common conveying conduit. Expanded elbow fittings are deployed at each directional change in the conveying lines to eliminate the creation of streamers at conduit bends. The plastic pellets are conveyed at a medium velocity between dense and dilute phases to provide a gentle conveying operation. A closed loop air supply system is used for dedusting devices providing a final removal of dust and debris from the stored product before being delivered to the ultimate utilization facility. |
| US08905678B2 |
Method for transporting minerals and fossil fuels from underwater sources
The above invention pertains to the mining industry and can be applied for exploratory or industrial mining of oil, gas or gas hydrate from underwater sources and their transporting to or below the water surface.The purpose of the invention is to transport underwater mined oil, gas or gas hydrate to or below the water surface without using pipeline systems. The proposed transporting method utilizes submergable containers which gain positive buoyancy while being filled with the extracted materials.The proposed transporting method allows delivering mined materials continuously to the point of unloading, which can be located at or below the water surface.The proposed invention has an advantage of transporting simultaneously different types of extracted materials such as liquid, gaseous or solid to a water surface. |
| US08905677B2 |
Subsea fluid storage system and methods therefor
The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods by which one can safely and effectively store fluids in undersea environments. Fluid is stored in a flexible bladder that is at least partially enclosed in a vessel. The bladder is coupled to a support, which supports the weight of the bladder with the aid of a support driver. A sensor may be used to monitor the position of the support, allowing determination of the volume of the bladder. |
| US08905674B2 |
Integrated asphalt heating unit and comb
An integrated heating and comb unit and method of mechanized asphalt raking in which a mechanized asphalt comb comprised of a rake attachment and an arm is attached to an engineering vehicle via a terminating end of the arm. The engineering vehicle can control and manipulate the mechanized asphalt comb into a raised inactive position, a lowered active position, and a plurality of positions between the raised inactive position and the lowered active position. When in the lowered active position, the mechanized asphalt comb applies a fixed downward pressure and depth of penetration to the applied surface. |
| US08905671B2 |
High speed raceway barrier
A barrier alongside a raceway or track providing safety to spectators when a racecar tends to leave the raceway. The barrier has a rigid base wall for deflecting racecars that may contact it. Secured to the base and extending upwardly are spaced apart rigid posts. Each post is covered by a deflector. Horizontally extensive steel cables are secured to the posts and deflector; the cables being arranged in mutually parallel vertically spaced apart positions one above the next. The deflector provides stand-off legs to which a spectator safety screen is attached. Racecars may strike the base at high speed and may leave the raceway and contact the cables which will restrain them. The deflector provides angled surfaces for deflecting vehicles and flying parts back toward the raceway. Flying debris is prevented from reaching spectators by the safety screen. |
| US08905667B1 |
Scent dispenser for attachment to a hunter's boot
A scent dispenser includes a holder member that is removably attached to the back side and heel of a hunter's boot and has curved arms disposed at each side thereof, the holder attached to the boot by an elastic cord that extends from one arm, over the vamp portion of the boot, and is releasably attached to the other arm. The back side of the holder removably holds a scent containing bottle in an inverted position at the rear portion of the boot, the bottle having a cap with a sponge that extends a distance below the bottom of the boot heel to engage the ground surface and is compressed to deposit an amount of the scent onto the ground each time a step is taken to leave a scented trail to attract animals, or mask the smell of a human. The bottle may be removed and hung from another object. |
| US08905664B2 |
Cutter device and recording apparatus
A cutter device includes: a first cutter provided on a front surface side of a medium being fed to be cut; a second cutter that is provided on a back surface side opposite the front surface side and cuts the medium in cooperation with the first cutter; a carriage that retains the first and second cutters and moves in a width direction of the medium; a guide portion that guides the carriage in the width direction; and a post-cut guide portion that is provided on the carriage and comes into contact with the back surface to guide the medium on the downstream side of the first and second cutters in a medium feed direction after cutting to the front surface side. |
| US08905662B2 |
Method for acquiring and transporting multiple-item sets using a vacuum system
Methods and devices include a patterning device positioned along a processing path. The patterning device forms one or more holes through workpieces at a contact location of the workpieces. A transport device is positioned along the processing path. The transport device removes the workpieces from the processing path and stacks the workpieces by simultaneously moving at least two of the workpieces together in workpiece sets. The transport device comprising a vacuum device that contacts the contact location of the top workpiece within each of the workpiece sets. The vacuum device applies vacuum through the holes of the top workpiece to the bottom workpiece within each of the workpiece sets to maintain the workpieces together in the workpiece sets when performing the removing and the stacking. |
| US08905659B2 |
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 opposite the first upper surface. The second substrate is positioned 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 positioned on the first lower surface and includes a number of first conductive layers disposed apart from each other and including a carbon nanotube layer structure. The second electrode layer is positioned on the second upper surface and includes a second conductive layer. A number of keys is positioned on the first upper surface or the second lower surface. |
| US08905655B1 |
Shield module travel enlarging structure
A shield module travel enlarging structure includes a front cover and a rear cover formed with opposite windows. The front and rear covers are assembled to form a module main body having an internal operation space. A shield is mounted in the operation space and movable between a position in alignment with the opposite windows and a position misaligned from the opposite windows. A transmission gear is mounted in the internal operation space of the module main body to cooperate with the shield. The transmission gear at least has a large-gear-ratio gear and a small-gear-ratio gear. The large-gear-ratio gear is drivingly engaged with the shield. A push member is drivingly engaged with the small-gear-ratio gear. When the push member is moved, via the transmission gear, the shield is slid by an enlarged travel. |
| US08905653B2 |
Adapter transmitting with electrical and optical signals
An adapter includes a plug connector having a first housing defining a first mating port and a plurality of first terminals disposed in the first housing, and a receptacle connector having a second housing defining a second mating port and a plurality of second terminals disposed in the second housing and electrically connecting to the first terminals. An optical device has a first optical module and a second optical module optically connecting with each other via optical fibers. The first optical module is movably retained in the first housing while the second optical module is immovably retained in the second housing along a mating direction of the receptacle connector. |
| US08905646B2 |
Roller bearing, retainer segment, spacer and main shaft support structure wind-power generator
A roller bearing comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a plurality of retainer segments having a plurality of column parts extending in a direction along a shaft so as to form a pocket for holding the roller, and connection parts and extending in a circumferential direction to connect the plurality of column parts, and continuously lined with each other in the circumferential direction between the outer ring and the inner ring. The column part is positioned at an circumferential end of the retainer segment. Here, a circumferential outer side end face of the column part positioned at the end is flat, and a circumferential inner side end face of the column part positioned at said end is provided with a recess recessed in the circumferential direction to reduce the thickness of the column part. |
| US08905643B2 |
Thermal compensation element with wave spring
A thermal compensation element which has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a washer. The washer is arranged within the inner ring and the outer ring is mounted over the inner ring, encapsulating the washer, which can be a split wave spring. The inner ring and the outer ring each have retention features to ensure they are retained relative to each other. The thermal compensation, which is positioned between a housing or a shaft, can account for variations in loading and/or temperature that may occur to a bearing and a shaft system when the shaft and an associated component are made of different materials and have different coefficients of thermal expansion by ensuring a proper axial preload is maintained on the bearing. |
| US08905642B2 |
Rolling bearing
A rolling bearing which has excellent performance at high-temperatures and has high-speed durability and quietness, is capable of effectively preventing hydrogen brittleness-caused peeling from occurring on a rolling surface thereof, and has a low environmental load. The rolling bearing (1) is constructed of an inner ring (2) having a rolling surface on its peripheral surface, an outer ring (3) having a rolling surface on its inner peripheral surface, a plurality of rolling elements (4) disposed between both rolling surfaces, and a cage (5) retaining the rolling elements (4). The inner ring (2), the outer ring (3), the rolling elements (4) or the cage (5) are metal-made bearing members. Film-coating treatment is conducted on a sliding surface or a rolling surface of at least one of these metallic bearing members with plant-derived polyvalent alcohol compounds such as curcumin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid or the like. |
| US08905636B2 |
X-ray diagnostic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an end-of-life detection unit in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus is configured to detect an end of life of a detector on the basis of an output value in an X-ray image, and includes: a luminance-level-value computation unit configured to calculate an amount of X-ray irradiation of the detector on the basis of the output value in an area of interest which is set on any one of the X-ray image and the detector; an irradiation-amount accumulation unit configured to calculate an accumulated amount of irradiation in the area of interest by adding the amount of X-ray irradiation calculated by the luminance-level-value computation unit to a previous amount of X-ray irradiation in the area of interest; and an end-of-life judgment unit configured to make a judgment on the end of life of the detector on the basis of the accumulated amount of irradiation. |
| US08905632B2 |
Interposer configuration with thermally isolated regions for temperature-sensitive opto-electronic components
An interposer (support substrate) for an opto-electronic assembly is formed to include a thermally-isolated region where temperature-sensitive devices (such as, for example, laser diodes) may be positioned and operate independent of temperature fluctuations in other areas of the assembly. The thermal isolation is achieved by forming a boundary of dielectric material through the thickness of the interposer, the periphery of the dielectric defining the boundary between the thermally isolated region and the remainder of the assembly. A thermo-electric cooler can be used in conjunction with the temperature-sensitive device(s) to stabilize the operation of these devices. |
| US08905630B2 |
Timepiece with coupled oscillators in chronograph mode
A timepiece includes a first oscillator oscillating at a first frequency and connected by a first gear train to an energy source to display the time. The timepiece also includes a chronograph system including a second gear train connected to the first gear train via a coupling device for selectively measuring a time. The chronograph system further includes a second oscillator, which is connected to the second gear train and oscillates at a second frequency. Moreover, the second gear train is connected to the first gear train by an elastic coupling, in order to synchronize the rate of the two oscillators using the same energy source when the coupling device is in a coupled position. |
| US08905629B2 |
Multi-size mixer
A gyroscopic paint mixer having a rotatable frame with a clamp lock providing automatic transfer from an unclamping to a clamping condition, providing silent operation through the use of one way clutches, the mixer also having a vertical stop apparatus coupled to an access door for stopping and holding the rotatable frame in an upright position, the mixer also having a bail retainer supported by a carriage assembly mounted for rotation on a clamp plate with a cam urging the bail retainer to the side of the frame when the bail retainer is released from the paint container with the paint container in an upright position in the rotatable frame. |
| US08905628B2 |
Blending and dispensing appliance
A blending and dispensing appliance is provided which includes a blending container, a housing having a recess for receiving and supporting the blending container, and an agitator to agitate contents placed therein. A conduit is disposed on an outer sidewall of the blending container and fluidly connected to the blending container. An auger is disposed in the conduit and is rotated within the conduit when a dispensing arm is depressed. The rotating auger extrudes blended contents through the conduit from the blending container to a dispensing spout for further directing the blended contents into a beverage container. A motorized base containing both an agitator and auger motor selectively provide rotary power to the agitator and auger, respectively. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of auger and the agitator so that the contents placed into the beverage container are blended to a desired consistency. |
| US08905626B2 |
Commercial frozen food preparation apparatus
A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times. |
| US08905622B2 |
Ergonomic portable mixing apparatus
An apparatus includes an elongate shaft, a first paddle including a connecting member disposed generally parallel to the shaft and a cross member disposed generally perpendicular to the shaft and coupled thereto, wherein the connecting member includes at least one notch formed along an edge thereof, and a second paddle including a connecting member disposed generally parallel to the shaft and a cross member disposed generally perpendicular to the shaft and coupled thereto, wherein the connecting member includes at least one notch formed along an edge thereof. |
| US08905620B2 |
Backlight module
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, a reflector plate arranged inside the backplane, a light guide plate arranged on the reflector plate, and a mold frame mounted to the backplane. The backplane forms a pawl section. The mold frame forms a retention slot corresponding to the pawl section. The pawl section is receivable in and retained by the retention slot so as to fix the mold frame to the backplane. The backlight module uses a pawl section formed on the backplane and a retention slot formed on the mold frame to engage the pawl section so as to mount the mold frame to the backplane through snap-fitting connection thereby showing a simple structure, being easy to assemble and disassemble, effectively saving time, and thus controlling the cost. |
| US08905618B2 |
Combined backplane and backlight module using same
The present invention provides a combined backplane and a backlight module using the combined backplane. The combined backplane includes a body and a first bracket coupled to the body. The body includes a base plate. The first bracket includes a first bottom plate and a first side plate perpendicularly connected to the first bottom plate. The first bottom plate has an end distant from the first side plate and coupled to an end of the base plate. The base plate and the first bracket are made of different materials. The combined backplane of the present invention is formed by combining a body with a bracket. The body is made of a high-strength material to improve overall strength of the backplane and the bracket is made of a material of high thermal conductivity to improve overall thermal conductivity of the whole backplane. |
| US08905615B2 |
Light source module and display device having the same
A light source module includes a first frame, a second frame, a light guide plate, a light source, at least one positioning element and at least one buffer element. The second frame is disposed corresponding to the first frame and has at least one through hole. The light guide plate is disposed between the first frame and the second frame and has a light incident surface and a side surface, and the side surface faces to the through hole of the second frame. The light source is disposed on the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The positioning element is disposed in the through hole of the second frame. The buffer element is located between the positioning element and the side surface of the light guide plate. |
| US08905614B2 |
Heat radiating printed circuit board and chassis assembly having the same
The present invention relates to a heat radiating printed circuit board (PCB) and a chassis assembly having the same, the heat-radiating PCB characterized by: a circuit pattern unit; and one or more mounting units bent from the circuit pattern unit to be fixed at a chassis providing a lightguide path of a backlight unit, where the circuit pattern unit includes a driving unit divided into a plurality of driving regions and at least one or more electrodes for supplying a power to the driving unit, and where, the mounting unit is arranged with an electrode line for connecting the driving unit and electrodes other than the electrode arranged on the circuit pattern unit, such that dimming and scanning functions can be performed whereby illumination can be finely controlled, the width of the circuit pattern unit can be narrowed and damage to the PCB caused by heat can be prevented. |
| US08905613B2 |
Display device and display system combined thereof
A display device includes a backlight module, a display panel, a prism film, a light-splitting layer, and a grating layer. The light-splitting layer splits light into a first backlight group and a second backlight group, wherein the two groups are inclined in different directions relative to a light-emitting surface of the backlight module. The grating layer allows the first backlight group to pass while blocking the second backlight group. The prism film has a plurality of prisms disposed facing the display panel. Each prism has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the angle between the first surface and the normal line to the light-emitting surface is greater than the angle between the second surface and the normal line to the light-emitting surface. |
| US08905610B2 |
Light emitting device comprising a lightguide film
In one embodiment, a device includes a light transmitting film defining a body and having opposing faces with a thickness between the opposing faces not greater than 0.5 millimeters. A first region is defined within the body representing a region of one or more of a pattern, an indicia, a graphic, and an image that is visible by light extraction when illuminated by light propagating within the film in a waveguide condition. The first region includes a plurality of light extraction features that redirect a portion of light traveling within the film in a waveguide condition that mixes within the legs and the body out of one or more of the opposing faces of the film in the first region. A method of producing a device is also disclosed. |
| US08905609B2 |
Lighting system with shutter, reflector, primary light engine and a secondary light engine coupled to shutter
A lighting system (10) comprising a primary light engine (20); a secondary light engine (22); and a projection apparatus (14, 14a-b) comprising a reflector (28) configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the primary light engine (20); a projector lens (28) configured to project at least a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation from the reflector (28); and a shutter (24, 24a-c) disposed between the secondary light engine (22) and the reflector (28). The shutter (24, 24a-c) is configured to selectively obscure a portion of the projector lens (28) from the reflected electromagnetic radiation and is further configured to selectively emit at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation from the secondary light engine (22) through at least a portion of the projector lens (28). |
| US08905605B2 |
Integrated wing light
The present invention is concerned with a modular lighting system having a casing containing a lamp, as well as its power and control circuits fitted within a wing and a flush fitting glazing unit. |
| US08905603B2 |
Coupling and method for use with a lamp fitting
The present invention provides a coupling and methods of use of the coupling. In one aspect the invention provides a coupling for use with a lamp fitting operated by a power supply, which coupling allows mounting/dismounting of the fitting without electrical isolation from the supply said coupling comprising: a) a mounting member having a first electrical connector element with shielded contact points connectable to the power supply, said member being suitable for fixing to a structure; and engageable with said mounting member; b) a holder member suitable for holding a lamp fitting said member having a second electrical connector element able conduct power to a lamp fitting; c) wherein engagement of the first and second members allows the first and second electrical connector elements to come into contact and disengagement allows electrical contact to be broken without exposure of the contact points. |
| US08905601B2 |
Lighting apparatus having a thermal insulator
A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus may include a heat sink, an LED module provided on the heat sink, an enclosure provided over the heat sink to surround the LED module, an insulator provided between the heat sink and the enclosure, a power module provided below the heat sink to provide power to the LED module, a housing attached to the heat sink to house the power module, and a power socket mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the electronic module. The heat sink may include a channel formed to correspond to a shape of the enclosure and the insulator may be provided in the channel, the insulator and the enclosure being formed of different materials. |
| US08905599B2 |
Strobe zoom device
In a strobe zoom device of an electrically driven feed screw type, to reduce the sound pressure level of zoom operation sound caused by an electrically driven feed screw and to allow strobe imaging to be performed quietly, the electrically driven feed screw for strobe zoom includes: a feed screw rod (30) having a central axis and mounted to a casing (10) so as to be rotatable about the central axis thereof and extend in the fore and aft direction, the feed screw rod including an outer circumferential surface having a screw groove (32) formed thereon; and a wire member (34) attached to a movable body (planar lens plate (12) or a light source box (20)) and including a part wrapped around at least a part of the screw groove (32) so as to be in threaded engagement with the same. |
| US08905598B2 |
Lighting device
According to one embodiment, a lighting device includes a base member, a light source on the base member, a light-transmitting cover configured to cover the light source and to emit light emitted from the light source to the outside, and a light guide body provided opposite the light source and configured to guide, to the rear of the light source, at least part of the light from the light source. The cover includes a back light-transmitting region having a plane-normal line directed rearwardly. The light guide body includes a light-incident portion facing the light source and a light guide-emitting portion curvedly extending outward from the light-incident portion, having a distal end portion extending along the back light-transmitting region and directed to the rear. |
| US08905596B2 |
Optical lens and lighting device having same
An optical lens for adjusting viewing angle of and diffusing light emitted from a light emitting diode includes a light incident surface and a light emitting surface. The light incident surface is cone-shaped and concave towards the light emitting surface. The light emitting surface is cone-shaped and concave towards the light incident surface. A plurality of annular protrusions is formed on the light incident surface. The annular protrusions are coaxial and a center of each of the annular protrusions is located at an optical axis passing through a vertex of the light emitting surface and a vertex of the light incident surface. A lighting device having the optical lens and the light emitting diode is also provided. |
| US08905595B2 |
LED street light lens
The present invention is directed to a lens. In one embodiment, the lens includes a first surface, a second surface that bends a light emitted from a light source with the first surface, a third surface that bends the light emitted from the light source with the first surface and a fourth surface coupled to the second surface and the third surface that bends the light emitted from the light source with the first surface. The first surface and the second surface are dioptric. The first surface and the third surface are dioptric. The first surface and the fourth surface are catadioptric. |
| US08905594B2 |
Frameless light modifying element
According to one implementation of the disclosed technology, a lens is provided. The lens includes one or more pieces of optical film configured for attaching to and modifying light from a light emitting device. The one or more pieces of optical film define: a lens aperture; a front light-emitting side of the lens; a back light-receiving side of the lens; and two or more edge trusses. The edge trusses are disposed towards the back light-receiving side of the lens. Each of the two or more edge trusses include one or more sides configured from a corresponding fold in the one or more optical films, wherein at least one of the one or more sides of each of the two or more edge trusses is configured at an angle relative to the lens aperture plane to impart support to the lens and to resist deflection of each edge truss. |
| US08905587B1 |
Internal covert IR filter for searchlight systems
Described in this application for patent is a novel method and apparatus for modifying a searchlight from a visible-light source to an infrared source. This selective filtering is accomplished by means of a partially filtered cover about the light source which may be moved between first and second positions. In a first position, light projected by the light source passes through an unfiltered section of the lamp cover. In a second position, light projected by the light source passes through a filtered section of the lamp cover. |
| US08905581B1 |
Coupling structure of flexible core and flexible base of LED Christmas light string
The present invention provides a coupling structure of a flexible core and a flexible base of a Christmas light string, which is applicable to a Christmas light string, in which a Christmas light is formed of a combination of a flexible core, a flexible base, an LED, and electrical wires and multiple Christmas lights are combined to form a Christmas light string. The features of the present invention are that a flexible core has a bottom on which two bearing seats are formed to support two terminal pins of an LED and having bottom edges in which folding notches are formed in such an arrangement that one is relatively high while the other is relatively low, whereby the two terminal pins of the LED, after being folded about the bearing seats, both provide an extended exposed portion for engagement with the conductive pad of the corresponding electrical wire. |
| US08905575B2 |
Troffer-style lighting fixture with specular reflector
An indirect troffer-style lighting fixture that is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources. An elongated heat sink with a mount surface for light sources runs longitudinally along the fixture. To facilitate heat dissipation, a portion of the heat sink is exposed to the ambient room environment. An elongated specular reflector also runs along the device proximate to the heat sink. The heat sink and the specular reflector are mounted such that a spatial relationship is maintained. Some of the light from the sources impinges directly on the specular reflector and is redirected towards a back surface. The back surface defines a luminous surface that receives light directly from the sources and redirected light from the specular reflector. The back surface and the heat sink mechanically obscure any images of the light sources in the specular reflector such that they are not visible in a viewing area. |
| US08905568B2 |
Forklift activated mirror alert
A partially transparent dome mirror is used to display messages generated from within the dome by a light generating system. The mirror is incorporated in an apparatus for seeing and warning traffic crossing at an intersection in a commercial, industrial or other space to improve worker safety and to avoid costly damage due to collisions at the intersection. The unitary apparatus does not require sensors or other wiring external to the mirror and its supporting frame. The mirror system can also be used in commercial and retail applications for surveillance and advertising. |
| US08905567B2 |
Display device for lighting objects
A display device for lighting objects comprising: a frame having a vision window at a front side thereof, a film-coated glass mounted on the vision window, a support bracket arranged in the frame and having at least one positioning hole thereon, a lighting object having at least a part thereof arranged in the positioning hole and two pieces of refection mirrors having a center serving as a reference to define the first and second symmetrical reflection mirrors and both sides thereof inclined forward to form an angle between 145° and 175°. After a lighting object is reflected repeatedly by the two or more than two reflection mirrors, the vision window shows shapes in an inward serial arrangement from the middle to unlimited extension at both sides, providing effects of an illumination lamp device, an art decoration, and special visions in one unit. |
| US08905565B2 |
Display device having a simplified assembly of components
A display device having a simplified assembly of components. The display device includes a display panel, a circuit board, a light guide plate disposed under the display panel to guide a light toward the display panel, a molding member disposed between the display panel and the light guide plate, and a covering member extending from a lower surface of the light guide plate to an upper surface of the display panel. The light guide plate has a supporting portion that protrudes from a side surface of the light guide plate to support the circuit board disposed adjacent to an edge of the display panel. The molding member supports the display panel. The covering member fixes the components of the display device. This way a display device is provided that does not need a bottom chassis, thereby the assembling of the display panel is simplified. |
| US08905558B2 |
Optical tracking marker mounting apparatus
An arrangement comprises a garment, a mounting apparatus and an optical tracking marker to be used in motion capture. The arrangement may include a plurality of mounting apparatuses and optical tracking markers. The garment includes openings. The mounting apparatus includes legs which are shaped and include features to enable the mounting apparatus to engage the openings of the garment. The mounting apparatus further includes a marker coupling which is shaped and includes features to engage the optical tracking marker. The mounting apparatus provides a secure yet removable attachment for the optical tracking marker to the garment. |
| US08905554B2 |
Illumination unit having a plurality of light sources including a light source emitting two or more different wavelengths
An illumination unit includes a plurality of light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit light from a light emission region including a single or a plurality of light-emitting spots. The solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips each emitting light beam. Three or more of the light-emitting spots are provided within the whole light sources, to allow the whole light sources to emit light beams in two or more wavelength bands different from one another. Two or more of the plurality of the light sources include respective light-emitting spots which emit light in the same wavelength band. |
| US08905551B1 |
Unpowered augmented reality projection accessory display device
An augmented reality system may generate an augmented reality environment by projecting images onto various surfaces within a scene. A projection accessory display device (PADD) provides known characteristics for projection, and may be configured to simplify generation and maintenance of the projected image upon the PADD. The PADD may also provide one or more input devices which accept input from a user within the augmented reality environment. The PADD may comprise non-electronic passive components, electronic active components, or a combination thereof. |
| US08905545B2 |
Tear film and contact lens evaluation by optical reflectometry technique
A method and system for evaluation tear film thickness and thinning dynamics in an eye with or without wearing a contact lens using a specially configured optical reflectometer. The method and system may address the beam aiming flexibility on the tear film surface by incorporation of a galvanometer scanner with the fiber coupled optical reflectometer. The tear film thickness, tear film thinning dynamics, and tear film breakup thickness can be determined. The system can also be combined with spectral domain OCT or swept source OCT for ophthalmology applications. The advantage is fast and high precision tear film evaluation that can also be extended to water film on contact lens evaluation for the determination of contact lens hydrophilic properties. |
| US08905544B2 |
Ophthalmic apparatus
An ophthalmic apparatus for guiding positioning an intraocular lens for astigmatism correction, includes: an obtaining unit for obtaining an anterior segment image of a patient's eye and an astigmatic axis of a patient's cornea; a feature point designating unit for defining a feature point of an iris or a sclera on the anterior segment image; and a display control unit for superimposing and displaying a gauge image that models a cornea gauge and an axis that represents the astigmatic axis of the cornea on the anterior segment image. |
| US08905543B2 |
Slit lamp adaptor for portable camera
An adaptor for a slit lamp holds a portable camera, such as a cell phone, in place relative to a slit lamp. The adaptor is adjustable to accommodate virtually any size of portable camera through the use of screws, washers, spacers, and other adjustment mechanisms. The adaptor can be formed in two parts: an ocular engaging portion and a camera support. The two portions can be coupled together to position the camera relative to the slit lamp to photograph a patient's eye. |
| US08905541B2 |
Electronic spectacle frames
Embodiments may provide a first device that includes a frame having a first temple and a second temple. The frame may also comprise a housing module coupled (e.g. attached) to a structural member. The first device may further include a first lens and a second lens coupled to the frame and an electronics module that may be located within the housing module. The electronics module may include at least any two of: a power source; a controller; and/or a sensing mechanism. |
| US08905539B2 |
Eyeglasses
A pair of eyeglasses includes a frame, two lenses, two first magnets, two temples, and two fasteners. The frame includes two lens-holding portions and two magnet-seats. The lenses are held by the lens-holding portions, respectively. The first magnets are disposed at the magnet-seats respectively. The temples are connected with two sides of the frame respectively. The fasteners, each having a second magnet, are pivoted on the frame, and are rotatable with respect to the frame, so that the respective first magnet and the respective second magnet attract each other to fix the respective lens. |
| US08905538B2 |
Vacuum relief
A surface has a vacuum and a vacuum relief. |
| US08905533B2 |
Ink composition and image forming method
The invention provides an ink composition including: (a) a polymer including a repeating unit (a1) having a group represented by the following Formula (1) and a repeating unit (a2) having a hydrophilic group; (b) a radical polymerizable compound; (c) water; and (d) a colorant; wherein, in Formula (1), each of Ra and Rb independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Ra and Rb may be bound to each other to form a 4- to 6-membered alicyclic structure; and * represents a bonding site. |
| US08905527B2 |
Liquid cartridge, liquid ejecting device, method of manufacturing liquid cartridge, and method of refurbishing liquid cartridge
A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sealing member that is selectively penetrated and closed, and a storage. The storage includes a first count storage area configured to store first count data corresponding to a number of times the sealing member has been penetrated at a first position, and a first position sealing data corresponding to a first number that is comparable to the first count data. |
| US08905525B2 |
Timing detection device, and driving device and image forming apparatus with the same
A timing detection device includes a moving object, an opening, a sensor unit, and a timing detection unit. The moving object includes a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face move in a moving direction that is parallel to faces. The openings are formed by penetrating the moving object from the first face to the second face. The sensor unit emits detection light from the first face side toward the moving object, and receives the detection light that passes through the openings. The moving object includes an inner wall part and an edge part. The inner wall part demarcates a lateral edge of the openings on a downstream side in the moving direction. The edge part protrudes toward the upstream side in the moving direction at an end fringe part on the second face side of the inner wall part. |
| US08905524B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles for ejecting liquid; pressure generation chambers, each in fluid communication with one of the nozzles; and a manifold substrate with manifolds disposed therein. Each manifold supplies liquid to at least one of the pressure generation chambers. The liquid ejecting head also includes a head case with a piezoelectric element housing unit. Piezoelectric elements, for changing pressure of liquid within the pressure generation chambers, are provided in the piezoelectric element housing unit. The liquid ejecting head also includes a vibrating element for absorbing pressure changes in the liquid within the manifolds, cavities provided on the vibrating element at positions that correspond to positions of the manifolds, and an atmosphere exposure channel that fluidly connects one of the cavities to the atmosphere. At least one other one of the cavities is in fluid communication with the atmosphere exposure channel via the first cavity. |
| US08905521B2 |
Printing method and apparatus
An apparatus and method for use in printing a swath in a multipass printing device are disclosed. The method comprises selectively depositing a drop of ink associated with a pixel to be printed on a print media based on a substantially uniform print mask function during a first pass of a print head, and selectively depositing a further drop of ink associated with the pixel on the print media based on a ramp print mask function during a further pass of the print head. |
| US08905520B2 |
System for adjusting the base of the print head of a plotter
The present invention relates to an adjustment system for adjusting the base of the print head of a plotter with respect to the printing base of the plotter, said base of the head comprising a substantially vertical fixed part (1) and a substantially horizontal adjustable part (2), and it is characterized in that said adjustment means comprise a substantially vertical rotating shaft (4) located between said adjustable part (2) and said fixed part (1); at least one substantially horizontal adjustment element (3) regulating the angular position of said adjustable part (2) with respect to said fixed part (1); and a plurality of substantially vertical adjustment elements (3) regulating the inclination and height of said adjustable part (2) with respect to said fixed part (1). It enables the base of the print head to be regulated easily and precisely, without any play. |
| US08905518B2 |
Recording apparatus including a supporting member that supports a connecting member
A recording apparatus that performs recording by a recording head mounted on a carriage capable of scanning on a recording medium, includes a connecting member of which both ends are connected to the recording head and an apparatus main body and that moves in a bending manner, and a plate-like supporting member that supports the connecting member at the lower side in the vertical direction. In the recording apparatus, one end of the supporting member is supported on a frame member of the apparatus main body in a cantilever manner. |
| US08905512B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and recording medium storing a program
An image forming apparatus that performs correction to make gradation values adding both of two head areas (A+C, B+D) approximately equal. An area whose density is the lowest is set as a target density. Assuming densities for head areas A=70, B=100, C=40, D=90, head areas B and D are corrected with correction amount that ΔB become equal to ΔD (ΔB=ΔD=40) in accordance with target value (A+C=100). |
| US08905511B2 |
Network printer system
Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield. |
| US08905509B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing section for performing duplex printing by performing printing on each printing paper sheet fed by a feeding section and performing printing on the other side of the one-side printed printing paper sheet that has been inverted by an inverting section; a control section for exert control to alternately perform the printing on each printing paper sheet from the feeding section and the printing on each one-side printed printing paper sheet; a post-processing time obtaining section for obtaining a post-processing time for each duplex printed printing paper sheet; and a feeding timing setting section for setting a feeding interval of the printing paper sheets from the feeding section based on the post-processing time for each duplex printed printing paper sheet, and calculating a paper spacing interval between each printing paper sheet from the feeding section and each one-side printed printing paper sheet based on the post-processing time. |
| US08905506B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of controlling liquid ejecting apparatus that corrects for aging of a print head
A CPU serving as a counting unit counts the cumulative number of times a driving pulse is applied to a piezoelectric vibrator. A driving signal generation unit is able to generate an aging driving pulse set by a driving parameter to the extent that ink is not ejected from a nozzle and performs an aging process of driving the piezoelectric vibrator using the aging driving pulse set by a driving parameter in accordance with a cumulative number of applications in a region outside an ejection region on a recording medium. |
| US08905502B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a pressure adjustment device that passes through an inner case and an outer case such that the inside and outside of the refrigerator communicate with each other, and the pressure adjustment device is opened and closed according to opening and closing of a door so as to remove a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the refrigerator, thereby facilitating opening of the door. |
| US08905486B2 |
Underground mining
In developing an underground mine a mine shaft 80 is formed by excavating earth and removing excavated material from the shaft 80 by a material transport system comprising skips 36 movable up and down on skip guides within the shaft. Tunnels 82 are launched from a bottom part of shaft 80 by excavating a cavern 81 in which a tunnel boring machine is assembled and operated to bore the tunnels 82. Material from the tunnel excavation is transported from the tunnels via conveyor 87 to the material transport system established within the shaft during formation of the shaft which is operated to transport that material to an earth surface region. |
| US08905484B2 |
Functional chair for putting on shoes
A functional chair is capable of storing articles such as shoes, shoe brushes, umbrellas, canes and the like by utilizing a narrow space effectively, and can be used as a chair for senior citizens and for children to sit and put on shoes. |
| US08905483B2 |
Adjustable footrest
A portable footrest device is provided, the footrest having a first and a second support portion, each of the first and second support portions having a first and second connector elements configured for releasable connection to a structure; and a first and a second foot portion coupled to said first and second support portions, wherein said first and second foot portions are configured to couple and decouple. A method for utilizing an enclosed space to rest a user's feet on a footrest, the foot rest having a foot portion is also provided. |
| US08905476B2 |
Adjustment mechanism for juvenile product
A juvenile product adjustment mechanism which allows for easy, secure adjustment by a caregiver is comprised of a rotatable key received within a sliding channel operated by a resiliently biased push button. |
| US08905470B2 |
Seat with dining board and display device
A seat unit includes a seat and a dining board is slidably and pivotably connected to the back of the backrest of the seat. A display device such as a flat-board computer, a table PC, or an In-Flight Entertainment device, is connected to the bottom face of the dining board. The dining board is connected with two links which are pivotably connected to the legs of the backrest so that the dining board is pivoted and positioned horizontally. The dining board has operation members on two sides thereof so as to be slidably engaged with grooves in the reception member on the backrest. The dining board can be slid and stored in the reception member and the passenger behind the backrest can operate and enjoy the In-Flight Entertainment device. |
| US08905463B2 |
Bumper system for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a bumper system with which the requirements for compatibility between motor vehicles can be accommodated. In particular the invention relates to a bumper system for a motor vehicle which has a force distributing element (10) and which is characterized in that in at least two planes at different heights there are force absorbing components (20, 13) on the motor vehicle (2) and the force distributing element (10) is mounted on the force absorbing components (20, 13) and connects the force absorbing components (20, 13). |
| US08905453B2 |
Interior venting
A motor vehicle has a structural component and a first and second interior trim part, which are butt jointed directly to one another in a butt jointing region. The two interior trim parts separate a passenger compartment interior from a venting space situated between the structural component and the interior trim parts. A section or sections of the first interior trim part in the butt jointing region has a concave arched profile facing the second interior trim part, thereby canceling the butt joint and forming an air duct between the passenger compartment interior and the venting space. |
| US08905450B2 |
Handling equipment for vials and system for the preparation of medications comprising it
Equipment for the handling of vials which comprises: a base on which at least part of the vials being handled is located and transverse supporting member for the vials in which the transverse supporting member exerts a force in a substantially transverse plane to the necks of the vials, which comprise supplementary supporting member for the vials; these supplementary supporting member applying a second force in a plane that is substantially inclined with respect to the plane in which the transverse supporting member exerts the first force. |
| US08905447B2 |
Landscaping carrier
An apparatus for carrying landscaping objects, the apparatus comprising a pair of lifting bodies, each lifting body having: a pair of substantially parallel elongated bars connected by a plurality of vertical supports, two lifting ends, two handles with one handle located near each of the two lifting ends, a joint, and a bracket; a pair of cross-assemblies, each cross-assembly having a first connecting end, a second connecting end, an inner bar, and an outer bar, wherein the first connecting end is attached substantially perpendicular to the joint of one lifting body and the second connecting end is attached substantially perpendicular to the bracket of the other lifting body; and a flexible net that is adapted for carrying attached to the pair of lifting bodies; wherein for each cross-assembly, the inner bar is adapted to slidably engage the outer bar to allow expanding and collapsing of the cross-assembly. |
| US08905441B2 |
Drain hub
A drain hub can include a housing, a base, and a damming device. The housing has a cavity that traverses its length and can include a top housing portion, a middle housing portion having at least one wall and a number of drainage apertures that traverse the wall, and a bottom housing portion. The base is rotatably disposed within the housing cavity and has a base cavity traversing its length. The base can include a top base portion having a number of slotted features disposed along a top surface. The base can also include a bottom base portion that extends beyond an aperture in the bottom housing portion. The damming device can be disposed within the housing cavity adjacent to the top base portion and the top housing portion, where the damming device has an elastomeric material and at least one aperture through which at least one conductor traverses. |
| US08905435B2 |
ATV having arrangement for a passenger
An ATV is disclosed which includes a pedestal assembly incorporated into the foot-wells, which cooperate with a removable passenger seat. Furthermore, passenger seat is selectively added or removed from ATV by way of a latch assembly. Hand grips flank the removable seat and are attached to a rear accessory panel. The rear accessory panel also includes an integrated cup holder, and rack tie-downs are formed in a front or rear accessory panel. |
| US08905434B1 |
Rollover protection apparatus
A rollover protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The rollover protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal. |
| US08905428B2 |
Foldable stroller and fold joint for a foldable stroller
A stroller fold joint has first and second joint parts. The first part has a hosel coupled to a hub body with a circumferential surface and a pivot axis. The second part has a connector coupled to two plates. The hub body is between the plates and the two joint parts pivot about the pivot axis between a folded and an unfolded orientation. A tunnel through the hub body is perpendicular to the pivot axis. A shuttle slides within the tunnel and has latch end and an actuator end. The latch end is adjacent the hub body's circumferential surface at one tunnel end and the actuator end extends into the hosel. The shuttle is not exposed and is covered when the fold joint is in the folded or unfolded orientations and when moving therebetween. |
| US08905425B2 |
Hitch apparatus for vehicles
A hitch apparatus includes a housing and a tow bar movably disposed within the housing. The housing includes spaced-apart first and second sections. At least one of the sections includes an elongated slot. The tow bar includes a guide member that extends outwardly from the tow bar at the proximal end thereof and that is operably engaged with the slot. The housing may include a pair of tow bar guide doors pivotally secured between the first and second sections that limit the extent which the tow bar pivots and that guide the tow bar as it is retracted. The housing may include a pair of guide posts extending between the first and second sections and the tow bar may include a pair of guide wings that contact the guide posts to limit the extent to which the tow bar can pivot and guide the tow bar as it is retracted. |
| US08905423B2 |
Convertible trailer and storage basket
Provided is an all-terrain trailer for hauling large objects over uneven landscapes. The trailer is capable of carrying items within its volume in both its deployed and stowed state. Deployed, the trailer is a basket shaped body with a pair of wheels removably secured via a removable axle. The trailer is attached to the lead vehicle using a removable trailer hitch linkage that is secured to the basket body via fasteners. In a stowed state, the tires and axle are stored within a storage area in a lower portion of the basket body. In one embodiment, a false bottom is placed over the storage area, creating a flat trailer bed that objects can be laid upon. The basket body is removably secured to the hood of a lead vehicle, thereby providing a carrying basket while the vehicle is in transit. |
| US08905421B2 |
Manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers
A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers. |
| US08905419B2 |
Rear structure of saddle-ride type vehicle
A rear structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle for preventing rainwater or the like splashed by a rear wheel from entering a fresh air inlet of an engine intake system. The rear structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a rear fender halved into a first fender and a second fender connected to each other. The first fender is formed with a hanging portion so as to cover the rear and upside of a rear wheel and the second fender covering the upside of the rear wheel with a fresh air inlet being provided lateral to and in front of the rear wheel. The first fender and the second fender are disposed to overlap each other in an anteroposterior direction. The second fender is disposed on the vehicle-widthwise inside of the first fender. The second fender has anteroposteriorly and downwardly extending sidewalls at both vehicle-widthwise lateral end portions. |
| US08905418B2 |
Mounting assembly for vehicle mud flaps
A mounting assembly for mud flaps has an elongated mounting arm defining an interior elongated chamber with a slot opening at the bottom. The assembly includes a one or more biased clips that attach to the top edge of the mud flap, which is inserted into the chamber with the lower portion of the mud flap extending through the bottom slot and the clips seated within the chamber. The clips include a pair of protrusions that engage the interior of the chamber, and are configured such that sufficient downward force on the mud flap causes the clip to open and release the mud flap. |
| US08905411B1 |
Reusable shopping bag and cart system for improved register checkout
A reusable shopping bag and cart system for improved checkout and bagging procedures. The reusable shopping bags have elongate carrying handles at the upper end of opposed end wall panels for carrying them in the manner of a conventional “tote” type shopping bag, and include sleeves or loops on opposed side wall panels that allow them to be slipped over and suspended in a full open condition from the arms of conventional “T-shirt bag” holding racks and also over bag support members of specially designed shopping carts. The bags may also have shorter support handles at the upper end of the side wall panels for supporting them on the shopping carts. The bags and carts may be utilized in improved checkout, scanning, and bagging procedures employing filled bags supported on the cart and one empty bag supported on the cart or the arms of the bag holding rack. |
| US08905410B1 |
Snowboard
A snowboard without foot bindings enables a rider to perform skateboard tricks while sliding on snow. A pair of runner boards is connected in a spaced longitudinal relationship by a strut. A pole is attached to the strut by a universal joint enabling a rider to perform maneuvers while holding onto a handle at the end of the pole. The universal joint enables the runner boards to rotate 360° about a longitudinal axis extending along the board and rotate 360° about a vertical axis and other angles therebetween providing the same freedom of movement to the runner boards that a skateboard provides for its rider. The pole is pivotally mounted to the connector enabling the pole to pivot through an arc of at least 180°. |
| US08905399B2 |
Sheet feed device and image forming apparatus including the same
A sheet feed device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus body, a cassette, a sheet conveying path, a pickup roller, a feeding portion, a lift plate, and a regulation member. Feeding portion conveys sheet fed from pickup roller downstream in sheet conveying direction while holding sheet at nip portion. Lift plate is changeable in position between first position and second position. When cassette is removed from apparatus body and lift plate is positioned in first position, regulation member protrudes to sheet conveying path on upstream side in sheet conveying direction relative to nip portion to thereby regulate entering of sheet stored in sheet storage portion into nip portion. When cassette is mounted into apparatus body and lift plate is positioned in second position, regulation member retreats from sheet conveying path thereby to cause sheet conveying path to become open. |
| US08905394B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus with an alignment-side determination feature
A sheet post-processing apparatus that is capable of aligning a sheet bundle accurately even if sheet types like sheet sizes are different, and is capable of setting a reference position depending on a selected finish. A conveyance unit conveys a sheet. A sheet stacking unit stacks sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit as a sheet bundle. A stapler applies a staple process to the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking unit. A position determination unit determines a staple position at which the staple process is applied to the sheet bundle. An alignment unit aligns the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction with respect to one of both sides parallel to the sheet conveyance direction. The alignment unit determines the one side as a reference side depending on the staple position determined by the position determination unit. |
| US08905393B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus that performs buffer processing, and image forming apparatus
A sheet post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a sheet having an image formed thereon. A stapling section or a scoring section performs processing on a sheet and a sheet bundle. The upper limit value of a sheet count of sheets processable at a time by the post-processing unit is equal to N (N is an integer). A buffer path performs buffer processing for retaining a conveyed sheet, placing the retained sheet and a sheet following the retained sheet one on the other, and conveying the superimposed sheets as a sheet bundle. A CPU controls the buffer path the stapling section or the scoring section such that when the processing is being performed on the sheet or the sheet bundle, the buffer processing is performed on a following sheet, and that the processing is performed on each sheet bundle having been subjected to the buffer processing. |
| US08905391B2 |
Firearm holding device
Disclosed is a portable holder for supporting a firearm during cleaning, maintenance, adjustment, sighting and repair operations at a work station, the holder being adapted to support a portion of the firearm, the portable holder comprising: a base section adapted to be fixed to the work station in a substantially upright position; a threaded rod mounted to the base section in a substantially vertical orientation; and, one of a support head and a vise assembly affixed to the upper portion of the threaded rod; wherein the base section contains a substantially vertically orientated threaded aperture allowing the threaded rod to be rotated about its longitudinal axis into the threaded aperture of the base section to permit both mounting of the threaded rod to the base section and height adjustment of the threaded rod relative to the base section; the support head having a base and at least one flange extending upwardly from the base to receive a support tongue of a gun barrel cradle and means for pivotally connecting and locking at least one flange and the support tongue. |
| US08905388B2 |
Block piece for holding an optical workpiece, in particular a spectacle lens, for processing thereof, and method for manufacturing spectacle lenses according to a prescription
A block piece for holding a spectacle lens blank has a basic body with a workpiece mounting face portion against which the workpiece can be blocked with a blocking material, and a clamping portion via which the blocked workpiece can be fixed in a machine/apparatus for processing it. The basic body is made substantially of a material having a defined low water absorption and/or is sealed to at least reduce outgassing of water moisture under vacuum conditions, so that the block piece can be used also in vacuum coating processes. Alternatively or in addition, the clamping portion is constructed to be clamped by forces directed essentially perpendicular to the radial direction to cancel out each other and not deform the basic body, and/or the workpiece mounting face portion is provided with a predetermined amount of prism. |
| US08905382B2 |
End terminal
An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided. |
| US08905381B2 |
Hoisting assembly
A hoisting assembly for lifting or lowering a heavy object includes an upper fixed block, an upper movable block being suspended from the upper fixed block by at least one first rope which is reeved into one or more first rope lengths between the upper fixed block and the upper movable block, a lower movable block being connected to the upper movable block by at least one second rope which is reeved into one or more second rope lengths between the upper fixed block and the upper movable block. The first and second ropes are reeved in such a way that in use the upper movable block can be positioned at a distance greater than zero from the upper fixed block and at a distance greater than zero from the lower movable block by controlling the lengths of the first and second ropes. |
| US08905380B2 |
Chain drive control system
A control system is provided for one or more chain drives. The control system includes a automation control system or control device in communication with a control board installed on one or more chain drives. The control board can include a microprocessor and a memory device. The memory device stores one or more computer programs or algorithms executable by the microprocessor to generate a plurality of commands to control the operation of a component, e.g., a motor, of the chain drive in response to receiving an operational command from the automation control system or control device. |
| US08905368B2 |
Helicopter engine mounting system and methods
In an embodiment the invention includes a method of mounting an engine in a rotary wing aircraft. The method includes providing a rotary wing aircraft having an aircraft body supported in flight through an exterior air space by a rotary wing system rotating with an operational rotating frequency (P) with a plurality of (N) rotary wings, the rotary wing aircraft body having a persistent in flight operational rotating frequency vibration. The method includes providing a first engine, the first engine for providing power to rotate the rotary wing system at the rotary wing system operational rotating frequency (P). |
| US08905364B2 |
Spacer fitting repair plate
A reinforcement assembly for a spacer fitting for a utility pole comprising a front plate and back plate assembly having a connection aperture located at a top portion of both the front and back plates. The connection apertures may be configured to have substantially the same diameter as an insulator aperture located on the spacer fitting. The connection apertures provide an attachment area for the reinforcement assembly to be attached to the spacer fitting. The reinforcement assembly may be attached to the spacer fitting at an insulator aperture for supporting a strand of insulators and/or transmission lines. The front and back plates also may each include a receiving aperture located at a bottom portion of both plates. The receiving apertures may be used to support insulators and/or transmission wires on a transmission or utility support structure. |
| US08905362B2 |
Test support apparatus
A test support apparatus includes a base, a support bracket, a first positioning member mounted to the support bracket; and a positioning arm. The support bracket is pivotally mounted to the base and keeps an angle relative to the base. The support bracket supports a product. The positioning arm defines an elongated positioning slot. The positioning arm is mounted to the base. The first positioning member is positioned in different positions of the elongated positioning slot to change the angle. |
| US08905359B2 |
Method and instrumentation for detection of rail defects, in particular rail top defects
Method and instrumentation for detection of rail defects, in particular rail top defects, in a railway-track by measuring an axle box acceleration signal of a rail vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used as a measure to detect the occurrence of said rail defects. The method also includes measuring a vertical axle box acceleration signal of said rail vehicle, whereby the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used in combination and simultaneously with said vertical axle box acceleration signal. It is preferred that the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used to remove from said vertical axle box acceleration signal a signal-part that relates to vibrations of the rail vehicle's wheel set, including the bearing and axle box, and that the axle box acceleration signals are filtered for removing signal-parts contributed by vibrations of the track, including the rail, rail pads, fasteners, sleepers, and ballast. |
| US08905357B1 |
Thin membrane structure
A thin membrane structure for stabilizing a spacecraft is provided. The spacecraft has a first end and a second end. The spacecraft has a center of pressure and a center of gravity. The thin membrane structure comprises a module secured to the spacecraft and a structure having a polygonal base and a plurality of triangular side panels meeting in a point opposite the base with the point secured to the module. Prior to deployment, the structure is entirely contained within the module. Subsequent to deployment, the structure expands to a pyramidal shape with the distance between the center of pressure and the center of gravity increasing to a length greater than approximately one-half the length of the spacecraft. |
| US08905356B2 |
Air to air refueling system with an autonomous electrical system
A system for air to air refueling with an autonomous electrical system, comprising at least two hose and drogue devices (3, 5) housed in gondolas located underneath the wings of the aircraft, each refueling device comprising a plurality of components actuated by electrical actuators and its electrical system that is formed by two subsystems, each one of them comprising: a) Electric generator (11) actuated by a wind turbine (25) located in one of said gondolas; b) Energy storage device (19); c) Connection to the aircraft electrical system (15, 17); d) administrating device (21) equipped with means for ensuring the generation and storage of the energy required for responding to the electrical needs of the refueling system without recurring to the electrical system of the aircraft except in the event that the energy stored in said accumulation device (19) falls below a preset value. |
| US08905355B2 |
Wireless refueling boom
A refueling boom is described. The refueling boom includes a non-telescoping portion configured to be coupled to a fuel tanker vehicle and a telescoping portion that is extendable and retractable relative to the non-telescoping portion. The telescoping portion includes a fuel nozzle. The refueling boom also includes a wireless communication system operable to enable wireless communication between a first location of the telescoping portion to a second location of the non-telescoping portion. The refueling boom also includes a control unit coupled to the telescoping portion. The control unit is operable to send first information to the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system and to receive second information from the fuel tanker vehicle via the wireless communication system. |
| US08905354B2 |
External maintenance step and hand hold
A step assembly for a vehicle can include a housing and a support member hingedly coupled to the housing with a shaft. A first locking feature can be associated with the housing while a second locking feature can be associated with the support member. A spring can be operably associated with the support member and the housing such that the spring can bias the second locking feature toward the first locking feature. The support member is configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position. Further, the support member is configured as a step support and a hand hold device. |
| US08905352B2 |
Aircraft nose structure with landing gear compartment
An aircraft nose structure includes a fuselage and a pressuretight bulkhead fixed at its periphery to the fuselage and transversely dividing the fuselage into a pressurized upper zone and an unpressurized lower zone for accommodating retractable nose landing gear. The pressuretight bulkhead includes a floor of the pressurized upper zone, and a substantially flat rear panel extending between a rear edge of the floor and the fuselage. The floor and the rear panel are fixed laterally to the fuselage. The fuselage includes an exterior wall and reinforcing transverse frames to which the exterior wall is fixed. In line with the pressuretight bulkhead, at least some of the transverse reinforcing frames extend along the outline of the pressurized upper zone and constitute members that reinforce the pressuretight bulkhead. |
| US08905349B2 |
Structural element of an aircraft fuselage
The structural element of an aircraft fuselage, with stringers running in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft fuselage and ribs running transversely to the stringers in the circumferential direction of the fuselage. According to the invention, at least one of the stringers running in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft fuselage is designed as a fastening rail for elements to be installed in the aircraft fuselage. |
| US08905347B2 |
Method of resetting the orientation of an aircraft undercarriage having a steerable bottom portion
The invention provides a steering resetting method for an aircraft undercarriage that includes a leg in which a steerable bottom portion is mounted to slide against a suspension force generated by a shock absorber, the undercarriage being provided with a controllable steering member for causing the steerable bottom portion to swivel in response to an angular position setpoint, the undercarriage also including at least one angular position sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal representative of the angular position of the steerable bottom portion and suitable for use in controlling the steering member; the method comprises the step, performed when the steerable bottom portion is in an indexed angular position while the aircraft is in flight and the undercarriage is fully extended, of setting the electrical signal from the sensor to a determined reset value. |
| US08905345B2 |
Fixed spool fishing reel
A fixed spool fishing reel having a spool shaft with a coaxial hollow rotor shaft rotatable thereabout. The reel is further provided with a handle shaft which extends transversely of and is offset relative to the spool shaft. First and second mutually orthogonal gears are coupled for rotation with the handle shaft, the first gear having an axis of rotation which is transverse of and offset from the spool shaft. Likewise for third and fourth gears, with the third gear being on the opposite side of the spool shaft relative to the first gear. The axis of the third gear is closer to the spool than that of the first gear. Likewise the fourth is closer than the second. The rotor shaft can be driven by the handle shaft selectively via the first or the third gear to change the gearing ratio. |
| US08905344B1 |
Horizontal grinder with side tilt feed roller
A feed roller assembly for a horizontal grinder having a hammer mill and a conveyor moving material to be ground or processed toward the infeed side of the hammer mill includes a side tilt frame hingedly connected along a first axis to a hammer mill frame and a feed roller frame hingedly connected along a second axis to the side tilt frame. In a first position, the side tilt frame and the feed roller frame are downwardly hinged so as to engage the feed roller with feed material. In a second position, the feed roller frame is hinged upward about the second axis to disengage the feed roller from the feed material and the hammer mill frame. In a third position, the side tilt frame is further hinged outward about the first axis to pivot the entire feed roller assembly away from the hammer mill frame. |
| US08905343B2 |
Apparatus and method for brush cutting and baling wood chips formed during land clearing activities
The present invention relates generally to brush cutters and baling machines and methods of operation therefor, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for brush cutting and baling wood chips formed during land clearing activities. The apparatus includes a vehicle having front and rear ends. A brush cutter is carried at the front end of the vehicle. The brush cutter has a housing and a brush cutting head mounted for rotation within the housing. The brush cutting head has a support body and a plurality of cutting teeth mounted thereon. The cutting teeth are capable of reducing brush to wood chips and cutting debris when the brush cutting head is actuated. The brush cutting head is operable to take up at least some of the wood chips and cutting debris into the brush cutter housing while the cutting teeth are reducing brush to wood chips and cutting debris. The apparatus is further provided with a bale forming apparatus coupled for towage to the rear end of the vehicle. The bale forming apparatus is operable to form bales of wood chips. A plurality of conveyor assemblies is carried on the brush cutting and bale forming apparatus for transporting the wood chips from the brush cutter housing to the bale forming apparatus. |
| US08905338B2 |
Crushing machines
A crushing machine including a crushing means, a feed conveyor for feeding material to the crushing means, a detector for detecting metal in the material on the feed conveyor, and a bypass chute for the crushing means, the feed conveyor being movable between a normal operating position in which the material is fed to the crushing means and a bypass position in which the material is fed to the bypass chute, the arrangement being such that on detection of metal in the material, the feed conveyor is stopped and moved from the normal operating position to the bypass position so that the material with the metal is discharged into the bypass chute. |
| US08905334B2 |
Hydraulic stroke transmitter
A stroke translator or an injector having a solid-state actuator for generating a stroke and a hydraulic system for the hydraulic transmission of the stroke of the solid-state actuator to a control element such as a jet needle of a valve. The hydraulic system has hydraulic volumes hermetically sealed to the outside by metal bellows and constitute a hydraulic bearing with compensation for play. The advantages over known hydraulic levers are such that a complete metal seal is provided, and that a lower-wear design can be realized. Furthermore, a modular structure can be produced. |
| US08905331B2 |
Water saving valve
A water saving valve is fitted to a hose or a water pipe and mixes air bubbles with water. Water receiving flask part 18 receives tap water from a water pipe 12. Tapered hole part 20 has a flow path whose cross-sectional area is gradually reduced from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Conduit part 32 has a large diameter section 56 and a small diameter section 57. The large diameter section 56 is linked to the tapered hole part 20. The conduit part 32 has a flow path 38 at an axial part thereof whose cross-sectional area is substantially uniform. The large diameter section 56 has an air suction port 30 running through from the flow path 38 of the axial section to the outer peripheral surface. A check valve 64 is inserted into the air suction port 30. Sleeve 50 is rigidly secured to the conduit part 32 by a support body 44 arranged at part of axial hole 90. The sleeve 50 has an eaves-like section 46. The eaves-like section 46 surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter section 56 with a gap 48 interposed between them. The sleeve 50 surrounds the periphery of the other end of the conduit part 32 with a space interposed between them. Air is sucked in from the gap 48 through the air suction port 30 so that water does not leak if hydraulic pressure is applied in the opposite direction. |
| US08905330B2 |
Hydration system
A device, system and method relating to dispensing fluid from a device. The system relates generally to a hand-held fluid dispensing module, a control module coupled to the hand-held fluid dispensing module, a fluid container located in close proximity to the hand-held fluid dispensing module and the control module, and a cooling module coupled to the control module. The hand-held device being configured to control and determine the amount of fluid dispensed from the device. The method relates to using the system and dispensing fluid from the hand-held fluid dispensing module by either applying pressure to an exterior portion of the hand-held dispensing module or providing a vacuum to the hand-held fluid dispensing module. |
| US08905327B2 |
Device for cleaning vehicle surfaces
The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device comprising at least one nozzle carrier (7) for mounting on a cleaning liquid supply tube (4a, 4b), the nozzle carrier (7) defining at least one cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) for a pressurized cleaning fluid and being provided with at least one cleaning fluid distribution chamber (13), said chamber communicating with said cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) and with at least one spray nozzle (9) mounted on said nozzle carrier (7), wherein said distribution chamber (13) is provided with at least one inlet port (20) which in a non-pressurized state is closed by a fluid valve and wherein said fluid valve is designed as a springless valve. |
| US08905324B2 |
Projector and member for spraying a coating material, and spraying method using such a sprayer
The invention relates to a rotary sprayer for spraying a coating material, comprising a fixed body, a spraying member, a device for rotating the spraying member about a rotational axis, and a flow path for supplying the spraying member with a coating material. The spraying member for the coating material includes a flow surface for receiving the coating material and an edge for spraying the coating material. The rotary sprayer further includes a device for injecting air into a region located radially inside the space defined by the flow surface and upstream from the edge, the air-injecting device being separate from the coating material supply flow path. The air-injecting device includes an air dispenser arranged in an upstream portion of the flow surface, which injects air into a central area of the surface. |
| US08905323B2 |
Guide plate for the lateral guidance of a rail and system for fastening a rail
Disclosed is a guide plate for the lateral guidance of a rail and to a rail fastening system with such a guide plate. The guide plate has a contact area, on which the guide plate stands in the completely assembled state, and a support portion, which is associated with the counter bearing, with a support face, with which the guide plate 1 is supported, in the completely assembled state, on a counter bearing. |
| US08905322B2 |
Railway rail pad
A railway rail pad (1), for use beneath a railway rail in a rail fastening assembly as cushioning and/or electrical insulation, has first and second major faces (2, 3), the first face (2) having a rail seat portion (20) on which a foot of a railway rail sits when the pad (1) is in use, and side members (4A, 4B) attached to and extending from two opposite edges of the first face (2) of the pad (1). The side members (4A, 4B) are arranged so as to be located on respective opposite sides of the railway rail when the pad (1) is in use such that the rail seat portion (20) of the pad (1) lies between respective inwardly-facing wall faces (41A, 41B) of the said side members (4A, 4B). When the pad (1) is not under load and is placed so as to rest on a surface with the first face (2) of the pad (1) uppermost and part of the surface lying beneath the rail seat portion of the pad, an inclination angle (α1, α2) between the wall face (41A, 41B) of each side member (4A, 4B) and that part of the surface beneath the rail seat portion on which the pad (1) is resting is greater than 90°. When the pad is not under load, the first face is substantially convex in a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail when the pad is in use. |
| US08905315B1 |
Populating calendar event information fields of an electronic calendar from a scan of a bar code
One or more processors, executing program instructions stored on a non-transitory storage medium, can populate event information of an event into a set of electronic calendar event information fields of an electronic calendar of a user. Each of the set of information fields is populated using the event information obtained from a single optical scan of a bar code for the event. The bar code can include the event information optically encoded within the bar code or can include a link encoded within the bar code to a Web source from which the event information is automatically obtained. |
| US08905306B2 |
Electronic voting system
An electronic voting system provides increased transparency to the public and verification for the individual voters regarding the tallying of their respective votes. A voting record can be made available electronically, thereby eliminating the need to provide a voter with a paper ballot. A voting record identifier is generated without use of, or reference to, voter identity. The voting record identifier is provided to the voter, such that the voter can access a record of his ballot selections and vote number sequence. In addition, a biometric authentication mechanism is provided to reduce, or eliminate, the potential that a voter is able to vote more than once. |
| US08905304B1 |
System and method for processing certified or registered mail
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods related to mailing certified or registered mail and accessing payment systems using a secure system. Cardholder may use a mail card to authenticate his identity via a card reader, which includes biometric verification means for comparing cardholder's biometric sample with a biometric identifier stored thereon, upon authentication, cardholder can obtain access to the postal services computer via an application program that allows cardholder to provide self-authenticating contact information read from the mail card as well as input mail delivery information, e.g. addressee's mailing address, weight, perishables, etc., using the card reader's keyboard for generating the mailing label, and scheduling mail pickup. Mail card may also include payment information such that it can be used as tender for payment for the mail services as well as for any other payments, e.g. utility bills, where the mail card is accepted as legal tender. |
| US08905303B1 |
Method for adaptive wireless payment
A method for facilitating wireless payment using different authentication and connectivity methods depending on the user profile, the user location, transaction, and connectivity capabilities of the payment terminal. |
| US08905301B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for issuing and using debit cards
A system, method, and computer program product are used to issue and track debit cards. A system comprises an enrolling system that verifies an enrollee, associates an enrollee's main and overdraft account, and issues a debit card, an authentication system that receives information regarding a requested transaction of a debit card and that receives information regarding the main and overdraft account associated with the debit card and accepts or rejects the requested transaction based thereon, and a settlement system that generates a periodic report of at least one of the transactions, the main account, and the overdraft account. The overdraft account can be a charge or credit account. |
| US08905296B2 |
Wireless integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing the same
A wireless IC device includes a base material sheet having a long-side direction and a short-side direction, an antenna element provided on a surface of the base material sheet and that includes two radiation portions extending in the long side direction with a predetermined gap therebetween and two connection portions located in a gap through which the two radiation portions oppose each other, a wireless IC element connected to the two connection portions via a conductive bonding material, and a resist layer that covers the two radiation portions and does not cover the two connection portions and at least areas adjacent to the connection portions in the short-side direction. |
| US08905295B2 |
Method and apparatus for adding value to a stored value account
An apparatus and method for adding value to a stored value account using a scanable stored value code are provided. Through the use of scanable stored value codes, the process of adding value to a stored value account can be improved. Stored value card containing scanable stored value codes provide advantages to holders of stored value accounts. |
| US08905292B1 |
Modular scaffold horizontal end connector
The invention is an end connector for a horizontal scaffold member where the top of the end connector is inserted into the interior of a scaffold pipe. The invention includes a locking latch that includes a rotating latch member and a rotating lock that interferes when the latch is locked. |
| US08905287B2 |
Directionally biased staple and anvil assembly
An anvil assembly having a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple pockets formed in the tissue contact surface. Each of the plurality of staple pockets including first and second staple forming cups, each of the first and second staple forming cups having an outside portion and an inside portion, the inside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in close relation to each other and the outside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in spaced relation to each other. Each of the first and second staple forming cups being defined by sidewalls and an elongated base surface, wherein upper portions of the sidewalls intersect the tissue contact surface at a line of intersection, and wherein the line of intersection is curved along a majority of its length between the outside portion and the inside portion of each of the staple forming cups. |
| US08905276B2 |
Mounting and storage system affixed to the floor of a vehicle trunk and method for mounting a device thereon
Vehicle trunk mounting systems and methods are disclosed. A mounting system comprises a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk and a platform adapted to support a device thereon. The frame comprises a hinge portion and a guide portion. The platform is movably secured within the frame. The frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially horizontal and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright. The platform is slidable within the guide portion when the frame is in the first position. A mounting method comprises mounting the device on the platform, slidably repositioning the platform within the frame, and rotating the frame between the first position and the second position. |
| US08905272B2 |
Sealed dispenser for metered fluent materials
A device for dispensing a metered amount of powdered, granular liquid or related fluent materials and a method of dispensing a fluent material such that a release of excess material beyond the metered amount is inhibited. The dispenser includes a sealing arrangement to effect such inhibiting, as well as to reduce moisture-based contamination of the material stored within the dispenser. Optional features may include various seal configurations and numbers, removable top and bottom caps that both may have a locking mechanism. The dispenser may be configured as a disposable hand-held device such that, after depletion of the fluent material contents arising out of a multiplicity of uses, it can be thrown away. |
| US08905270B2 |
Trigger dispenser for liquids with butt valves
A trigger dispenser (1) for liquids comprises a suction valve (30) comprising a diaphragm (32) housed in the pumping chamber (4) and a delivery valve (60), separate from the suction valve (30), comprising a baffle (62) external to the dispensing pipe (14). The diaphragm (32) of the suction valve (30), during liquid dispensing, abuts on the bottom wall (10b) of the pumping chamber (4) land covers the suction opening (6a), and the baffle (62) of the delivery valve (60), during the return, abuts on the crown surface (18) which surrounds the inlet opening (14a) of the dispensing pipe (14). |
| US08905269B2 |
Device for dispensing pourable materials
A device is disclosed for dispensing pourable materials packaged in a pail or bulk container. The device comprising: a) a container holder comprising an angled shelf, a spring loaded locking clasp, a pair of support bands and a catch plate to support and hold the pail or bulk container in position when the device is in either the loading or dispensing position, b) locking catches to maintain the dispenser in an upright position allowing the pail or bulk container to be loaded into the dispenser; c) a base plate, on which the dispenser pivots and which is shaped so as to hold the dispenser in a rigid position on a mounting surface, such as a counter top or other flat surface, wherein the base plate comprises a locking device that tightens onto the surface to hold the dispenser in position, alternatively the base plate may be fitted with non-slip feet that prevent the device from moving during use, d) means to release the locking catches, e) means to pivot the dispenser forward so that the bulk container is in a horizontal position for dispensing the product. |
| US08905267B2 |
Concentrate holder
A bag-in-box type of assembly is disclosed where numerous features are provided. One of the features helps to lock the drainage tube of the bag in a predetermined position at the bottom of the box. Another feature is directed to a ramp inside the box that aid drainage of the bag's content, e.g., concentrate for a postmix beverage. Yet a further feature is directed to structures that prevent slippage of the bag when placed on the ramp. |
| US08905265B2 |
Dispenser apparatus for dispensing liquid soap, lotion or other liquid
A hybrid dispenser incorporating structural elements providing the ability to alternatively dispense soap or other liquid from a container either by an electric motor or manually including a pivoted actuator member having cam surfaces spaced from one another on opposite sides of the pivot location, a rotatable member rotated by the motor engaging one of the cam surfaces, and a manually operable member engaging the other cam surface. |
| US08905261B2 |
Implosion resistant container
The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings inherent in previous containers for packaging potato chips and/or crisps, corn based chips and/or crisps, cookies and the like. The improved implosion-resistant container of the present invention utilizes flowing geometries mechanisms which allow a hermetically sealed container to smoothly change its geometric shape thereby adjusting its internal volume in response to changes in environmental conditions. These volumetric adjustments compensate for changes in environmental conditions thereby avoiding the random buckling and deformation inherent in current packaging techniques which detracts from the commercial presentation of the container. The improved container of the present invention may also include a variety of other stress dissipating mechanisms that counteract the forces causing thermo-plastic container deformation, implosion and loss of seal integrity. This collection of stress dissipating mechanisms, employed collectively or separately, allows a container for storing fragile food products to be fashioned as a relatively lightweight, thin-walled blow molded thermo-plastic container that is capable of adapting to changing environmental conditions while maintaining its visual aesthetic appearance. |
| US08905258B2 |
Flexible cover for food container and method for manufacturing a flexible cover
A flexible cover (1) for a food container (4) comprising a flexible film (2) and an elastic thread (3) is presented. The elastic thread (3) is attached to the peripheral edge (8) of the flexible film (2) by a channel (5) formed of the flexible film (2) around the elastic thread (3). The channel (5) exerts a circumferential, compressive force on the elastic thread (3), whereby the elastic thread (3) is fixed to the flexible film (2) by friction between the flexible film (2) and the elastic thread (3), and the elastic thread (3) forms a loop around the peripheral edge (8) of the flexible film (2), the loop having two ends (6, 7) overlapping and abutting in a longitudinal direction of the elastic thread (3). A method for manufacturing a flexible cover (1) is also presented. |
| US08905257B2 |
Grease container
The invention is generally applicable to a container. More specifically, the invention is applicable to a container for the collection, storage and transport of waste and refuse material, such as food grease generated by restaurants, schools, hospitals, grocery stores, hotels and other institutions that generate waste food grease. |
| US08905252B2 |
Drink containers with closure retention mechanisms
Drink containers include a liquid container and a cap assembly removably coupled to the liquid container. Cap assemblies include a base, a drink spout extending from the base, a closure configured to be removably coupled relative to the drink spout in a closed position to selectively restrict dispensing of drink liquid through the drink spout and to selectively permit dispensing of drink liquid through the drink spout when removed from the drink spout. Cap assemblies further may include a handle extending from the base and configured to selectively retain the closure in a stowed position when the closure is selectively removed from the drink spout. In some embodiments, the handle defines a closed perimeter and the closure is received within the closed perimeter when positioned in the stowed position. Some embodiments further include a tether that couples the closure to the cap assembly or to the liquid container. |
| US08905251B2 |
Lid for closing a cup
A lid (2) for closing a cup (1) along a peripheral sealing edge (10) and a method for producing such a lid. The lid includes at least one aluminum film and an optionally multi-layered plastic layer which is co-extruded onto the aluminum film and has a closed predetermined tearing line (3). The plastic layer is made of plastic based on polyethylene (PE) or plastic based on polypropylene (PP), and the predetermined tearing line is introduced into the plastic layer preferably by means of a CO2 laser. The predetermined tearing line (3) may be provided directly in the region of the sealing edge (10). |
| US08905245B2 |
Free-standing bicycle parking rack that accommodates disc brake equipped bicycles
A free-standing bicycle parking rack has multiple bicycle parking stations that accommodates most bicycles, including those equipped with disc brakes. The rack has a generally rectangular base, with two longitudinal tubular members rigidly coupled to two lateral tubular end members. Each parking station includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart, interconnected V-shaped uprights which are affixed to one of the longitudinal members. A straight brace interconnects each of the uprights with the longitudinal member to which it is not directly affixed. Upright pairs can be alternately reversed so that each pair is affixed to the opposite longitudinal member, thereby facilitating parking of bicycles on both sides of the rack. A sliding collar, a tire-securing bracket, and a pair of bungee cords, which are provided for each parking station, enable the front or rear wheel of a bicycle to be securely clamped in place for transport. |
| US08905240B2 |
Dry nail applique packaging system
A package for nail polish appliqués includes a carton having a front wall defining an aperture therein, and an insert sized and shaped to fit inside the carton. The insert has a front wall and a window that projects outwardly from its front wall and through the aperture of the carton when the insert is inserted into the carton. The insert contains a packet of nail polish appliqués, and an object that displays a design corresponding to the design of the nail polish appliqués, wherein the object is displayed through the window. A method for assembling the package is also disclosed. |
| US08905237B2 |
Blister cards promoting intuitive dosing
A blister card with a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side has a plurality of blisters and each blister contains a unit dose and each unit dose contains an active. Each blister card contains from about 12 hours to about 24 hours of unit doses according to the dosage instructions. The actives can be the same or different. |
| US08905235B2 |
Polymeric reagents comprising a terminal vinylic group and conjugates formed therefrom
The present invention provides conjugates having a degradable linkage and polymeric reagents useful in preparing such conjugates. Methods of making polymeric reagents and conjugates, as well as methods for administering conjugates and compositions, are also provided. |
| US08905232B2 |
Protective case
A protective case comprises a front case, a baffle, at least one fastening, and a baseplate. A mobile device can be installed into the front case. When the front case is combined with the at least one fastening as pivots, the front case may be slid and turned over in sliding tracks of the baseplate so that a screen of the mobile device can be protected. |
| US08905230B2 |
Golf bag with strap-receiving channel
A golf bag having an internal strap channel is disclosed herein. The strap channel is affixed to a top collar, is located proximate a rear portion of the golf bag body, and extends from one side to the other side of the bag body. In some embodiments, the strap channel includes a center portion and two openings, which may further include rims made of rubber or another lightweight polymeric material. |
| US08905227B2 |
Cleanable conveyor belt and carryway
A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having an underside sculpted with concave indentations to match the shape and positions of the elongated support rails forming a carryway. The support rails may be circular in cross section, and the indentations may be complementary portions of circular cylinders to receive the rails along an extended contact area. |
| US08905225B2 |
Driving device of a conveyor device
A driving device of a conveyor device such as an intake finger assembly of an auger of a harvesting device includes a feeder aid disposed in an interior of the conveyor device, a swivel bearing for supporting the feeder aid on a control shaft, a first fastening section assigned to the swivel bearing, and a second fastening section. The second fastening section is disposed at a distance from the first fastening section, between which a predetermined breaking point is disposed on the feeder aid. The first fastening section and the second fastening section are interconnected by a resiliently elastic connecting element. |
| US08905224B2 |
Clamping mechanism and carrying device and transferring apparatus with the same
The present disclosure provides a clamping mechanism for clamping a liquid crystal panel of a LCD, the clamping mechanism includes a base, a clamping member mounted on the base, and an elastic member connected to the base and applying a drawing force onto the clamping member to allow the clamping member under balanced outer force. With the clamping mechanism, the vertical position of the clamping mechanism can be adjusted as the height of the liquid crystal panel changes, thus, the clamping member can be kept coplanar with the liquid crystal panel, to avoid the fracture of the liquid crystal panel; meanwhile, with the elastic member, the frequency and the precision of adjusting the clamping mechanism can be decreased to reduce the maintaining cost of the clamping mechanism. The present disclosure further provides a carrying device and a transferring apparatus with the clamping mechanism. |
| US08905221B2 |
Carton stacking apparatus and methods
An apparatus for stacking items (I) includes first and second pluralities of stacker shelves (22) extending towards each other in spaced and parallel operative sections and each moving along first and second endless paths. The stacker shelves (22) are switchable by a switch (350) between extended and retracted positions. The stacker shelves (22) in retracted positions in the operative sections are operatively spaced from the item (I) received on the corresponding stacker shelves (22) in extended positions. In preferred aspects, the stacker shelves (22) are slideable relative to first and second plurality of carriers (310) carried along the first and second endless paths by roller chains (304). The switch (350) switches a cam follower (328) on each of the stacker shelves (22) into one of first and second cam tracks (342, 344) as the stacker shelves (22) enter the operative sections of the endless paths. |
| US08905217B2 |
Park slow release
A controller is provided and may monitor a pressure of brake fluid and a state of a transmission of a vehicle. The controller may maintain predetermined brake pressure below a threshold pressure required to prevent movement of the vehicle in response to movement of the transmission into a park state and in response to a drop in brake pressure below the threshold pressure to permit the vehicle to roll with resistance for a predetermined time following the drop of brake pressure below the threshold pressure. |
| US08905212B2 |
Synchro-lock clutch-combination friction and mechanical locking clutch
A composite clutch used to transmit an operational range of torques from a driving member to a driven member includes a friction clutch assembly and a dog clutch assembly. The friction clutch assembly includes a number of first friction clutch members coupled to the driving member and a number of second friction clutch members coupled to the driven member. The number of first friction clutch members and the number of second friction clutch members are selected to transmit torque across a first portion of the operational range of torques. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the friction clutch assembly and the dog clutch assembly. The composite clutch may be operated in friction clutch and dog modes to provide improved controllability in lower torque operation. |
| US08905207B2 |
Personal seated resting support
The present invention relates to an item of luggage (101) incorporating a collapsed resting support (125) which when erected may be used to support portions of a resting person (55) in a forwards leaning seated position. The item of luggage comprises an external casing (102) that extends across a plurality of sides of the item of luggage, and a personal resting support (125) for supporting a resting seated person's upper torso, the personal resting support being removeably affixable to a side (103) of the casing when not in use for resting support of a seated person. The resting support includes a main supporting section (126) for supporting a seated user's upper torso in a forwards leaning seated position, and at least two supporting legs (117, 118; 146) for supporting the main supporting section and which in use extend downwardly from the main supporting section. The item of luggage (101) comprises at least one ground engaging rolling means (109, 110) by which the item of luggage may be wheeled along the ground when being moved about and a handle (114) by which the item of luggage may be pulled to wheel the item of luggage along the ground. The handle (114) is joined to the casing (102) through one or more of the legs (117, 118) when the personal resting support (125) is affixed to the side (103) of the casing. |
| US08905205B2 |
Bicycle hydraulic component operating device
A bicycle hydraulic component operating device has a main body, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, an operating lever, a fluid reservoir tank, and a communication port. The main body includes a handlebar mounting portion and a gripping portion. The piston is movably disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. The operating lever is pivotally disposed around a pivot axis relative to the main body. The operating lever is operatively connected with one of the hydraulic cylinder and the piston to generate a hydraulic force in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever relative to the main body. The fluid reservoir tank is in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder. The communication port is in communication with the fluid reservoir tank. |
| US08905203B2 |
Method for producing brake disc, mold for producing brake disc, and brake disc
A method for producing a brake disc comprising a coupling part having a centered through-hole, a friction part on the periphery of the coupling part, and a wall part connecting the coupling part and the friction part, including: producing a mold in which the coupling part, the wall part, and the friction part are integrally formed, wherein a gap prevents molten metal from overflowing between the wall part and the coupling part, interface is formed on the periphery of the coupling part, an overflow is provided outside the wall part opposite the gap; a first injection process of injecting a first material to form the friction part; and a second injection process of injecting a second material to form the coupling part, a mold for producing the brake disc, and the brake disc. |
| US08905195B2 |
Elevator system control using traffic or passenger parameters
An elevator system having a double or multiple elevator cabins per elevator shaft can be controlled using a method, wherein at least one destination call is entered or at least one identification code is received on at least one call entry floor, said destination call or identification code designating an arrival floor; wherein at least one trip by at least one elevator cabin of the double or multiple elevator cabin from a departure floor to an arrival floor is determined for the destination call or identification code; wherein before determining a trip, it is determined whether at least one situation-specific parameter is fulfilled; and if said situation-specific parameter is fulfilled, at least one situation-compatible call assignment is determined for a trip having a floor difference of zero between the call entry floor and the departure floor or having a floor difference of zero between the destination floor and the arrival floor. |
| US08905194B2 |
Lubricant dispenser
A lubricant dispenser having a cartridge, a wall in the cartridge defining therein a lower chamber and an upper chamber, and a piston subdividing the lower chamber into a lower lubricant compartment and an upper gas compartment. The cartridge has an outlet opening into the lower lubricant compartment. A body of fluent lubricant fills the lower lubricant compartment. A housing in the upper chamber holds a gas generator connected through the wall to the gas compartment and electrically energizeable to generate gas and pressurize the gas compartment. A battery is secured to the housing. An electronic controller removably mounted in the upper chamber has electrical contacts connectable to the battery and to the gas generator. It is powerable by the battery for operating the gas generator and thereby pressurizing the gas compartment, moving the piston, and forcing the lubricant out of the outlet. |
| US08905193B2 |
Direct drive rotation device for passively moving fluid
The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion. |
| US08905189B2 |
Splicing of curved acoustic honeycomb
Honeycomb sections are bonded together with seams made up of an adhesive that is carried by a linked-segment seam support. The seams are particularly useful for splicing together curved honeycomb sections that contain acoustic septum. The curved acoustic honeycomb sections are spliced or seamed together to form engine nacelles and other acoustic damping structures. |
| US08905184B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering apparatus includes a steering column that is swung around a tilting spindle during tilt adjustment, a fixing bracket that supports the steering column through the tilting spindle, and an electric motor that is supported by the steering column and used as a steering auxiliary. The fixing bracket includes a pair of side plates facing each other with the steering shaft therebetween in a vehicle width direction and a connection member through which the pair of side plates are connected together. Either one of the pair of side plates is provided with a first restraining portion that restrains the steering column from rotating in a first rotation direction around the tilting spindle. The remaining one of the pair of side plates is provided with a second restraining portion that restrains the steering column from rotating in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. |
| US08905179B2 |
Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor. |
| US08905171B2 |
Battery pack with high structural reliability
Disclosed is a battery pack including a battery module array having battery modules arranged in two or more rows in a state in which the battery modules are erected in an upside-down fashion, each of the battery modules being formed by stacking battery cells or unit modules, each having two or more battery cells mounted therein, in a lateral direction with respect to electrode terminals of the battery cells, a front support member and a rear support member that are a pair of side support members to support the front and rear of the battery module array, respectively, lower end support members coupled to lower ends of the side support members, and mounting members coupled to an upper end of the battery module array and fastened to an external device such that an upper part of the battery pack is mounted to the external device. |
| US08905160B1 |
Drill pipe handling assembly
An assembly for handling drill pipes includes a basket for drill pipes arranged in rows and columns, and a support table that has a drill pipe receiver. The support table moves laterally with respect to the drill pipe basket between a plurality of column alignment positions and an external position which locates the drill pipe receiver laterally outside of the basket. The support table also moves between the plurality of column alignment positions and the external position. The drill pipe handling assembly also includes a drill pipe elevator assembly and a loader arm assembly comprising a loader arm having a pipe gripper. The loader arm moves between a table alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe when the support table is in the external position and a drilling alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe. |
| US08905156B2 |
Drop away funnel for modular drilling templates
A template for use in positioning subsea wellbores that has a drop away funnel that extends laterally from the template. The drop away funnel is used to locate a piling adjacent the wellbores and is selectively detached from the template after installing the piling. A tang and clevis type assembly mounts the drop away funnel to the template, where the tang and clevis are coupled together with a main stud. The main stud is oriented substantially parallel with an axis of the drop away funnel; so that when the stud is removed, the drop away funnel can decouple from the template and slide axially downward along the piling. |
| US08905153B2 |
Method for operating a power tool having a clutch device
The invention relates to a method for operating power tool, particularly an electrically driven hand power tool, having at least one tool drive shaft for directly or indirectly rotationally driving a tool insert. The tool insert is received in a tool holder releasably connected to the tool drive shaft. The tool drive shaft can be coupled to a drive device via a clutch device. The clutch device is provided with at least two different limit torques, which are selectable by an operator. When the tool insert and/or the tool holder is changed out, the clutch device is reset to a lower limit torque of the at least two different limit torques, particularly the lowest possible limit torque. |
| US08905151B2 |
Extended coverage pendent sprinkler
An extended coverage pendent sprinkler configured for the fire protection of an occupancy classified as any one of: light hazard, ordinary hazard, extra hazard, rack storage with solid shelves and any combination thereof. The sprinkler preferably includes a body having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet to define a passageway to further define a sprinkler axis and a K factor ranging from 11 gpm/(psi)1/2 to about 25 gpm/(psi)1/2. A deflector is spaced from the outlet to distribute a fire fighting fluid over a maximum protection area of about 196 square feet, and having one or more combination of features as described in the preferred deflector described herein. |
| US08905150B1 |
Casing stripper attachment
The casing stripper attachment secures the casing stripper within a housing, such as the bowl. The casing stripper rubber attaches to an attachment body for installation within the housing. The attachment body includes a base and an attachment lip. The base provides an outer surface for securing the attachment body and stripper rubber to the housing. The clamp secures the outer surface of the base with the housing. The stripper rubber fastens to the attachment lip of the attachment body to be secured within the bowl. The base of the present invention could attach to a drilling nipple that assists with inserting the casing into the well, a process known as running casing. |
| US08905149B2 |
Expandable seal with conforming ribs
Expandable seals have one or more conforming ribs to facilitate creation of a seal to a sealing surface disposed in the well. The conforming ribs comprise a core of material either capped, partially covered by, or entirely covered by a ring. The ring can be formed of a metal that is softer than the metallic core material of each rib. Suitable metals forming the rings include copper formed by metal spun methods. Disposed adjacent to the rings are one or more sealing elements. By moving the rings into the sealing surface during expansion of the expandable seals, the rings close the extrusion gaps between the internal surface of the casing and the expanded tubular member ribs. The rings better conform to the sealing surface of the casing, thereby facilitating the creation of the seal between this sealing surface and each of the sealing elements. |
| US08905147B2 |
Methods of removing a wellbore isolation device using galvanic corrosion
A wellbore isolation device comprises: at least a first material, wherein the first material: (A) is a metal or a metal alloy; and (B) is capable of at least partially dissolving when an electrically conductive path exists between the first material and a second material and at least a portion of the first and second materials are in contact with an electrolyte, wherein the second material: (i) is a metal or metal alloy; and (ii) has a greater anodic index than the first material. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with an electrolyte; and allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. |
| US08905145B2 |
Remote and manual actuated well tool
A well tool having an actuator sleeve in a housing. The actuator sleeve has an internal shifting tool engaging profile. The tool has an actuator in the housing that is responsive to a remote signal to change from an unactuated state to an actuated state and shift the actuator sleeve from a first position to a second position. A collet in the housing is supported to couple the actuator sleeve to the actuator while the actuator changes from the unactuated state to the actuated state and is unsupported to allow the actuator sleeve to move relative to the actuator when the actuator is in the actuated state. |
| US08905142B2 |
Guide frame for riser tower
Disclosed herein is a guide frame (10) for location at one or more points along the length of a riser tower structure (112,114). The riser tower structure is of a type that has an upper end supported at a depth below the sea surface and has a central core (200) with one or more conduits (220) arranged therearound extending from the seabed toward the surface. In use, the guide frame guides the conduit (s) relative to the central core, said guide frame (10) being attachable to said riser tower structure non-continuously (40,50), thereby not becoming an integral part of said riser tower structure. Also disclosed is a riser tower comprising such guide frames. |
| US08905135B2 |
Zero shear viscosifying agent
This invention is generally related to using treatment fluids having additives that modify rheological characteristics. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of using treatment fluids comprising an aqueous fluid and an associative polymer additive, wherein the associative polymer additive increases the PV of the treatment fluid by more than at least 50% and wherein the associative polymer additive increases the yield point by no more than about 30% of the corresponding increase in the PV relative to a treatment fluid without the associative polymer additive in a portion of a subterranean formation. |
| US08905134B2 |
Wellbore servicing compositions and methods of making and using same
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising identifying lost circulation zone within a wellbore; and placing in the wellbore a composition comprising a wax and a water-based mud wherein placement of the composition reduces or prevents a loss of fluids to the lost circulation zone. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a water-based mud, a sized calcium carbonate particle and a wax. |
| US08905132B2 |
Establishing communication between well pairs in oil sands by dilation with steam or water circulation at elevated pressures
A method of establishing fluid communication between a well pair in an oil-sand reservoir, where dilatable oil sands in the reservoir form a barrier to fluid communication between the well pair. Steam or water is circulated within at least one well to a region of the oil sands adjacent to the well. The steam or water pressure is increased to a dilation pressure sufficient to dilate the oil sands in the region. While circulating steam or water within the well at a substantially steady state, the steam or water pressure is maintained at a level sufficient to enlarge the dilated region, until detection of a signal indicative of fluid communication between the well pair. The rates and pressures of steam or water injection and production may be monitored and adjusted to vary a bottom-hole pressure in the well. |
| US08905131B2 |
Probeless packer and filter systems
An apparatus described herein includes a formation sampling tool having a body; a packer extendibly mounted to the body and having a first inlet, the first inlet having a first rigid insert fixed to walls of the packer to define the first inlet, the first rigid insert extending partially through the packer; a first filter disposed within the body to filter fluid extracted from a subterranean formation via the first inlet; a first fluid passage to fluidly couple the first inlet to the first filter; and a first piston to slide within the first filter to clean the first filter. |
| US08905130B2 |
Fluid sample cleanup
An apparatus having a body including a plurality of packers and a plurality of ports between the packers. The packers and ports are spaced along a longitudinal axis of the body. The apparatus also includes a control module to obtain a density of a formation fluid and, based on the density, determine a direction to pump fluid from an interval defined by the packers. |
| US08905128B2 |
Valve assembly employable with a downhole tool
A valve assembly employable with a downhole tool configured for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation and method of operating the same. The valve assembly includes an actuator and a sensing apparatus configured to provide a first signal based on an environment associated with the valve assembly and a second signal based on a characteristic of the valve assembly. The valve assembly also includes a controller configured to provide a third signal to the actuator to alter the characteristic in response to the first and second signals. |
| US08905125B1 |
Abrasive perforator with fluid bypass
An abrasive perforator tool with a bypass flow channel. The tool comprises a tubular body or housing with perforating nozzles in the sidewall. A sleeve assembly inside the central bore of the tool provides for sequential deployment of first and second sleeves. Prior to deployment of the sleeve assembly, pressurized fluid can be passed through the tool to operate other tools beneath the perforator in the bottom hole assembly. Deployment of the first sleeve diverts pressurized fluid through the nozzles for perforating. Deployment of the second sleeve redirects the pressurized flow through the outlet of the tool to resume operation of other tools below the perforator. |
| US08905119B2 |
Casting equipment starter block
Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes. The equipment includes a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4) where the walls define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet. The outlet is provided with a starter block (6) on a movable support, which prior to each casting, closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of different size ingots. The equipment further includes an arrangement for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The starter block is provided with short end walls (11) and long side walls (9). At least one short end wall is movable relative to the mold. |
| US08905116B2 |
Roller blind system
A roller blind system for a vehicle for shading a rear window, having a fabric sheet movable between stowed and functioning conditions, with a pull-out profile provided at a distal end thereof and two guide rails located on sides of the sheet, whereby the pull-out profile incorporates two sliding pieces at its opposite ends each engaged with one guide rail. The pull-out profile covers an outlet slot for the sheet. The pull-out profile has a variable length and includes a main segment bonded to the sheet and two movable end segments movable relative to the main segment by a guide. The covering face includes a main section on the main segment and side sections on the end segments. The side sections enter into a receiving pocket enclosed by the main segment when the length of the pull-out profile is reduced. |
| US08905115B2 |
Blind cord winder integrating with stopping control
Disclosed is a blind cord winder integrating with stopping control to allow open/close operation of the cordless blind to lift or lower the cordless blind at any positions according to user's needs. The winder primarily comprises a spool installed inside a first compartment, a force-feedback mechanism, and a braking cushion mechanism installed inside a second compartment where the force-feedback mechanism is installed in a shaft cavity of the first compartment. The force-feedback mechanism includes a shaft sleeve and a volute spring. The braking cushion mechanism includes a friction ring, a friction spring, and a trigger sleeve. The friction ring is immovably installed inside the second compartment. The friction spring is tightly plugged into the friction ring and has an extrusion end for the trigger sleeve to trigger friction variation in a single directional rotation of the trigger sleeve. |
| US08905104B2 |
Adhesive fastening elements for holding a workpiece
An adhesive fastening element (602) for holding a workpiece (608), the adhesive fastening element (602) comprising: a body (604, 606) defining a recess (642) for receiving a protrusion (644) of the workpiece (608); wherein, in use, adhesive is applied between an end surface of the recess (642) and an end surface of the protrusion (644) and between a side surface of the recess (642) and a side surface of the protrusion (644) to bond the workpiece (608) to the adhesive fastening element (602). The workpiece (608) may be aligned with a reference point on the adhesive fastening element (602) and the adhesive cured to fix the position of the workpiece (608) relative to the adhesive fastening element (602). |
| US08905103B1 |
Tool for fastening an attachment element to a surface
A tool defines a piston/cylinder with first and second chambers on either side of the piston. A sealable port couples the first chamber to ambient environment. One end of the tool (i) defines a volume that is open to ambient environment, and (ii) has a cartridge coupled thereto such that the volume remains open to ambient environment. The cartridge defines (i) a chamber filled with a meltable material, and (ii) a channel coupling the material-filled chamber to ambient environment. A melting device in thermal communication with the meltable material simultaneously heats an air/water mixture in the second chamber and melts the meltable material. An element releasably coupled to the tool spans a region within the cartridge that lies within the channel. The element incorporates a check valve separating the volume defined by the tool and ambient environment. |
| US08905096B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread having cap portion, segmented base portion and conductive portion
A tread rubber includes a cap portion formed by a nonconductive rubber, a base portion formed by a nonconductive rubber, and a conductive portion formed by a conductive rubber. A rubber hardness of the cap portion is higher than a rubber hardness of the base portion. The base portion is segmented in a tire width direction. A rubber forming the cap portion is filled in a recess at a segmented position. The conductive portion has a first portion which is provided in an outer side of the segmented position and extends to an inner side in the tire diametrical direction from the ground surface, and a second portion which is provided continuously in the first portion and extends in the tire width direction so as to run into the side surface or the bottom surface of the tread rubber. |
| US08905092B2 |
Gas pump key
A pressure brace device holds a gas pump handle in the open position, can store small items such as a SPEEDPASS, and can be clipped to small-gauge items such as a key ring. The pressure brace comprises a depressible plunger within a spring-loaded housing. The plunger is compressed into the housing while the brace is situated in the gas pump handle, then released. The outward pressure provided by the spring holds the handle in the open position, allowing gas to flow through the pump. |
| US08905084B2 |
Tube of radiator
A tube of a radiator includes a tube body, and a reinforcement strip. The tube body has a first curved face and a second curved face. The tube body is formed by a sheet plate which has two opposite ends connected to form a connecting portion which is located at the first curved face of the tube body. The reinforcement strip is mounted in the sheet plate and is located at the second curved face of the tube body. Thus, the first curved face of the tube body is formed with the connecting portion, and the second curved face of the tube body is combined with the reinforcement strip so that both of the first curved face and the second curved face of the tube body have a larger thickness to enhance the stiffness and strength of the tube body. |
| US08905081B2 |
Safety restraint system for high pressure flow lines
A safety restraint system for a flow line for pressurized liquids, comprising a plurality of axially spaced flow line wraps each having end loops that are releasably connected to an anchor line, the anchor line being further attached at each of its two ends to a relatively immobile anchor structure, and each flow line wrap being removable from the flow line and from the anchor line without detaching either end of the anchor line from its respective anchor structure. |
| US08905080B2 |
Device for processing and conditioning of material transported through the device
The present invention relates to a device for treatment of material transported through the device comprising at least one porous element consisting of solid, for example metallic, structure which allows cross-flow of the material through the porous element. A device in accordance with the invention is particularly useful as mixer or heat exchanger or to carry out chemical reactions under homogenous and heterogeneous conditions. Such a device hereinafter also referred as reactor may comprises a tube (1) having a cylindrical wall (2) with one inlet end (3) and one outlet end (4). Arranged in the tube (1) is at least one cylindrical porous element (5) consisting of solid metal structure, wherein said porous element (5) comprises a plurality of hollow spaces that are connected to each other and form an interconnected cavity network and wherein the at least one porous element (5) and the cylindrical wall (2) are made in one piece. The porosity ε of the at least one porous element (5) is between 0.8 and 0.95. |
| US08905077B2 |
Hydraulic main valve and auxiliary valve
The present invention relates to a hydraulic auxiliary valve device (1) adapted to be connected to a hydraulic main valve (20) on a work vehicle, which work vehicle comprises a hydraulic system comprising a pump and a tank, the auxiliary valve device (1) comprises: —a first motor port connection (4A) and a second motor port connection (4B) arranged to be connected to a first motor port and a second motor port, respectively, on a double acting hydraulic motor, in particular a double acting hydraulic cylinder, —a pump lead-through (2), which connects the pump input port connection (2A) of the auxiliary valve device (1) to the pump connection output port (2B); —a tank lead-through (3), which connects the tank input port connection (3A) of the auxiliary valve device (1) to the tank connection output port (3B); and —a control valve (IA) provided with two open positions, which control valve (1A) in the first open position connects the pump input port connection (2A) to the first motor port connection (4A) and the tank input port connection (3A) to the second motor port connection (4B), and in the second open position connects the pump input port connection (2A) to the second motor port connection (4B) and the tank input port connection (3A) to the first motor port connection (4A). |
| US08905076B2 |
Coolant-return manifold shut-off valve
A vehicular cooling system coolant-return manifold is provided that includes a plurality of ports reconfigurable by the user to open, such that coolant will flow into the manifold, or close, such that coolant will not flow into the manifold. The ports are opened and closed by rotating a valve spool in relation to the manifold body. The ports of the manifold are brought into alignment with holes in the valve spool to open a port such that coolant flows into the manifold. A plurality of positions of the valve spool in relation to the manifold body allow a user to select a position wherein the desired combination of ports are on and off. |
| US08905075B2 |
Rotary shear valve assembly with hard-on-hard seal surfaces
A multi-position rotary shear valve assembly having a substantially metallic or ceramic stator device and a substantially metallic or ceramic rotor device. The stator device defines a substantially planar stator face and at least two or more stator channels in fluid communication with the stator face at corresponding stator ports, while the rotor device includes a substantially planar rotor face defining one or more rotor channels. A tribological coating is disposed atop at least one of the rotor face and the stator face, which enables a substantially fluid-tight, selective relative rotation between the rotor face and the stator face, at a rotor-stator interface, between two or more rotor positions. |
| US08905073B2 |
Micro fluid device and trace liquid diluting method
A microfluidic device provided with a micro-channel structure capable of easily and positively providing therein micro-droplet having various dilution ratios. A micro-channel structure provided in a substrate (2) has a first mixing unit (11) and a second mixing unit (21) connected to the downstream side of the first mixing unit (11), with each mixing unit (11, 21) having first through third micro-channels. One end of a first weighing unit (11d) consisting of a micro-channel having a capacity equivalent to the volume of a specified-amount first micro-droplet is opened to a first micro-channel (11a), and the other end is opened to a merging unit (12a) provided on a second micro-channel (12). One end of a second weighing unit (13d) consisting of a micro-channel having a capacity equivalent to the volume of a specified-amount second micro-droplet is connected to a third micro-channel (13), and the other end is opened to the merging unit (12a). Any one of the first through third outlet ports of the first mixing unit is connected with the first or the third inlet port of the second mixing unit (21). |
| US08905070B2 |
Storage bag and LPG fuel store
A multivalve with a storage bag and a storage bag configured for temporarily accommodating a liquid gas fuel around a discharge for a liquid gas fuel store formed from a deformable memory material, wherein the storage bag has a temporary, size-reduced position, an outer diameter of the storage bag then being less than 48 mm, and a second, operative position, the storage bag having a sufficient volume. A multivalve with a storage bag includes a storage bag having a bottom with sides rising from the bottom, a one-way valve being placed in or close to the bottom and connected to an inlet in the storage bag, the one-way valve being welded to the plastic of the storage bag. |
| US08905064B2 |
Flow regulator for infusion pump and method of manufacturing the same
An ambulatory drug infusion system includes a disposable ambulatory infusion pump and a flow regulator for regulating flow of the drug supplied from the disposable ambulatory infusion pump. The flow regulator includes a cylinder assembly of first, second and third cylinders arranged coaxially. The flow regulator includes a continuous spiral or helical liquid-flow channel formed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder fitted into the first cylinder. The regulator includes bypass through-holes in communication with the spiral or helical channel and formed in the second cylinder. The regulator further includes liquid-flow passages formed between the second cylinder and the third cylinder fitted into the second cylinder. The through-holes are in communication with the passages, respectively. One of the passages can be selected to choose a predetermined flow rate. The regulator further includes a diaphragm valve which can regulate fluid communication between the spiral liquid-flow channel and an outlet. |
| US08905061B2 |
Needle fill valve
A needle fill valve, in which a bearer is set on the top of a body, the bearer is covered on an upper cover, a front cavity is set on the front side of the bearer, an inner cavity is set on the location corresponding to the front cavity for placing the annular gasket of the sealing plate wrapped a sealing valve pad, and the purpose of fixing the sealing valve pad for preventing being disengaged from the annular gasket is achieved by fastening an upper fixed seat and a lower fixed seat. |
| US08905060B2 |
Tamper-resistant caps, assemblies and systems for use with a valve
Tamper-proof cap systems and methods for use with an access valve, such as a refrigeration access valve, are provided. A tamper-proof cap assembly for use with an access valve can include a cylindrical outer cap and a cylindrical inner cap, wherein the inner cap captively resides within and rotates freely within the outer cap. The inner cap of a tamper-proof cap assembly can threadingly receive the threaded end of an access valve. A tamper-proof cap system can include a tamper-proof cap assembly and a tool for manipulating the inner cap such that a user with the tool can manipulate the tamper-proof cap and screw it onto or off of an access valve. Without the tool the tamper-proof cap cannot be removed from the access valve. |
| US08905059B2 |
Diesel fuel leakage control system for a dual fuel injector
A system for controlling leakage of diesel fuel into the natural gas side of a dual fuel injector during low pressure natural gas conditions comprises a leakage control valve that blocks the diesel fuel line during very low natural gas line pressure conditions, including start-up and limp-home mode conditions. |
| US08905058B2 |
Apparatus and method for detection and cessation of unintended gas flow
A method and apparatus for detecting and preventing electrically induced fires in a gas tubing systems constructed of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and Gas Appliance Connectors (GAC). The system of the present invention may include one or more energy detection schemes to detect electrical energy surges on the gas line. When such a surge is detected, the control circuitry of the present invention causes an electric main gas valve de-energize into a closed position. In addition, the system of the present invention further includes a residual gas dispersal system that automatically vents the residual downstream gas pressure remaining in the gas tubing system after the closure of the main gas valve. |
| US08905056B2 |
Systems and methods for routing pressurized fluid
A manifold system for routing pressurized fluid from a fluid source is disclosed. The manifold system includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a frame, an intake section coupled to the frame, and an articulating arm coupled to the intake section. The intake section is configured to route pressurized fluid to the articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to route pressurized fluid away from the intake section. |
| US08905054B2 |
Protrusive structure apparatus
This disclosure relates to an apparatus configured to transform from a retracted configuration to a protruded configuration, and vice versa, by rotating via one or more guides disposed on a base. The apparatus may be formed in different sizes, from various materials depending on the intended use of the apparatus. In some implementations, the apparatus may include one or more of guides, a base, one or more members, a coupler, and/or other components. |
| US08905048B2 |
Invisible lace weft
An essentially invisible lace weft hair extension comprising a first layer of lace, extension hair knotted into the first layer to define a weft base, a knot sealant/bonding agent applied to the weft base, and a second layer of lace bonded to the first layer over the weft base. The weft base is double-bleached (both lace and knots), preferably before the knot sealant/bonding agent is applied. Methods for constructing the weft, and for applying the weft to a wearer's scalp using adhesive, are also disclosed. |
| US08905043B2 |
Banded papers, smoking articles and methods
Wrapper for cigarette manufacture includes transversely extending band regions applied by a printing technique, such as gravure printing. The band regions comprise starch, an anti-wrinkling agent such as 1,2 propylene glycol or glycerin, and optionally calcium carbonate. Any suitable printing technique can be used to apply the aqueous solution to the banded regions. The pattern of banded regions may be bands, stripes, two-dimensional arrays, undulated regions, and the like along and/or around the tobacco rod. The pattern can be applied in one or more layers. The pattern may be configured so that when a smoking article is placed on a substrate, at least two longitudinal locations along the length of the tobacco rod have film-forming compound located only on sides of the smoking article not in contact with the substrate. |
| US08905042B2 |
Cigarettes and cigarette filters including activated carbon for removing nitric oxide
Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided. |
| US08905035B2 |
Patient positioning system
A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails. |
| US08905033B2 |
Modular tissue securement systems
A system and method are disclosed for the securement of tissue and in particular for placement of a tongue base suspension fiber for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The system incorporates disposable connectors with releasable needles to facilitate the placement of fibers with minimal increase in suture site dilation or trauma. |
| US08905032B2 |
Occlusion of fallopian tubes in a vertebrate subject
According to one claim of the invention, a method for occluding a fallopian tube in a vertebrate subject is described, which comprises comprising transcervically delivering a solid blocking material into the fallopian tube. In various embodiments, a fluid sealing material is delivered along with the solid blocking material. Other claims of the invention pertain to articles of manufacture, delivery devices and kits for use in occluding the fallopian tubes of a vertebrate subject. |
| US08905029B2 |
Airway system with carbon dioxide sensor for determining tracheal cuff inflation and technique for using the same
An airway management device is provided that may adjust the inflation level of a cuff associated with an endotracheal tube. The cuff inflation may be adjusted in response to an increase in carbon dioxide levels above the cuff, which may indicate a poor seal of the cuff against the tracheal walls, as well in response to a measured intracuff pressure. By using information about the seal quality of the cuff together with information about the cuff pressure, the inflation of the cuff can be adjusted to minimize cuff inflation pressure while maintaining a high quality tracheal seal. |
| US08905027B2 |
Portable compression chambers
A compression chamber is formed by two end walls (10) and a flexible tubular member (11) extending between the end walls (10). The flexible tubular member (11) is formed from an inner tube (12) of air impermeable material and an outer tube (13) of a braided material. The inner tube (12) is unstressed when the chamber is filled with oxygen or air and the outer tube (13) bears the pressure load. |
| US08905023B2 |
Hyperthermic humidification system
Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit. |
| US08905021B2 |
Dry-powder inhaler
An inhaler for delivering dry-powder medicament to a patient from an open blister pocket of a blister pack. The inhaler includes a housing for enclosing used and unused portions of the blister pack together with a medicament dispensing mechanism. The inhaler also includes a manifold through which air can be drawn in use of the inhaler, the manifold including an air inlet for receiving external air, at least one medicament aperture for communicating with an opened pocket of the blister pack to enable entrainment of the medicament by the air drawn through the manifold, and an air outlet for delivery of the entrained medicament to the patient. The medicament dispensing mechanism includes a guide surface for guiding the cover sheet of the unused portion of the blister pack. The manifold and the guide surface are defined by separate components of the inhaler. |
| US08905020B2 |
Spacer and components therefor
A spacer for delivering a medicinal substance is provided having a chamber having a tubular body defining a first reservoir, the top end of the body narrowing to define a single unobstructed central chamber aperture, a base for the body having an inlet for admission of the substance into the first reservoir, a vented member connected atop the body, a mouthpiece connected atop the vented member and partly defining a second reservoir, the mouthpiece having an outlet for withdrawal of the substance from the second reservoir The spacer also has a valve within the chamber having a self-supporting central domed portion and defining a central cross slit at its peak, the domed portion opening during inspiration and closing during expiration, and a flat ringed portion surrounding the domed portion with a circumferential free edge, the diameter of the ringed portion being approximately twice the diameter of the domed portion. |
| US08905018B2 |
Breathing apparatus
Breathing apparatus comprising a face piece for covering the whole face of a user and a fan unit for operating synchronously with the breath timing of the user. The breathing apparatus comprises a breath monitoring apparatus provided with a diaphragm and a sensor for detecting movement of the diaphragm. The location of the diaphragm and the sensor and a transmission path of inhale pressure and exhale pressure to the diaphragm are optimized. The breath monitoring apparatus is disposed in a fan unit, a space for accommodating the diaphragm and the sensor is disposed independently of an air passage in the fan unit, and the internal space of a nose cup is communicated with the space in the fan unit through holes formed in the nose cup and the face piece when the fan unit and the nose cup are connected to the face piece. |
| US08905017B2 |
Reservoir and atomizer
A reservoir and a nebulizer having such a reservoir are proposed. The reservoir comprises a closure for a fluid chamber with a medicament formulation that is formed by two closure members welded together. The closure comprises a particle barrier for preventing the ingress into the fluid chamber of any weld particles that may potentially be formed during the welding of the two closure members. The fluid chamber is preferably broadened in the shape of a beaver tail and is sealed lengthways with an additional strip of material. |
| US08905016B2 |
Heliostat for collecting sunlight and method of controlling the same
A heliostat capable of collecting light with high efficiency and having reduced manufacturing and installation costs; and a method of controlling the heliostat. The heliostat includes a reflecting mirror configured to reflect sunlight; and a support mechanism configured to tiltably support the reflecting mirror. The support mechanism has a single supporting column and first and second cylinders. The reflecting mirror is supported at its back surface by a supporting column upper end of the supporting column, a first cylinder upper end of the first cylinder and a second cylinder upper end of the second cylinder in a tiltable manner, which are arranged to form a triangle on the back surface of the reflecting mirror. A gimbal bearing connects the supporting column upper end and the reflecting mirror, the gimbal bearing being configured to be tiltable in two axial directions intersecting with each other. |
| US08905014B2 |
Oven appliance with dual pocketing doors
An oven appliance with a pair of doors is provided. The doors slide along a track in order to open and close and are coupled with a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly allows movement of one of the doors to be transferred to the other door such that the doors open and close simultaneously. When the doors are open, the doors are stored in pockets defined in the oven appliance. |
| US08905013B2 |
Apparatuses for launching projectiles
An apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus includes a hollow cylinder and a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder. The piston is configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder. The apparatus further includes a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder. The chamber is configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end. |
| US08905008B2 |
Gas supply module for a motor vehicle engine, assembly of an engine cylinder head and such a module, and motor vehicle engine comprising such a module
The invention relates to a gas supply module (20) for an engine, comprising a heat exchanger (22) capable of cooling gases for the intake thereof in an intake space of a cylinder head of the engine, and a gas supply valve (24) capable of directing said gases toward the intake space of said cylinder head and/or through said heat exchanger (22), said module (20) further comprising an interface element (26) closing said intake space of said cylinder head. According to the invention, said interface element (26) and said valve (24) are shaped such that said valve (24) can be attached to said cylinder head via at least a first attachment means extending through at least the interface element (26). The invention also relates to an assembly of an engine cylinder head and such a module, and to a motor vehicle engine comprising such an assembly. The invention can particularly be used in the field of motor vehicles. |
| US08905005B2 |
Evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for vehicle
An evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a vehicle includes a direct purge channel for supplying evaporative fuel to a purge channel without involving a canister; a purge control valve for controlling communications between the canister and an air-intake system of an internal combustion engine by an opening and closing operation; a direct purge control valve for controlling communications between a fuel tank and the air-intake system by another opening and closing operation; and a two-way valve provided in a charge channel. During a purge mode of the apparatus, evaporative fuel adsorbed in the canister is purged to the air-intake system by closing the direct purge control valve and opening the purge control valve during operation of engine. During a direct purge mode of the apparatus, evaporative fuel in the fuel tank is purged to the air-intake system by closing the purge control valve and opening the direct purge control valve. |
| US08905004B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a booster, a first controller, and a second controller. The booster is configured to increase an output voltage of a battery to a drive voltage of a fuel injection unit of the internal combustion engine. The first controller has a first initialization time after boot of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the booster to increase the output voltage to the drive voltage at start-up of the internal combustion engine. The second controller has a second initialization time after boot of the second controller. The second initialization time is longer than the first initialization time of the first controller. The second controller is configured to control the booster to increase the output voltage to the drive voltage after the start-up of the internal combustion engine is completed. |
| US08905001B2 |
Fuel-pumping system, method for operating a fuel-pumping system and fuel-injection system comprising a fuel-pumping system
A fuel-pumping system for a fuel includes at least one reservoir providing a first volume for the fuel and a second volume for a compression fluid, a separator membrane between the first volume and the second volume, an inlet port of the at least one reservoir for feeding the fuel to the first volume, an outlet port of the at least one reservoir for discharging the fuel at a high pressure from the first volume, a fluid port of the at least one reservoir for supplying or removing the compression fluid to or from the second volume. An operating method and a fuel-injection system are also disclosed. |
| US08905000B2 |
Throttle body assembly
Improved throttle body assemblies are described. More particularly, throttle body assemblies having improved throttle position sensor assemblies are described. In one aspect, a throttle body assembly for providing controlled aspiration to an engine is described. The assembly comprises a throttle body housing defining a throttle bore for receiving a throttle plate. The throttle plate is actuatable by an electric motor. The assembly further comprises a throttle position sensor configured to monitor positions of the throttle plate. The throttle assembly further comprises an electric discharge path formed between the throttle position sensor and the throttle body housing, wherein the electric discharge path substantially prevents the accumulation of residual electric charge across the throttle position sensor. |
| US08904989B2 |
Lubrication structure for hybrid type vehicle power unit
In a hybrid type vehicle power unit including a first oil pump interlockingly connected to a crankshaft so as to supply at least a lubricating oil to an engine and a transmission, and a second oil pump for supplying the lubricating oil to the transmission, it is not necessary for an electric motor to be exclusively used for the second oil pump. Thus, a reduction in the number of component parts and a reduction in the cost of manufacturing are achieved. The second oil pump is interlockingly connected to an electric motor capable of transmitting a driving torque to an output shaft through the transmission. |
| US08904987B2 |
Supercharged engine design
The present engine design can comprise one or more three-cylinder modules. Each module can comprise a left-hand combustion cylinder, a compression cylinder and a right-hand combustion cylinder. In an embodiment, the compression cylinder can function as a supercharger providing compressed air to the two combustion cylinders in order to improve performance and efficiency. Each module can comprise a specialized cylinder head comprising an intake air plenum configured to allow pressurized air to flow from the compression cylinder into each of the combustion cylinders. The flow of this pressurized air can be precisely controlled by valves that control airflow into and out of each of the three cylinders. Variable valve timing and computer controls can determine the exact amount of fuel, if any, which will be injected into the combustion cylinders to deliver high fuel economy while delivering an optimal level of power, horsepower and torque. |
| US08904982B2 |
Hinged rocker arm and valve opening arrangement including a hinged rocker arm
A hinged rocker arm includes a first wing including a first opening for receiving a rocker shall and a first contacting surface, and a second wing including a second opening for receiving the rocker shaft, the second wing including a second contacting surface When the first and second wings are mounted on the rocker shaft, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are adapted to contact each other and thereby transfer a force in a direction transverse to an axis of the rocker shaft. |
| US08904981B2 |
Alternating split cycle combustion engine and method
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder that is connectable to an intake manifold through an intake valve, to an exhaust manifold through an exhaust valve, and to a transfer manifold through transfer and combustion valves. A fuel injector associated with the cylinder is adapted to provide fuel to the cylinder. During operation, the cylinder performs an intake stroke, followed by a compression stroke. A compressed charge from the cylinder passes to and is collected in the transfer manifold through the transfer valve. The cylinder is filled by a compressed charge from the transfer manifold through the combustion valve at the same time as the fuel injector provides fuel. The cylinder then undergoes combustion and exhaust strokes. In this way, cylinder operation alternates between combustor and compressor split combustion modes. |
| US08904978B2 |
Variable cam timing system and method
A method for operation of an engine is provided. The method includes operating an engine with independent variable intake and exhaust valve timing with an intake valve timing actuator and an exhaust valve timing actuator, locking both the intake and exhaust valve timing actuators in a mid-lock position, and unlocking both the intake and exhaust valve timing actuators via a common locking-control valve. |
| US08904973B2 |
Apparatus, systems, and methods to address evaporative cooling and wet compression for engine thermal management
An apparatus including a reciprocating internal combustion engine with at least one piston and cylinder set and an intake stream; at least one liquid atomizer in fluid communication with the intake stream operable to provide a plurality of liquid droplets with a diameter less than 5 μm to the intake stream; and a controller where the controller is able to adjust an index of compression for the engine by: calculating a wet compression level in response to an engine operating limit and adjusting the at least one liquid atomizer in response to the wet compression level. |
| US08904972B2 |
Inter-stage attemperation system and method
Systems and methods for controlling exhaust steam temperatures from a finishing superheater are provided. In certain embodiments, the system includes a controller which includes control logic for predicting an exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater using model-based predictive techniques (e.g., based on empirical data or thermodynamic calculations). Based on the predicted exhaust temperature of steam, the control logic may use feed-forward control techniques to control the operation of an inter-stage attemperation system upstream of the finishing superheater. The control logic may determine if attemperation is required based on whether the predicted exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater exceeds a set point temperature as well as whether the inlet temperature of steam into the finishing superheater drops below a set point temperature of steam. The attemperation system may include a characterizing function to linearize the valve operation controlled by the control logic to inject cooled, high-pressure feedwater into the steam upstream of the finishing superheater, which may, in turn, control the exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater. The disclosed embodiments may also be applied to any systems where an outlet temperature of a fluid from a heat transfer device may be controlled. |
| US08904969B2 |
Leash with dual trigger
Retractable leashes use a braking mechanism to stop a dog from movement. A mechanism is provided for smoothly or gradually braking the unreeling of the line, and can include a brake with a pad or pads for stopping the dog much like a bicycle. The brake and pads allow the user to squeeze the trigger lightly or more aggressively to slow and stop the dog's movement without the sudden jerk of traditional retractable leashes. The consumer may ultimately clamp down on the trigger to clamp the pads to the reel instantly for an aggressive stop if needed. |
| US08904965B1 |
Pet washing apparatus
A self-contained pet washing and grooming apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a top member which is a grooming compartment, side supports, and a flexible side wall. In various embodiments, a water line brings water in from a water source such as a sink faucet. The water line is attached to a nozzle. A drain tray is placed over the base so that water used within the apparatus drains through the drain tray into the base. A pump is provided in the base to pump water out of the base through a water exit line, for example, into a sink drain. The device has a power source, and is collapsible such that the drain tray, side support and grooming compartment all collapse and fit within the base. Extension legs attached underneath the base are also collapsible. Optionally, the base has a handle and wheels. |
| US08904964B2 |
Apparatus and method for feeding chicks during the hatching process
A method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. Thanks to immediate post hatch nutrition, the development during the chicks first days is significantly improved, resulting in a significant improvement in their weight as well.Furthermore, the accessibility of feed for the chicks is enabled and improved immediately after their hatching thanks to suitable lighting and the use of feeding troughs with transparent walls. |
| US08904962B2 |
Breather cap assembly
A breather cap assembly is provided which is configured to be connected to a stand-tube used in a watering system. When the watering system is in normal operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to allow for air to flow between the outside the assembly and the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to minimize the introduction of foreign material from outside the breather cap assembly into the stand-tube. When the watering system is in flushing operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to seal off the stand-tube in order to minimize the possibility of water leaving the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly further also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to collect and retain a majority of any water that does leave the stand-tube during a flushing operation. |
| US08904960B2 |
Animal feeder
An animal feeder for grazing/foraging animals adapted to anatomically replicate a natural grazing/foraging position and physiologically replicate a natural grazing/foraging pattern in which the animal feeder has a hopper for storing feed, and a trough from which an animal can feed in a natural ground-level grazing position. |
| US08904959B2 |
Haven for use with a bird feeder
A haven for use with a bird feeder is provided that includes a collapsible spiral rod assembly having an upper end and a lower end. The spiral rod haven has a plurality of spiral convolutions and is selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position. The spiral rod haven defines an interior compartment when in its extended position. A bird feeder is positioned within the interior of the compartment. The bird feeder may be either a collapsible bird feeder, a tube-type bird feeder or any other type of bird feeder that may be positioned within the interior compartment of the haven. Small birds may gain access to the bird feeder by moving through adjacent convolutions while the convolutions prevent large birds or squirrels from entering the interior of the haven. |
| US08904953B2 |
Apparatus for applying glue to regions of paper or plastic webs or paper or plastic web-sections and a method for producing the same
An apparatus for applying glue to regions of paper or plastic webs or paper or plastic web-sections for the production of paper sacks includes a nozzle unit having a plurality of glue outlet openings and glue supply lines and a plurality of glue valves via which the glue supply lines can be provided selectively with glue. Each glue valve includes at least one tappet having a sealing head and at least one counter element, with which the sealing head can make sealing contact. The apparatus includes a glue chamber via which glue can be provided. The counter element is disposed in, or in close vicinity to, the glue chamber. |
| US08904952B2 |
Device for coating food products, in particular fruits and vegetables
A device for coating food products, of the type having a coating area includes: a coating conveyor provided to drive said food products in a longitudinal direction; and a device for applying a coating compound on the food products driven on the conveyor. The coating conveyor includes a chassis, a plurality of rotary brushes fastened in the longitudinal direction relative to the chassis, and a motorized assembly for driving the brushes in rotation around respective transverse axes relative to the chassis, the brushes being arranged so as to define, together, a support and driving surface for the food products and being provided to make the food products roll during the application of the coating compound. |
| US08904947B2 |
Sewing machine
A sewing machine includes a sewing portion, a detector, a processor, and a memory. The sewing portion includes a needle bar and a transport portion. The needle bar is configured to have a sewing needle on a lower end. The transport portion is configured to move a work cloth. The detector is configured to detect ultrasonic waves. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to perform specifying a position of a transmission source of the ultrasonic waves based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, specifying sewing information based on the specified position of the transmission source, the sewing information being information that pertains to sewing, and controlling the sewing portion based on the specified sewing information. |
| US08904946B2 |
Upper feed device and sewing machine
An upper feed device is configured to be arranged above a bed of a sewing machine and feed a work cloth. The upper feed device includes a feed portion, a mechanism arrangement portion, and a drive portion. The feed portion includes a first feed mechanism and a second feed mechanism and is configured to feed the work cloth in a feed direction. The first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism are arranged side by side in a first direction, which is parallel to a top surface of the bed and orthogonal to the feed direction. The mechanism arrangement portion is configured to arrange the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism in different positions in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the top surface of the bed. The drive portion is configured to drive the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism in synchronization. |
| US08904944B2 |
Firing product feed device for furnaces with capacities less than 1 kW
A feed device for a granular firing product for furnaces with a minimum capacity of 1 kW, includes a conveyor screw disposed in a pipe for conveying a granular firing product. A central screw axis pipe has an outer wall with a volution mounted thereon and with the conveyor screw disposed in the pipe so that it can rotate and which is at least a quarter of the pipe diameter. The screw pipe axis has a conical shape at its tip, where a circular grating with a central circular hole and air feed openings on the outer region of the grating are horizontally disposed. The central circular hole is smaller than the diameter of the conveyor screw and a conically expanding funnel-shaped wall is guided downwardly from its edge as a sliding wall for a firing product to be conveyed. The conically expanding funnel-shaped wall runs substantially parallel to the cone of the upper end of the screw axis. The inside of the conveyor pipe is provided with a rough surface, preferably longitudinal ribs, so that the firing product is supported and does not rotate with the conveyor screw. |
| US08904943B2 |
Folding table with locking mechanism
A foldable table may include a table top and legs that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The table top may include a first section and a second section that are connected by a hinge assembly. A locking member may be sized and configured to lock the hinge assembly in a fixed position. Advantageously, moving the legs between the extended and collapsed positions may cause the locking mechanism to move between the locked and unlocked positions. Thus, when the legs are in the extended position and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the table top may be secured in the unfolded position. |
| US08904942B2 |
System for guiding rails on a rail train
A rail guide for loading railroad rails onto a rail train. The rail guide includes a guide beam disposed to depend vertically downward over each shelf in a rack on a rack car. The guide beam extends substantially the length of the rack car and is coupled to a corresponding guide beam of an adjacent car via a bridge that is configured to accommodate relative movement between the cars. A shoe is provided that is coupled to a leading end of a rail to be loaded. The shoe includes a follower that engages the guide beam to guide a rail being loaded along a path defined by the guide beam. The guide beam can provide vertical and lateral support to the leading end of the rail during loading. |
| US08904941B2 |
Ammunition
An ammunition capable of improving flying speed, shooting range, flight velocity, and straightness of a bullet by reducing the air resistance of the bullet due to the eddy flow of air generated at the rear portion of the bullet is provided. The wad of the ammunition includes a pressing portion having a through hole in which the cylindrical surface of the bullet is inserted, a coupling surface closely contacted to the vertical surface of the bullet, and a pressing surface extending from the through hole; and a cover portion having an inner peripheral surface which extends from the coupling surface of the pressing portion in the thrust force acting direction to cover a part of the circumferential surface of the streamlined tail portion of the bullet, and an outer peripheral surface which extends from an outer periphery of the pressing portion substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface of the bullet. |
| US08904939B2 |
Avalanche-inducing device
Said device comprises a tube (1), one closed end of which is mounted onto a holder (5), for example a concrete mass (6), that is itself attached to a mountainside (7). The other open end (2) of said tube is rotated toward the snow cover (3). The device also comprises a means (8) for filling the tube (1) with an explosive gas mixture and moreover comprises a priming means that induces the explosion of said mixture. Said device is characterized in that it comprises at least two beams (9) that, each being attached by one of the ends thereof to the holder (5), extends along the tube (1) parallel thereto so as to ensure the holding thereof while forming a means for absorbing the movement of the tube (1) following the gas mixture explosion. |
| US08904933B2 |
Igniter and method of making
An igniter includes, a sleeve receptive to combustible medium, a resistor in operable communication with the combustible medium, and at least one lead in electrical communication with the resistor and the sleeve the electrical communication with the sleeve is maintained by interference fit between the sleeve and the at least one lead. |
| US08904931B2 |
Printing blanket construction and method of making
An improved printing blanket construction is provided which includes at least a top ply, a bottom ply, and a non-extensible backing ply. The blanket includes leading and trailing edges which are secured directly to the backing ply, where at least a portion of the leading edge forms a contoured edge, a stair-stepped edge, a beveled edge, or a combination thereof. The printing blanket construction having such a shaped leading edge reduces printing gap, reduces the impact forces on the leading edge of the blanket, and protects the blanket from the penetration of ink, solvents, moisture and the like into the blanket plies during use. |
| US08904930B2 |
Flexographic printing original plate capable of being laser-engraved
The present disclosure describes a printing original plate capable of being laser-engraved such that printing deficiency caused by residues is avoided, and such that resolution and printing quality are good.A flexographic printing original plate capable of being laser-engraved which is obtained by subjecting a photosensitive resin composition containing (A) at least one latex having a weight-average degree of gelation of 40% or more, (B) photopolymerizable compound and (C) photopolymerization initiator to irradiation to light followed by cross-linking and curing. The photopolymerizable component (B) contains the photopolymerizable oligomer and the ethylenic unsaturated monomer in 10 to 25% by weight and 5 to 40% by weight, respectively, to the weight of the photosensitive resin composition and the ethylenic unsaturated monomer comprises 75 to 5% by weight of monofunctional monomer and 25 to 95% by weight of trifunctional monomer. |
| US08904928B2 |
Pad printing machine
At least one printing unit which can be moved into a print-image pickup position and into a print-image transfer position fitted with a first printing pad support involving a first pad support system or first pad seat for a first printing pad and a printing plate carrier to receive a printing plate, said printing unit also including a second pad support fitted with a second support system or second pad seat for a second printing pad, the two pad supports are such that the first support system of the first pad support and the second seat or second support system of the first pad support and the second pickup or second support system of the second pad support face each other at least when in the print-image transfer position. |
| US08904927B1 |
Pneumatic container compacting apparatus
A pneumatic can crusher for compressing a metal can has a hollow pipe. A piston assembly is located inside the pipe with a head attached to a first end of a connecting rod and a bottom air cylinder connected to a second end of a connecting rod. In some embodiments, an opening is located in the pipe near the top end, for allowing the metal can to be inserted into the inside of the pipe and placed on a top surface of the head of the piston assembly. The pneumatic can crusher has a manually activated safety interlock operated by a foot of a user. Air from the air compressor pushes the air cylinder upward toward the top end of the pipe so to crush the metal can on the top surface of the head of the piston assembly. |
| US08904924B1 |
Seafood boiler apparatus
A cooking apparatus provides a frame for supporting a pot or cooking vessel. A basket is sized a shaped to fit the interior of the pot or cooking vessel. The pot is movable from a cooking position to intermediate draining position to a discharge position. In the discharge position, a pot lid is receptive of food articles that had been cooked. The lid is preferably pivotally attached to the frame and/or cooking vessel. |
| US08904922B2 |
Infusion assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages
An infusion assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages. The infusion assembly (1) includes an abutment member (6) and a receiving member (7) adapted to assume, in a stationary support and guide structure (2), a separated open position, as well as a coupled closed position in which an infusion chamber is defined. The relative movement of said members (6, 7) is controlled using an electrical linear actuator (14). |
| US08904920B2 |
Semi-automatic tea maker
An electric tea maker device has a vessel with a reservoir having an opening that removably receives a tea brewing chamber. The chamber has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion lacks perforations and the lower portion has perforations. The device has a plunger for the chamber that, when in a depressed position within the chamber, isolates tea from the reservoir. The vessel has a sensor for detecting when the chamber is inserted into the reservoir in a brewing position, a brew countdown timer that is activated by the sensor, and an indicator for alerting a user that a brew countdown is complete. |
| US08904917B2 |
Fluid power helical rotary actuator
A fluid-powered, helical rotary actuary is provided. The actuary includes a housing, a shaft with output ends positioned in the housing, and a piston sleeve surrounding the shaft and also positioned within the housing. The shaft includes a groove for receiving a collar. The collar creates a false shoulder such that the shaft is able to have the same diameter along the length of the shaft, thus allowing for a larger working area and more torque output density. The actuary also includes a support ring positioned on the shaft near the splined portion of the output end. The support ring is used to stabilize the attachment of an external member, and also to protect the shaft from damage caused by the splined receiving portion of the external member, or hub. |
| US08904913B2 |
Hand operated rifle cartridge loading press affording a repeatable degree of crimping
A hand operated press for reloading metal rifle cartridges including indicating means for providing for an operator of the press discrete indications of the different forces that can be manually applied through the drive mechanism during use of the press to crimp the second end of a cartridge against a bullet in the cartridge to allow the operator to use one of those indications to manually apply the same force to form essentially the same degree of crimp of the second ends of identical cartridges against identical bullets in the cartridges. |
| US08904906B2 |
Wrench
A wrench for rotating a drive member such as a socket, the wrench having a housing including a head portion and a handle portion, the head portion having an inner peripheral wall defining an internal cavity; a set of drive teeth circumscribing the inner peripheral wall of the head portion of the housing and extending into the internal cavity; a drive gear disposed within the internal cavity of the head portion of the housing; a socket engaging drive member connected to the drive gear and extending outwardly from the head portion of the housing; a set of opposition gears disposed within the internal cavity of the head portion of the housing, the opposition gears being disposed between and interconnected with the drive gear and the drive teeth; and an operating assembly carried by the housing and operably associated with the drive gear, the operating assembly including a novel quick turn mechanism for controllably changing the operating mode of the wrench from a tightening mode to a loosening mode. |
| US08904905B2 |
Crank detachable holder
A crank detachable holder is provided with a crank arm attachment part and a holding part. The crank arm attachment part has a mounting opening dimensioned to receive a bolt for connecting the crank arm to a crank axle. The holding part connected to the crank arm attachment part. The crank detachable holder is preferably part of a bicycle crank arm assembly. |
| US08904904B2 |
Tubular composite strut having internal stiffening
A strut comprises a substantially hollow composite tube. A fitting on each end of the tube adapts the strut for attachment to a structure. The tube is stiffened by at least one pair of opposing stiffeners. |
| US08904903B2 |
Sliding cable and control cable
A sliding cable is provided that basically includes a cable main body and a mesh structural body. The cable main body is made of a plurality of steel wires bundled together. The mesh structural body is arranged on an outer surface of the cable main body. |
| US08904899B2 |
Delta robot for increased requirements on dynamics, hygiene and protection against the consequences of collision
A delta robot includes a stationary housing, in which at least three drives are installed, at least three upper arms, at least three pairs of elongate and mutually parallel lower arms, and a movable parallel plate. Each of the upper arms is connected to one of the drives. Each lower arm comprises a corrosion-resistant metal tube having a first end connected to a free end of one of the upper arms through a ball joint and a second end connected to the movable parallel plate through a ball joint. Each ball joint includes a ball head and a ball socket, one of which is attached to the first or second end of one of the tubes. |
| US08904892B2 |
Double-tapered mount for oscillating shaft
A mount for a shaft includes a collar, disposable around the shaft, a first mating piece and a second mating piece. The collar includes first and second tapered outer surfaces that taper away from each other. The first mating piece has a first tapered aperture that is configured to mate with the first tapered outer surface of the collar. The second mating piece has a second tapered aperture configured to mate with the second tapered outer surface of the collar. The first and second mating pieces are adapted to be aligned such that when the collar is mated with the first and second mating pieces, the shaft is substantially perpendicular to the first mating piece. |
| US08904889B2 |
High load release device
The restraining strap has a rectangular cross section with a broad side against cylindrical sections holding a release member. The moment of inertia for a rectangular cross section strap is represented by the formula I=BH3/12. The lower moment of inertia reduces the load on the fusible link. With no limit to the number of wraps around the cylindrical sections, higher preloads can be accommodated by increasing the number of wraps of the restraining strap without affecting the moment of inertia or the amount of force borne by the fusible link. The actuator has a catch extending between the restrainer and actuator. The catch ends engage the restrainer and actuator and, upon release from the actuator, the catch rotates to allow the restrainer to unwind from about the cylindrical sections. |
| US08904887B2 |
Radio frequency transparent thermal window
A radio-frequency transparent window having internal conduits for the passage of cooling fluid is configured for simulating a highly uniform thermal environment for testing a device intended for use in space. The device to be tested is placed within a chamber in which a vacuum condition is maintained by a radio-frequency transparent pressure window under a pressure seal. Within the chamber, the thermal window is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the pressure window. A radio frequency signal is capable of passing directly through both the thermal window and the pressure window to permit communication with the device being tested within the housing. The thermal window is not in contact with the device so there in no conduction of heat from the device. Radiant heat transfer may occur from the device to the thermal window. |
| US08904886B1 |
Devices for obtaining cylinder samples of natural gas or process gas and methods therefore
A moveable end (ME) sample cylinder device is provided which employs a method of collection wherein the initial cylinder volume of the collection vessel or sampling cylinder is zero. The sample cylinder is inserted into the pressurized gas (or fluid) source for spot sampling thereof, said sample cylinder employing a piston or moveable end configured such that purging of the cylinder sample cavity is not required, since the sample cavity volume is essentially eliminated prior to sampling by the location of the piston within the cavity, the cavity expanding upon sampling via piston movement within the cavity. Also contemplated is a cap/body (CB) spot sample cylinder having a low internal volume and which can be inserted into a pressurized process through common valving. Insertion of the CB sample cylinder into the process eliminates purging of interconnecting tubing and also eliminates the impact of low ambient temperatures which can otherwise alter the spot sample composition. The CB sample cylinder cap may be provided to function as a fill/empty valve. |
| US08904883B2 |
Load cell for monitoring torsion and having overload protection
A load cell structure for receiving strain gages to monitor applied torsional forces wherein the opposing force-receiving ends have a plurality of sensing beams spaced about an axis of rotation. Limit posts located between the ends each have a discontinuity therein that includes a U-shaped gap to limit relative rotation about the axis and thereby providing overload protection. |
| US08904882B2 |
Method for determining the flow rate according to the plummet principle and corresponding device
A method and device for determining the flow rate of a flowing medium according to the plummet principle is characterized by a simplified determination of the calibration data sets in that at least one set of calibration data is recorded with at least one reference medium under at least one reference measurement condition. Then, a position of a plummet which is dependent on the flowing medium is determined under a measurement condition which differs from the reference condition. Here, the set of calibration data is converted from the reference measurement condition to the measurement condition, and from a determined position of the plummet, a measure for the flow rate of the medium is then determined. |
| US08904881B2 |
Ultrasound transducer assembly and ultrasound flowmeter
The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly for an ultrasound flowmeter, comprising a one-part or multi-part housing (2), which is provided to be connected to a line carrying the medium to be measured, wherein the ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound through the housing (2) and the ultrasound transducer assembly has the following features: an ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) with a first main surface on the side facing the medium and a second main surface on the side facing away from the medium, first, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the first main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), second, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the second main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), wherein the first contact means are located between the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) and the housing (2), through which ultrasound is to be transmitted, of the ultrasound flowmeter. To simplify the construction it is proposed to place the first contact means of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) loosely in the housing (2) or to fix them on the housing side. |
| US08904878B2 |
Ultrasonic flow measuring system including a mounting latch for mounting the transducers to the measuring tube
A measuring tube, a measuring system and a method for determining and/or monitoring flow through a measuring tube, comprising a measuring tube, on which ultrasonic transducers are releasably placeable. The ultrasonic transducers transmit and/or receive ultrasonic signals, which pass through the measuring tube approximately coaxially to the measuring tube axis. At least one ultrasonic transducer comprises at least one tiltable clamp which can be locked into at least one elevation or depression located on the measuring tube. |
| US08904872B2 |
Detection of channel saturation in phase-array ultrasonic non-destructive testing
The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device. |
| US08904867B2 |
Display-integrated optical accelerometer
An optical accelerometer and method of determining an acceleration are disclosed. In one aspect, an accelerometer includes a light source, a substrate, a light guide attached to a first side of the substrate and configured to redirect light from the light source through the substrate. The accelerometer also includes a light detector, a proof mass attached to a second side of the substrate via one or more springs, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and wherein motion of the proof mass alters a characteristic of the light from the light source reaching the light detector, and a processor configured to determine an acceleration based on the characteristic of the light reaching the light detector. |
| US08904866B2 |
Microgyroscope for determining rotational motions about at least one of three perpendicular spatial axes
A microgyroscope is used to determine rotational motions about at least one of three perpendicular spatial axes x, y, and z. The microgyroscope has a substrate (1) on which multiple masses (2x, 2y, 9) which oscillate parallel to the plane of the substrate (1) in an x-y plane are situated. Some of the oscillating masses (2x, 2y) are attached to the substrate (1) by means of springs and anchorings. Drive elements (4a, 4b) are used to maintain oscillating vibrations of the masses (2x, 2y, 9) which are subjected to Coriolis forces when the substrate (1) rotates about any given spatial axis. Sensor elements detect the deflections of the masses (2x, 2y, 9) due to the Coriolis forces generated. Some of the oscillating masses are x masses (2x) which are also deflectable along the z axis perpendicular to the substrate (1), by means of which they are able to detect yaw rates about the x axis, and/or some of the oscillating masses are y masses (2y) which are also deflectable along the z axis perpendicular to the substrate (1), by means of which they are able to detect yaw rates about the y axis, and/or others of the oscillating masses are z masses (9) which are also deflectable in the x-y plane, but perpendicular to their respective drive direction, by means of which they are able to detect yaw rates about the z axis. |
| US08904865B2 |
Vibrating micro-mechanical sensor of angular velocity
The invention relates to measuring devices used for measuring angular velocity, and more precisely, to vibrating micro-mechanical sensors of angular velocity. The sensor of angular velocity according to the invention comprises at least two seismic mass structures (1), (2), excitation structures (3), (4) and coupling seesaw type springs (6), (7). The objective of the invention is to provide an improved sensor structure, which enables reliable measuring with good efficiency particularly in small vibrating micro-mechanical angular velocity sensor solutions. |
| US08904864B2 |
Electronic component and method for manufacturing the electronic component
AN electronic component includes at least one microcomponent which is contacted with, and fastened to, a support element. The support element includes a spring element which is configured for fastening the microcomponent, and the spring element is engaged in the support element with the aid of a detent in order to fasten the microcomponent to the support element. |
| US08904858B2 |
In-situ detection and analysis of methane in coal bed methane formations with spectrometers
The invention subject of this disclosure teaches a method of determining a production factor for a carbonaceous material reservoir, the method comprising: providing a well in a carbonaceous material reservoir; providing unsampled fluid at a depth in the well; placing a sensor adjacent to the unsampled fluid and performing a measurement on the unsampled fluid; using data from the measurement to determine a partial pressure of a solution gas in the carbonaceous material reservoir; and determining a production factor for the carbonaceous material reservoir from the partial pressure of the solution gas. |
| US08904855B2 |
Device and method for oil pressure sensor fault sensing for vehicle
A fault sensing device for a vehicle includes a time measuring section functioning as a sleep mode while power to a controller is off. The time measuring section can measure a stop time of an engine, and can transmit information on the stop time to the controller when power to the controller is on. When the controller determines that a stop time of the engine is a predetermined time, the controller performs fault sensing for an oil pressure switch. |
| US08904854B2 |
Air flow measurement device
An air flow measurement device arranged in an intake passage includes a bypass passage having an inlet from which a part of a main flow of an intake air is introduced, and an outlet from which the introduced intake air flows out. A sensor is located in the bypass passage to generate an electrical signal, and the bypass passage communicates with the intake passage through a hole portion. The outlet is open toward a downstream side of the intake passage in a flow direction of the main flow of the intake air. The hole portion is located within an outlet projected area that is provided by projecting an open area of the outlet in straight and toward upstream in the flow direction of the main flow on a projection surface perpendicular to the flow direction of the main flow. |
| US08904850B1 |
Materials, methods and devices to detect and quantify water vapor concentrations in an atmosphere
We have demonstrated that a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor coated with a nanoporous framework material (NFM) film can perform ultrasensitive water vapor detection at concentrations in air from 0.05 to 12,000 ppmv at 1 atmosphere pressure. The method is extendable to other MEMS-based sensors, such as microcantilevers, or to quartz crystal microbalance sensors. We identify a specific NFM that provides high sensitivity and selectivity to water vapor. However, our approach is generalizable to detection of other species using NFM to provide sensitivity and selectivity. |
| US08904842B2 |
Method for producing metal wire
Provided is a method for producing a metal wire with improved productivity in which a conventional drawing machine is used while wear of a die or occurrence of a break due to the ductility loss thereof is effectively prevented.Provided is a method for producing a metal wire 1 including a process of drawing a metal wire by using a slip type drawing machine. For a cone 11 of the slip type drawing machine, a cone having an even surface without an inclination angle with respect to the axis of rotation is used, as well as, a die 12 of the slip type drawing machine is positioned such that the metal wire 1 passes a location nearest to a drive unit in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the cone 11. |
| US08904839B2 |
Method of and rolling mill for making seamless steel pipe
The invention relates to a method and a rolling mill for producing a seamless steel pipe in a continuous rolling process, where semi-finished material is first formed into a hollow block (8) in a rotary rolling mill, said block then being rolled in a multi-tooled continuous rolling mill (1) over a previously inserted mandrel (10) to form a tube blank (9), wherein the mandrel (10) receiving the hollow block and held by a mandrel holding and transporting device (5) disposed on the entry side is fed into the continuous rolling mill (1) and is transported back to the entry side after the tube blank has been rolled off of the mandrel (10) on an extracting rolling mill (4) connected downstream of the continuous rolling mill. An aim of the invention is to allow high production rates at the same product quality, particularly at a low drop in the temperature of the tube blanks. The aim is achieved in that the mandrel (10) with the tube blank (9) is released by the entry-side mandrel holding and transporting device (5) after exiting the last tool (2.n) of the continuous rolling mill (1) and thus is transferred to an accompanying second mandrel holding and transporting device (6) connected downstream and held by the same until the tube blank (9) is rolled off by means of the extracting rolling mill (4). |
| US08904830B2 |
Front-loading laundry appliance having a steam generator device
A front-loading laundry appliance including a housing with a substantially circular housing opening and a door configured to close the housing opening. A substantially cylindrical container is disposed in the housing and is configured to receive laundry for treatment. The substantially cylindrical container has a substantially circular container opening. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generator with a heating element, an inlet opening and a common outlet opening for water and steam. A pump is configured to deliver water to the inlet opening of the steam generator. A nozzle is disposed in an edge region of the container opening and configured to inject water and steam into the interior of the container. |
| US08904829B2 |
Knitted fabric
A knitted fabric is disclosed, comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pliable threads having a predetermined length, the respective ends of the pliable threads being stitched to the first and second layers thereby connecting the first and second layers. Preferably the fabric also contains sacrificial yarn to tie in the pliable threads. Also disclosed is a method for knitting a fabric according to the invention. The fabric has uses in inflatable devices, including airbags, or lifting devices. |
| US08904827B2 |
Method of manufacturing an optical fibre, preform and optical fibre
A method for manufacturing an optical preform via an internal vapor deposition process, wherein during the inside deposition process the velocity of the reaction zone is set so that the velocity of the reaction zone over the length of the supply side-to-discharge side is higher than the velocity of the reaction zone over the length of the discharge side-to-supply side. |
| US08904824B2 |
Glass melting furnace
The present invention relates to a glass melting furnace comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch materials being introduced at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which the combustion energy is produced by oxy-fuel combustion in respect of at least 65% thereof, the burners being distributed on the walls along the length of the furnace, in which flue gas discharge is mostly localized close to the upstream end near the openings through which the batch materials are introduced, the rest of the flue gas being removed close to the downstream part so as to maintain dynamic sealing with respect to the surrounding atmosphere. |
| US08904823B2 |
Method for operating a glass melting furnace
The present invention relates to a glass melting furnace, comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch material being charged at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which 80% of the combustion energy is produced by oxycombustion, oxygen being supplied continuously from a production plant located nearby or via a gas pipe from remotely located plants, characterized in that the furnace is fitted with oxygen storage means such that, should continuous supply cease, the furnace can operate at least in a temperature-maintaining mode for a maximum time of eight hours. |
| US08904821B1 |
Jewelry clasp
A jewelry clasp for use with a jewelry band including a base piece having an open passage at one side thereof; an insert piece having an attachment end and an insert end; a first magnetic member disposed at a bottom of the open passage; and a second magnetic member disposed at a free end of the insert end of the insert piece. The insert piece has an insert position in which the insert end is free to extend into and out of the open passage, and a locked position in which the insert piece is secured with the base piece by relative rotation. |
| US08904818B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator of the present invention includes a Rankine cycle heat engine and a refrigeration cycle heat engine which share a condenser, and drives a compressor of the refrigeration cycle by an expander of the Rankine cycle. A screw expander and a screw compressor are set up within a common casing, and the exhaust side of a rotating shaft of the screw expander is connected to the discharge side of a rotating shaft of the screw compressor. Preferably, an intermediate space in which an exhaust passage of the screw expander and a discharge passage of the screw compressor are merged together and connected to a condenser, and a coupling which connects the rotating shaft of the screw expander to the rotating shaft of the screw compressor is housed is formed within the casing. |
| US08904817B2 |
Refrigerator and a control method for the same
A refrigerator and a control method for the same are provided. A refrigerator includes a body having a cooling compartment and a storage compartment provided in the cooling compartment to form a predetermined cooling space, a cool air generation compartment having a cooler and a fan to supply cool air, and a partition plate that partitions a predetermined space into the cooling compartment and the cool air generation compartment. The partition plate includes a main path to guide the cool air into the cooling compartment and a bypass path to guide the cool air into the storage compartment. A cool air controller is provided at the bypass path to control the cool air supplied to the storage compartment via the bypass path. |
| US08904816B2 |
Ice maker and method of producing pieces of ice
Ice maker comprising a mould (10, 110) forming at a number of mould cavities (11, 111a, 11b) for receiving water and forming a respective piece of ice (41, 42,141), which number of mould cavities are arranged in at least one column defining a longitudinal direction; a first (2, 102) and a second shaft (3, 103); an endless conveyor (100), which is arranged to convey the mould in the longitudinal direction around at least the first shaft; and drive means (8) connected to at least one of the first and second shafts for driving the conveyor. The mould (10, 110) is formed of an elastic material and arranged to be elastically deformed as the mould passes over the first shaft (2, 102). Longitudinal communication channels (13a, 113a) are arranged between consecutive mould cavities (11, 111a) arranged in one column, for allowing water to flow between mould cavities in one column. A method of fabricating pieces of ice is also disclosed. |
| US08904815B2 |
Heating installation and heating method
A heating installation is provided with a first circuit (K1) containing a first medium, a second circuit (K2) containing a second medium, a first heat pump (2) arranged in the first circuit (K1) for heating the first medium, a third circuit (K3) containing a third medium, a heat exchanger (40) arranged in the third circuit (K3) and connected between the condenser (2d) and expansion valve (2f) of the first heat pump to transfer heat from the working medium of the first heat pump to the third medium in the third circuit (K3), and a second heat pump (3) arranged for heating the second medium in the second circuit (K2) by absorbing heat energy from the third medium in the third circuit (K3). |
| US08904813B2 |
Pulse width modulated system with pressure regulating valve
A pulse width modulation control is provided for a suction valve on a suction line, delivering refrigerant into a housing shell of a compressor. When the suction valve is closed, the pressure within the housing shell can become very low. Thus, a pressure regulator valve is included within the refrigerant system to selectively deliver a limited amount of refrigerant into the housing shell when the suction valve is closed. The delivery of this limited amount of refrigerant ensures that a specified pressure is maintained within the housing shell to achieve the most efficient operation while at the same time preventing problems associated with damage to electrical terminals, motor overheating and excessive discharge temperature. |
| US08904812B2 |
Refrigeration cycle apparatus
A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant that transits in a supercritical state is allowed to flow, and a flow dividing device that divides the flow of a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in a subcritical state into two or more parts. The flow dividing device is configured such that the device is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction or substantially upward in the vertical direction relative to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in a liquid state. With such a configuration, the flow of refrigerating machine oil is equally divided, thus offering high energy saving while keeping heat-medium conveyance power at a low level without reducing the heat exchanging performance. |
| US08904810B2 |
Temperature control transport system
Embodiments of the inventive technology may involve the use of layered, insulated PCM assemblage that itself comprises: modular insulating foam material 8 that, upon establishment as part of the assemblage, defines inner foam material sides 9 and outer foam material sides 10; thin reflective material 11 established against (whether directly in contact with or not) at least either the inner foam material sides or the outer foam materials sides, and modular, enclosed PCM sections 12 established between the modular insulating foam material and the interior center. |
| US08904803B2 |
Exhaust temperature based threshold for control method and turbine
A gas turbine, computer software and a method for controlling an operating point of the gas turbine that includes a compressor, a combustor and at least a turbine is provided. The method comprises: determining an exhaust pressure at an exhaust of the turbine; measuring a compressor pressure discharge at the compressor; determining a turbine pressure ratio based on the exhaust pressure and the compressor pressure discharge; calculating a primary to lean-lean mode transfer threshold reference curve as a function of the turbine pressure ratio, where the primary to lean-lean mode transfer threshold curve includes points at which an operation of the gas turbine is changed between a primary mode to a lean-lean mode; and controlling the gas turbine to change between the primary mode and the lean-lean mode. |
| US08904796B2 |
Flashback resistant tubes for late lean injector and method for forming the tubes
A late lean fuel injection nozzle for a gas turbine includes a first outer air supply tube having a relatively large inner diameter and an outlet at a distal end thereof. The first outer air supply tube is adapted to supply air to a combustion chamber, and at least one fuel injection tube having a relatively smaller diameter enters a distal end portion of the first outer air supply tube and extends within the first outer air supply tube substantially to the outlet. |
| US08904795B2 |
Noise reducing device and jet propulsion system
A noise reducing device in a jet engine that has a cylindrical casing, a cylindrical partition wall that is inserted in the casing while protruding partially from a trailing edge of the casing, and a compressor that compresses air that is taken into the cylindrical partition wall, with the inside of the cylindrical partition wall serving as a duct in which a core stream of high-speed air flows, and the space between the cylindrical partition wall and the casing serving as a duct in which a bypass stream of low-speed air flows, and being connected with a wing of an airplane by a pylon that has a projection portion that extends beyond the casing to the downstream of the core stream and the bypass stream, the noise reducing device includes a nozzle, disposed at the pylon on the downstream of the core stream, that injects a fluid toward a noise generation source that is produced from the mutual approach of an ambient air stream that is produced outside of the bypass stream and the core stream. |
| US08904789B2 |
Method for generating energy by means of thermal cycles with high pressure and moderate temperature steam
The invention relates to a method for generating energy by means of thermal cycles with high pressure and moderate temperature steam, which allows improving the energy and operational efficiency of the conversion of heat energy into mechanical or electrical energy by means of thermal cycles in which the temperature of the steam is limited to moderate values in its generation, comprising the following steps: a) generating steam at a pressure above 65 bar and a moderate temperature below 400° C., b) expanding said steam in a steam turbine, steam of an intermediate pressure, comprised between 10-40 bar, with a moderate moisture, below 15%, being obtained c) drying said steam by means of a moisture separator and reheating said steam, d) expanding said steam in the turbine, and e) heating boiler water used to generate the steam by means of a plurality of steam extractions from the turbine, in order to exchange heat with said boiler water. |
| US08904788B2 |
Arrangement for injecting a reductant into an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine
An arrangement for injecting a reducing agent into an exhaust line of a combustion engine (1). An exhaust line (3) leads exhaust gases from the engine. A first turbine (4) is in the exhaust line (3). A second turbine (20) in the exhaust line is downstream of the first turbine (4) in the intended direction of flow in the exhaust line. An injector (19) injects reducing agent into the exhaust line (3) so that it is warmed and vaporized by the warm exhaust gases in the exhaust line (3), and an SCR catalyst (29). The injector (19) is in the exhaust line downstream of the first turbine (4) and upstream of the second turbine (20). |
| US08904785B2 |
Turbine wastegate
An assembly can include a turbine housing that includes a bore, a wastegate seat and a wastegate passage that extends to the wastegate seat; a bushing configured for receipt by the bore; a rotatable wastegate shaft configured for receipt by the bushing; a wastegate arm extending from the wastegate shaft; and a wastegate plug extending from the wastegate arm where the wastegate plug includes a profile, defined in part by a portion of a torus, for contacting the wastegate seat to cover the wastegate passage. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08904784B2 |
Flow control device for a turbocharger
A flow control device for a turbocharger (100) includes a flow restrictor (102) with a variable position for variably restricting flow in a turbocharger inlet. A controller (312) controls the position of the flow restrictor based on sensed pressure (300) in the turbocharger inlet (301). |
| US08904782B2 |
Hydraulic brake master cylinder with back-up ring
Disclosed herein is a hydraulic master cylinder body having a bore defined at least in part by a bore wall, wherein the bore wall includes an opening for hydraulic fluid to be passed into the bore, and a piston assembly situated at least substantially in the bore, the assembly having a piston with a piston body and at least one cup seal situated substantially around the piston body, the cup seal situated adjacent to the bore wall so as to be in sealing engagement therewith, and a back-up ring that is situated about the piston body, wherein the back-up ring is positioned to at least partially cover a portion of the cup seal that is adjacent to the bore wall and to prevent at least a portion of the cup seal from contacting the bore wall and the opening for hydraulic fluid during piston actuation. |
| US08904780B1 |
Temperature-driven mechanical system
A temperature-driven mechanical system includes a first effector, made of temperature-induced shape-changing material, having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis running through the ends, as well as a suspension system that mounts an assembly including the effector, to support rotation of the assembly about the longitudinal axis. The suspension system has a first rotational limit stop associated with a first angular position of the assembly at or below a first temperature limit and a second limit stop associated with a second angular position of the assembly at or above a second temperature limit. An array of such systems is similarly provided. |
| US08904779B2 |
Stirling engine gas lubrication structure
In a case of performing a static pressure gas lubrication by a stirling engine provided with a pair of cylinders of a high-temperature-side cylinder 20 and a low-temperature-side cylinder 30, a stirling engine gas lubrication structure is provided with an introduction pipe 70A for introducing a working fluid existing within a low-temperature working space into at least an inside of an expansion piston 21 of the expansion piston 21 and a compression piston 31, the low-temperature working space being included in a working space where the working fluid circulates between the cylinders 20 and 30, a temperature of the working fluid in the low-temperature working space lower than that of the working fluid in a working space of a high-temperature side cylinder 22 in a driving state. |
| US08904777B2 |
Hydraulic pump control device for construction machine
A pump control device for a construction machine includes a pump regulator, a pump pressure detector, a travelling operation detector, a working operation detector, and a controller instructing the pump flow rate depending on the pump pressure to the pump regulator. The controller stores first and second P-Q characteristics as a horsepower characteristic and instructs the pump flow rate to the pump regulator, based on the first P-Q characteristic when a travelling operation is detected, and based on the second P-Q characteristic when a working operation is detected. The second P-Q characteristic is equal to the first P-Q characteristic in a low-pressure region while is one giving a low characteristic relatively to the first P-Q characteristic so as to increase a horsepower difference as the pump pressure increases, in intermediate-pressure and high-pressure regions. |
| US08904776B2 |
Cylinder driving apparatus using air pressure
A cylinder driving apparatus using air pressure including: a plurality of flexible tubes arranged in a case to flexibly move via high-pressure air; a connecting rod fixed at each of the flexible tubes, and which penetrates through an upper portion of the case; a crank shaft sequentially coupled to the connecting rod to rotate via the elevating movement of the connecting rod; a high pressure tank for supplying high pressure air to the flexible tubes via an air line; and a valve arranged in each of the flexible tubes to divide the space in the flexible tube into an upper section and a lower section and to open or shut airflow in the upper and lower sections. |
| US08904773B2 |
Cooling water passage structure in cylinder head of internal combustion engine
A cooling water passage structure in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a first exhaust-side cooling water passage and a second exhaust-side cooling water passage arranged to sandwich an exhaust collecting portion and extending in a lengthwise direction of the cylinder head. An exhaust pipe is fastened to a exhaust-side lateral surface of the cylinder head via a fastening member. A shunt passage is formed in at least one of the first exhaust-side cooling water passage and the second exhaust-side cooling water passage to cool the fastening member and is formed along a water flow in the first exhaust-side cooling water passage or the second exhaust-side cooling water passage by partly expanding the first exhaust-side cooling water passage or the second exhaust-side cooling water passage to increase a passage cross-sectional area of the first exhaust-side cooling water passage or the second exhaust-side cooling water passage. |
| US08904771B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery apparatus for vehicle
An exhaust heat recovery apparatus for a vehicle, may include a case having an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchange part mounted in the case, the heat exchange part, a bypass tube connecting the inlet and the outlet of the case in the case, having an inflow opening for the inflow of the exhaust gas to the heat exchange part, and allowing an exhaust gas to bypass the heat exchange part, and a variable valve installed in the bypass tube to selectively block flow of the exhaust gas through the bypass tube and induce the exhaust gas to the heat exchange part, wherein the heat exchange part includes a coolant distribution member having a plurality of coolant paths connected to and spaced apart from each other between the bypass tube and the case, and a lubricant distribution member installed in one of the coolant paths and in which the lubricant flows. |
| US08904770B2 |
Mixing and/or evaporating device
A mixing and/or evaporating device (12) for an exhaust system (5) of a combustion engine (1), in particular of a motor vehicle, includes a support body which encloses a cross section of the device (12) through which a flow can flow and which runs transversely to the axial direction (20) of the device (12) in the circumferential direction. The support body (19) has at least one guide blade (25, 28) which extends away transversely to the axial direction (20). An improved efficiency is obtained with the guide blade (25) having a roof-shaped profile (29), including two guide surfaces (30, 31) that are interconnected via a ridge (32) or apex. |
| US08904767B2 |
Method and apparatus for cold starting an internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to a method for achieving reduced emissions at cold start of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas after treatment system comprising at least one Diesel Oxygen Catalyst (DOC), at least one Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) unit, comprising the steps of: heating the DOC prior to cold starting said internal combustion engine, starting and controlling the internal combustion engine towards low NOx emission when said DOC has reached a predetermined temperature, optimizing the fuel consumption at a given total emission level when said DPF and SCR has reached a predetermined temperature. |
| US08904766B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment device
Front and rear side flange portions of a filter accommodating cylinder are provided with positioning pins. A flange portion of an upstream cylinder is provided with a notched groove and a flange portion of a downstream cylinder is provided with a notched groove. In consequence, when the filter accommodating cylinder is connected between the upstream cylinder and the downstream cylinder, each of the positioning pins disposed at the front and rear flange portions is engaged with each notched groove of the upstream cylinder and the downstream cylinder. The filter accommodating cylinder can be positioned to be coaxial with the upstream cylinder and the downstream cylinder. As a result, after performing a cleaning operation to a DPF, an operation of once again connecting the filter accommodating cylinder between the upstream cylinder and the downstream cylinder can be quickly and easily performed. |
| US08904765B2 |
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine has an upstream side NOx selective reduction catalyst and a downstream side NOx selective reduction catalyst which are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. The upstream side NOx selective reduction catalyst has a region where the NOx removal rate becomes substantially constant when the ratio of concentration of ammonia to NOx of the inflowing exhaust rises. The internal combustion engine has an operating state in that region where the ratio of concentration of ammonia to NOx is maintained. The downstream side NOx selective reduction catalyst has an ammonia oxidation ability which is larger than the upstream side NOx selective reduction catalyst. |
| US08904764B2 |
Method for feeding thermal energy into an exhaust emission control unit connected in the exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for feeding thermal energy into an exhaust emission control unit (2) connected in the exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine by heating the exhaust gas flowing to the exhaust emission control unit (2). Said exhaust gas is heated to a SET temperature. In said method, the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine is heated to the SET temperature by converting hydrocarbons (HCs) metered into the exhaust gas flow at two oxidation catalytic converters (7, 10) series-connected in the flow direction of the exhaust gas. |
| US08904763B2 |
Exhaust gas apparatus of an internal combustion engine
The invention is an exhaust gas apparatus of an internal combustion engine, in particular of an internal combustion engine with gasoline direct injection. The exhaust gas apparatus includes at least one selective catalytic converter. It is provided that a first catalytic converter is positioned upstream of the selective catalytic converter. The invention also provides a method for the purification of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, in an internal combustion engine with gasoline direct injection, for use in such an exhaust gas apparatus. In the method the selective catalytic converter is preceded by a first catalytic converter disposed upstream therefrom. |
| US08904762B2 |
Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
An embodiment (control apparatus) for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention determines, based on an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor disposed downstream of a three-way catalyst, determines which air-fuel ratio request, a rich request or a lean request, is occurring. The control apparatus sets a target upstream air-fuel ratio to a target rich air-fuel ratio when the rich request is occurring, and sets the target upstream air-fuel ratio to a target lean air-fuel ratio when the lean request is occurring. Each of the target rich air-fuel ratio and the target lean air-fuel ratio is varied depending on an intake air amount. Further, the control apparatus increases a purge amount of an evaporated fuel as a magnitude (air-fuel ratio change amount ΔAF, |afLean−afRich|) of a difference between the target rich air-fuel ratio and the target lean air-fuel ratio becomes larger. |
| US08904756B2 |
Exhaust emission control system of internal combustion engine
An exhaust emission control system of an internal combustion engine includes: a bypass passage (22) provided in an exhaust passage (14) of the engine and arranged to bypass a main passage (16) as a part of the exhaust passage, a NOx adsorbent (28) provided in the bypass passage and adapted to adsorb at least NOx as one of components contained in exhaust gas, a channel switching device (30) that switches a channel of the exhaust gas between the main passage and the bypass passage, an adsorption control device (50) that controls the channel switching device, based on operating conditions of the engine, so as to cause the exhaust gas to flow through the bypass passage, and an adsorbing capability determining device (50) that determines, when the adsorbing capability of the NOx adsorbent degrades, whether the degradation in the adsorbing capability is a surmountable degradation from which the NOx adsorbent can recover, or an insurmountable degradation from which the NOx adsorbent cannot recover. |
| US08904753B2 |
Thermal management system for gas turbine engine
A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in communication with a bypass flow through an inlet. A valve is operable to selectively communicate the bypass flow to either the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger through the inlet. |
| US08904752B2 |
Injector assembly for a rocket engine
A cap for a liquid propellant injection assembly of a rocket engine includes a cap body and a valve assembly. The cap body extends between first and second ends. The cap body has a bore that fluidly connects one or more inlets to an outlet. The inlets are disposed in a tubular sidewall of the cap body. The outlet is disposed in the second end of the cap body. The valve assembly includes a valve cap disposed around the first end of the cap body. The valve assembly is adapted to selectively regulate flow of a propellant through the inlets in the cap body as a function of pressure exerted by the propellant against the valve assembly. |
| US08904747B2 |
Gas turbine inlet heating system
A gas turbine inlet heating system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: a compressor having: an inlet bellmouth adjacent to a set of inlet guide vanes (IGVs); and an outlet fluidly connected to the inlet bellmouth; and a conduit coupled to an outlet of the compressor, the conduit including a control valve, the conduit for diverting a first portion of compressed air from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet bellmouth. |
| US08904745B2 |
Link for linear cable carry chain
A link for a linear carrier chain is disclosed, said link including side and end walls connected together to form a duct for a hose, cable or the like, said walls being connected by means of flanges adjacent edges of some of said walls, said flanges being slidably engaged in slots in others of said walls and wherein said flanges are disposed at outwardly directed oblique angles to reduce stress concentrations at the base thereof. |
| US08904743B2 |
Cable stranding apparatus employing a hollow-shaft guide member driver
A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor. |
| US08904742B2 |
Air jet spinning machine and method of operation thereof
The invention relates to a method of operation for an air jet spinning machine, which is characterized in that the spinning process is interrupted when a yarn fault is detected, and subsequent to the interruption of the spinning process, a piecing process is initiated which is at least partly carried out by the spinning station and in which a number of yarn process and handling devices directly assigned to the spinning station are applied. Furthermore, an air jet spinning machine is proposed which permits such a piecing method. |
| US08904737B2 |
Building panel assemblies and methods of use in wall structures
Light weight fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) structural building panels and panel assemblies, sized and configured for construction of non-portable wall structures permanently fixed to the ground, optionally tying overlying structure to an underlying footer through such panels and panel assemblies. Fiber schedule and fiber orientation in the panels provide enhanced properties of the panels. Fibers are typically oriented within 15 degrees of a top-to-bottom direction in the panel providing, in part, enhanced top-to-bottom crush strength of a panel/wall per length dimension related to mass of the panel/wall per unit length and/or limited deflection of the panel/wall. Panels of the invention also have a bias to deflect toward the surface of the panel which faces outwardly of the building, toward the backfill soil which faces the panel, outside the building. |
| US08904734B2 |
Method for mounting a solar panel support structure by embedding its legs
A method for embedding at least one solar structure, including one or more anchoring legs, includes making one or more holes in which the at least one solar structure is to be installed; forming one or more concrete slabs in the hole(s) at one installation rib; after setting of the concrete slab(s), locating the position(s) of the anchoring leg(s) of the at least one solar structure on the concrete slab(s); installing the at least one solar structure in the hole(s), with the anchoring leg(s) bearing on the concrete slab(s) at the position(s) of the anchoring leg(s) that were located beforehand; and embedding the at least one solar structure. |
| US08904731B2 |
Laser configured hook column anchors and anchoring systems utilizing the same
A high-strength laser configured column anchor and anchoring system is disclosed. The high-strength column anchor provides high-strength pullout resistance when embedded within the wall bed joint. Specially-configured apertures, edging and dimension restrictions provide for flow-through mortar embedment within the wall bed joint. The edging provides irregular and regular patterns ensuring a secure fit within the bed joint. The column anchors include a hook attachment portion for secure attachment to the column flanges and optionally include a securement bar or clamp to further secure the column anchor to the column flanges. |
| US08904728B2 |
Temporary, non-load bearing wall assembly
A temporary, non-load bearing wall panel that when joined together with other like panels, is used as a barrier (also known as a barricade wall) that keeps a construction area, vacant store, or any other undesirable element out of the reach and view of pedestrians. If required by the end user, the panels could be laminated with a visual graphic for reasons of aesthetic enhancement, advertisement of service, announcement of future business expectations, etc. A door and/or window display, dust curtains, etc. may be added to the panels as dictated by the end user. |
| US08904727B1 |
High-strength vertically compressed veneer tie anchoring systems utilizing and the same
An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a wall anchor and a high-strength partially compressed veneer tie. The anchor preserves the insulation integrity by sealing the insertion points in the inner wythe. The veneer tie utilizes ribbon cavity portions that are cold-worked and vertically compressed, with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The veneer tie, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with the wall anchor and is dimensioned to preclude significant veneer tie movement, preclude pullout and shed moisture and mortar within the cavity. |
| US08904726B1 |
Vertically adjustable disengagement prevention veneer tie and anchoring system utilizing the same
A high-strength disengagement prevention pintle veneer tie and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The high-strength veneer tie utilizes modified compressed wire formatives formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked, with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The veneer tie hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with wall anchor and is dimensioned to preclude veneer tie movement and pullout through the use of the U-shaped securement portions. The veneer tie is installed within the wall anchor through a swinging motion, in either an over and through or under and through the anchor installation, fully securing the veneer tie within the anchor and providing flexibility during installation. |
| US08904720B2 |
Mullion cover linkage
A mullion cover linkage assembly includes a first wing including a first wing span extending from a first wing frame end to a first wing pivot end. The first wing frame end is configured for coupling with a first window frame. The linkage further includes a second wing having a second wing span extending from a second wing frame end to a second wing pivot end. The first and second wings are movably coupled with one another as a linkage. Optionally, a pivot clip is rotatably coupled between the first and second pivot flanges at first and second pivot joints each including respective pivot flanges of the first and second wings received in one of the first and second clip sockets. |
| US08904718B2 |
Roof panel for supporting PV modules
A panel (10) that is a roof cover for a sloped roof and that also is a mounting system for an array of PV modules (132). The panels (10) define rails (22, 24, 28, 30) that interlock with grooves (46, 48, 124, 126) to secure adjacent panels in each row of the array. The modules (132) are supported by bosses (34, 120) that determine the height of the module array and avoid the interlocking structure between the modules. |
| US08904714B2 |
Modular pedestrian tunnel
A tunnel structure includes a frame; a continuous plate fixed to the frame in order to protect passing-through pedestrians; supporting legs hinged to the frame; and a connecting section supported by the frame, the connecting section configured to enable the combination of multiple tunnel structures. |
| US08904711B2 |
Attachment device for attaching a glass pane of a vehicle to a carrier of a window regulator of a vehicle, glass pane assembly, window regulator assembly, and process of assembling and disassembling
A device (1) for attaching a glass pane (200) to a carrier (100) of a window regulator (51) uses a holder (11) mounted in a hole (201) of the glass pane (200). The holder (11) has a first part (12) on a face of the glass pane (200) and a second part (13) on another face of the glass pane (200). The first part (12) and said second part (13) are attached to one another by a hinge (17). The holder (11) has a coupler (16) for coupling and retaining the first part (12) and the second part (13) to one another. The attachment device (1) has a flexible retainer (31). |
| US08904710B2 |
Door drive
A door operator for operating a swing leaf in a door assembly. The door operator is configured to be mounted to a reception body such as a door transom, a wall or the like, and has a connector module for connecting with at least one connecting line. The connector module from a direction of the reception body and from at least one lateral direction, has at least one opening, through which the connecting line can be optionally guided to the connector module. |
| US08904707B2 |
Upside down hanging planter
The present invention provides a hanging planter for growing plants upside down. Because the planter has a flat bottom, plants may be grown in the planter right side up. At a convenient time the planter may be turned to hang upside down. |
| US08904704B1 |
Seeding treatments
This present invention relates to improvements in seed and seed-related products, processes for making such products and processes for establishing and improving seed beds and seed bed germination. As additional benefits, this invention is directed at improving soil productivity through enhancements in soil fertility, soil condition/tilth, and control of soil moisture. Further, the invention relates to productive use of certain types of abundantly available manufacturing waste, which waste is currently being disposed of in landfills. |
| US08904702B2 |
Container for a substance such as an ant bait container
A container for a substance, such as an ant trap container for ant bait is comprised of a minimum number of component parts that are each formed in a cost effective manner to produce an inexpensive container. The component parts of the container include a flexible sheet that seals the substance inside the container. The sheet can be easily manually grasped and pulled from an opening of the container to expose the substance to the opening of the container. |
| US08904701B2 |
Bed bug trap
A bed bug trap includes heat, carbon dioxide and/or semiochemicals (pheromones and/or kairomones), to attract and trap bed bugs. The trap may be combined with the appearance and/or function of another appliance, such as an air freshener. The release of semiochemicals may be combined with the release of air freshening compositions. The bed bug trap may provide one attraction mode, or two attraction modes, namely one which uses heat, carbon dioxide and/or kairomones to attract bed bugs seeking a meal, and the other which uses pheromones to attract bed bugs seeking a safe harbor, i.e. a hiding place. The bed bug trap may be combined with a wide variety of appliances, such as air fresheners, alarm clocks, clock radios, humidifiers, desk or table lamps, power bars, etc. |
| US08904697B2 |
Devices and methods for shielding a gun-mounted scope to prevent bumping and misalignment of the scope
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of scope shields, protectors, guards or devices for shielding and/or guarding gun-mounted scopes. Also disclosed are methods for shielding and/or guarding a gun-mounted scope. In use, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, for example, may prevent bumping of the scope by another object and the misalignment that might otherwise occur if the scope was bumped by another object. |
| US08904696B2 |
Device for fast reticle adjustment of a sighting device
A device for fast reticle adjustment of a sighting device is described, which is provided with a rotatable safeguard against unintended adjustment and has tactile and visual indicating means for the locked and unlocked position of the safeguard. |
| US08904678B2 |
Voice amplified foam music greeting card
Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof. |
| US08904676B2 |
Undercutter device
An undercutter attachable to utility machines has a bar with chain having teeth for cutting into rock beds, whereby the chain rotates about the bar. The bar has removable top and bottom portions, which when in place and secured, provide a channel for the chain, and when the top and bottom portions are removed, allow for replacement of worn parts without loosening or removing the chain. |
| US08904675B2 |
Footwear articles and footwear article modification methods
Footwear articles and footwear article modification methods are described. According to one aspect, a footwear article includes an insole configured to support a foot of an individual when the footwear article is worn by the individual, an outsole which contacts the ground when the footwear article is worn by the individual, an upper configured to hold the footwear article to the foot of the individual when the footwear article is worn by the individual, wherein the upper includes a lateral portion and a medial portion, and wherein the lateral portion of the upper is configured to retain an interchangeable placard in a position with respect to the footwear article wherein the placard covers substantially an entirety of the lateral portion of the upper of the footwear article. |
| US08904663B2 |
Hand hair dryer with two handle grips
The invention relates to a hand hair dryer (1), comprising an electric fan (2) and an in-series electric heating device (3), for the generation of an air stream (4) out of a tube section (5), whereby the fan (2) is arranged in a housing section (6) and the heating device (3) arranged in the tube section (6). An operating element (7), with a first handle grip (8), is arranged on the housing section (6) at approximately 90 degrees to the tube section (5). The tube section (5) is embodied as a second handle grip (9), thus providing ergonomic advantages on operating the hand hair dryer (1). |
| US08904661B1 |
Transparent measuring device with enhanced viewing windows
A tool for measuring, marking, or cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a plurality of lines formed thereon, and a plurality of windows formed in the lines to enable viewing of material underlying the tool. The windows can be outlined in opaque lines, and alternating windows can be filled with contrasting transparent colors. |
| US08904659B2 |
Signal generator for electromagnetic measurement and electromagnetic measuring system using same
A signal generator includes a main body supported by a holder, an antenna mounted on the main body for emitting electromagnetic waves, a bubble level mounted on the main body for indicating whether the main body is horizontally placed, and two laser generators mounted on the main body for generating laser beams. The holder is configured for adjusting the main body to be horizontally positioned and adjusting each of the laser beams to irradiate at a predetermined point each time. |
| US08904658B2 |
Method for determining the orientation of two shafts connected via two universal joints and a third shaft in the plane of the three shafts
A method for measuring and optionally correcting the angular offset of two shafts which are connected to one another by way of two universal joints and a third shaft calls for the measurement heads of an optoelectronic alignment device to be mounted in the shafts in exactly two measurement positions. These measurement positions are offset by 180° to one another and are located in the plane of the three shafts. |
| US08904650B2 |
Cutting tool with blade made of fine-crystalline diamond
The present invention relates to a cutting tool, in particular in the form of a razor blade, a scalpel, a knife, a machine knife, scissors etc., which has a synthetic diamond layer with a cutting edge. The diamond layer thereby consists of fine-crystalline diamond. |
| US08904647B2 |
Cable preparation tool
A tool is provided for preparing a cable for crimping. The tool includes a first pressure arm and a second pressure arm. An intermediate member is disposed between the first pressure arm and the second pressure arm, the intermediate member being rotationally coupled to the first pressure arm by a first pivot and rotationally coupled to the second pressure arm by a second pivot. The intermediate member includes a first pair of slots adjacent the first pressure arm and a second pair of slots adjacent the second pressure arm. A first pair of stripping cartridges is removably coupled to the first pair of slots. A second pair of stripping cartridges removably coupled to the second pair of slots. |
| US08904646B2 |
Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut
An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member and a press mechanism. The attaching member is releasably connected to the shaft. The press member is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes an aligning arm configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. A lock nut is engageable with the shaft and has a plurality of engaging teeth configured to engage a plurality of keeper teeth of a keeper. |
| US08904645B2 |
Method for assembling a roller bearing
A method for assembling a rolling bearing by deformation of the outer ring (OR) and/or the inner ring (IR) comprising, before said step of deformation, determining the theoretical position (1′, 2′) that the two extreme rolling elements should occupy so as to allow inserting at least one supplemental rolling element (11) in said space (13), said theoretical position defining an acute application angle (α2) determining the value of forces (F1) to be applied from outside to said outer ring (OR) at three application points, one central point at said nearest or contact location of both inner an outer rings in said symmetry plane and two lateral points at an angle (2α2) equal to the double of said acute application angle with respect to said symmetry plane, verifying that the deformation of the outer ring (OR) resulting from the application of said forces remains elastic and in that case, applying said forces and inserting at least one supplemental rolling element in said space. |
| US08904644B2 |
Portable foam panel cutting machine
A foam panel cutting machine for cutting foam panels used in insulated building panels. The foam panel cutting machine has a feeder system feeds the foam panel through the cutting blades. The cutting machine additionally includes a frame, a plurality of upper rollers and a plurality of lower rollers rotationally mounted to the frame. The foam panel cutting machine can be constructed so that it may be portable. One embodiment includes the upper rollers on an adjustable head that can adjust the gap distance between the upper and lower rollers so that foam panels of various thicknesses may be cut. The cutting blade may be a hot-knife wherein the blade is heated by passing an electrical current through it. The cutting blade may have a “L” or “J” shape to cut kerfs into the foam panel that receive metal studs to foil an insulated building panel. |
| US08904634B2 |
Forging method for producing a piston or piston skirt
A forging method for producing a piston skirt having two skirt walls and two box walls connecting the skirt walls may include forging, to the piston skirt, the skirt walls at least slightly conically towards the outside of the piston skirt via a first forging die. The box walls may be forged to the piston skirt, wherein each box wall has a hub inside and a hub outside. The box walls may be moulded via a second forging die, wherein the hub outside of each box wall runs at least one of substantially parallel to the piston axis and slightly sloping to an outside of their hub inside towards a free end of the piston skirt to the outside. The skirt walls may be drawn, simultaneously with moulding of the box walls, into a position that is approximately parallel to the piston axis. |
| US08904632B2 |
Method to make a multilayer circuit board with intermetallic compound and related circuit boards
A method is for making a multilayer circuit board from circuit board layers, each including a dielectric layer and conductive traces thereon including a first metal. The method includes forming a through-via in a first circuit board layer, plating the through-via with the first metal, and coating a second metal onto the first metal of the first circuit board layer, the plated through-via, and the first metal. The method also includes aligning the first and second circuit board layers together so that the plated through-via of the first circuit board layer is adjacent a feature on the second circuit board layer, and heating and pressing the aligned first and second circuit board layers so as to laminate the dielectric layers together and form an intermetallic compound of the first and second metals bonding adjacent metal portions together. |
| US08904627B2 |
Method for sealing package
An ampoule is disposed within a package, a metal tube is disposed between the package and a lid, one end of the metal tube protrudes to the outside, and a low melting point glass having a through-hole is disposed between the package and lid in order to connect the package and the lid each other. An end of the metal tube is connected to a pump which controls circulation of a cleaning solvent or coating agent. The pump circulates the cleaning solvent or the coating agent between the inside and the outside of the package. The gap between the package and the lid formed when the metal tube is extracted by and extracting melting the low melting point glass is sealed. |
| US08904625B2 |
Formation and rotational apparatus and method for cylindrical workpieces
A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections. |
| US08904621B2 |
Tubular connector
The invention relates to a connector (1) for clamping a component around a tubular member (30) and to a method of using such a connector. The clamping connector (1) comprises a collar (2), a plurality of movable dogs (16) mounted in the collar and actuation means for driving the movement of the dogs. The collar (2) has an inner wall (4) and an outer wall 5, the inner wall being adapted to surround the tubular member (30) with a gap (56) between an outer surface of the inner wall (4) and an outer surface (28) of the tubular member. The inner wall (4) has a plurality of apertures (12) each aperture leading to a passage (14) through the inner wall. Each of the dogs (16) is slidably seated in one of the passages (14) for movement in a radial direction with respect to the tubular member (30). Around each passage (14) the inner wall (4) is spaced apart from an inner surface (25) of the outer wall (5). The actuation means includes a movable block (22) within the space (20) between the inner and outer walls (4, 5) and movement means (32) for moving the block in an axial direction with respect to the tubular member. Each block (22) has a radially outer surface (23) in sliding contact with the inner surface (25) of the outer wall (5) when each block is moved in the axial direction. Each block also has a radially inner surface (24) and each dog has a corresponding radially outer surface (26) that are in sliding contact with each other. At least one pair (24, 26) of these contacting sliding surfaces are oppositely inclined with respect to each other so that the relative axial movement of the block (22) and the dog (16) causes the dog to be driven in a radially inwardly direction across the gap (56) to grip the tubular member (30). |
| US08904619B2 |
Methods for crimping a polymeric stent onto a delivery balloon
A medical device- includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen. |
| US08904617B2 |
Diverting system and method of running a tubular
A method of running a first tubular within a second tubular includes running the first tubular into the second tubular past at least one lateral extending from the second tubular, running a diverting tool at the first tubular with the running of the first tubular, withdrawing the first tubular from the second tubular until an end of the first tubular is beyond a junction between the at least one lateral and the second tubular and, running the first tubular into the at least one lateral. |
| US08904608B2 |
Godet unit
Techniques are directed to godet unit for guiding a multifilament thread, including a driven godet of an auxiliary roller or a second godet, from which the thread can be guided with multiple loopings, and including a mingling device for air-mingling the thread. The godet and the mingling device are provided in the form of a combined assembly. |
| US08904605B2 |
Cord lock
A cord lock includes a male tool and a female tool that receives a part of the male tool by pressing the male tool against a biasing force of a biasing device, and so as to match cord eyelets formed in sides of the male tool and the female tool each other at a predetermined pressing position of the male tool. An engaging part that is engaged with an engaged part of the female tool by the biasing force of the biasing device to prevent the male tool from slipping out of a position before the pressing operation, is formed on a side of the male tool intersecting a direction in which the eyelet passes through, and at a position closer to a pressing backward side than a hole edge located on a pressing forward side of the eyelet. |
| US08904601B2 |
Synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system
A synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a driver disposed on the first shaft and a reactor disposed on the second shaft and a link unit connected between the driver and the reactor. When the first shaft drives the driver to rotate, the driver pushes the link unit to move along the first and second shafts to forcedly push the reactor to rotate in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the driver. Accordingly, the first and second shafts are synchronously rotated. |
| US08904599B2 |
Quick coupling furniture hinge
A quick coupling furniture hinge for a quick arrangement of a door of a furniture element onto a base furniture element, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge pot arranged in the furniture door and a hinge arm pivotably fastened thereon. The hinge arm is provided with a mounting assembly fixed in the hinge arm, via which mounting assembly the hinge arm is fastened to a base mounting panel that is fixed on the base furniture element, so that the pivotable assemblies co-operate independently from each other with each complementarily shaped element arranged on the base mounting panel. |
| US08904590B2 |
Oral care instrument
An oral hygiene implement is described herein. The oral hygiene implement has a handle; a head, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. The head has a plurality of contact elements. A sealing element is positioned between the handle and the neck. The sealing element is translucent. An indication element is positioned between the adjacent the sealing element. A light emitting source provides electromagnetic energy to the indication element, and the electromagnetic energy passes through the sealing element. |
| US08904584B2 |
Cellular cushion
A cellular cushioning system includes cells or support units arranged in one or more stacked arrays. The cells are hollow chambers that resist deflection due to compressive forces, similar to compression springs. The arrays are attached to one or more intermedial binding layers. The intermedial binding layer(s) links the cells together while allowing the cells to deform independently of one another. An external load compresses of one of the void cells within an independent compression range without significantly compressing at least one void cell adjacent the compressed void cell. The independent compression range is the displacement range of the compressed void cell that does not significantly affect the compression of adjacent void cells. If the void cell is compressed beyond the independent compression range, the intermedial binding layers may be deflected and/or the void cells adjacent the compressed void cell may be compressed. |
| US08904581B2 |
Expandable mattress cover
An expandable mattress cover comprises a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a side wall joining the top sheet and the bottom sheet. A plurality of edges of the side wall is stitched to the top sheet and the bottom sheet to form a compartment. An expandable means having a hook is attached to the side wall. An opening is provided on the side wall for inserting a mattress into the compartment. The expandable means may be adjusted to fit mattresses of different thicknesses inside the expandable mattress cover. A fastening means with a hook is adjusted to open the opening before inserting a mattress into the compartment. The mattress is secured in position by adjusting the fastening means to a closed position. The hook is used to clip the expandable means and the fastening means onto the side wall. |
| US08904579B2 |
Privacy blanket
A privacy blanket, including a blanket body having a first side surface and a second side surface. At least one engagement portion is provided to removably engage the privacy blanket with a user. The privacy blanket further includes at least one functional portion for providing a containment area, a storage arrangement, and/or a working area. |
| US08904578B2 |
Multi-piece mattress supporting foundation
Mattress foundations for supporting a mattress generally includes multiple support units that can be abutting arranged to for the mattress foundation. In one embodiment, the mattress foundation includes at least two support units in an abutting relationship that form a rectangular shape at each end of the mattress foundation and provide a planar support surface having length and width dimensions effective to support a mattress disposed thereon. |
| US08904577B2 |
Apparatus for moving a limb of a bedridden person
An apparatus for moving a limb of a bedridden person having a pulley secured above said bedridden person, a cable supported and arranged for movement about the pulley, and a substantially “T” shaped member consisting of a first longitudinally arranged member having a first end and a second end, where the first end is removably secured to the cable, and a second laterally arranged member secured transversely to the second end of the first member, where the first longitudinally arranged member is arranged perpendicularly to the second laterally arranged member. |
| US08904574B2 |
Water discharge device
A water discharge device generates a large air bubble having a cross sectional area larger than a channel sectional area of a jetting port when the inside of a water storage chamber is viewed from the jetting port. The water discharge device intermittently forms the large air bubble to change a flow speed of a jet flow. |
| US08904570B2 |
Concealed waterless urinal
A waterless urinal for easy installation in bathroom and non bathroom areas of a residence. The waterless urinal includes a urinal housing with an integral drain assembly and removable door. The waterless urinal enables the discharge of urine without the need for flushing with water. A protective layer of specialized liquid is used to mask the urine in the urinal and prevent odors. |
| US08904569B2 |
Apparatus for distributing pressure from a strap
An apparatus and method for distributing pressure from at least one strap are provided. The apparatus includes a first surface for resting against a wearer, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a securing mechanism. The method involves resting an area of the first surface against the wearer, supporting a strap over a second area on the second surface and securing the strap over the second area. |
| US08904568B2 |
Clothing support system
A clothing support system is provided, which includes a clothing support article for providing support to a portion of a user's body. The clothing support article has front and rear panels of a substantially non-elastic fabric, for the support of a portion of the user's body. The front and rear panels are attached together by first and second side panels, which include a fabric of two-way elasticity which is stretchable between the front and rear panels. The clothing support system may further include a tension strap having a central support portion and two ends which are attachable to the front panel, to thereby provide enhanced support to a user's body. A method for providing support to a user's body is also provided, wherein tension is applied to the tension strap of the clothing support system. |
| US08904565B2 |
Outerwear garments in combination with separate garments
Articles of clothing which include an outerwear garment combined with an intermediate garment are provided. Such articles include a jacket combined with a vest, a coat or overgarment combined with a jacket, or a coat or overgarment combined with a vest. Such articles of clothing can include an outerwear and an intermediate garment, wherein the outwear and the intermediate garment include respective shoulders, wherein the outwear outerwear and the intermediate garment may be joined at the shoulders by connecting members. |
| US08910305B1 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing mouse cursor path
A computer implemented method comprises determining two or more line segments of a mouse cursor path, determining a slope of each of the two or more line segments, and determining whether the mouse cursor path represents a program simulating mouse movement based on a comparison of the values of the determined slopes. A computing device and computer program product implementing similar features are also disclosed. |
| US08910303B2 |
System and method for manipulating security of integrated circuit layout
A method for manipulating security of an integrated circuit layout, comprising: rendering a PCell that is created by an original user for a successive user; providing an open access to the PCell; providing a PCell evaluator to execute evaluating steps of: getting license information from the PCell, and checking the PCell license information; and generating a layout of a sub-master by instantiating a super-master of the PCell if the PCell license information is valid, or leave the sub-master empty in a PCell view if the PCell license information is invalid. |
| US08910300B2 |
Secure tunneling platform system and method
Disclosed is a system and method for receiving, by a wireless gateway device from a user computing device, a request for network access. In an embodiment, the request is formatted to comply with a different communication protocol, and transmitted to a authentication computing device. The gateway device receives a reply from the authentication computing device that grants the request. The reply is transmitted by the wireless gateway device and to the user computing device. A first communication pathway is established between the authentication computing device and the user computing device, and a request for access to at least one other computing device is received by the authentication device. The request is forwarded, and a reply granting the request is received and forwarded to the user computing device. |
| US08910299B2 |
Emergency information access on portable electronic devices
Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device. |
| US08910298B2 |
Environmental monitoring device
An environmental monitoring device that monitors the operation of a legacy electronic device is described. In particular, a sensor in the environmental monitoring device provides sensor data that represents an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. This environmental condition is associated with the operation of the legacy electronic device in the external environment. The environmental monitoring device analyzes the sensor data and provides feedback about the operation of the legacy electronic device based on the analyzed sensor data. Moreover, the sensor provides the sensor data without or excluding communication and/or electrical coupling between the environmental monitoring device and the legacy electronic device. In this way, the environmental monitoring device facilitates monitoring, analysis and feedback of the sensor data without directly interacting with the legacy electronic device. |
| US08910290B2 |
Method and apparatus for token-based transaction tagging
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may monitor a session that facilitates the processing of a transaction. The transaction may represent an action taken against a resource during the session. The apparatus may determine that the transaction qualifies for additional monitoring, and in response, generate a tag. The tag may be unique to the transaction. The apparatus may then associate the tag with the transaction to facilitate tracing of the transaction. The apparatus may then trace the transaction during the processing of the transaction by following the tag, and communicate a message to transfer the transaction to an isolated processing unit. The isolated processing unit processes the transaction in isolation. |
| US08910287B1 |
Methods and systems for preventing malicious use of phishing simulation records
Described herein are methods, network devices and machine-readable media for preventing the malicious use of phishing simulation records. Phishing simulation records often times can reveal which individuals are most susceptible to phishing attacks. In the event that an attacker gains access to these records, the attacker can exploit such information to send phishing attacks to those individuals who are the most susceptible. To address such vulnerabilities, a phishing simulation record of an individual is only associated with an e-mail alias of the individual. Further, such e-mail alias may be deactivated after phishing simulations have been completed. Therefore, even if an attacker were able to identify individuals most susceptible to phishing attacks, the attacker will be unable to send any phishing attacks to those individuals since their e-mail aliases will have been deactivated. |
| US08910285B2 |
Methods and systems for reciprocal generation of watch-lists and malware signatures
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for reciprocal generation of watch-lists and traffic models characteristic of malicious network activity. In some aspects, the described methods and systems relate to maintaining data for recognition of malicious network activity. In general, the methods include monitoring network traffic; comparing endpoint data from monitored data packets to endpoints in a watch-list of network endpoints and comparing packet data from monitored data packets to traffic models in a catalog of traffic models characterizing malicious network activity; and determining, based on the comparisons, that a set of data packets comprise suspect network activity. The methods include adding a network endpoint to the watch-list when the determination is based on comparing packet data to a traffic model or adding a traffic model to the catalog when the determination is based on comparing endpoint data. |
| US08910283B1 |
Firmware-level security agent supporting operating system-level security in computer system
A pre-OS security agent runs in an environment independent of the operating system (OS) but interfaced with the file system and able to exchange information with a security application running over the OS. Prior to the start-up of the OS, an indication of a state or condition is obtained relating to a risk of an inability of the security application to function normally, or to a change in the computer system affecting the start-up of the OS. Based on the indication, a set of one or more actions are determined for resolving the state or condition. The pre-OS security agent executes the set of one or more actions in response to the indication. |
| US08910281B1 |
Identifying malware sources using phishing kit templates
An improved technique involves searching for emails having a particular template generated by a phishing kit. Such a template typically includes field names corresponding to credentials that a customer inputs into a spoofed web site as part of a phishing attack. The phishing kit used in a phishing attack is typically configured to construct an email so that it arranges the credentials in a regular, tabular fashion. Accordingly, an administrator configures a receiver to search an email server for emails having a sequence of keywords in a format that matches the particular template. |
| US08910280B2 |
Detecting and blocking domain name system cache poisoning attacks
Concepts and technologies for detecting and blocking Domain Name System (“DNS”) cache poisoning attacks are provided. An inline detector and blocker apparatus implements a detection algorithm to monitor DNS response packets and detects a DNS cache poisoning attack utilizing the detection algorithm. The inline detector and blocker apparatus detects the DNS cache poisoning attack by receiving a DNS response packet and determining that the response packet includes poison data. The poison data may be included within an additional section of the response packet and/or an answer section of the response packet. As appropriate, the inline detector and blocker apparatus removes the additional section and/or the answer section of the response packet to effectively block the poison data from being cached by a DNS caching resolver. |
| US08910279B2 |
Reputation-based threat protection
Information concerning a plurality of identified threats provided by a plurality of preselected sources is stored in memory. An e-mail message may be received over a communication network. The received e-mail message is separated into a plurality of components. The stored information is searched to identify a reputation score associated with each of the plurality of components. It is then determined whether the e-mail is a threat based on the identified reputation score of each of the plurality of components. The determination is sent to a designated recipient. |
| US08910277B1 |
Process-based domain isolation
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for process-based domain isolation are discussed herein. A method embodiment includes determining domains associated with a plurality of content areas and rendering content areas associated with different domains into separate processes, wherein each domain from the one or more domains is associated with a separate process that communicates with its respective individual domain. The method further comprises identifying browsing instances including content areas that can script each other, identifying site instances including content areas sharing a common domain, and controlling communication between content areas across the identified site instances within each browsing instance. |
| US08910276B2 |
Apparatus and method for precluding execution of certain instructions in a secure execution mode microprocessor
An apparatus providing for a secure execution environment is presented. The apparatus includes a microprocessor and a secure non-volatile memory. The microprocessor is configured to execute non-secure application programs and a secure application program, where the non-secure application programs are accessed from a system memory via a system bus, and where the secure application program is executed in a secure execution mode. The microprocessor has secure execution mode logic that is configured to monitor instructions within the secure application program, and that is configured to preclude execution of certain instructions. The secure non-volatile memory is coupled to the microprocessor via a private bus, and is configured to store the secure application program, where transactions over the private bus between the microprocessor and the secure non-volatile memory are isolated from the system bus and corresponding system bus resources within the microprocessor. |
| US08910272B2 |
Computer communication system for communication via public networks
A computer communication system, comprising a client computer (1) with an installed virtual private network (VPN) client (41) and located in a public network (3), at least one server computer (9a, 9b, 9c) located in a corporate network (8), a web server (10) remote from said client computer (1), a gateway computer (20) located in said corporate network, and a VPN server computer (30) located in said corporate network (8). The computer communication system is adapted to run following steps of providing a safe VPN communication connection between said client (1) and at least one of said server computers (9a, 9b, 9c): said client computer (1), using a WEB browser (40), downloads an application (12) from said VPN server computer (30), and said downloaded application (12) automatically configures the VPN client (41) installed on said client computer (1) and establishes a tunnelled connection (50) from said client computer (1) to said corporate network (8), wherein all packets generated by the installed VPN client (41) are forwarded through said tunnelled connection (50) via the gateway computer (20) to the VPN server (30) in said corporate network (8). |
| US08910271B2 |
System and method for handover between interworking WLAN and EUTRAN access systems
This invention relates to the area of Mobility and Handover between heterogeneous wireless networks. The scope of the invention also covers the case when the UE is capable of accessing both the WLAN and EUTRAN access systems simultaneously and also the case where the UE is not capable of accessing both the WLAN and EUTRAN access systems simultaneously. This invention provides a system and method to perform Mobility between the access systems with optimized authentication procedure using security context transfer between the access systems and also minimize the data loss by buffering the data during the handover. More specifically, this invention provides a system and method to support handover between the I-WLAN and the EUTRAN access systems. |
| US08910268B2 |
Enterprise security assessment sharing for consumers using globally distributed infrastructure
Secure content management is enabled as a cloud-based service through which security protection and policy enforcement may be implemented for both on-premise network users and roaming users. The global SCM service integrates the security functionalities—such as anti-virus, spyware, and phishing protection, firewall, intrusion detection, centralized management, and the like—that are typically provided by enterprise network SCM appliance hardware or servers into a cloud-based service that users reach via Internet-based points-of-presence (“POPs”). The POPs are configured with forward proxy servers, and in some implementations, caching and network acceleration components, and coupled to hubs which provide configuration management and identity management services such as active directory services. |
| US08910267B2 |
Method for managing connections in firewalls
The disclosure relates to a method for managing connections in a firewall. The method includes receiving packets from an external network; generating a connection table; determining the total number of currently established connections; determining a level of firewall load by comparing the number of established connections with a threshold; identifying new and established connections based on two-way exchange of packets between a client and server; identifying closed connections based on processing ICMP error messages or flags in a TCP header; and dynamically determining current timeout values for connections from the network protocol type, the connection state, and the firewall load level. The method also includes modifying the last packet processing timestamp if any packet is passed within a given connection or a group of connections; and removing the connection if the last packet processing timestamp differs from the current time by a value greater than the timeout of said connection. |
| US08910262B2 |
Supporting multiple messaging services on mobile devices in a single user experience
A system is described that contains a device including a memory with a management application installed thereon. The management application contains a manager that generates a plurality of user accounts and associates at least one communication service as a messaging account with each user account, and an interface module that generates a user interface that presents the plurality of user accounts and that modifies the user interface based on the identification of the selected user account to present a selected account display. |
| US08910258B2 |
Online signature identity and verification in community
Techniques for electronic signature process management are described. Some embodiments provide an electronic signature service (“ESS”) configured to manage electronic identity cards. In some embodiments, the ESS generates and manages an electronic identity card for a user, based on personal information of the user, activity information related to the user's actions with respect to the ESS, and/or social networking information related to the user. The electronic identity card of a signer may be associated with an electronic document signed via the ESS, so that users may obtain information about the signer of the document. Electronic identity cards managed by the ESS may also be shared or included in other contexts, such as via a user's profile page on a social network, a user's email signature, or the like. |
| US08910257B2 |
Representing security identities using claims
The claims based identity model provides a model which associates security identities with claims. The model represents information contained in the claims, as well as, captures relationships between the security identities described in the claims. Finally, the data model can be easily translated to the existing .NET environment without breaking the backward compatibility for existing .NET applications. |
| US08910253B2 |
Picture gesture authentication
In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user. |
| US08910250B2 |
User notifications during computing network access
A notification is received that a network device in a computing network has blocked a service request directed towards a network resource of the computing network. A determination is made, based on authentication information associated with one or more of a network endpoint that transmitted the service request and a user at the network endpoint, as to whether the user should be notified of a reason that the network device blocked the service request. If it is determined that the user should be notified, a notification summarizing the reason that the network device blocked the service request is transmitted to the network endpoint. |
| US08910247B2 |
Cross-site scripting prevention in dynamic content
Embodiment relate to systems, methods, and computer storage media for suppressing cross-site scripting in a content delivery system. A request is received for content that includes a scripted item or scripted items. The scripted item is identified within the content. An identifier is associated with the scripted element when the scripted element is an intended scripted element to be associated with the content. The identifier may be a hash value based from a hash function and the scripted item. Prior to communicating the content to a user, the scripted item is identified again to determine if an identifier is associated with the scripted item. If an identifier is associated with the scripted item, the identifier is evaluated to determine if the identifier is appropriate. When the identifier is determined to not be appropriate, the scripted item is prevented from being communicated to a user. |
| US08910242B2 |
Enable/disable method of additional-function unit, system for same, program for same, as well as additional-function unit
The objective of the present invention is to disable functionality of an additional-function unit if an unauthorized program has been installed in an information processing device, thereby preventing an unauthorized program from acquiring, in an unauthorized manner, information from the additional-function unit. The present invention is an enable/disable method for an additional-function unit in an information processing device to which the additional-function unit has been added, which has a step for calculating a first directional function value on the basis of data included in a recording medium storing a boot loader and an operating system so as to store the first directional function value at manufacture time into the additional-function unit, a step for calculating a second directional function value on the basis of data included in the recording medium after the information processing device has been started up, and a step for disabling the functionality of the additional-function unit if the first directional function value and the second directional function value are different. |
| US08910241B2 |
Computer security system
A method of packet management for restricting access to a resource of a computer system. The method includes identifying client parameters and network parameters, as a packet management information, used to determine access to the resource, negotiating a session key between client and server devices, generating a session ID based on at least the negotiated session key, inserting the packet management information and the session ID into each information packet sent from the client device to the server device, monitoring packet management information in each information packet from the client device, and filtering out respective information packets sent to the server device from the client device when the monitored packet management information indicates that access to the resource is restricted. |
| US08910239B2 |
Providing virtualized private network tunnels
Various aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a per-application policy-controlled virtual private network (VPN) tunnel. In some embodiments, tickets may be used to provide access to an enterprise resource without separate authentication of the application and, in some instances, can be used in such a manner as to provide a seamless experience to the user when reestablishing a per-application policy controlled VPN tunnel during the lifetime of the ticket. Additional aspects relate to an access gateway providing updated policy information and tickets to a mobile device. Other aspects relate to selectively wiping the tickets from a secure container of the mobile device. Yet further aspects relate to operating applications in multiple modes, such as a managed mode and an unmanaged mode, and providing authentication-related services based on one or more of the above aspects. |
| US08910238B2 |
Hypervisor-based enterprise endpoint protection
Described systems and methods allow the detection and prevention of malware and/or malicious activity within a network comprising multiple client computer systems, such as an enterprise network with multiple endpoints. Each endpoint operates a hardware virtualization platform, including a hypervisor exposing a client virtual machine (VM) and a security VM. The security VM is configured to have exclusive use of the network adapter(s) of the respective endpoint, and to detect whether data traffic to/from the client VM comprises malware or is indicative of malicious behavior. Upon detecting malware/malicious behavior, the security VM may block access of the client VM to the network, thus preventing the spread of malware to other endpoints. The client system may further comprise a memory introspection engine configured to perform malware scanning of the client VM from the level of the hypervisor. |
| US08910231B2 |
System and method for configuring media services
A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08910230B2 |
Method of transforming HFC CATV analog fiber transmission to digital fiber transmission
A method of converting legacy HFC CATV cable systems, which transmit data over the optical fiber portion of the system using the optical counterpart of analog RF waveforms, such as RF QAM waveforms transduced to corresponding optical QAM waveforms, to improved HFC CATV systems that transmit data over the optical fiber using optical fiber optimized protocols, such as Ethernet frames and other optical fiber optimized digital transport protocols. According to the method, most aspects of the legacy HFC CATV system may be retained, however at the CATV head end, the optical fiber transmitter system is replaced by an improved system that extracts the underlying symbols from legacy waveforms, packages these symbols into optical fiber optimized packets, and transmits downstream. The legacy optical fiber nodes are replaced with improved nodes capable of receiving the packets and remodulating the symbols into RF waveforms suitable for injection into the system's CATV cable. |
| US08910229B2 |
Methods and devices for efficient adaptive bitrate streaming
A method for providing video content from a server to a plurality of media devices is disclosed, the method comprising: determining, by the server, the bandwidth to allocate to each of the plurality of media devices using a hypertext transfer protocol-based live streaming client model or a need parameter vector and providing the allocated bandwidth to each of the plurality of media devices, wherein the video content is transmitted in a plurality of segments from the server, and wherein each segment is transmitted at a bitrate that may vary from segment to segment. |
| US08910228B2 |
Measurement of remote display performance with image-embedded markers
Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for measuring the performance of a remote display. One method includes an operation for embedding in display frames a respective frame identifier and a respective frame picture. The respective frame picture is placed in a respective region that depends of the value of the respective frame identifier. Additionally, the method includes operations for sending the plurality of display frames to a remote client, and for extracting each received frame picture from the respective region of each received display frame at the remote client based on the received frame identifier. The received frame quality is calculated for each received display frame based on the comparison of the extracted received frame picture with the respective frame picture. Further, the method includes an operation for calculating a remote display quality for the remote client based on the calculated received frame quality for the received display frames. |
| US08910226B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, transmitting method, receiving apparatus, receiving method, program, and content distribution system
A transmitting apparatus, a transmitting method, a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, a program, and a content distribution system capable of stably supplying content to a plurality of terminal devices. A terminal device can receive content streaming distribution from a content distribution server over the Internet. In addition, the terminal device can relay the received content to a different terminal device over the Internet. If the quality of the content distributed in such a manner is degraded (e.g., the amount of delay increases), the content distribution server can control a TV broadcasting apparatus to streaming-distribute the content by on-air broadcast. In addition, the content distribution server can stop broadcasting of the content in accordance with the number of viewers. |
| US08910225B2 |
System and method for capturing, editing, searching, and delivering multi-media content with local and global time
Various acquisition streams are delivered, synchronously or asynchronously, to a server. Those streams having local time indicia are synchronized with the global timeline and the various acquisition streams are then stored. Low bit rate streams corresponding to the stored acquisition streams are generated for use in subsequent editing of the acquisition streams. The editing of the acquisition streams entails reviewing the various acquisition streams and selecting portions for replay. The portions selected for replay are identified through metadata which is then stored. The replay or distribution mode begins by editing the global timeline using the metadata generated in the editing mode so as to produce an edited timeline. The various acquisition streams are then rendered or played back according to the edited timeline to produce a distribution stream. |
| US08910222B2 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing guides and using recording information in determining program to communications channel mappings
A user recovers and records multiple programs communicated simultaneously using a communications channel, e.g., QAM communications channel. The simultaneous communication may be by communicating, e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream including data corresponding to multiple programs through a corresponding to QAM communications channel. Thus a user device, e.g., a set top box, is able to receive and record programs corresponding to multiple simultaneously broadcast programs using a single tuner. This allows a device to receive and record or display more programs at any given time, than the number of QAM tuners and/or receivers in the user device. Novel user interface features which facilitate a user's ability to identify and record multiple programs corresponding to a QAM channel are also described. Methods and apparatus for determining program to communication channel mappings based on user program recordation information are also described. |
| US08910221B2 |
Technique for providing programming content through a communications network having limited bandwidth
In a cable television system, a specific carrier is assigned to deliver programming content of a program channel to a service area for a period, defined as a function of viewership of the program channel during that period. For example, the program channel is assigned the specific carrier during the time when it has a generally strong viewership. Otherwise, the program channel is assigned a carrier on an as needed basis, i.e., only when one or more subscribers in the service area request such a program channel. Viewing statistics are generated to identify viewership patterns or viewing habits of the subscribers in the service area with respect to a given program channel. In another embodiment, based on the viewing statistics, popular and unpopular programs, program elements, program lineups, program channels are identified on a temporal and/or regional basis. |
| US08910214B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver for receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a section number field indicating a section number and a protocol version field indicating a protocol version; demodulating the digital television signal; and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances. |
| US08910212B2 |
Multiple device storefront for video provisioning system
A system may process metadata associated with video assets; generate, based on the metadata, a first listing of the video assets, where the first listing is compatible with a first type of user device that corresponds to a set top box; and provide the first listing to the first type of user device. The system may further generate, based on the metadata, a second listing of the video assets, where the second listing is formatted to be compatible with a second type of user device that is a different type than the set top box; and provide the second listing to the second type of user device. |
| US08910211B1 |
System and method for dynamic electronic program guide data downloads
Set top boxes (STBs) query a source of electronic program guide (EPG) data to request only the EPG data that it needs. Thus, instead of downloading the entire set of EPG data, the STBs query the source for only a limited amount of EPG data, such as data for the next 2-3 hours of programming. STBs can dynamically request additional EPG data if it needs to do so while a user is perusing the EPG, such as when the user requests additional EPG data that may not have been previously downloaded. Updates and corrections to pieces of EPG data can be efficiently made and sent to the STB, when that EPG data is needed, rather than being sent only during regularly scheduled times along with the entire set of EPG data. |
| US08910208B2 |
Interactive video system
An interactive video system is provided that is capable of combining streaming televised events with video conferencing technology to create a social television experience. A first user is able to connect via a webcam and microphone to a server that combines the webcam video and sound from the microphone with a streaming video that could be a televised event. The combined webcam video, microphone sound, and streaming video is then broadcast to the first user and other users such that the users are capable of viewing the streaming video with the live conferencing video and sound from the first user. This procedure may be repeated such that a plurality of users may video conference live on top of the streaming video. |
| US08910207B2 |
Electronic apparatus, method of controlling electronic apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an acquiring module, a first output module, a second output module and a third output module. The acquiring module is configured to acquire program information via a computer network upon receipt of an instruction to acquire program information. The first outputting module is configured to create a program guide using program information acquired via a computer network. The second outputting module is configured to receive a broadcast of a program designated in the program guide. The third outputting module is configured to acquire program information of the designated program from the received broadcast of the designated program. |
| US08910206B2 |
Enhanced program metadata on cross-media bar
When a user hovers a screen cursor over a TV channel icon on a cross-media bar (XMB) user interface (UI) for a threshold period, enhanced metadata from PSIP/XDS/EPG that pertains to the program currently available on the associated TV channel is presented in a pop-up window on the XMB UI. |
| US08910204B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US08910202B2 |
Modification and distribution of video content
A data stream processing system receives a transport stream containing single/multiple program/s and receives alternate content. The system identifies portions of the transport stream to replace with the alternate content. An alternate content data stream is generated that includes the alternate content and at least one sync packet. The sync packet enables synchronous replacement of the alternate content into the transport stream. The system then distributes the alternate content data stream. |
| US08910200B2 |
Device, method and system for service insertion during content display
A system, device and method for service insertion during a video display. A client device detects a video request input, and in response, selects and initiates an advanced service asset while the player buffers the requested video data. The output of the player is displayed in a background field while the media display data of the advanced service asset is displayed in a foreground field. The player display data may be brought to the foreground after a preset time or when the player is ready to display the requested video. |
| US08910199B2 |
Targeted television content display
The invention enables and/or facilitates the display of personalized content to content observers by content providers (e.g., advertisers) who disseminate content over a network. In particular, the invention can be used to enable the display of targeted content to television viewers and/or targeted product placements within a television program. The invention can advantageously enable identification of the content observer(s) observing a content display device at a particular time and/or identification of the content display site, and selection of targeted content for display based on a determination of content appropriate for display to those content observer(s) in accordance with a criterion based on the identity and/or a characteristic of the content observer(s) and/or the content display site. |
| US08910198B2 |
Multicast video advertisement insertion using routing protocols
First video material is transmitted from a video source, over a video content network, to consumer premises equipment, via a hub router. The video source has a source address and there is a first path length between the hub router and the video source. Upon occurrence of a first triggering condition, a short route metric is announced from a supplemental video material server coupled to the hub router. The short route metric causes the hub router to perceive a second path length, between the hub router and the supplemental video material server, as shorter than the first path length. The supplemental video material server has a source address identical to the source address of the video source. Thus, the consumer premises equipment obtains supplemental video material from the supplemental video material server instead of first video material from the video source. Aspects of a system and a supplemental video material server are also disclosed. |
| US08910197B2 |
Update process for interface device based targeted information insertion
Advertisements or other types of targeted information are delivered to set-top boxes or other user interface devices of a signal distribution system. In one aspect of the invention, at least one multicast update comprising updated targeted information is sent to the user interface devices during a multicast update period. If a given one of the user interface devices is unable to obtain a complete set of the updated targeted information from the multicast update before timeout of the multicast update period, a unicast update comprising at least a portion of the updated targeted information is sent to the given user interface device during a unicast update period. The unicast update may be sent responsive to a request from the given user interface device for a designated portion of the updated targeted information. |
| US08910196B2 |
Broadcast area identification and content distribution
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for broadcast area identification and content distribution. In one embodiment, a broadcast area associated with an electronic device can be identified. Then, content for the broadcast area can be distributed to the electronic device in accordance with distribution parameters. |
| US08910195B1 |
Systems and methods for enhancing audience measurement data
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing audience measurement data. Offline and online audience measurement data may be compared and correlated to improve the quality of each data and source set. Positive correlations between the offline and online data sets related to a particular event may indicate demographic traits that are likely true, such that outliers may be removed from the set or considered at a reduced weight. Negative correlations may indicate that demographic information within a source set, such as the online measurement data, may be false or suspect. |
| US08910193B2 |
Dynamically binding data in an application
A method for binding data in an application. An expression is created via a framework based on input from a developer. The expression is received at an expression engine wherein the expression describes a relation between a first property of a first data of the application to a first property of a second data of the application. A binding is created between the first data and the second data based on the relation via the expression engine. The first property of the second data is changed based on a change to the first property of the first data wherein the changing occurs because of the binding. The receiving the expression, the creating the binding, and the changing the first property are orchestrated via the framework to manage when the expression is executed in the application. |
| US08910191B2 |
Encoder and decoder driver development techniques
A codec architecture including an audio wave driver and a coded topology driver. The audio wave driver is communicatively coupled to an audio engine and an analog audio codec. The coded topology driver is communicatively coupled to the audio wave driver by a set of interfaces that enables streamlined code implementation, improved operation efficiency and power savings, while allowing vendors to supply differentiating functionality outside of the basic requirements of the operating system. |
| US08910183B2 |
Access to context information in a heterogeneous application environment
Various embodiments of systems and methods to provide access to context information in a heterogeneous application environment are described herein. The context information of a source application is received. The context information is based on the execution of the source application. Further, the context information is stored in one or more context vectors of a global context unit, the one or more context vectors corresponding to the source application and one or more target applications. Furthermore, access to the context information of the global context unit is provided for the one or more target applications upon receiving invoking access indication from the one or more target applications. Also, the source application and the one or more target applications are integrated with the global context unit. |
| US08910181B2 |
Divided central data processing
A circuit configuration for a data processing system and a corresponding method for executing multiple tasks by way of a central processing unit having a processing capacity assigned to the processing unit, the circuit configuration being configured to distribute the processing capacity of the processing unit uniformly among the respective tasks, and to process the respective tasks in time-offset fashion until they are respectively executed. |
| US08910179B2 |
Systems and methods for providing semaphore-based protection of system resources
Embodiments include systems and methods that implement semaphore-based protection of various system resources. In an embodiment, a job scheduling module receives a job execution request from a requesting module (e.g., a CPU or other autonomous module). In response to receiving the job execution request, the job scheduling module identifies a descriptor, where the descriptor includes code configured to access a semaphore-protected resource. The job scheduling module causes a descriptor controller module to execute the descriptor. More specifically, execution of the descriptor includes the descriptor controller module performing a semaphore-based access of the protected resource. The job scheduling module also may coordinate sharing the descriptor among multiple descriptor controller modules (e.g., allowing parallel execution of portions of the descriptor). In various embodiments, using protection status flags or tokens that are accessed by the descriptor, semaphore-based protection of the resource is enforced even while the descriptor is being shared. |
| US08910178B2 |
Performing a global barrier operation in a parallel computer
Executing computing tasks on a parallel computer that includes compute nodes coupled for data communications, where each compute node executes tasks, with one task on each compute node designated as a master task, including: for each task on each compute node until all master tasks have joined a global barrier: determining whether the task is a master task; if the task is not a master task, joining a single local barrier; if the task is a master task, joining the global barrier and the single local barrier only after all other tasks on the compute node have joined the single local barrier. |
| US08910177B2 |
Dynamic mapping of logical cores
A processor that dynamically remaps logical cores to physical cores is disclosed. In one embodiment, the processor includes a plurality of physical cores, and is configured to store a mapping of logical cores to the plurality of physical cores. The processor further includes an assignment unit configured to remap the logical cores to the plurality of physical cores subsequent to a boot process of the processor. In some embodiments, the assignment unit is configured to remap the logical cores in response to receiving an indication that one or more of the plurality of physical cores have entered an idle state. The processor may be configured to load a first of the plurality of physical cores with an execution state of a second of the plurality of physical cores upon the first physical core exiting an idle state. |
| US08910175B2 |
System and method for topology-aware job scheduling and backfilling in an HPC environment
A method for job management in an HPC environment includes determining an unallocated subset from a plurality of HPC nodes, with each of the unallocated HPC nodes comprising an integrated fabric. An HPC job is selected from a job queue and executed using at least a portion of the unallocated subset of nodes. |
| US08910174B2 |
Storage system
Provided is a storage system including a host computer, a memory device, a plurality of resources for allocating a volume of the memory device to an access from the host computer, a memory for storing a correspondence relationship of the plurality of resources, an input module to be used by an administrator for selecting a prescribed resource among the plurality of resources, and a controller for extracting other resources related to the selected resource by using the correspondence relationship, detecting the performance status of the extracted other resources, identifying a related resource having a correlation with the performance of the selected resource among the other resources based on the detection result, and causing an output module to output the association of the selected resource and the related resource. |
| US08910171B2 |
Thread synchronization in a multi-thread network communications processor architecture
Described embodiments provide a packet classifier for a network processor that generates tasks corresponding to each received packet. The packet classifier includes a scheduler to generate contexts corresponding to tasks received by the packet classifier from a plurality of processing modules of the network processor. A multi-thread instruction engine processes threads of instructions, each thread of instructions corresponding to a context received from the scheduler. A thread status manager maintains a thread status table having N entries to track up to N active threads. Each status entry includes a valid status indicator, a sequence value, and a thread indicator. A sequence counter generates a sequence value for each thread and is incremented when processing of a thread is started, and is decremented when a thread is completed, by the multi-thread instruction engine. Instructions are processed by the multi-thread instruction engine in the order in which the threads were started. |
| US08910170B2 |
Managing execution of interdependent tasks of a task dependency chain based on a run-once task attribute
An illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for interdependent task management selects a task from an execution task dependency chain to form a selected task, wherein a type selected from a set of types including “forAll,” “runOnce” and none is associated with the selected task and determines whether there is a “forAll” task. Responsive to a determination that there is no “forAll” task, determines whether there is a “runOnce” task and responsive to a determination that there is a “runOnce” task further determines whether there is a semaphore for the selected task. Responsive to a determination that there is a semaphore for the selected task, the computer-implemented process determines whether the semaphore is “on” for the selected task and responsive to a determination that the semaphore is “on,” sets the semaphore “off” and executes the selected task. |
| US08910169B2 |
Methods and systems to perform a computer task in a reduced power consumption state
Methods and systems to perform a computer task in a reduced power consumption state, including to virtualize physical resources with respect to an operating environment and service environment, to exit the operating environment and enter the service environment, to place a first set of one or more of the physical resources in a reduced power consumption state, and to perform a task in the service environment utilizing a processor and a second set of one or more of the physical resources. A physical resource may be assigned to an operating environment upon an initialization of the operating environment, and re-assigned to the service environment to be utilized by the service environment while other physical resources are placed in a reduced power consumption state. |
| US08910167B2 |
Parallel processing system
Software development tools and techniques for configuring parallel processing systems to execute software modules implementing processes for solving complex problems, including over-the-counter trading processes and foreign exchange trading processes, to execute quickly and efficiently. The parallel processing system may include low-cost, consumer-grade multicore processing units. A process for solving a complex problem may be divided into software modules, including by evaluating the process to determine discrete processing steps that produce an intermediate result on which later steps of the process depend. The software modules created for a process may form a template processing chain describing multiple processing chains of the process that are to be executed. A software development tool for producing configuration information for multicore processing units may evaluate the software modules and the processing chains to determine whether the modules will execute quickly and efficiently on the multicore processing units of the parallel processing system. |
| US08910163B1 |
Seamless migration of non-native application into a virtual machine
A method, system and computer program product for implementing a first Virtual Machine (VM) and a first guest OS in the VM, on a computing system that has a host OS and a host desktop. The first VM has a non-native application associated with the first VM and the first guest OS; means for replacing the first guest OS in the first VM with a different guest OS; a second VM and a second guest OS in the second VM running on the processor; upon a user attempting to launch the non-native application, means for associating the non-native application with the second VM; and means for determining compatibility of the non-native application with the second guest OS; The non-native application is launched inside the second VM. |
| US08910157B2 |
Optimization of virtual appliance deployment
In an embodiment for deploying a new virtual appliance (225) on a data processing center (100) structure information of the new virtual appliance is determined (509-521). The structure information of the new virtual appliance includes an indication of the new virtual machines and an indication of the new software programs of each new virtual machine. Configuration information indicative of a current configuration of the data processing center is retrieved (527). License condition information indicative of license conditions applicable to the data processing center is also retrieved (530-533). A deployment scheme of the virtual appliance on the data processing center is then determined (539,548). The determination of the deployment scheme is performed by optimizing a cost function based on the license condition information, the configuration information and the structure information, and the new virtual appliance may be deployed (551) according to the deployment scheme. |
| US08910152B1 |
Migrating a virtual machine by using a hot-plug event
To migrate a virtual machine from a first physical machine to a second physical machine, a hot-plug event notification is issued to an operating system of the virtual machine in response to an indication that the virtual machine is to be migrated. After issuing the hot-plug event notification, migration of the virtual machine to the second physical machine is performed. |
| US08910149B2 |
On-demand or incremental remote data copy
Files, or other data, may be stored in a package, and the contents of the package may be retrieved incrementally and/or on-demand. In one example, files are packaged into a ZIP file or similar type of package. Additionally, metadata is added to the package that describes the contents of the package at the sub-file level, thereby allowing portions of files to be retrieved by appropriately-configured software. When the package is to be used on a local machine, placeholder files may be created on that machine, which are to be populated by the package's contents at a later time. When a request for data in the package is made, if the data does not reside locally, then a request for the specific data (possibly at the sub-file level) is made, and the placeholder files are populated with the actual package data. |
| US08910146B2 |
Automated time-to-value measurement
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for automated time-to-value (TTV) measurement is disclosed. The method includes: initiating an installation module of an application to install the application on a data processing system; responsive to initiating installation of the application via the installation module, monitoring, via a TTV module of the application, a time period associated with the installation of the application; and recording, by the TTV module, the time period corresponding to the installation of the application. |
| US08910145B2 |
Method and device for installing/uninstalling software modules, with centralized resolution of constraints, in aircraft equipment items
A system, method and device for installation and/or deinstallation of at least one software module, with centralized resolution of constraints, in aircraft equipment items. After having received a list of software module references, the list comprising at least one reference to the at least one software module, and at least one command, linked to the at least one reference, for installation of deinstallation of the at least one software module, the constraints are accessed. This access is independent of the access to the at least one software module. A sequence of basic operations resolving the constraints then is evaluated for applying the at least one command to the at least one reference. |
| US08910141B2 |
Distribution of software updates in wireless multihop networks
Propagation of software updates in a wireless mesh network is handled according to an “informed push” model. Nodes are given the software update that they need, but this is done in response to a sequence of propagating reports on the need for the upgrade (i.e., that node devices have old versions). Each node device executes a reporting cycle in which a report is sent to its neighbors that indicates the types and versions of software items that reside on the device; and for non-resident software items, the lowest versions of which the node device received knowledge from its neighbors. If a node device determines that its reporting neighbor has an old version of a software item and the node device contains a newer version of that software type residing locally, then it sends its neighbor the upgrade. Otherwise, the node “gossips” about the old version to its own neighbors. |
| US08910137B2 |
Code profiling of executable library for pipeline parallelization
A system and associated method for creating a library method stub in source code form corresponding to an original library call in machine-executable form. Sequential code subject to pipeline-parallelization includes the original library call of which source code is not available for profiling. The original library call is annotated for a library method signature to specify formal arguments and parameters accessible to the formal arguments. Memory operations of the original library call are summarized with on one or more idiom sentences, which are mapped to a respective code stub that simulates the original library call. The library method stub is created for profiling of the original library call in source code level such that the sequential code is parallelized via the created library method stub. |
| US08910132B2 |
Client-side script bundle management system
A method of operation of a bundle management system includes: generating a resource bundle with client-based script code based on a client device condition of a potential client device; generating a condition map correlating the client device condition to the resource bundle; generating a bundle set including the resource bundle based on a developer version of the client-based script code; uploading the condition map to a web service system; and configuring the web service system to operate a web service corresponding to the developer version of the bundle set. |
| US08910131B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating an application program for a safety-related control unit
A safety controller designed to control an automated installation having a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators. A method for generating a user program for the safety controller comprises the step of generating a source code having a number of control instructions for controlling the actuators and having a number of diagnosis instructions for producing diagnosis reports. Safety-related program variables are processed in failsafe fashion during execution of the control instructions. A machine code is generated on the basis of the source code. At least one checksum is determined for at least some of the machine code. The diagnosis instructions are ignored for the determination of the checksum. |
| US08910130B2 |
Method and system for executing a 3GL program and/or an assembler program within a 4GL runtime environment
Certain example embodiments transform a third-generation language (3GL) and/or an Assembler program so that it can be executed within a fourth-generation language (4GL) runtime environment. Certain example embodiments include a method for transforming a 3GL and/or an Assembler program that is callable by a 4GL program so that the 3GL and/or Assembler program is executable upon call by the 4GL program and from within a 4GL runtime environment. For instance a 4GL identifier may be included in the executable of the 3GL and/or the Assembler program to facilitate execution of the 3GL and/or the Assembler program upon call of the fourth-generation language (4GL) program and within the 4GL runtime environment. |
| US08910129B1 |
Scalable control system for test execution and monitoring utilizing multiple processors
Various example embodiments are directed to systems and methods for managing a plurality of distributed test engines to test at least one device under analysis (DUA). A controller and a control database may be used to manage the plurality of test engines. The control database may have stored thereon a plurality of configuration documents, a plurality of instruction documents, and at least one statistics document. Each configuration document may be associated with at least one of the plurality of test engines and may indicate an execution group of the associated at least one test engine. Each instruction document may be associated with an execution group and may comprise an indication of a testing task to be performed by the execution group associated with the instruction document. The controller may be configured to write to the plurality of configuration documents to assign each of the plurality of test engines to an execution group; write to the plurality of instruction documents to provide, for each execution group, a testing task to be performed by test engines of the execution group on the at least one DUA. The control database may configured to receive from at least a portion of a plurality of test engines an update to the at least one statistics document. |
| US08910125B2 |
Monitoring software performance
Systems, methods and computer program products may provide monitoring of software performance on a computer. A method of monitoring software performance in a computer may include marking at least one of a load request and a store request, the marked request including an effective instruction address and an effective data address, recording the effective instruction and data addresses in a processor core and sending the marked request to a memory subsystem. The method may also include receiving a fabric response for the marked request, recording the fabric response in the core and tying the effective instruction and data addresses and the fabric response together in a sample. |
| US08910124B1 |
Low-overhead method and apparatus for collecting function call trace data
An apparatus and method for aiding in debugging and optimizing software is presented, in particular for instrumenting software to trace function calls. Source code is compiled with placeholder memory ranges. While executing the compiled binary object, a call-trace profiling function is inserted into at least certain of the placeholder memory ranges to log call-trace profiling data. Then, the compiled binary object is restored to its original state by removing the call-trace profiling function(s). A NOP function can be inserted in each placeholder memory range during compilation. |
| US08910119B2 |
System and method for displaying component information of a trace
A system and method for displaying a trace are described. In an embodiment, the described trace display includes a navigational map that illustrates the linear path taken to get to a selected logical unit and may be used to go back to any previously viewed logical unit in that path. The trace display also includes information section to display relevant information about the currently selected logical unit of the trace. |
| US08910113B2 |
Methods and systems for visual code refactoring
Embodiments include a method comprising providing a design interface that depicts a plurality of interface elements of an application under development, each element defined in source code accessible by the application development environment in a declarative markup language. The method can comprise receiving, through the design interface, data representing a selection of a plurality of the interface elements, identifying the declarative expressions corresponding to the selected interface elements, defining a new declarative expression, and generating at least one code segment using the identified declarative expressions. The method an comprise storing the generated code segment in a computer readable medium, with the stored code segment associated with the new declarative expression, so that the new declarative expression can be inserted into the source code in place of the identified declarative expressions and/or can used in a second application under development. |
| US08910104B2 |
Graduated routing for routing electrodes coupled to touch sensor electrodes to thereby balance capacitance on the touch sensor electrodes
A system and method for balancing the capacitive charge on touch sensor electrodes so that every two adjacent routes have the same capacitance as any other adjacent two routes, wherein routing electrodes are spaced further and further apart, or graduated, as they get longer, to thereby balance the capacitance on the touch sensor electrodes without having to add or subtract an offset from each touch sensor electrode. |
| US08910094B2 |
Retargeting semiconductor device shapes for multiple patterning processes
A method includes receiving a design layout file for an integrated circuit device in a computing apparatus. The design layout file specifies dimensions of a plurality of features. The design layout file is decomposed to a plurality of colored layout files, each colored layout file representing a particular reticle in a multiple patterning process. Each of the colored layout files is retargeted separately in the computing apparatus to generate a plurality of retargeted colored layout files. Retargeting each of the colored layout files includes increasing dimensions of a first plurality of features based on spacings between the first plurality of features and adjacent features. The retargeted layout files are combined to generate a combined layout file. Features in the combined layout file are retargeted in the computing apparatus to increase dimensions of a second plurality of features based on spacings between the second plurality of features and adjacent features. |
| US08910092B1 |
Model based simulation method with fast bias contour for lithography process check
Integrated circuit design techniques are disclosed. In some methods, a target layout design having a geometric pattern thereon is received. A set of fast-bias contour (FBC) rules is applied to the target layout design to provide an electronic photomask having FBC-edits. The FBC-edits differentiate the electronic photomask from the target layout design, and the FBC rules are applied without previously applying optical proximity correction (OPC) to the target layout design. A lithography process check is performed on the electronic photomask to determine whether a patterned integrated circuit layer, which is to be manufactured based on the electronic photomask, is expected to be in conformance with the geometric pattern of the target layout design. |
| US08910091B2 |
Method, program product and apparatus for performing double exposure lithography
A method of generating complementary masks based on a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process is disclosed. The method includes defining an initial H-mask and an initial V-mask corresponding to the target pattern; identifying horizontal critical features in the H-mask and vertical critical features in the V-mask; assigning a first phase shift and a first percentage transmission to the horizontal critical features, which are to be formed in the H-mask; and assigning a second phase shift and a second percentage transmission to the vertical critical features, which are to be formed in the V-mask. The method further includes the step of assigning chrome to all non-critical features in the H-mask and the V-mask. |
| US08910090B2 |
Methods involving pattern matching to identify and resolve potential non-double-patterning-compliant patterns in double patterning applications
One illustrative method disclosed herein involves producing an initial circuit layout, prior to decomposing the initial circuit layout, identifying at least one potential non-double-patterning-compliant (NDPC) pattern in the initial circuit layout, fixing the at least one potential non-double-patterning-compliant (NDPC) pattern so as to produce a double-patterning-compliant (DPT) pattern, producing a modified circuit layout by removing the potential non-double-patterning-compliant (NDPC) pattern and adding the double-patterning-compliant (DPT) pattern to the initial circuit layout, and performing design rule checking and double patterning compliance checking on the modified circuit layout. |
| US08910089B1 |
Printing process calibration and correction
Various embodiments include approaches for calibrating a model for a lithographic printing process. Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for calibrating a model for a lithographic printing process. Some approaches include: identifying parameters for a model of the lithographic printing process; assembling a population of design content including potentially printable features that can be printed by the lithographic printing process; preparing at least one matrix expressing a similarity between the potentially printable features in terms of the parameters for the model; determining a manifold of smaller dimensionality than the parameters for the model which exhibit maximum variation in similarity within the at least one matrix; and selecting a sample dataset of the potentially printable features from the manifold. |
| US08910087B2 |
Method and electronic device capable of searching and displaying selected text
An electronic device includes a storage unit, a touch display unit and a central processing unit. The central processing unit includes a control module, a searching module, and a spit-screen module. The control module generates a first window on the touch display unit to display a text document when the text document is opened, and determines a selected text of the displayed text document by a user according to touch positions when the touch display unit is touched. The searching module searches occurrences of the selected text in the text document, and the control module stores the searched text in the storage unit. The spit-screen module displays each occurrence of the selected text on a second window produced thereby with a size thereof smaller than that of the first window. A related method is also provided. |
| US08910086B2 |
Method for controlling a graphical user interface and operating device for a graphical user interface
A method for controlling a graphical user interface, wherein a menu is defined, in which several objects of the menu are each associated with a function, and a global input gesture is associated with at least a part of the objects, wherein the input gesture can be executed on a touch-sensitive surface of an input device and different display contents can be displayed on a display surface. In the method, a global input gesture executed on the touch-sensitive surface is captured and, independently of the currently rendered display content on the display surface, a function is executed, which is associated with the object that is associated with the captured input gesture. Further disclosed is an operating device for executing the method. |
| US08910084B2 |
Aggregate layout for data visualization techniques
Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention provide for representing a hierarchical dataset as graphical elements in a configurable data visualization having at least one graphical attribute. At least one aggregate function of a plurality of aggregate functions are determined. Aggregate values of the hierarchical dataset for each hierarchical depth level is determined. The aggregate function is used to determine the aggregate values. The data visualization based on the aggregate values is rendered. |
| US08910080B2 |
Image displaying device
An image-displaying device includes a storing unit and a displaying unit. The storing unit stores correlation data between a plurality of thumbnails and a sequence of the plurality of thumbnails. The displaying unit is capable of displaying a predetermined maximum number of thumbnails based on the correlation data. If a displayed thumbnail is selected by a user, the displaying unit displays identification data identifying the selected thumbnail together with the selected thumbnail. If identification data is selected by a user, the displaying unit displays a thumbnail corresponding to the selected identification data. |
| US08910078B2 |
Predictive target enlargement
Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result. |
| US08910075B2 |
Storage medium storing information processing program, information processing apparatus and information processing method for configuring multiple objects for proper display
A game apparatus includes an LCD, and a touch panel is provided on the LCD. On the LCD, a game screen of a tramp game is displayed. When a player performs a touch-on operation on a card object displayed on the game screen, if another card is overlapped with the touched card object, and the overlapping is large, this another card object is moved. Accordingly, a mark and a character (numeric or alphabetic character) of the card object on which the player performs a touch-on operation are displayed to be visually identifiable. |
| US08910074B2 |
System and method for performing auto scroll
Provided is a system and method for performing an auto scroll. The system for performing the auto scroll may include an auto scroll determination unit to determine whether to perform the auto scroll on a page, an auto scroll performing unit to perform the auto scroll on the page so that a main text of the page may be obtained with focus, and a page providing unit to output the auto scrolled page. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, even though a user does not manually scroll to data of the page to be viewed, the data of the page may automatically be scrolled so that the data may be obtained with focus. |
| US08910072B2 |
Browsing and interacting with open windows
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for managing open windows in a desktop GUI are disclosed. In various implementations, within a three-dimensional desktop, the open windows can be displayed in a three-dimensional browsable parade. As the user browses through the open windows in the browsable parade, the open window passing through a designated primary location of the three-dimensional desktop becomes the current active window of the desktop. An application menu bar of the current active window can be displayed on the three-dimensional desktop. The application menu bar and the active window together provide the full range of interactive capabilities that the native application environment of the open window would allow, even though the open window is currently displayed within the browsable parade. |
| US08910066B2 |
Controlling application windows in an operating system
Systems and methods are provided for controlling the appearance of application windows on a computer display screen. A user identifies either an application window currently running on the computer or a new application to be started. The user also identifies a size, shape, and screen location by inputting a geometric shape, such as by drawing a rectangle with a pen or stylus input device, on the display screen. The appearance of the application window is set based on the geometric shape. The application window is resized and moved, for a currently running application, or created, for a new application, on the display screen. |
| US08910064B2 |
GUI program creation supporting apparatus, GUI program creation support method, computer-readable recording medium and integrated circuit
In a case where a screen layout creating unit replaces a generated screen layout with another screen layout, a screen layout comparing unit infers a GUI component in the pre-replacement screen layout, that is similar to a GUI component in the post-replacement screen layout, and correlates the GUI components similar to each other. A connection information restoring unit executes connection restoring processing to associate a processing program, which is associated with the GUI component in the pre-replacement screen layout, with the GUI component correlated by the screen layout comparing unit. |
| US08910054B2 |
Audit action analyzer
Audit reporting applications provide audit users the ability to perform reviews of compliance procedures used throughout a business that require supervisors to take actions on the communication between personnel. The action analyzer tool compiles, filters, and sorts message and action information, allows more advance analytics about the information, and answers complex questions that are not easily available by looking at the raw message and action information. The action analyzer tool breaks down the actions taken in order to determine if the supervisors are trying to take credit for an action that they did not actually perform or otherwise violating the accepted procedures for proper supervision and compliance. The message and action information can be sorted into number of actions taken within a specific time frame, the number of actions performed after a specified date, and/or the number of actions taken without the message being reviewed, to name a few. |
| US08910053B2 |
Mobile terminal, electronic system and method of transmitting and receiving data using the same
Provided are a mobile terminal, an electronic system, and a method of transmitting and receiving data using the same for effectively transmitting and receiving data between the mobile terminal and external electronic devices. |
| US08910049B2 |
User-initiated mode for remote support
Some embodiments disclose a remote support system having an analyzer and a communication link to connect to an event log associated with a monitored system. The analyzer is to monitor the event log over the link and to create a report using information in the event log. In response to the analyzer detecting a user-initiated service mode indication in the information the analyzer includes in the report additional information relating to the user-initiated service mode to facilitate events in the report to be ignored. |
| US08910048B2 |
System and/or method for authentication and/or authorization
A computing platform constructs an application from source code such that the application detects an attempt to access at least one secured entity of the application. Further, the at least one secured entity is registered with an authorization system by providing metadata that is descriptive of the at least one secured entity to the authorization system so that authorization metadata is generated based upon the metadata and a global unique identifier is assigned to the application and the metadata to identify the application and the metadata. The authorization metadata indicates an access policy to the at least one secured entity. |
| US08910047B2 |
Device-specific and application-specific computing device, playback device and method for controlling playback device using computing device
A device-specific and application-specific computing device, a playback device and a method for controlling the playback device using the computing device is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a user may control the playback device using a control information generated according to a device configuration information of the computing device in his/her possession. |
| US08910046B2 |
Media-editing application with anchored timeline
A media application of some embodiments includes a timeline, which is a composite display area for displaying media clips that are part of the composite media presentation. The timeline of some embodiments includes a primary lane called a spine as well as one or more anchor lanes. The spine represents a primary sequence of media, which, in some embodiments, does not have any gaps. When a clip is deleted or removed from the timeline, the media-editing applications automatically closes the gap created in place of the clip. The clips in the anchor lanes are anchored to a particular position along the spine. Anchor lanes may be used for compositing (e.g., removing portions of one video and showing a different video in those portions), B-roll cuts (i.e., cutting away from the primary video to a different video whose clip is in the anchor lane), audio clips, or other composite presentation techniques. |