| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08920577B2 |
Process for treatment of substrates with water vapor or steam
A method of treating a substrate comprises, in one aspect, placing a substrate having material on a surface thereof in a treatment chamber; directing a stream of a liquid treatment composition to impinge the substrate surface; and directing a stream of water vapor to impinge the substrate surface and/or to impinge the liquid treatment composition. A preferred aspect of this invention is the removal of materials, and preferably photoresist, from a substrate, wherein the treatment composition is a liquid sulfuric acid composition comprising sulfuric acid and/or its desiccating species and precursors. |
| US08920574B2 |
Instrument reprocessor and instrument reprocessing methods
An instrument reprocessor for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical instrument is disclosed. To reprocess instruments having one or more channels defined therein, the reprocessor can include one or more flow control systems configured to control a fluid flow through each channel. In various embodiments, a flow control system can include a differential pressure sensor and a proportional valve for controlling the fluid flow in a channel. The reprocessor can also include, one, a fluid circulation pump configured to supply the flow control systems with fluid and, two, a system for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the flow control systems. The reprocessor can also include a system for supplying a metered amount of fluid to the fluid circulation system. The system can include a reservoir having a fluid height sensor to monitor the amount of fluid therein and a pump configured to supply the reservoir with fluid. |
| US08920573B2 |
Method of improving purity and yield of chemical product in automatic radioactive medicine synthesis system
The present invention increases a number of target reaction containers from one into many. Coordinated with increased reaction times, total reaction volume is increased. By modifying an affinitive column of an automatic synthesis system, a production in a single batch is increased. The products obtained can be conformed to quality check specifications with cost saved. |
| US08920572B2 |
Cleaning device and a cleaning method of a fixed abrasives polishing pad
A device for cleaning a fixed abrasive polishing pad includes a main body having a surface facing the polishing pad, an inlet coupled to an end of the main body and configured to supply a cleaning liquid, an inject orifice coupled to the inlet for injecting the cleaning liquid and being provided on the surface of the main body, an outlet coupled to the end of the main body, and a recycle orifice coupled to the outlet, and being provided on the surface of the main body. |
| US08920570B2 |
Methods and apparatus for cleaning oilfield tools
The disclosure relates to the cleaning of rods made of metal, particularly to the method of reclamation of used standard length rods, such as pump rods already used in the mechanical deep-pumping extraction of oil, as well as to the product made with the help of the mentioned method. The method of remanufacturing of standard length rods includes cleaning the rod with non-toxic particles which are able to undergo sublimation to eliminate environmental contamination and to assist in workplace safety. |
| US08920569B2 |
Pollutant removal method and apparatus, and exposure method and apparatus
A method for quickly removing pollutants adhered to a predetermined optical member in an optical system. To remove the pollutants adhered to a lens (32A) disposed at the upper end of a projection optical system (PL), a cylindrical protecting member (53) is disposed through the openings in a reticle stage (22) and a reticle base (23). The bottom surface of a support section (56) at the tip section of a rod section (58) is brought into contact with the surface of the lens (32A) through the inner surface of the protecting member (53). A wiping cloth soaked with a washing solution containing hydrofluoric acid is attached to the bottom surface of the support section (56). The support section (56) is reciprocated via the rod section (58) to remove the pollutants on the lens (32A) with the wiping cloth. |
| US08920567B2 |
Post metal chemical-mechanical planarization cleaning process
A post metal chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) cleaning process for advanced interconnect technology is provided. The process, which follows CMP, combines an acidic clean and a basic clean in sequence. The process can achieve a more than 60% reduction in CMP defects, such as polish residues, foreign materials, slurry abrasives, scratches, and hollow metal, relative to an all-basic clean process. The process also eliminates the circular ring defects that occur intermittently during roller brush cleans within a roller brush clean module. |
| US08920564B2 |
Methods and apparatus for thermal based substrate processing with variable temperature capability
A substrate support may include a body; an inner ring disposed about the body; an outer ring disposed about the inner ring forming a first opening therebetween; a first seal ring disposed above the first opening; a shadow ring disposed above the inner ring, extending inward from the outer ring and forming a second opening between the shadow and outer rings; a second seal ring disposed above the second opening; a space at least partially defined by the body and the inner, outer, first, second, and shadow rings; a first gap defined between a processing surface of a substrate when present and the shadow ring; and a plurality of second gaps fluidly coupled to the space; wherein the first gap and the plurality of second gaps are configured such that, when a substrate is present, a gas provided to the space flows out of the space through the first gap. |
| US08920561B2 |
Silicon single crystal pull-up apparatus that pulls a doped silicon single crystal from a melt
A silicon single crystal pull-up apparatus includes a pull-up furnace, a sample chamber in which a sublimable dopant is housed, a sample tube which can be raised and lowered between the interior of the sample chamber and the interior of the pull-up furnace, a raising and lowering means for raising and lowering the sample tube, a supply pipe which is installed inside the pull-up furnace and supplies the sublimable dopant to a melt, and a connection means for connecting the sample tube and the supply pipe. The connection means is constructed from a ball joint structure comprising a convex member which projects from one end of the sample tube and a concave member which is provided at one end of the supply pipe and is formed to be engageable with the convex member. The contact surfaces of the convex member and the concave member are formed to be curved surfaces. |
| US08920560B2 |
Method for manufacturing epitaxial wafer
A method for manufacturing an epitaxial wafer includes: a step of pulling a single crystal from a boron-doped silicon melt in a chamber based on a Czochralski process; and a step of forming an epitaxial layer on a surface of a silicon wafer sliced from the single crystal. The single crystal is allowed to grow while passed through a temperature region of 800 to 600° C. in the chamber in 250 to 180 minutes during the pulling step. The grown single crystal has an oxygen concentration of 10×1017 to 12×1017 atoms/cm3 and a resistivity of 0.03 to 0.01 Ωcm. The silicon wafer is subjected to pre-annealing prior to the step of forming the epitaxial layer on the surface of the silicon wafer, for 10 minutes to 4 hours at a predetermined temperature within a temperature region of 650 to 900° C. in an inert gas atmosphere. The method is to fabricate an epitaxial wafer that has a diameter of 300 mm or more, and that attains a high IG effect, and involves few epitaxial defects. |
| US08920559B2 |
Screening for solid forms by ultrasound crystallization and cocrystallization using ultrasound
The present disclosure relates to crystallizing a chemical substance(s) using ultrasound. Methods are provided for screening a chemical substance according to its solid forms by using ultrasound to generate new or unusual solid forms. Methods are also provided for crystallizing a chemical substance by novel techniques that include sonication. The present disclosure also relates to cocrystallization using ultrasound. Methods are provided for preparing cocrystals of an active agent and a guest by sonicating and crystallizing. Methods are also provided for screening a sample according to solid state phases (such as cocrystals and salts) and include generating a cocrystal from the sample using ultrasound. |
| US08920558B2 |
Method for crystallizing geobacillus strain T1 polypeptide
A method for crystallizing a Geobacillus strain T1 polypeptide under gravity or microgravity conditions is provided. A purified protein to be crystallized is provided, the purified protein being either thermostable T1 lipase or thermostable F16L lipase. A protein solution is prepared, comprising the purified protein, a buffer solution having a working pH of at least 8.5, and between 3-5% glycerol. A reservoir solution is prepared, comprising 0.1M MES, 0.1M NaH2PO4, 0.1M KH2PO4, and 1 M NaCl, and having a working pH of 6.5 or 6.6. The protein and reservoir solutions are combined to obtain a protein droplet, and protein crystals are obtained from the protein droplet by hanging-drop vapor diffusion. |
| US08920557B2 |
Additive for skim coat mortar and skim coat mortar composition containing the same
Provided are an additive for skim coat mortar and a skim coat mortar composition including the same, and the additive is a blend of cellulose ether having hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose cross-linked with an aldehyde compound and hydroxyalkyl cellulose cross-linked with an aldehyde compound. By applying the additive to a skim coat mortar composition, it is possible to improve workability, surface luster, and a creamy property while maintaining a water retention property. |
| US08920556B2 |
Cementitious composition and admixture
A cementitious composition including at least one cementitious and/or pozzolanic material and at least one desugared molasses. A method of preparing a cementitious composition including forming a mixture of water, at least one cementitious and/or pozzolanic material and at least one desugared molasses. An admixture for cementitious compositions including: (i) at least one desugared molasses; and (ii) at least one alkanolamine and/or at least one polyhydroxyalkylamine. |
| US08920552B2 |
Thermal ink jet ink composition
A thermal ink jet ink composition include a volatile organic solvent, a binder resin, a dye, a humectant in an amount less than 40% by weight of the thermal ink jet ink composition, and an additive for extending the decap time. The additive is present in an amount greater than 0.1% by weight of the thermal ink jet ink composition. The additive is selected from plasticizers, surfactants, aliphatic hydrocarbons, drying oils and mixtures thereof. The additive does not phase separate from the ink jet composition during application of the ink to a substrate in thermal ink jet printing. |
| US08920547B2 |
Adsorbent canisters
An adsorbent canister includes a casing defining a first adsorption chamber, a second adsorption chamber and a diffusion chamber therein, and an adsorbent capable of adsorbing the fuel vapor and filled in the first adsorption chamber and the second adsorption chamber. The first adsorption chamber and the second adsorption chamber communicate with each other via the diffusion chamber. The casing has on a side wall thereof a fuel introducing port configured to introduce fuel vapor into the first adsorption chamber and an air communicating port configured to introduce air into the second adsorption chamber. The diffusion chamber has at least one of a first diffusion chamber and a second diffusion chamber. The first adsorption chamber is positioned above the first adsorption chamber and extends over the entire length of the first adsorption chamber. The second diffusion chamber is positioned below the second adsorption chamber and extends over the entire length of the second adsorption chamber. |
| US08920543B2 |
Additives for inhibition of gas hydrate formation
The invention provides for the use of copolymers comprising 1 to 99 mol % of structural units of the formula (1) in which R1 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, A is C2-C4-alkylene groups and B is C2-C4-alkylene groups, with the proviso that A is different than B, and x, y are each independently an integer of 1-100, and 1 to 99 mol % of structural units of the formula (3) in which R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, D is C2-C4-alkylene groups and z is an integer of 1-50, in amounts of 0.01 to 2% by weight, based on the water phase, as gas hydrate inhibitors. |
| US08920542B2 |
Additives for inhibiting gas hydrate formation
The invention relates to the use of polymers, containing between 1 and 100 mol % of structural units of the formula (1), wherein R1 means hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, A means C2-C4 alkylene groups, and B means C2-C4 alkylene groups, with the stipulation that A is different from B, and x and y mean an integer from 1 to 100 independent of each other, in amounts of 0.01 to 2 wt % relative to the water phase, as gas hydrate inhibitors. |
| US08920541B2 |
Linker exchange in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks
A method is provided for replacing at least a portion of the organic linker content of a zeolitic imidazolate framework composition. The method comprises exchanging the organic linker with another organic linker. Also provided is a new material, designated as EMM-19, and a method of using EMM-19 to adsorb gases, such as carbon dioxide. |
| US08920537B2 |
Flying air purifier
A flying air purifier includes a flying unit configured to fly within a space at a first elevation. The flying unit is also configured to fly within the space at a second elevation. The flying air purifier also includes an air purifier mounted to the flying unit and configured to remove particles from air within the space at the first elevation and at the second elevation. The air purifier includes an air inlet having a first charge and an air outlet having a second charge, wherein the second charge is opposite of the first charge. |
| US08920531B2 |
Device for reducing soot particles and method for the same
The present invention relates to device and method for reducing soot particles.The device for reducing soot particles includes a first filter provided to an exhaust gas flow passage through which exhaust gas from a diesel engine flows to have a predetermined volume of a plurality of grains to be operated as a volumetric filtration system, and a second filter provided to a predetermined position of the second filter to be operated as a surface filtration system. |
| US08920530B2 |
Filter element and filter system
The invention relates to a filter element, comprising a filter medium (10) having a concentric shape and pleated in a zig-zag shape, a first open or closed end disk (11) arranged on a face and a second end disk (12) arranged on the opposing face. The end disk (12) comprises a concentric opening (13) and extends in a substantially annular shape over the pleats of the filter medium. The end disk (12) further comprises a first ring bead (14) extending axially to the outside and a sealing groove (16). The ring bead (14) comprises outer faces (18, 19), which are supported on radially extending ribs (20, 21) of a housing receiving the filter element or on a flat surface having channels. |
| US08920529B2 |
Filter insert
A filter housing may include a filter insert configured to be inserted into the filter housing. The filter insert may have two spaced and opposite base discs and a filter wall configured to connect edge zones of the base discs. The filter insert may be penetrated by an opening connected to at least one of an untreated space inlet and clean space outlet of the housing. The opening is arranged in a flange plate connected in a leakproof manner to the base discs and the flange plate may be connected in a leakproof manner to the filter wall. |
| US08920525B2 |
High-carbon biogenic reagents and uses thereof
This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. High carbon biogenic reagents are also provided. |
| US08920524B2 |
Polyisobutenyl alcohols and fuel compositions
Disclosed are polyisobutenyl alcohols and substituted polyisobuentyl alcohols of the formula: wherein n is an integer from 5 to 90, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, haloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl and substituted aryl wherein at least one substituent group of the substituted aryl is selected from cyano, nitro and alkoxycarbonyl. |
| US08920523B2 |
Fuel oil flow improver and fuel oil composition
A fuel oil flow improver comprising the ester compound (A) below and the copolymer (B) below, which is the fuel oil flow improver in which the mass ratio [(A)/(B)] of the ester compound (A) and the copolymer (B) is from 30/70 to 70/30. (A) The ester compound represented by Formula (I) below. R1 is e.g. a linear saturated C19 alkyl group, and X, Y, and Z each represent an integer of 1 or higher. (B) A copolymer of a weight-average molecular weight of 5,000 to 50,000 obtained by polymerizing (b1) to (b3) below at a molar fraction of (b1)/(b2)/(b3)=0.4 to 0.8/0.1 to 0.3/0.1 to 0.3. R2 is e.g. a linear saturated C14 alkyl group. R3 is e.g. a linear saturated C10 alkyl group. R4 is e.g. a linear saturated C12 alkyl group. |
| US08920520B2 |
Methods of preparing polysaccharide sheets for esterification
Processing of cellulose, and more particularly, fiber opening and downstream processing and chemistry are provided. A process includes moistening a cellulose sheet stock to a water content in a range from about 20% to about 50%, attriting the moistened cellulose sheet to a wet pulp, flash drying the wet pulp to a floccule of cellulose having a moisture content from about 4% to about 8%, and esterifying the floccule of cellulose to provide a cellulose ester product. |
| US08920519B2 |
Multiple grasp prosthetic terminal device
A prosthetic terminal device includes a wrist interface portion, a passive element and an active element. The passive element includes at least two finger-like projections extending from a base in a direction substantially away from the wrist interface portion. The passive element is fixed in relation to the wrist interface portion. The active element is configured to be positioned relative to the passive element and the wrist interface portion to achieve a plurality of grasp positions of the prosthetic terminal device based on one dimension of closure control of the active element in combination with a plurality of different fixable orientation positions of the active element. Each of the different fixable orientation positions is associated with at least one grasp position and at least one of the fixable orientation positions is associated with at least two grasp positions. |
| US08920517B2 |
Modeling and desired control of an energy-storing prosthetic knee
An energy-storing prosthetic knee includes an upper leg structure and a lower leg structure hingedly connected to the upper leg structure. The lower and upper leg structures move pivotally relative to one another. A fluid actuator is operatively connected to the upper and lower leg structures such that relative pivotal movement of the upper and lower leg structures causes a fluid to flow in a predetermined manner within the fluid actuator. At least two controllable variable fluid flow resisting devices, an accumulator, and a control system are also provided. The control system is actuable to cause storage of the fluid energy for a predetermined length of time and release of the fluid energy at a predetermined time during the gait cycle. Both the storage and release of the fluid energy are variable by action of the control system without physical modification of other components of the prosthetic knee. |
| US08920515B2 |
Graft prosthesis, materials and methods
A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient. |
| US08920513B2 |
Anti-refluxive and trigone sparing internal ureteral stent
A ureteral stent has an elongated body connecting a coiled, renal segment to a coiled, bladder end segment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the coiled, bladder end segment and a lower, intramural segment of the elongated body are provided as a first flap and a second flap. The lower, intramural segment is of such length as to extend through a patient's intramural ureteral, preferably 2-4 cm. In another embodiment of the present invention, the coiled, renal segment is provided in a first plane and the coiled, bladder end segment is provided in a second plane such that the first plane and the second plane are transverse with respect to one another. |
| US08920511B2 |
Multi-piece machine graft systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention encompass graft assemblies, and methods for their use and manufacture. An exemplary bone graft assembly includes first and second bone pieces having respective mating features which, when combined, define non-uniform press fit. Related embodiments encompass graft assemblies having enclosed or hidden mating features. |
| US08920509B2 |
Modular radial head prosthesis
A prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a proximal radius can include an articulation component having a first connection portion. A first head component can have a second connection portion that connects to the first connection portion. A second head component can have a third connection portion that connects to the first connection portion. The second head component can have a distinct dimension from the first head component. A stem component can include a fourth connection portion that connects with either of the first or second head components. The stem component can have a stem anchoring portion that connects to the radius. |
| US08920502B1 |
Vertebral body replacement
This invention concerns a vertebral body replacement element to be inserted into an intervertebral space, thus supporting the spinal column of a patient. The vertebral body replacement element has a first member and a hollow second member, with the upper member and lower member engaging in a telescopic manner between the two members when assembled. Spacers may be inserted to adjustably define the length of the installed vertebral body placement element. The present invention further concerns a system and method for expanding and distracting a vertebral body replacement element into and within the spinal column of a patient. |
| US08920500B1 |
Methods and apparatus for performing spine surgery
Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants. |
| US08920495B2 |
Intraocular lens (IOL) with multi optics assembly
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-optics intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold assembly for incorporation into a capsular bag of an eye of a subject, provided with a ring platform and a protective umbrella. Several anterior and posterior ribs are hinged to the ring platform to support a posterior lens and an anterior lens. The dynamic spring elastic junctions are provided between the anterior and posterior ribs. The pendulum IOL assembly of the multi-optics intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold assembly enables a near vision of the objects using an optical system designed for a distance focusing in normal gaze. The pendulum IOL assembly has a posterior lens fixed to an equatorial ring platform and a secondary hanging lens provided with a weight at the lower end to act like a pendulum which swings with the posture of the eye. |
| US08920494B2 |
Plungers for intraocular lens injectors
An intraocular lens (IOL) injector for delivering an IOL into an eye of a patient includes an IOL load chamber and connected delivery tube, and a push rod for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The push rod is guided and biased against one side of the injector load chamber. The injector may include an inflatable pusher for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The inflatable pusher has a proximal end that may be open to an internal cavity of the injector, wherein a plunger movable in the injector cavity forces fluid such as air or saline into the pusher. A distal end of the pusher may be forked to capture a trailing end of the IOL, or may have a bulbous configuration to ensure the pusher does not pass the IOL. |
| US08920493B2 |
Systems and methods for holding annuloplasty rings
Holders for releasably holding annuloplasty rings prior to and during the implantation of the rings employ any of a variety of features relating to such things as holder shape, handle attachment structures, securement of a ring to the holder, and release of the ring from the holder. In one aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and a more rigid connector. In another aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and cutting blocks, wherein the interior surface of the cutting block is made of a higher durometer material than the bracket. The interior surface of the cutting block can be coated with a higher durometer material than the material of the bracket. In another aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and cutting blocks made of a higher durometer material than the flexible bracket. |
| US08920490B2 |
Endoprostheses
A medical device is provided with a porous region including a reservoir zone including a polymer and a protective zone between adjacent tissue and the reservoir zone that restricts the tissue from direct contact with the polymer. |
| US08920488B2 |
Endoprosthesis having a stable architecture
The present invention relates to an endoprosthesis having a web structure that is expandable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration and that includes a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings. Each of the web rings is defined by web elements disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis, which are adjoined one to the other at junction bends. A first junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to a second junction bend in a second web ring by a connector which includes three or more struts of essentially equal length that extend circumferentially in essentially parallel directions. The struts of the connector are adjoined in sequence by coupling segments that, in one embodiment of the invention, are arcuate in shape. |
| US08920487B1 |
Longitudinally flexible stent
An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portion. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The cells also provide increase coverage of a vessel wall. Loops in the stent are disposed and adapted to cooperate, so that after expansion of said stent within a curved lumen, the stent is curved and cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow in width, whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length, but thicken in width to maintain a density of the stent element area which is much more constant than otherwise between the inside and outside of the curve. The stent also minimizes flaring out by eliminating free loops of the radially supporting circumferential bands of loops. The stent includes widened struts, wherein one or more of the widened struts have at least one reservoir for the delivery of an agent to a vessel site. The reservoir may be a fenestration or a recess that opens towards either the vessel wall or the lumen. |
| US08920486B2 |
Medical device
Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize. |
| US08920483B2 |
Surgical prosthesis deployment device
A deployment device, system, and method for deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device includes a housing, a rod disposed within the housing and adapted to rotate relative to the housing, and one or more support members (e.g., bushings, bearings, etc.) rotatably supporting the rod within the housing. An elongate slit is disposed in and entirely through the housing and is positioned in a way that enables the prosthesis to pass therethrough from a loaded, rolled configuration on the rod. The deployment device is generally flexible, e.g., has a bending stiffness of at most about 0.87 N/mm (e.g., about 0.05 N/mm to about 0.87 N/mm). Furthermore, the deployment device enables a user to deploy (e.g., unroll) a prosthesis therefrom at a rate determined manually by the user and in a piece-by-piece fashion. |
| US08920482B2 |
Stent delivery system
A stent delivery system and method are provided. The system includes an inner elongate shaft and an outer elongate shaft, the inner elongate shaft coaxially extends at least partially within the lumen of the outer elongate shaft and the inner and outer elongate shafts are movably positionable relative to each other. The system also includes a stent positionable on the inner elongate shaft, the stent having a plurality of openings and a restraining wire where a proximal portion is operably connected to one of the inner and the outer elongate shaft and the distal portion is operably connected to the other of the inner and the outer elongate shaft. Movement of the inner and outer elongate shafts relative to each other in a first direction applies tension to at least a portion of the restraining wire to move the stent to the collapsed configuration. |
| US08920480B2 |
Bone screw and method for manufacturing the same
A bone screw and a method for manufacturing the same includes a screw thread configuration having one or more grooves cut into a leading face of the thread, a trailing face of the thread, and/or the shaft between the threads. Other implementations include the incorporation of facets into the one or more grooves. The implementation of the one or more grooves increases the surface are of the orthopedic screw and functions to increase in anchoring the bone screw within the bone once inserted therein, and thereby reduce the possibility for the screw backing out after insertion. |
| US08920479B2 |
Anterior vertebral plate with spike fixation
Provided is a novel system that includes an anterior vertebral body plate with at least one bone spike pivotally attached to the plate and capable of being manually inserted into underlying bone to securely fix the plate to the bone. Also provided is a method of stabilizing cervical vertebrae using the disclosed system. |
| US08920478B2 |
Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods and devices
Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions. |
| US08920476B2 |
Fixation system, an intramedullary fixation assembly and method of use
An intramedullary fixation assembly for bone fusion includes a first member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly, where the first member includes a plurality of first and second retaining screws, and a second member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly, where the second member includes a plurality of third and fourth retaining screws. The first member is slideably coupled to the second member and provides for an interference fit with the second member. |
| US08920474B2 |
Plate for osteosynthesis device and method of preassembling such device
Various methods, devices, and systems are disclosed that facilitate easier and more compact implantation of osteosynthesis devices. In some embodiments, implants are screwed into two vertebrae and a plate is used to hold and displace the spine. In some plate embodiments, at least one longitudinally elongated opening is disposed at one end of the plate and partially opening onto an edge of the plate. In some plate embodiments, at least one longitudinally elongated opening is disposed at one end of the plate having a portion sufficiently large to be inserted without disassembly in the fixation means of an implant already screwed into the spine when the fixation means are already assembled. |
| US08920473B2 |
Posterior functionally dynamic stabilization system
A functionally dynamic stabilization unit and system for treatment of spinal instability are provided. Each unit, and collectively, the system, is configured to control flexion, extension and translation of the affected unstable vertebral area, thereby stabilizing the vertebral segments by restoring normal function. This is achieved by providing a unit and system that allow for lateral bending, axial compression, rotation, anterior segmental height adjustment, and posterior segmental height adjustment. The unit and system provide sufficient segmental stiffness, while also limiting, or controlling, the range of motion (i.e., sufficient stiffness in the neutral or active zone, while limiting or preventing motion outside of the active zone) to stabilize the vertebral segments. In use, the system mimics the natural movement of the normal spine. Furthermore, the system includes a rigid, fusion-promoting coupler configured for use in an adjacent level, or as a substitute for the functionally dynamic unit. The modularity of the system allows adjustment over time and easier revision surgery, and is configured for minimally-invasive, delivery or implantation. |
| US08920471B2 |
Transverse connector
The present disclosure provides a transverse connector having first and second spinal rod connecting members disposed on opposing ends of a cross member. Each spinal rod connecting member is configured to connect to a spinal rod. The first and second spinal rod connecting members are configured for multidirectional articulation relative to the cross member. |
| US08920470B2 |
Rod attachment for head to head cross connector
Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone. |
| US08920467B2 |
Low back pain treatment tool
The invention provides a lumbago treatment instrument which manipulates the pelvis safely and properly by pressing the coccyx utilizing the patient's own body weight. A coccyx contact treatment member is disposed inside a cylindrical casing so as to be movable in the vertical direction via an elastic member. A coccyx contact buffering member made of sponge or the like is provided on the upper end of the coccyx contact treatment member. The patient straddles the coccyx contacting buffering member, assuming a sitting posture, and places the coccyx on the coccyx contact buffering member. In this posture, both feet are slightly lifted from the floor to apply the body weight on the coccyx contact buffering member so that the coccyx is pushed up from below. When doing so, the patient continues to maintain an upright posture while pressing the upper body against a posture holding member and gripping a handle with both hands. |
| US08920466B2 |
Oral stimulatory device for soothing gums
An oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured for being at least partially positioned in an oral cavity of a user, such as an infant, and is adapted for being deformed. Although the oral stimulatory device may be fabricated from any suitable material, in certain embodiments, the tubular body of the oral stimulatory device is fabricated from a material comprising silicone. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device includes at least one stimulatory element, for example, a plurality of stimulatory elements, which elements may be adapted for soothing the gums of an infant when positioned in an oral cavity (e.g., mouth) of the infant. |
| US08920457B2 |
Modified headpiece for hydraulic coil deployment system
A vascular occlusion device for use with a hydraulic deployment catheter is provided. The vascular occlusion device includes a headpiece that has a deformable interference element which changes from an initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon an increase of hydraulic pressure within the deployment catheter. When the interference element is in the initial configuration, the headpiece is secured to the deployment catheter, and when the interference element is in the deformed configuration, the headpiece can be removed from the deployment catheter for deployment of the occlusion device. |
| US08920455B2 |
Collecting technique and device to concentrate a blood sample on a test pad
A lancet structure for making an incision at a skin site and transporting an amount of blood from the incision away from the skin site and methods of utilizing and making such a lancet structure are disclosed. The lancet structure may comprise an elongated body having a first surface and a second surface, a skin penetrating end for making the incision, a through bore extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a blood transport portion extending from the skin penetrating end to the through bore along the first surface. The blood transport portion is configured to transport the amount of blood away from the skin site via a capillary force to the through bore, and the through bore is configured to transport the blood to the second surface. |
| US08920448B2 |
Atherectomy devices and methods
The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. In some variations, the devices include a catheter body, a cutter assembly, a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, a conveyor mechanism, a deflecting mechanism and a torque control device. The deflecting mechanism may be slidable within the catheter body to point the cutter assembly toward a side of a body lumen. The torque control device may sweep the cutter assembly in an arc when the cutter assembly is deflected. |
| US08920445B2 |
Method and apparatus for repairing a hernia
A hernia repair device, comprising: an inflatable balloon having an inflation tube, the inflation tube having a proximal end attached to said balloon and a distal end adapted to be extracted from the body, separately from the balloon, via an opening which is smaller than a laparoscopic opening; and a mesh removably attached to said balloon, wherein the inflation tube passes through the mesh. |
| US08920442B2 |
Vascular opening edge eversion methods and apparatuses
Tissue eversion apparatuses and methods suitable for use, as examples, with vascular closure devices. The tissue eversion apparatuses comprise a tissue engaging element, disposed within a delivery sheath. The delivery sheath protects the tissue engaging element and the surrounding tissue during use. The tissue engaging element can extend from the sheath and engage the tissue near an aperture in a tissue wall. Motion of the tissue engaging element away from the tissue can urge the tissue wall near the aperture to evert from the tissue wall, allowing, as examples, aperture closure apparatuses and methods to be conveniently employed. |
| US08920440B2 |
Suture assembly and system
A suture assembly configured to load a suture instrument with suture includes a cap attached to an end of the suture, a suture container configured to retain a portion of the suture, and a cap retainer having a wall and a suture channel formed in the wall. The suture channel is configured to receive a length of the suture, and the wall is configured to deny passage of the cap into the suture channel and align the cap with the length of the suture for loading into the suture instrument. |
| US08920435B2 |
Method for operating a surgial stapling and cutting device
A method for operating a surgical end effector of a medical device includes the steps of operably associating a passive articulation joint with a surgical end effector to allow articulation of the end effector, retaining the passive articulation joint in a still position with an articulation lock, releasing the articulation lock to free the passive articulation joint from its still position thereby permitting the end effector to articulate through the passive articulation joint dependent upon forces that are external to the device and are applied to the end effector, and passively articulating the end effector into a desired articulated position by pressing a portion of the end effector against a feature of the environment. |
| US08920432B2 |
Lead delivery device and method
A medical apparatus includes a guidewire and a fixator catheter. The fixator catheter comprises a tubular body with a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further includes a distal opening, a fixator secured to the distal portion, and a body opening arranged between the fixator and the proximal portion. The guidewire passes through the body opening and the distal opening of the fixator catheter. The fixator is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration and, in the expanded condition, is capable of anchoring the guidewire and fixator catheter in a lumen of a blood vessel. |
| US08920429B2 |
Link systems and articulation mechanisms for remote manipulation of surgical or diagnostic tools
Articulating mechanisms, link systems, and components thereof, useful for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, the remote manipulation of instruments such as surgical or diagnostic instruments or tools are provided. The link systems include links wherein at least two adjacent links are pivotable relative to one another around two distinct pivot points. Mechanisms for locking the links are also provided. |
| US08920428B2 |
Surgical instrumentation specific to a patient for preparing a bone of the patient
Embodiments of the present invention relate to surgical instrumentation specific to a patient for preparing a bone including a patient-specific block delimiting a supporting surface shaped to fit the bone, and a main portion partly delimiting the fixed supporting surface and at least two primary orifices for receiving a primary pin, crossing the block between the supporting surface and an opposite surface. The instrumentation also includes a secondary portion which belongs to the block, partly delimits the supporting surface and includes at least two secondary orifices for receiving a bone preparation tool crossing the block between the supporting surface and opposite surface, and a mechanism for mechanically disengaging the secondary portion with respect to the main portion, suitable for, when the main portion is attached onto the bone with primary pins passed into the primary orifices, making the secondary portion removable with respect to the main portion. |
| US08920427B2 |
Orthopaedic surgical method for performing a patellofemoral arthroplasty procedure
A method and instrumentation for performing a patellofemoral arthroplasty orthopaedic procedure includes coupling an anterior cutting block to a femur of a patient such that the cutting block references local anatomy of the femur. The anterior cutting block is used to perform a number of bone cuts to establish a trochlear cavity in the femur. The trochlear cavity is formed such that a trochlear prosthesis may be inset into the cavity and substantially flush with the surrounding cartilage. A finishing burring guide and burr bit may be used to detail the shape and/or size of the trochlear cavity. Additionally, a trochlear drill guide may be used to facilitate establishing peg holes in the patient's femur to receive corresponding pegs of the trochlear prosthesis. |
| US08920426B2 |
Apparatus for osteotomy and graft preparation
Surgical tools that increase surgical accuracy for orthopedic procedures involving long bone osteotomy with or without supplementation with allograft or autograft. Two clamps on the operative side are rigidly interconnected to one another with an adjustable rod that is locked into place, preserving length and rotation of the bone. A graft preparation device is used on the operative table. It enables alignment of the graft to preserve the desired mechanical and anatomic axes and to provide rigid fixation of the graft for cutting. Adjustable jigs ensure exact cuts. |
| US08920421B2 |
System and method for tissue sealing
An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical forceps including first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members relatively movable from a first, open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second, clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator configured to operatively couple to the electrosurgical forceps and to supply electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces. The electrosurgical generator includes at least one input control configured to record a user-defined setting associated with the electrosurgical energy; at least one sensor configured to measure at least one tissue parameter or at least one electrosurgical energy parameter; and a controller configured to predict a tissue mass of the tissue grasped by the jaw members based on the at least one tissue parameter or at least one electrosurgical energy parameter and to adjust the user-defined setting as a function of the predicted tissue mass. |
| US08920417B2 |
Electrosurgical devices and methods of use thereof
In some embodiments, an electrosurgical device includes a shaft, a first U-shaped electrode at a distal end of the shaft, and a second blade shaped electrode at the distal end of the shaft. The second electrode includes a spherical distal end. And the second electrode is substantially coplanar with the first electrode such that the first electrode surrounds a perimeter of the second electrode. The second electrode is spaced from the first electrode by an aperture. In some embodiments, an electrosurgical device includes a shaft, a first electrode at a distal end of the shaft defining an aperture and comprising a pointed tip, and a second electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft that is substantially coplanar with the first electrode such that the first electrode surrounds a perimeter of the second electrode. The second electrode is spaced from the first electrode by the aperture. |
| US08920416B2 |
Medical probe with translatable co-access cannula
The tissue ablation device includes a tissue ablation probe having an elongated probe shaft and electrodes carried by the distal end of the probe shaft. The device further comprises a cannula with a central lumen extending along a longitudinal axis for removably receiving the probe shaft. The cannula further comprises concentric inner and outer tubes extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the outer is tube is translatable relative to the inner tube. The inner and outer tubes further comprise inner and outer apertures, respectively, that are aligned by translating the outer tube. When the inner and outer apertures are aligned, electrodes are deployed through the inner and outer apertures. One method includes introducing a cannula and a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site and operating the tissue ablation probe and the cannula to deploy the electrodes and ablate tissue. |
| US08920410B2 |
Peripheral switching device for microwave energy platforms
An electrosurgical system is provided and includes a power source, a microwave applicator, a switching mechanism and a controller. The power source is configured to generate microwave energy. The microwave applicator is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue. The switching mechanism includes a housing having input and output ports. The input port is connectable to the power source and the output port is connectable to the microwave applicator. The housing is configured to house one or more switches therein. The controller is in operative communication with the switching mechanism to toggle the switch from a first state, wherein microwave energy generated by the power source is directed to the microwave applicator to a second state, wherein microwave energy is directed to a resistive load operably coupled to the switching mechanism. |
| US08920409B2 |
System and method for dermatological lesion treatment using gas discharge lamp with controllable current density
A device for treatment of dermatological lesions includes a gas discharge lamp for generating a plurality of different electromagnetic radiation treatments. A power supply for driving the gas discharge lamp is selectively controlled to drive the gas discharge lamp to output a first electromagnetic treatment when an area of skin being treated has a pigmented lesion, and to drive the gas discharge lamp to output a second electromagnetic treatment when the area of skin being treated has a vascular lesion, where the second electromagnetic treatment has a spectral distribution that is blue-shifted relative to the spectral distribution of the first electromagnetic treatment. |
| US08920405B2 |
Stimulation of penis erection
A penis erection stimulation system comprises one or more infusion needles disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A reservoir and a pump are also implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing in at least one penetration area, preferably in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection. The drive unit is provided for implantation remote from the injection area and comprises a mechanical drive element for transmitting kinetic energy from a remote location within the patient's body to the at least one infusion needle. |
| US08920396B2 |
NuChain NuPurpose container conditioning method and apparatus
NuChain supply chain and disposal chain apparatus are created by NuPurposing containers, conditioning and transforming such containers from fluent material delivery containers into waste collection containers. Novel structural features of the waste collection systems allows bottle docking for the ingress of collection material into fluent material distribution containers as well as operation as a canister waste ingress collection system. The application of counter opposing forces on a canister and a lid operates in sealing and the unsealing and assembly and disassembly. A reduced pressure configured to be drawn away from said container inducing ingress of air into said container by a source of reduced pressure. |
| US08920394B2 |
Suction canister liner and system
A suction canister liner including a body portion having a sidewall and a bottom. An annular tapered sealing surface is positioned over the sidewall of the canister liner body portion to allow ease of loading and unloading. The annular tapered sealing surface has a top diameter and a bottom diameter, where the top diameter is greater than the bottom diameter. The canister liner may be placed within the interior of a canister. The canister sidewall includes a vacuum port adapted to communicate with a vacuum source. A lid having a patient port and a suction port engages and removably covers the open top end of the canister liner. The annular tapered sealing surface of the canister liner seals against the interior surface of the rim of the canister when a vacuum is applied to the canister interior through the vacuum port by the vacuum source. |
| US08920390B2 |
Vascular access port with tubular shaped septum
A vascular access port having a novel septum design that while allowing for larger septum access area and larger degree of access allows for an overall small profile. The present invention further provides for a novel septum and reservoir design that eliminates angular junctions. |
| US08920388B2 |
Methods and devices for sensing tissues and tissue compartments
An apparatus provides feedback regarding the material in which tip of the apparatus is located as the tip is advance into matter of varying resistances. The apparatus responds to a change in pressure, force, or other parameter such that when the tip reaches matter of a certain resistance, a change in the parameter is sensed. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus. An inner core may be advanced into the low resistance material for deployment of a gas or a liquid as desired. |
| US08920383B2 |
Dose mechanism for an injection device for limiting a dose setting corresponding to the amount of medicament left
A mechanism for preventing setting of a dose, which exceeds the amount of a medicament in a reservoir in an injection device. The device comprises a threaded piston rod, a limiter and a driver. The three elements are arranged such that during dose setting, the limiter is moved towards an end-of-contend position, wherein dose setting is limited. The invention comprises an accumulative and a non-accumulative embodiment. The invention further relates to a mechanism for prevention ejection of a dose exceeding the set dose. |
| US08920378B2 |
Indwelling needle device
When a hub (40) is in an initial position at which it is located on the front end side of an inner cavity of a shield (20), an inner needle (50) penetrates an outer needle (30) and protrudes from a leading end of the outer needle to the outside, and when the hub is in a retracted position at which it is located on the rear end side of the inner cavity of the shield, the inner needle is housed within the inner cavity of the shield. A first side hole (31) is formed in an outer circumferential face of the outer needle, and a second side hole (51) is formed in an outer circumferential face of the inner needle. When the hub is in the initial position, an inner circumferential face of a region (33) of the outer needle that contains the first side hole is in close contact with the outer circumferential face of the inner needle, and the second side hole is located closer to the hub than the region where the inner circumferential face of the outer needle is in close contact with the outer circumferential face of the inner needle. Thus, a priming operation for filling a gap between the inner needle and the outer needle with blood can be easily performed, and leakage of blood through the side hole of the outer needle during puncture does not occur. |
| US08920374B2 |
Drive control mechanisms and automatic injectors for injectable cartridges
An automatic injector includes a housing having a guide, a drive control mechanism, a transmission assembly, a motor, and an energy source. The housing may further include a cartridge cover. A drive control mechanism includes a drive screw, a cartridge carrier, a plunger carrier, and one or more control transfer instruments, such as a puck or cylinder. The drive screw interfaces and connects with the plunger carrier. The automatic injector is configured to accept a variety of syringes as cartridges for drug delivery. The cartridges may be ejected from the injector and safely disposed after use, making the injector a reusable automatic injector. The reusable automatic injector may further include one or more sensors, such as a cartridge sensor and a patient sensor. The novel incorporation of the drive control mechanisms into the automatic injectors of the present invention enables a single motor and transmission assembly to drive the function of multiple components, which may include the steps of: preparation and alignment of a cartridge for injection, removal of a safety cap or needle shield, needle injection, drug dose delivery, and syringe and/or needle retraction. Methods of manufacture and methods of use are also disclosed. |
| US08920372B2 |
Method and apparatus for heating solutions within intravenous lines to desired temperatures during infusion
An IV line temperature controlled warming device includes a housing and a fluid cassette or cartridge that receives fluid from an IV line and includes intravenous line tubing arranged in a preformed configuration. The configuration includes tubing sections arranged in generally circular and concentric portions and a central serpentine tubing section that basically reverses fluid flow and facilitates flow in opposing directions within adjacent tubing sections. The fluid cassette is retained within the device on a base plate partially disposed within a device housing interior, while a housing cover is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the base plate. The base plate includes a heater plate disposed thereon, while the cover and heater plate each include heating elements to apply heat to opposing surfaces of the tubing cassette. The heating elements are controlled by a controller in response to measured temperatures of the heater plate and fluid. |
| US08920371B2 |
Syringe with disabling mechanism
Syringe assemblies having a passive disabling system to prevent reuse are provided. According to one or more embodiments, the syringe assembly comprises a barrel, plunger rod and stopper wherein the plunger rod further comprises a flexible protrusion that locks the plunger rod within the barrel. Certain embodiments further include a frangible portion on the plunger rod that breaks when reuse is attempted. |
| US08920370B2 |
Hernia repair device
A method and device for treating hernia by implanting at least one collapsible hernia repair patch, such as a planar mesh body at least partially enveloped by one or more elastic collars. A posterior end of an applicator carrying the repair patch may be inserted through a hernia and into the wall of the abdominal cavity, and the patch may be released into the cavity, e.g., so as to helically deploy the patch such that the patch lies in parallel to the abdominal wall. A balloon, which is removably attached to the patch, may be inflated to help move the patch to a deployed configuration, and thereafter the balloon removed from the hernia site. |
| US08920369B2 |
Steerable delivery sheaths
Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use. |
| US08920364B2 |
Biomaterial delivery device
A biomaterial delivery device includes an elongated handheld powder storage conduit with proximal and distal ends and a bore having a central axis. The proximal end is closed by a movable powder dispensing actuator, and the distal end is closed by an openable sealing nib moveable from its closed to its open position by force upon the actuator. The distal end has a distally-projecting powder discharge chute that spaces the nib away from a surgical site. When the device is held upright over a surgical site with the nib opened, powder passing the nib is deflected at a first oblique direction with respect to the central axis and into or onto the powder discharge chute, and powder striking the chute is deflected at a rotationally distinct second oblique direction orientation with respect to the central axis and into or onto the surgical site. |
| US08920363B2 |
Loop-tip catheter
A hemodialysis catheter, including an elongate body with an outer wall enclosing an arterial lumen and a venous lumen, and a method of making same. The catheter includes a first continuous loop and a second continuous loop formed from a distal extension of the outer wall, the first continuous loop beginning at a first side of the distal end of the body to define a first enclosed opening, and the second continuous loop beginning at a second side of the distal end of the body to define a second enclosed opening. |
| US08920360B2 |
Ophthalmic surgical system and control apparatus therefor
A control apparatus for an ophthalmic surgical system for phacoemulsification of an eye lens has an optical system for generating an object region wherein at least part of the eye lens and part of a needle of a phacoemulsification handpiece are arranged. The handpiece is provided with an aspiration line; an image evaluation unit is suitable for evaluating the generated image in such a way that an evaluation variable, dependent on an occlusion of the aspiration line, is determined, which is a kinematic measurement variable and/or a geometric measurement variable and/or an optical measurement variable of a particle, produced by emulsification, of the eye lens to be treated. A control unit, dependent on the evaluation variable supplied thereto, determines a control variable to control an absolute value of a parameter of the ophthalmic surgical system. |
| US08920359B2 |
Device and a system for delivery of biological material
The present invention provides a device and a system for the delivery of biological material across the biological tissue. The device may be for the programmed delivery of biological material through a needle or a micro-needle or micro-needles or biodegradable micro-needles. |
| US08920358B2 |
Resistive anti-obesity devices
A patient is provided with an increased sense of satiety by increasing resistance to the outflow of food from the stomach and through the intestines. Stomach emptying may be slowed with devices implantable within the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach. Implants are preferably removable and can include artificial strictures that may be adjustable to vary the rate of stomach emptying. Slowing gastric emptying may induce satiety for a longer period and may therefore reduce food consumption. Many of the embodiments include intestinal liners or sleeves, but they need not. The resistor concept may be applied to a simple anchor and resistor without a long liner. |
| US08920355B2 |
Acoustic access disconnection systems and methods
An access disconnection method includes supporting a transmitter including a wireless communication apparatus, a receiver, a portion of an arterial line, a portion of a venous line and electronic circuitry by a member separate from a blood treatment machine. The method further includes operably communicating the electronic circuitry with the transmitter and the receiver, enabling transmission of a wave from the transmitter in one of the arterial and venous lines, enabling receipt of the wave by the receiver in the other of the arterial and venous lines, and enabling a disconnection output to be sent to the blood treatment machine via the electronic circuitry. The disconnection output is indicative of a change in the wave received by the receiver from the transmitter sufficient to expect that an access site disconnection of one of the arterial and venous lines has occurred. |
| US08920354B2 |
Device and method for treating ingrown nails
An adjustable and controllable device for treating ingrown nail comprises a releasing portion adapted to be connected to the ingrown nail plate surface and an adjustable portion adapted to exert changeable force on the releasing portion so as to elevate portions of the nail plate surface. The force that is exerted can be mechanical, magnetic, piezoelectric or any other force. A method is also provided. |
| US08920349B2 |
Joint for an orthopedic brace with two adjustable angular range uprights
A joint with adjustable angular range for a knee brace or other orthopedic braces with two uprights or rods fitted as auxiliary supports for the joints of the human body. The rods consist of two plates connected with rivets, which represent the four joint points of the articulated four-sided figure between the lower upright and the upper upright. Between the plates and the uprights wedges are inserted shaped to the necessary angular range. There is at least one groove and a lowered area which accommodates two teeth of respective tabs located at the two ends of a spring fixed to the outer plate. |
| US08920347B2 |
Treadmill with integrated walking rehabilitation device
A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided. The treadmill includes a base including a belt, a motor interconnected with the belt, and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The motor causes the belt to rotate in a first direction. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a transmission interconnecting the motor and the user engagement structure, the transmission transferring motion from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt. |
| US08920345B2 |
System and apparatus for continuous monitoring of movement disorders
Disclosed embodiments include a complete system and platform which allows for continuous monitoring of movement disorders during normal daily activities in the clinic, home, and other normal daily environments. The system comprises: 1) a wearable apparatus for continuous monitoring of movement disorders, 2) a docking station, 3) a web server, and 4) methods for statistical analysis that generate movement impairment measures. Disclosed embodiments include a wearable movement monitoring apparatus comprising of (a) a sensor module including a plurality of low power micro-electromechanical systems kinematics sensors; (b) a microprocessor module including a low power microcontroller configured for device control, device status, and device communication; (c) a data storage module including a solid state local storage medium; (d) a wireless communication module including a low power surface mount transceiver and an integrated antenna; and (e) a power and docking module including a battery, an energy charging regulator circuit, and a docking connector. |
| US08920343B2 |
Apparatus for acquiring and processing of physiological auditory signals
A diagnostic system for collecting, processing, recording and analyzing sounds associated with the physiologic activities of various human organs. The system includes a plurality of transducers placed on the body surface at the operator's discretion. The transducers are coupled to analog/digital signal processing circuitry for enhancement of the desired signal and exclusion of ambient noise. An A/D converter digitizes the incoming data and transmits data, which is divided into a multitude of discrete blocks, received over very finite intervals of time, to a computer workstation and moved through an analysis program sequentially. The program is displayed as a series of icons which depict operations that the program performs and which allow the operator to reprogram the system at any time. The data is finally displayed in graphical format and stored in memory as the program processes each block sequentially. |
| US08920340B2 |
Diagnostic oral device
Described herein are devices and methods for identifying the existence of an oral condition in a subject. |
| US08920337B2 |
Filter for fine needle biopsy
A biopsy needle comprises a first lumen open to a tissue penetrating distal tip of the needle for receiving a tissue sample therein and a second lumen in combination with a filter separating the first and second lumens from one another, the filter being configured to permit fluids to pass therethrough while preventing the sampled tissue from passing therethrough. |
| US08920336B1 |
Simultaneous multiple method out-patient uterus biopsy device and method
A biopsy device, comprising a flexible coaxial structure, comprising an obturator within a sheath, the obturator being adapted to be displaced with respect to the sheath along the coaxial axis by a force applied at a proximal end; a disruptor, at a distal end of the obturator, adapted to disrupt a tissue surface to free cells therefrom, having a first position covered within the sheath and a second position freely extending beyond the sheath; an element, having a fixed position on the obturator, and a close clearance with respect to an inner surface of the sheath, such that a retraction of the obturator within the sheath causes an associated change in pressure in a space between the obturator distal to the element and the sheath, to thereby draw fluid proximate to an end of the sheath within the sheath. |
| US08920333B2 |
Method and device for generating of a signal that reflects respiratory efforts in patients on ventilatory support
A method and device for generating a signal that mirrors changes in the level of effort exerted by respiratory muscles of patients on mechanical ventilatory support comprising: monitoring and storing airway pressure (Paw), rate of gas flow (F), and volume of gas flow (V), and generating a composite pressure signal using resistive pressure units (KF) determined from elapsed data and selected to minimize step changes in the calculated signal and elastic pressure units (Kv) determined from elapsed data by steps comprising: —scanning stored F or Paw during exhalation and identifying where their trajectory transiently reverses direction to detect transients; —selecting points within the exhalation that are at preselected distances away from the transients; —calculating the value of Kv required to force the values of the calculated signal at said selected points in elapsed breaths to be substantially equal when the selected value of KF is used as the flow coefficient. |
| US08920332B2 |
Wearable heart rate monitor
Some embodiments provide a wearable fitness monitoring device including a motion sensor and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor. The PPG sensor includes (i) a periodic light source, (ii) a photo detector, and (iii) circuitry determining a user's heart rate from an output of the photo detector. Some embodiments provide methods for operating a heart rate monitor of a wearable fitness monitoring device to measure one or more characteristics of a heartbeat waveform. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a low power state when the device determines that the device is not worn by a user. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a normal power state when the device determines that the device is worn by a user. |
| US08920331B2 |
Pulse wave measuring device
According to the invention, a pulse wave measuring device includes: a connector that is disposed on a main unit; an external sensor that includes an external light-emitting module radiating light to a human body to be measured and an external light-receiving module receiving at least one of reflected light and transmitted light originating from the external light-emitting module and the human body so as to measure a pulse wave; an first controller that switches the external light-emitting module ON and OFF; an second controller that switches the external light-receiving module ON and OFF; and an external sensor connection determination section that determines a connection between the external sensor and the connector in accordance with a transient response of the external light-receiving module, wherein, after the external sensor connection determination section determines that the external sensor is connected to the connector, a measurement of the pulse wave by using the external sensor is started. |
| US08920328B2 |
Blood pressure measurement apparatus
A blood pressure measurement apparatus includes: a detector, operable to detect a first pulse, a second pulse prior to the first pulse and a third pulse prior to the second pulse under the same pressure; a first distinguisher, operable to distinguish whether waveforms of the first and second pulses are substantially identical with each other; a second distinguisher, when the waveforms are not substantially identical with each other, operable to distinguish whether parameters of the first, second and third pulses meet a condition corresponding to arrhythmia; a determiner, operable to determine the first and second pulses to be pulse waves when the waveforms are substantially identical with each other, and operable to determine the first, second and third pulses to be pulse waves when the parameters meet the condition; and a calculator, operable to calculate a blood pressure value based on the pulse waves. |
| US08920323B2 |
Coupled axial and lateral displacement estimation for elasticity imaging
The determination of axial and lateral displacement in a material subject to compression is determined by fitting a multi-dimensional model function to the match between corresponding portions of the material in two states of compression. In one embodiment, iso-contour lines in a correlation between a reference kernel and a target kernel are fit to an ellipse whose center defines the maximum correlation and hence the displacement. |
| US08920321B2 |
Photoacoustic imaging apparatus
A bioinformation acquisition apparatus to input a signal having uniform sensitivity and a high SN ratio at a high speed is provided. It includes a moving device moving an element group into the arrangement direction of the elements, and moves the element group situated at a first position at first time point to be situated at a second position at second time point. The element group receives an elastic wave emitted from a test object at the first time point at the first position, and the elastic wave from the test object at the second time point at the second position. The electric signal of a specified position of a test body from a first element of the elastic waves received at the first time point and the electric signal of the specified position from a second element received at the second time point are added to each other. |
| US08920320B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coupling a HIFU transducer to a skin surface
Methods and apparatus are described for coupling a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to a skin surface using water as a coupling agent. |
| US08920319B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
In aspects of the present disclosure, a multi compatible or universal blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that require calibration code and test strips that do not require calibration code. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same. |
| US08920315B2 |
Quick-action tensioning clip of a wound retractor
A quick-action tensioning clip of a wound retractor, with at least one braceable seat for at least one holding arm and/or for a joint ball of a holding arm, is made available which can be operated safely, easily and quickly and which requires only low operating forces and at the same time safely and permanently generates high clamping forces, this being achieved by the fact that, in order to generate the tensioning force, it is equipped with a toggle catch composed of two joint levers which are connected to each other via a connecting joint and which, at their free ends, are articulated via attachment joints on component parts of the quick-action tensioning clip that can be mechanically moved away from or towards one another. |
| US08920312B2 |
Triangulation mechanism for access ports
A surgical apparatus and method for triangulation is disclosed which includes a housing, a rod extending through the housing and a plate attached to a distal end of the rod. The housing is adapted for sealed insertion into an incision in tissue and defines a longitudinal axis. The plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis upon rotation of the rod and includes a plurality of slots dimensioned for the reception of surgical objects therethrough. Each of the slots is adapted to transition a surgical object between a first position and a second position upon rotation of the plate. The plate is movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis upon actuation of the rod in an axial direction and the plate may also be removably attachable to a distal end of the housing. |
| US08920308B2 |
Surgical implant with anchor introducer channel
A surgical implant for treating female urinary incontinence includes a suburethral support, first and second soft tissue anchors, and an elongated member. The first and second soft tissue anchors are connected to first and second opposite ends of the suburethral support, each anchor having a central portion, a proximal end, and a tip on a distal end of the anchor, and a plurality of projections extending from the central portion at longitudinally spaced locations along a length extending between the proximal and distal ends of the central portion. The elongated member extends between the proximal end of the first soft tissue anchor and the first end of the suburethral support to connect the anchor to the support and enable the position of the anchor with respect to the support to be adjusted. |
| US08920305B2 |
Vertically oriented band for stomach
An adjustable band or clamp or non-adjustable clamp is placed about the greater curvature of the stomach in a vertical orientation. The band or clamp completely compartmentalizes the stomach between a small vertical pouch and the fundus and body of the stomach. The fundus and body of the stomach are excluded from nutrients and are separated from a long narrow channel where the food travels. A small passage at the level of the antrum allows gastric juices to empty from the fundus and body of the stomach. The clamp may be applied during open surgery in laproscopic surgery or using a single port technique, or through any natural orifice in NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic surgery) or using a hybrid surgical technique. |
| US08920303B2 |
Adjustable surgical sling
The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems and methods for adjusting support to an anatomical location using an expandable chamber. |
| US08920300B2 |
Direct visualization robotic intra-operative radiation therapy device with radiation ablation capsule
This invention proposes a robotic applicator device to be deployed internally to a patient having a capsule (also referred to as a cassette) and aperture with a means of alternately occluding and exposing a radioactive source through the aperture. The capsule and aperture will be integrated with a surgical robot to create a robotic IORT (intra-operative radiation therapy) applicator device as more fully described below. The capsule, radiation source, and IORT applicator arm would be integrated to enable a physician, physicist or technician to interactively internally view and select tissue for exposure to ionizing radiation in sufficient quantities to deliver therapeutic radiation doses to tissue. Via the robotic manipulation device, the physician and physicist would remotely apply radiation to not only the tissue to be exposed, but also control the length of time of the exposure. Control means would be added to identify and calculate margin and depth of tissue to be treated and the proper radiation source or radioactive isotope (which can be any particle emitter, including neutron, x-ray, alpha, beta or gamma emitter) to obtain the desired therapeutic effects. The invention enables stereotactical surgery and close confines radiation therapy adjacent to radiosensitive tissue. |
| US08920298B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, processing a moving, printed material web
A method and apparatus of moving printed material web includes two processing arrangements arranged one above the other that are optional in operation. A material web is processed either in the upper, first processing arrangement or in the lower, second processing arrangement. In the processing section belonging to the first processing arrangement, the material web is folded about a line parallel to its advancement direction. In the processing section belonging to the second processing arrangement, the material web is separated, along a line parallel to its advancement direction, into two material-web strands, which are then positioned one above the other. The two processing sections having in common a pair of braking rollers and a pair of drawing rollers and also a longitudinal-cutter. |
| US08920297B2 |
Pressure device for exerting pressure on an opening device fitted to a package of a food product pourable into a tube of packaging material
A pressure device for exerting pressure on an opening device fitted to a package of a food product pourable into a tube of packaging material, the device having a first pressure member movable between a first work position, in which it presses a first area of the opening device against the package, and a first rest position, in which it is detached from the opening device; and a second pressure member movable between a second work position, in which it presses a second area of the opening device against the package, and a second rest position, in which it is detached from the opening device; the first and second area being crosswise to each other. |
| US08920292B1 |
Exercise device and methods of use
An apparatus and methods of attaching an exercise device to a chair to provide for a user of the chair to perform exercises. The apparatus generally includes a chair support section configured to be attached to the chair, and an exercise device that includes a support that is positioned on the floor. The chair support section and exercise device are configured to be engaged together when the user is exercising. |
| US08920286B2 |
Exercise cell, ketosis/weight loss inducing exercise machine (KWIEM) ketosis inducing apparatus (KIA)
A unique concept of exercise and weight loss that takes place in a new invention utility, namely the exercise cells or the Ketone Inducing Apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus consists of four exercise cells to simulate four different exercise categories in extreme environments, namely walk/run/hike in a cold mountain environment, swim/water jogging in a cold water marine environment, cycling in a hot, humid, rainy, tropical forest environment, and gravitational rotation in a hot dry air windy space or desert environment. The purpose of this activity is to maximally stimulate the process of Ketosis (breakage of the human fat) to form smaller molecules of Ketones. The Ketones will then be eliminated both passively from the human body via urination and exhalation and actively through intracellular burn oxidation, hence reducing the extra fat load and reducing obesity. The reduction of the human obesity will enhance the human health status and reduce the complication of obesity namely diabetes, heart disease, and reduce the human mortality and morbidity. |
| US08920285B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed. |
| US08920281B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. |
| US08920279B2 |
Differential case assembly with drive ring gear
A differential case assembly, which has a case shoulder and a case outside diameter, is attached to a drive ring gear, which has a gear shoulder and a gear inside diameter. Attachment of the differential case assembly to the drive ring gear is by way of pressing the case outside diameter into intimate contact with the drive ring gear inside diameter around the circumference of the diameters, until the case shoulder comes into intimate mating contact with the gear shoulder, at a joint radius. In addition, hardened dowel pins are tightly fit into joint voids that are formed along the joint radius. The hardened dowel pins are capable of supporting an operational torsional load and the mating shoulders are capable of supporting an operational axial load. |
| US08920278B2 |
Gear transmission and photovoltaic power-generating apparatus using the gear transmission
A gear transmission comprises a crankshaft that eccentrically rotates one of an internal gear and an external gear. A first gear is attached to one end of the crankshaft. A ring gear having internal teeth meshes with the first gear. An intermediate gear meshes with external teeth of the ring gear. A second gear is attached to one end of an output shaft of a motor and meshes with the intermediate gear. The motor and the crankshaft are positioned, relative to the intermediate gear, on the same side in the axial direction of the gear transmission. |
| US08920277B2 |
Hydromechanical transmission with a hydraulic motor and a mechanical multi-step variable speed transmission
A hydromechanical transmission has a hydraulic pump-driven hydraulic motor of a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission and a mechanical multi-step variable speed transmission connected to a drive shaft of the hydraulic motor, which can be shifted into operation by a gear shifting device. In order to adapt the hydromechanical transmission with as compact as possible a design to diverse installation cases with little effort, the gear shifting device is arranged directly adjacent to the hydraulic motor and is consolidated with the latter into a preassembled constructional unit. |
| US08920274B2 |
Hybrid drive configuration for a motor vehicle
A hybrid drive configuration is provided wherein the carrier of a first planetary gear set is coupled with the ring gear of a second planetary gear set, which is embodied as a Ravigneaux gear set. The ring gear of the second planetary gear set is fixedly connected to a driven shaft. The carrier of the second planetary gear set is connectable to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set by a clutch. The ring gear of the first planetary gear set is fixedly connected to a drive shaft. The rotor of a first electric machine is fixedly connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The rotor of a second electric machine is fixedly connected to the first sun gear of the second planetary gear set. The second sun gear of the second planetary gear set is connectable to a housing by a brake. |
| US08920267B2 |
Throwing toy with improved adjustable and time flight measurement
Apparatus and method of adjusting the angle of attack to the longitudinal axis of a plurality of aerodynamic surfaces on a high performance throwing toy which affect the performance of such toy and to also provide a means of measuring such performance by recording the time the toy is airborne during flight. |
| US08920263B2 |
Golf ball with resin inner core and specified inner core and ball compression
A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of a blend of highly neutralized polymers and a low flexural modulus ionomer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The layers of the ball have specified compression values and relationships. The cover is a single layer ionomer cover, and may be made from a blend of different grades of the ionomer. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as backspin off the irons, feel, and sound. |
| US08920262B2 |
Golf ball with aggregated layer core and method of making
A golf ball is provided capable of having various characteristics based on having an aggregated layer core. The golf ball includes an inner core, an outer shell enclosing the inner core, and an intermediate core enclosing the inner core. The intermediate core includes sublayers thermoplastically fused together to form an aggregated intermediate core layer having overall characteristics formed as a combination of the sublayer characteristics. A method of forming a golf ball core having an aggregated layer core can include forming a first and second stack of nested cups, thermoplastically bonding each of the stacks to each other to form first and second aggregated cups, arranging the aggregated cups around a golf ball inner core, and bonding the aggregated cups to each other. In some configurations, the sublayers can include ultrathin sublayers less than 20 microns thick, and in some configurations, the sublayers can include injection molded sublayers. |
| US08920258B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head has a main body and a front recess that includes a flange. A rear portion of the main body includes a perimeter-weighting element. A striking face insert is secured within the front recess. A face center is located on the front surface of the striking face insert. A rear cavity is at least partially delimited by the perimeter-weighting element and a rear surface of the striking face insert. A rear insert is secured to the rear surface of the striking face insert. In an imaginary horizontal plane passing through a portion of the rear insert, proximate a heel portion of the club head, a heelwardmost point of the rear insert is spaced further from a vertical center plane than a minimum distance between the flange and the center plane. The club head comprises an auxiliary recess that extends outward from the rear cavity. |
| US08920256B1 |
Golf club swing training device
A golf club shaft swing training and practice device to impart axial rotation to the user's hand during the length of the stroke by utilizing a fixed upper handgrip and a movable lower handgrip on a support rod. The upper handgrip is fixed on the rod and the lower handgrip is slidably disposed along the rod which is cross-sectionally square with a longitudinal spiral twisted surface to impart lower grip axial rotation as it is moved therealong in increasing distance from the fixed upper handgrip during a practice swing. |
| US08920255B2 |
Pool table system
A pocket leg that has a cylindrical body, a base, and a top that forms a pool ball pocket is provided. The pocket leg can be used to form a rectangular pool table with six pockets constructed with six pocket legs. To each pocket leg are attached two brackets. The brackets of the four pocket legs that define the corners of the pool table are perpendicular to each other and the brackets of the two pocket legs that are centrally located are parallel to each other. Six brace pieces fit into the brackets and form the base of a table. The table also includes a top, apron and bumper railing. Pocket legs can be used to form a rectangular pool table with eight or more pockets. The pocket legs can form square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal shaped pool tables. |
| US08920245B2 |
Video game title profile awards
Techniques for recognizing the accomplishments of a game player are disclosed herein. In particular, a user identification profile is provided so that digital items awarded to the user for meeting specified performance criteria in a video game or some other event may be associated with such user identification profile. The digital item may be something that is usable within the current video game title, in a later version or the next generation of a particular video game title, or even in a different video game by the same developer. One technique involves receiving an identification representative of the digital item awarded to the user, associating the digital item with the user identification profile corresponding to the user, and storing an indication that the digital item is associated with the user identification profile. In this way, the indication may be utilized to display the digital item in the user identification profile. |
| US08920244B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing system
An application execution unit executes a game program. A play item acquisition processing unit generates item acquisition information by using an item ID associated with a met play requirement of a game, and a hard disk drive stores the generated item acquisition information. The play item acquisition processing unit refers to execution information stored in an execution information storing unit and generates an item acquisition table that maps an item ID to attribute information. |
| US08920243B1 |
System and method for providing in-game timed offers
A system and method are disclosed for providing an in-game offer to one or more players of an online game. The offer is provided to players that have newly joined the game and/or to players that have not yet made a purchase. In some implementations, the offer may be meant to incentivize purchase upon entry into the game. The in-game offer may comprise an offer to one or more items and a bonus comprising one or more bonus items provided to the player responsive to the offered items being purchased. The in-game offer may only be made available to a qualifying player for a certain amount of time. |
| US08920242B2 |
Universal game server
A trusted disaster tolerant system architecture supporting concurrently a number of distributed online gaming operations such as slip-scan lottery, video lottery, fixed odd betting terminals, Internet gaming, and interactive TV. A personality front end resolves the peculiarities of the various client systems before submitting the relevant transactional payload to a trusted transactional cache. A universal game random generator may be used either at the central game server or at each individual gaming machine, thus conferring a significant trust to the entire estate of gaming machines fitted with the game random generator. An auditable trusted log allows to rapidly resolve any dispute. The instant-draw model and the differed-draw model are supported. The system may advantageously be used in casino environments. |
| US08920241B2 |
Gesture controlled persistent handles for interface guides
A computing system translates a world space position of a hand of a human target to a screen space position of a user interface and locks the hand to a handle of the user interface if world space parameters of the hand overcome a grab threshold of the handle. When the hand is locked to the handle, the computing system translates a world space position of the hand to a screen space handle position that is constrained along one or more interface guides. The hand is unlocked from the handle at a release position of the handle if world space parameters of the hand overcome a release threshold of the handle. The handle is retained at the release position after the hand is unlocked from the handle. |
| US08920238B2 |
Gaming center allowing switching between games based upon historical results
A gaming system comprising a main cabinet and a computer server, comprising: a mechanism in a main cabinet for selecting and playing, by a player, one or more live casino game(s) from a plurality of live casino games being played at a plurality of tables spaced away from said main cabinet; a mechanism for selecting and playing one or more casino slot machine game(s) by the player, at least one first portion of a first screen in the main cabinet for displaying the live-casino game(s), wherein a results history for each table is displayed to provide a results history display, a second additional portion of a screen in main cabinet for displaying at least one casino slot game(s), the mechanism playing the casino slot machine game(s) is adapted to allow the player to switch between the live casino games and at least one casino slot machine games according to at least the results history display for each table. |
| US08920236B2 |
Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements
Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions. |
| US08920228B2 |
Multigame ranking with virtual item rewards
A game server includes an operation data receiving section that receives, from a terminal whereto a plurality of games is provided via a communication network, operation data for operating a virtual user created in a virtual space, an overall ranking creating section that creates an overall ranking based on ranking-per-game information related to the plurality of games stored in a storing section, an item extracting section that extracts a virtual item stored in a storing section and usable in a specific game, based on information on the overall ranking upon reception of predetermined operation data from the terminal, and an item setting section that sets an extracted virtual item as a virtual item possessed by the virtual user. |
| US08920225B2 |
Water vapor vent structure for dishwasher and dishwasher having the same
A dishwasher having a water vapor vent structure is provided. The water vapor vent structure may include an outer cover having one or more water vapor vents, and an inner cover detachably mounted to the outer cover and having condensation channels for condensing water vapor. As water vapor is collected and maintained in the condensation channels for a period of time, condensation efficiency may be enhanced, and air quality in a room in which the dishwasher may be maintained at an acceptable level. |
| US08920222B2 |
Method and apparatus for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry
Method and apparatus are provided for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device or processing line, which organ or organs form part of an organ package and wherein the organ or organs are separated from the organ package. The organ package is spatially oriented by the processing device without notably breaking tissue connections in the package, and in a preselected order so as to cause the harvesting of organs from the package to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the location of the organ package in the processing device or processing line. |
| US08920221B2 |
Stuffing tube centering device and method for centering a stuffing tube
A stuffing tube centering device for concentric alignment of the stuffing tube to a casing stick and a corresponding method, and where two oppositely disposed centering members movable towards each other between which the stuffing tube can be held and centered. |
| US08920219B2 |
Polishing pad with alignment aperture
Polishing pads with apertures are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with apertures are also described. |
| US08920211B2 |
Truing device of grinding machine
A truing device of a grinding machine includes: a truer that corrects a shape of a grinding wheel; a swivel table that supports the truer such that the truer is swivelable about a swivel axis Ac; detecting means for directly detecting a distance from a truing edge position of the truer, which contacts the grinding wheel during correction of the shape of the grinding wheel, to a swivel center O of the swivel table; and control means for controlling the truing edge position of the truer with respect to the grinding wheel based on the distance L detected by the detecting means to true the grinding wheel. |
| US08920207B2 |
Block toy playset with dynamic building surface
The present invention is directed toward a toy building block system that includes a building portion having a housing with a surface and a building component. The building component is extendable from the housing and movable relative to the housing surface. The building component and the housing surface define a configuration of the building portion that is changeable during play. The toy building block system further includes a play component which is engageable with the building component. |
| US08920203B2 |
Marker buoy
A marker buoy for marking a location vertically above an anchor deployed in a body of water, the marker buoy including a housing having a substantially watertight compartment and a spool mounted in an adjacent spool bay. A line for attachment to the anchor is wound onto the spool. When a force of tension on the line falls below the selected tension, a center of mass of the housing rotates about an axis of rotation of the housing. A control device responsive to such rotation causes energization of an electric motor coupled to the spool that operates until the force of tension on the line is again within the selected range of line tensions. The marker buoy is capable of autonomous operations, during lowering of the anchor, during operations to maintain a location vertically above the anchor, during retrieval of the anchor and during docking. |
| US08920200B2 |
Connector for mounting an underwater power generator
A connector (17) is provided to mount a power generation unit of an underwater power generator to a base assembly. The connector comprises (17) a lower connector portion (72) having a stem (62) projecting upwardly and having a tapering profile and an upper connector portion (70) having an inwardly and upwardly extending recess (60). At least one generally cylindrical pin (61) extends radially inwardly into the recess (60) and at least one groove (64) is formed in the stem (62). The groove (64) is configured to allow the pin (61) to travel along the groove (64) as the stem (62) is axially inserted into the recess (60). |
| US08920197B2 |
Connector receptacle with ground contact having split rear extensions
Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide good shielding, and consume a reduced or limited amount of space inside a device enclosure. To simplify assembly, these receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a first overmold, as well as a second number of contacts that may be inserted into a second overmold. To improve ground shielding, one or more ground contacts at a front of the receptacle may be split to provide shielding in a back of the receptacle. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its edges and top. Edge ground contacts may be inserted into the hollow tongue either separately or with the subassembly. Openings in the hollow tongue may expose portions of the edge ground contacts for grounding. |
| US08920193B2 |
Preconnectorized coaxial cable connector apparatus
A preconnectorized apparatus includes a housing and at least one F-style coaxial cable connector extending therefrom. Each connector has a connector body with a cable receiving end and an opposite forward end. A compression element coupled to the receiving end is movable between an unseated position and a seated position and is configured to secure a coaxial cable within the connector body when in the seated position. The connector includes a tubular inner contact post having a free end configured to be inserted into a prepared coaxial cable end. A receiving member positioned forward of the contact post is electrically connected to a circuit within the housing. The receiving member receives a center conductor of a coaxial cable inserted through the connector body cable receiving end and electrically connects the center conductor to the circuit. |
| US08920192B2 |
Connector having a coupler-body continuity member
A connector having a coupler-body continuity member is provided, wherein the coupler-body continuity member electrically couples a coupler and a body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the coupler and the body. Furthermore, the coupler-body continuity member facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise. |
| US08920188B2 |
Integrated connector/flex cable
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for providing a connection between a connector and a flex cable. In one embodiment, the connector scheme comprises: a flex ribbon having first and second sides, the first side being opposite the second site, where the flex ribbon has one or more traces on the first side and a ground plane on at least a portion of the second side; and a connector into which the flex ribbon is inserted to make an electrical connection thereto, where the connector has a metal shell in electrical contact with the ground plane while having contacts in electrical contact with the one or more traces. |
| US08920185B2 |
Electronic device assembly structure
An electronic device assembly structure comprises two electronic devices and at least one connection module. Each electronic device includes a body and at least one USB located on the body. The connection module connects to the two electronic devices and includes an electric connection unit and a fastening unit. The electric connection unit is electrically inserted into the USBs of the two electronic devices. The fastening unit fastens the bodies of the two electronic devices together in an integrated manner. |
| US08920184B2 |
High strength electrical connector
A high strength electrical connector includes an outer cylindrical, rigid support cover open at both ends and preferably comprised of a high strength metal. A first electrical lead extends through a tension bushing attached to one end of the support cover. A mating receptacle through which a second electrical lead passes is securely attached to a second opposed end of the support cover. Electrical connection between the ends of the first and second electrical leads is established within the support cover. Securely attaching the ends of the first and second electrical leads together within the support cover, which is preferably comprised of a high strength metal, directs axial and transverse forces exerted on the first electrical lead through the support cover, thus bypassing the electrical connection. |
| US08920181B2 |
Coaxial connector
A coaxial connector includes an insulation housing having a receptacle opening portion for receiving a coaxial plug; an outer conductive member; a first terminal disposed below the receptacle opening portion; a second terminal disposed below the first terminal; and an insulation member disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first terminal includes a first contact portion for contacting with a central conductive member of the coaxial plug. The second terminal includes a second contact portion for contacting with the central conductive member. The first terminal further includes a third contact portion, and the second terminal further includes a fourth contact portion for contacting with the third contact portion when the coaxial plug is not inserted into the insulation housing. |
| US08920179B2 |
Connector including contacts arranged in a matrix
A connector 10 comprises a base member 100 and a connection film 200 which consists of an insulator film 300 and conducive portions 400 formed thereon. Openings 130 formed in the base member 100 extend in a direction crossing the pitch direction of contacts 15. The conductive portions 400 attached to elastic support portions 120 of the base member 100 face the openings 130, respectively. Therefore, the extension length of each conductive portion 400 of the connection film 200 can be larger than the pitch of the contacts 15 so that the height of each contact 15 can be made higher. |
| US08920176B1 |
Training system for cardiac computed tomography angiography
A training system comprising a phantom heart, the phantom heart comprising an exterior surface upon which a tubing is topologically arranged in a manner which mimics the placement of the distal LCx, the LAD, the PDA, and the RCA. The tubing is configured to receive a contrast agent received from a power injector. The training system further comprises an airway subsystem which is modeled to represent the trachea, the right bronchus, and the left bronchus, and which is arranged relative to the phantom heart such that a portion of the airway subsystem which approximates the position of the tracheal carina is aligned with a portion of the phantom heart that represents the ascending aorta. The training system further comprises an EKG pulse generator in electrical communication with a computed tomography scanner for purposes of conducting computed tomography angiography of the phantom heart. |
| US08920173B1 |
Vehicle comparison system
A system for comparing energy usage of different vehicle platforms is provided. The system may include a processor to execute routines stored in a memory device. Further, in one embodiment the routines include routines configured to receive selection of a driving style by a user and to select a virtual test drive based on the received selection. Also, the routines may include routines configured to output the selected virtual test drive and to output a comparison of multiple vehicles having different characteristics based on the selected virtual test drive. Other systems, methods, and manufactures are also disclosed. |
| US08920170B2 |
Abutment and abutment systems for use with implants
An abutment for supporting a prosthesis relative to an implant includes an implant engaging portion configured to engage with a dental implant and a component supporting portion having a key feature on an external surface portion thereof. The key feature is configured to provide keyed mating engagement with a complimentary key feature on a component to be engaged with the abutment. |
| US08920167B2 |
Surgical guide preparation tool and method for preparing surgical guide
The present invention provides an inexpensive surgical guide preparation tool by which an insertion hole for implant can be correctly and easily formed at a predetermined position. The surgical guide preparation tool has a pair of marker members opposing to each other and a gauge body which has a support member for connecting the marker members, and the gauge body is attached to a surgical guide body. The surface of each marker member is provided with grid-like lines which are recognizable by a CT scanned image and disposed longitudinally and laterally at substantially regular intervals; predetermined marks are chosen from intersections of the grid-like lines, and a guide ring is attached to the surgical guide body so that a direction connecting the chosen marks is used as an axial direction of the guide ring. The axial direction of the guide ring is used as an insertion direction for implant. |
| US08920161B2 |
Apparatus and method for extinguishing a flame upon disturbing the apparatus
An apparatus is provided for containing a heat source (36) in a chamber (16) having a chimney-section (22). The apparatus has a gas inlet opening (24, 26, 30) and a gas outlet opening (32) formed in the chimney-section (22). The gas inlet opening (24, 26, 30) and the heat source are located in a lower area (12, 20′) of the chamber (16) and the gas outlet opening (32) is located in an upper region (14) of the chamber (16) so that, when a heat source is placed in the chamber (16), an ascending gas flow may be generated in the chamber (16). Inflowing gas into the chamber flows therethrough into the lower area (12, 20′) of the chamber (16) and then is drawn upwardly by a draw of the ascending gas flow and then though the gas outlet opening (32). The apparatus includes a subassembly (27). The chimney-section (22) is attached to the subassembly (27) so that lateral tilting of the chimney-section (22) causes motion of the subassembly (27) relative to the wick (307). This extinguishes the flame if the wick was burning. |
| US08920155B2 |
Locking apparatus for common plate stem actuator
A locking apparatus for a machine having multiple stems which axially reciprocate with respect to a stationary unit by linkage with a reciprocating common plate. The locking apparatus includes: (a) a first locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the common plate; and (b) a second locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the stationary unit. The second locking mechanism is configured so that, when the first locking assembly locks a stem to the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically unlocks that stem from the stationary unit, and when the first locking assembly is unlocked from the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically locks that stem to the stationary unit. |
| US08920153B2 |
Apparatus comprising substrate and conductive layer
A nano imprint master and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes: implanting conductive metal ions into a substrate including quartz to form a conductive layer inside the quartz substrate; coating a resist on the quartz substrate in which the conductive layer is formed, to form a resist coating layer; exposing the resist coating layer to an electron beam to form micropatterns; etching the quartz substrate by using the resist coating layer, in which the micropatterns are formed, as a mask; and removing the resist coating layer to obtain a master in which micropatterns are formed. |
| US08920152B2 |
Modular articulating cement spacer
The present teachings provide a modular articulating cement spacer mold for forming a temporary implant comprising a mold first portion, a mold second portion, and a ventilation forming surface feature on an interior surface of at least one of the mold first portion or the mold second portion. The first mold portion and the second mold portion have corresponding interior surfaces that form a cavity therebetween. |
| US08920151B2 |
Method and device for installing and/or removing blow moulds
A method for removing blow molds from a forming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include arranging a multi-piece blow mold on a blow mold carrier. The method may include separating the blow mold in at least partly assembled state from the blow mold carrier. |
| US08920149B2 |
Single-screw compressor having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a compression ratio of the compression chamber
A screw compressor includes a screw rotor, a gate rotor, a drive mechanism to rotate the screw rotor, a cylinder, a discharge port and an adjustment mechanism. The screw rotor has an outer periphery with a helical groove engaged with radially arranged gates of the gate rotor. First and second axial ends of the screw rotor form suction and discharge sides, respectively. The cylinder accommodates the screw rotor to define a compression chamber in the helical groove. Fluid in the compression chamber flows through the discharge port toward the discharge side of the screw rotor. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a compression ratio of the compression chamber within a predetermined range. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the compression ratio to a minimum compression ratio immediately before or when operation of the adjustment mechanism is stopped. |
| US08920148B2 |
Oil pump
An oil pump having an inner rotor with of external teeth; an outer rotor that is eccentrically provided and has internal teeth that mesh with the inner rotor external teeth, and an oil pump body that accommodates the outer and inner rotors. By rotationally driving the inner rotor to increase and decrease a space between the internal and the external teeth, an intake stroke suctions hydraulic oil from the oil pump body and a discharge stroke discharges the suctioned hydraulic oil to a discharge port formed in the oil pump body. Between the intake and discharge strokes, a confinement stroke cuts off the suctioned hydraulic oil and confines the suctioned hydraulic oil in the space, and a compression stroke reduces the space and compresses the confined hydraulic oil. Further, an interval is set between a finish end portion of the intake port of the oil pump body and a start end portion of the discharge port such that a rotation angle of the inner rotor during the compression stroke is 21 to 27 degrees. |
| US08920145B2 |
Synchronized hydraulic power module
A hydraulic power module is provided with a plurality of hydraulic actuators. A piston of each of the hydraulic actuators is coupled with a drive plate and a screw is rotatably coupled with the drive plate. Rotation of the screw longitudinally displaces the drive plate to simultaneously actuate each of the hydraulic actuators. A second hydraulic power module may be coupled with the hydraulic power module, such that rotation of the screw also drives the screw of the second hydraulic power module. |
| US08920144B2 |
Peristaltic pump with linear flow control
A peristaltic pump includes a conduit having a first end for receiving a fluid from a reservoir and a second end for delivering the fluid. A plurality of fingers are disposed at respective locations along a segment of the conduit and are configured to alternately compress and release the conduit at the locations. A cyclical pump mechanism is coupled to move the fingers between respective compressed and released positions in a spatio-temporal pattern so as to drive a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the segment of the conduit in each pump cycle. A motor is coupled to drive the pump mechanism. A controller is coupled to activate and deactivate the motor in alternation during each pump cycle with a duty cycle that varies within the pump cycle. |
| US08920137B2 |
In-line flow mixer
A flow-conditioning system includes a pump, process tubing coupling the pump to a source of multiple component process fluid, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. A system includes a well disposed below a body of water and providing a source of multiple component fluid, a pump disposed in and exposed to the water, process tubing coupling the pump to the well, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. |
| US08920136B2 |
Seal arrangement for turbomachine
A turbomachine includes a motor including a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. A sleeve fluidly separates the rotor assembly from the stator assembly. The sleeve has first and second ends axially spaced from one another. In one example, first and second seals are arranged at the first end and fluidly separate the rotor assembly from the stator assembly. The second seal is arranged downstream from the first seal relative to the rotor assembly. In another example, the sleeve includes wet and dry sides. A first seal is arranged at the first end on the wet side. A drain is provided in the housing and arranged in a region downstream from the first seal. The drain fluidly connects the region to an exterior of the housing. |
| US08920135B2 |
Multipurpose gravity air compressor
A multipurpose gravity air compressor employs a piston (40) traveling down a cylinder (129) by the force of gravity compressing compressible fluid (140) in one or more compressible fluid chambers (137). Compressed fluid is emptied out of compressible fluid chambers (137) through compressible fluid exit (118) for use locally or downstream. A transporter such as transporter assembly 50 grabs piston (40) and recovers it back to opening (124) at predetermined intervals and deposits piston (40) into cylinder (129) to start another cycle. Multipurpose gravity air compressor through the generation of heat through compressing compressible fluid (140) also enjoys being a heat source. Air compressor 200 can provide a means for producing energy through compressing compressible fluid (140) and a source of heat for generating steam to produce electricity on-site or downstream. Water (condensation), possibly thousands of gallons a year, could be another rainfall-independent water source advantage enjoyed. |
| US08920129B2 |
Locking nut assembly
A locking nut assembly including a bearing nut having a plurality of external serrations, a shaft nut having a plurality of external serrations, and a locking collar having a plurality of internal serrations. The bearing nut and the shaft nut are threadedly installed on a shaft assembly having an impeller, a bearing, and a spline adapter installed within the impeller. The plurality of serrations of the bearing nut align with the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut when they are installed on the impeller. The locking collar is installed on the bearing nut and the shaft nut so that the aligned plurality of serrations of the bearing nut and the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut engage the plurality of serrations of the locking collar. The locking collar is retained on the bearing nut and shaft nut by a retaining ring. |
| US08920127B2 |
Turbine rotor non-metallic blade attachment
In an engine disk and blade combination, the metallic disk has a plurality of first blade attachment slots and a plurality of second blade attachment slots circumferentially interspersed with each other. There is a circumferential array of a plurality of first blades. Each first blade has an airfoil and an attachment root. The attachment roots are respectively received in associated said first attachment slots. There is a circumferential array of second blades. Each second blade has an airfoil and an attachment root. The attachment roots are respectively received in associated said second slots. The first blades and second blades are non-metallic. The first blades are radially longer than the second blades. The first slots are radially deeper than the second slots. |
| US08920124B2 |
Turbine blade with contoured chamfered squealer tip
A squealer tip formed from a pressure side tip wall and a suction side tip wall extending radially outward from a tip of the turbine blade is disclosed. The pressure and suction side tip walls may be positioned along the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall of the turbine blade, respectively. The pressure side tip wall may include a chamfered leading edge with film cooling holes having exhaust outlets positioned therein. An axially extending tip wall may be formed from at least two outer linear surfaces joined together at an intersection forming a concave axially extending tip wall. The axially extending tip wall may include a convex inner surface forming a radially outer end to an inner cavity forming a cooling system. The cooling system may include one or more film cooling holes in the axially extending tip wall proximate to the suction sidewall, which promotes increased cooling at the pressure and suction sidewalls. |
| US08920123B2 |
Turbine blade with integrated serpentine and axial tip cooling circuits
An air cooled turbine blade including leading and trailing edges, and pressure and suction side walls extending between the leading and trailing edges. Leading and trailing edge cooling circuits extend spanwise adjacent to the leading and trailing edges, respectively. A forward flow mid-section serpentine cooling circuit extends spanwise and is located between the leading and trailing edge cooling circuits. An axial tip cooling circuit extends in the chordal direction and is located between a tip cap of the blade and the serpentine cooling circuit at an outer end of the serpentine cooling circuit. The axial tip cooling circuit has a forward end receiving cooling air from a final channel of the serpentine cooling circuit and discharges the cooling air adjacent to the trailing edge. |
| US08920122B2 |
Turbine airfoil with an internal cooling system having vortex forming turbulators
A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and having at least one cooling system is disclosed. At least a portion of the cooling system may include one or more cooling channels having a plurality of turbulators protruding from an inner surface and positioned generally nonorthogonal and nonparallel to a longitudinal axis of the airfoil cooling channel. The configuration of turbulators may create a higher internal convective cooling potential for the blade cooling passage, thereby generating a high rate of internal convective heat transfer and attendant improvement in overall cooling performance. This translates into a reduction in cooling fluid demand and better turbine performance. |
| US08920121B2 |
Axial turbomachine rotor having a sealing disk
An axial turbomachine rotor is provided. The turbomachine includes a rotor body designed in a rotation symmetrical manner around the rotor axis, a rotor blade ring including rotor blades that are each fixed to the rotor body by the blade foot thereof and a sealing disc designed in a rotation symmetrical manner around the rotor axis that is arranged having the outer edge thereof radially inside, neighboring an axially extending protrusion of the blade foot, so that a hollow space is formed between the blade foot and the sealing disc, wherein a groove exists on the outer edge leading radially to the outside, wherein a sealing ring is mounted that may slide radially to the outside in the groove during operation of the rotor by centrifugal force until the sealing ring radially contacts the inside of the protrusion and thus seals the hollow space on the blade foot. |
| US08920120B2 |
Arrangement with a nacelle and a radiator arrangement
An arrangement with a nacelle and a radiator arrangement of a wind turbine is provided. The radiator arrangement includes a guiding assembly. The nacelle includes a guiding assembly, too. The guiding assembly of the radiator is positioned and constructed in a way that the guiding assembly interacts with the guiding assembly of the nacelle. Thus, the radiator arrangement is lifted and passed to a final position on top of the nacelle by the engaged guiding assemblies. |
| US08920115B2 |
Composite material and method
A composite material and method for manufacturing the material, the material including: a plurality of plies layered one on top of the other; and one or more through-thickness fibers which join one or more of the plurality of plies to one another; wherein the one or more through-thickness fibers form a boundary which delineates one or more discrete regions of the material. |
| US08920113B2 |
Thermal gradiant tolerant turbomachine coupling member
An exemplary turbomachine securing apparatus includes a coupling member that couples a first component to a second component within a turbomachine. The first component and the second component are both non-rotating components during operation of the turbomachine. The coupling member limiting relative circumferential movement between the first component and the second component, and permitting relative radial movement. |
| US08920111B2 |
Airfoil incorporating tapered cooling structures defining cooling passageways
A gas turbine engine (10) and an airfoil (50) for use therein, the airfoil (50) having a structure (128) containing cooling passageways (110, 120) extending between a chamber (100) and a series of apertures (78) positioned along the trailing edge (72) through which cooling fluid (144) received from the chamber (100) exits the airfoil (50), wherein the structure (128) is characterized by a variable thickness (t) between the pressure and suction sidewalls (74, 76) of the airfoil as a function of position along the cooling passageways (110, 120) such that each in a plurality of cooling passageways are characterized by a cross sectional flow area (170, 174) which decreases as a function of distance from the chamber (100). |
| US08920106B2 |
Excavator thumb assembly
A thumb assembly mountable to a lifting arm of an excavator includes a base member mountable to the lifting arm, the base member having a link mounting aperture, a thumb member pivotally connected to the base member, a link member having a base mounting aperture in a first end for coupling to the base member and a thumb mounting aperture in a second end for coupling to the thumb member, a removable pin receivable through the link mounting aperture and the base mounting aperture to connect the link member to the base member, and a connection-assist system disposed on at least one of the link member and base member, the connection-assist system configured to provide a visual indication that the thumb member and the link member are in a position such that the removable pin can be received through both the link mounting aperture and the base mounting aperture. |
| US08920103B2 |
Multi-cell rotary end effector mechanism with slip ring
A rotary end effector for use for the high speed handling of workpieces, such as solar cells, is disclosed. The rotary end effector is capable of infinite rotation. The rotary end effector has a gripper bracket, capable of supporting a plurality of grippers, arranged in any configuration, such as a 4×1 linear array. Each gripper is in communication with a suction system, wherein, in some embodiments, each gripper can be selectively enabled and disabled. Provisions are also made to allow electrical components, such as proximity sensors, to be mounted on the rotating gripper bracket. In another embodiment, an end effector with multiple surfaces, each with a plurality of grippers, is used. |
| US08920097B2 |
Wafer handling system for a loadlock
A wafer handling system includes providing a loadlock tray assembly having a plurality of vertically-stacked loadlock trays; and mounting nipples around each of the plurality of vertically-stacked loadlock trays for supporting a plurality of wafers, each of the nipple having a flat top. |
| US08920096B2 |
Book binding adhesive application controller
A device for controlling the application of glue on the spine of a book. The device consists of a computerized controller that tracks the precise location of the book in the binding system, and a servo motor that controls a doctor blade, the servo motor is connected to the controller and is instructed when to open or close the doctor blade at the precise time to precisely place the glue on the book spine. The doctor blade can also be adjusted to control the thickness of the glue on the book spine. |
| US08920095B2 |
Fastener replacing a bolt or rivet
A fastener for securing workpieces is faster and easier to use than a conventional bolt or rivet, requires no tools to use, and is made from a material that does not rust, such as plastic. The fastener comprises a bottom plate with a ribbed shaft extending therefrom and inserted into a top plate with a throughhole adapted to accept the ribbed shaft. Workpieces intended for fastening are placed in between the two plates with the ribbed shaft inserted through them. Protruding from the interior of the throughhole of the top plate is at least one locking tab adapted to engage the ribs of the ribbed shaft to ensure securement. |
| US08920094B2 |
Apparatus and method of making an offset nail
A nail having an offset head is configured with a multi-step support gusset formed integrally between an undersurface of the offset head and a superior portion of a shank. The head of the nail is relatively thin, and the shank is positioned radially off center of the head. A first portion of the gusset defines an angle relative to the shank axis and the second portion of the gusset defines an angle relative to the shank axis different from that of the first portion. The support gusset reinforces the junction of the shank with the head, supports the toe of the head, and distributes the force of a load on the head through a longitudinal axis of the shank, preventing the toe from bending or yielding and prevents the shank from yielding to the stresses of the load applied. |
| US08920093B2 |
Thread-furrowing screw
A thread-furrowing screw comprises a shaft portion made of solid material and a thread portion attached to the shaft portion, which thread portion is wound from a profiled metal strip. |
| US08920092B2 |
Rotatable end pin for instrument strap
An end pin has a composite shoulder with a fixed lower half and a rotatable upper half. The halves are alignable in a first, installation mode of minimal footprint relative to the hole and slit in the end piece to permit the pin to be easily inserted through the hole in the end piece. The upper half is rotated into a second, locking mode that increases the footprint of the pin over the hole and slit, thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement of the strap from the pin. |
| US08920091B2 |
Fastener with bilateral seal for liquid immersion cooling applications
A fastener assembly including an elongate fastener adapted to extend through a chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a first seal disposed at least partially at the first end of the fastener to prevent leakage of fluid from the chamber; and a second seal disposed at least partially at the second end of the fastener to prevent leakage of fluid from the chamber. In a specific embodiment, the first and second seals are conical seals and a third seal is provided by a gasket. The invention also provides a method for securing a fluid filled chamber to a surface by using embodiments of the fastener assembly. |
| US08920087B2 |
Adhesive package and use thereof with an anchoring element
An adhesive package and use thereof with an anchoring element is disclosed. The adhesive package includes a tubular foil pouch for receiving a multi-component adhesive mass having at least one hardener component and one reactive resin component that is separate from the hardener component. The reactive resin component has at least one first compound and one second compound which harden at different rates and which are arranged in succession in the tubular foil pouch. The reactive resin component has an additional polymerizable compound which is arranged behind the second compound on an end of the foil pouch that is opposite from the first compound. The additional polymerizable compound hardens more slowly than the second compound and provides a leak protection for the second compound and/or the hardener component. |
| US08920086B2 |
Taper bolt connection and use of a taper bolt connection
Disclosed is a taper bolt connection including a taper bolt received in a taper bush, a fastening nut and a washer, the taper bush having a continuous longitudinal slot, and the taper bush being capable of being spread open uniformly in the radial direction by means of a fastening nut screwable onto the taper bolt. Since the taper bolt and/or the taper bush have/has, at least in regions, an at least Teflon-containing coating, tribochemical processes between the taper bush wedge surface and the taper bolt wedge surface are largely avoided, so that the taper bolt connection can be released again without great effort even after a long period of connection. Furthermore disclosed is the use of the taper bolt connection for connecting a rudder unit to a carrying structure of a fuselage cell of an aircraft. |
| US08920083B2 |
Rail and truck tower transport system
The presented embodiments provide a system (10) for transporting a load (12) via multiple conveyance types. The system (10) includes a supporting member (22, 23) configured for attachment to the load (12), including a vehicle interface portion (40, 42), a first supporting member interface portion for attachment to the first vehicle of a first conveyance type, and a second supporting member interface portion for attachment to the second vehicle of a second conveyance type. The vehicle interface portion and the first and second supporting member interface portions are cooperatively configured such that when the load (12) is attached to the supporting member (22, 23) it can be moved between the first and second vehicles by a vertical lift and place move selectively parting and joining the vehicle interface portion with the first and second supporting member interface portions without the necessity of joining or separating a fastener. |
| US08920082B2 |
Electric vehicle mobile host system—load, lockdown and charging
One variation may include a system including a mobile host having a vehicle compartment defined therein and a receiving platform in the vehicle compartment having a plurality of guide features for guiding vehicles into the vehicle compartment of the mobile host, and a loading station including a loading platform having a plurality of vehicle guide features for guiding vehicles over the loading platform and onto the receiving platform. One variation may include a method comprising loading a vehicle into a mobile host having a vehicle compartment defined therein, wherein the mobile host includes a receiving platform having a plurality of raised guide features, and wherein the loading comprises guiding the vehicle onto the receiving platform using the plurality of raised guide features. |
| US08920081B2 |
Interface between a receptacle body and an insert designed, in particular, as a tool holder of a workpiece holder
An interface between a receptacle body and an insert designed, in particular, as a tool or workpiece insert, comprises a receptacle body (2) having a cylindrical receiving bore (4), which is circumscribed by a first plane surface (6) extending at a right angle to the bore axis and in which a first cone surface (9) is arranged, said first cone surface being coaxial with the bore axis and being arranged so that its tapered end faces toward the plane surface. The insert (3) has a pin (15) that is disposed to be plugged into the receiving bore (4) and is circumscribed by a second plane surface (22). At an axial distance from the second plane surface (22), said pin has a second cone surface (22), the tapered end of said second cone surface being arranged so as to face toward the second plane surface. With the pin (15) inserted in the receiving bore (4), the two plane surfaces are in superimposed contact while the two cone surfaces (9, 22) can be biased relative to each other by limited twisting of the insert relative to the receptacle body. |
| US08920078B2 |
Blower controller for pneumatic conveyance of granular materials
A system provides pneumatic conveyance of grain or other dry, loose commodities. The system conveys the commodity from a first piece of equipment, for example a grain dryer, to a second piece of equipment, for example, a grain bin. A variable speed blower motor is mounted to drive air through a transport pipe, and the blower motor speed is controlled by a processor and software providing a desired pressure to efficiently move the commodity based on the rate of discharge into the transport pipe, while minimizing wasted energy or damage to the commodity that is often experienced when more than the required pressure is provided by a blower motor. Parameters used in determining the blower motor speed may include the gauge pressure measured in the transport pipe, the rate of discharge of commodity into the transport pipe, and the blower motor current or power. |
| US08920077B2 |
Post tensioned foundations, apparatus and associated methods
Described herein are shallow post tensioned foundation systems for mounting light to medium weight structures. Methods of installation are also described. The systems, apparatus and methods described can reduce waste, increase efficiency and reduce cost and installation/construction time. |
| US08920075B2 |
Marine barrier and gate
A marine barrier has substantially vertical panels, each having a buoyant portion, and a plurality of hinges, each hinge for elastically connecting a side of a first one of the panels to a side of an adjacent second one of the panels with an included angle therebetween, to form a buoyant continuous pleated row of panels, with the hinges arranged in first and second substantially parallel rows. An impact cable is attached to opposing ends of the pleated row of panels passing through each of the hinges in the first row of hinges. When the barrier is floating in water and a moving vessel impacts the impact cable, the impact cable deflects to transfer a force of the impact to one or more of the panels, which in turn engage the water to transfer the force of the impact to the water, to arrest the motion of the vessel. |
| US08920074B2 |
Underground mining apparatus
An underground mining apparatus includes a mining head for moving through underground material to extract material in its path and form a passageway behind the mining head as it advances. An elongate structure extends along the passageway to the mining head and provides a path for delivering the extracted material to ground surface. A shroud is positioned about the elongate structure for supporting engagement with the periphery of the passageway and to provide a space through which the elongate structure can move. The shroud has a cross-sectional shape corresponding generally to the cross-sectional shape of the passageway formed by the mining head. A method is also disclosed. |
| US08920068B1 |
Process for slip forming reinforced bridge coping with exposed rebars
A process for slip forming of concrete structures, specifically, concrete structural components, for road and bridge construction. This process has particular application for slip forming of monolithic structures having multiple component/functional parts, wherein the resultant slip formed monolithic, structure has exposed rebars bar the later integration with additional concrete structures arid/or mechanical structural elements, c,g. noise walls, barricades, guard rails and the like. This invention also includes a system adapted for the formation of these unique, monolithic slip formed structures with exposed rebars, including the tunnel mold assembly, which is utilized in this slip forming process; and, the resultant to slip molded monolithic structural component with exposed rebus. |
| US08920062B2 |
Ejection jack release mechanism
An example release mechanism for an ejection jack includes a locking mechanism disposed about an axis. A pivotable first leg is connected to a pivotable second leg by a crossbar. A blocking pin is rotatably connected to the first leg and the second leg such that the locking mechanism abuts the blocking pin. A first solenoid includes a first rod abutting one of the first leg or the second leg. The first rod extends a first distance perpendicular to the axis and is configured to exert a first force to push the first leg and second leg away from the solenoid. The first leg and second leg are configured to pivot away from the first solenoid such that the blocking pin no longer abuts the locking mechanism. |
| US08920058B2 |
Partially extendable hair brush
A grooming device comprising a grooming element. The grooming element may be elongated along a longitudinal axis. The grooming device has a first portion and a second portion separateable from the first portion and capable of moving independently from the first portion along the longitudinal axis. The first and/or second portions of the grooming element include means engaging keratin fibers or for improving the aesthetic appearance of keratin fibers. |
| US08920054B2 |
Roll tape and printer
There is provided a roll tape including a core main body portion having a double cylinder construction made up of an outer core portion and an inner core portion, a pair of shaft portions each having an insertion portion which can be fittingly inserted in the inner core portion, an outer shaft which can be fittingly inserted in the outer core portion and a bearing shaft that is thinner than and concentric with the outer shaft and which extends longer in one direction than the outer shaft and a printing tape which is wound around a tape core which has the pair of shaft portions disposed individually on both sides of the core main body portion. |
| US08920046B2 |
Test adapter for computer chips
The invention relates to a test adapter (1) for operatively connecting a chip to be tested to a test device. The test adapter has a three-dimensional construction with a baseplate (8) and a cover plate (2). The cover plate (2) has a contact array (3) having contact elements (9) coordinated with the chip to be tested in terms of number and arrangement. Arranged between the baseplate (8) and the cover plate (2) are side walls (4) which are arranged at an angle with respect to the cover plate (2) and have a number of individual connectors (5) that is coordinated with the chip to be tested. |
| US08920045B2 |
Systems and methods for providing controlled independent float mechanisms for optical connectors
Systems and methods are provided for controlling optical connectors. A float mechanism for controlling an optical connector can include a pin, a first and a second shaft assembly, and a base. The base can include a first and a second cantilever, and a housing, that defines an opening for receiving the pin. The base can receive the two shaft assemblies. The float mechanism can further include a tab with multiple surfaces and be configured to receive the pin. |
| US08920044B2 |
Plug and optical connector connecting structure
A plug including main optical connector bodies, a housing for securing and holding the main optical connector bodies on the connecting end side thereof, a cylindrical inner shell surrounding the housing and attached to the housing by screwing a threaded hole formed in a rear wall portion thereof onto a thread formed in the outer periphery of the housing, and a cylindrical outer shell surrounding the inner shell and having a thread formed in the inner periphery thereof on the connecting end side and a step portion formed in the inner periphery on the rear end side thereof, the thread being screwed onto the thread of an enclosure shell. When the plug is coupled to a receptacle, the inner shell is rotated with respect to the housing and the connecting end of the inner shell hits the abutment surface of the enclosure shell and, when the outer shell is screwed onto the enclosure shell, the step portion hits the rear wall portion. This plug can be coupled properly to the receptacle by accommodating variations in the position of the mating optical connector housed in the receptacle and can be reduced in size. |
| US08920042B2 |
Optical connector, optical fiber incorporating method, and electronic information equipment
An optical connector includes a fiber holder with guide holes for guiding optical fibers, a space communicating with the guide holes and to accommodate the optical fibers, and a deformable member that forms at least a part of the fiber holder and causes the space to deform or displace to allow a part or all of the optical fibers to bend in the space. |
| US08920036B2 |
Temporary support member for a sensor unit of a bearing, sensing sub-assembly and bearing assembly comprising such a support member
This temporary support member for a sensor unit of a bearing assembly is stackable with a similar support member when a sensor unit is mounted on each one of the support member and the similar support member. |
| US08920030B2 |
Flexible package with access control feature
Exemplary embodiments are directed to flexible packages having an access control feature in the form of a strip of a malleable sheet material that can be used to form a dead fold to re-close an opened package and prevent spilling. The access control feature can also be used to keep the mouth of the package open for easier access when the contents of the package are being consumed. Exemplary embodiments operate in an intuitive manner and are easy to use. The access control feature provides a tactile cue to the user for properly closing the package, as well as visual assurance that the package has been closed. |
| US08920024B2 |
Steel plate quality assurance system and equipment thereof
The present invention provides a steel plate quality assurance system and facilities thereof, wherein the steel plate quality assurance system measures, with a steel plate manufacturing line including a finishing mill of a steel plate manufacturing line, and accelerated cooling equipment disposed on the downstream side of the finishing mill in the advancing direction of the steel plate manufacturing line, temperature of at least the whole area of the upper surface of a steel plate, or the whole area of the lower surface of a steel plate to perform quality assurance, and includes temperature measurement means; temperature analysis means; and mechanical property determining means. |
| US08920023B2 |
Cryogenic non destructive testing (NDT) and material treatment
A non-destructive test using cryogenic temperatures is capable of detecting defects in materials that result from residual stress from manufacturing and from retained austenite. The subject materials or parts that are subjected to cryogenic temperatures approaching and below˜−300° F., −184° C., 89° K, thereby causing permanent deformations or characteristic changes in the material if excessive residual stress, retained austenite or discontinuities exist. To determine the extent of changes, a first metric of the subject material is determined, the material is then subjected to cryogenic cooling thereby triggering any deformation or characteristic changes. Subsequent to the cryogenic cooling, the subject material may be returned to a second temperature whereby a second metric representing based on the same characteristic of the subject material is determined The comparison of the first and second metrics reveals the deformation or change resultant from the defect. In addition characteristic changes in the subject material during cryogenic cooling may be use to detect the phase transition of the retained austenite to martensite. |
| US08920020B2 |
Flow passage structure
A flow passage structure having a plurality of flow passageways therein includes a first junction portion for joining a first fluid introduced into a first inlet path and a second fluid introduced into a second inlet path, a first joined fluid flow passage through which a fluid made by joining both the fluids flows, a branch portion for dividing the fluid flowing in the first joined fluid flow passage into two fluids, a first branch path through which one of the two divided fluids flows, and a second branch path through which the other flows, wherein a corresponding diameter of the first branch path and a corresponding diameter of the second branch path in each of the passageways are smaller than a corresponding diameter of the first joined fluid flow passage in the passageway. |
| US08920014B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same
A backlight unit includes a light guide plate and a light source unit. The light guide plate includes an exit surface which has a polygonal shape, a lower surface which faces the exit surface, and side surfaces which connect the exit surface and the lower surface. The light guide plate guides a light such that that light exits from the exit surface. The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources which provide the light to the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a protrusion which protrudes from an end of the lower surface in a direction opposite to the exit surface. The protrusion includes a first inclination surface which is connected to one of the side surfaces, and a second inclination surface which connects the first inclination surface and the lower surface to each other. |
| US08920013B2 |
Medical light-source device
It is an object to provide a medical light-source device capable of securing a long illumination time required for being used in operations in the medical field, a medical light-source device is worn on the body of the operator to apply light to a target portion of the medical treatment, and has a battery power supply section 60, and a control section 54 feeds a rated value of current from the battery power supply section 60 to an LED illumination section 61 to emit by a first switch 55A being operated, and when the second switch 55B or 55C is operated, changes an average current value fed to the LED illumination section 61 to supply an increase value of current higher than the rated value for a predetermined time to increase the quantity of irradiated light for the period. Further, an acceleration sensor 80 is provided so as to control illuminance corresponding to a motion of the operator. |
| US08920008B2 |
Shield actuator for head lamp in the vehicle
Disclosed is a vehicle head lamp-purpose shield actuator, including a case, and a motor fixed inside the case, and a first rotating shaft rotated by the motor to be connected to an output shaft that drives a shield member for controlling an opening angle of a head lamp, and a second rotating shaft disposed inside the case to be connected to an output shaft that drives a shield member for opening the shield member, wherein the case is constructed by an inter-coupling of a left side case and a right side case, and the left side case and right side case each having a shaft connection part connecting a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, and an output shaft, respectively, thereby being used commonly in a left side head lamp and a right side head lamp, and consequently improving productivity and assembling capacity and reducing production expense. |
| US08920007B2 |
Vehicle lighting device
A light-guiding member closed to a car light has an atomized light-guiding body, wherein a containing space is formed inside and connected to a light inlet correspondingly. Differently as the traditional way, light-guiding member in the car illumination assembly set the LED cluster inside to function the daytime running light raise the uniform brightness of the daytime running light which have both the daytime running effect and the whole style. |
| US08919997B2 |
White light emitting diode and liquid crystal display including the same
A white light emitting diode includes a blue light emitting diode (“LED”) light source, and a light conversion layer which converts incident light from the blue LED light source into white light. The light conversion layer includes a green light emitting semiconductor nanocrystal and a red light emitting semiconductor nanocrystal. The white light emitting diode has a red, green and blue color (“RGB”) color locus which is within a chrominance error range (±4ΔE*ab±2ΔE*ab) locus from the constant hue locus of each of sRGB color coordinates, or within a chrominance error range (±4ΔE*ab±2ΔE*ab) locus from the constant hue locus of each of AdobeRGB color coordinates. |
| US08919993B2 |
High recycling efficiency solid state light source device
A light source device includes a LED light source or a wavelength conversion material having a near Lambertian light emitting surface. The light source device includes a light recycling system to reflect small-angle lights (lights closer to the normal direction of the light emitting surface) back to the light source, and a collection system for collecting and outputting large-angle lights (lights farther away from the normal direction). The lights reflected by the light recycling system is scattered by the emitting surface in all directions, where the large-angle scattered lights are collected by the light collection system and the small-angle scattered light is reflected by the light recycling system again. A second excitation light source without wavelength conversion material or a second light source with its own wavelength conversion material may be provided, and the second light is directed to the light emitting surface by appropriate optical components. |
| US08919992B2 |
LED lighting device and method for manufacturing an LED lighting device
An LED lighting device may include an LED support, which is populated with at least one LED on a front side thereof and a rear side of which is fastened to a rest. The front side of the LED support may be overarched by an electrically insulating, light-permeable and diffusely scattering LED cover, and the LED cover may be overarched by a protection cover resting on the support. |
| US08919991B2 |
Tube-type LED illumination lamp
A tube-type light-emitting diode (LED) illumination lamp is provided. The tube-type LED illumination lamp includes at least one printed circuit board on which at least one LED is placed, and a heat dissipation cover that has at least one seating surface on which the printed circuit board is mounted. The seating surface is obliquely formed such that each printed circuit board is mounted on each inclined surface. According to the present invention, since a light diffusion angle is increased by obliquely positioning the printed circuit board on which the LED is placed, illuminance quality of the tube-type LED illumination lamp can be improved. |
| US08919984B1 |
Multiple light source cap device with short and long range lighting
A multiple light source cap device with short and long range lighting. The cap device includes a brim extending forwardly from a crown. A first light source is integral with a forward part of the brim, the first light source projecting light in a forward direction aligned with and projecting from the brim. A second light source in the brim projects light at a downward angle to the first light source forward direction. A third light source in the brim projects light at a downward angle from the second light source downward angle. |
| US08919973B2 |
Mirror base cover
A mirror base cover for an exterior rear view mirror assembly of a motor vehicle is described, which is provided with an opening for a part on the mirror base side of an articulated connection of a base bracket, which is preferably housed in an exterior rear view mirror housing, to a mirror base, which is covered by the mirror base cover. The opening has a larger design than is necessary for the part on the mirror base side of the articulated connection. A section of the opening remaining between the edge of the opening and the part on the mirror base side of the articulated connection is closed by a mirror base cap assembly. The mirror base cap assembly consists of a mirror base cap, only partly covering the remaining section of the opening, and a seal, moulded onto the mirror base cap, overlapping a gap remaining between the mirror base cap and the edge of the opening. The mirror base cap extends at least partly to the edge of the opening, so that contact between the mirror base cap and the edge of the opening is made, at least in places. |
| US08919972B2 |
Optical element adjustment mechanism
An optical element adjustment mechanism is for loading a reflection optical device, which comprises a base and a loading element. The base is movably assembled to the reflection optical device. The base is a hollow tubular structure, and each side has an opening. The inner edge of one of the opening has a plurality loading surfaces extension to the central side, and two leaning surfaces protruded along a tube wall of the base. The loading element movably assembled to the base has a first surface, a second surface and two datum planes. The first surface is flattened against the plurality loading surfaces. The second surface has a connecting portion connected the optical element. The two datum planes are respectively flattened against the two loading surfaces. Wherein, at least one adjustment gasket is moveably assembled between the base and the loading element for precision adjustment. |
| US08919969B2 |
On-product projection for digital merchandizing
A system for on-product projection and display of electronic content. The system includes a projector for projecting electronic content, a mirror film stack having a reflective surface facing the projector, and a product having an exterior surface facing the reflective surface of the mirror film stack. A graphic is located on a surface of the mirror film stack opposite the reflective surface. The electronic content from the projector is projected onto the exterior surface of the product via the reflective surface of the mirror film stack. The graphic can be located on a display window and hide the mirror from a viewer without completely blocking a view of the projected electronic content. The product can include a removable projection screen for displaying the electronic content, and the projection screen can include a removable label on its non-viewer side to advertise or promote the product. |
| US08919968B2 |
Light uniform device and DLP projection system comprising the same
The invention provides a light uniform device and a digital light processing (DLP) projection system applying the said light uniform device. The light uniform device comprises a light incident surface, a light emergent surface and a light uniform portion defined therebetween. The light incident surface and the light emergent surface have a first contour and a second contour, respectively. And a first projection image of the second contour that is projected onto a projection plane forms a rotational angle about a longitudinal axial direction corresponding to a second projection image of the first contour projected onto the projection plane. Thereby, the light sources may simply be disposed in the projection system to provide uniform light beams that entirely cover the DMD (digital micromirror device) after being uniformed by the light uniform device. Neither of the light sources need to be inclined following with the DMD, nor is additional relay lens needed in imaging. |
| US08919967B2 |
Micro projection system
A micro projection system includes a primary prism as a light guide device. The primary prism has a bottom face and two slope faces. A light source module and a collimation lens are arranged at the bottom face of the primary prism to project red, green, and blue lights onto one of the slope faces of the primary prism to be consolidated by a wedge prism group and reflected toward a polarization beam splitting wedge prism arranged at another slope face, where the light is split into two polarized lights that are then emitted out of the primary prism to be processed and combined as light of consistent polarization by a lens array and a polarization conversion film so as to facilitate condensation and projection of the light by a polarization beam splitter and a projection lens. |
| US08919965B2 |
Image stabilization and skew correction for projection devices
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for generating a projected image are provided. Movement measurements are received from an accelerometer within a projection device. A determination is made as to whether the movement measurements indicate movement of the projection device. Upon determining that the movement measurements indicate movement of the projection device, a movement correction factor is determined based on the movement measurements to compensate for the movement of the projection device. The projection device is caused to generate a projected image according to the movement correction factor. |
| US08919958B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating a real time large diopter range sequential wavefront sensor
An wavefront sensor uses a calibration wave generator to calculate correction factors to be applied to ratiometric combinations of position sensor output signals to determine real centroid deflection values. |
| US08919954B2 |
Method for obtaining an ophthalmic lens
A method for obtaining an ophthalmic lens, includes: —the step of selecting a material that displays a threshold of pinhole formation during a machining step of a finished surface (20) in a material-removing depth (D) of 0.07 mm, which is at least 15% higher than the threshold of pinhole formation during a machining step of a finished surface in a material-removing depth (D) of 0.22 mm; —the step of selecting a set point for finishing depth of cut (A) between 0.015 mm and 0.075 mm; and—the step of selecting a set point for finishing feed between 85% and 99% of the threshold of pinhole formation for the material-removing depth (D) given by the sum of the selected set point for finishing depth of cut (A) and the blank roughness (B′). |
| US08919952B2 |
Eyeglass temple having an auxiliary cushion frame
An eyeglass temple includes a main frame adapted for connection with a lens unit, and an auxiliary cushion frame disposed behind the main frame. The auxiliary cushion frame includes an ear engaging portion, a main connecting portion extending forwardly from the ear engaging portion to connect with the main connecting portion, an abutment portion extending forwardly from the ear engaging portion and adapted to be disposed between the main connecting portion and the wearer's head, and at least one resilient connecting portion connected between the main connecting portion and the abutment portion and adapted for biasing the abutment portion away from the main connecting portion toward the wearer's head. |
| US08919950B2 |
Pallet transfer device
In one example, a pallet conveyor includes: a forward track to guide pallets from an upstream part of the forward track to a downstream part of the forward track; a return track; and a pallet transfer device configured to simultaneously (1) continuously receive pallets from a downstream part of the return track and give pallets to the upstream part of the forward track and (2) continuously receive pallets from the downstream part of the forward track and give pallets to an upstream part of the return track. |
| US08919949B2 |
Print process for duplex printing with alternate imaging order
A method for performing duplex printing with improved throughput has been developed. The method includes forming an image of a back side of a first duplex page and an image of a front side of a second duplex page on an image receiving member. Two recording media sheets are serially passed through a nip to transfer the image of the first duplex page back side to a bare side of a recording media sheet that also bears the image of the front side of the first duplex page on an obverse side and to transfer the image of the second duplex page to a bare side of a recording media sheet that has not been previously printed. |
| US08919939B2 |
Object separator for ink jet printer applications
Approaches to remove objects from ink in an ink jet printer are described. An object separator for an ink jet printer includes one or more inlets configured to allow passage of ink that includes objects such as bubbles and particles into the object separator. The object separator has a number of stacked plates. Some of the plates have curved channels which are connected through other plates that include vias. The plates are arranged to form at least one cyclonic flow generator, the cyclonic flow generator configured to focus the objects into one or more focused flow streams. The object separator includes one or more object outlets that allow objects to exit the object separator and at least one ink outlet that allows the ink to exit the object separator. |
| US08919938B2 |
Droplet generator
A droplet generator (100, 600, 700) having a bubble purging fluidic architecture comprises a firing chamber (110, 610, 710); an inlet (155, 655) fluidically connecting the firing chamber (110, 610, 710) to a fluid reservoir (140, 640, 740); and an outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) configured to pass fluid droplets being ejected from the firing chamber (110, 610, 710). The geometry of the outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) and the geometry of the inlet (155, 655) are configured such that the outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) geometry has a substantially lower barrier to expansion or motion of a bubble (300, 310, 410) than the inlet (155, 655) geometry. |
| US08919937B2 |
Liquid discharge apparatuses
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid cartridge and an apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes needles that are configured to receive peak loads at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order. A greatest load associated with the predetermined order is less than a greatest load associated with each of all others of a plurality of unique orders, the greatest load associated with each unique order corresponding to a greater of the peak load received by a needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order and a sum load of the peak load received by a needle receiving the peak load after the needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order and the steady load received by a needle receiving the peak load before the needle receiving the peak load after the needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order. |
| US08919933B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus using the same
A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a seed layer provided on the first electrode and containing BiFeO3 with (001) plane preferential orientation, a piezoelectric layer provided on the seed layer and containing a perovskite-structure (Bi, Nd)(Fe, Mn, Al)O3 composition with (001) plane preferential orientation, and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. |
| US08919932B2 |
Liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus including the liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head includes a channel plate, a diaphragm member, and a piezoelectric member. The channel plate includes a separate liquid chamber, a fluid resistance portion, and a liquid introducing portion. The diaphragm member has a thin layer and a thick layer. The thin layer forms a wall face of each of the separate liquid chamber, the resistance portion, and the introducing portion and includes a vibration area facing the separate liquid chamber. The piezoelectric member is arranged to deform the vibration area and has a portion opposing the introducing portion. The thin layer has a thin portion forming the wall face of the introducing portion. The thick layer has a thick portion formed along the longitudinal direction of the separate liquid chamber on a first face opposite a second face opposing the introducing portion. In a plan view, the thin portion is divided by the thick portion. |
| US08919925B2 |
Inkjet image forming apparatus and ink container
An inkjet image forming apparatus includes an ink container and a container installed part. The ink container is configured to store an ink. To the container installed part, the ink container is attached/detached along an installing direction. The ink container includes a container case and a shutter. The container case has a lower face to which a supplying port discharging the ink is located. The shutter is located to leave a space from the supplying port and switchable between a closing state covering a bottom of the supplying port and an opening state exposing the supplying port. |
| US08919923B1 |
Inkjet printer with contoured media guide roller
A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second rollers is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. A center roller having a contoured media guide surface is positioned between the first and second rollers for guiding the recording media along the media path between the first and second print lines, wherein the diameter of the center roller is smaller for portions of its length corresponding to the inkjet nozzle arrays of the first print line than it is for at least some portion of its length corresponding to the non-printing regions of the first print line. |
| US08919922B2 |
Washing liquid supply mechanism and inkjet printer
A washing liquid supply mechanism includes a washing liquid supply device including a supply opening that supplies a washing liquid, the washing liquid supply device being mounted on a carriage; an openable/closable shutter mounted on the carriage and connected to the supply opening of the washing liquid supply device; and a shutter open/close device that opens the shutter when the carriage moves from a first position at which printing is performed to a second position at which printing is not performed and that closes the shutter when the carriage moves from the second position to the first position. |
| US08919921B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, an ejection detector, and a cleaner. The ejection detector detects ejection or non-ejection of droplets from the head and has an electrode member disposed in an area in which the electrode member is opposable to the head. The cleaner cleans the electrode member after ejection or non-ejection of droplets from nozzles of the head is detected by detection of electric changes of the electrode member generated when the droplets ejected from the nozzles land on the electrode member with a potential difference created between a nozzle face of the head and the electrode member and the nozzle face opposed to the electrode member. The cleaner includes a wiping member to wipe droplets adhering to the electrode member. The wiping member and the electrode member are configured to be relatively moved in parallel to a nozzle array direction to clean the electrode member. |
| US08919920B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a waiting time is small and the throughput is not degraded. Therefore it is determined whether or not a delay accumulation operation is necessary at the time of performing a cap closing operation or a wiping operation. If necessary, the delay accumulation operation is performed. |
| US08919916B2 |
Printing system, printing method and printing medium
A printer includes a printing unit that performs printing by causing at least one of respective colors of ink, clear ink and white ink to be ejected onto a transparent medium, and a controller that controls the printing unit, in which the controller performs control so as to form a design image by causing respective colors of ink to be ejected onto a transparent medium, and performs control so as to form a clear layer by causing clear ink to be ejected in a state overlapped on the design image, and performs controls so as to form a base layer by causing white ink to be ejected overlapped on the clear layer. |
| US08919914B2 |
Printer and printing system
A method of controlling a printer involves reading a cartridge identification number from a memory in a cartridge and storing such number, generating status information including such number and may further include a calculated ink usage amount, and sending the status information to a data processing apparatus, which may be a server. In some embodiments, the ink usage amount is calculated as a number of discharged ink shots. The server saves the status information. This or another upstream server can reliably determine the number of ink shots used by the printer only for printing from this status information. |
| US08919913B2 |
Inkjet image forming apparatus and ink container
An inkjet image forming apparatus includes an ink container and a container installed part. The ink container stores an ink. To the container installed part, the ink container is attached/detached. The ink container includes an RFID tag, a pouch pack and a container case. The pouch pack contains the ink. The container case covers the pouch pack, has one wall to which the RFID tag is fixed and further has an engaging part stopping the pouch pack in an engaged state and keeping a distance between the RFID tag and the pouch pack a predetermined value or more. The container installed part includes an RFID sensing circuit board configured to carry out wireless communication with the RFID tag. |
| US08919912B2 |
Printing apparatus, control apparatus, and control method
The present invention provides a printing apparatus comprising a storage unit storing first information about a conveyance fluctuation amount of sheet conveyance by a roller that depends on a rotational phase of the roller, and second information about a conveyance deviation amount of sheet conveyance by the roller that is independent of the rotational phase of the roller. The first and second information are used for controlling the rotation of the roller when printing an image. The second information is determined based on an actual conveyance fluctuation amount acquired by reading test patterns printed by the printing apparatus. The first information is stored previously in the storage unit. |
| US08919908B2 |
Ink smear measurement in an imaging apparatus
A system implementing a method for determining smear tendency of a sheet of print media to reduce smearing on future media sheets of a similar type. The method includes creating an image on the sheet of print media. The sheet of print media is reversed to allow at least one upstream roller to contact and smear the image and create smear marks on the sheet of print media. Reference marks are created over the smear marks and at unsmeared areas of the sheet of print media. To determine the smear tendency, the reference marks over the smear marks are compared to the reference marks at the unsmeared areas. The smear tendency indicates future corrections to an imaging device to reduce smearing on the future media sheets when used by the imaging device. |
| US08919905B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
In a mask pattern used in effecting multi-path recording, (A) a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a first pattern portion corresponding to a first nozzle block is substantially a first value, and a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a second pattern portion corresponding to a second nozzle block adjacent the first nozzle block is substantially a second value, and (B) in a boundary area including a boundary between the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion, the recording permission ratio in each pixel row is between the first value and the second value, and the recording permission ratios in each pixel line are made different depending on a position with respect to a scanning direction. In-band and inter-band unevenness and a connecting stripe are reduced by (A) and (B), respectively. |
| US08919904B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus predicts the volume of air bubbles generated in a storage section of a recording head based on an input recording job. When the volume of the amount of ink in the storage section of the recording head is less than the predicted volume of air bubbles, a recovery operation is performed. |
| US08919903B2 |
Nail printing device including printing head that performs printing on fingernail, and printing control method
A nail printing device includes: a printing head which implements printing for a nail of a finger; a fingernail image obtaining unit which picks up a region containing the nail, and obtains a nail region image from a picked-up image; a nail tip region extraction unit which extracts a nail tip region of the nail, the nail tip region not overlapping a nail bed of the finger, from the nail region image; and a shape adjustment-required region extraction unit which positionally aligns a model nail image with the nail region image, and extracts, as a shape adjustment-required region, a region located outward of an outline of the model nail image in the nail tip region. |
| US08919896B1 |
Portable tool chest
A large rolling tool chest includes a generally rectangular body with a hollow interior, a plurality of wheels, and an adjustable handle to facilitate organization, storage, and transportation of numerous tools of various sizes. The handle pivots to allow a user to keep it out of the way when not in use. The tool chest also includes a large pouch to hold items which are frequently used. The top of the tool chest includes two horizontally extendable drawer assemblies that fold outward and open in sections. |
| US08919894B1 |
Flat panel console/cabinet entertainment center
A slim profile wall mounted cabinet used in conjunction with a wall hanging flat panel television set having a door or doors opening downward at 90 degrees from the frame of the unit becoming a shelf upon which various electronic devices and other are safely secured and contained within the unit. |
| US08919893B2 |
Braking device
Under a normal condition, brake fluid pressure generated by a slave cylinder (23) that operates according to operation of a brake pedal (12) is fed to a wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to perform braking, while under a fault condition of the slave cylinder (23), brake fluid pressure generated by a master cylinder (11) for backup that operates by the operation of the brake pedal (12) is fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to perform braking. In the latter case, brake fluid fed by a pump (64) is fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21), before the brake fluid is fed from the master cylinder (11) to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) by a driver depressing the brake pedal (12). Accordingly, without leading to an increase in the stroke of the brake pedal (12), a required amount of brake fluid can be fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to thus ensure a sufficient braking force. |
| US08919892B2 |
Brake pipe vent valve for locomotive brake system
The dual vent valve includes a housing having brake pipe, emergency input and exhaust ports, and first and second valves. The emergency output port is fluidly connected to the emergency input port. The first valve selectively connects the brake pipe port to the exhaust port by opening the first valve in response to an emergency signal on the brake pipe port. The second valve selectively connects the brake pipe port to the exhaust port by opening the second valve in response to an emergency signal on the emergency input port. |
| US08919889B2 |
Adjustable harness and chair therewith
An adjustable harness and a chair therewith are disclosed. The adjustable harness includes an attachment component, an adjustment component, and a shoulder strap. The attachment component is fixedly disposed on a backrest of a chair. The adjustment component is disposed on the attachment component and capable of being operated to move relative to the attachment component. An end of the shoulder strap is connected to the adjustment component. Thereby, the attachment component and the adjustment component function as an adjustment mechanism, by which a user can simply and fast adjust the shoulder strap, so as to solve the problem of tediousness and time consuming in adjusting restraint systems in the prior art. |
| US08919888B2 |
Seat belt guiding construction
There is provided a seat belt guiding construction capable of regulating the longitudinal and transverse movement of a seat belt.In a seat belt guiding construction including a retractor 12 for a seat belt, which is installed in a seat back 2; a belt guide portion 13 for a seat belt 5, which is disposed in an upper end portion of the seat back 2; and a seat belt cover 11 which is mounted at a belt takeout port 6 for taking the seat belt 5 out of the seat back 2, the belt guide portion 13 is made up of a front guide portion 8b for guiding the front surface of the seat belt 5, side guide portions 9c for guiding the side of the seat belt 5, and a rear guide portion 9b for guiding the rear surface of the seat belt 5; a slit 9a through which the seat belt 5 passes into the guide is formed in the side guide portion 9c or the rear guide portion 9b; and the attachment portion for the seat belt cover 11 is formed in the belt guide portion 13. |
| US08919887B2 |
Elastic member made of expanded resin beads, laminated elastic structural body, and seat structure
To achieve weight reduction while providing elasticity sufficient in a cushioning member for a vehicle seat, an elastic member made of expanded resin beads includes an elastic covering material having stretching properties stuck to an outer face of an expanded bead body. Therefore, when the elastic member made of expanded resin beads is bent or compressed, the respective beads themselves configuring the expanded bead body are elastically deformed according to stretching or compressing of the elastic covering material, and since the elastic deformation is not such deformation that a gap between beads of the expanded bead body largely expands, a crack occurring between beads or permanent deformation does not occur so that bending or compressing becomes possible. Accordingly, the elastic member made of expanded resin beads is suitable as a cushioning member utilizing an elastic recovering force in a bending direction and a thickness direction thereof. |
| US08919886B2 |
One-piece seat bottom chassis
A seat bottom chassis includes a pair of brackets configured to support a seat back chassis, and a cushion pan extending between the pair of brackets. The seat bottom chassis is formed from a single piece of material. |
| US08919884B2 |
Method and apparatus for a single sling chair
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a novel single sling chair. The single sling chair simplifies the manufacture of sling chairs affording efficient and speedy construction. The single sling chair comprises a chair frame having a back section with an upper rail and a lower cross member and a seat section, a seat panel coupled to the seat section of the chair frame, a fabric back panel having length and first and second terminating loops at opposing ends with a first rod fitting inside the first terminating loop and a second rod fitting inside the second terminating loop, an upper rail having an interior side configured to fit the first rod and the first terminating loop into the interior side of the upper rail, and a lower rail having an interior side configured to fit the second rod and the second terminating loop into the interior side of the lower rail wherein the lower rail is attached to the lower cross member of the chair frame to form a back rest for the back section. |
| US08919881B2 |
Ergonomic gobelek chair
The Ergonomic Göbelek Chair of the present disclosure is useful for avoiding work related back and neck pain associated with extended periods of time sitting by providing a hemispherical seat which promotes correct posture and spine alignment as a user sits. The hemispherical seat includes a fixed inner hemisphere, a movable outer hemisphere received by and positioned over the inner hemisphere, and a shroud enclosing a portion of the inner and outer hemispheres. Affixed to the inner hemisphere, between the inner hemisphere and the outer hemisphere, is a series of bearings which allow the outer hemisphere to move adjacent to the inner hemisphere. A locking system locks and unlocks the outer hemisphere. The Ergonomic Göbelek Chair further includes foldable back and arm rests capable of folding away from the hemispherical seat for use of the hemispherical seat as a stretch gym ball. |
| US08919880B2 |
Flexible seating surface
A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat. |
| US08919878B2 |
Vehicle seat
Certain embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle seat having a seat component member, for example a seat cushion or a seat back. The seat component member has a pad forming a seat contour, a cover covering the pad and a mounting portion. At the mounting portion, a part of the cover is mounted to the pad by pulling the part of the cover to the pad. The mounting portion has a first portion for receiving pressure when an occupant seats on the vehicle seat, and a second portion for receiving a pressure lower than that the first portion receives. The mounting portion may have a structure in which the first portion is more flexible than the second portion. |
| US08919877B2 |
Head restraint for a vehicle seat
A head restraint for a vehicle seat is provided. The head restraint includes a basic body and a foam body surrounding the basic body. The foam body at a front has a contact surface for a head of a person using the vehicle seat, and a front surface of the basic body facing the contact surface has a vertically running concave curvature. The basic body in a region of an upper end of the contact surface comprises a ramp, which, with respect to a portion of the front surface of the basic body arranged below this upper end, is directed towards the front. |
| US08919873B1 |
Apparatus for assisting diver in application and removal of diving equipment
One embodiment of an apparatus for assisting a diver in putting on and removing diving accessories may include a seating platform. The seating platform may be adapted to be rested on a surface for enabling the diver to sit thereon. The apparatus may also include a support platform coupled with the seating platform. The support platform may be adapted to be rested on the surface for supporting the diving accessories thereon, thereby allowing the diver sitting on the seating platform to put on and remove the diving accessories. |
| US08919868B2 |
Front end for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a front end for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which has diametrically opposed A pillars (12) in the vehicle transverse direction (y), of which each A pillar (12) is constructed with an internal sheet metal molded part (31) and an external sheet metal molded part (29) which are connected to each other, in particular welded, via edge flange joints (35), the A pillar additionally being connected to at least one tension element (37) whose outer end (39) in the vehicle transverse direction (y) is connected, in particular, to a hinge element (45) mounted on the external sheet metal molded part (29) and whose inner end (43) is connected to the internal sheet metal molded part (31). According to the invention, the inner end (43) of the tension element (37) is fastened between the internal sheet metal molded part (31) of the A pillar (12) and a counter-holder (55) in at least one three-layer structure (57). |
| US08919864B2 |
Attachment structure for adjustable air diffuser
An adjustable air diffuser is disposed in an airflow channel into which a travelling wind is directed through an opening provided in a bumper face. The diffuser opens and closes the channel by movable louver blades driven by an actuator. An upper part of the diffuser is disposed to face a rear wall of the bumper face and is attached to a bumper beam extending along a vehicle width direction. A lower part of the diffuser is attached to a vehicle body structural member. The attachment structure includes a column that is disposed behind the adjustable air diffuser. A lower end of the column is attached to a lower end of the adjustable air diffuser. Weak portions are provided on the column such that the column breaks when the column interferes with another member behind the column. |
| US08919863B2 |
Drag reduction plate and structure for trailers
A drag reduction plate is provided for trailers that are towed by vehicles along a roadway or highway, where the trailer typically has a box-like construction having a bottom, top, front, back, and sides, and at least one wheel set near the back end and below the bottom thereof. The drag reduction plate is a rigid or semi-rigid plate secured to and depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of the trailer and being disposed along a portion of the length of the trailer forwardly of the at least one wheel set. A drag reduction structure comprises a drag reduction plate and a pair of deflector plates also depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of a trailer; and extending outwardly and rearwardly from the rear end of the rigid or semi-rigid plate in a region which is forward of the at least one wheel set. The outer edges of the deflector plates are located at positions which are wider than the outer width of the wheel set. |
| US08919860B2 |
Slide door movement system without center rail
An automotive sliding door supported by an upper rail that eliminates the need for a middle rail opening in a vehicle body. The sliding door hangs from an upper guide member or members that support the door along its length in both an open and closed position. The upper guide members support the full weight of the door without a middle rail for support thereby eliminating rail gash in rear quarter panel. |
| US08919853B2 |
Integrated step and grab-handle system for tailgates
A deployable step and handle system for a tailgate. The handle is used to secure the deployable step in the stowed position that eliminates the need for a separate release system. The handle is placed adjacent a top edge of the tailgate to prevent debris from being trapped under the handle when the handle is closed. The ladder has a step surface disposed opposite and at an angle relative to a top surface of a spoiler that provides a step surface. The ladder rails are guided by rail guides as the ladder is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. A unitary support bracket is used to connect both the handle and a ladder rail to the tailgate. |
| US08919848B2 |
Universal console chassis for the car
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease. |
| US08919846B2 |
Daylight opening system for vehicle
An apparatus for use with a vehicle window opening may include a carrier, at least one molding member, at least one trim piece, a nut and a fastener. The carrier may have a first attachment feature and a second attachment feature. The at least one molding member may be removably secured to the first attachment feature of the carrier. The at least one trim piece may be removably secured to the second attachment feature of the carrier and arranged adjacent the at least one molding member. The nut may be connected to the carrier or the vehicle window opening. The fastener may extend between the vehicle window opening and the carrier and may engage the nut to removably secure the carrier, the at least one trim piece, and the at least one molding member to the vehicle window opening. |
| US08919843B2 |
Device for removing a person in a life-threatening situation and method for use
A device for removing a person in a life-threatening situation comprises an elongate, soft, flexible body (1) provided with a central zone (2) that is thicker than two tapered ends (3). A method for removing a person in a life-threatening situation involves passing the central zone (2) around an accident victim's neck, crossing the tapered ends (3) over the nape of the neck and arranging the tapered ends under the armpits, from front to back, so that the tapered ends (3) project behind the accident victim and a rescuer can pull thereon in order to move the accident victim while the latter's neck is immobilized. |
| US08919838B2 |
Food handling device
There is disclosed an eating utensil design for providing comfortable control of certain food. A user of the utensil can grasp the utensil which has at least three digit elements for grasping food. An example of the three digit elements are in the form of three channeled compartments for receiving a person's digits or digits. Any three digits or digits can be used such as the thumb or the four other digits. The most common implementation includes using the thumb in one channel, and the index digit and the middle digit in two opposing channels. Thus an eating utensil is provided that allows comfortable and efficient manipulation of food while shielding the digits from sauces and that can be quickly and single-handedly grasped for use and released. |
| US08919835B1 |
Structure for absorbing frontal collision energy of vehicle
A structure for absorbing frontal collision energy of a vehicle absorbs frontal collision energy of a vehicle using both front side members configured to support a bumper beam disposed at a front side of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel disposed outside the front side member, and a fender apron member disposed outside the shock absorber housing panel, and the structure includes: an enlarged member installed to be inclined between an outer surface of the front side member and a rear surface of the fender apron member so as to be spaced forward and apart from the outer surface of the front side member; and an enlarged frame engaged between a lower side of the fender apron member and a front mounting portion of a sub-frame. |
| US08919834B2 |
Bumper assembly and method
A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam having a bumper beam surface extending along a bumper plane X and a crash box including a crash box surface extending along a crash box plane Y. One of the bumper beam and the crash box includes an alignment joint to mate the bumper beam and the crash box and dispose the surfaces in abutting and aligned relationship relative to one another for establishing a linear load path extending linearly along the planes X, Y. A method of assembling a bumper assembly includes the steps of mating the bumper beam and the crash box about the alignment joint and connecting the bumper beam and the crash box together along the alignment joint. The step of connecting the bumper beam and the crash box includes friction stir welding the bumper box and the crash box together along the alignment joint. |
| US08919830B2 |
Barrier isolator port assembly
A barrier isolator port assembly for connecting to a conventional docking port of an isolated enclosure is provided. The port assembly includes an annular body, a door assembly and a lock. The annular body is configured to engage a docking port of the isolated enclosure. The port assembly also includes a door assembly mountable within the annular body and a lock operatively connected to the annular body. The lock includes a lever and a pin. The lever is pivotably connected to the annular body about a pivoting member and configured to pivot about the pivoting member to removably insert the pin into the recess of the door assembly. |
| US08919827B2 |
Vehicle door lock device
A vehicle door lock device includes an opening mechanism, a lock mechanism, and an electric actuator. The electric actuator includes an electric motor driven in accordance with a lock operation and an unlock operation, a worm provided integrally with an output shaft of the electric motor, the worm being rotated and driven by the electric motor, and a locking lever having a sector gear meshed with the worm, the locking lever being linked with an active lever. The locking lever is provided with an operation portion linked with a lock knob L provided on the indoor side of a door. |
| US08919824B2 |
Threaded thin-walled drill tube joint
A member of a joint for a thin-walled drill tube presents a central axis and has a thread for forming a screw joint. The thread presents a thread bottom, a thread top, a pressure flank and a clearance flank. The pressure flank presents a portion having a negative angle less than 7.5°, but at least 0°, relative to a direction perpendicular to the central axis. |
| US08919823B2 |
Drainage fitting for air-conditioner drainage device
A drainage fitting is mounted to an air-conditioner drainage device having a waste collector provided with an inlet and an outlet. The drainage fitting is composed of a drainage connector having an annular protrusion externally and defining an upper part and a lower part, between which the annular protrusion is located, the lower part being mounted inside the outlet, the annular protrusion being stopped against the waste collector; at least two guide members being fixed to the waste collector and located at two opposite sides around the outlet and each having a guide recess facing the other, and a locating member having a hollow portion, against which the upper part of the drainage connector can be stopped, and having two sides inserted into the guide recesses to lie against the annular protrusion. |
| US08919822B2 |
Fitting system for a hydraulic tuning cable
A tuning cable for hydraulic system noise reduction is secured to a secondary fitting where the secondary fitting is mounted in a primary fitting using a pressed-in fit, a threaded connection or a slip fit after a tuning cable is installed in the secondary fitting by crimping the secondary fitting. The primary fitting is secured to a hydraulic connector which is also secured to a hydraulic hose to form a hydraulic hose assembly. In an alternative embodiment the secondary fitting is slipped directly into the hydraulic connector. |
| US08919819B2 |
Method for creating a customized children's storybook with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready image templates
Methods for creating customized children's storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready templates stored in association with a software application on a desktop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. The methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create text for the storybook. The text may be generated by speech recognition software processing digital audio recordings of the child's responses. A digital image of the child's fingerprint is acquired and the fingerprint image and/or the storybook scenes are scaled to fit each other. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. A completed page image is formed by digitally inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-shaped area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. When the scenes are completed the software application compiles the book pages and prints the same. |
| US08919816B2 |
Steering apparatus for a vehicle
A lift-up mechanism is provided with a link member with one end thereof being supported rotatably on a movable bracket for holding a movable columnar member, and the other one end thereof being disposed to be engaged with and removed from a fixing bracket. The link member selectively provides a hold state for engaging the link member with the fixing bracket at a rear part of the vehicle body to hold the movable bracket at an initial position or a lift-up position, and a release state for releasing its engagement. A spring member is disposed between the fixing bracket and the movable bracket, with component forces of its biasing force biasing the movable bracket in a direction to be lifted up from the fixing bracket, and biasing the link member in a direction to be engaged with the fixing bracket. |
| US08919813B2 |
Tractor weight transfer mechanism
A weight transfer system for a tractor includes a front lift arm pivotably mounted to the tractor and a front accessory mounted to the front lift arm. The front accessory is located forward of a front of the tractor. A mounting bracket is secured to a frame of the tractor. An electric linear actuator includes a forward end and a rear end. The forward end is mounted to a spring and the rear end is mounted to the mounting bracket. The linear actuator is actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. The forward end is spaced a first distance from the front of the tractor in the extended position and a second distance from the front of the tractor in the retracted position. The first distance is less than the second distance. |
| US08919807B2 |
Infant stroller apparatus and apparatus for seating a child
An infant stroller apparatus includes a rear leg frame including a first side segment, a handle having a second side segment formed by at least a first and a second tubular member telescopically assembled with each other, an impeding part assembled with the second side segment and operable to create an interference that blocks retraction of the second tubular member into the first tubular member, and an armrest pivotally connected with the second side segment and provided with an actuating member disposed adjacent to the impeding part. A rotation of the armrest in a direction for collapsing the infant stroller apparatus can cause a displacement of the actuating member, which drives the impeding part in movement to remove the interference and allow retraction of the second tubular member into the first tubular member. |
| US08919806B2 |
Foldable stroller and frame assembly
A foldable stroller has a frame assembly with a fold joint, a fold joint, a handle push arm, a front leg with an upper end connected to the fold joint, a rear leg extending down from and pivotally connected to the fold joint, and a drive link. The drive link has a rear end pivotally coupled to the rear leg below the fold joint and a front end pivotally coupled to a lower end of the push arm. The frame assembly is reconfigurable between an unfolded and a folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the fold joint moves upward along the handle push arm. The rear end of the drive link and the rear leg are moved toward and lie closely adjacent the front leg and handle push arm. The frame assembly may automatically move to the folded and/or unfolded configuration. The foldable stroller may also stand upright in the folded configuration. |
| US08919802B2 |
Weight transferring tow dolly
My weight transferring tow dolly is releasably attachable to a receiver hitch of a towing vehicle such as a pickup truck and generally provides a dolly frame formed of plural structurally interconnected box beams having a height adjustable suspension carrying an axle with wheels and tires at opposing end portions, and a support frame to partially support the weight of a carried load and to move the center of gravity of a loaded towing vehicle forwardly to increase the stability of the towing vehicle. |
| US08919801B2 |
Suspension system for autonomous transports
An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot including a drive section assembly having at least one motor and a pair of drive wheels coupled to the motor, a frame configured to support a payload, a transfer arm connected to the frame and configured for the autonomous transfer of payload to and from the frame, and a suspension system movably connecting the drive section assembly and the frame allowing relative movement between the frame and the drive section assembly. |
| US08919797B2 |
Wheelchair seat assembly
A seat assembly for a conveyance, such as a wheelchair, that allows the user to set the recline angle of the seat back at a seating position, fold the seat back down to a folded position and back up to the seating position, such that the seat back is returned to the seating position at the user selected recline angle R unless the recline angle is adjusted by the user. The user selected recline angle R is not disturbed by folding the seat back from the seating position, to the folded position 106, and back to the seating position. |
| US08919793B1 |
Lateral-stability promoting semi-trailer suspension
A trailer suspension system has an axle, a pair of frame hanger brackets, dual trailing arm beams, and a spring. The pair of frame hanger brackets are mounted spaced apart underneath the trailer. The dual trailing arm beams are connected rigidly to the axle at one end and resiliently connected to a respective one of the frame hanger brackets with a pivot means bushing at the other end. The spring intermediate the trailing arm beam and the trailer to support the trailer load. Wherein, the axle connection center is the center of the patch that connects the axle to the longitudinal trailing arm beam, thereby reducing the stress on the axle as well as increasing the stability of the suspension system. |
| US08919789B2 |
Harvester with suspended rear axle
A combine harvester has a suspension axle assembly supporting the rear end of the chassis of the harvester. Side frames of the chassis direct loading down to a transverse axle through a pair of suspension devices interposed between the side frames and the axle. The suspension devices are resilient and expandable to cushion the chassis and to provide changes in the fore-and-aft attitude of the combine. The suspension devices may be independently operated to tilt the axle relative to the chassis, and provision is made for shifting the axle longitudinally, side-to-side of the chassis to facilitate turning of the steerable rear ground wheels. |
| US08919788B2 |
Gyroscopic system in vehicle suspension
Embodiments of the invention describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for enhanced vehicle stabilization solutions. Embodiments of the invention may receive sensor information from at least one sensor coupled to a vehicle having two or more wheels, the at least one sensor coupled to at least one of a wheel, a suspension component, or a frame of the vehicle. A tilt angle of the vehicle is determined from the received sensor information, the tilt angle comprising an offset angle from a reference plane for the vehicle. A controller transmits a command to one or more control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) coupled to the frame of the vehicle to produce a total angular moment based, at least in part, on the tilt angle of the vehicle. |
| US08919780B2 |
Brush seal
A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed. |
| US08919777B2 |
Shuffled playing cards and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (1) obtained by shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards (12) using a shuffling machine is packaged as an individual pack. The shuffled playing cards (1) is individually packaged and sealed with an adhesive label (13). A bar code (13a) which represents a unique shuffled card ID has been printed on the adhesive label (13). The shuffled card ID is registered in a database by being associated with information which allows identification of a shuffling machine used to shuffle the playing card set. |
| US08919776B2 |
Article of footwear with maze
An article of footwear is provided having one or more maze units each comprising a base mounted to the upper of the footwear, a transparent cover secured about the periphery of the base defining a hollow enclosure and an array of partitions located within the enclosure forming channels along which one or more objects are movable. |
| US08919771B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying portion which conveys a sheet to be formed with an image, and an abutment member which is abutted by the tip end of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion, and movable to a first attitude of being abutted by the tip end of the sheet being conveyed, and to a second attitude of allowing passage of the sheet and being in the state of abutting the surface of the sheet, wherein the abutment member in the second attitude abuts a part which is outside an image forming region and on the sheet surface having the image forming region in a central part in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction. |
| US08919770B2 |
System and method for identification of media sheet size
A printer extracts a media sheet from a plurality of media sheets in a media supply and moves the media sheet along a media path. A plurality of sensors on the media path generate signals as the media sheet moves past the sensors, and the printer identifies a cross-process direction dimension of the media sheet with references to signals generated by the sensors. The printer identifies the dimension of the print medium without requiring media size sensors in the media supply. |
| US08919767B2 |
Bundle of printed products and method for producing same
A method for producing a bundle composed of book blocks includes gathering a plurality of printed sheets to form respective book blocks. The plurality of the book blocks are positioned with the same orientation and respectively positioned on lower edges of the printed sheets. Respectively two adjacent book blocks are offset from one another parallel to the lower edges of the printed sheets and transverse to a height of the bundle to be formed, such that a side edge of one of the two book block projects relative to a side edge of the adjacent book block. Thereafter the offset book blocks are combined to form the bundle and the bundle is compressed to fix the offset position of the book blocks. |
| US08919764B2 |
Feeding apparatus
A feeding apparatus includes a pickup roller arranged to pick and feed a medium downstream along a conveying path, a separating roller arranged downstream to the pickup roller for advancing the medium downstream, a brake roller arranged opposite to the separating roller, and a pressing structure arranged opposite to the pickup roller and operable to swing toward or away from the pickup roller according to the rotating direction of the brake roller. When the brake roller rotates for feeding mediums downstream, the pressing structure moves toward the pickup roller and applies a normal force required for picking the medium. But when the brake roller stops rotating downstream because multiple mediums are fed between the brake roller and the separating roller, the pressing structure moves away from the pickup roller and stops applying normal force, so as to control the medium-picking process. |
| US08919763B2 |
Feeding apparatus
A feeding apparatus includes a pickup roller arranged to pick and feed a medium downstream along a conveying path, a separating roller arranged downstream to the pickup roller for advancing the medium downstream, a brake roller arranged opposite to the separating roller, and a pressing structure arranged opposite to the pickup roller and operable to swing toward or away from the pickup roller according to the rotating direction of the brake roller. When the brake roller rotates for feeding mediums downstream, the pressing structure moves toward the pickup roller and applies a normal force required for picking the medium. But when the brake roller stops rotating downstream because multiple mediums are fed between the brake roller and the separating roller, the pressing structure moves away from the pickup roller and stops applying normal force, so as to control the medium-picking process. |
| US08919761B2 |
Sheet conveying device
The present invention provides a sheet conveying device comprising a first conveyance path for conveying a sheet from a pair of first rollers to a pair of second rollers, a second conveyance path for performing switchback conveyance of the sheet, a switching unit for switching the second rollers between a press-contacted state and a separated state, and a single driving source for driving the rollers and the switching unit. A non transferring of drive section is set where when the driving source switches the rotation direction after the sheet that has been switchback-conveyed has reached the first rollers, a drive from the driving source is not transferred to the second rollers. The switching unit is driven to separate the second rollers during a time the drive is not transferred to the second rollers due to the non transferring of drive section. |
| US08919758B2 |
Method and device for removing at least one book block from and/or supplying at least one book block to a conveying section of a book production line
A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control. |
| US08919757B2 |
Apparatus for removal of docking plate in semiconductor equipment
The present invention relates to an apparatus for removal of docking plate, wherein comprising a docking plate base device; and a handle removably joined to the docking plate base device and causing the docking plate base device to be removed from the semiconductor equipment when the handle is joined to the docking plate base device. |
| US08919756B2 |
Substrate processing system, carrying device, and coating device
A substrate processing system includes a processing unit, a substrate loading unit, a substrate unloading unit, and a carrying unit. A carrying device has a constitution in which a suction portion suctioning and holding a substrate is rotatable about an arm portion provided in a base portion and the substrate is rotated in the state where the substrate is held by a holding portion. A coating device has a constitution in which a liquid material is ejected from a nozzle to both surfaces of the substrate rotating in an upright state. |
| US08919754B2 |
Inflatable dorn
A mandrel for producing a fiber-reinforced composite part, in particular a blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The mandrel includes an expandable body with an outer surface onto which a fiber material of the fiber-reinforced composite part is layable out. The expandable body is expandable in an expanded state, wherein in the expanded state the outer surface forms an interior shape of the fiber-reinforced composite part to be produced. Moreover, the expandable body is collapsible in a collapsed state. |
| US08919751B2 |
Riveted diaphragm spring hysteresis package
A hysteresis assembly, including: first, second, and third plates; at least one fastener connecting the first and third plates; and, at least one resilient element. The resilient element is: disposed between the first and second plates; disposed about the fastener; and arranged to urge the second plate into frictional contact with the third plate. A damper assembly, including: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange axially disposed between the cover plates; at least one first resilient element engaged with the cover plates and the flange and arranged to transmit the torque to the flange; at least one fastener connecting the cover plates and passing through the flange; and at least one second resilient element. The resilient element is: disposed between the first cover plate and the flange; disposed about the fastener; and arranged to urge the flange into frictional contact with the second cover plate. |
| US08919749B2 |
Parallel type engine mount structure
Disclosed is a parallel type engine mount structure that includes a main rubber member having a core disposed at an upper portion thereof and a fluid chamber disposed at a lower portion thereof. A bracket is disposed at an exterior of the main rubber member and a membrane is mounted at a lower portion of the fluid chamber. Additionally, a first space is disposed at a lower portion of the membrane on which one end of a first leaf spring is mounted. An orifice is disposed at an exterior side of the first space and includes an upper liquid chamber formed between the main rubber member and the membrane and a lower liquid chamber. A driver is disposed at an exterior side of the bracket and includes a second space formed at a lower portion thereof and a second leaf spring connected to the first leaf spring. |
| US08919746B2 |
Humidifier for fuel cell systems
A humidifier for a fuel cell system comprises a stack of thin plates having planar sealing surfaces at their edges. A water permeable membrane is provided between each pair of plates. Each plate defines a gas flow passage along its top and bottom surfaces, with an inlet and outlet defined along edges of the plate, and a flow field extending between the inlet and outlet openings. Inlet and outlet passages connect the inlet and outlet openings to the flow field, and the planar sealing surfaces on both sides of the plate include bridging portions which extend across the inlet and outlet passages. Support structures are provided throughout the flow field and the inlet and outlet passages to support the membrane and diffusion medium layer(s). The support structures may optionally be connected together by webs having holes for flow distribution between the top and bottom of each plate. |
| US08919744B1 |
Water aeration system and method
The aquaculture pond aeration system is essentially comprised of a “u” shaped conduit that extends below the pond bottom. A sparger assembly is positioned below the pond bottom in the outlet side of the conduit. The sparger emits air into the outlet side of the conduit thereby aerating the water and causing a hydrostatic pressure imbalance between the inlet side and the outlet side of the conduit. The pressure imbalance causes the pond water to circulate through the conduit and thereby aerate the aquaculture pond. |
| US08919743B2 |
System and method for dissolving gases in fluids and for delivery of dissolved gases
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for facilitating dissolution of one or more gases into a liquid. Preferred gases for use with the apparatus are oxygen, air, and ozone. An apparatus of the present invention includes a dissolution tank that includes a pressure vessel, at least one liquid spray nozzle, and a fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a gas source, an element for passing fluid into the pressure vessel, and a discharge device connected to the fluid outlet, which discharge device is provided with at least one orifice. Preferred applications include wastewater treatment, treatment of drinking water, fermentation, and bioremediation. |
| US08919738B2 |
Landing gear control system for trailers
A landing gear system for a trailer is described. The landing gear system includes two jacks, each with a first tubular body in which a second tubular body is telescopically mounted, a hydraulic chamber and a pneumatic chamber. The system includes a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a pneumatic fluid source, a pneumatic manifold in pneumatic fluid communication with the pneumatic source and in pneumatic fluid communication with said hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic manifold in hydraulic fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir. Pneumatically operated hydraulic pumps are included, along with a central control mechanism attached to the pneumatic manifold and disposed to simultaneously control pneumatic flow into the pneumatic chambers of the jacks and to pneumatically operated hydraulic pumps. Separate pneumatically operated hydraulic valve are provided to individually control hydraulic flow from the jacks. |
| US08919736B2 |
Pulling device and method therefor
A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe. |
| US08919731B2 |
Valve for inflation and deflation of air bags and method of use thereof
A valve for inflation and deflation of an air bag that is operable to allow air pressure to open the valve to allow air to enter the air bag with subsequent sealing of the valve upon removal of the air pressure source. For deflation, a common coin is insertable into the valve insert which is subsequently turned into a locked-open position, allowing egress of the air within the air bag. |
| US08919730B2 |
Magnetically coupled safety valve with satellite inner magnets
A safety valve can include multiple magnetic devices reciprocably disposed in respective longitudinally extending chambers, and a another magnetic device magnetically coupled to the first magnetic devices. The first magnetic devices may be circumferentially spaced apart and encircled by the second magnetic device. Another safety valve can include multiple longitudinally extending chambers and multiple magnetic devices. Each of the magnetic devices may be reciprocably disposed in a respective one of the chambers, and the magnetic devices may be attached to an operating member of the safety valve. |
| US08919728B2 |
Unitary form for poured foundation pad and method
A unitary assembly facilitates constructing concrete foundation pads made of poured concrete, the foundation pads being useful to support a structure or building. The apparatus comprises a unitary assembly of existing planar forms connected by taper-shaped corners using wedge connectors to define an upwardly-tapered cavity shaped to hold poured concrete until the concrete cures. The assembly is sufficiently rigid and the planar forms are held at an angle sufficient for the unitary assembly to self-release from the cured concrete without disassembly when lifted/moved vertically off of the cured concrete. |
| US08919720B2 |
Seat slide apparatus for vehicle
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lower rail that is fixed on a vehicle floor and extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and an upper rail that is fixed to a seat and is movably supported on the lower rail in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, wherein the lower rail has a lower rail hook part extending in a width direction of the vehicle, wherein the upper rail has: a pair of rolling members arranged in the front-rear direction of the upper rail; and a shoe, which has a sliding contact part that slidingly contacts a lower surface of the lower rail hook part, wherein the lower rail has a curvature part that is convex downwards as viewed from the width direction, and wherein the shoe is arranged at an outer side of the pair of rolling members in the front-rear direction. |
| US08919719B2 |
Vehicle seat sliding device
A vehicle seat sliding device includes: a lower rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor; and an upper rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle seat, and coupled with the lower rail in a relatively movable manner. A projection is arranged in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the lower rail, and protrudes above the bottom wall of the lower rail. A fitting recess is formed in the bottom wall more forward than the projection. A block body placed on the bottom wall extends to the projection and has a slanted surface more forward than the projection. The block body includes: a fitting protrusion, which fits into the fitting recess and positions the block body in the lateral direction; and a fitting wall, at least a part of which fits on the protrusion. The fitting wall positions the block body in the lateral direction. |
| US08919717B2 |
Fastening device and attachment part having a fastening device
A fastening device having equalization elements, which are movable in the longitudinal direction of a receiving sleeve for adjustment to different diameters of oblong fastening elements such as coarse thread bolts, which hold the fastening element substantially without play in the receiving sleeve in dependence on the diameter of the respective fastening element. |
| US08919715B2 |
Folding-type shelf holder
A folding shelf holder is strong and folds easily. A wall side member has a pin as a rotational axis of a shelf side member relative to the wall side member and a rotation limiter limiting rotation of the shelf side member relative to the wall side member. The shelf side member has a long groove for inserting the pin of the wall side member. When the folded shelf side member is opened to be approximately orthogonal to the wall side member and the shelf side member is slid toward the wall side member and in a direction where the long groove extends, the shelf side member abuts, at a back side of the pin, to the rotation limiter of the wall side member, preventing rotation of the shelf side member relative to the wall side member. Then, the shelf side member cannot fold relative to the wall side member. |
| US08919714B2 |
Compliant tool holder
A compliant tool holder is provided for use with robots, unmanned ground vehicles, and the like. The compliant tool holder is characterized in that it involves the use of means for compliance, such as springs, rubber, plastics, metals, composites, shock mounts, vibration mounts, or similar means for permitting compliant movement in three rotational and three translational degrees of freedom during end effector changes. The compliant tool holder reduces costs associated with automated tool change in the field, and allows for more rapid switching of end effectors, enabling a greater range of uses for robots and unmanned ground vehicles. |
| US08919711B2 |
Coupling device having side adjustment for a drawer
The invention relates to a device for detachably coupling a drawer to an extendable rail of a pullout guide, comprising an adjusting apparatus by means of which a position of a drawer connected to the rail can be adjusted in the lateral direction relative to the rail, wherein the device has a fastening part that can be fastened to the drawer and a coupling part that can be coupled to the rail, wherein the coupling part can be detachably coupled to the rail, and wherein the position of the fastening part and the coupling part relative to each other can be adjusted by the adjusting device. |
| US08919709B2 |
Lifting rod device of shower
A lifting rod device of shower has a lifting rod, a sucker mechanism and a locking mechanism. A penetrating hole penetrates the upper end part. The locking mechanism has a support seat connected to the lifting rod, a lower wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in a forward and backward sliding manner, an upper wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in an upward and downward sliding manner and a nut, a transversal threaded rod is fixedly arranged on the lower wedge block, the threaded rod can rotationally pass through the support seat; the nut is screwed to the threaded rod and connected out of the support seat in a relying manner, and the lower wedge block can be driven to move forward and backward by rotating the nut. |
| US08919704B2 |
Conduit hanger and support apparatus
A support assembly for supporting a conduit includes a support, a clamp, and a hanger. The support has a partial-cylindrical shape including a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In one aspect, at least one of the first section and the second section define a first aperture in the partial-cylindrical shape. In another aspect, at least one of the first section and the second section includes a retention member extending radially from an outer surface of the partial-cylindrical shape. The retention member includes a closed loop or a partially-open loop that defines a second aperture for receiving a strap to secure the conduit to the support. The clamp is configured to secure the conduit to the support. The hanger is configured to suspend the support from a structure. |
| US08919698B2 |
Translating door centering system
A method and apparatus for a tracking door centering system. An apparatus may comprise an elongate member, a first centering track, and a second centering track. The elongate member may have a first end and a second end capable of being rotatably mounted to a door along an axis that may be substantially parallel to a horizontal centerline. The first centering track may be mounted on the first end. The second centering track may be mounted on the second end. The first centering track and the second centering track may be movable to reduce rotational movement of the door during movement of the door about a vertical centerline when a first follower is engaged in the first centering track and a second follower is engaged in the second centering track. |
| US08919694B2 |
Skid landing gear system
A skid landing gear assembly is provided. One embodiment of the landing gear assembly may include a first and a second skid member, and a forward and an aft cross member. The forward and aft cross-members may have integrated attachment members coupled to a forward portion and an aft portion of the first and second skid members. In more particular embodiments, the cross-members may be beam members with open cross-sections, and the skid members may be beam members with a closed cross-section. |
| US08919688B2 |
Automated sheet product dispenser
A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a roller positioned within the chassis, a pair of plugs, and a pair of springs. The roller is coupled to the chassis via the plugs, and the springs are configured to bias the roller into contact with a sheet product. Still another dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis, a first roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, a second roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis, and a spring configured to bias the first roller toward the second roller and into contact with a sheet product. |
| US08919686B2 |
Roll medium feeding device and recording apparatus
A roll medium feeding device includes a temporal placement portion on which a roll medium is placed temporarily, a roll holder that has a fitting portion which is movable in a width direction of the roll medium, and an elevating unit that lifts the roll medium. The elevating unit includes an elevating portion that has a placement portion and is capable of going up and down in an up-down direction, an operation lever that moves rotationally about a fulcrum, and moves the elevating portion with the rotational movement, and a pedal that is provided at a free end side of the operation lever. |
| US08919683B2 |
Shredder for super adsorbent polymer and preparation method of super absorbent polymer using the same
A shredder for super absorbent polymer includes an inlet portion for feeding a plate-shaped super absorbent polymer, a pulverizing portion for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer fed through the inlet portion, and an outlet portion for discharging the pulverized super absorbent polymer from the pulverizing portion. The pulverizing portion includes a rotary drum to which a plurality of rotary blades are attached, at least one fixed blade for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer in cooperation with the plural rotary blades, and a housing for holding the rotary drum and the at least one fixed blade. Each rotary blade has a polygon shape with at least one vertex having an acute angle of at most 45°. |
| US08919676B2 |
Arrangement for switching nozzles on the go for controlling spray rate
An agricultural sprayer includes a spray boom equipped with a plurality of spray heads, with each head having a body defining a cavity located in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and an array of four outlets leading to four nozzles respectively having different flow rates. A nozzle-select control member is mounted for rotation in the cavity and includes a fluid passage arrangement for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and different ones or combinations of the four nozzles as the control member is rotated among preselected discrete positions by an electric stepper motor, with the stepper motor being controlled in response to vehicle speed so that the spray tip capacity decreases for effecting a constant application rate as the vehicle speed decreases from a maximum permitted speed. |
| US08919667B2 |
Nacelle with a variable nozzle section
The invention relates to a nacelle that comprises a fixed structure (20), a nozzle with a variable section, and a cowling (30) mounted on said fixed structure (20) so as to be capable of sliding particularly along a travel so as to modify the section of said nozzle, characterized in that the nacelle further comprises an aerodynamic continuity assembly (40) provided between the fixed structure (20) and the mobile cowling (30), said assembly (40) including an elastic means that can be compressed between the fixed structure and said mobile cowling when the cowling is in the upstream portion of the travel thereof and that can expand when the cowling is in the downstream portion of the travel thereof so as to ensure the aerodynamic continuity of the lines between said fixed structure (20) and said mobile cowling (30). |
| US08919658B2 |
Wireless mobile communicator for contactless payment on account read from removable card
A wireless mobile communications apparatus reads removable cards and can communicate an account corresponding to the removable card in order to conduct a wireless transaction with a merchant on the account with the wireless mobile communications apparatus. A total currency amount for the transaction, and remaining balance in the account after the transaction, can be displayed on a display screen of the wireless mobile communications apparatus. The removable card can be a gift card bearing a magnetic strip having an identifier for the account encoded thereto that will be read when inserted into the wireless mobile communications apparatus which can be a cellular telephone or Web enabled portable device. The magnetic strip gift card can be substantially composed of paper so as to be intended for disposable after use. |
| US08919654B2 |
Encoded information reading terminal with user-configurable multi-protocol wireless communication interface
An apparatus may include a microprocessor and a wireless communication interface configured to perform at least one of receiving a first radio signal or transmitting a second radio signal. The microprocessor may be configured to execute at least one of a base-band encoder software program or a base-band decoder software program. The apparatus may be further configured to execute a wireless communication protocol selector software program that may be configured to optimize a value of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol. |
| US08919651B2 |
Data reader having compact arrangement
A data reader including one or more imagers or imager assemblies that capture two-dimensional images of an object disposed in a view volume, the data reader having fold mirrors and other component arrangement that enable compact and efficient component configuration. |
| US08919646B1 |
Efficient inventory and information management
Methods and computer-readable media provide for efficient inventory and information management over a wireless network. A form customized for a specific business is received at a wireless data input device. The form is completed and a command to send the completed form to a remote server is received. Stored location data for the business corresponding to the form to be sent is compared to location data corresponding to the wireless data input device. If the comparison indicates that the wireless input device is within a specified threshold distance of the business, the wireless data input device is permitted to send the completed form to the server. If the wireless input device is outside the specified threshold distance, the wireless data input device is not permitted to send the completed form. |
| US08919639B2 |
Audio/video instructional packaging
A product package including a two-dimensional scannable code that when scanned with a handheld device provides access to a website with instructions and a training video describing proper use and/or safe use of the product. |
| US08919631B2 |
Wire bonder including a transducer, a bond head, and a mounting apparatus
Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting a transducer to a bond head of a wire bonder. In particular, the bond head of the wire bonder is operative to mechanically drive the transducer when forming electrical interconnections between separate locations within a semiconductor package. Specifically, the apparatus comprises: i) a flexural structure having a connector for connecting to the transducer, the flexural structure being configured to bend; and ii) at least one actuator attached to the flexural structure, the at least one actuator being operative to bend the flexural structure to thereby cause a displacement of the transducer connected thereto via the connector. |
| US08919626B1 |
Power chair carrier system
A power chair carrier system includes a power chair having an elevating motor mounted thereon for raising or lowering the seat of the power chair and for raising or lowering the power chair drive assembly including wheels when the chair is mounted on a vehicle. A hitch assembly is removably connected to a vehicle and includes a docking structure for removably connecting to an upper portion of the power chair to permit the drive assembly and wheels of the power chair to be raised while the chair is in a docking position. |
| US08919624B2 |
Fixing system for carrier bags for motorcycles
A system is described for hooking and unhooking a carrier bag with respect to the tank of a motorcycle. The system comprises a first group of components suitable to be fixed to the carrier bag and a second group of components suitable to be fixed to the tank. The first group of components comprises a flexible ring provided with a plurality of locking teeth elastically projecting inwards of such a flexible ring. The locking teeth are coupled with an annular flange of the second group of components to obtain the hooking of the carrier bag to the tank. On the flexible ring there is a hand-driven mechanism for the radial retraction of the locking teeth to generate a radial displacement of such locking teeth, allowing disengagement between the flexible ring and the annular flange and, hence, obtaining the disengagement of the carrier bag from the tank. |
| US08919622B1 |
Hands free beverage carrier that attaches to a person's clothing or a wearable accessory
A beverage carriage if provided for wear around a user's waist area. The apparatus includes an accessory that attaches to a user's waist area. A hanger depends from the accessory, the hanger having an upwardly positioned socket. A mounted sleeve has a top opening having an opening that enables a contained beverage to be housed within the sleeve interior. A curved panel/plate fits inside the sleeve. A projecting member is attached to the curved panel/plate and extends through the insulated sleeve to a position spaced externally of the sleeve. A detachable connector joins the projecting member to the hanger when the detachable connector is lowered into the socket via the open top. A locking member moves between locking and release positions, the locking member automatically interlocking with the connector when the connector is lowered into the socket, the locking member having a manually operated release portion. |
| US08919621B2 |
Aerodynamic underbody spare tire cover
A spare tire assembly which includes a spare tire or under mount frame, a spare tire, and a cover. The assembly may optionally include an electric winch, and a jack. The cover is connected to the under mount frame when assembled to the vehicle, and is disconnected from the under mount frame when the spare tire is needed. The cover has dimples which improve air flow underneath the vehicle. The cover is made of different sizes to be used with different size spare tires for different types of vehicles, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans. |
| US08919619B2 |
Floor application system
A portable liquid applicator system and a method for applying liquid directly from an original package container, e.g., a five-gallon bucket, to a surface. The system includes a wheeled platform onto which the container is positioned such that fluid within the container flows toward a pour opening. A extended actuating handle engages a valve at the pour opening and allows the valve to be opened and closed by a user in an upright position, rather than having to bend to operate the valve. A method includes positioning the container on the platform, opening the valve, and then moving the platform to disperse the liquid onto a surface. |
| US08919616B2 |
Cartridge piston
The piston includes a piston body having a conveying side, an oppositely disposed drive side and, at the circumferential side, a piston jacket forming a connection between the conveying side and the drive side. The piston jacket has a projection that carries a guide element for the guidance of the piston in a cartridge containing a filling with solid particles and for forming a sealing contact with a wall of the cartridge. The projection also carries a scraper element in front of the guide element for scraping solid particles from the cartridge wall back into the filling during discharge. |
| US08919608B2 |
Dispensing container
A container for dispensing a two-component liquid comprises an outer resilient container for containing one component with a neck defining an opening and an inner tubular container. The inner container contains a piston slidably received within it. A closure member extends over the entire area of the inner container and closes its lower end. The piston and the inner container define a reservoir for containing a second component. The neck carries a closure cap which affords a liquid dispensing opening. A first non-return valve communicates with the liquid dispensing opening and with the interior of the inner container. An airflow path extends through the closure cap and the piston and includes a second non-return valve. The first non-return valve is arranged to permit liquid to flow from the inner container to the liquid dispensing opening and the second non-return valve is arranged to permit air to flow through the airflow path into the inner container. The closure cap cooperates with the piston so that movement of the closure cap in the downward direction results in movement of the piston towards the closure member. A finger connected to the piston contacts the closure member and moves it and thus opens the inner container, thereby permitting the component within it to fall down into the component within the outer container. |
| US08919604B2 |
Hand-held vessel with adjustable strap
A hand-held vessel has a bottom wall, a sidewall and a supportive strap attached to the bottom wall and the sidewall. The bottom wall and sidewall have an inner and outer surface. The sidewall extends from the bottom wall, whereby the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and sidewall define a cavity for holding fluids or loose materials therein. The strap has a first end and a second end, whereby the first end is fixedly attached to the sidewall and the second end is selectively secured to the bottom wall. The strap is adaptable to accept a user's hand disposed between the strap and the outer surface of the sidewall. The strap urges the hand against the outer surface of the sidewall to secure the vessel to the hand and stabilize the vessel with respect to movement relative to the hand. |
| US08919603B2 |
Detachable handle for a drinking device
A detachable handle for a child's sippy cup. The sippy cup includes a cup portion and a lid portion coupled to the cup portion. The lid portion includes a drinking spout having apertures. The detachable handle includes a ring portion that engages the lid and/or the cup portion, and a pair of grasping portions that extend axially and radially away from the ring portion. Hook portions are radially aligned with, and extend axially opposite the grasping portions, and are engageable with an upper surface of the lid portion. Moving the grasping portions radially inwardly causes the hook portions to move radially outwardly for disengagement from the upper surface and removal of the handle from the sippy cup. |
| US08919599B2 |
Fuel tank
A fuel tank is provided having a plastic container with a cavity for holding fuel. Inner and outer plates are arranged on opposite wall regions of the plastic container. A reinforcement device is arranged between opposite wall regions of the fuel tank and comprises a tension/compression strut extending through the inner plates, wall regions, and outer plates. Axial securing means are provided on free ends of the tension/compression strut. The reinforcement device further comprises a spring device bearing against the inner plates. The reinforcement device is configured to absorb both compressive forces and tensile forces. |
| US08919596B2 |
No-spill tackle, tool or utility box
The unique element of this tackle box can also be applied to a toolbox, sewing box, or any other type of utility box used for carrying various supplies. That unique element is the handle itself and the way that it automatically secures the top lid of the box when it's being carried and in the fact that the handle itself is attached to lower portion of the box and not attached to the lid, as is the case for most prior inventions that are similar. By attaching the handle to the lower portion of the box and not the lid, this invention solves the problem that occurs when the user commonly forgets to secure the lid (as required in prior related inventions with this design flaw) resulting in accidental spillage of its contents. |
| US08919595B2 |
Closure and container having the same closure
A closure and a container having the same closure are provided. The closure includes a sealing portion assembled to an aperture of a container to seal the container; a plurality of locking protrusions, each lock protrusion connected to a hinge extending from a lower rim of the sealing portion to protrude inwards and fixed to a locking flange formed on the container; a cover portion having a ring shape and assembled to an outside of the sealing portion to be vertically movable with respect to the sealing portion; and a plurality of fixing protrusions protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the cover portion to support the locking protrusions. |
| US08919594B2 |
Dispensing container
A dispensing utensil (102) including a body (104) having: a carcass (104); and a pliable top wall (112) and a bottom wall (106), the walls (112, 106) supported by the carcass (104), wherein the pliable top wall (112) and bottom wall (106) define a cavity (124) for storing dispensable cavity contents; the utensil (102) further including: a lid (108) connected to the pliable top wall (112) and openable about a hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112); a seal (110) sealing the lid (108) to the body (104′) to seal the cavity (124); a tool portion (150); and a handle portion (152); wherein the seal (110) may be broken and the lid (108) opened about the hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112), thereby allowing the cavity contents to be dispensed. |
| US08919591B2 |
Insulating lid for a food container and method of making the same
An insulating lid includes a cover having an outer edge and a base. The base includes an upper surface, a lip projecting upwardly from the upper surface about an outer perimeter of the base to define an inner area, and a plurality of spacer members extending upwardly from the upper surface positioned within the inner area. The plurality of spacer members are configured to space the cover a distance from the upper surface of the base to define an insulating space between the cover and the upper surface of the base. |
| US08919590B2 |
Mixing bowl liner and lid
A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer. |
| US08919588B2 |
Apparatus for fastening and carrying bottles
An apparatus for fastening and carrying bottles includes a cap ring and a connecting device. The cap ring has at least an opening. The cap ring is received in a cavity of the bottle. The cap ring is initially connected to the cap, and the cap ring is separated from the cap while the cap is turned to open. The connecting device engages the opening of the cap ring to allow people to carry the bottle by holding the connecting device or by engaging the connecting device with an object. The apparatus has many advantages, including never loss, low cost for manufacture, and recycle. |
| US08919584B2 |
Electrical equipment mounting frame
A mounting frame for removeably mounting one or more electrical devices has a base, a mounting bracket and a plurality of platforms for mounting the electrical devices thereon. The mounting bracket has openings for engaging with mounting bolts on a utility pole or other support structure. The mounting frame is balanced and has an eye bolt for elevating the frame to the desired level on the support structure during installation. |
| US08919579B2 |
Ultra narrow flexible retail display for greeting card and non-greeting card merchandise
An ultra narrow, tall, flexible fixture that is capable of holding and displaying greeting cards or other non-greeting card related merchandise in a retail environment. The fixture is easily configured to hold both greeting card and non-greeting card merchandise in an array of display configurations supporting different numbers of display units and shelves. Merchandize may be displayed along one length of the fixture or alternately along two opposing sides of the fixture. The fixture also contains two endcap pieces that are capable of supporting an array of unique fixtures such as gift card holders and curved card pockets. The display units contain multiple levels for storing greeting cards. The fixture additionally provides ample storage space at the base of the fixture for excess merchandise and restocking materials. An area of the fixture can also be configured to support signage and lighting. The fixture is easily installed and easily configured and re-configured according to a desired retail presentation. |
| US08919578B2 |
Shoe carousel device
A shoe carousel device that includes a base with a top and a bottom, the base stabilizes and supports the shoe carousel device, a support stem with an end, the support stem is attached at an approximate 90 degree angle to the top of the base and extends upward and a plurality of stackable shelves with a top surfacing, the stackable shelves are circular shaped with a circumference, the stackable shelves each include a raised outer rim and a relatively thin mesh surfacing. The shoe carousel device also includes a motor and a foot pedal to rotate the shoe carousel device. |
| US08919577B2 |
Bocce ball game caddy
A bocce ball game caddy for removably retaining bocce ball game components. The caddy includes a plurality of racks supported by posts in vertically spaced relation. Each of the racks supporting at least one retainer adapted to removably support the bocce ball game components. |
| US08919574B2 |
Water purifier
A water purifier includes an outer tube having a partition wall dividing the outer tube into lower and upper storage chambers, an intermediate tube defining a guide receiving space and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart inclined through holes to fluidly communicate the guide receiving space and the upper storage chamber, and an inner tube defining a water-exit passage and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart inclined guide holes to fluidly communicate the guide receiving space and the water-exit passage. A guide unit includes a plurality of flow guide plates disposed at positions corresponding to the inclined through holes. |
| US08919573B2 |
Water purification system and method
A system for purifying non-potable water to make said water potable includes an intake pump for bringing the non-potable water into the system. At least one centrifugal separator separates the non-potable water into suspended solids, saline water and oil. At least one ozone contact chamber injects ozone into a water stream being injected into at least one of the at least one of the centrifugal separators. A series of progressive filtration components are used for progressively filtering the saline water from the at least one centrifugal separator. The salinization filters then desalinate the progressively filtered saline water. |
| US08919572B1 |
Filter apparatus for a slurry tank
A filter basket apparatus that filters a slurry stream as the slurry stream is being pumped into a slurry tank. The filter basket apparatus includes a filter basket pivotably coupled to the tank so that the basket can be selectively inserted into an inlet in the slurry tank and extracted from the inlet and dumped to remove collected foreign material. The filter basket includes one or more portions of a lower wall that includes one set of substantially parallel grate members. |
| US08919571B2 |
Filtration device
The present invention provides a vacuum filter device including a filter body having two holders on opposite sides of a filter. Each holder contains a closed container in a fluid-tight, sealed relationship. The filter is retained by a compression sealing element that resiliently applies sealing pressure to the upper surface of the filter. The sealing element is maintained in place by a compression element formed of a ring that applies a desired compressive force to the sealing element. The compression element is bonded to a portion of the body to hold it, the sealing element and filter in place and under a compression seal. The invention also can provide for an alignment feature on the compression element that ensures the port is in alignment with the vent of the device. The device also includes a vacuum port communicating with the downstream side of the filter, and hence the filtrate container. |
| US08919564B2 |
Packaging case and pack body
A packaging case includes a body, a fixed support portion, and a movable support portion. Body includes storage space, and has openings that are formed in top face thereof and bottom face thereof and that are in communication with storage space. Fixed support portion is fixed to body and is provided at first position at which fixed support portion is capable of supporting article to be packed stored in storage space. Movable support portion is provided in body so as to be movable in storage space, is configured to support article at first position, along with fixed support portion, and is configured to move, when packaging case has been taken out of exterior case and placed on predetermined face, to second position defined above first position to support article in a state where at least a part of article is exposed from opening in top face to outside. |
| US08919563B2 |
Methods and apparatus for large diameter wafer handling
A front semiconductor opening wafer container for large diameter wafers includes a container portion and a door. The container portion includes a left closed side, a right closed side, a closed back, an open front, and an open interior including a plurality of slots for receiving and containing the wafers. The door is attachable to the container portion to close the open front and selectively latchable to the container portion. The container portion can accommodate large diameter wafers, particularly 450 mm wafers. Optimized sag control is provided as well as enhanced structural rigidity, and wafer seating features. |
| US08919562B2 |
Pallet-like base frame for transport and storage containers for liquids
A pallet-like base frame includes corner feet and a floor for supporting an inner container. Central feet made of metal are arranged between the corner feet, and which are attached to a foot frame, to which the floor of the base frame as well as an outer jacket of the inner container are fastened. At least one central foot of the base frame encompasses a profile body, which encompasses a U-shaped cross section, comprising a base wall, an outer journal wall and an inner journal wall, wherein the base wall and the journal walls embody an axial edge web at axial end areas of the profile body in a plane at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the profile body. |
| US08919561B2 |
Container for the management of pharmacy prescriptions, cares and services
A container for managing pharmacy prescription, care and/or service includes a bottom, a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, a secondary wall mounted to the peripheral wall to define a document-receiving compartment; and an information-receiving card mounted to the peripheral wall. The information-receiving card is positionable in either one of an upright position and a tilted position and allows receiving directly thereon or indirectly via cardboard card information that characterizes the pharmaceutical prescription, care and service. |
| US08919560B2 |
Chewing gum disposal container
A chewing gum disposal container is provided as simple, easy to use, and convenient apparatus for disposing used gum in areas where traditional methods of gum disposal are not readily available. The apparatus is provided as an envelope that forms an inner chamber. The inner chamber is utilized for receiving used chewing gum and is lined with an antimicrobial layer that reduces the transmission of infectious disease. The envelope utilizes a front section and a rear section in order to form the inner chamber. The front section provides a top flap that seals the inner chamber. Additionally the front section provides a visual identifier for distinguishing the particular apparatus. |
| US08919556B2 |
Container and pallet-incorporated container assembly
A container for housing a roll-shaped member having a core, includes: a tray as defined herein; a pair of first side plates as defined herein; and a cap as defined herein, and each of the pair of side walls is formed with a first slit as defined herein; each of the pair of first side plates is formed with a second slit as defined herein; and a height H1 of a slit bottom portion of the first slit of each of the side walls and a height H2 of a slit bottom portion of the second slit of each of the first side plates as measured from the bottom wall of the tray with the pair of first side plates disposed on the bottom wall parallel with the respective side walls satisfy a relationship H2>H1. |
| US08919554B2 |
Splash-retarding fluid collection system
A fluid collection container (100) includes a vessel (101) and a lid (102). A mesh conduit layer (201) is coupled to the vessel so as to span an opening (110) of the vessel and enclose an interior (111) of the vessel. The mesh conduit layer is liquid permeable and serves as a splash retarding mechanism that prevents liquids being transferred through the mesh conduit layer from splashing back. An optional cache (603) of coagulant material can be disposed within an interior of the vessel as well. |
| US08919551B2 |
Fibreboard reinforced container
This invention relates to a container for a part and in particular relates to a container for an automotive part having fiberboard with a hole there through for engaging the automotive part as well as a method of packaging a part with a protrusion; and in particular relates to a method of packaging an automotive hood have a protruding latch striker. This invention also relates to a corrugated paperboard package having a fiberboard insert as well as a method of protecting the shipment of automotive parts by utilizing a laminated stack of corrugated paperboard and fiberboard having a hole there through for engagement with the striker latch of the hood. |
| US08919548B2 |
Golf bags with retention system and methods to manufacture golf bags
Embodiments of golf bags with an extensible bag stand having a retention system and methods to manufacture golf bags are generally described herein. Other embodiments of golf bags with an extensible bag stand having a retention system may be described and claimed. |
| US08919546B2 |
Moisture-proof container
A moisture-proof container including: a container body; a lid hermetically closing the container body to be openable and closable; and a desiccant storage case that is put on a bottom portion of the container body. The desiccant storage case includes: an inner case having an opening at one end; a desiccant stored in the inner case; and a moisture transmission dustproof sheet to seal the opening of the inner case. The inner case has, at an outer circumferential wall thereof, a groove connecting between an open end and a bottom portion, the container body includes a base on a bottom plate, and the desiccant storage case is put in the container body such that the moisture transmission dustproof sheet abuts the base, and a gap is formed between the bottom plate of the container body, and the moisture transmission dustproof sheet. |
| US08919543B2 |
Side cover for conveyor
A side cover is provided for a conveyor. The side cover includes a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is substantially parallel to the first edge. Further, a magnet is coupled to the first edge. The magnet is configured to couple the side cover to the conveyor. |
| US08919537B2 |
Device for treatment of bulk material, a method as well as a beam construction intended for said treatment
The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of bulk material, comprising a platform 24′, 24′, 28 for supporting bulk material and at least one outfeeding device 28 arranged on the platform for feeding bulk material placed on the platform towards an outlet 29 arranged on the platform, wherein the feeding device has a feeding direction towards the outlet, a first and a second beam 30, 31, 32, 33 is arranged on the platform above the outfeeding device, which beams extends transversal to the feeding direction of the outfeeding device and at least a portion in over of the width of the outfeeding device, wherein the second beam 32 being arranged at a higher level above the outfeeding device than the first beam 31. Further, the invention comprises a method for the treatment of bulk material, wherein the bulk material is placed on a platform 24′, 24′, 28 comprising an outfeeding device 28 and an outlet 29 arranged in connection to one end of the outfeeding device, and wherein bulk material which is placed on the platform and being fed by the outfeeding device in a direction towards the outlet and is slowed down at several places above the outfeeding device. Additionally, the device comprises a beam construction intended to be used in a device for the treatment of bulk material. |
| US08919536B2 |
Conveying device for conveying containers
A conveying device for conveying containers in a conveying direction, the containers having bottoms, each of which has a cross-section characterized by a standing-bottom diameter or a smaller and larger standing-bottom diameter. The device has conveyor belts extending along a conveying direction forming a closed loop. The conveyor belts form, with upper-loop lengths thereof, a sub-region of a conveying surface, the upper-loop lengths being disposed adjacent to each other in a rows offset in an axial direction. The containers stand on the upper-loop lengths on their bottoms. The conveyor belts have a width that, for containers having a circular cross-section, is smaller than half the standing-bottom diameter of the smallest container diameter to be conveyed, and, for containers having a non-circular cross-section, is smaller than half a smaller standing-bottom diameter of a smallest container diameter to be conveyed. |
| US08919534B1 |
Deep basement excavation system and truck loader
An apparatus for the excavation of a deep basement includes at least two main auger assemblies that are disposed vertically with one assembly atop the other. Auger blades in each assembly are operatively connected together. A feed hopper attached to a bottom of the lower main auger assembly conveys excavation material through a feed hopper opening to the auger blade for lifting. A steel ball is attached to a bottom of the auger blades. The ball rests in a spherical recess and acts as a thrust bearing. A discharge opening is provided proximate a top of the uppermost main auger assembly. A pivoting discharge chute is located at the discharge opening. During use, excavation material is loaded into the feed hopper, conveyed to the auger blades, lifted by the auger blades, discharged through the discharge opening, down the discharge chute and into a dump truck bed for removal. |
| US08919533B2 |
Transfer device for the transfer of a folding box
A transfer device for transferring a flat folding box to a succeeding conveyor device with simultaneous erection has a rotarily driven support part which is pivotable about an axis of rotation, and at least one further rotarily driven support part which rotates coaxially to the support part about the axis of rotation. The folding boxes are received in a receiving station by the retaining device and are conveyed on a curved track to a transfer station and therefore transferred to a succeeding conveyor device. Here the support parts perform a rotary movement at a speed that varies during one revolution and with an opposing relative rotation. Each support part supports a plurality of retaining devices arranged equally distributed along the circumference, wherein the retaining devices of the support parts are preferably arranged alternately and consecutively in the circumferential direction. |
| US08919531B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes an apparatus main-body, a tray, a first transporting path including a curved portion and an extending portion connected to the curved portion, a feed roller which feeds a sheet from the tray to the first transporting path, a transporting roller which transports the sheet, a recording portion which records an image on the sheet transported through the extending portion, a first guide member defining an outer wall of the curved portion, a second guide member defining an inner wall of the curved portion, a second transporting path which connects a portion of the extending portion and a portion of the curved portion, a third guide member defining an upper wall of the second transporting path, a fourth guide member defining a lower wall of the second transporting path, and a fifth guide member provided to a rotating front-end side of the fourth guide member. |
| US08919526B2 |
Slewing belt mounting
The invention relates to a conveyor belt mounting for a charger that is used in road building, in order to supply a road-finishing machine with paving material. Using the slewing belt mounting, it is possible to achieve different discharge heights for the paving material. The slewing belt mounting comprises a cantilever arm, which is movably mounted on the frame of the charger, a pivot arm, which is pivotally connected to the cantilever arm, and a conveyor belt, which is connected to the pivot arm. The slewing belt mounting is characterized in that it comprises at least one lifting element, such as a hydraulic cylinder, cable winch, toothed rack, gear mechanism or the like, which is fastened by a first end to the frame and by a second end to the cantilever arm, wherein the cantilever arm is vertically adjustable by means of the lifting element. |
| US08919525B2 |
Gate mechanism
Disclosed is a gate mechanism (100) mounted on a side frame (210) of a financial automated machine cash slot (230a), wherein the gate mechanism comprises a gate (10), a driving mechanism (20) and a pair of locking mechanisms (30) controlling the gate (10), with the lower end of the gate (10) being connected with a front end (240a) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide up and down, and the upper end of the gate (10) being connected with an upper end (240b) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide back and forth, and the driving mechanism (20) driving the upper end of the gate (10) in sliding back and forth at the upper end (240b) of the frame side (240), while causing the lower end of the gate (10) to move up and down at the front end (240a) of the frame side (240), thus achieving opening and closing of the gate (10). The gate mechanism (100) can reduce the motion enveloping space of the gate (10) and has the advantage of a compact structure. |
| US08919519B2 |
Vehicle driving apparatus
A vehicle driving apparatus includes a rotating electrical machine and an engagement device, which are disposed on a power transmission path linking an input member drive-coupled to an internal combustion engine and an output member drive-coupled to a wheel. The engagement device includes an engagement input coupled to the input member, an engagement output that forms a pair with the engagement input and is coupled to the rotating electrical machine, a friction member disposed between the engagement input and the engagement output, and a pressing member that presses the friction member in a pressing direction. An oil pressure chamber is formed between the pressing member and either the engagement input or the engagement output. A biasing spring biases the pressing member in the pressing direction when no oil pressure is supplied to the oil pressure chamber and is disposed on an exterior of the oil pressure chamber. |
| US08919515B2 |
Clutch device
The clutch device comprises a first clutch element and a second clutch element, which are each supported in a rotational manner on a common axis of rotation. In an engaged state, the clutch elements are coupled to one another in a form-locking manner by a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is attached to the first clutch element in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. A peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve is provided with at least one step, having a first step flank and extending with a first step course on the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve, wherein the first step course also has, at least in sections, at least one axial directional component in the direction of the axis of rotation. A placement agent can be displaced radially back and forth between an engaging placement agent position and a disengaging placement agent position, and is otherwise stationary. |
| US08919514B2 |
Floating housing force transmitting assembly
A brake assembly includes a mounting flange having a central opening to receive a shaft, a rotor disc mounted on the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, a float plate having a first friction surface engageable with one face of the rotor disc, and a pressure plate having a second friction surface engageable with another face of the rotor disc. The brake assembly also includes a spring housing, which operates as a piston, and a cylinder coupled to the spring housing to form a fluid pressure chamber. The spring housing moves in a first direction when pressurized fluid enters the fluid pressure chamber and in a second direction when pressurized fluid exits the fluid pressure chamber. The assembly further includes at least one sliding stud to allow axial movement of at least one of the float plate, the pressure plate, and the spring housing to allow axial movement. |
| US08919513B2 |
Bi-directional overrunning clutch having split roll cage
A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other. |
| US08919510B2 |
Lock-up clutch assembly having improved torque capacity
A lock-up clutch assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch housing defining an annular clutch chamber, and an annular piston received in the clutch chamber and extending between the inner diameter and outer diameter of the clutch chamber. The piston defines inner and outer diameters associated respectively with the inner and outer diameters of the clutch chamber. The assembly further includes a backing plate received in the clutch chamber, and at least one annular friction disk and at least one annular friction plate received in the clutch chamber between the piston and the backing plate. The assembly further includes first and second seal members configured to provide respective fluid seals between the inner diameters of the piston and clutch chamber and between the outer diameters of the piston and clutch chamber. |
| US08919501B2 |
System having multiple cabs in an elevator shaft
An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention. |
| US08919498B2 |
Climbing aid
An arrangement allowing a person to climb up and/or down an object, such as a high-voltage mast, the arrangement including an elongate, rail-type profiled element that is provided with at least one guiding part extending along the profiled element, and a part for absorbing force transmission. A climbing aid is also provided, comprising two climbing consoles with one respective foot supporting area and a guiding section that embraces or grips the guiding part and a holding section which at least partly rests against or on the profiled element opposite the guiding section. |
| US08919493B2 |
Method and apparatus for altering and or minimizing underwater noise
To reduce or eliminate the startle response in aquatic life, embodiments of the present invention alter the sound produced by a diver's exhaled bubbles by adjusting up or down the frequency of the sound produced by the bubbles. |
| US08919492B2 |
Adsorption unit and absorption muffler of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine
An adsorption unit for combustion gas of an internal combustion engine has an adsorption housing having a chamber section with an inner wall. An adsorption element disposed in the adsorption housing is made of a gas-permeable adsorption medium that is formed to a hollow body and encloses an interior of the adsorption element. The hollow body has opposed open ends. A main flow passage extends through the hollow body and the combustion gas flows in main flow direction through the hollow body. The adsorption element has an exterior circumferential side facing away from the interior and delimiting together with the inner wall of the chamber section a bypass chamber surrounding the absorption element outwardly. In the main flow direction, the bypass chamber has a downstream end that is closed off and an upstream end that has at least one bypass opening that communicates with the main flow passage. |
| US08919486B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator includes an engine, an engine room accommodating the engine, a fan configured to generate cooling wind in the engine room, an exhaust treatment apparatus and an engine hood. The exhaust treatment apparatus treats exhaust from the engine. The exhaust treatment apparatus is at least partially positioned above the engine. The engine hood is arranged above the engine room. An upper surface of the engine hood has a first planar section arranged above the engine, a second planar section including ventilation holes, and an inclined section arranged between the first planar section and the second planar section. The second planar section is arranged above the exhaust treatment apparatus at a position higher than the first planar section. The inclined section extends to be inclined from the first planar section to the second planar section. |
| US08919485B2 |
Vehicle using compressed gas, and control device therefor
A power unit that can periodically determine a leakage of a compressed gas to early discover a defect, such as a crack, and a vehicle in which the power unit is used are provided. A vehicle that runs with an air engine including a gas machinery includes a control device. The control device includes an adjuster that controls an output of the gas machinery such that a target output is obtained, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit of the air engine, and a determination unit that determines a leakage state of the compressed gas based on a change in pressure, which is measured by the pressure measuring unit every time the target output of the gas machinery becomes substantial zero. The control device suspends the determination of the leakage state when the target output of the gas machinery changes from substantial zero during the determination. |
| US08919481B2 |
Saddle-type electric vehicle
In a saddle-type electric vehicle (e.g., electric motorcycle) including a driving motor and an electric power control unit for controlling electric power supply to the motor, a substrate of a power module to which a semiconductor element such as an IGBT is mounted is accommodated into a case of an electric power control unit such that the substrate is positioned in close proximity to a wall portion of the case, and a cooling jacket is provided such that the coolant contacts the wall portion. A cooler may be mounted such that it closes an opening provided in the case. A desired cooling capability is attained while reducing a size of the cooler to a required size and an amount of the coolant to a required amount and suppressing a weight increase and a cost increase. |
| US08919480B2 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame which extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, an engine unit that generates power that drives the motorcycle, a seat on which the rider sits, a storage box disposed below the seat, a fuel tank that stores fuel needed by the engine unit, and an air filter disposed above the engine unit to filter the air needed by the engine unit and includes an air intake hose to introduce air. The fuel tank is disposed below the seat and is located in front of the storage box. Moreover, the fuel tank is mounted on the vehicle body frame, and the air intake hose extends from the air filter toward an area between the fuel tank and the storage box such that a air inlet thereof is located in a space between the fuel tank and the storage box. |
| US08919477B2 |
Snowmobile
A snowmobile comprises a chassis with a front portion and a tunnel, and a power train unit supported by the chassis. The snowmobile further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members cooperating with the power train unit to operate the snowmobile. The plurality of ground-engaging members includes a pair of front skis and an endless track assembly. |
| US08919472B2 |
Industrial truck comprising a battery receiving space
Industrial truck with a drive part which comprises an electrical travel drive, a load part which comprises a load carrying means and which may be lifted relative to the drive part, a battery receiving space and an energy module which may be handled manually, which may be inserted into the battery receiving space and which comprises a battery for supplying power to the travel drive, the energy module having a defined installed position in the state inserted into the battery receiving space, the battery receiving space enclosing the energy module in the inserted state so that the energy module is not displaceable in the defined installed position but may only be removed from the battery receiving space after being tilted, during the tilting process an upper end of the energy module being moved by a predetermined angle about a horizontal pivot axis. |
| US08919471B2 |
Cooling device for an automotive vehicle
A cooling device for a motor vehicle, including a cooling circuit configured to cool an engine assembly using a liquid coolant circulated by at least one variable-flowrate pump, the flowrate of each pump being controlled by a control system. The control system is configured to control the flowrate of each pump in a closed-loop regulating system as a function of the temperature of the liquid coolant and of a setpoint temperature. |
| US08919468B2 |
Driving-power control device for vehicle
Since a power of an engine is transmitted to a first axle and a power of a MG is transmitted to a second axle, a space for providing the MG can be readily ensured. Further, since an accessory is driven by the power of the engine, a private power source for the accessory is not necessary. In this case, the accessory may be a water pump, an oil pump, or an air-conditioner compressor. Furthermore, since a vehicle driving mode is switched between an engine driving mode and a MG driving mode, only a control system relative to the MG driving mode is necessary to be developed when the hybrid vehicle is developed by using the engine vehicle as the base part. |
| US08919463B2 |
Polycrystalline diamond cutting element
A polycrystalline-diamond cutting element for a drill bit of a downhole tool. The cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond table bonded to the substrate. The diamond table includes a diamond filler with at least one leached polycrystalline diamond segment packed therein along at least one working surface thereof. The cutting element may be formed by positioning the diamond table on the substrate and bonding the diamond table onto the substrate such that the polycrystalline diamond segment is positioned along at least one working surface of the diamond table. A spark plasma sintering or double press operation may be used to bond the diamond table onto the substrate. |
| US08919462B2 |
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements and related methods
Cutting elements, earth-boring drill bits having such cutting elements and related methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face thereof and a shaped feature in a substrate at the interface between the diamond table and the substrate, the shaped feature corresponding to the indentation in the cutting face of the diamond table. In further embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a sacrificial structure positioned within an indentation in a diamond table. In additional embodiments, a method of forming a cutting element may include positioning a sacrificial structure in a mold, positioning a powdered precursor material over the sacrificial structure, and pressing and sintering the powdered precursor material to form a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face formed by the sacrificial structure. |
| US08919460B2 |
Large core sidewall coring
A coring tool having a coring mechanism for cutting cores from a borehole sidewall. The coring mechanism comprises a motor having a coring bit to cut 1.5 inch diameter, 2.5 inch long cores. Support plates fixed to the housing comprise guide slots having a longer leg and a shorter leg. Leading pins and follower pins extend from the motor into the guide slots. When the leading and follower pins are driven along the guide slots, the motor is rotated and then pushed into the formation. Drive plates positioned between the housing and the support plates comprise slots and pivot about a pin. The leading pins further extend into the drive plate slots. A hydraulic cylinder pivots the drive plates, pushing the pins along the guide slots to rotate the motor to a radial position and then urge the motor towards the formation. |
| US08919455B2 |
Dozer blade pitch control system
A vehicle is disclosed having a blade control system. The blade control system is provided to adjust the angle of a blade and to adjust the pitch of the blade. A method for adjusting the pitch of the blade is also disclosed. |
| US08919454B2 |
Weeding device
A weeding device includes a comb blade unit including first and second comb bodies in which a plurality of comb blades are arranged on a coupling rod in a comb shape. Both ends of a plurality of the comb blade units are fastened on the same circle of the rotating center of a pair of rotating plates. The coupling rod of the first comb body and/or the second comb body is pressed toward the longitudinal direction to project a projection piece to the outside of the rotating plates. The projection piece is depressed by guide plates located on the outside of the rotating plates, and the comb blades are brought into contact with one another or come close to one another to sandwich the blades of grass that are growing therebetween, and that the sandwiched blades are pulled out along with further rotation of the rotating plates. |
| US08919453B2 |
Scalloped landing ring
A landing ring having at least one scallop groove formed on an interior of the ring. The landing ring interfaces with a fluted mandrel casing hanger such that the scallop groove aligns between flutes of the hanger. This alignment of the scallop groove of the landing ring with the fluted mandrel casing hanger provides sufficient clearance to allow a stabbing in of a cement tube for cement injection during cement topping operations or debris clean out down hole. |
| US08919444B2 |
System and method for enhanced wellbore perforations
An apparatus for perforating a subterranean formation may include a casing, an energetic material, a liner, and an acid-generating material. The casing may have a slotted end configured to receive a detonator cord, and an open end. The energetic material may be disposed in the open end and in ballistic. The liner may enclose the open end, and the liner may include an acid-generating material that is configured to form an acid upon detonation of the explosive material. |
| US08919443B2 |
Method for generating discrete fracture initiation sites and propagating dominant planar fractures therefrom
A method for performing a downhole perforating and fracturing operation from a wellbore (12) positioned within a subterranean formation (18). The method includes locating a perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12), detonating a first perforating gun (28) to create a first discrete fracture initiation site (42) in the formation (18), repositioning the perforating gun string (24) within the wellbore (12) and detonating a second perforating gun (30) to create a second discrete fracture initiation site (44) in the formation (18). Thereafter, the method also includes pumping a fracture fluid into the wellbore (12) and propagating a single dominant planar fracture (56, 58) from each of the discrete fracture initiation sites (42, 44). |
| US08919442B2 |
Method for coating a filter medium of a sand control screen assembly
A method for coating a filter medium (110) of a sand control screen assembly (100). The method includes providing a sand control screen assembly (100) having a filter medium (110), the filter medium (110) having pores therein, flowing a slurry containing particles through the filter medium (110) of the sand control screen assembly (100) and bridging the particle across the pores to form a particle coating (116) on the filter medium (110), thereby protecting of the filter medium (110) during installation, enabling transportation of reactive materials to a desired wellbore location and enabling circulation of fluid through the sand control screen assembly (100). |
| US08919439B2 |
Single trip multi-zone completion systems and methods
Disclosed are systems and methods of producing from multiple production zones with a single trip multi-zone completion system. One method includes arranging an outer completion string within an open hole section of a wellbore, the outer completion string having at least one sand screen disposed thereabout, extending a production tubing within the outer completion string, the production tubing having at least one interval control valve disposed thereon, communicably coupling the production tubing to the completion string at a crossover coupling having one or more control lines coupled thereto, actuating the at least one interval control valve to initiate production into the production tubing at the at least one interval control valve, and measuring one or more fluid and/or well environmental parameters external to the outer completion string with a surveillance line communicably coupled to one or more control lines at the crossover coupling. |
| US08919435B2 |
Dehydrator screen for downhole gravel packing
Certain aspects and features relate to dehydrator screens that are inexpensively made wire, mesh, or stamped metal screens that can direct carrier fluid from a gravel pack slurry efficiently to one or more screens associated with a base pipe. |
| US08919430B2 |
Blowout container
A system for containing and recovering from the blowout of an oil or gas well. The blowout containment (BOC) system is operable in place of, or as a failsafe alternative to, standard blowout preventer (BOP) systems. The BOC system includes a hydraulically operated gate valve positioned over the well at the wellhead. The gate valve includes a check valve operable when the gate valve is closed. The BOC system further includes at least one shearing assembly positioned over the gate valve. The shearing assembly orients explosive charges into the well flow path. An activation trigger detonates the explosive charges to clear the well flow path of obstructions to permit the gate valve to close. Operation of the BOC system is preferably monitored and controlled from a remote location apart from the rig associated with the well. |
| US08919427B2 |
Long-acting heat pipe and corresponding manufacturing method
A heat pipe includes a metal tube, a heat-absorption part, a capillary and working fluid. The metal tube has a chamber formed therein. A vapor channel and a liquid channel communicating with the vapor channel are formed in the chamber. The heat-absorption part corresponds to a portion of the vapor channel and the liquid channel. The capillary is arranged in the vapor channel and in the liquid channel of the heat-absorption part. The working fluid fills the chamber. |
| US08919422B2 |
Die casting system and cell
A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a melting system and a vacuum system. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity and is operable to deliver a charge of material to the die cavity. The melting system is positioned adjacent to the die and includes an alloy loader, a melting unit and a crucible. The vacuum system defines a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by an isolation valve. The melting system is disposed within the first chamber, and the die is disposed within the second chamber. |
| US08919421B2 |
Catalysts comprising methane sulfonic acid for the acid hardening method
A method for producing cores and molds for the foundry industry utilizing a flowable fire-resistant primary molding material. The method includes an acid applied to the flowable fire resistant primary molding material to obtain an acid-coated fire-resistant primary molding material. A binder that can be cured by acid is applied to the acid-coated fire resistant primary molding material to obtain a fire-resistant primary molding material coated with a binder. The fire-resistant primary molding material coated with a binder is then molded into a molded body, and-the molded body is cured. The acid used is a mixture of methane sulfonic acid and at least one sulfur-free acid. The casting molds can be produced having reduced emission of harmful compounds during casting. |
| US08919420B2 |
Telescopic traversing system for retractable window treatments
A variable length support rod apparatus for translational support of a window treatment, such as draperies, comprised of a support member formed of a plurality of transnationally engaged segments, the support member is infinitely configurable from a minimum contracted length to a maximum extended length through a translation of the plurality of segments toward or away from each other. A continuous flexible member is positioned along a pathway running between a first end and a second end of the support member. The support rod may be configured to any length between the minimum and maximum lengths and may be fixed to a support surface without an adjustment of the fixed length of the continuous flexible member. |
| US08919418B2 |
Curtain system
A curtain assembly includes a curtain, or panel of flexible material, such as fabric, forming a generally smooth surface extending between a first anchor assembly and a second anchor assembly. Slits through the fabric are sized and arranged to be stretched opened to form respective openings in response to relatively small amounts of stretching of the panel between the two anchor assemblies with a tension force. The openings may be re-closed by allowing the panel to return to a relaxed state. The opening and closing action can be repeated according to new methods to controllably vary the amount of light that the curtain assembly allows through the panel. The curtain assembly may be used as part of various larger assemblies and in various environments. |
| US08919412B2 |
Apparatus for thermal-slide debonding of temporary bonded semiconductor wafers
A debonder apparatus for debonding two via an adhesive layer temporary bonded wafers includes a top chuck assembly, a bottom chuck assembly, a static gantry supporting the top chuck assembly, an X-axis carriage drive supporting the bottom chuck assembly, and an X-axis drive control. The top chuck assembly includes a heater and a wafer holder. The X-axis drive control drives horizontally the bottom chuck assembly from a loading zone to a process zone under the top chuck assembly and from the process zone back to the loading zone. A wafer pair comprising a carrier wafer bonded to a device wafer via an adhesive layer is placed upon the bottom chuck assembly at the loading zone oriented so that the unbonded surface of the device wafer is in contact with the bottom assembly and is carried by the X-axis carriage drive to the process zone under the top chuck assembly and the unbonded surface of the carrier wafer is placed in contact with the top chuck assembly. The X-axis drive control initiates horizontal motion of the X-axis carriage drive along the X-axis while heat is applied to the carrier wafer via the heater and while the carrier wafer is held by the top chuck assembly via the wafer holder and thereby causes the device wafer to separate and slide away from the carrier wafer. |
| US08919405B2 |
Manual and automatic fastening device for a bonding element and method therefor
A manual and an automatic fastening device for fastening a bonding element to a surface by means of a light-curing adhesive is disclosed. The fastening devices apply the bonding element to the surface with a specific contact pressure, before the light is irradiated onto the bonding element for curing the adhesive. As the bonding element consists of transparent material, the adhesive is cured between the fastening element and the surface. |
| US08919402B2 |
Automatic inflator for maintaining a tire pressure
An apparatus and method are described for extracting useful work from pressure transients in a pneumatic tire to replace lost air from the tire. The apparatus and method operate continuously and without human intervention. When also used with a pressure relief valve, the apparatus and method permit the tires that are being driven to be maintained at a desired average pressure. |
| US08919395B2 |
Dispensing apparatus
A dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing flowable solid materials, wherein the apparatus includes a container for holding dispensable material, a dispensing assembly, a lever locking assembly, and a receptacle. In operation, a receptacle is inserted into a receptacle receiving area. The receptacle engages a pivotable release arm to unlock a latch plate. The receptacle also engages a pivotable latch arm to slide the latch plate to unblock a lever slot, thereby allowing a lever to be urged downward by a user. As the lever is urged downward, a piston advances through an angularly disposed piston shaft to push dispensable material from a piston shaft upper portion into a spiral chute wherein the material gravity flows down the chute and into the receptacle in the receptacle receiving area. The apparatus may include a receptacle locking assembly to lock the receptacle within the receptacle receiving area while material is being dispensed. |
| US08919393B2 |
Filling system for vehicular fluid container
The invention is based on the insight that a filling system obtained by combining a “Kruse” compatible threaded socket and an annular magnet as required for the operation of the “Elaflex” nozzle, will exhibit air exchange problems related to the difference in the positioning of the respective air intake openings of the “Kruse” bottle and the “Elaflex” nozzle. More particularly, the invention is based on the insight that by judiciously providing a chamber in fluid communication with the volume of air or vapor in the tank, filling may be made possible with a “Kruse” bottle as well as with an “Elaflex” nozzle. |
| US08919390B2 |
Reagent preparation and dispensing device
A reagent preparation and dispensing device includes a body having a reaction chamber for a reagent and a solution reservoir for a solution. The solution reservoir is isolated from the reaction chamber. A plunger is movably coupled with the body. Movement of the plunger from a starting position to a seated position pushes the solution into the reaction chamber. A dispensing path extends from the reaction chamber out of the body. The dispensing path is configured to dispense a reagent mixture formed from the solution and the reagent. A vent path extends from the reaction chamber, the vent path vents reaction chamber gas displaced by the addition of the solution to the reaction chamber throughout movement of the plunger from the starting position to the seated position. |
| US08919389B2 |
Tubular structure and method for making the same
A tubular structure and method for making a tubular structure are provided, where the tubular structure includes at least one layer of braided strands. In general, at least one portion of the braided strands exhibits a braid pattern of crests and troughs (e.g., a wave pattern, which may include sinusoidal, square, and/or sawtooth waves) along a length of the tubular structure. The wave pattern can be created by rotating the mandrel onto which the tubular structure is braided during the braiding process, such as by angularly oscillating the mandrel about its longitudinal axis or about its transverse axis. As a result, the tubular structures may have increased radial strength, collapse resistance, torque transmission, column strength, and kink resistance. The tubular structures may be used in medical devices, such as stent-grafts, as well as in other medical and non-medical devices, such as in hoses, tubing, filters, and other devices. |
| US08919379B2 |
Plug switch outlet mechanism
A plug switch outlet mechanism has a first and second shower. The first shower includes a first switch mechanism inside and a socket outside a fixed unit, an outlet connected to the fixed unit; the fixed unit is disposed with two waterways and an inlet waterway connected to the external water source, one of the waterway is connected to the outlet, the socket is disposed with a switch, the switch is driving connected to the first switch mechanism for driving the first switch mechanism when touched to make the two waterways switched to connect to the inlet waterway; the second shower is connected to the other waterway, the second shower is coupled to the socket and can plug into the socket, when the second shower is inserted into the sockets or pulled away from the socket, the switch is touched. |
| US08919376B2 |
Hydrodynamic ram mitigating fuel cell structure
A system and method to mitigate the effect of hydrodynamic ram. The system including a chamber adapted to receive fluid and a core disposed within the chamber. A plurality of columns extend through the core and a plurality of orifices extend through the thickness of the columns. The method includes channeling a portion of a vapor bubble to an ullage space disposed within the chamber with the plurality of columns and changing the fluid state of the vapor bubble with a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns. |
| US08919375B2 |
Valve with position sensor
Valve comprising a shutter (2) rotating as one (A) with a shaft (3) and a sensor sensing the rotational position of the shaft (3), which comprises a target holder (4a) push-fitted onto the shaft (3), a plate (6) slipped onto the shaft (3), the target holder (4a) and the annular part (6a) being in one and the same plane. |
| US08919371B2 |
Rotary shear injector valve with coated stator surface
A valve includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor and the stator each have seal surfaces for contacting and sliding against one another during operation of the valve. Either or both of the rotor and the stator have a seal-surface coating formed by depositing an at least partially amorphous interlayer on a substrate and depositing a surface layer, including diamond-like carbon, on the interlayer. The surface layer requires no mechanical polishing. |
| US08919370B2 |
Tank for storing a liquid active ingredient
The invention relates to a tank for storing a liquid active ingredient for operating an aggregate of a motor vehicle, particularly a unit for post treatment of exhaust gases of the motor vehicle, comprising a container and at least one functional element (11, 18) extending into the container, wherein the functional element is provided with at least one agent (25, 26) for abrasion protection. |
| US08919367B2 |
Apparatus and method for blocking sewer gas
A device and method for preventing the backflow of undesirable gases from being drawn up through a drain line into a room. The device is particularly useful in applications where liquid flow into the drain is infrequent, resulting in little or no liquid left standing in the P-trap to serve as a gas barrier. When installed the device prevents the unwanted backflow of sewer gases into the room above. However, if water or a similar liquid is introduced into the drain line, the device dissolves, thereby allowing the liquid to pass down the drain line. |
| US08919366B2 |
Electromechanical apparatus system and methods for dispensing or purging fluids
An improved electromechanical apparatus for injecting or purging fluids on demand is disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for using the apparatus, including automatic fertilizer injection/injecting and water line purging systems for use in lawn maintenance. The apparatus can be located in a main water line before the distribution valves of an irrigation system, for example, where it can be activated or deactivated without interfering with the normal usage of the system. |
| US08919360B1 |
Cabinet washer and rack system
A cabinet washer is supported on legs above a floor. Fluid dispensing heads discharge wash fluid within the cabinet. A sump collects wash fluid leaving the cabinet, for recirculation as desired through a pump. A wheeled cart has a frame which supports a tray and a rack above the wheels. Items to be washed are positioned on the rack and the cart is received within the cabinet, at which point the bottom wall of the tray underlies the cabinet bottom wall opening. The tray bottom wall slopes to receive fluid discharged within the cabinet interior compartment and convey it through a cabinet rear wall opening. The sump may be provided with a deflector which alternately sends fluid to be recirculated or drained from the sump. The front door may be hinged to the cabinet, or may be mounted to the cart itself. |
| US08919357B2 |
Steam appliance
A steam appliance includes a steam applicator which is connectable to the steam appliance, but the steam applicator is permitted to rotate without loosening or disengaging the connection of the steam applicator to the steam appliance. Embodiments may be particularly suitable for use with a portable, handheld steam appliance that employs steam pocket technology. |
| US08919350B1 |
Hair comb
Disclosed is a hair comb capable of reducing the resistance and improving the smoothness of combing hair, and the hair comb includes a slab-shaped main body, a plurality of parallel slash-shaped teeth implant areas disposed on a surface of the main body, a plurality of serial comb teeth sequentially implanted in the teeth implant areas and disposed opposite to the slash-shaped teeth implant areas respectively, a vacant area without any implanted tooth and disposed on a surface of the main body and the width of the vacant area falling between the serial comb teeth is greater than the distance between two adjacent comb teeth to achieve the effects of reducing the resistance of combining hair by the hair comb and the occurrence of tangled hair and providing a smooth combing operation. |
| US08919342B2 |
Inhaler
In an inhaler for administering a powdery medicament in the form of an inhalable substance, substance formulation or mixture, a blister cavity to be opened by piercing elements (11) is mounted in the lower part (1) of a housing (2), which has an upper part (6), designed as mouthpiece and with an inhalation channel (16), and of the lower part (1), which has an air inlet opening (9). The inhalation channel (16) of the upper part (6) of the housing has a unit (15) for dispersing the powdery medicament, said unit (15) being connected to the piercing elements (11), wherein the upper part (6) of the housing can be moved relative to the lower part (1) of the housing in order to open the blister cavity. |
| US08919341B2 |
Inhaler
An inhaler, particularly a powder inhaler, for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, substance formulations or mixtures, with a mouthpiece (2) and a magazine that comprises a housing (3) having a plurality of cavities (32) for holding the medicament, the mouthpiece (2) being in flow connection with one of the cavities (32). The closed housing (3) has a cover (4) that covers at least one carrier (26, 27) comprising the unsealed cavities (32), the carrier (26, 27) being movable relative to the cover (4) for bringing a cavity (32) into flow connection with the mouthpiece (2). |
| US08919339B2 |
Support and sliding system for extractable oven shelves
A support and sliding system for extractable shelves that are installable in a cooking oven that allows improved sizing of the usable surface of the shelves and the better utilization of oven volume. |
| US08919334B2 |
Portable barrel cooker
Several embodiments of an outdoor cooking apparatus are described having an upright barrel enclosure with an open end, a removable lid, a pre-measured heat source basket, an adjustable venting member and dual suspension frames or grate. |
| US08919329B2 |
PCV system having internal routing
A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is provided herein. The PCV system includes an engine assembly, the engine assembly including an engine block, a cylinder head, a valve cover, and an intake manifold and a PCV passage providing fluidic communication between a crankcase of the engine assembly and a cylinder intake port of the engine assembly without hoses or conduits external to the engine assembly. |
| US08919328B2 |
Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system and method with improved EGR temperature control
A waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling is described. More particularly, a Rankine cycle WHR system and method is described, including an arrangement to improve the precision of EGR cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management. |
| US08919327B2 |
Evaporative emission control
A method for operating a fuel system is disclosed. The method includes sequentially purging fuel vapors from each of a plurality of regions of a canister. Purging a region includes opening an air inlet valve associated with that region and maintaining air inlet valves associated with each other region closed to direct fuel vapors to at least one purge outlet. |
| US08919324B2 |
Fuel rail for liquid injection of a two-phase fuel
In one embodiment, the fuel rail may include an inlet channel, one or more injector cavities with a fuel gallery, and an outlet channel. The fuel in an injector cavity may exist in varying ratios of liquid-to-vapor phase with liquid-phase fuel in a middle or lower portion of the injector cavity and with the vapor-phase fuel in an upper portion of the injector cavity. The inlet channel and the outlet channel may each intersect with the injector cavities on opposing sides of the injector cavities. The inlet channel may provide liquid-phase fuel to each injector cavity in a parallel manner. As the liquid-phase fuel is pumped into each injector cavity through the inlet channel, vapor-phase fuel in the injector cavities may be purged to the outlet channel in a parallel manner. |
| US08919323B2 |
System and method for controlling engine speed
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a gain determination module, a desired torque determination module, and an engine operation control module. The gain determination module determines a gain based on a desired speed of an engine and a change rate of an actual speed of the engine. The desired torque determination module determines a desired torque based on the gain and a difference between the actual speed and the desired speed. The engine operation control module controls at least one of a throttle area, a spark timing, and a fueling rate based on the desired torque. |
| US08919321B2 |
Internal combustion engine with lubrication system
An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase defining a sump, and a lubrication system scavenging oil from the crankcase and supplying oil to the crankshaft and to first and second cylinder heads. The lubrication system includes a pump with housing and rotor, the housing being fixed to the crankcase and the rotor being rotatable around a crankshaft axis and being rotated by the crankshaft. A plurality of oil supply passages extend through the crankcase, potentially including at least one being formed in the crankcase. |
| US08919317B2 |
Inertia incremental apparatus for flywheel of engine
An inertia incremental apparatus for a flywheel of an engine, may include a drive plate integrally connected to a crankshaft, a flywheel rotatably connected to the camshaft, receiving a rotational force from the drive plate through a planetary gear set, and rotating relatively to the crankshaft, and a stiffness-providing unit disposed on a path of transmitting the rotational force from the drive plate to the flywheel. |
| US08919314B2 |
Engine control apparatus
An engine control apparatus is configured to perform engine automatic stop to automatically stop an engine when predetermined engine stop conditions are satisfied and automatically restart the engine when predetermined engine restart conditions are satisfied. The stop conditions including that a vehicle speed decreases below a predetermined stop permission speed. The engine control apparatus includes a variation amount detection means for detecting a variation amount of a brake operation being performed by the vehicle driver during a deceleration period from when the vehicle has started to decelerate to when the vehicle speed has decreased below the stop permission speed, and a stop determination means for determining whether the engine automatic stop should be performed when the engine stop conditions are satisfied based on the variation amount detected by the variation amount detection means. |
| US08919304B2 |
Two stroke, opposed-piston engines with engine braking
In a two-stroke opposed-piston engine, a ported cylinder with a pair of opposed pistons is equipped with an engine brake including an engine braking valve that can be opened to release air from the cylinder as the pistons cycle between BDC and TDC positions. |
| US08919297B2 |
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. |
| US08919296B2 |
Hot-water supply system
A hot water supply system includes a first tank for storing hot water for heating; a second tank for storing hot water to be supplied to a hot water tap; a heater circulation path for supplying the hot water of the first tank to a heater; a first path that includes a first heat transfer portion surrounding the exposed portion of the second tank to the inside of the first tank and that connects the first tank to a forward portion of the heater circulation path so that the hot water of the first tank can be supplied to the heater through the first heat transfer portion; and a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion, and that allows heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion due to the flow, in the second heat transfer portion, of the hot water of the second tank. |
| US08919293B2 |
Self-containing, retractable leash and collar/harness assembly
A retractable leash and collar/harness assembly. The assembly includes a hub that contains a spring member and leash line coiled and enclosed within the hub. The spring member and leash line remain in constant communication with each other. The hub contains an aperture through which the leash line can flow. Extending outwardly from the hub are snap buckles, one of which is structured to have a channel formed therein. The leash line can flow through the channel to a handle, which is contained within a pouch formed on the attached collar. When the leash is pulled, the handle separates from the pouch, followed by the leash line. Thus, when in use, the leash line follows a path of travel from the hub, through the snap buckle, through the pouch and into the external environment. In an alternative embodiment, the current invention may be a leash and harness assembly. |
| US08919292B1 |
Leash assembly
A leash assembly includes a first belt, a second belt and at least one connector piece coupled to the first belt. The first belt is configured to be worn over the second belt. The first and second belts can be worn by a subject around the torso, shoulders, neck or wrist. Each connector piece is configured to move along at least a portion of the first belt. In some embodiments, the connector piece is a link configured to be receive the first belt and to move along the first belt. Each connector piece is coupled with a leash. In some embodiments, the leash has a retractable end. The leash assembly can include adornments and/or a carrier coupled to the belt. |
| US08919286B2 |
Modular baled hay feeding system and method for livestock
A system and method of feeding rolled bales of hay to livestock while simultaneously storing the hay off of the ground. The hay is presented in such a way that the livestock can graze on the hay bales at will, much as they would graze in a grass field. The system of storing and offering the hay bales is modular, and may be added to or subtracted from depending upon the size of the herd of livestock. Additionally, the invention is designed to be placed along an existing fence-line for simple access to the feeding system. This allows the system to act as a simple pass-through for hay bales for feeding purposes, as opposed to requiring that bales be physically picked up and placed on a feeder for each individual feeding. A trough for water or other types of feed may also be built directly into the system. |
| US08919285B1 |
Portable livestock feed storage and delivery device
A new device for the collection, storage, and selected delivery of livestock feed is provided. Such a device includes an internal system to simultaneously prevent caking or otherwise solidifying of such feed material as well as maneuver the same to a trough for dispensing on demand. Additionally, the device includes an auger component with a housing cap to selectively alter the rate of dispensing as well as provide a shut off mechanism if needed. Such a device thus may be driven to a feed source location and filled to any selected level, closed, and transported to any desired location to permit delivery thereof the stored feed. With the enclosed structure, as well, long-term storage may be achieved, thus effectively preventing rodent or other pest invasion, as well as providing a suitable moisture barrier for proper and effective storage. A system of feeding livestock with this device is also encompassed. |
| US08919283B2 |
Device, method and computer program product for milking animals
The invention provides a device and method for milking a dairy animal, comprising at least two sensors for measuring milking parameters. Usually, an alarm is generated if a specific number of parameters each are outside a given range. According to the invention, now an alarm is also generated if said specific number of exceedings is not achieved, but if another, and usually greater, number of parameters each are within a larger, more flexible, range. As a result thereof, the actual alarm parameters with ‘hard’ limits can be selected, in order that false-positive messages are prevented to a considerable extent. In the grey area of almost exceeding, an alarm can still be generated if sufficient parameters are in dubious areas. |
| US08919282B2 |
System and method for continuous vermiculture cycle
A method for continuous vermiculture is provided. The method includes providing a continuous vermiculture culture system. The continuous vermiculture culture system includes at least one culture member that is fluidly connected to an irrigation system. After preparing a feeding solution, a volume of the feeding solution is then infused into the at least one culture member via the irrigation system. The steps of providing a feeding solution and infusing a volume of the feeding solution into the at least one culture member via the irrigation system are optionally repeated to promote formation of culture-grade soil and plant growth within the at least one culture member. |
| US08919280B1 |
X-ray irradiation system for sterilization of insects
An apparatus and method for sterile insect technique comprising a plurality of x-ray sources surrounding a container containing insects targeted for reproductive sterilization, wherein the container is at an optimized distance from the x-ray sources, moves at a fixed rate along a direction perpendicular to a plane intersecting the x-ray sources, and rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said x-ray sources. |
| US08919273B1 |
Wall-mounted valve
A valve is disclosed. The valve can be mounted through a wall, for example in the hull wall of a submersible vehicle. The internal components of the valve can be readily removed, serviced and/or replaced without removing the valve body from the wall. A filling assembly is also disclosed, which mates with the valve to deliver a fluid from one side of the wall, through the valve and into a storage tank or other apparatus disposed on the opposite side of the wall. The filling assembly actuates the valve to open a fluid pathway therethrough in order to deliver fluid to a storage tank or other apparatus connected to the valve's exit port. |
| US08919272B2 |
Aerodynamic lift device and methods of using the same
Embodiments of the present invention feature a device having aerodynamic lift surfaces that is capable of rotation about a stayed mast. |
| US08919267B2 |
Agricultural seeder implement
A seeder implement (125) includes a fork (146) having a first spindle support arm (150) that supports a first spindle (164) and a second spindle support arm (152) that supports a second spindle (168). A first disk (160) is supported on the first spindle (164), wherein the first spindle (164) is oriented in a first orientation and at a first acute angle relative to a lateral line. The first disk (160) is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the ground surface. A second disk (166) is supported on the second spindle (168), wherein the second spindle (168) is oriented in a second orientation and at a third acute angle relative to the lateral line. The second disk (166) is oriented at a fourth acute angle relative to the ground surface. The first disk (160) is longitudinally offset ahead of the second disk (166), and there are no structural components between the first and second disks (160, 166) other than the first and second spindles (164, 168). In one embodiment, a packing wheel (142) is disposed to close and compact furrows opened by the disks (160, 166) and is disposed in the same orientation as one of the disks (160, 166). |
| US08919266B2 |
Low sulfur coal additive for improved furnace operation
The present invention is directed to additives for coal-fired furnaces, particularly furnaces using a layer of slag to capture coal particles for combustion. The additive(s) include iron, mineralizer(s), handling aid(s), flow aid(s), and/or abrasive material(s). The iron and mineralizers can lower the melting temperature of ash in low-iron, high alkali coals, leading to improved furnace performance. |
| US08919263B2 |
Portable assembly-type flat bench
A portable assembly type flat bench in which a plurality of supports are spaced apart from each other by an equal spacing in the front and rear directions and left and right directions, and interconnected through a connection panel, to thereby reduce the volume of the bench and to thus enable easy carrying and storage, and easy assembly and disassembly, and to enable the size of the bench to be freely adjusted. |
| US08919261B2 |
Transport tanker reinforcement
A transport tanker and a method of reinforcing a transport tanker are generally provided. The transport tanker may include a tank body, and a coupling structure, including a web extending from the tank body, for transferring a towing load to the tank body. A load spreading structure may be affixed to the tank body and configured to spread at least a portion of a load experienced by the tank body in a region proximate a terminal end of the web. The load spreading structure may include a reinforcing member including a elongated U-shaped member including two legs joined at a first end by an arcuate section. A respective one of the two legs may be at least partially disposed on opposed sides of the web with web at least partially received within an open second end of the U-shaped member. |
| US08919255B1 |
Chemiluminescent shotgun tracer insert with decelerator
A chemiluminescent tracer insert with decelerator for use with a shotgun shell to provide an aiming and training aid for shotgun shooting activities, including skeet, trap, sporting clays, hunting, law enforcement and military applications. The tracer insert can be used in shotgun shells of all gauges. The tracer insert comprises a translucent, resilient, elastic, cylindrical container in which the reactants, an oxalate and fluorescent-colored dye solution, and an activator encased in a glass vessel, are held. Ignition of the shell causes the glass vessel to break. The resulting chemiluminescent reaction causes emission of light visible to the shooter. Unattached ends of thin-flaps on the tracer insert extend outwardly when drag forces act upon them during flight, slowing the speed of the tracer insert, which makes it more visible to the shooter, thereby providing a consistent reference to enable a shooter to make corrections to his lead and/or shooting techniques. |
| US08919253B2 |
Perforating string with magnetohydrodynamic initiation transfer
A perforating system that transfers a detonation wave between adjacent perforating guns by converting shockwave energy to electrical energy. An explosive is provided on an end of a detonating cord that is coupled to shaped charges, so that a detonation wave traveling in the detonation cord will initiate detonation in the shaped charges and then in the high explosive. The explosive is disposed adjacent a pair of members that are energized so that a magnetic field is formed between the members. When the explosive detonates, the resulting shock wave pushes one of the members into the space between the members to compress the magnetic field. Compressing the magnetic field produces an electrical potential usable to initiate a detonation wave in another detonating cord for perpetuating the detonation wave along the perforating system. |
| US08919251B2 |
Ink film thickness distribution correction method and apparatus
An ink film thickness distribution correction method in an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain storing an ink, a plurality of ink fountain keys, an ink fountain roller to which the ink is supplied from the ink fountain, an ink ductor roller to which the ink is transferred from the ink fountain roller, and an ink roller group including at least one ink form roller to which the ink transferred to the ink ductor roller is supplied. A throw-off operation of the ink form roller positioned at the end of the ink roller group is performed during test printing or final printing. An ink film thickness distribution correction apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08919249B2 |
Screen printing device and screen printing method
Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask. |
| US08919247B2 |
Device and method for printing by transfer onto a cylindrical printing medium
The invention relates to a device for printing by transfer onto a print support (10) comprising at least one blanket (30) driven in a sequential relative movement past a magazine (50) conveying the print supports (10), in which device the blanket (30) has a surface area greater than that of the print support (10), the device further comprising digital printing means (20) which print by spraying ink onto this blanket (30) over a variable area equal to that of the print support (10). |
| US08919246B2 |
Waste compactor
The waste compactor comprises a housing having an inclined wall in the upper part thereof. A motor on the upper wall drives a helical screw on the lower side of the inclined wall which converges conically downwardly with a decreasing pitch. A lower hopper extending downwardly from the inclined wall below the helical screw forms a funnel and is opened above to an inlet area. The inlet area receives waste material to be compacted, which material descends into the area of the helical screw. A lower more narrow end of the helical screw is located in a conduit which is slightly wider than the lower end of the helical screw and converges downwardly to a constriction at its lower end. Waste material is compacted by downward movement under the action of the helical screw and by being forced through the conduit. The lower hopper has drainage holes through which liquid can drain, by gravity, and a collector is positioned to collect the liquid passing through the drainage holes. |
| US08919245B2 |
Induction cooking structure and system and method of using the same
A method of producing an edible food product includes the step of forming a vessel core with a first material having a first level of susceptibility to heating by induction. The method also includes the step of casting an apron of a second material with a second level of susceptibility to heating by induction lower than said first level around at least a first portion the vessel core in an in situ casting process to form a clad cooking vessel having a cooking surface. An uncooked food product is then disposed on the cooking surface of the clad cooking vessel and heated to produce the edible food product by subjecting the vessel core to a magnetic field. |
| US08919244B1 |
Grilling rack
A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet of material, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of flanged members attached to a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough. |
| US08919243B2 |
Cooking appliance
Provided is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a cooktop part on which a grill module for grill cooking is detachably disposed, a collection device for sucking an exhaust gas generated in the grill module, an exhaust device forcibly sucking the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to exhaust the exhaust gas to the outside, and a guide device for guiding the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to the exhaust device. The cooking appliance enables different types of food to be simultaneously cooked according to different cooking methods, and thus cooking time for food may be reduced and various demands of users may be met. |
| US08919239B2 |
Servo brake actuator piston and servo brake equipped with such a piston
Actuator piston (100) formed by an injection-molded piece (120) consisting of a cylindrical body (121) and a collar (122) to receive the hydraulic actuator (110) and the travel detector (160). The piece (120) comprises a shell (150) covering its front face and receiving the return spring (250) and the thrust rod (130).The actuator piston (110) includes lugs (115) engaged behind the lugs (125) of the body (121), by a pivoting movement about the axis. The rotational position is blocked by a locking and guiding sleeve (180). |
| US08919236B2 |
Perforating gun drop sub
A perforating gun assembly comprises a drop sub linking the firing head to the gun tube or tubes. The drop sub includes a 360° perimeter shaped charge explosive for severing pipe having an axial bore to accommodate a pass-through of the perforation charge detonation chord. Consequently, the severing tool is detonated by the traverse of a detonation wave along the chord length to disconnect the perforating gun prior to detonation of the perforation charges. |
| US08919233B2 |
Electronic pre-cut sheet dispenser with dispensing adjustments
The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing pre-cut sheets from a roll or a web material to a user in need of the web material. The dispenser contains a product identification sensor in communication with a control circuit. This product identification sensor detects and identifies information about the roll of the web material placed in the holder and relays this information to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts dispensing parameters for the actuator roller in dispensing a sheet of the web material from the dispenser. |
| US08919231B2 |
Safety mechanisms for power tools
Various safety systems for power tools, and in particular table saws, include detection systems for detecting a dangerous condition relative to a blade of the power tool, and reaction systems for taking mitigation action in response to detection of a dangerous condition. The safety system may detect, prevent, and/or mitigate a dangerous condition associated with the power tool. |
| US08919228B1 |
Precision ratcheting mechanism for gripping device
A gripping device with a precision ratcheting mechanism includes an upper and a lower arm, each terminating in a U-shaped receiver, connected by a pair of pivotal joints. A pawl device is pivotally connected to the U-shaped receiver of the upper arm, while a post, passing through the pawl device, is pivotally connected to the lower arm. The post contains a plurality of teeth on one surface and a teeth-engaging member in the pawl device contains a plurality of corresponding teeth which engage the teeth on the post. The teeth are disengaged by pressing a release surface, which compresses a spring and physically moves the teeth-engaging structure away from the post, allowing the post to move freely within the pawl device. |
| US08919222B2 |
Foot stabilizer for a bike pedal
A platform upon which a humans foot can be placed has an upper and a lower surface, distal and proximal ends respectively corresponding to the toes and heel of the humans foot, and a ridge extending approximately vertically from the platforms upper surface around the perimeter of the proximal end of the platform to aid in retaining the humans heel at the proximal position of the platform when positioned on the upper surface of the platform. Associated with the platform is a distal plate adjustably connected to the distal region of the lower surface of the platform. |
| US08919219B2 |
Precision transfer equipment
A precision equipment having: a base; a table supported by the base; a tubular rod connected to a side of the table via a joint; a drive mechanism that moves the rod forward and backward; and a laser interferometer that detects displacement of the table relative to the base. The joint is provided by a supplying-discharging static-pressure joint and includes: a movement surface that is connected to the table and is orthogonal to a moving direction of the table; a drive surface that is connected to the rod and faces the movement surface; and a fluid supply channel supplying fluid to a static-pressure clearance between the movement surface and the drive surface. The laser interferometer includes a laser path having an optical axis along the moving direction passing through the inside of the rod of which a pressure is reduced and the drive surface and reflect on the movement surface. |
| US08919217B2 |
Handheld power tool with a shiftable gear
A handheld power tool is provided with a shiftable gear that has at least two gear steps which are meant to be selected via a user control element disposed adjustably on the housing, in which the user control element actuates a transmission member that acts upon an adjustable gear component, and the user control element is intended to be adjusted between at least two detent positions that correspond to the gear steps of the gear. The transmission member is intended to be adjusted into the detent positions, which can be transmitted to the user control element via the coupling between the user control element and the transmission member. |
| US08919216B2 |
Double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle
A double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle with a first input shaft (W1) formed as a hollow shaft and a longer, second input shaft (W2) arranged coaxially inside the first input shaft (W1). Each of input shaft is in driving connection, by way of an associated input constant (EK1, EK2), with at least one countershaft (W3a, W3b) arranged axis-parallel to the first and the second input shafts (W1, W2). To avoid jamming of the gearteeth (4, 5a, 5b; 6, 7a, 7b) of the respective, non-load-transmitting input constant (EK1, EK2), the fixed wheel (6), arranged on the associated input shaft (W2) in at least one of the input constants, is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner by first carrier gearteeth (19) on a support sleeve (20) which, in turn, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner by second carrier gearteeth (21, 21′) to the input shaft (W2) concerned. |
| US08919210B2 |
Load cell lockouts and related fluid dispensing systems
A load cell lockout system includes a lower support, an upper support, and a load cell disposed between the lower support and the upper support. The upper support is movable relative to the lower support between a first position wherein a first load is applied by the upper support to the load cell and a second position wherein either a second load that is lighter than the first load is applied by the upper support to the load cell or no load is applied by the upper support to the load cell. A lockout includes a cam with an eccentric perimeter side edge, the cam being rotatable between a first orientation whereby the upper support is placed in the first position and a second orientation whereby the upper support is placed in the second position. |
| US08919206B2 |
Method of testing seal lip bond strength to metal substrate and apparatus therefor
A method of testing one of bond or fatigue strength of an elastomeric seal lip to a metal substrate and apparatus therefor is provided. The method and apparatus avoid causing inadvertent damage to the seal lip during testing. Further, the method and apparatus allow a tensile force to be applied along an axis of the seal lip along which the seal lip extends regardless of the angle of inclination of the seal lip relative to a central axis of a metal substrate to which the seal lip is attached. Accordingly, accurate and repeatable test results indicating one of bond strength of the seal lip to the metal substrate or fatigue strength of the seal lip are obtained via the method and apparatus. |
| US08919202B2 |
System and method for monitoring health of stator vanes
A system including a plurality of sensing devices configured to generate acoustic emission (AE) signals that are representative of acoustic emission waves propagating through a plurality of stator vanes is presented. The system further includes a processing subsystem that is in an operational communication with the plurality of sensing devices, and the processing subsystem is configured to generate a dynamic threshold based upon an initial threshold and the AE signals, determine whether a plurality of signals of interest exist in the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, extract the plurality of signals of interest from the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, determine one or more features corresponding to the plurality of signals of interest, and analyze the one or more features to monitor and validate the health of the plurality of stator vanes. |
| US08919200B2 |
Physical quantity detection device, physical quantity detector, and electronic device
A physical quantity detection device includes: a base; a movable portion, provided in the base through a coupling portion, which is displaced in accordance with a change in a physical quantity; a physical quantity detection element which is fixed across the base and the movable portion; and a mass portion which is fixed to the movable portion, wherein the movable portion includes a first fixing portion to which the physical quantity detection element is fixed, a second fixing portion to which the mass portion is fixed, and a notch having a notched shape which is separated from the coupling portion, and reaches from a lateral side of the movable portion to a place intersecting a line that links the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion. |
| US08919195B2 |
Environment providing device, environment providing method, and particle detecting device evaluating method
An environment providing device having a test chamber; a spraying device for receiving the supply of a gas flow to spray, into the test chamber, a fluid that contains particles; a flow meter for measuring a measured value for the flow rate of the gas flow that is supplied to the spraying device; a flow rate controlling device for controlling to a prescribed value, based on the measured value, the flow rate of the gas flow that is supplied to the spraying device; a timer for measuring a time interval over which the fluid that includes the particles has been sprayed into the test chamber; and a spraying-device-controlling device for stopping the spraying of the fluid that contains the particles after spraying a prescribed quantity of particles into the test chamber. |
| US08919194B2 |
Liquid level gauging system with bubble shedding reflectors
A reflector target includes a reflector defining a tapered reflector surface. The reflector includes an apex opening and an opposed base opening, wherein the base opening has a larger perimeter than the apex opening. The tapered reflector surface extends between the openings forming a tapered passage there-between. The tapered reflector surface is configured to resist the accumulation of surface bubbles on the reflector surface by movement of bubbles along the reflector surface out through the apex opening. |
| US08919188B2 |
External tire pressure sensing device
An external tire pressure sensing device includes from bottom to top along it axial direction a base, a sensor for detection of the internal pressure of tire, a circuit board for incorporating a control circuit therein, a button battery and a packaging suite. The base includes a screw hole along its axial direction for locking with a gas nozzle, and a circular platform is formed on a top portion of the base; the device comprises an integral sealable venting member having a supporting platform tightly engaged with the circular platform, a communication portion placed into the base screw hole from the bottom of the supporting platform to push out a gas outlet valve of the gas nozzle, and a communicating hole for communicating the screw hole with an upper space of the supporting platform; the sensor is installed on the bottom surface of the circuit board so as to be electrically connected with a control circuit of the circuit board; and a sensing portion located on a bottom surface of the sensor is engaged tightly with the communicating hole of the sealable venting member; the button battery is positioned on a top surface of the circuit board and electrically connected with the control circuit so as to provide electrical power. |
| US08919185B2 |
System and method for swirl generation
An apparatus for producing swirling flow in a pipeline is provided. The apparatus comprises in flow series: an inlet pipe, a flow deflection section, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is configured such that fluid arrives in the flow deflection section from the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe has one or more apertures formed in a radially outward side wall thereof for the entrance of fluid to the outlet pipe from the flow deflection section. The apertures are configured such that the entering fluid adopts a swirling flow in the outlet pipe. The flow deflection section is configured such that, in the flow deflection section, fluid arriving from the inlet pipe is deflected to a location radially adjacent the apertures while maintaining a substantial component of flow in said principal direction. |
| US08919180B2 |
Determination and application of glucose sensor reliability indicator and/or metric
Disclosed are a system and method for determining a metric and/or indicator of a reliability of a blood glucose sensor in providing glucose measurements. In one aspect, the metric and/or indicator may be computed based, at least in part, on an observed trend associated with signals generated by the blood glucose sensor. |
| US08919179B2 |
System and method for enhancing corrosion rate determination in process equipment using a telescoping/rotating sensor
A system and method for optimizing the response of a metal loss sensor which is configured in a way that its insertion depth and orientation in the process fluid are adjustable. These adjustments affect local turbulence and thereby enable achieving a desired corrosion rate at the metal loss sensor. Corrosion rate comparison between the metal loss sensor and pressure containment boundary can be measured directly or indirectly by computing wall shear stresses at the sensor and the pressure containment boundary. |
| US08919169B2 |
Integrated die trim and method
A sheet metal component includes a three dimensionally shaped first surface, a three dimensionally shaped second surface opposite and extending substantially parallel to the first surface and an edge interconnecting and extending about the perimeter of the first and second shaped surfaced. The edge includes a sheared portion formed during a trimming operation and an indented portion formed during a forming operation prior to the trimming operation. |
| US08919167B2 |
Threaded rebar manufacturing process and system
Embodiments of the invention comprise forming a billet from molten steel and hot rolling the billet to reduce the cross sectional area of the billet. Thereafter, the billet is hot rolled into a lead pass bar having a cross-sectional area comprising a reduced width dimension located adjacent to the center longitudinal axis of the bar. In one embodiment of the invention, the billet can be formed into a lead pass bar having a cross-sectional area in the shape of an hourglass or peanut by feeding the billet through a first set of rolls. After the lead pass bar is formed, it is passed through a second set of rolls in order to form the substantially continuous threaded rebar without longitudinal ribs. The cross-sectional area of the lead pass bar helps to produce a substantially continuous threaded rebar product without longitudinal ribs using standard rebar manufacturing tooling and equipment. |
| US08919165B2 |
Apparatus and method of forming reclosable containers
An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body. |
| US08919161B2 |
Mechanical module for a vehicle key, and method for making same
The present invention relates to a key (1) and to a mechanical module for a key (1), comprising a body (2), the body (2) including a first body portion (21) and a second body portion (22), the first and second body portions (21, 22) being mechanically secured to each other via a shape assembly, the first body portion (21) including a base member (21′) and a matching member (23), the matching member (23) achieving the shape assembly with the second portion (22), and the matching member (23) and the base member (21′) being connected by an adhesive or welded connection. |
| US08919154B2 |
Washing machine
Provided is a washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum, and a whirling nozzle. The cabinet defines the exterior. The drum is provided in the cabinet, and rotates with laundry held therein. The whirling nozzle changes wash water into whirling water to spray the whirling water into the drum. |
| US08919153B2 |
Manufacturing method for glass base material
Provided is a method for manufacturing glass preforms with high yield. In the glass-preform manufacturing method according to the present invention, a glass preform is produced through a fixing step, a deposition step, an extraction step, a vitrification step, and a collapsing step in the enumerated order. At the deposition step, the mean density of the glass soot body deposited on the circumference of the tubular handle 12 is made higher than the mean density of the glass soot body deposited on the circumference of the starting mandrel 11. It is preferable that the longitudinal variation in the mean density of a glass soot body deposited from the start of deposition to the tenth layer of glass particles within the range of ±50 mm from the boundary position between the starting mandrel and the tubular handle be 0.01 g/cc/mm or less. |
| US08919149B2 |
Glass melting method, system, and apparatus
A glass melting furnace is operated under a set of control parameters. A glass batch is fed into the glass melting furnace and melted into molten glass. During the melting, a surface layer comprising a portion of the glass batch and foam forms over the molten glass. A plurality of thermograms of the interior of the glass melting furnace is obtained. The thermograms are analyzed to determine whether there is instability in the thermodynamics of the surface layer. The set of control parameters are then adjusted to reduce a determined instability in the thermodynamics of the surface layer. |
| US08919148B2 |
Hydrocarbon gas processing
A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the vapor distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. |
| US08919143B2 |
Air-cooling wall with slidable heat exchangers
An air-cooling apparatus is provided which includes an air-cooling wall cooling airflow passing through an electronics rack(s) of a data center. The air-cooling wall is disposed separate from and in spaced relation to the air inlet or air outlet side(s) of the electronics rack(s), and includes a wall panel support structure disposed separate from the electronics rack(s), which supports one or more slidable wall panels. The slidable wall panel(s) includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger slidably supported and disposed in spaced relation to the air outlet or air inlet side of the electronics rack(s). The heat exchanger extracts heat from air passing across the heat exchanger and is slidable within the support structure in a direction transverse to the direction of airflow through the rack(s). Slidable support of the heat exchanger by the support structure facilitates access to the air outlet or air inlet sides of the electronics rack(s). |
| US08919140B2 |
Method and apparatus providing auxiliary cabin cooling
A cooling system for a machine having an engine and an operator cabin includes a primary air conditioning unit, an auxiliary air conditioning unit, an electrical powering unit configured to electrically power the auxiliary air conditioning unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature within the operator cabin, and a controller in communication with the primary air conditioning unit, the auxiliary air conditioning unit, and the sensor. The controller selectively activates the primary air conditioning unit and the auxiliary air conditioning unit.When the primary air conditioning unit is activated, a timer is started to determine the elapsed time during which the temperature within the operator's cabin exceeds the acceptable range of desired temperature, and the auxiliary unit is activated when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold time. |
| US08919139B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit, an operation controlling device and a liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device. The refrigerant circuit has an accumulator. The operation controlling device performs normal operation control where each device of the heat source unit and the utilization unit are controlled in accordance with operating load of the utilization unit, and refrigerant quantity determination operation control where properness of quantity of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is determined while performing the cooling operation. The liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device determines whether or not liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator. When it has been determined that liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator, liquid refrigerant accumulation control is performed to eliminate liquid refrigerant accumulation in the accumulator. |
| US08919134B2 |
Intershaft seal with support linkage
An assembly for gas turbine engine includes a cross-over housing, an inter-shaft seal housing, and a linkage. The inter-shaft seal housing is disposed within the cross-over housing. The linkage is connected to the inter-shaft seal housing and extends through a slot in the cross-over housing. The linkage is removable from both the inner radial housing and the outer radial housing. |
| US08919127B2 |
System and method for flow control in gas turbine engine
A system includes a gas turbine combustor, which includes a combustion liner disposed about a combustion region, a flow sleeve disposed about the combustion liner, an air passage between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, and a structure between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve. The structure obstructs an airflow through the air passage. The gas turbine combustor also includes a wake reducer disposed adjacent the structure. The wake reducer directs a flow into a wake region downstream of the structure. |
| US08919125B2 |
Apparatus and systems relating to fuel injectors and fuel passages in gas turbine engines
A combustor casing fuel injector in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, the combustor including a combustor casing that encloses internal structure of the combustor, wherein the combustor casing fuel injector includes a fuel manifold adjacent to an outer surface of the combustor casing. In certain embodiments, the combustor casing fuel injector includes a fuel injector; wherein the fuel injector extends through the combustor casing from a position within the fuel manifold to a predetermined fuel injection location; and wherein the fuel injector includes a protruding injector inlet within the fuel manifold. |
| US08919122B2 |
Compressor housing and exhaust gas turbine supercharger
A compressor housing includes a housing body for enclosing an impeller, an inlet portion for introducing air toward the impeller, and a port portion arranged adjacent to the inlet portion. A valve body for opening and closing a bypass passage, which bypasses the impeller, can be rested against the port portion. A connection hole, to which a return passage for returning blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine is connected, is formed in a side wall of the inlet portion. The inlet portion and the port portion have a common wall. A communication hole, which configures a part of the return passage, is formed in the common wall. The communication hole is formed such that the projection plane defined by projecting the communication hole onto a surface of the side wall having the connection hole along the axis of the communication hole is contained in the connection hole. |
| US08919121B2 |
Turbocharged engine with exhaust gas recycling
The present disclosure refers to a turbocharged internal combustion engine with exhaust gas recycling, comprising an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, a fresh air turbocharger and an exhaust supercharger, wherein the intake manifold is divided by a separating wall into a fresh air passage and an exhaust passage, one of the passages being connected to inlet openings of cylinders of the engine, the fresh air passage being connected to the outlet of the compressor of the fresh air turbocharger, the exhaust passage being connected to the outlet of the compressor of the exhaust supercharger and the separating wall being formed with orifices connecting the two passages. |
| US08919116B1 |
Variable drive apparatus
A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions. |
| US08919112B1 |
Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control. |
| US08919109B2 |
Hydraulic drive system for construction machine having exhaust gas purification device
A hydraulic drive system executing load sensing control is capable of efficiently combusting and removing filter deposits inside an exhaust gas purification device by pump output power increasing control when there is no actuator operation, eliminating interference between the actuator operation and the pump output power increasing control. A first solenoid selector valve selects between tank pressure and delivery pressure of a pilot pump. A second solenoid selector valve is arranged in a line leading the output pressure of a differential pressure reducing valve to an LS control valve for selecting between enabling and disabling of the load sensing control. When the exhaust gas purification device needs regeneration, a controller executes switching to make the first solenoid selector valve output the delivery pressure of the pilot pump as dummy load pressure and to make the second solenoid selector valve disable the load sensing control. |
| US08919107B2 |
Control device of diesel engine with turbocharger
A control device of a diesel engine with a turbocharger is provided. The device includes an engine body having a cylinder, a fuel injection valve, a turbine of the turbocharger, a bypass passage for bypassing the turbine, a bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass passage, an oxidation catalyst for purifying HC, and a DPF for capturing soot. The device includes a fuel cutting module for stopping, when the diesel engine is in a deceleration state, a main injection of the fuel performed on compression stroke, a DPF regenerating module for performing, when a predetermined DPF regeneration condition is satisfied, a post injection on expansion stroke to supply HC to the oxidation catalyst and regenerate the DPF by heat generated from an oxidation reaction of HC, and a bypass valve control module for controlling the bypass valve. |